Frank H Jordan Author

 Meet the Hawkei

The Hawkei features in MODEEN: SALVATION, book ten in the series.

The Hawkei, a light protected mobility vehicle, is being introduced into the Australian Defense Force. The vehicle is named after a highly venomous snake, the Barkly Death Adder – Acanthophis Hawkei – which is found in the Barkly Tablelands on the Northern Territory-Queensland border.

Thales Australia designed, developed and are building the vehicles at their factory in Bendigo, Victoria. Trailers are also being developed to enable the vehicles to carry specialist equipment such as satellite terminals, and radar or missile modules. On delivery to the ADF, the Hawkeis will  be role-configured into mission-ready vehicles.

• The Hawkei is a 7-tonne, 4x4, new generation protected vehicle with a 3-tonne payload, designed to meet the demanding requirements of land forces worldwide.
• The Hawkei offers blast and ballistic protection.
• Engine: Steyr M16 six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. 200 kW (268 hp) @ 4,000rpm 610 N⋅m (450 lb⋅ft) @ 2,000rpm
•  Armament: manned weapon mount up to 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL, or remote weapon system up to 12.7mm HMG, or 40mm AGL or ATGM.