Armor: September 23, 2000

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Belgium plans to try again to launch its Reconnaissance-2000 program with a new request for bids. An earlier trial with the Dutch Fennec and the British Scarab failed when neither of these 4x4 wheeled vehicles met the requirements. Belgium wants 121 vehicles (with options for 48 more) to replace the 25-year-old Scimitar tracked vehicles now in service. The Belgians want a small fast vehicle that relies on stealth and speed to survive. They want a day/night sensor pod on a mast or the turret roof connected to a battlefield information management system. A wheeled vehicle is preferred but the Belgians are willing to look at anything.--Stephen V Cole