Bushmaster 4x4 protected vehicles from Australian army will be fitted with new weapon systems 10312161

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Military Defense Industry Technology - Bushmaster upgrade
 
Bushmaster 4x4 protected vehicles from Australian army will be fitted with new weapon systems.
The Australian Government Department of Defence has announced, Thursday, December 1, 2016, that the weapon systems mounted on the Bushmaster 4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles are set for an upgrade. The Bushmaster is a highly mobile, ballistics, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blast resistant Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) designed and manufactured by Thales Australia.
     
The Australian Government Department of Defence has announced, Thursday, December 1, 2016, that the weapon systems mounted on the Bushmaster 4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles are set for an upgrade. The Bushmaster is a highly mobile, ballistics, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blast resistant Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) designed and manufactured by Thales Australia. Australian Army Bushmasters 4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicle travel along the Derby Highway en-route to Broome during Exercise Northern Shield 2016. (Picture Australian Department of Defence)
     

The standard Bushmaster Thales is equipped with a remote weapon station, armed with a 5,56 mm or 12,7 mm machine gun. The Bushmaster can be also armed with three pintle mounted system for 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns.

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the upgrade will include a new, Australian-designed stabilisation system that improves accuracy when firing from a Bushmaster .

“This contract with Thales Australia is valued around $11.2 million and will see the upgrade of an additional 40 PWS,” Minister Pyne said.

The PWS comprises an upgraded remote weapon station designed by Australian company Electro Optic Systems and a vehicle integration kit designed by Thales Australia.

“The work will be undertaken by the experienced workforce at Thales Australia's support facility in Brisbane, supporting three jobs and the Electro Optic Systems facility in Queanbeyan, supporting 50 jobs," he said.

“The PWS is a fully integrated remote weapon and battlefield surveillance capability that has been used by Australian soldiers on operations since 2008.

“This contract is another example of Australian industry improving capability and the safety of our soldiers,” Minister Pyne said.

The Bushmaster is in service in several armed forces around the world including Australia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Netherlands and United Kingdom.