Last week, the Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems team launched our exciting new venture at DVD Millbrook. Taking place on the 18th and 19th of September, DVD was an excellent opportunity to meet innovative leaders within the Land Systems space.
The DVD Millbrook 2024 event, held at the Millbrook Proving Ground, showcased the latest advancements in defence, security, and emergency response vehicles. This annual gathering brought together industry leaders, government officials, and military personnel to explore cutting-edge technologies, ranging from armoured vehicles to autonomous systems. Attendees experienced live demonstrations, vehicle trials, and interactive exhibits, highlighting innovations in mobility, survivability, and battlefield solutions. The event fostered collaboration and innovation, marking a key moment in shaping the future of defence and security transportation solutions. DVD Millbrook 2024 successfully demonstrated the next generation of military technology. The event was jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support and Army Headquarters.
Located on the Off-Road section at the event, we were incredibly proud to launch our Hercules Light Strike and Cerberus MRAP platforms. This event was a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded companies with a commitment to engineering excellence and innovation – which is at the core of our company ethos.
Our vehicles are both manufactured and designed in the UK, all done in-house at our factory. The Cerberus Mine Protected Armoured Vehicle designed by The Aardvark Group is a modular, highly configurable platform built to meet various mission profiles. With protection up to STANAG Level 3a/3b, Cerberus integrates commercial off-the-shelf components, ensuring low-cost maintenance and support from a global supply chain. It offers superior mobility and protection with a 4,000 kg payload capacity (mission-dependent) and can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h, with a range of 900 km.
The Hercules Light Strike Assault Vehicle Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems own design is engineered for dynamic off-road performance, boasting a 3,000 kg payload capacity. It’s adaptable for multiple combat roles and features modular STANAG protection. Designed for versatility, it can be transported by road, rail, air, or sea, enabling deployment in even the harshest environments.
Jamie White (Left), Ray Coles (Centre) and Liam Wright (Right).
The Vehicles team, consisting of Jamie White, Ray Coles, Liam Wright, and Tony Crabtree, attended the event, along with our CEO Simon Escott, Chairman David Evans, and other members of the PA family. This was a fantastic opportunity for the team to network in a new sector for Portsmouth Aviation. The team were pleased to have discussions with a variety of Land Systems experts and companies, making the event a successful launch of a product the vehicles team have been working incredibly hard on for the past 22 months. There was also ample opportunity for the company to discuss our extensive engineering capabilities and our ability to provide a bespoke service for military and commercial businesses.
We also had the opportunity to attend DVD’s dinner. It was fantastic to meet our DE&S and Army HQ hosts, as well as other companies in attendance. DE&S CEO Andy Start gave an enlightening address before the dinner, and we also had the pleasure of hearing the inspirational story of Darren Edwards. Darren Edwards, a paralysed former soldier, is a record-breaking Disabled Adventurer and Inspirational Speaker. He completed seven marathons across seven continents and led expeditions, inspiring resilience and perseverance. It was a wonderful insight into the important work of charities in the military space.
Launching Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems at DVD Millbrook 2024 was a key milestone for our team. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our engineers and the support of everyone who contributed to the success of DVD 2024. We’re already looking forward to DVD 2026 and are excited for the future of Portsmouth Aviation Land Systems!