Visitors to the Force Protection stand (no.420) at the International Armoured Vehicles 2010 exhibition will be able to receive technology briefings on Ocelot, the new light protected patrol vehicle designed, developed and funded by Force Protection and Ricardo plc.
Since the middle of 2009 Ocelot has been put through an extensive series of blast and ballistic testing at Force Protection’s own blast range in the US. In addition automotive trials have been conducted at the Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK and the Ricardo facility in Shoreham. This series of tests has demonstrated the effectiveness of Ocelot’s unique ‘skateboard’ armoured spine configuration and pod design in terms of both survivability and mobility.
Ocelot’s highly versatile design enables a range of special-to-role pods to be mounted on the skateboard. The pods, which can be easily changed in the field as the need arises, have been designed for roles such as patrol, fire support or protected logistics. Four wheel steering is common to all configurations and the vehicle can be transported in a C-130 or underslung from a Chinook.
David Hind, Managing Director of Force Protection Europe, said, “The next generation of protected vehicles must meet a range of stringent demands. High levels of survivability and repairability must be combined with manoeuvrability, the flexibility to perform a number of roles, easy maintenance and light weight. Ocelot is equally suited to operations in desert, jungle, mountainous or urban environments. While non-threatening in appearance, it provides levels of protection never before achieved in a vehicle of this size and weight. We firmly believe Ocelot will meet the global need for a new class of light protected patrol vehicle”.
Force Protection will also be briefing on the Buffalo route clearance vehicle and the Cougar MRAP. Now in highly successful service with the US Army, Buffalo is the most advanced mine protected clearance vehicle in the world, with a ‘V’ shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants, and with a large articulated arm for ordnance interrogation and disposal. The vehicle can be configured for multiple missions and is specifically designed to be repaired in the field. Renowned for its outstanding survivability performance in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cougar is in service with a range of militaries, including Canada, Hungary, Italy, Poland, United States and the UK.
For further information or high resolution images of the Ocelot please contact Victoria Bailey or Nick Johnstone at CMS Strategic on +44 (0)20 87489797 or email info@cmsstrategic.com
About Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)
Force Protection, Inc. is a leading American designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions, predominantly blast- and ballistic-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones. The Company’s specialty vehicles, the Cougar, the Buffalo and the Cheetah, are designed specifically for reconnaissance and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The Company also is the developer and manufacturer of ForceArmor™, an armor package providing superior protection against explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), now available for a wide range of tactical-wheeled vehicles. The Company is one of the original developers and primary providers of vehicles for the U.S. military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle program. For more information on Force Protection and its vehicles, visit www.forceprotection.net.
About Ricardo, plc
With technical centres and offices in the UK, USA, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, India and Korea, Ricardo is a leading independent technology provider and strategic consultant to the world’s transportation sector and clean energy industries. The company’s engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell power train technologies, as well as wind energy and tidal power systems. Ricardo is committed to excellence and industry leadership in people, technology and knowledge; approximately 70 per cent of its employees are highly qualified multi-disciplined professional engineers and technicians. A public company, Ricardo plc posted sales of £197.7 million in financial year 2008 and is a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100 index – a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.
Force Protection, Inc. Safe Harbor Language
This press release contains forward looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions of Force Protection’s management, and on information currently available to management. These forward looking statements include, among other things: the growth and demand for Force Protection’s vehicles, including the Buffalo vehicle; the rate at which the Company will be able to produce these vehicles; its expected work completion dates for the vehicles and the ability to meet current and future requirements; and the Company’s expected financial and operating results, including its revenues and cash flow, for future periods. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Examples of these factors include, but are not limited to, the ability to effectively manage the risks in the Company’s business; the ability to develop new technologies and products and the acceptance of these technologies and products; the ability to obtain and complete new orders for its vehicles and products; the Company’s ability to identify and remedy its internal control weaknesses and deficiencies; and other risk factors and cautionary statements listed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as updated in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009.
Note to Editors
The International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) exhibition takes place at ExCeL London from 2-3 February 2010