Land Force: Platt weapon mount makes UK combat debut | ADM Mar 2011

Gregor Ferguson | Sydney

The UK Army’s latest combat vehicle has made its operational debut in Afghanistan fitted with an Australian made protected weapon station.

Around 30 Warthog protected all terrain vehicles commenced operations in Helmand province late in 2010, each fitted with an MR550 Composite Ring Mount supplied by Sydney firm W&E Platt.

Platt was awarded the contract to supply around 115 ring mounts in 2009 by Warthog manufacturer Singapore Technologies Kinetic (STK), which sought a highly protected yet lightweight manned weapon station for the UK vehicles.

As fitted to Warthog the MR550 Composite Ring Mount provides protection for the gunner to STANAG Level 3 and in UK service accepts the M2HB 12.7mm heavy machine gun, HK 40mm Grenade Machine Gun and the MAG-58 7.62mm general purpose machine gun.

Featuring composite appliqué armour sourced in Australia, the ring mount is also fitted with wire cutters and spare barrel holders. As part of the £150 million acquisition of 115 Warthogs, the Platt weapon stations and other local modifications were installed on the vehicles by Thales UK. An enhanced version of STK’s Bronco articulated tracked carrier, the Warthog provides improved mine blast and IED protection over its predecessor (the BvS10 Viking) and has the ability to traverse soft or waterlogged ground and terrain intersected by drainage ditches which often restrict the movement of wheeled armoured vehicles.

The Warthog order is a significant milestone in W&E Platt’s continuing export success, having now delivered protected ring mounts to eight countries.