A new multi-purpose, ultra- lightweight, ‘Short Gap Crossing’ to aid the dismounted soldier, has been chosen by the UK MOD to enable British Soldiers to be better equipped for operations in Afghanistan.
Alpha Composites Ltd., Buckingham, England has designed and manufactured this forward deployable, multi capability front line action system which is a ground breaking new product, adaptable as both a bridge, ladder and emergency stretcher. The Short Gap Crossing is manufactured using composite materials which transfers F1 Motorsport Technologies to innovatively create a structure suitable to be used in front line Military operations, as well as for Emergency Services and by Counter Terrorism Agencies.
The system is a custom made modular structure deployable in all weather conditions, suitable in all terrains and requires very minimal maintenance. It is constructed in composite laminate and is Single Soldier Portable. Each module is very lightweight and all sections interlink to fulfil multiple Crossing and Ladder options. Taking only 2 minutes to assemble, 4 modules provide a 3m Gap Crossing, and the maximum 6 module Ladder height reaches 4.5m.
Ian O’Dell, Managing Director of Alpha Composites Ltd., said: "The Short Gap Crossing was trialled and tested under rigorous conditions by Military sources and has received an outstanding reception by Officers and Soldiers alike. The Short Gap Crossing is a product we have delivered to the UK MOD and we are very proud that it has been chosen for use in theatre.”
Kevin Higham, Director of Alpha Composites Ltd, said: “Alpha Composites Ltd is delighted to confirm that our introduction to key MOD decision makers via the ‘Motorsport to Defence’ initiative has resulted in us achieving our first MOD contract for the Short Gap Crossing (SGC). Using manufacturing techniques which originated in F1/Motorsport, and after trials and testing under rigorous conditions by Military sources, the SGC has received an outstanding reception by Officers and Soldiers alike and we are very proud that our product has been chosen for use in theatre in Afghanistan. We urge other members to endorse the ‘Motorsport to Defence’ initiative and engage in a technology exchange with sectors of UK MOD which could be to the mutual benefit of all involved”.
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