British Army's Foxhound Command vehicle undergoes field tests

The army's newly converted Foxhound Command Variant is undergoing basic tests before the remainder of the selected Foxhound vehicles (up to 50) are converted into a command platform by manufacturer GDLS. (Crown Copyright)

The British Army's newly converted Foxhound Command Variant is undergoing basic field tests with the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, according to the army on 12 December.

The tests are being undertaken by the brigade to provide direct user feedback on the vehicle's new capabilities, thereby enabling the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and manufacturer, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), to tweak the platform before the remainder of the selected Foxhound vehicles are converted into the Command Variant.

In November, the UK MoD announced that up to 50 of the army's Foxhound vehicles would be converted into a Command Variant under a GBP19.76 million (USD24.82 million) sole-source contract with GDLS.

Along with this, the tests will demonstrate to users what type of capability is being brought into service as part of the army's modernisation programme, the army said.

A joint team comprising the army's Rapid Acquisition Team, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), GDLS, and NP Aerospace has worked collaboratively to create the Command Variant, which “is already proving to be very popular”, the army added.

According to the MoD notice in November, the converted vehicles will be installed with enhanced high-frequency (HF), very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) capabilities and will enable the operation of Bowman data terminals.