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Revamped Bison repair vehicle delivered to CF
by Sgt Todd Berry
MIRAMICHI, N.B. — The first revamped Bison Mobile Repair Team (MRT) vehicle was delivered to the CF in April.
This Bison variant was developed to provide the CF with a light armoured vehicle (LAV) capable of providing battlefield first- and second-line maintenance and limited recovery capabilities.
The vehicle provides electrical and mechanical engineering technicians with the capability to conduct all required maintenance tasks under all operational conditions, day or night.
“Like anything, we won’t be able to please everyone, but this is much more user-friendly than the old MRT,” said Master Warrant Officer Joel VanSnick, system engineer technician, wheeled light armoured vehicle life extension (Bison), with Director Armoured Vehicle Program Management. “We’re here to protect the soldiers and give them the best equipment possible – get them on the battlefield to do their job and get them off the battlefield safe and sound and bring them home to their families.”
“We’re here to protect the soldiers and give them the best equipment possible – get them on the battlefield to do their job and get them off the battlefield safe and sound and bring them home to their families.”
—Master Warrant Officer Joel VanSnick
The reconfigured MRT incorporates features such as increased horsepower and carrying capacity. An integrated Palfinger crane can now lift a LAV III power-pack and combat-loaded turret with add-on armour. A Rotzler winch allows both self-recovery and light recovery of other vehicles.
The vehicle has been improved with protective add-on armour. This is a modular system of armoured plates that are fitted to the vehicle, resulting in more protection for the crew in varying threat scenarios.
As well, a state-of-the-art automated fire and explosion suppression system (AFESS) better protects personnel and equipment in an environmentally friendly manner.
The vehicle is also fitted with an air conditioning system to increase the crew’s comfort and effectiveness, especially in some of the hot climates where the CF has and can be deployed.
The Reserve Force originally purchased the Bison for training in Canada, but it was subsequently adopted by the Regular Force. It has already proven itself in Somalia, Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, Haiti and Afghanistan.
The vehicle has proven to be robust, surviving mine strikes and battle damage in Somalia, Eritrea and Afghanistan.
Drawing on lessons learned from veteran operators, the project team was successful in developing an MRT capable of meeting the needs of soldiers deployed on missions today and in the future.
The MRT’s roll-out represents a key accomplishment for the wheeled light armoured vehicle life extension project, and will likely be the last variant of the Bison family of vehicles to be produced.
Brigadier-General Camil Giguère, Director General Land Equipment Program Management, accepted the Bison MRT on DND’s behalf from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and DEW Engineering and Development.
“I’m really happy, for the soldiers, for the work that you guys have put into this program,” BGen Giguère said to DEW Engineering and Development employees taking part in the roll-out ceremony. “We’ve looked at recovery and repair as a capability and we tried to fit this vehicle with the right equipment so that it would complement everything that we have now in-theatre,” he said
edited to insert article link
by Sgt Todd Berry
MIRAMICHI, N.B. — The first revamped Bison Mobile Repair Team (MRT) vehicle was delivered to the CF in April.
This Bison variant was developed to provide the CF with a light armoured vehicle (LAV) capable of providing battlefield first- and second-line maintenance and limited recovery capabilities.
The vehicle provides electrical and mechanical engineering technicians with the capability to conduct all required maintenance tasks under all operational conditions, day or night.
“Like anything, we won’t be able to please everyone, but this is much more user-friendly than the old MRT,” said Master Warrant Officer Joel VanSnick, system engineer technician, wheeled light armoured vehicle life extension (Bison), with Director Armoured Vehicle Program Management. “We’re here to protect the soldiers and give them the best equipment possible – get them on the battlefield to do their job and get them off the battlefield safe and sound and bring them home to their families.”
“We’re here to protect the soldiers and give them the best equipment possible – get them on the battlefield to do their job and get them off the battlefield safe and sound and bring them home to their families.”
—Master Warrant Officer Joel VanSnick
The reconfigured MRT incorporates features such as increased horsepower and carrying capacity. An integrated Palfinger crane can now lift a LAV III power-pack and combat-loaded turret with add-on armour. A Rotzler winch allows both self-recovery and light recovery of other vehicles.
The vehicle has been improved with protective add-on armour. This is a modular system of armoured plates that are fitted to the vehicle, resulting in more protection for the crew in varying threat scenarios.
As well, a state-of-the-art automated fire and explosion suppression system (AFESS) better protects personnel and equipment in an environmentally friendly manner.
The vehicle is also fitted with an air conditioning system to increase the crew’s comfort and effectiveness, especially in some of the hot climates where the CF has and can be deployed.
The Reserve Force originally purchased the Bison for training in Canada, but it was subsequently adopted by the Regular Force. It has already proven itself in Somalia, Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, Haiti and Afghanistan.
The vehicle has proven to be robust, surviving mine strikes and battle damage in Somalia, Eritrea and Afghanistan.
Drawing on lessons learned from veteran operators, the project team was successful in developing an MRT capable of meeting the needs of soldiers deployed on missions today and in the future.
The MRT’s roll-out represents a key accomplishment for the wheeled light armoured vehicle life extension project, and will likely be the last variant of the Bison family of vehicles to be produced.
Brigadier-General Camil Giguère, Director General Land Equipment Program Management, accepted the Bison MRT on DND’s behalf from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and DEW Engineering and Development.
“I’m really happy, for the soldiers, for the work that you guys have put into this program,” BGen Giguère said to DEW Engineering and Development employees taking part in the roll-out ceremony. “We’ve looked at recovery and repair as a capability and we tried to fit this vehicle with the right equipment so that it would complement everything that we have now in-theatre,” he said
edited to insert article link
