What equipment will I be working on as a defence mechanic? 

Land

M1 Tanks

Currently, the M1 tank serves as the main battle tank of the US Army and Marine Corps, and it is also used by the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Australia under US service.

Quick facts:

• 3rd generation American main battle tank

• Weight: 62 metric tonnes

• Highly mobile

• Computer fire control system

• Quiet 1500hp AGT1500 multi fuel turbine engines

• Separate ammunition storage

At M&E, we have a range of different mechanical contract jobs, some with the chance to work on technologically advanced equipment like M1 tanks.

Learn more about M1 tanks

Humvees

A lightweight, four-wheel drive, military vehicles are now used by numerous other countries. They are designed to perform on all sorts of terrain, from deserts to jungles, for long periods of time.

Quick facts:

• V8 diesel 6.2L, or V8 turbo diesel 6.5L

• Top speed: 70mph

• Highly mobile

• Independent suspension

• 60% slope-climbing

• Carries a wide variety of military hardware

Discover the Humvee

Aviation

Apache Helicopters

The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with multi-role combat and a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement.

Quick facts:

• 15ft height, 17ft wingspan

• Maximum cruise speed: 284kph

• Vertical rate of climb: 2,000+ ft per minute

• Two turboshaft engines

Explore the Apache

Chinook Helicopters

Fitted with a suite of self-defence equipment, Chinooks are mostly used for trooping, resupply and battlefield casualty evacuation. They can also be used for search and rescue missions and supporting specialist tasks.

Quick facts:

• Two, three-bladed rotors

• Maximum speed: 300 km/h

• Range: 300 miles

• Can carry up to 55 troops or approx. 10 tonnes of mixed cargo

• The usual crew is either two pilots, or one pilot and one navigator

Learn more here

Marine

La Fayette class frigate

The La Fayette Class incorporates a number of stealth features, including sloped sides and radar resistant painted surfaces. Marine mechanical engineering contract jobs offer the opportunity to work on ships such as this, maintaining their efficiency and ensuring that they’re working at optimum efficiency.

Quick facts:

• Strong resistance to fire

• Made of light alloy and glass-reinforced plastic

• Maximum speed: 24.5 knots

• The combat data system is the Thales TAVITAC 2000 system

• OPSMER command support system is also fitted

• Main gun: Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Super Rapid gun

Find out more

Al Madinah-class frigates

Based on the Red Sea, these frigates were built in France and their full load displacement is 2,600 tonnes.

Quick facts:

• Crew: 179

• Length: 115m

• Top speed: 30 knots

• Armed with one 100 mm/44 dual-purpose gun, two 40mm anti-aircraft guns, four torpedo tubes

Sandown-class minehunters

Primarily built for the Royal Navy, these ships also serve with the Royal Saudi Navy and so might be one of the ships you could work on as part of your marine mechanical engineering contract job with M&E.

Quick facts:

• Weight: 600 tonnes

• Length: 52.5 metres

• Total range: 2,500 nautical miles

• Crew onboard: 40

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At M&E, you could get the opportunity to work on some of the most advanced defence equipment in the world.

In 2019 alone, we filled over 450 defence jobs, extended 83% of the workforce beyond initial term, and around 25% of mechanic personnel were promoted!

Find your perfect role

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