British company, VSS, has beaten European competition to win a two-year contract to fit the Finnish Defence Force (FDF) fleet of over 700 vehicles with its ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) frame seating system. The VSS system is supplied as 4 seat modules with a unique lock down mechanism for quick installation by a four-man team. Neal Marshall, VSS Technical Sales, says “We were impressed by the Astrum defence industry experience and by the creativity, flexibility and cost awareness they applied to our project. We look forward to working with them for some years to come”

Astrum, one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of Twistlocks were chosen by VSS for an innovative solution to lock down their seating system.

The result is a unique Twistlock which retains many of the features and components which Astrum’s Twistlocks are renowned for

•Rugged cast steel body
•High Tensile forged stem
•6 spoke handnut
•Dedent 90º locking system
•Gravity safety lock
•Shearblock is integrally cast to the body giving optimum strength in shear.
•Screwdown to help eliminate clearance between the underside of the stem and the vehicle body.

In addition to its normal commercial Twistlocks and corner castings, Astrum have also been involved in the following major military projects

1.Designed and are manufacturing the Twistlocks used on the General Service Vehicles being built by Marshall SV / MAN.

2.Designed and manufactured the twistlocks on the Flatracks converted from type A to GP.

3.Designed and are manufacturing Interconnectors in use with NATO for connecting Tricons and Quadcons.

4.Designed and manufactured the bottom Cliklok on the CHU.

5.Designed and are manufacturing Aluminium ISO corner fittings.

6.Designed and are manufacturing Aluminium corner castings for use on light weight military shelters.

7.Designed and manufactured various connectors for linking portable accommodation units.

Astrum also manufacture Steel Castings to customer designs in the weight range of 1 – 200kg and are major suppliers to CAT and Linde.