BAE's new Panther

Photographs don't lie. Or so I've heard.

Based on the photographic evidence associated with this story, the BAE Panther for the U.S. Army is not the same animal as the BAE Panther that will serve the British armed forces. The latter vehicle was developed by Iveco, and Italian company.

Having two different armored vehicles known as the Panther, particularly where both get a BAE nameplate, permits this situation to create even more confusion than the duplication of the "Ridgeback" name.

Though it is worth noting that the name the Brits gave to the Cougar 4x4 version of the Mastiff (Cougar 6x6) drops the "e" unlike the Protected Vehicles version.

Oh. Newsflash. "Protected Vehicles Inc." is no more. The company has apparently emerged from bankruptcy reorganization with the name Mobile Armored Vehicles, LLC.

Ridgeback armored vehicles for the Brits?

The other day at the blog "Defense of the Realm" I noticed a reference to a "Ridgeback" armored vehicle--the proposed name of a design proposed by Protected Vehicles Inc.

Named for the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a lion hunting canine from Southern Africa, the Ridgeback is a Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV) with 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 wheeled options. The Ridgeback boasts 10-15 Ton capacities, is capable of carrying up to 12 personnel and has a modular design to ensure multi role capability.
(PVI)

PM Gordon Brown apparently mentioned the name while discussing protected vehicle orders.

As the Brits have expressed interest in PVI's Golan (perhaps influenced by potential delays in obtaining MRAPs from other suppliers), the notion seems plausible on its face.

December 12, 2007: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced today that the Ministry Of Defence plans to order 150 'Ridgeback' protected patrol vehicles to support the British forces in Afghanistan.
(Defense Update)

The story goes on to suggest that a number of builders have been considered for the Ridgeback, which suggests that the Brits picked out the name and want to find a vehicle to match.

Or, PVI got the name based on the British vehicle proposal?

Most likely a naming coincidence.

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