The British Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) has produced a prototype of Europe's first composite-hull armored vehicle. The Advanced Composite Armored Vehicle Platform looks vaguely like an M113. It has the tracks, running gear, and engine of the Warrior AIFV. The composite hull provides better protection than aluminum at less weight. Total vehicle weight is about 24 tons; the 550hp engine provides 23hp/ton. The design includes a two-man crew at the front, a "mission module" in the center, and a power pack at the rear. The mission module might be a personnel compartment, a turret carrying a light cannon or missile launcher, a mortar, or some other system. --Stephen V Cole