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Bushmaster triumphs over road-side bomb once again

The Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle has again successfully protected troops after being struck by an Improvised Explosive Device.

The soldiers, from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, were operating north of Tarin Kowt when a road-side bomb exploded.

While the vehicle was damaged, all personnel escaped harm and there are no reports of Afghan locals being injured.

Australia’s Department of Defence issued a media release on the incident, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday 16 September 2009.

“The Taliban continues to use indiscriminate and cowardly tactics that risk the lives of innocent local Afghans,” said the Department.

“The number of improvised explosive devices is a reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by local nationals and Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan, and the importance of countering this violent insurgent group.”

The Bushmaster vehicle is manufactured by Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility.

Thales is a core participant of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC), active in the Armour Applications program. It is involved in a project focused on evolution of vehicle armour requirements and development of improved systems and manufacturing techniques.

DMTC is a joint venture between defence industry, universities and government research agencies focused on enhancing Australia’s defence capability through the development of new materials and manufacturing technologies.