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CM spent a day driving with the 10 The Queens
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Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment thankfully on Salisbury Plain rather than in the more challenging environment of Afghanistan.
Words: Witt Shiers 1 Images: Tom Cunningham Have you had a had day? Been overcharged for a stale sandwich, had an argument with a BMW driver, struggled to find a parking space, and sat in stationary" • 7,, traffic on the M25? Before you get too depressed, spare a thought for 10 The Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (10 QOGLR), who have the added hassle of people trying to kill them. Conditions might be bad in the UK, but at least we don't have to deal with suicide bombers, land mines and rocket-propelled grenades... There has been a lot in the press recently about Afghanistan and, in particular. concerns over whether or not our soldiers have the right tools for the job. While we aren't qualified to comment on helicopters, what we can tell you is that 10 QOGLR are incredibly upbeat about their new trucks.
They recently took delivery of a number of MAN HX77 8x8 Enhanced Pallet Loading System (EPLS) trucks, which are an Urgent Operational Requirement purchase to provide a protected capability in place of their 20-year-old Leyland DROPS (Demountable Rack Offload & Pickup Systems), and they were keen to demonstrate their capabilities. We joined them on a Mission Rehearsal Exercise on Salisbury Plain, two months prior to their deployment to Afghanistan.
On the front line
10 QOGLR are responsible for carrying supplies (usually in ISO containers) to the troops on the front line, whether this be rations, spares, fuel, or just about anything else. Whereas the old DROPS vehicles required ISOs to be first loaded onto flatracks, the EPLS also has a Container Handling Unit (CHU) that allows 20ft ISO containers, weighing up to 15 tonnes, to be picked up quickly and easily without the need for a flatrack.The EPLS is also fitted with a hook to handle flatracks.
A pair of cameras aid the loading process, as well as providing situational awareness to the driver. Two men can load an ISO in a matter of minutes.
Corporal Bhagiswar Limbu, who is incredibly enthusiastic about his imminent six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, was keen to demonstrate the truck's capabilities. One of his favourite features is the ease of loading an ISO, which counts for a lot in a war zone. To prove his point, minutes later our pickup truck had been loaded onto the back of the EPLS. Corporal Limbu also praises the 440hp engine and the 12-speed TipMatic transmission. But for him, and everyone else who will travel in a MAN EPLS, the best feature is the peace of mind given by the superior ballistic protection.
His superior, Captain Sugdon, explains that in Afghanistan there isn't a front line as such, meaning everywhere is exposed. So the trucks are effectively in a potential war zone as soon as they leave Camp Bastion (the largest British overseas military camp built since the Second World War).
With this in mind, decent security is obviously vital. Unlike its predecessor, this EPLS has fully sealed bullet-proof glass throughout the cab. In comparison, the Leyland it replaced had regular opening windows (a necessity when you don't have air-conditioning).
Impressively, the EPLS trucks are also armoured to counter blasts caused by mines and the like, a real threat the regiment will face when it deploys. In theatre, they will run-in a 35to 100-strong convoy, otherwise known as a Combat Logistic Patrol, but won't be the lead vehicles.
Rocket-propelled grenades
However, there is every chance that they might come under attack from rocket-propelled grenades, and for this reason the trucks are cloaked in a layer of armour protection. These MAN trucks can defend themselves too, by way of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) mounted on the vehicles.
Captain Sugdon describes the EPLS as -the new workhorse of the regiment" and "the future of logistics in the Army':
Brigadier Angus Fay, Commander 101 Logistic Brigade, adds: "The EPLS represents a quantum leap forward in capability, providing logistics soldiers with an unprecedented level of protection while retaining the high levels of mobility that we need on deployed operations.
"Coupled with the very good training that these first-rate soldiers have had,! am convinced that we will be able to continue to provide outstanding levels of support to our comrades on the front line."
The EPLS has to be the least accessible truck we've ever experienced. The problem is caused by the external armour, which severely limits how far the doors will open. Add to this the high ground clearance and you've got a truck that even the Great Houdini would have struggled to get in and out of.
Captain Sugdon acknowledges that it isn't the easiest vehicle to access, but says this is a worthwhile trade-off for the added protection.
The instrument binnacle is straight out of a roadgoing MAN TG.SiTCiX, but that's where the similarities end.
The rest of the interior is a bizarre mix of old and new. Some of the controls are so basic they appear to have come out of an Austin Allegro, while other dials and controls wouldn't look out of place in the Mir Space Station.
Behind the wheel
While we didn't get a chance to experience the EPLS on the tarmac, we did have a brief play in the mud. And what a lot of fun it was too.
Driving off-road couldn't be simpler. It's just a case of selecting the 'Dx' mode on the TipMatic transmission, engaging the diff locks, switching on the ABS, and away you go. It's an 8x8 with incredible ground clearance and 440hp on tap, which basically means it takes a hell of a lot to slow it down although, of course, the Afghan terrain does not lend itself to typical speeds seen on UK tarmac.
Acceleration is really quite good, and the comfortable air-sprung Isri seats are impressive too. The ride quality is surprisingly good, even on Salisbury Plain.
While the truck is incredibly well specced, and can clearly cope with most of what man and nature can throw at it, we were surprised to see that it didn't have an automatic tyre-inflation system.
Surely this would come in handy in Afghanistan, where the trucks will no doubt be venturing onto sand? But the Army has an answer to that, too the MANs are fitted with run-flat tyres. •