The programme includes two of the original Powered Carriage variants and five of the new Non-Powered Carriage variants and is valued at over £7.5 million. SC Innovation will build the vehicles to meet the RNLI’s schedule requirements at a rate of one to two per year at its facility at Dunkeswell, Devon.  The first is due for delivery in November 2017 and final vehicle completion in 2021.

SC Innovation has already built eight of the twelve SL&RVs delivered to date. The engineering and design services company jointly designed and developed the vehicle with the RNLI Engineering Project Team and was also responsible for the design of the Non-Powered variant, which is currently undergoing prototype trials.

The original variant’s carriage is powered by a four-track-drive system to deliver the exceptional traction needed to negotiate steep gradients and rough shingle. Joe Wilcox, Head of SC Innovation, said, “The new two-track-drive variant has been designed specifically for the RNLI’s less demanding locations to assist the RNLI in delivering optimised capability for the greatest value at lifeboat stations with more benign conditions.”

Prior to joining SC Group, Alison was the Operations Director at QinetiQ and her earlier career spans roles with Marconi, Westland Helicopters and Aviation Training International. From over 25 years’ experience in the Defence and Aerospace industry Alison brings expertise in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commercial, Programme Management and Operations.

On her appointment Alison commented, “I’m excited to join SC Group which has great people, exceptional products and a proud heritage, to which I hope to contribute and build on as the company moves towards the next stage in its growth plans. With SC Group’s reputation for agility and innovation I will be using my experience to help it deliver on the UK MoD’s policy to increase procurement with SMEs, in recognition of their role as innovation drivers within the supply chain”.

Nick Ames, Chief Executive of SC Group, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Alison to our team. She brings a wealth of senior level expertise in competencies that are fundamental to fulfilling our future vision.  Her passion for collaboration, which is a core to our growth strategy, will be a huge asset to the Group”.

Under the teaming agreement and upon contract award, the Supacat-designed vehicles will be built by RMMV NL and the production line will be supported by their existing supply chain in the Netherlands. The proposed solution includes substantial local industrial content for a fleet of more than 500x 12kN AASLT and 900x 12kN light-weight protected vehicles.

“The teaming agreement is based on a strong collaborative platform and the allocation of responsibilities will be based on ‘Best for Customer’ criteria,” said Phil Applegarth, Head of Supacat. “Both companies have demonstrated their agility in forming a solution that delivers an outstanding in-country product, which supports Dutch jobs for a Dutch requirement.”

“Cooperation between Supacat and RMMV meets the requirements of this programme for the Dutch Army,” stated Coen van Leeuwen, Managing Director of RMMV NL, adding that, “a proven concept built in the Netherlands and supported by people who know how the Dutch Army operates is bound to succeed.”

Supacat, a high-mobility vehicle specialist, stands on an established and successful track record of developing high-quality vehicles for the global defence market. RMMV NL is currently in the process of producing Boxer 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicles for the Dutch Army at the local facility in Ede.

Building on a strong relationship, Supacat and Rheinmetall continue to work together on a number of programmes, including the UK’s Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme and Australia’s Land 400 Phase 2 programme.