Supacat unveils new Light Mobility Vehicle at defence show

Devon-based defence manufacturer Supacat has showcased two new military vehicles at the highly anticipated DVD2024 defence show at UTAC Millbrook.

The vehicles on display include the Tactical Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) and a new Armoured Closed Cab (ACC) variant of the High Mobility Transporter (HMT), both designed to meet the British Army’s evolving needs for greater mobility, protection, and operational flexibility.

The Tactical LMV, developed for light role and Very High Readiness (VHR) forces, is a multi-role vehicle that combines reliable Toyota automotive components with a bespoke chassis and battle-tested “combat cell.”

Capable of handling over 40 operational roles, the LMV comes in both 4×4 and 6×6 configurations, offering a payload of up to 3,200 kg. Its ability to be internally loaded into helicopters such as the CH47, C130, and A400M aircraft, as well as underslung from a Merlin helicopter, makes it an ideal choice for rapid deployment forces around the world.

Phil Applegarth, Director and Head of Supacat, said:

“Our new Light Mobility Vehicle – Tactical (LMV-T) is the latest edition to the Supacat range, designed specifically with special forces and VHR Units in mind, fulfilling a ‘fly and drive’ capability, with its low weight and compact design enabling tactical loading into transporter aircraft systems whilst maintaining excellent payload capacity.”

Built with flexibility in mind, the LMV uses highly tested Toyota components, offering exceptional reliability and compliance with NATO multifuel standards. Its bespoke chassis delivers unmatched strength-to-mass ratio, providing superior payload capacity compared to competitors.

The modular combat cell design allows for a variety of configurations, including crew-served weapon mounts and space for mission-specific equipment, making the vehicle adaptable to different threat levels and climatic conditions.

The second vehicle being unveiled, the Armoured Closed Cab (ACC) HMT, expands on the proven HMT platform, with a focus on reducing the number of vehicle types used by the British Army under the MOD’s Land Mobility Programme. The ACC variant features a highly protected 4-person cab designed to provide blast and ballistic protection for a wide range of military operations.

Applegarth added:

“As UK MOD and other defence forces look to rationalise their fleets to achieve greater modularity and cost control, our Armoured Closed Cab (ACC) HMT has the potential to revolutionise the army’s ability to sustain operations with much reduced burden on logistics, maintenance, and cost.”

With a payload capacity of around 4,000 kg and integrated armour, the ACC HMT is designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. The vehicle is particularly suited for roles such as Ground-Based Air Defence, Anti-Armour, Ambulance, and Recovery Vehicle. By maintaining subsystem commonality with other HMT variants like the Jackal and Coyote, the ACC HMT ensures lower maintenance costs, easier training, and spare parts compatibility across the fleet, all of which align with the British Army’s goal of reducing fleet diversity.

Both vehicles will be on display at Stand OR-24a during DVD2024, where Supacat will highlight how its designs are helping the British Army meet its Land Industrial Strategy goals by increasing operational effectiveness while simplifying logistics and reducing costs.

Applegarth concluded:

“At the heart of our design for both systems has been MOD’s intent under its Land Industrial Strategy to simplify logistics whilst increasing effectiveness. We very much look forward to showcasing both platforms to our customers on Stand OR-24a today/tomorrow.”

For more details, visit Supacat at Stand OR-24a at DVD2024.