The British Army Forden DROPS “Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System”
The former UK truck manufacturer, Foden, submitted two logistic support truck prototypes to the MoD and the Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier was selected, with production commencing in January 1994. 400 vehicles were built under a 4 year contract for the role as the Royal Artillery’s principal flat rack ammunition re-supply carrier in support of their AS90 155mm self-propelled gun batteries. They can operates solo, or tow a skeleton trailer.
The 8×6 IMMLC vehicles use a 10 ton capacity forward steering drive axle, a second steer axle also of 10 ton capacity, and 20 ton double drive rear bogies, all manufactured by GKN. They are powered by a Perkins (Shrewsbury) Eagle 350 MX diesel engine using aZF ‘Ecomat’ HP 600 fully automatic six-speed transmission. The load-handling system is the Multilift Mark 4 using flat racks manufactured by Marshall of Cambridge that can carry up to 15 ton of palletised military stores. The vehicle can tow, load and off-load a custom-built draw bar trailer incorporating ISO twist locks and designed to carry standard20 ft containers or flat racks.
The British Army Forden DROPS Spec’s
Engine: Perkins 350MX cylinder turbo diesel 350hp
Transmission: ZF 6HP600
Steering: PAS – LHD
Tyres: 20.5 R25
Max-Load: 15.000kg
Electrical System: 24 volt
Length: 9.5m
Height: 3.4m
Width: 2.9m
G.V.W. 32,960kg