August saw the release of the market survey for Land 155 Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability.
This project seeks to enhance combat gap crossing capability in order to meet the challenges posed by the 2020+ environment.
In this regard it aims to be pivotal to the future Army’s ability to manoeuvre in the close combat environment and enhance the survivability of own forces through the ability to cross a range of wet and dry gaps in support of combat operations.
It is intended that Land 155 will provide sub-systems that have very high commonality within their fleets, be integrated with legacy and emerging systems and be interoperable with coalition nations.
This RFI seeks to provide accurate and detailed information to senior decision makers at the following key program milestones:
- August 2011 – release of RFI.
- October 29, 2011 – final Market Survey report complete.
- Early 2012 – Capability Gate Review Board.
- Mid/Late 2012 – First Pass.
So what kind of systems are we likely to see bidding for this requirement?
One such is the Mobi-Mat system developed by French firm Deschamps, now with US subsidiary, for temporary roadways, helicopter landing pads, aircraft recovery pathways and tent floors based on patented roll out flexible synthetic mesh or composite ground reinforcement materials.
It is claimed that these items feature unrivalled lightness that makes them an almost negligible logistical burden and accordingly a prevailing asset.
Mobi-Dispensers are vehicle-mounted dispensers for the rapid deployment and recovery of Mobi-Mat Roadways.