General Dynamics Land Systems teams with BAE Systems Hägglunds for Canada’s Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement Project
LONDON, ON. – General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and BAE Systems announced today that they have signed a teaming agreement to offer the BvS10 Beowulf platform for the Canadian Army’s Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement (DAME) project.
This teaming agreement combines BAE Systems Hägglunds’ deep expertise in all-terrain vehicle design with GDLS’ extensive in-service support capabilities across Canada.
Beowulf is a dual-body all-terrain vehicle that provides outstanding mobility in extreme Arctic environments, and unparalleled manoeuvrability across mud, sand, muskeg, snow, ice, and deep water due to its amphibious capabilities. The vehicle boasts a battle-tested drivetrain derived from the BvS10 family, which is currently in operation in eight nations, six of which are NATO member countries. It is a low-risk, proven platform with demonstrated performance that can deliver the military capabilities needed for the defence of Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic.
“GDLS is proud to bring BAE Systems Hägglunds Beowulf to Canada to satisfy requirements for the DAME project,” said Dave Haggerty, vice president and general manager of GDLS-Canada. “With nearly 50 years of working closely with the Canadian Armed Forces in complex project delivery and in-service support we will ensure that the platform remains supported and relevant wherever it is stationed. Our diverse military expertise and familiarity with customer needs will deliver made-in-Canada features tailored to national requirements. Beowulf and this partnership will provide Canada assurance of DAME’s success.”
“Arctic capability is critical for Canada, and the Beowulf will drive both current and future strategic objectives due to its ability to operate in extreme temperatures and unforgiving landscapes,” said Tommy-Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. “With a hot production line and a unified supply chain, the platform ensures long-term availability of spare parts and support for the Canadian Armed Forces, while offering seamless interoperability with military units across North America.”
With GDLS and BAE Systems Hägglunds collaboration, the Beowulf platform will deliver a modern proven platform that will allow Canada to maintain a persistent presence in the Arctic and respond to emerging threats in concert with its allies and partners.
About General Dynamics
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is a global aerospace and defence company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide. General Dynamics Land Systems provides innovative design, engineering, technology, production and full life-cycle support for land combat vehicles around the globe. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada employs approximately 1,700 people in London, Ontario, specializing in the design, manufacture and support of light- and medium-armoured combat vehicles.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. and its nearly 41,000 people are part of a global defense, aerospace, and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. We deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, sea and space, as well as advanced electronics, intelligence, security, and IT solutions and support services. Our dedication shows in everything we do. Inspired by the exceptional, our ambitious teams design, produce, and deliver—to protect those who protect us in a high-performance, innovative, flexible, and collaborative culture. We push the limits of possibility to provide a critical advantage to our customers where it counts. BAE Systems Hägglunds focuses on the design, manufacturing, integration and support of a wide range of military vehicles to customers worldwide. Our primary products are a medium weight combat vehicle family, an armoured all-terrain vehicle family, and logistical support and services.
Noah Note: And there is the last. It was bound to happen honestly, at least that BAE would offer Beoqulf with a domestic partner. They always offer domestic production on these things. That makes the third and final competitor for DAME with local production.
The playing field is now set eith three potentially Made-in-Canada solutions:
ST Engineering and Roshel with the ExtremV
UTV with the Voyager D12
BAE and GDLS-C with the BvS10 Beowulf.
Both the Beowulf and ExtremV are the unarmoured version of their bigger BvS10 and Bronco brothers. The Voyager D12 represents a 100% Canadian solution, being designed and made by UTV in Quebec. They are working with Rheinmetall Canada on the project.
I guess I have to write about DAME this week now. Don't I? I've been planning to write about the project. This now feels like the perfect excuse. The one interesting thing is that Interoperability isnt a big concern here, as DAME is intented to be a domestic vehicle.
We'll get into all that though.
I want us to buy 10 of each, let the troops use them as intended, give the report on each back to the manufacturer so they can improve them. If there is minimal difference, then I want go Canadian and then have a contract to buy X per year and allow approved changes and improvements. When the first machines reach 10 years old, sell them and continue to buy new ones.
The only problem I have with this offer is that their site describes them as unprotected. This could mean no guns or no armor or non of both which means not an asset under combat conditions.