The AJAX can support a wide range of Close Support Assault (CSA) bridging for rapid gap crossing. The Cobra CSA Bridge demonstrated in collaboration with Pearson Engineering launches and recovers in under 3 minutes. The Cobra is operated under armour and support operations in the direct fire zone. With a lenght of 15 m and 50 ton payload, it supports medium-weight tracked and whleed vehiles undertake rapid gap-crossing. The CSA Bridge on the Ares (reconnaissance support variant) vehicle ensure battlefield momentum is maintained. The Cobra can be adapted for higher payloads increased length and different launch times.
The AJAX can operate in combined-arms and multi-national situations across a wide-range of future operating environments. Each AJAX variant has been ‘future-proofed’ to ensure it can be upgraded quickly and effectively throughout its service. With a surplus payload capacity and an open Electronic Architecture that is stable, secure and safe, the AJAX FoV have extensive potential to combat future threats and incorporate the latest technology. General Dynamics Land Systems–UK is delivering 589 AJAX vehicles across six variants to the British Army. 88 AJAX Engineering variants based on the Protected Mobility Recce Support (PMRS).
The Ajax, formerly known as the Scout SV (Specialist Vehicle), is a family of armoured fighting vehicles being developed by General Dynamics UK for the British Army. The Ajax is a development of the ASCOD armoured fighting vehicle used by the Spanish and Austrian armed forces. The family was originally developed by Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug and Santa Bárbara Sistemas in the early 1990s. Both companies were purchased by General Dynamics in the early 2000s. On 3 September 2014, the British Government ordered 589 Scout SV vehicles, totaling a cost of £3.5 billion excluding VAT. A number of Block 2 variants were merged into the Block 1 order, which still encompassed the planned 589 vehicles.
The Ajax is manufactured and designed by General Dynamics UK and General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas (Spain), with the new turret and fire control system fitted on the Reconnaissance variant being designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin UK. 80% of the vehicle manufacture will be completed in the UK, with 70% of the supply chain companies UK-based. Five pre-production prototypes will be produced in Spain for further development and testing. The Ajax family will support 300 jobs at General Dynamics UK’s facility in South Wales and an estimated further 1000 jobs in the UK supply chain.
