Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV)
The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) is a wheeled combat vehicle that can fulfill a variety of roles on the battlefield, including reconnaissance, surveillance, security, command and control activities, and the armoured transport of personnel. The vehicle project began in 2009, and the contract was awarded to Textron Systems Inc over rival Oshkosh Defense in 2012. The first TAPV deliveries were scheduled to begin during the summer of 2016. The fleet of 500 vehicles was to be distributed across seven bases. The Canadian Army expected to declare full operational capability by mid-2020.
The TAPV is part of the Family of Land Combat vehicle projects announced in July 2009. The TAPV would replace the reconnaissance role currently carried out by the Coyote reconnaissance vehicles (LAV II), and the patrolling, liaison, and VIP transport roles formerly carried out by the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (RG-31). The TAPV would complement the Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (G-Wagon).
On 15 February 2011 Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), unveiled its prototype for Canada's Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program, as well as the company's plans to work with its subsidiary, London Machinery, Inc. (LMI), to leverage that company's new facility in London, Ontario, in pursuit of Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) vehicle programs.
LMI, an Oshkosh Corporation subsidiary, was set to provide in-country manufacturing capabilities for both the TAPV and MSVS programs. The 140,000 square-foot LMI facility applies the latest manufacturing methods and quality processes to produce concrete mixer trucks for customers throughout North and South America. The LMI operation was designed with capacity for future programs and fosters an experienced workforce to support the TAPV and MSVS programs as well as a broad range of commercial and specialty vehicle programs.
"The Canadian content provided by LMI was in addition to the team's commitment to perform the complete range of extensive systems integration and testing support for the vehicles at our company's London, Ontario facility," said Mark Roualet, president, General Dynamics Land Systems. "General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada also would provide in-country sustainment support."
Oshkosh Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada teamed for the TAPV program, which would replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (APV) and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle. The companies also are teamed up for the MSVS program, which would replace the Medium Logistics Vehicles, Wheeled (MLVW) fleet. The new programs would enhance the capabilities of the Canadian Forces with protected, high-performance vehicle fleets.
Oshkosh would serve as the prime contractor for both programs and would leverage proven vehicle platforms and advanced technologies for proposal submissions, including the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR). Oshkosh Defense uses the services of Valley Associates to provide Canadian-based marketing and business development.
"From the start of our collaboration, the Oshkosh-General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada team has been dedicated to creating good jobs and lasting value to the Canadian economy," Hove said. "We are continuing to demonstrate that dedication through investment commitments in London Machinery."
The production work provided by LMI was in addition to the previously announced work scope being performed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. On March 22, 2010, the team announced that General Dynamics would provide remote weapons system (RWS), command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) integration and testing support for the vehicle as well as extensive logistics, training and technical manuals.
Textron Systems' COMMANDO® family of armored vehicles features the ultimate package of combat-proven lethality, survivability, mobility and sustainability. The modern design protects troops within a comfortable interior during engagements. Whether serving as a combat-proven infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), performing reconnaissance or as a command-and-control vehicle, COMMANDO® vehicles are ready for action. With a wide range of configurations, it was also a proven ambulance, armored personnel carrier (APC) and support utility vehicle.
In June 2012, Textron Systems Canada Inc. (Ottawa, Ontario) was awarded two contracts, one for the acquisition of 500 vehicles, valued at $603.4 million, and a second contract for their support at $105.4 million to conduct in-service support for the fleet for five years following the last vehicle delivery. Textron Systems Canada, Inc., a Textron Inc. announced 25 May 2016 that the Canadian Armed Forces’ Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) would be displayed for the first time since completing a very rigorous Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability (RAMD) test program. The vehicle would be on display from May 25-26 at CANSEC at the EY Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
In order to successfully complete RAMD, the TAPV faced multiple operational tests, including driving more than 130,000 kilometers on challenging terrain that mimicked potential operational profiles prescribed by the Canadian Army. The TAPV’s RAMD testing also included firing the remote weapons station and conducting more than 4,700 hours of remote weapons station usage, including 1,650 hours of silent watch operations. Testing was conducted over three months, day and night, six days per week. The final results showed that the TAPV exceeded contract requirements of 6,500 mean kilometers between critical failures (MKBCF).
“The Army has closely followed the testing of this vehicle and they [Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel] are relaying very positive feedback,”said Brigadier-General S.M. Cadden, Chief of Staff Army Strategy. “We are looking forward to fielding the TAPV to units.”
The TAPV is a 4x4 wheeled armoured vehicle specifically engineered and designed to provide survivability, mobility and versatility over the full spectrum of operations. The comprehensive, modern design is aimed at shielding troops from ballistics and roadside blasts while providing large power reserves for future electronics enhancements, with an ergonomically designed interior for optimum comfort and payload. Notably, the Canadian Army states that the TAPV exceeds its requirements for protection levels, thereby offering an additional degree of confidence for soldiers in operational situations.
“The eight vehicles that completed this test program performed extremely well – exceeding the customer’s requirements,” says Textron Systems’ Mike Gelpi, Vice President of Land Vehicles. “We believe that these results prove that the TAPV is the most mobile, survivable and reliable vehicle in the world today. Textron Systems’ commitment to the TAPV program, and our partnership with Canada, is something we are extremely proud of. We look forward to beginning deliveries to the Canadian Army in the coming months.”
Textron announced 19 august 2016 the delivery of the first Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to the Canadian Army. The Canadian Army is fielding the first vehicles to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and the 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier. “We believe the TAPV is the most mobile, survivable and reliable armoured vehicle in the world today,” said Textron Systems Vice President of Land Systems Richard Valenti. “We are excited to start these deliveries to the Canadian Army and support the program through operational capability and beyond.”
Textron Sy5tems' Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehícle (TAPV) isn't ment to be clean, and it isn't meant for leisurely drives. lt's meant for extreme weather, tough landscapes and demanding missions. The TAPV is meant for traversing the unknown, while prov¡ding protection for whatever comes along. With maximum crew protectíon and best-in-class mobility, perormance 3nd payload flexibilíty, the TAPV ís among the world's best 4x4 wheeled armoured vehícle- The comprehensive, modern design shíelds troopJ from ballistics and roadside blastJ, with large power reserves for future electronics enhancements and an ergonomically dsigned interior for optimum comfort and payload,
TAPV is poised for a variety of missíons with the Canadian Army, The vehicle would serve ¡n both offensíve and defensive capacities. Configurable for reconnaissance, armoured patrolling, 5urveillance command and control, liaison, convoy and trnsport, the TAPV is ready for any mission that comes its way.
The TAPV relies on composite armourto provide the maximum protection to occupants. The TAPV also has a V-shaped hull and a high ground clearance, which provides protection against mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. The TAPV can withstand up to 10kg of explosive force directly under its hull, and can resist even 12.7mm armour-piercing rounds. Each of the seats in the vehicle are blast protected, and the vehicle has vented wheel wells to disperse the energy of an explosion out from the vehicle.
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