Pearson Engineering completes first virtual Factory Acceptance Test to provide MW370 mine clearance vehicles.

Undeterred by the current restrictions on global travel, Pearson Engineering has completed the company’s first virtual Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) as part of a U.S Government Foreign Military Sales contract to provide mine clearance vehicles to a Middle Eastern customer. The milestone was achieved using a combination of technologies to allow Government contract officers the same access as would be achieved in person whilst on different continents.

The 27-hour FAT took place over nine sessions in a two-week period hosted by Principal Project Manager, Steve Fenton, and supported by key project engineers within the company. It was successful in demonstrating static and dynamic tests, operations and inspections leading to progress in the vehicle acceptance process.

The new approach marks a broadening of the services that can be offered to customers and opens up opportunities for more environmentally sustainable practices where contracts allow.

Steve Fenton said “Pearson Engineering has always been known for doing all it can to meet and exceed customer expectations. It has been shown in our response to urgent operational requirements, product development and field support. Presented with the challenges associated with Covid-19, we knew we had to work to meet the high standards expected of us and quickly adapted our plan to include a virtual Factory Acceptance Test. We now look ahead to delivering operator and maintainer training.”

The mine clearance machines delivered against this contract are MW370 vehicles with tillers. The systems are designed for large area clearance of ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) and can cover 30,000m² clearance per day. The 367hp engine can power tillers, flails, and other tools to achieve clearance in a variety of ground conditions.

The news follows Pearson Engineering’s successful and safe presence at IDEX in Abu Dhabi, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Nicola Irving said “It is important to us that we continue to find ways to serve our customers, partners and end-users in the Middle East to support their peacekeeping and security efforts in the region. Our ‘hybrid’ presence at IDEX was made possible through collaboration with an Emirati partner and the use of technology to facilitate live conversations with our team in the UK. Our recent work across the Middle Eastern Region has been really positive and we’ve learnt a lot about new ways to get capability into the hands of end-users more quickly.”