Hobson Industries has announced on the first day of DSEI, Team Thetis, to develop and market its new Thetis Public Order vehicle. Thetis is a brand new Public Order vehicle is based on the Land Rover Defender platform and is aimed at home and overseas markets. The name Thetis was chosen from Greek mythology for the Mk.IV+, Father of Achilles, Thetis had the power to create a shield around those he loved.

Based on research conducted both when designing the original ALR Mk.IV proposal and subsequently evolving the better protected military specification Ranger derivative, in Thetis, Hobson Industries has been able to create a vehicle which it believes better shields its occupants than any previous steel bodied armoured Land Rover, but through incorporating the latest design and materials technology in strategic alliances with other specialists in associated fields, he has been able to increase protection level while maintaining operational payload.

"We work in strategic partnerships and believe it is the way for the industry to go." Peter Hobson, Managing Director of Hobson Industries said.

"We are delighted to have the support of Dytecna who will Project Manage, market and develop the vehicle for home and overseas sales. Other developments include a Stanag 1 Protection Level to defeat small arms fire up to 7.62 mm and run-flat tyres from Tyron to enable the vehicle to get out of trouble when attacked. A new team member is FLIR Systems Inc. who will be providing key EO/IR and camera systems to enable the vehicle to work in any adverse conditions 24/7.

"There is considerable overseas interest in the vehicle already and we intend to bid the vehicle for the forthcoming Northern Ireland PSNI Requirement. The vehicle has attracted a great deal of export interest, Team Thetis will be actively marketing the vehicle around the world."

"We are delighted to team with Hobson Industries for the development and marketing of the Thetis Public Order vehicle," John Fulford, CEO of Dytecna said,

"Dytecna has developed a considerable expertise in vehicle engineering and marketing across all our plants. We have developed skills in welding, armour cutting and assembly and the integration of key electronic systems such as ECM, HUMS and FFR.

"We have developed close relationships with the MoD to fulfil these contracts for clients which include BAE Systems, NAVISTAR and Supacat, we very much look forward to working with Hobson on Thetis and see the vehicle as a key element of the growing need for protected Public Order vehicles which, sadly, the recent events in the U.K. and the Middle East have shown."

"We have a strong expertise in designing advanced EO/IR systems for both military and civil vehicles, developed over many years and welcome our involvement as a member of Team Thetis." Earl Lewis Chairman and CEO of FLIR Systems, Inc. said.

"We have developed systems for a number of military vehicles including HMMV and MRAPs and have supplied Audi and Mercedes for many years with night driving sensors. Years of thermal imaging experience allows us to provide unique and proven vehicle solutions with technical capabilities which offer enviable situational awareness."

Thetis has been designed to deal with multiple threats and attacks from above, below and all sides, ranging from bullets and improvised weapons through to petrol bombs and fire scenarios.

For example, the Dawson Roof overhead protection principle has been improved and integrated into a one-piece design which also assists in fire protection for the occupants in the type of situation often encountered in urban civil disorder and indeed witnessed frequently during the Jasmine Revolution which swept through much of the Arab World in the first half of 2011.

Related Links
Hobson Industries
The Long War - Doctrine and Application

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