Trojan Armoured Engineer Vehicle
Crewed by three personnel, the Trojan is a modern Armoured Engineer Vehicle which offers high-speed cross-country mobility.
Trojan is capable of carrying out a wide range of roles.
With its enormously capable excavator arm, mine plough and dozer blade, it is easy to move around the battle field to perform complex obstacle clearance tasks without the crew having to leave the protection of the Tank.
Its excavator arm can dig ditches and trenches and clear or smash its way through all sorts of obstructions such as abandoned vehicles, rubble, fallen trees and buildings.
The Torjan can also be fitted with a front-mounted, hydraulically controlled dozer blade that can excavate ditches, push heavy obstacles aside and construct protection for troops and vehicles.
It can also be fitted with a technically advanced mine plough which can clear a safe path through a mine field and simultaneously fire safe lane indicator markers into the ground to mark the safe route for friendly forces.
Additionally, for mine clearance operations, Trojan can fire the 'Python', which is a rocket-propelled explosive mine-clearance system. Python is essentially a long hose filled with over a tonne of high explosives which are blasted to create a safe route through a mine field.
Python and the Torjan's plough were first used in Afghanistan on Operation MOSHTARAK, when they were used to clear safe passages through suspected IED fields.
Trojan can also drop fascines, which are bundles of very strong plastic pipes, into ditches and streams, so that other vehicles may drive over the obstacle.
Whilst the Trojan is primarily an engineer vehicle, it is fitted with a remote control machine gun and smoke grenade discharger, which enable the vehicle commander to provide covering fire and smoke to support extractions from enemy contact.
Close Support Tanker
The Wheeled Tanker is a highly mobile vehicle that is deployed in the Logistic Support Regiments and Transport Regiments and forms the backbone of the British Army's bulk fuel and water transportation.
The UK's Oshkosh Wheeled Tankers come in three variants:
- a 15,000-litre Tactical Air Refueller
- a 20,000-litre Close Support Tanker (Fuel)
- a 18, 000-litre Close Support Tanker (Water).
In Helmand, the Tankers travel in the Combat Logistic Patrols that ensure that the soldiers who man the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across the province are fully supported with essential kit and equipment.
The patrols see upwards of 500 tonnes of food, water, fuel, ammunition, building materials and engineering supplies moved out to the Forward Operating Bases across Helmand province, as well as the all-important post sent from home.
The Close Support Tanker can be fitted with enhanced blast-proof armour for driver and crew protection.
Springer
The Springer is a multipurpose all terrain vehicle which is extremely mobile and agile.
In Afghanistan it is specifically used for moving combat supplies from helicopter landing sites into the forward operating bases.
The small two-seater vehicles can recover loads of up to three-quarters of a tonne in weight.
It has been designed specifically for rugged, desert conditions, and therefore is well-matched to the operational environment in Afghanistan.
It is the first vehicle of its kind to be used by British forces in theatre and has been ordered specifically for its role in Afghanistan.
Quad Bike
Quad bikes and trailers are being used on front line operations in Afghanistan to deliver vital combat supplies to troops on the ground.
Together with purpose-built trailers, the Quad Bikes are used to deliver food, water and ammunition to the front line in difficult to access areas, or where larger vehicles are not suitable, effectively running alongside those who are on dismounted operations.
The quad bikes can reach speeds of up to 75km/h and can carry up to almost 160kg with the trailer attached.
A dual stretcher fit on trailer also allows the bikes to be used for the swift simultaneous evacuatuation of up to two casualties from the battlefield, thereby speeding up emergency aid.