Two productive days at UTAC Millbrook
Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD 2026) marked our second appearance at the event, and a highly productive one. Across the 16th – 17th of September, the Portsmouth Aviation team joined the UK land defence community at UTAC Millbrook, where fine weather and strong footfall kept our stand busy throughout both days.
DVD brings together industry, DE&S, Army users and delivery teams in a setting where capability can be demonstrated as well as discussed. It is an ideal forum in which to present HERCULES.
(Photo left to right: Tony Crabtree, Ray Coles, Liam Wright, Jamie White, Simon Escott)
Meet HERCULES: a UK-built 4x4 light strike vehicle
Our stand featured HERCULES, the 4x4 Light Strike Assault Vehicle variant, designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK by Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems. It pairs exceptional off-road performance with a payload of up to 3,000 kg, on a 6,000 kg gross vehicle weight.
HERCULES is designed for rapid deployment. It can be transported by road, rail, sea or air, including underslung or internally within a CH-47 Chinook, allowing it to deploy quickly into demanding environments. An integral ROPS supports open architecture, role-specific tactical operation, with a fully enclosed architecture, protecting crews across climatic conditions A1 to C1.
Protection is integral to the design. Every variant has chassis-integrated STANAG 4569 Level 1a/1b mine protection, and field-fit modular STANAG 4569 Level 1 kinetic energy packages add ballistic, side-blast and IED protection as the mission demands.
One chassis, multiple configurations
A central theme of our discussions was the platform's modularity: one chassis, multiple configurations. HERCULES can be built as an Enhanced Protection, Tactical, General Logistics or Ambulance vehicle.
This commonality offers clear through-life benefits. A single platform across the fleet reduces training requirements, spares holdings and maintenance overhead, without compromising the capability each role demands. The five-door body adds further flexibility, supporting open or closed operation with fully removable weather protection and removable door tops and window frames.
In collaboration with KOLUMON
We were pleased to exhibit in collaboration with KOLUMON Otomotiv of Turkey, who presented their KISRAK vehicle alongside HERCULES. Displaying the two platforms together generated significant interest.
A key focus: the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme
The Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirement, part of the Land Mobility Programme to replace the British Army's Land Rover and Pinzgauer fleets, featured prominently throughout the show, and many of our discussions on the stand centred on it.
We believe HERCULES could offer a strong option for this requirement. The programme calls for a family of vehicle types, and HERCULES already delivers multiple roles from a single UK-designed and UK-manufactured chassis, offering the commonality, transportability and protection the programme seeks. The feedback we received was encouraging, and we welcome discussions with prime contractors and industry partners seeking a sovereign UK platform for LMV and related requirements.
HERCULES at a glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Gross vehicle weight | 6,000 kg |
| Payload | Up to 3,000 kg (mission dependent) |
| Engine | Steyr M16 3.2 L 6-cylinder turbocharged, 160 kW |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Protection | STANAG 4569 Level 1 (KE and mine 1a/1b); modular field-fit packages |
| Roles | CAST, LOG, C2, IFV |
| Transportability | Road, rail, sea, air (underslung or inside CH-47 D/F) |
| Climatic range | A1 to C1 |
| Origin | UK designed and manufactured |
Thank you, DVD 2026!
We would like to thank everyone who visited the stand, KOLUMON for sharing the stand, the DVD organisers and UTAC Millbrook for an excellently run event, and the Portsmouth Aviation team for their commitment across both days.
We are now following up on the many conversations that began at Millbrook. Prime contractors, industry partners and end users who would like to learn more about HERCULES are invited to contact the Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems team to arrange a briefing or demonstration.