A record year for NP Aerospace at DVD 2024

NP Aerospace had a record year at the 2024 Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) show, held at UTAC Millbrook Bedfordshire, in September. The team presented the latest vehicle integration and armour developments and announced the new £71 million Conventional Vehicle Systems Spares and Post Design Services (CVSSP) contract with the UK MOD which covers Land Rover, Pinzgauer and RWMIK fleets.

NP Aerospace built and integrated seven vehicles for DVD showcasing collaborations with GM Defense, NMS UK, MOOG, Ultra PCS, Leonardo, Babcock and Exail.

New Spiral Development

The flagship vehicle showcase was the Ridgback XC spiral development which featured the new Slimline Integration Capability Kit. This included an upgraded stowage solution to reduce platform width and weight and a new modular powerpack for improved operational performance and reduced through life costs. New glazing, digital mirror systems and bumper designs add further aesthetics and capability benefits.

In order to highlight NP Aerospace’s system integration capabilities, the Ridgback XC was fitted with the RIwP turret system from MOOG and the UltraEAK Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) system from Ultra PCS which offers a universal approach to centralized command systems.

The Mastiff XC was also upgraded with the new Slimline Integration Capability Kit and presented on the Leonardo booth to highlight integration of the Falcon Shield Counter UAV concept. Multiple defence systems can be integrated onto both the Ridgback and Mastiff platforms via the new GVA electrical architecture system, enabling Counter UAS (SHORAD) capabilities to be rapidly developed and deployed.

Ride and Drive Experience

NP Aerospace facilitated a successful Ride and Drive which saw more than 200 DVD guests experience the Mastiff XC overcoming obstacles on the off-road track, now with improved performance due to the new power take off system. The GM Defense Team, also located on the offroad area, showed the Infantry Squad vehicle which included an environmental enclosure designed by the NP Team. NMS UK showed a battlefield ambulance variant of the Dragon vehicle designed in conjunction with the NP Aerospace engineering team and the Exail team showcased the Advans Inertial Navigation Series.

Technology Innovations

The NP Aerospace Vehicle Engineering Team are focused on developing and enhancing current and future capabilities and delivering new innovations that deliver significant operational benefits. Members of the team provided an update on the TAMPA 3D printing initiative during a working group highlighting the capability to print rapidly deploy spare parts in the field.

The NP Aerospace Composites and Armour Systems team were at the show presenting vehicle armour and survivability solution projects, such as armoured truck cabs, civilian armoured vehicles, blast seating, add-on armour systems and composite pod solutions. Soldier system developments included the latest helmet shell technology, new bomb disposal suit innovations and lightweight body armour. Logistik Unicorp also showcased their new soldier system and exoskeleton which improves operational manoeuvrability by reducing the load for the wearer.

Growth from SME to Mid Tier

CEO of NP Aerospace James Kempston was selected by DVD organisers to deliver a speaker session in the main conference on safeguarding supply chain resilience and the company’s move from SME to mid-tier. The content generated significant interest across delegates keen to understand more about the company’s expansion into new markets and vehicle agnostic approach to platform development.

The NP Aerospace team are busy planning attendance at events in 2025. Watch this space.