06:40 GMT, August 31, 2010 Ocelot, a cutting edge light protected patrol vehicle, has successfully completed its 41st blast test Force Protection Europe announced today with the latest results demonstrating not only the integrity of the vehicle but also its modularity and ease of repair.

The British designed and engineered solution has undergone a range of tests in the last twelve months including a variety of simulated mine and IED attacks. During each of these tests Ocelot has demonstrated improved survivability performance, fully meeting Force Protection Europe’s programme development expectations for this vehicle.

Key to Ocelot’s unique, modular design is the ability to easily repair the vehicle, following a blast, even in the austere confines of a forward operating base. One Ocelot pod has already undergone ten blast trials and established how easily it can be repaired – at low cost – and how quickly it can be back in service. The design has also confirmed the potential for significant through life cost savings on the vehicle because it does not include sacrificial elements as part of its protection package.

“We are delighted with the progress that is being made on the Ocelot development programme. The blast tests are just one of the areas that we have been testing, others have included manoeuvrability and cross country ability/off road agility and in all of these the vehicle has performed magnificently,” said David Hind, Managing Director of Force Protection Europe. “The progress that the engineers, not only from Force Protection Europe and our partners Ricardo plc, but also our supply chain are making is awe inspiring and shows real commitment to provide a truly fit-for-purpose, high mobility, protected solution ready to be put in service with armed forces worldwide.”

Force Protection Europe has used its own facilities to provide a quick turnaround on the results, giving the programme team the widest flexibility. The facilities use the latest telemetry and high speed technology to capture data.

Ocelot has the flexibility to perform a range of roles including patrol, fire support and protected logistics. Innovative features include role-specific pods which can be fitted quickly to the core automotive armoured V-shaped hull in the field. The armoured hull houses the main fuel tank, drive line, batteries and generator as well as the powerpack, which includes the engine, gearbox, auxiliary fuel tank and associated ECUs (electronic control units). The vehicle has been designed from the outset to be easily repaired and maintainable in the austere environment of a forward operating base. Commercial off the shelf (COTS) components have been used to ensure maximum availability of spares worldwide.

Designed for exceptional manoeuvrability, Ocelot is equally effective in the tight confines of built-up urban areas and for tactical manoeuvre on difficult terrain typically found on current operations in Afghanistan.
The excellence of Force Protection’s survivability technologies are amply demonstrated by the performance of the company’s Mastiff and Ridgback Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The Cougar vehicles upon which they are based are recognised around the world as offering the highest levels of survivability.