Development

Agile Operations in Europe

Background

Before launching into design changes we conducted a review and analysis of the current situation, some of which speculative based on sparse or inconsistent information, but grounded in wider research and analysis, along with a range of deep expertise in associated mobility and technology challenges. We concluded that there were two main timelines for solutions, an immediate offering based on rapid conversion of existing and extensively proven generic platforms, followed by the delivery of more specifically optimised solutions based on development work that was already well advanced but readily modified to deliver particular desirable characteristics.

Offering

Proteus. A conversion of existing Proteus 8×8 platforms; these are a well proven design that has been extensively tested in a variety of extreme environments. There are plenty of video examples illustrating performance of the base vehicle, under load in a variety of extreme environments on our web site here. A conversion of existing base Proteus variants can be made available rapidly with initial deliveries starting in 5 weeks or less.

Trident. The second offering is the Trident 6×6 platform with increased ground clearance and amphibious capability, even under load. The lead time for initial delivery – for discussion.

Special Fits. Both vehicles can be supplied as basic mobility platforms, or ‘fitted for’ or ‘for but not with’ role equipment and special fits.

UAV Platform. Either vehicle can be modified to support free-flight or tethered drone operations, acting as a mobile transportation platform and charging base for short duration proximity operations, or as a tethered and continuously powered mobile platform for extended duration loiter ops.

^{Mobile Drone – deployment, charging and high-endurance tethering platform}

Autonomy. Remote control, ‘follow-me’ and autonomy options are potentially available for both variants.

Agile Proteus

These vehicles are able to undertake a wide range of roles in difficult and mixed terrain during offensive, defensive, support and humanitarian operations. They are readily role-reconfigurable. The vehicle platforms are robust and durable, relatively cheap (disposable even) and capable of carrying loads in excess of 2 Tons over considerable distances.

The modular superstructure and large load area are capable of accommodating a wide range of specialist weapon or sensor fits along with substantial quantities of supplies and munitions. The rear load bed can accommodate up to two stretchers and/or medic along with combat medical supplies.

Intuitive, high precision controls allow optimal placement and safe negotiation of the most difficult terrains, whilst low ground pressure assures best mobility with minimal ground disruption.

Autonomy. We assume that initial requirements will be for manually operated vehicles. Autonomy packages of varying degrees of sophistication with full manual reversion are also available for Proteus.

Agile Trident

Trident variants can become available from Oct onwards, these 6×6 all-wheel drive vehicles share characteristics of the Proteus 8×8 but benefit from improved ground clearance and native amphibious capability.

As of May 2022 the range was extended to include three larger variants well suited to coastal and littoral operations:

• Mountainous Terrain and Inland Waterways: Trident 32, 35 & 40
  • Load Capacities afloat 1400 – 2100kg
  • Ground Clearance 369-483mm
• Coastal, Littoral and Marshland: Trident 46, 50 & 60
  • Load Capacities afloat up to 5000kg
  • Ground Clearance 609-627mm

Trident is a pure hydrostatic variant, all wheels are hydraulically driven and chains are eliminated to improve robustness and reduce maintenance burden. The vehicle is designed to achieve very low ground pressure without the use of tracks and the body form has been optimised for load carrying capacity afloat. Improved ground clearance provides additional benefits in soft and rocky terrain.

A lightly armoured variant will be announced shortly.

Autonomy. We are not assuming the need for autonomy, however as for Proteus, varying degrees of remote and autonomous sophistication with full manual reversion are optionally available.

Amphibious Performance

Trident vehicles are natively amphibious, able to enter water, propel and steer themselves using only their wheels. Generating thrust by this means requires part of the tyre to be above the water line, typically 180-200mm will suffice. Native amphibious onboard loads are therefore limited by the amount of displacement possible with tops of the wheels exposed – beyond this weight the wheels will not propel the vehicle efficiently. This is illustrated by the Native Amphibious’ line [A] on the diagram below.

With inboard thrusters fitted the wheels can be fully submerged, increasing the displacement that can be achieved. In this case a significantly higher load can be carried, subject to correct stowage and stability considerations. The safe working level for thrusters is illustrated at line [B], the ‘waistline’ of the vehicle. An additional 200mm / 800kg displacement buoyancy freeboard is available above the waistline [B]-[C].

Trident Variant Load Summary

Variant Designation	32	35	40	46	50	60
On Ground (kg)	2200	2200	2200	4700	5000	5000
Afloat: Wheels Only (kg)	500	1000	1600	2500	2800	3100
Afloat: With Thrusters (kg)	1400	1800	2100	4700	5000	5000

Overview of maximum capacities on land and afloat

Video

A selection of YouTube videos illustrating performance of the base Proteus 8×8 and prototype Trident 6×6 platform in various configurations are available here: https://agilevt.com/videos/

Schematics

Agile Proteus

Agile Trident 32

Agile Trident 35

Agile Trident 46 Pick-Up

Agile Trident 46 Full-Cabbed

Agile Trident 50 [UGV variant]

Data Sheets

	Trident 6x6 32	Trident 6x6 35	Trident 6x6 40	Trident 6x6 46	Trident 6x6 50	Trident 6x6 60	Agile Proteus
Length	2991mm	3143mm	3244mm	3549mm	3752mm	4764mm	3128mm
Width (Body rim)	1708mm	1708mm	1940mm	2056mm	2187mm	2318mm	1700mm
Load Length	1956mm	2108mm	3154mm	3458mm	3662mm	4170mm	2110mm
Load Width	1708mm	1708mm	1898mm	2014mm	2145mm	2276mm	1700mm
Ground clearance	369mm	407mm	483mm	559mm	609mm	734mm	293mm
Body rim height	898mm	974mm	1091mm	1243mm	1345mm	1599mm	730mm
Body height	1098mm	1174mm	1316mm	1468mm	1569mm	1820mm	1044mm
ROPS height	1982mm	2016mm					1914mm
Load Cap Land	2000kg	2000kg	2100kg	4700kg	5000kg	5000kg	2200kg
Load Cap Water	500kg	1000kg	1600kg	2500kg	2800kg	3100kg	300kg
Load Cap Afloat [thrusters]	1400kg	1800kg	2100kg	4700kg	5000kg	5000kg	kg
Passengers (max)	8pers	8pers	2pers	2pers	2pers	2pers	8pers
Fuel Capacity inboard	100L	100L	120L	120L	120L	120L	100L
Hydraulic System	Closed loop	Closed loop	Closed loop	Closed loop	Closed loop	Closed loop	Closed loop
Hydraulic Motors	Radial piston	Radial piston	Radial piston	Radial piston	Radial piston	Radial piston	Radial piston
Steering Transmission	Skid steer	Skid steer	Skid steer	Skid steer	Skid steer	Skid steer	Skid steer
Steering Control	Control levers	Control levers	Control levers	Control levers	Control levers	Control levers	Control levers
Throttle	Progressive	Progressive	Progressive	Progressive	Progressive	Progressive	Progressive
Service & Parking Brake	Internal disk	Internal disk	Internal disk	Internal disk	Internal disk	Internal disk	Internal disk
Electrical	12V Neg E	12V Neg E	12V Neg E	12V Neg E	12V Neg E	12V Neg E	12V Neg E
Chassis	Steel ladder	Steel ladder	Steel ladder	Steel ladder	Steel ladder	Steel ladder	Steel ladder
Chain							ANSI
Body	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU	HDPE/ALU
Hydraulic Oil grade	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46	ISO VG 32/46
Hydraulic Oil capacity	50L	50L	50L	60L	60L	60L	40L
Speed land	50kph	50kph	60kph	65kph	65kph	65kph	40kph
Speed water	15kph	15kph	15kph	15kph	15kph	15kph	9kph
Range @ 30kph	990km	990km	1020km	1020km	900km	900km	990km
Duration	33hrs	33hrs	34hrs	34hrs	30hrs	30hrs	33hrs
Turning Circle	0m	0m	0m	0m	0m	0m	0m
Fording Depth	1.198m	1.274m	1.391m	1.543m	1.645m	1.899m	1.03m
Approach angle	64deg	69deg	81deg	88deg	92deg	102deg	64deg
Departure angle	77deg	84deg	96deg	103deg	107deg	115deg	54deg
Under Veh/Breakover angle	87deg	87deg	76deg	69deg	66deg	58deg	95deg
Stability tilt angle	48deg	46deg	49deg	48deg	49deg	47deg	58deg
Grade	30deg	30deg	30deg	30deg	30deg	30deg	30deg
Step height	406.4mm	444.5mm	508mm	584.2mm	635mm	762mm	330mm
Tyre dia (max)	812.8mm	889mm	1016mm	1168.4mm	1270mm	1524mm	990.6mm
Tyre width (min)	356mm	356mm	508mm	508mm	508mm	508mm	356mm
Hub dia (standard)	381mm	381mm	381mm	381mm	381mm	381mm	304.8mm
Weight 8x8 4M/6x6 6M	1400kg	1500kg	1600kg	1700kg	1800kg	1900kg	1300kg
Ground pressure (wheels) 4/6M	9kPa [1.3psi]	9kPa [1.3psi]	6kPa [0.8psi]	5kPa [0.7psi]	5kPa [0.7psi]	4kPa [0.5psi]	12kPa [0.8psi]
Ground pressure (max AUW wheels)	23kPa [3.3psi]	21kPa [3psi]	8kPa [1.1psi]	15kPa [2.1psi]	15kPa [2.1psi]	12kPa [1.7psi]	32kPa [2.7psi]
Max Axle Load	3600kg	3600kg	7200kg	7200kg	7200kg	7200kg	3600kg
Winch	3500kg	3500kg	3500kg	5000kg	5000kg	5000kg	5000kg
Engine	Various	Various	Various	Various	Various	Various	Various
Engine Type	TD4	TD4	TD4	TD4	TD4	TD4	TD4
Engine Displacement	1498cc	1498cc	1498cc	1498cc	1498cc	1498cc	1498cc
Fuel	D/JP8	D/JP8	D/JP8	D/JP8	D/JP8	D/JP8	D/JP8
Fuel Consumption	3L/hr	3L/hr	3.5L/hr	3.5L/hr	4L/hr	4L/hr	3L/hr
Engine Peak Power	75kW	75kW	75kW	75kW	75kW	75kW	75kW
Power/Weight Max	53.5kW/T	50kW/T	46.8kW/T	44.1kW/T	41.6kW/T	39.4kW/T	57.6kW/T