The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) recent awarded Enhanced Protection Systems Ltd. (EPS) in Derbyshire a GBP 7 million ($10.3 million equivalent) contract for about 75 of their Springer vehicles. That works out to about GBP $93,300 per vehicle, or about $137,300. The government expects to receive them all by summer 2009.
The Springer is specifically designed for arid desert conditions, and their 1,000 kg/ 2,200 pound capacity far exceeds that of the Kawasaki ATVs recently ordered by US Special Forces. That’s because the Springers will fill a very different role for the British, who use much larger Jackal ATVs for all-terrain Special Forces mobility. Instead, the Springers will be specifically focused on moving combat supplies from helicopter landing sites into British forward operating bases.
From a public perspective, the program has 2 key issues.
UV Country Inc., of Houston, TX received a maximum $28.4 million firm-fixed-price, 5-year indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for 1,625 Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicles – an average of about $17,500 per vehicle. U.S. Special Operations Command will place orders as needed between April 10/09 – April 9/14 (H92222-09-D-0013).
ATVs have become popular with hunters and outdoor types, for their ability to carry gear into rugged, remote areas. Special Forces troops, who have the same needs, have happily adopted and adapted these small off-road vehicles to their own uses. UV Country carries Kawasaki products. The Mule 4010 4×4 weighs about 1,430 pounds, and can carry up to 1,330 pounds of gear on rear and roof platforms. The firm also carries Kawasaki’s Teryx “Recreational Utility Vehicle,” which has a very similar size and weight, but offers less cargo capacity (500 pounds, no roof rack) in exchange for an uprated engine that improves its mobility and towing capacity (1,300 pounds vs. 1,200).
