Birdon has cut the first metal for an amphibious vehicle-logistics (AV-L) prototype at its Port Macquarie facility in New South Wales, starting construction under an AU$125 million ($87.1 million) Australian Army contract, the company said on October 7.
Under the contract awarded in January, one prototype and, if testing is successful, 15 production vehicles are to replace the army’s lighter amphibious resupply cargo vehicle (LARC-V) fleet.
The AV-L forms part of the army’s LAND 8710 littoral manoeuvre programme.
Birdon said the prototype and planned production fleet would be built at Port Macquarie.
After construction, the prototype will be tested, trialled and evaluated so its performance can be confirmed and the next design and production phase informed.
Birdon said the vehicle is intended to carry personnel, equipment and supplies from ship to shore, crossing beaches and surf zones and traversing challenging coastal terrain. It is being engineered for coastal, off-road and on-road operation.
During structured trials, the company’s engineers collaborated with defence and army LARC-V operators and maintainers to learn how the existing vehicles are operated and what support they require.
Birdon’s planned design includes a deck crane and modular payload arrangement, along with water-jet and drivetrain technologies, automatic tyre inflation, front and rear steering, and self-levelling suspension.