BvS10 Beowulf is an unprotected, tracked all-terrain vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems to carry personnel and cargo payloads. It belongs to the company’s family of BvS10 and Bv206 vehicles.
The dual-body, amphibious vehicle was unveiled at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London in 2015.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The BvS10 Beowulf is designed and manufactured by BAE Systems Hägglunds, a Swedish subsidiary of BAE Systems. It offers increased range and payload carrying capacity. The vehicle can be used to carry cargo and personnel in remote and extreme weather conditions.
BvS10 Beowulf for cold weather all-terrain vehicle (CATV) programme
In July 2020, BAE Systems offered the Beowulf platform for the US Army’s cold weather all-terrain vehicle (CATV) programme that seeks to procure a ground all-terrain platform capable of operating in harsh arctic environments.
The proposal was made in response to the US Army’s request for proposals for prototypes for the CATV programme in June 2020. Set to replace the US Army’s legacy small unit support vehicles based on BAE Systems’ BV206 platform, the new vehicles are being purchased through the National Advanced Mobility Consortium, a non-profit organisation focused on cross-industry collaboration and research and development.
The company was selected to supply two Beowulf prototypes for the CATV competition in April 2021. The prototypes will be evaluated by the US Army.
BvS10 Beowulf design and features
BvS10 Beowulf has a generic vehicle architecture (GVA) equivalent system that is a NATO standard for military vehicles used by the UK and allied forces.
The GVA system of architecture provides the flexibility to perform future technology upgrades and enhance the operational capabilities of the vehicle. Furthermore, the architecture enables interoperability with other vehicles in the fleet.
The Beowulf CATV is based on the company’s BvS10 all-terrain support vehicle, which is operated by five countries including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden. It combines the capabilities of the Bv206, Bv206S and BvS10 vehicles. The vehicle leverages the driveline technologies of the proven BvS10 family, enabling increased reliability, durability, and system availability. The design incorporates commercial automotive technologies and ergonomics to provide increased crew comfort.
The vehicle has a total end-to-end length of 8m, width of 2.2m, and height of 2.5m. The gross vehicle weight is approximately 15.5t. The all-terrain vehicle features two compartments. Either of these compartments can be used to carry the cargo and personnel as per the mission requirements. The vehicle can carry up to 14 personnel.
Its modular design allows the platform to be configured to meet the requirements of different missions including disaster and humanitarian relief operations, search and rescue, logistics support, and firefighting. The front car has a load capacity of approximately 3t and can carry a crew of up to four people in the cabin, while the rear section has a load capacity of 5t.
The rear compartment of the vehicle can be changed to reconfigure the vehicle for a specific mission. The vehicle’s interior is spacious enough to accommodate inter-changeable equipment via the C-rail system. The platform is also easy to maintain and support and provides increased visibility.
Payload
Beowulf can carry a payload of 8t at a speed of 65km/h. The front and rear cabins of the vehicle can be modified to carry cargo supplies, personnel, or humanitarian aid.
The ergonomics in the cabins are designed to accommodate personnel from 5th to 95th percentile, which is a comparative metric used in determining the body height of humans.
Engine and mobility of Beowulf all-terrain vehicle
BvS10 Beowulf is powered by a Cummins 6.7l six-cylinder inline diesel engine. The power output of the engine is approximately 285hp.
The engine is coupled to an Allison six-speed forward, one-speed reverse automatic transmission system.
The maximum operating range of the vehicle is 1,000km, while the maximum speed is 70km/h and the speed in water is 4km/h. The BvS10 Beowulf has the ability to tread through difficult terrains such as swampy areas, snow, soft sand, and water. It can climb 45-degree slopes, while the gap crossing and step climbing capabilities are 2m and more than 1m respectively.
The efficient tracks allow for seamless passage over uneven contours and grounds. It can easily move on softer terrains due to the low ground pressure of the vehicle.
An articulated steering system is designed to enable enhanced manoeuvrability and control of the vehicle in difficult terrains.
