APC to Provide Displays for Australian Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Rojoef ManuelAugust 16, 2024

2 minutes read

Australia has awarded APC Technology a contract to supply Generic Vehicle Architecture (ASGVA) displays for the army’s incoming Redback infantry fighting vehicles.

The solutions will be based on the government’s GVA technical requirements and delivered to Redback developer Hanwha for integration into the platform.

Throughout the project, the company will provide a dedicated ASGVA support team for three years. This will include strategies to manage the product’s functionality and obsolescence under the initiative.

APC will also generate 10 new roles to boost project management, manufacturing, and engineering tasks for the corresponding development.

Among the firm’s latest vehicle display products is the Sunit F19, an 18.5-inch display with LED backlights and resistive touch. It includes ambient brightness control, loudspeakers, and a mount-ready design.

Other offerings at APC’s portal are fully sealed, touchscreen, smart, industrial, high definition, and outdoor displays.

Australia’s LAND 400 Program

APC’s contract is part of Canberra’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Program to employ next-generation ground-based systems under the Australian Army.

In July 2023, South Korean firm Hanwha and its Redback platform edged out Rheinmetall and its Lynx system following a competition launched in 2018.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with [Hanwha Defence Australia] and contribute to the LAND 400 Phase 3 program with our innovative GVA screen technology,” APC Technology Managing Director Craig Williams commented on the latest award.

“Future advancements in GVA screen technology will benefit from the knowledge and expertise gained through this program. This project embodies the potential of Australian innovation and paves the way for future advancements in defence technology.”

Hanwha Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle delivered to Defence to support Test and Evaluation activities conducted as part of the LAND 400 Phase 3 Risk Mitigation Activity. Picture taken at the Australian Automotive Research Centre, Anglesea, Victoria, prior to delivery to Defence. *** Local Caption *** The LAND 400 Phase 3 Land Combat Vehicle System (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) project is scoped to deliver and support up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and a Manoeuvre Support Vehicle capability. The shortlisted tenderers, Hanwha Defense Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia, have each delivered three prototype test and evaluation vehicles as part of the two-year Risk Mitigation Activity. The Risk Mitigation Activity will include detailed testing and evaluation of the tendered vehicles and will provide Defence with the objective quality evidence to inform a Government decision in 2022. — Hanwha Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Photo: Australian Department of Defence

The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Australia’s Redback is based on Hanwha’s 25.6-ton class K21 fighting vehicles.

It will weigh 42 tons and be fitted with an MTU America MT881 diesel engine as well as an Allison transmission for a top speed of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour and a maximum range of 525 kilometers (326 miles).

The government is currently working with Northrop Grumman to equip the MK44 Stratech Bushmaster Chain Gun as one of the Redback’s main armaments.

In February, Israeli company Elbit Systems received a $600-million contract to supply an active protection suite for the future combat vehicle fleet.

Alongside Northrop’s Bushmaster weapon and Elbit’s sensors, the Redback will be armed with Plasan armor, an anti-tank guided missile, a remote weapon station, and a supporting machine gun.

According to Canberra’s December 2023 contract with Hanwha, all of the 129 Redbacks ordered for the LAND 400 program will be delivered to Australia by 2028.

Once operational, the fleet will gradually replace the Australian Army’s M113 Armored Personnel Carriers.