Composites offer impressive strength to weight characteristics together with exceptional corrosion resistance and lifelong performance. Composites also offer the ability to produce complex shapes to enable multiple components to be moulded into one part which also helps to save on weight and helps reduce manufacturing costs.

 

Designers from Thales Australia rated these qualities highly when enlisting design advice for the manufacture of prototype parts for its Hawkei Protected Vehicle development.

 

The Thales Hawkei must not exceed a weight target of 7 tonnes.  The weight limit is dictated by the lifting capacity of the Chinook helicopter that will carry it into the field.

 

Specialist composite manufacturer, RPC Technologies, was engaged by Thales Australia to assist in vehicle weight reduction by manufacturing composite dashboard assemblies for the new Hawkei vehicle.  

 

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said, “RPC has the expertise required for the production of military vehicles. Their commitment to excellence in manufacturing and value for money will benefit the Hawkei project, while also securing supply chain skills in Victoria.” 

 

Tony Caristo, Managing Director of RPC Technologies said, “we are thrilled about the opportunity to work with Thales on the Hawkei project.  RPC has a proud record of supporting Thales, having previously been involved with the Bushmaster program and also Thales Underwater Systems. The Hawkei project will secure our workforce at our Geelong plant, while adding to RPC’s presence in Defence.”

 

Thales Australia is currently leveraging its specialist procurement experience developed during the Bushmaster program to help with the supply Hawkei components. 

 

By way of example the Bushmaster supply chain comprises around 120 Australian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with more than 100 based in Victoria and 30 in the Bendigo area. It contains 65% Australian content, generating long term revenues for a wide range of local component manufacturers and supporting hundreds of Australian jobs.

 

Thales has already delivered six Hawkei vehicles to the Department of Defence. These are currently undergoing testing under the LAND 121 Phase 4 project which will ultimately involve providing up to 1,300 protected light vehicles. Subject to successful testing, final approval of the project is expected in 2015.

 

Thales, having seen the benefits gained from the use of composites during the prototype stage, is now considering extending the use of composites to other parts of the Hawkei.   

 

RPC Technologies has been working closely with Thales during this preproduction phase to continuallyenhance vehicle design and to incorporate additional improvements - the aim being to further reduce weight, increase strength and reduce cost.