Lt Gen Jaques toured the facility and was given an overview of General Dynamics Land Systems-UK’s plan for the Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) of AJAX platforms. He was also given a comprehensive update on the continued progress on the AJAX programme, including an in-depth update on the prototype trials programme.
Earlier in the day, Lt Gen Jaques took the opportunity to see at first hand AJAX prototype platform trials at a test facility in West Wales. The AJAX and ARES prototypes are currently undertaking a range of trials, such as acoustics trials, ahead of further trials planned for later this year, including a formal firing programme, automotive and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) trials.
The range of AJAX variants will allow the British Army to conduct sustained, expeditionary, full-spectrum and network-enabled operations with a reduced logistics footprint. AJAX can operate in combined-arms and multinational situations across a wide range of future operating environments. The first British Army squadron will be equipped by mid-2019 to allow conversion to begin with a brigade ready to deploy from the end of 2020.
Speaking during his visit, Lt Gen Jaques said: “I am pleased to see first-hand today the significant, continued progress at the Merthyr Tydfil site. The AJAX programme demonstrates how the Ministry of Defence is working in partnership with industry to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities to the British Army and this facility highlights our commitment to that.”
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