General Dynamics demonstrates capabilities of AJAX family of tracked armored at DSEI 2019.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK has demonstrated the capabilities of the AJAX Family of Tracked Armored Vehicles at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2019.

AJAX IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle tracked armored (Picture source General Dynamics)

The AJAX Program, a £4.5 billion program to deliver 589 vehicles in six variants to the British Army, has begun the transition of vehicles into service ahead of the planned Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2020. The first six ARES vehicles were delivered to the British Army in February this year, and desktop training equipment and full-motion driver training simulators have been installed at the Armour Centre in Bovington and at Ministry of Defence Lyneham to support advanced training of British Army soldiers.

The ARES is the Armored Personnel Carrier variant in the family of AJAX tracked armored. It will be used to deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield to enable organic combined arms maneuver at the lowest tactical level, alongside AJAX-equipped troops.

The ARES will provide safe transportation of fully-equipped soldiers in a well-protected environment. On dismount, troops will be able to more effectively conduct a variety of tasks, such as dismounted surveillance (including patrols), observation posts and close target reconnaissance.

In parallel, eight production and seven prototype vehicles continue to demonstrate the capabilities of the AJAX Family of Vehicles, through trials including live fire, cold-weather, Equipment Support-specific trials (such as ATLAS successfully recovering a 60-ton Challenger Main Battle Tank) and through ongoing reliability trials in which two ARES production vehicles have run more than 10,000 kilometers to date.

Carew Wilks, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: “The transition of AJAX into service with the British Army is a significant milestone for the AJAX Programme. The provision of highly-intuitive training assets, alongside vehicle deliveries, will allow the British Army to get to grips with this world-leading capability and enable them to use this fully-digital Family of Vehicles effectively as part of Strike. Through its advanced open and secure Electronic Architecture, AJAX will remain at the forefront of technology and survivability, ensuring it will be the vehicle of choice for British Army soldiers on operations. ”

ARES tracked APC Armored Personnel Carrier (Picture source British MoD)