General Dynamics UK unveils ATHENA command post of AJAX family tracked armored vehicle.

At DSEI 2019, the defense and security exhibition in London, General Dynamics Land Systems UK unveils the command and control tracked armored vehicle of the Ajax Family.

The ATHENA command post vehicle from the AJAX tracked armored vehicle family unveiled by General Dynamics Land System UK during DSEI 2019, defense exhibition in London, United Kingdom. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Ajax is a family of tracked armored fighting vehicles being developed by General Dynamics UK for the British Army. On 3 September 2014, the British Government announced the order for 589 Scout SV vehicles ahead of the NATO Summit in Wales on 4 September 2014, totaling a cost of £3.5 billion.

The AJAX program includes six variants: AJAX (Reconnaissance armored vehicle), ARES APC (armored Personnel Carrier), APOLLO repair vehicle, ATHENA (command post vehicle), ATLAS recovery vehicle and ARGUS engineer armored vehicle.

The ATHENA is a command and control variant in the AJAX armored family which is designed to be used as battlefield headquarters. The vehicle is operated by two crew members including driver and commander. The vehicle is equipped with an information processing/management system. The total AJAX order of British army includes 112 ATHENA command post armored vehicles.

The ATHENA command post vehicle is based on the same tracked chassis as the whole AJAX family as well as the same powerpack. For the ATHENA variant, the rear part of the hull has been raised to offer more internal space. The vehicle will be equipped with battle management systems able to process and manage information providing decision support, in order to enable the delivery of rapid and synchronized effects in the joint, inter-agency and multinational situations.

For its self-protection, the ATHENA command post vehicle is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station (RWS) armed with one 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The RWS is mounted at the front on the top of the crew compartment.