Project

Explanation

Background

The Bushranger Project is being conducted in three phases:  

Phase 1 involved the motorisation of the infantry battalions of 6 Brigade, with 268 interim infantry mobility vehicles, based on the in-service Land Rover PERENTIE 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles and the procurement of an additional 25 support vehicles. 

Phase 2 consisted of Phase 2A the development of the infantry mobility vehicle specification and the release of an Invitation to Register Interest and Phase 2B the release of a Request for Tender and the trialling and evaluation of successful contender vehicles. 

Phase 3 is the full rate production of the protected vehicles.  The Production Contract Option was executed on 1 June 1999 with Australian Defence Industries for the supply of 370 Bushmaster vehicles by December 2002.  A range of problems emerged with design enhancements, cost, and schedule slippage in the contract, shortly after the Production Option was exercised, leading to renegotiation of the Contract in July 2002 for 299 vehicles.  This phase has been divided into three separate production periods that reflects the increase over time in the quantity of vehicles being acquired.  The Production Periods are as follows:  

Production Period One (PP1):  During this period 300 vehicles in six variants were acquired; troop, command, mortar, assault pioneer, direct fire weapon and ambulance.  This period reflects the final position of the original protected mobility requirement.  Defence had contracted for 299 vehicles; however, it then sold 25 vehicles back to Thales for sale to the Netherlands and received 26 vehicles from Thales as consideration. 

Production Period Two (PP2):  During this period 144 vehicles were acquired in five variants consisting of; troop, command, mortar, direct fire weapon and ambulance.  This period reflected the change to the Army's structure under the Enhanced Land Force Phase 1.  Defence had contracted for 143 vehicles; however, it then allowed Thales to divert 24 vehicles from the production line for sale to the United Kingdom, thereby delaying delivery to Defence.  Defence received one additional vehicle from Thales as consideration. 

Production Period Three (PP3): Currently in progress, this is the acquisition of an additional 293 vehicles to meet the Medium Protected Mobility vehicle component of Land 121 Phase 3 Project Overlander.  This will include all six variants and an air defence variant. In addition purpose designed Bushmaster trailers and External Composite Armour will also be acquired. 

Production Period Four (PP4): In May 2011 the Government announced the acquisition of an additional 101 PMVs to replace 31 battle damaged PMVs and to accommodate future attrition. Project Bushranger will manage the delivery of all 101 PMVs, however 31 of these PMVs will be managed as a funded sustainment activity outside of Project Bushranger. As part of this requirement Land 116 Phase 3 will also procure 70 MEAO upgrade kits (current standard blast kits as apposed to the improved blast protection).  Delivery of the additional 101 PMVs will be completed in the first quarter 2013. 

As a result of operational experience a number of enhancements are being made to the Bushmaster vehicle to enhance crew survivability.  This includes Protected Weapon Stations, Automatic Fire Suppression Systems and purpose-design Spall Curtains which are being progressively fitted to vehicles under a Rapid Acquisition Framework. These are funded outside of Land 116 Phase 3.   

In December 2007 the Chief of Army redesignated the Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle as the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. This report relates to Land 116 Phase 3 only.

Uniqueness

The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle has been developed and built in Australia by Thales to meet a niche requirement of Australian forces.

Major Challenges

Major challenges for the project include achieving Sustained Towing Certification and the Introduction into Service of an External Composite Armour (ECA) solution. The PMV Sustained Towing Certification trials will determine the PMV's capacity to tow. Satisfaction of the PMV Sustained Towing Certification is a precursor to the PMV trailer acquisition activity.

The achievement of the Detailed Design and acceptance by stakeholders of the ECA solution will be a key milestone in delivering this capability.

In addition, managing the integration and configuration of the baseline vehicle while incorporating upgrades to meet current operational threats will continue to be a challenge.

Other Current Projects/Sub-Projects

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