MCL and IAI partnership awarded MOD RPV contract

Marlborough Communications Limited (MCL) and its technology partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), have been awarded a contract to deliver four Remote Patrol Vehicles (RPVs) to Spiral 2 of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s RPV Experimentation Programme. The contract will support and enhance experimentation and capability development for UK land operations and see MCL become a major contractor to the UK MoD RPV Framework Group.

Spiral 2 is aimed at delivering RPVs to support troops on the ground and limit their direct exposure to danger. MCL will supply versatile and upgradable RPVs that include different capabilities and incorporate sensors as part of a technology package with significant durability for use in front line combat.

MCL’s new technology partner IAI, the Israeli-based advanced systems provider, has more than 15 years’ experience in developing and manufacturing land operational autonomous systems.

The RPVs, designed and manufactured by IAI’s ELTA Systems group, are robust, versatile multi-purpose/multi-mission platforms that support and complement troops on the ground and enhance force protection in battlefield conditions.

In addition to their ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) capabilities, the RPVs can provide logistical support including carrying platoon equipment, supplying ammunition and extracting casualties. They can be operated in manual, remote or autonomous modes for enhanced flexibility.

Shane Knight, Managing Director, MCL, said:

“We’re delighted to have secured our first contract with our partner IAI. This is testament to our heritage in integrating and delivering industry-leading capabilities for the UK MoD, working with specialist technology partners such as IAI. Securing the Spiral 2 contract has been a collaborative team effort, and the first step toward exploring new opportunities within the UK.”

Zvi Yarom IAI Land Systems Division, VP & GM commented:

“IAI’s Land division provides a wide range of multi-domain, multi-mission solutions to teams with manoeuvring ground forces, while providing vital tools to commanders and leaders. We offer combat proven, end-to-end solutions and cutting-edge sensors to be used by the soldier, or combat platforms available to fighting forces. We are confident that the fruitful collaboration with MCL will provide the UK MoD with innovative technologies and capabilities.”

MCL was previously awarded a contract to supply 4 Mission Adaptable Platform System unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to Spiral 1 of the RPV Experimentation Programme, which is an MoD Future Capability Group project to determine the future requirements of UGVs through a series of trials.

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About IAI Ltd.
IAI Ltd is Israel’s largest aerospace and defence company and a globally recognized technology and innovation leader, specializing in developing and manufacturing advanced, state-of-the-art systems for air, space, sea, land, cyber and homeland security. Since 1953, the company has provided advanced technology solutions to government and commercial customers worldwide including: satellites, missiles, weapon systems and munitions, unmanned and robotic systems, radars, C4ISR and more.

IAI's Land Division demonstrated its latest developments on an autonomous Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) equipped with a full suite of situational awareness, target acquisition and force protection sensors, ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) and weapon stations to the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and the Israel's Ministry of Defense. IAI's Land division provides a full spectrum of tactical radars, autonomous solutions, and fused active and passive sensors and systems to provide multi-mission solutions, including Counter Rocket Artillery Missile (C-RAM), Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), Counter IED and mines, situational awareness, surveillance and reconnaissance, and border, coastal and site protection.