Penman Takes Zephyr MRV Multi-Role & Turns Towards World Markets...

Latest Zephyrs feature breakthrough suspension technology, Multi-Role Vehicle (MRV)
adaptability and design modularity.

Creation’s in-house Zephyr protected platform programme is now an integral part of Penman’s future group-wide capability – and the latest upgrade variant makes its debut at DSEi (in association with leading imaging systems manufacturer, Flir, on Stand N4-230).

Both two- and three-axle variants of the Zephyr now feature a new, extreme-duty nitrogen-based suspension all round, which improves roll-stiffness and provides further potential for payload growth. The high pressure sealed nitrogen strut unit features an integral damper and internal bump stop offering an intrinsically safe – and retained mobility failure mode. The new system, which carries no additional weight penalty, completely replaces the previous airbag based system, which was considered to be potentially vulnerable to small arms fire and damage in hostile operating conditions.

The latest upgrade also opens up the programme to develop to its full scope and potential. The original Zephyr design concept envisaged a fully functional rolling mine resistant underframe (MRU), onto which a wide variety of protected, softskin or even demountable top cabs, citadels or structures could be integrated. To date, development and production ready units have been configured around typical protected patrol vehicle requirements, whilst concurrent full design and pre-production studies have included a wide range of other applications.

Both two-and three-axle variants of the Zephyr can be configured for operational roles, body types and specialist applications such as pick-up utility vehicle, light logistics cargo carrier, troop carrier, command and control, demountable shelter, weapons mounted installation kit (WMIK), reconnaissance and battlefield ambulance. Crew and seating layouts can be varied from two to twelve occupants and space is also allocated for weapons fit, communications suites, situational awareness (SA) systems and other electronic devices. Additional features include fully integrated health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) and the capability to support exportable power requirements.

Throughout, the design has featured a composite ‘occupant survival cell’ with surrounding protection including a V-form belly plate and an integral blast mitigation system. Protection is specified for minimum STANAG 4569 level 2 mine protection and level 2-3 KE protection. Fragment protection is taken to level 4.

With world markets in mind, the mine resistant under-frame (MRU) is also designed to accommodate a range of powertrain options, dependent on end user preference and specification. In addition, the unit has been developed to incorporate a rapid access and removal ‘cassette’ mounting for the cooling pack, engine, automatic transmission and transfer box. This permits main powertrain components to be removed for major repair of maintenance in about an hour.

The vehicle also meets worldwide deployment criteria – A1-C1 operating – and A1-C2 for storage. The unit is also specified for climatic conditions A2-C1 (+56ºC to -32ºC) for storage – and down to C2 extreme at -56ºC for operations. The Zephyr is dimensioned for air transportability within C130 and above – or underslung below CH47. Depending on configuration and protection level, the three-axle variant is designed to meet and exceed improved medium mobility (IMM) criteria with a 4 tonne payload.

Latest ‘Life Seat One’ blast seat design mitigates body shock and skeletal injury...

Creation’s radical new concept blast seat design, known as the ‘LifeSeat One’, has been developed to provide the best possible level of shock absorbency in military vehicles which encounter blast damage from roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The latest iteration of the seat is shown at DSEi, installed in the two-axle Zephyr MRV. Having performed exceptionally well in trials, the unit is now entering volume production – and has been downselected already for a number of major UK and European programmes.

The seat bucket has hydraulically damped and upwardly limited vertical free movement on its mounting frame. The frame – not the seat bucket itself – is mounted to the side of the vehicle and there is no fastening or rigid fixture between the floor of the vehicle and the underside of the seat. In the event of a blast therefore, the seat will rise in a controlled ascent, mitigating any severe shock being transmitted to the spine through the seat structure.

At the heart of the design are two captive vertical tubes to which the seat bucket is attached by linear bearings. Two high performance telescopic hydraulic dampers with concentric coil springs and a progressive elastomer buffer are installed between the mounting frame and the lower section of the seat bucket. The seat bucket itself is fabricated in two parts, to allow a soldier in full battle dress to sit firmly with a 4-point Securon harness for restraint. Tests with a fully instrumented dummy and a 95 percentile weighted mannequin have demonstrated that body travel is strictly controlled and progressive – significantly reducing skeletal shock and potential organ damage.

In 2010, both the blast-mitigating seat package and the two-axle Zephyr variant were utilised for a range of specialist scientific and fully instrumented blast tests. The work was part of two major multi-stakeholder collaborative programmes for the UK MoD – Blast Event Vehicle Integrity System (BEVIS) and Military Accident Data Recorder (MADR). The programmes were led by leading motorsport technology group, Cosworth, with the involvement of a number of specialist scientific and research organisations, as well as Creation.

The tests, verified to undisclosed international standards, have proved not only the blast mitigating capability of the Zephyr vehicle and the special seat design – the occupant survived injury free – but have led to the successful development of a groundbreaking and advanced engineering data, vehicle integrity and incident analysis programme, which will significantly impact on future design and survivability of protected vehicle platforms.

Penman’s acquisition of Creation established a design
and manufacturing capability of choice ...

When two of the UK’s best known independent, privately owned defence, security and related technology companies came together in April 2011, the move created a world-class centre of design and engineering capability, embracing a wide range of current and future land systems products.

Penman, already established at the forefront of specialist and protected platform design and manufacture, acquired the entire business of Creation UK, the Hampshire-based independent design, prototype development and vehicle engineering house.

Penman, based in Dumfries, has fulfilled a significant string of successful UK and international defence and security programmes including EOD and Specialist vehicles, armoured patrol vehicles, mine clearing systems, protected construction equipment and cash in transit conversions. Penman capability has grown in recent years to include complete vehicle system design and integration solutions, often involving complex communications and electronics installation. Penman also supports a broad range of UK military, diplomatic, police and blue-chip commercial clients, in addition to international projects in the Middle-East, Far-East and Africa.

Bryan Findlay, Managing Director of Penman says, “The acquisition of Creation achieved another step-change for our business – both in terms of the complementary skills and synergies it has brought together – but also in terms of breadth of product range and engineering capability. The melding together of the two companies has created a business that offers unrivalled vehicle design skills, matched with first class manufacturing capabilities and an in-depth understanding of vehicle protection. The development has also enabled us to fast-track our development and growth plans in a number of world markets, where we are already building strategic partnerships and our technology transfer business.

Creation came to prominence as the design firm behind a series of successful, imaginative military vehicle platforms, radical new concept ancillary equipment and innovative technology. Its unique approach to total vehicle architecture, latterly through its in-house Zephyr light protected platform programme and as the automotive design partner on the acclaimed Ranger MRAP vehicle for Universal Engineering, has earned it international recognition.

“Creation has always been a forward looking, practical and innovation-led design and engineering business. It also has an extremely focused and highly motivated team, with experience and capability which puts it right at the forefront of current practice and technology. Given the scale and inherent costs associated with today’s military programmes, we recognised that business evolution, consolidation, partnerships and alliances between specialist contractors and suppliers is what drives the sector. The Penman Group is now at the heart of that environment” | Bryan Findlay.

Penman Protected™ – Hallmark of proven capability & engineering

Engineering group positions to develop future business and collaborative ventures in world markets

“Penman now has the intellectual and engineering assets, product range and critical mass to be in the forefront of the new and evolving future global defence market. The United Kingdom has been recognised historically as one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for the design, development and manufacture of protected vehicles and mobile platforms. But that axis is changing. Our business is now repositioned and aligned to respond to these dynamic shifts and the emerging future shape of the market” | Bryan Findlay, Managing Director of Penman Engineering Group.

The group, which acquired UK-based specialist vehicle engineering and design house, Creation earlier in 2011, reveals the latest MRV (Multi-Role Variant) iteration of its Zephyr protected platform (in association with leading imaging systems manufacturer, Flir (Stand N4-230). Also making its international show debut is the new joint venture Penman-EKA Light Recovery Vehicle (Stand S8-270). In addition, information on the group’s range of protected engineer plant, EOD vehicles, discreet armouring, diplomatic conversions and special projects capability is made available.

Penman, based in Dumfries, Scotland, has fulfilled a significant string of successful UK and international defence and security programmes including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and specialist vehicles, armoured patrol vehicles, mine clearing systems, protected construction equipment and cash in transit conversions. The group also owns Aardvark, which makes the world’s most effective operationally proven landmine clearance machine.

The company’s combined capability is now formidable – and has grown in recent years to include complete vehicle system design and integration solutions – from concept, through design, development, testing, manufacturing and through life logistical support worldwide. Penman also supports a broad range of UK military, diplomatic, police and blue-chip commercial clients, in addition to international projects in the Middle-East, Far-East and Africa.

Creation came to prominence as the design firm behind a series of successful, imaginative military vehicle platforms, radical new concept ancillary equipment and innovative technology. Its unique approach to total vehicle architecture, latterly through its in-house Zephyr light protected platform programme and as the automotive design partner on the acclaimed Ranger MRAP vehicle for Universal Engineering, has earned it international recognition.

The company is also recognised as one of the UK’s top, engineering-led, specialist design and technology businesses and has developed – and proven an unique and highly successful formula engineering methodology, which enables the company to compress timelines between concept, design, prototype and production readiness. It is able to scale and apply this approach across a very wide range of design and engineering programmes and specialist requirements, including total vehicle architecture; componentry, sub-systems and powertrains; protected defence and security platforms and transporters; industrial plant and machinery; hydraulics and materials handling equipment. It is currently supporting design and technology transfer projects in the Middle East and elsewhere.