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Background – TAPV Project – Force Protection and Team Timberwolf |
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Update: On 01 Sept 2011, Force Protection announced that it, and Canadian partner CAE, had officially
submitted a bid and a Timberwolf 6x6 test vehicle for the TAPV competition. However, neither Force Protection
nor Team Timberwolf are forthcoming with program details.
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TAPV's Team Timberwolf – Big Dog from Cougar Town
The Timberwolf is a Force Protection Cougar tailored for TAPV. The blast-protected lower
hull is essentially similar to that [1] of in-service CF Cougar 6x6s bought for EROC (Expedient
Route-Opening Capability) duties.[2] However, three key distinctions are immediately apparent between a CF
Cougar and Team Timberwolf 's submission for TAPV. First is the replacement of the M1114-style
manual rooftop gun position with a remote-weapon system. The second is independent suspension substituting for the
original 'live' axles. Third is the reorganization of the crew compartment.
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Doubling-Up: "Prepared for, but not Fitted With an RWS"
TAPV doesn't require that a remote-weapon system actually be mounted but does stipulate the integration
for an RWS. For Timberwolf, Elbit Systems (through
Canterra) offers its Dual Remote Weapon System. Derived from the earlier Elbit RCMS-M (used on Austrian patrol
vehicles) DRWS mounts two weapons at once. For TAPV, a 7.62 mm C6 machinegun would be matched with the 40mm C16
[3] automatic grenade launcher or the AGL would be swapped for a 12.7mm M2HB machinegun, giving the Timberwolf
firepower and flexibility.
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Spring, Sprung, Sprang – Independent Suspensions
The US military is already in the process of updating 1,000 MRAP Cougars (650 4x4 Cat 1 + 350 6x6 Cat 2 )
with TAK-4 independent suspension system kits by
Oshkosh. The resulting Cougar ISS trades a slightly reduced blast resistance (and speed of repair after an
IED blast ) in exchange for enhanced tractability and manoeuvrability. Obviously, the latter traits are also
considered highly desirable for any TAPV candidate.
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In body form, the Timberwolf is related to another recent Cougar derivative, Force
Protection's Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle. The British Army Wolfhound TSV is a
logistics carrier for Forward
Operating Bases as well as an artillery limber and gun tractor. What the TSV shares with Timberwolf is
a shortened crew compartment. Why? When Force Protection had announced that it would submit both 4x4 and 6x6
Cougar variants for TAPV – presumably sharing similar crew compartments on long or short
wheelbase variants. It'd be logical to presume the long-wheelbase 6x6 for utility/APC roles, short-wheelbase
4x4 for reconnaissance duties. But how to be sure?
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"underwhelmed if that's a word, I know it's not 'cuz I looked it up" Team Timberwolf Markets the
Beast
Force Protection played coy before the 2011 CANSEC show but the months pass and still no TAPV
details from Team Timberwolf. The slogans assure us that Team Timberwolf
is 'leader of the pack ' but there is no evidence presented to back the boast. Team Timberwolf
has announced its members [4] and their general contributions. But other than that, marketing consists of one
grainy video and a single photograph of their TAPV demonstrator. With its vehicles already in CF
service, in one sense, the TAPV contest is Force Protection's to lose. That should motivate. So how to explain
the lame marketing effort by Team Timberwolf thus far? Perhaps, like DND, Force Protection doesn't
think Canadian citizens should have input into
TAPV.
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[1] In the one released photo of the Timberwolf demonstrator, the lower hull sides appear to have
spaced-armour panels attached parallel to the v-shaped hull. This may be an attempt to add crew protection from
blasts by roadside IEDs without sacrificing landmine protection.
[2] The EROC purchase included two Force Protection 6x6 blast-resistant vehicles – Cougar and the larger
Buffalo mine-clearing vehicle.
[3] The C16 AGL is the weapon component of CASW (the Close Area Suppression Weapon) better known
as the Heckler & Koch GMG. With the C6/M2HB combination, DRWS would match the firepower of the manned Cadillac-Gage 1M turret
on some TLAVs and
MTVLs.
[4] Another piece fell into place in Sept 2011 when it was announced that ambulance conversion specialist, Malley
Industries, Dieppe NB, would provide final assembly for the Timberwolf if chosen for TAPV. Malley
promises 120 new jobs for Dieppe ( just outside Moncton ).
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