iscover
New M1A2 SEP V3 main battle tanks will be equipped with track width mine ploughs and combat dozer blades under a contract awarded to Pearson Engineering.
The SLICE vehicle interface kits will be equipped to the MBTs delivered to the Polish Armed Forces via US Foreign Military Sales this year.
The kits are designed to enable a fighting vehicle to rapidly accept and operate a wide range of Front-End Equipment to facilitate independent battlefield manoeuvre.
SLICE does not require any modification to the vehicle based on a novel ‘Plug & Play approach’ that does not impact vehicle lethality or survivability.
"This is an important contract for Pearson Engineering as we look to extend our support to the operators of various vehicle types," according to business development director Richard Beatson.
"Pearson Engineering will always be the home of the combat engineer and we’re investing heavily in the next generation of capability to support specialist requirements.
"We also know that agility and flexibility is key when undertaking land manoeuvre operations. By enabling interoperability of FEE via SLICE, we hope that armed forces can deliver an overall improved engineer effect that provides the battle winning advantage."
The contract follows information released in 2023 that a first customer had taken into service Pearson Engineering’s new SLICE enabling the interoperability of FEE between main battle tanks and dedicated engineering vehicles.
The demand to support independent manoeuvre for main battle tanks and other fighting vehicles comes as the battlespace becomes increasingly contested over broader stretches of terrain.
Dedicated engineering vehicles, whilst offering important specialist capability, cannot be everywhere at all times forcing Commanders to make choices based on asset availability rather than best tactical opportunity.
By providing independent mobility, counter-mobility and survivability options to those operating fighting vehicles, Commanders are able to move to places of their choosing to overcome their adversaries.
This leaves dedicated combat engineers to undertake the most specialist and dangerous tasks that support overall strategic main effort, creating safe routes for convoys, laying assault bridging and tackling complex obstacles.
Pearson Engineering’s involvement with US FMS office follows decades of support to the US Army and US Marine Corps, including the supply of a wide range of FEE to the ABV Engineering Vehicle, M1 Main Battle Tank, Stryker Engineer Support Vehicle and a number of MRAPs.
