To the French
SCORPION PROJECT like any such program, there are winners and in this case a loser.
Nexter/Renault/Thales were the winners with their
JAGUAR (Recon) and
GRIFFON (APC) vehicles respectively. The loser was Panhard marketing the
SPHINX (Recon) and
CRAB (Recon) vehicles. The bids I believe were announced in
mid-2009. The contract was awarded to the winners in late
2014.
I should point out this is a French land vehicle modernization program, so it's about more than these vehicles. Going to my
APC Folder I still have the following going back to 2010 and more, hey it's that
"T" word thing ...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/frenc...ations_uk.html
http://www.janes360.com/images/asset...ernisation.pdf
http://www.armyrecognition.com/euros..._11306166.html
The following for FYI...
http://www.military-today.com/apc/panhard_sphinx.htm
http://www.military-today.com/apc/panhard_crab.htm
The winners...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/frenc...fications.html
http://www.janes.com/article/61243/e...akes-its-debut
Finally...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/frenc..._pictures.html
http://www.janes.com/article/60172/f...on-jaguar-ebrc
Panhard is seeking export orders for their two vehicles.
I hope this clears up any confusion on the matter. And be careful I just might "
T"ing" you and have a folder on you as well!?!
&
(Right spy's do wear "shades"?)
Suhiir's point is well taken, it's bad enough we have to carry them all over the world just so we can land them somewhere to play with their toys and take out their aggression on someone because
we might've kept them cooped up onboard ship for a handful of months or longer. We're not the "
White Star Line" so
luggage is limited to what you carry and the
"bigger stuff" better be multi-functional, tasked, operational and any such other word associated with these that I can't think of at the moment!!
Bottom-line those factors are important and space is really limited on the ships. By date available...
http://www.military-today.com/navy/tarawa_class.htm
(The above are all decommissioned, however they demonstrate the
USMC landing capabilities from the mid 70's on.
http://www.military-today.com/navy/w...land_class.htm
http://www.military-today.com/navy/wasp_class.htm
http://www.military-today.com/navy/s...onio_class.htm
The
AMERICA Class is excluded as it's only a helo assault vessel.
Someone has to go to work later this afternoon, so good night and have a great weekend!!
Regards,
Pat