compendium light armoured vehicles compendium

T he rising threat posed by insurgentsin asymmetric conflicts, however,require them to carry improvedprotection which, at least with

currently available technologies (andbudgets), means more weight, to the extentthat some readers may not readilyunderstand how the thus far “light” categoryhas managed to turn into patrol vehicles onsteroids or “mini-MRAPS”. Yet, in manycases this seems to be the current trend.

Numerous nations are still looking for“light” solutions like, for example, Brazil,whose Army is expected to deploy abattalion-size contingent in Lebanon in mid-2014. The service indeed issued an RfP in lateNovember 2013 with the aim of acquiring abatch of 32 light multirole armoured vehicleswith a gross weight of eight tonnes.Requirements include a one-tonne payloadcapacity and the seating for up to five.Vehicles for trials should be delivered by early April 2014. The test phase should berelatively short, as the new vehicle, known asViatura Blindada Multitarefa, Leve de Rodas

(VBMT-LR) will have to be delivered forsome training prior the deployment forecastin Q3 2014. The acquisition plan includes afurther potential order that should bring thetotal to 218 vehicles. A demonstration that“light” is still trendy.

I JLTV VS. HUMVEEBy the time Armada International readersread these pages, the 66 JLTVs and 18trailers, 22 vehicles and six trailers eachdelivered in August 2013 by AM General,Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh will haveundergone over half a year of tests in the

Over 4,000 Iveco DV’s Light MultiroleVehicles have been sold in the world indifferent configurations; here an ItalianArmy Lince equipped with Oto Melara

Hitrole Light RCWS. (RC-West)

“Lights” on a Turning PointWith the mission in Afghanistan wrapping up and total uncertainty on what allied groundforces will find in their next mission (or missions), investments in the vehicle field are being carried out very carefully by the services. It is however probable that light armouredvehicles will continue to play a significant role in the future: their low aggressiveness,inherent mobility and immense advantage when faced with bridge capacities and roadwidths should ensure light armoured vehicles a good short - and medium-term future.

Paolo Valpolini

03Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2014

hands of Army and Marines personnel.Amidst pessimistic notes on most US Armyprogrammes, the AUSA 2013 pressconference on JLTV sounded different as allthree speakers insisted on describing thisnew vehicle as one of the top priorities forthe new force structure. Kevin Fahey,Program Executive Office for CombatSupport and Combat Service Support,underlined that the October 2013

governmental shutdown had somedetrimental effects on the testingprogramme, as some proving ground wereclosed; “we are behind the current idealplan,” he said, “but not behind schedule.”Force reduction should not affect thenumber of JLTVs. Although a 25%divestiture is foreseen in the light tacticalfleet, “we will thus reduce the numbers ofour Humvee fleet,” US Army Col. John

Cavedo, manager of the Joint ProgramOffice for the JLTV said, echoed by hisdeputy, USMC Lt. Col. Mike Burks whoconfirmed the 5,500 vehicles need for theCorps. With field tests underway, late 2013will see the JPG involved in the manufacturereadiness assessment, production readinessreview being planned for early 2014. Successis however not yet solidly wrapped up astough decisions on DoD programmes willbe taken in Q3 of FY14, with the selectionof the winning bidder awaited for 2015.

With the requirements now settled andtrials well underway the three competingteams cannot say much. AM Generalconsiders it an advantage to have an in-house state-of-the-art engine like theOptimizer 3200, the General EngineProducts 3.2-litre developed from the SteyrM16 following the licence agreement signedin 2009 with Steyr Motors of Austria andcurrently in production at the companyfacility in Franklin, Ohio. This engine yields300 hp at 4,300 rpm, with a torque rating of69 kgm at 2,200 rpm and, although at

04

AM General’s JLTV propulsion is based on theOptimizer 3200 turbodiesel engine that isproduced in-house, another “plus” accordingto the company. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

A prototype of AM General’s JLTV pictured during trials. The company stresses the commonalities between this vehicle and the HMMWV that might bring reduced operating costs. (AM General)

Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2014

different ratings, also equips the AMGeneral HMMW M998 the Alvis ScorpionCVR(T), the KMW-Rheinmetall AMPVand the BAE Systems BVS10. At only 250 kg,the Optimizer 3200 has a 1.2 hp/kg power-to-weight ratio and a 94 hp/l power density.AM General also stresses the 40% designcommonality of its JLTV and Humvee,which has a positive impact on costs, as wellas the fact that it has a dedicated assemblyline for light tactical vehicles.

In mid-October 2013 the LockheedMartin – BAE Systems team announced ashift in the JLTV production strategy, shouldthe team win the bid. While prototypes wereproduced at BAE Systems’ Sealy facility inTexas, actual production will be moved toLockheed Martin’s Camden plant inArkansas. “This will allow us to be more cost-effective, reducing the overheads and shiftingto a single Material Requirements Planningand Quality system,” Scott Greene, VPGround Vehicles for Lockheed MartinMissiles and Fire Control said at AUSA.

Lockheed Martin used the venue toexhibit the first of 23 vehicles rolled out

from Sealy Engineering and ManufacturingDevelopment assembly line. According tothe team heads, Green and Mark Signorellirespectively VP and General ManagerCombat Vehicles at BAE Systems Land andArmaments, underlined that the move willalso allow to shorten the supply line,Camden being within 600 miles from theprincipal subcontractors, which means less

than one day travel. The Lockheed Martin –BAE Systems team considers the move verylow risk, and believes that there will be noproblem meeting the 2016 deadline for aninitial low-rate production run. In earlyDecember 2013 the company announcedthat its JLTV team successfully completedthe government’s Manufacturing ReadinessAssessment at its Camden facility.

Oshkosh, for its part, relies heavily on theexperience acquired with its M-ATV. “Weare confident that the six years ofpreparation and the six generations ofprototypes that led us to the EMD phasetogether with the lessons learned from theM-ATV allowed us to provide a vehiclewhich features high survivability, off-roadcapacity and fuel economy,” John Urias,President Oshkosh Defence told the author.While supporting the JLTV testing,Oshkosh is marketing its L-ATV, the exportversion of the US Army/US Marine Corpsvehicle first exhibited internationally atDSEI 2013. “Differences are very small,commonalities having a positive impact onlife cycle costs,” Urias says, underlining

05

A view of one of the 22 EMDprototypes delivered by Lockheed

Martin to the programmemanagement in August 2013.

(Lockheed Martin)

The Lockheed Martin-BAE Systems teamdecided to move all the production to theCamden plant, and successfully passed theManufacturing Readiness Assessment.(Armada/P. Valpolini)


however, that “the L-ATV has an openarchitecture to increase flexibility inanswering foreign customers requirementsin additional equipment.”

As seen in Col. Cavedo’s statement, the Humvee recapitalisation programmemight suffer from cuts in the light tacticalvehicles fleet. The MECV (ModernizedExpanded Capacity Vehicle) did not appear in the Pentagon’s FYT13 budget, thusthere is currently no money for a wideHummer recap.

Nonetheless numbers will remaininteresting, and companies continue tomake proposals, being sure that sooner orlater some form of serious revamping willbe needed as JLTVs on their own will not besufficient, while the current HMMWV fleetneeds a boost in terms of reliability andavailability. Outside America, thatrecapitalisation may well be extended tocountries that adopted the AM Generalvehicle in the past, as over 300,000Hummers have been sold and of which theoriginal manufacturer estimates that some180,000 are still in service.

AM General thus proposes its ReliabilityEnhanced HMMWV which is in fullproduction for the M1151, M1152 andM1165 models. AM General’s modernizedchassis has been upgraded after ten years ofR&D investment to support heavieroperating weights, thereby increasingpayload capacity at the same time asproviding full crew protection with modularand scaleable kitted armour. The new rollingchassis includes other specific improvementssuch as 400-amp alternator, enhanced airliftbrackets, front mounted condenser, heavyduty shock absorbers, high capacity disc

brakes, improved cooling with gear fan drive,reduced effort steering, increased load 24-bolt wheels, robust three-piece frame rails,dedicated parking brake and improved reardifferential cooling. These upgrades haveproved their value downrange and AMGeneral is proposing the new chassis as a“recap” option for those vehicles that willcontinue to be in the home and internationalmilitary fleets for the next 30 years or more.

Textron Marine & Land Systems teamedwith Granite Tactical Vehicles are proposingthe SCTV (Survivable Combat TacticalVehicle), an armoured monocoque V-hullcrew capsule that ensures a protection levelsimilar to that of the lesser protectedMRAPs. Textron proposes to take good-condition frame Humvees, strip them oftheir old cabins, upgrade the engines,upgrade or replace suspensions depending

06

The new chassis proposed by AM General for the Humvee recapitalisation programme includes numerous improvements in the mobility elements and in the structure to allow a higher gross weight. (AM General - Armada/P. Valpolini)

The L-ATV is the export version of the vehicleproposed by Oshkosh Defense for the JLTV

programme, of which 22 prototypes arecurrently being tested. (Oshkosh Defense)


RUAG Schweiz AG | RUAG Defence | Allmendstrasse 86 | 3602 Thun | Switzerland Tel. +41 33 228 22 65 | [email protected] | www.ruag.com

Saving soldiers’ lives: Protection systems by RUAG.

Phot

o C

arl S

chul

ze

on the model, fit improved tyres and install a crew cell. Automotive upgrades arerelatively limited as the new capsule doesnot bring a dramatic weight increase thanksto the integral armour concept adopted.Mine protection is obtained through the V-shaped bottom, the material used as well as ahigher ground clearance. A fifth egresspoint has also been fitted in the back of thecapsule. The capsule sides, including doors,are slanted, creating sloped surfaces thatincrease protection against ballistic andRPG threats. According to Textron theSCTV solution should have a price thatcompares with that type of utility vehicle.

Meritor Defense is proposing its ownHumvee enhancement package in the formof a rolling chassis that includes upgrades tothe drivetrain and suspensions. The chassisadopts Meritor MXL drivelines (MeritorXtended Lube) in which advanced sealing-slip sections prevent water ingress and

The Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle - SCTVin short – is the proposal for the Humvee recap made by Textron Marine & LandSystems in co-operation with Granite TacticalVehicles. (Textron M&LS)

08

ensure that lubrication is protected fromcontaminants. This allows to extendlubrication intervals for both universaljoints and slip section to 160,000 km, thusconsiderably reducing maintenance costs.Mobility increase is mostly due to theadoption of the ProTec High MobilityIndependent Suspension (HMIS) Series 30.The lighter of the series, the ProTec 30 hasan 8,150 kg gross axle weight rating and up to533 mm of independent wheel travel.

However, at AUSA 2013 Meritor Defenceunveiled two new add-on solutions to furtherimprove the mobility of not only theHumvee, but also of the JLTV mobility – thecompany being part of the Lockheed Martinteam. The first one is the SmartFlow, a systemthat periodically checks the single tyrepressure and adjusts it according to themobility mode chosen, which can behighway, cross country, mud/sand/snow oremergency. The system is based on apneumatic control unit that integrateselectronics and pneumatics, and is linked tothe pneumatic control unit via controlledarea network, one channel per wheel beingavailable. Complementary to the SmartFlowcomes the DriveCommand, a pneumaticdrivetrain control system that activelymonitors and controls differentials andtransfer case status, that are locked andengaged when necessary through adequatesequencing. Electrical and pneumaticconnections link the drivetrain control unitto the front and rear axles and to the transfer

Based on a Dodge RAM 5500 chassis, theTiger, developed by Textron M&LS and MDTArmor is a cost-effective protected vehicle withtwo to seven seats. (Textron M&LS)

The HMMWV recap solution proposed by Meritor allows to increase the vehicle’s gross axle weight to 8.15 tonnes. (Meritor Defense)

Two views of Textron M&LS SCTV recapped Humvee exhibited at AUSA 2013; it is based on an armoured monocoque V-hull crew capsule installed over an upgradedHumvee chassis. (Armada/P. Valpolini)


case, connection with the HMI being againvia controlled area network. Working modesbeing the same as the SmartFlow, a singleHMI can be used when both systems areinstalled. Each one of the systems weighs only1.9 kg, and both are linked to the compressedair supply tank. Meritor Defense is preparingto launch the production of both theSmartFlow and the DriveCommand, whichhave been thoroughly tested with the US

Marine Corps within a Humvee upgradeprogramme experiment.

Navistar is still actively marketing itsInternational MXT. The MVA armouredversion remains under the 10-tonne grossweight mark, but gets close to 15 tonnes inthe Armoured (ISS) and APC versions. Themain user of this vehicle remains the BritishArmy, with an order for 262 MXT-MVA(known as the Husky in British service) in

April 2009, followed by a further order for 89in September 2010. The British Army’s grossat 8.6 tonnes with a payload of around 1.6tonnes, the vehicle carrying four military.The patrol version is equipped with aprotected weapon station armed with a 12.7mm machine gun or 40 mm automaticgrenade launcher, while the support versionhas a weapon station armed with a 7.62 mmmachine gun.

I TURKEYTurkey is steadily increasing its presence inthe light armoured vehicles world: at IDEF2013, in addition to Otokar, at least threeother companies unveiled their proposals inthis market slice.

Since the late 1990s when it launched itsCobra 4x4 tactical armoured vehicle, whichused some AM General Humveecomponents, Otokar has been continuallydeveloping this as well as other models tomeet both home and export requirements.Gradually, and beyond Turkey, its Cobra hasalso been adopted by Algeria, Bahrain,Georgia, the Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan,Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates, aswell as by other undisclosed countries. Thelast order placed by Turkey in September2013 shows that the size-performance-protection-price equation of that vehicle isstill very much appreciated.

The ensuing tighter links established withcustomers through the years led Otokar tofathom the need for a vehicle that featuredthe same agility as the existing Cobra but witha greater internal volume and higherprotection. Hence the Cobra II unveiled inMay 2013 at IDEF. Although the new vehicleleverages experience acquired with theoriginal Cobra, the ‘II is a new vehicle in itsown right. Longer, wider and higher, it is

09

Meritor’s DriveCommand drivetrain control (DTC) on the left and SmartFlow central tire inflationsystem in the middle, are proposed for HMMWV recap together with Meritor MXL drivelines andProTec High Mobility Independent Suspension. (Meritor Defense – Armada/P. Valpolini)

Navistar MXT is available in unarmoured and armoured configurations as well as with live axles or independent suspensions, its heavier versions being close to 15 tonnes. (Navistar Defense)


powered by a Cummins 6.7 litres 6-cylinderturbocharged common rail diesel engineproducing 281 horses (the Cobra “only”had a190) linked to an Allison automatic gearboxwith six forward and one reverse speed. Atmaximum gross of 12 tonnes, its power toweight ratio is of 23.4 hp/t, lower than the 30hp/t of the original vehicle. However, due tothe desire of some potential customers tomaintain the same mobility as the originalCobra, the vehicle can be equipped with thesame engine, but somewhat tweaked tochurn out some 360 hp (this solution beingcurrently in the qualification phase).Equipped with fully independentsuspensions, this new vehicle has a higher

internal volume compared to its predecessor,the main reason for the weight increase beinghowever the higher mine and ballisticprotection level; according to Otokar 30% ofthe weight increase is due to the largeravailable volume while 70% is to be blamedon protection. The Cobra II maintains themonocoque approach of the Cobra, with abody made of armoured steel. Add-onarmour to increase ballistic protection comesin two options, one with ballistic steel and theother with composites, though while bothbear the same weight penalty, protectionlevels differ (and so probably do their price).Axles are a new design developed andproduced by Otokar, while the independent

suspensions are similar to those of the Cobrabut obviously adapted to cope with theheavier weight. The Cobra II standardequipment includes front thermal camera,rear view camera, CTIS and ABS.

Turning to accessibility – the Cobra IIaccommodates the same number ofpassengers as the Cobra, which is nine – this isbetter, courtesy of two lateral doors insteadof one previously, though the rear door hassurvived. The rear infantry compartment hastwo vision blocks per side to allow directvision and troops can use their assaultweapons through firing ports. All variantscurrently available in the Cobra family willbe developed in Cobra II guise. Currently theCobra II amphibious version, which featuresa propulsion similar to that of the Cobra withtwo rear propellers, is undergoing finalqualification trials, since Otokar is aiming athaving it ready for production in Q1 2014.An air-defence variant is under developmentand will be exhibited at the Bahrain Air Showin January 2014. It will be equipped with theAselsan Missile-Igla system that can carry upto four short-range Igla missile launchers.

Five different prototypes have beenproduced and in mid-2013 the new vehicle,in its basic version, was considered ready forproduction. Otokar is marketing the CobraII alongside the Cobra, since effectively thetwo vehicles belong to two different classes.

Otokar follows the same approach as thatused with the Cobra APV, the ArmouredProtected Vehicle, of which the company sold4,500 units to paramilitary and military units.Here too protection levels and internalvolume needed to be increased to overcome

The Armoured Protected Vehicle, APV in short, has been for years a best seller vehicle for Otokarwhich sold over 4,500 pieces for military and paramilitary purposes. (Otokar)

10

The new Cobra II is much more protected andheavier than the original Cobra and isavailable with two different power packs. Theside view with the doors open taken at theOtokar stand during IDEF 2013 reveals theinternal layout. (Otokar - Armada/P. Valpolini)


the APV shortcomings, which gave birth tothe Ural, which too, was unveiled at IDEF2013. Much lighter at 6.1 tonnes, it can carryup to ten soldiers protected by the all-weldedsteel cabin bolted onto a chassis that waspurposely designed and produced by Otokar.Two configurations are available, with three orfive doors in addition to both right- or left-hand drive configurations (all markets areworth considering nowadays, knowing that53 countries drive on the left hand-side of theroad, which is considered as the only rightdriving side in Britain).

The Ural is powered by a 185 hpturbocharged intercooler diesel engine andhas front independent suspensions and a live

rear axle. As paramilitary units often have tocope with emission regulations, the Ural iscurrently available both with Euro 3 and Euro5 engines, but within two years Otokar plansto also have a Euro 6. Currently the companyhas received a first order for a batch of 11 vehicles for evaluation by the TurkishPolice by the time these lines are printed. In addition two foreign customers wereevaluating the Ural in late 2013.

Nurol, engaged in the infantry fightingvehicles through FNSS (a joint venturebetween Nurol Holding and BAE SystemsLand & Armaments L.P.) entered the lightarmoured vehicle market with the Ejder 4x4unveiled in May 2013. The company

Otokar is qualifying the amphibious version of its new Cobra II; here the prototype characterised by the two pushing propellers, one of them being visible at the back of the vehicle. The Turkish Army relies very much on amphibious capabilities, that are a key requirement for most of its vehicles. (Otokar)

The Ural is the new proposal from Otokar toreplace the APV as light patrol military vehicleand for paramilitary use. (Otokar)

Shielding your mission

is our speciality

You’ve got to keep on the move. But you have no idea what’s around the next corner. At Nexter, we’re

constantly innovating to make sure you stay away from the danger. Like with ARAVIS

®�, a complete family

of high-performance, multipurpose vehicles. Backed by our renowned SAFEPRO

® armour technology,

these vehicles give you exceptional off-road mobility and extreme protection against the most lethal

threats, including level-4 ballistic, mine and artillery attacks, and even the most powerful IEDs. And like

all Nexter solutions, we go beyond physical safety to ensure well-being at every stage of your mission.

ARAVIS

®� offers a large, ultra-comfortable interior, surprisingly low noise and vibration levels, and an

incredibly user-friendly design.

www.nexter-group.fr

Photo credits: A

spheri, A

. B

annister/

Getty Im

ages, Y. D

ebay, Stat -

01

4

1 3

7 9

6 7

0

Nexter

Systems

Recognizing threats

is our instinct

12

develops and produces 100% of the newvehicle, which was designed following athorough marketing research that led to finetuning the technical specifications. In onlytwo months the company went from thescreens to the prototype of this 12 tonner,which Nurol considers not to belong to theMrap league category, but proposes in thepersonnel carrier, reconnaissance, commandand control, CBRN, combat, weapon carrierand ambulance configurations.

The APC can carry a two-man crew, anoptional machine gunner, and six dismounts,the front cabin being accessible via two sidedoors while the rear compartment featurestwo side and one rear door. A hatch allowsthe machine gunner to operate his weapon,although at IDEF 2013 the vehicle wasequipped with a remote-control weaponstation cradling a 12.7 mm machine gun.That prototype also featured metal barsprotecting glass surfaces against low velocityprojectiles such as stones. The Ejder 4x4features a large windscreen and ample lateralglass surfaces throughout its length toprovide optimal outside view to the crew, therear being the only side without any glass.The Nurol 4x4 has all-round independentsuspensions with double wishbone, helicalcoil and shock absorbers, and its 25 hp/tpower-to-weight ratio allows it to acceleratefrom 0 to 40 km/h in six seconds. The Ejder4x4 has a growth capability of two tonnes;however Nurol is ready to develop a longerchassis with improved suspensions should acustomer require a 10 seater.

Hema Defense Industry is a new entryinto the armoured vehicles community as anOEM, the company having provided foryears components to numerous othermanufacturers. The Turkish company hadestablished a co-operation with the StreitGroup on both a 6x6 and a 4x4 weaponcarrier, the latter known as the Şimşek(lighting), but this co-operation has nowcome to an end. Hema is thus nowdeveloping its own vehicles, again a 4x4 and a6x6. Although a tad “heavy” to belong to thisCompendium, but for sake of clarification,the 4x4 vehicle known as HHD-1 to beunveiled in 2014 will gross at 14 tonnes with a3.5-4 tonnes payload capacity, accommodateup to 11, including driver and gunner. Itspowerpack will be based on a Deutz or MTUengine developing 280-340 hp and coupledto an Allison 2000XP transmission. The V-shaped hull monocoque carries independentsuspensions, with hydro-pneumaticdamping on option. Protection will be Level

3a/b against mines and Level 3 againstballistic threats, add-on armour allowing toreach Level 4. According to the artistimpression available the vehicle sides will alsohave some V-shaped contribution toincreased protection, personnel being able toingress and egress through four lateral doorsand a rear door. The vehicle is shown armedwith a 12.7 mm remote-control weaponstation with full optronic suite.

Katmerciler, a Turkish company active inspecial trucks, is shifting its interest towardsdefence, its Pit-Bull VX 4x4 armouredpersonnel carrier being its first step in thisdirection. Based on a Ford-550 chassispowered by a 300hp Ford 6.7 V8 turbodiesel,it has a combat weight of 8.8 tonnes with apayload of 1.3 tonnes. The vehicle has a Level1-equivalent protection against mines whileits steel hull is protected at CEN B6+.Katmerciler is proposing its Pitt-Bull VX to

numerous countries, the most promisingcontacts being with Azerbaijan.

I FRANCEUpon closing the previous Compendium onlight armoured vehicles came the news ofPanhard’s acquisition by Renault TrucksDefense. Although it hardly was a surprise,that move changed the French scenario in thismarket putting three brands under a singleroof, namely Renault, Acmat and Panhard,which are all involved in one way or another inthe lighter segment of the vehicle market.

After over one year with thatorganisation, the removal of Gérard Amielfrom the helm of Renault Trucks Defense,the post of chief executive being taken byStefano Chiemlewski, president of Volvogovernment sales, looks very much like theremoval not only of a top man but of a wholeintermediate level, bringing RTD under a

At IDEF 2013 Nurol Makina unveiled the Ejder 4x4 versionwhich is now offered in 6x6 guise. A longer wheelbaseversion might soon appear. (Nurol Makina)

The prototype of the Ural 4x4 was unveiled at IDEF in May 2013; at that event Otokar unveiledthree new vehicles and a number of new weapon stations and turrets. (Armada/P. Valpolini)


more strict control of the Volvo industrialgroup. Although some new products areexpected in the APC/IFV sector, no majornew product is expected to emerge in thelight one in any near future.

The Panhard VBL is definitely the RTDportfolio best-seller with over 2,300 vehicles inservice in 16 countries and in over 10versions. Panhard is continuing to develop theupgrade package for the French Armée deTerre that will include a new rear suspension,to allow a 900 kg payload capacity increase, anew engine and an improved protection. Thisversion should reach a gross weight of around5.2 tonnes, and is attracting some interestfrom the export market.

The PVP, for Petit Véhicule Protégé, wasused in Mali by French forces deployedduring “Opération Serval” in January 2013.It was mostly used for gathering tacticalintelligence in the northern regions of Mali,the two versions involved in such missionsbeing the Drac drone support vehicle andthe Electronic Warfare vehicle, the latterhelping to locate rebel commander radios,and direct on them either artillery fire orcombat helicopters. The Armée de Terrefields some 1,180 such vehicles, some of

which will soon receive the Sagem-PanhardWasp RCWS. Some 80 more PVPs wereproduced and delivered to Togo, Chile andRomania, the latest customer being Mali.

The Crab concept vehicle unveiled acouple of years ago is still exhibited atnumerous shows, as exemplified by itspresence at DSEI 2013 in Abu Dhabi,although it is not clear how much this type ofvehicle will attract a customer in the currentor in a modified form.

With the APC-XL introduced at DSEI2013 Renault increased the flexibility of itsSherpa Light, which is now available in fivedifferent armoured and non-armouredversions. The latest version grosses at 10.9tonnes and can carry a crew of two plus eightdismounts and a 2.6-tonne payload.Available in three- and five-doorconfigurations, its roof is raised to 2.53metres to give an 11 m3 protected volume,that is one extra cubic metre compared to the

A new entry in the Turkish lightweight armoured vehicles contest, Katmerciler is proposing itsPit Bull VX 4x4 to numerous export customers. (Katmerciler)

standard APC version. The latter has beensold to Qatar, the Far East and in someEuropean countries, the Carrier versionhaving been acquired by Nato and France.The tougher member of the family is theSherpa Light HI (for High Intensity) whichhas a gross weight of 10.5 tonnes, a payloadcapacity of 1.5 tonnes, and seats for sixsoldiers. Protection levels are not announced,but being a short wheelbase vehicle with aweight similar to that of the long wheelbaseones it is clear that protection has beenincreased. Nearly 300 Sherpa Lights havebeen sold, including the logistic carrierversion to the Egyptian Police, and accordingto RTD the company is involved in numerousoffers regarding the latest variants.

Turning to the Acmat range, Renault hassold over 350 Bastion APCs, mostly inAfrica but also to some European specialforces units, the latest 11 having beendelivered in early December 2013 to Chad.At 10.5 tonnes gross this vehicle has apayload capacity of two tonnes at Level 1ballistic protection, that drops by half atonne with Level 2 armour, and again byanother half tonne at Level 3, though anti-mine protection is limited.

I ITALYWith over 4,000 vehicles on order from 10countries (Italy, United Kingdom, Spain,Norway, Belgium, Croatia, Austria, CzechRepublic, Slovakia and Russia), Iveco DV is

nearly ready to launch the production of animproved version of its successful 4x4.

In 2014 the Bolzano-based company willcomplete the production of the VTLM Lince,currently on order by the Italian Army, withover 1,600 delivered so far. The last batchesare in Lince 1A configuration with theintegral roof able to carry both the newprotected gun ring and the Oto MelaraHitrole Light turret. The new roof ensuresfull safety in case of roll-over and replaces theoriginal roll protection bar, increasing theavailable space inside the vehicle andreducing the weight. Italy is reducing itscontingent in Afghanistan, and followingover five years of deployment downrangestatistics show that, apart from initialteething problems, the vehicle performedaccording to expectations. Around 30Casevac Lince were also delivered. CurrentlyIveco DV is talking to the Italian Army tofinalise the VTLM-2 configuration, theacronym standing light tactical multirolevehicle. The next-generation Lince will beslightly longer to increase available space, 95percentile data constantly increasing theDutch requirement which now calls for 2.02metres. The new vehicle will have bettermobility, higher payload and protection, andwill feature a consistent payload capacityincrease. Gross weight is kept below thenine-tonnes mark, Iveco’s intention being notto transform the LMV into a mini-Mrap.This weight goal should be achieved by

working on the structure and materials of thesafety cell. The vehicle is conceived to fullyintegrate all the net-centric systems as thenew Lince will be part of the digitised Armyknown in Italy as the Forza NEC.

According to Iveco DV managers,customers are pointing to the importance ofelectronic systems integration followingproblems that surfaced in most vehicle typesused downrange when a number of radio,jammers and suchlike were installed. In thisrespect the Lince has evolved along the years,with a series of improvements in terms ofavailable power and cabling, and a series ofcontracts is being filed by the Italian MoD torepair and update batches of vehicles on theirway back from Afghanistan. However thestandard required for new vehicles will bemuch higher. The Digital LMV shown atDSEI 2013 is a first step towards the Lince 2solution, incorporating improved protectionand enhanced mobility through theprovision of automatic drive management.The vehicle on display grossed at 7.75 tonnes.The Bolzano company is also expanding theversions available, and unveiled a CBRNreconnaissance and survey variant in teamwith Cristanini, the Italian CBRN specialist, atthat same exhibition.

Turning to exports, the Iveco DV plantsare currently producing the last vehicles forAustria, some 50 vehicles having beendelivered in 2013 with 50 more to go tocomplete the 150 vehicles contract, as well

14

A Panhard Petit Véhicule Protégé in the Drac dronedetachment configuration, which saw action in the Mali

French forces engagement. (RTD/Yves Debay)


15

as the last units of the batch of 358 vehiclesordered by Russia where it is known as theRys. Final assembly is taking place inVoronezh with some local content. The jointventure between Iveco and Kamaz is frozenfollowing the Moscow decision to cancel theoriginal contract for 1.775 vehicles.

By the end of 2014 Iveco DV willcomplete the deliveries of the 62 fourth-generation LMVs ordered by Norway inJanuary 2013, the configuration adoptedbeing already an evolution towards theaforementioned Lince 2. The vehicle featuresa new survival cell with protectionimprovements, new seats and improvedergonomics, the new driveline offeringhigher performances allowing for anincreased gross weight. Electro-magneticcompatibility is greatly increased, Norwayhaving required the capacity toaccommodate numerous GFEs such asradios, BMS, intercom and ECMs, as well as aKongsberg Protector Nordic weapon station.

I GERMANYFollowing the Bundeswehr’s choice for theGDELS Eagle V to top up the GFF2requirement, the KMW/Rheinmetallconsortium that developed the 4x4 AMPV(Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle) islooking at the export market as well as at awider range of battlefield missions. Poweredby a 274 hp Steyr 3.2-litre 6-cylinderturbodiesel, the AMPV in Type 2aconfiguration (the only developed up toprototype level so far) reached a 10-tonnegross weight with a 2.2-tonne payload atminimum protection level, part of it beingtradable for further ballistic protection. Withmine protection among the design priorities,the German vehicle has a Level 3a/2b thatputs it among the top protected vehicles in itsclass; an intermediate floor-structuredecoupled from the safety cell reduces loadson the lower extremities of the occupants incase of mine explosion. The independentsuspension system, based on double

wishbones with two spring-damper perwheel and hydraulic end stop dampersensure high ground clearance in every terrainadding to protection and high mobility. Thevehicle is now equipped as standard issuewith a rear-view camera feeding images tothe driver on the 6.5-inch display that is alsoused as vehicle information (status systemreports and log book). The AMPV is ready tohost mission kits such as C4I systems,jamming equipment, remote-controlweapon station or NBC system.

So far only the patrol and commandvehicle, aimed at the GFF2 bid, has beenproduced. However the KMW-Rheinmetallteam is working on at least three moreconfigurations, a reconnaissance, a logisticand a large compartment vehicle. All ofthem maintain the 10-tonne gross weightthough payload varies (2.2, 2.0, 2.4 and 1.6tonnes) according to the different emptyweights. Both the patrol and the recceversions are fully armoured and feature a

Three views of the Acmat Bastion in the command post and ambulance configurations. Based on the VLRA chassis this vehicle has been sold in numbers to African countries. (RTD)

The Sherpa Light in Scout configuration moving into Africanscenarios; Renault Trucks Defense is developing the vehicle, the

latest iteration being the APX-XL shown at DSEI. (RTD)


RCWS, the reconnaissance variant beingalso equipped with a rear-mountedtelescopic mast with optronic sensors andcarrying an extra seat. The logistic versionhas a front armoured cab and a rear pick-upconfiguration, while the large compartmentfeatures a raised roof and a protectedcompartment extended along the wholelength of the vehicle which considerablyincreases the internal protected volume.

No major news from Mercedes Benz,whose catalogue still features the LAPV 5.4and the LAPV 6.1. Known as Enok in theGerman Bundeswehr, which fields 121 suchvehicles acquired within the GFF1programme, it is available in four- and five-door versions both rated at 5.4 tonnes gross.What changes is the payload, that decreasesfrom 1,070 to 850 kg in the five-doorversion. Protection is at Level 2 ballistic andLevel 1a/b anti-mine, although an add-onkit can increase the latter to Level 2a. TheLAPV 6.1 has remained so far the onlydevelopment of the 6.X line, the numberindicating its GVW in tonnes. The weightincrease results from a toughened chassis,while the engine output remains unchangedat 181 hp. The ballistic protection remainsthe same as the 5.4’s, while the 6.1 features astandard Level 2a floor; this can be howevertraded for a Level 1a/b floor, to increase the1.3-tonne standard payload. Until now noLAPV 6.1 seems to have been ordered.

I SWITZERLANDUnveiled in 2010, the General DynamicsEuropean Land Systems Eagle V was selectedby the Zurich Airport Police and by the SwissArmy, which received their first vehicles in2011 and 2012, and most recently byGermany to complete its GFF2 (GeschützteFührungs und Funktionsfahrzeuge orArmoured Command-and-Control Vehicles)programme. A contract was filed by theGerman BAAINBw for 100 such vehicles inJune 2013, the document containing anoption for further 76 vehicles.

The latest evolution of the Eagle, the EagleV maintains numerous commonalities withEagle IV, already in service with theBundeswehr, which will help in reducing life-cycle costs. Recent upgrades were made, andwith now a 10-tonne gross weight, the Eagle Vhas a payload capacity of three tonnes, part ofwhich can be used to further improveprotection, and can transport two to sixmilitary depending on the configuration. Likeits predecessor, the Eagle V is based on theDuro IIIP chassis. Mobility is now entrusted toa 250 hp Cummins ISBe 6.7-litre 6-cylinderturbocharged diesel coupled to an Allison 5-speed automatic transmission, whilesuspension relies on a De Dion axle systemwith patented roll stabilizer.

Manufacturing is being carried out both atKreuzlingen (Switzerland) and Kaiserslautern(Germany), the order keeping the two

assembly lines busy until 2014, or until 2015should the option be exercised. The first EagleV will be delivered to the Bundeswehr in early2014. The Eagle 6x6 is obviously based on the6x6 version of the Duro, but is powered by a285 hp engine, and offers a payload capacity 6tonnes. According to released information nocustomer has yet ordered this version.

I BRITAINWith the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle(LLPV) programme well underway it isunclear which will be the target for theincoming Multi Role Vehicle - Protected(MRV-P), the follow-on to the OperationalUtility Vehicle System cancelled by theMinistry of Defence a few years ago. Howmuch the programme will aim at a fivetonnes vehicle or at something with threetimes that gross weight is still to bedetermined, the MRV-P being currently inthe hands of the Defence Science andTechnology Laboratory, although followingthe Afghan experience it is highly probablethat it will have sufficient ballistic and mineprotection levels.

Well proven in Afghanistan with theBritish Army that renamed it the Foxhound,the Force Protection Europe Ocelot 4x4 thatwon the LPPV bid back in September 2010has now totalled 400 orders. Following thefirst order for 200 vehicles in late 2011 theBritish Mionistry of Defence ordered a

16

The Italian Army is by large the bigger user of Iveco’sLMV; currently the Army is in the final stage of

writing the requirements for the Lince 2.0 that willsucceed the current version. (RC-West)


17

further batch of 100 Foxhounds in mid2012, three further orders respectively for25, 51 and 24 vehicles having been filedbetween late 2012 and fall 2013. Over 350have already been delivered by what is nowGDLS/Force Protection.

The Foxhound crew cell has a deep-Vshape that deflects blast reducing the slam-down effect when vehicle lands back after anexplosion and this, coupled to the technologyadopted in the floor, provides a Level 2Bmine protection. The cell is made ofcomposite armour providing Level 3 ballisticprotection, and can host two crew membersand four dismounts with access via the frontleft door or the rear door. A reconnaissancevariant with only two rear seats and a logisticvariant, with a shortened cabin hosting thecrew and a pick-up architecture, are alsoavailable. The crew cell can be easily replacedas it is fixed to the chassis with fourconnectors. This allows to adopt othersolutions, such as the all-steel cell introducedat DSEI 2013 that gives birth to the so-calledOcelot-S, for “steel”, a lower cost solution thatmight improve its export chances,GDLS/Force Protection being involved in atough marketing campaign in variousregions such as South America, NorthernAfrica as well as in the Far and Middle East.On the other hand the higher weightgenerates a payload capacity reduction.

On the SPV400 theme, Supacat hasdeveloped three different crew cells for thepatrol, utility and WMIK (Weapons MountInstallation Kit) versions, the latter with anopen cabin. As for the Zephyr, this has now

become a Penman product following theacquisition of Creation by the southern-Scottish group, Creation remaining theengineering and development company. Theagreement with Saudi Arabia’s Eraf Industrieshas led to the development of the Metras 4x4,an 8-tonne GVW derivative of the Zephyrwith a two-tonne payload capacity, capableof carrying a two-man crew and sixdismounts. It is powered by an MAN 198 hpcommonrail diesel engine and reaches aspeed of 120 km/h. The 500-kilo gross weightincrease over the Zephyr compensates for thehigher weight of the all-steel hull that ensuresLevel 3 ballistic and Level 3a/2b blastprotection. The co-operation betweenPenman/Creation and Eraf should increasethe chances of penetration into Middle Eastand other markets.

I MIDDLE EASTMentioning Eraf just above provides asmooth transition to some of the otherMiddle Eastern products.

The Streit Group, a multinational group,with production facilities in Canada, theUnited Arab Emirates, the United States,Russia, India, Jordan, Pakistan and Turkey,but headquartered in Dubai, is more andmore active in the military vehicle field, itsarmoured proposals ranging from heavilyprotected patrol vehicles up to 6x6armoured personnel carriers. The one thatcan be considered part of light armouredvehicles, considering that the word “light”is becoming less and less appropriate evenfor small patrol vehicles, is the Scorpion, an11-tonne 4x4 that seats a two-man crew andfour dismounts. The vehicle is based on a V-shaped monocoque hull with independentsuspensions providing optimal mobility.Powered by a 300 hp turbochargedCummins 6 Cylinders ISBE 6.7L, it yields apower-to-weight ratio of over 27 hp/tonneand a maximum road speed of over 110km/h. The 200-litre fuel tank allegedlyensures a cruise range of 800 km.

The Spartan can carry a two-man crewand up to four dismounts, providing themwith ballistic protection at Level 3 and anti-mine protection at Level 2a/b. Personnelaccess and egress the vehicle via two front andtwo rear doors, an escape hatch being alsoavailable on the roof, while a cargo area in theback is available for storing equipment.Unveiled at Eurosatory 2012, the Scorpion isactively marketed worldwide, efforts beingapparently concentrated in the Middle Eastand Latin America.

Nimr Automotive recently baggedanother success when the United Arab

The AMPV family was developed by the KMW-Rheinmetall Defence team but for the time beingthe only version developed was the 2a for the GFF2 programme, which however got the favoursof a competing vehicle (Armada/Eric H. Biass)

The LAPV 6.1 developed by Mercedes Benz is still looking for a launch customer while thelighter and less protected LAPV 5.4 is in service with the Bundeswehr. (Mercedes Benz)



#18@7�1.;.�27��;.,877*2<<*7,.�0>2<.��#58?*42*7�/8;,.<�89.;*=.�*�7>6+.;�8/?.;<287<�

Kerametal, Slovakia

ALIGATOR MASTER�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �$%��*A�#9..- ��

��,8�-.?.5896.7=�[email protected]�"1.276.7=*55�*7-��'��=1.��!&�;.<=<�87��8A.;�-.;2?.-�<><9.7<287<�

KMW-Rheinmetall, Germany

AMPV 2A�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��19�*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

�7�<=*7-*;-�/8;6�=1.��>;;2,*7.�*,,8668-*=.<�*�=.*6�8/�/2?.�<85-2.;<��+>=�,*7�;.�,.2?.�*7�.A=;*�=@8�<.*=<�

Hatehof, Israel

HURRICANE�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= �� =877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��*A�#9..- ��

$1.��86*=<>��%��'�2<�=1.�5201=�*;68>;.-�?.12,5.�,>;;.7=5B�><.-�+B�=1.��*9*7.<.#.5/��./.7,.��8;,.<��*9*7�6201=�<887�.7=.;�=1.�-./.7,.�.A98;=�6*;4.=�*;.7*�

Komatsu, Japan

KU50W�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. � ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

$1.�!2=��>55�&(�2<�*�5201=�*;68>;.-�?.12,5.�-.?.589.-�68<=5B�/8;�9852,.�*7-�9*;*625�2=*;B�><.�*7-�+*<.-�87�*��8;-��,1*<<2<�

Katmerciler, Turkey

PIT-BULL VX�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

�.?.589.-�/8;�=1.��;.7,1��;6B��=1.�!&!�2<�*7�*//8;-*+5.�9;8=.,=.-�?.12,5.�/8;>72=<�78=�.:>299.-�@2=1�=1.�&��

Panhard, France

PVP MK3�.70=1 �� 6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �?.,8�� *A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

�*7>/*,=>;.-�27�7>6.;8><�?.;<287<��;68>;.-�#9.,2*5�!>;98<.�&.12,5.�<18@71.;.�

Arzamas, Russia

TIGR ASPV�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��*A�#9..- ��

�.270�-.?.589.-�@2=1�*�=@27�&�1>55�<=;>,=>;.�><270�!5*<*7�#*<*�#6*;=�#=;24.�6*=.;2*5�

TMV ltd., UK

TMV 6X6M�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 � �6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<��86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 A �7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

��

� � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � ��

A C O M P E N D I U M O F L I G H T A R M O U R E D V E H I C L E S F O R 2 0 1 4 / 1 5


� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

�.?.589.-�27�=1.�5*=.��<��=1.��8+;*�2<�+*<.-�87�=1.��>6?..�,1*<<2<�

Otokar, Turkey

COBRA�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �.7.;*5��8=8;<��*A�#9..- ��

$1.��8+;*��/.*=>;.<�=1.�<*6.�*0252=B�8/�=1.�.A2<=270��8+;*�+>=�1*<�*�0;.*=.;�27=.;7*5�?85>6.�*7-�*�1201.;�9;8=.,=287�5.?.5�

Otokar, Turkey

COBRA II�.70=1 �� 6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- 7�*�!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

�24.�=1.�.*;52.;��!&��=1.�,869*7BF<��'*0.7�+*<.-�7.@��!& ��+8*<=<�+.=�=.;�9;8=.,=287�*7-�1201.;�9*B58*-�,*9*,2=B��

Mercedes Benz, Germany

LAPV 6.1�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �.;,.-.<��*A�#9..- ��

�78@7�*<�=1.��27,.�27��=*5B�*7-�=1.�!*7=1.;�27��;2=*27�

Iveco DV, Italy

LMV�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �?.,8��19�*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

$1.��4��?.;<287�2<�=1.�5*=.<=�2=.;*=287�8/��<;*.5��.;8<9*,.��7-><=;2.<�"��?.12�,5.��-.?.589.-�27�=1.�E��<��*7-�2<�*�@.55�9;8=.,=.-�*7-�68+25.�?.12,5.�

IAI Ramta Division, Israel

RAM MK III�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �.>=C��*A�#9..- �

!;8->,.-�27�#8>=1��/;2,*��2=�2<�=1.�5201=.<=�6.6+.;�8/�=1.�"��/*625B�*7-�1*<�?*;2�8><�5.?.5<�8/�9;8=.,=287�

BAE Systems/OMC, South Africa

RG32M LTV�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. #=.B;� ��19�*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

$1.�%;*5�*26<�*=�;.95*,270�=1.��!&�27�=1.� =84*;�9;8->,=�527.��9;8?2-270�*�68;.�./�/2,2.7=�*7-�9;8=.,=.-�?.12,5.�@2=1�*�0;.*=.;�27=.;7*5�?85>6.�

Otokar, Turkey

URAL�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- 7�*�!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

�7�<.;?2,.�@2=1�=1.��86272,*7�".9>+52,��*5*B<2*��8;8,,8��"86*72*��$1*25*7-�&.7.C>.5*�*7-�#9*27��6*27�><.;�@2=1�68;.�=1*7��>72=<��

Urovesa, Spain

VAMTAC ST5 BN3�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � ��

E D V E H I C L E S F O R 2 0 1 4 / 1 5

C Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2014

� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

$1.�%4;*272*7��8C8;��1*<�27,;.*<.-�2=<��&'�*7-�2<�9;898<.-�@2=1�-2//.;.7=�=B9.<8/�.7027.�

KMDB, Ukraine

DOZOR-B�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- 7�*�!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

�*<.-�87��>;8��1*<�+*00.-�7>6.;8><�8;-.;<��27,5>-270��.;6*7B�@1.;.�2=�@87�=1./2;<=�+*=,1.<�8/�=1.��9;80;*66.�

MOWAG, Switzerland

EAGLE IV�.70=1 �� 6.=;.<'2-=1 �� 6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��19�*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

�;68>;�9*,4*0.�-.?.589.-�@2=1�!5*<*7�#*<*��,869*;.-�=8�8=1.;�?.12,5.<�8/�=12<427-�2=�5*,4<�*�&�<1*9.-�1>55�

Navistar Defense, USA

MXT-MVA�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= �� =877.<!*B58*- �� =877.<!*A �� 87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �*AA�8;,.��*A�#9..- 7�*�

$1.��.@��*05.�6*-.�2=<�9>+52,�-D+>=�*=�=1.��>;8<*=8;B�.A12+2=287�27��

MOWAG, Switzerland

NEW EAGLE �.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A �� 87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��19�*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

�>25=�87�*7�>90;*-.-��8;-��,1*<<2<��2=�/2=<�7.*=5B�[email protected]�=1.��>6?..�*7-�=1.��$&�<.;2.<�

Plasan Sasa, Israel

SANDCAT�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 �� 6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��19�*A�#9..- ��

�>6.;8><�8=1.;�?.;<287<�*;.�8//.;.-�87�=1.�#1.;9*��+*<.��=�1*<�*5;.*-B�,1*54.->9�6*7B�.A98;=�8;-.;<�

Renault Trucks Defense, France

SHERPA LIGHT HIGH INTENSITY�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ".7*>5=��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

��

� � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

&��@2=1�>90;*-.-�<><9.7<287�*7-�*;68>;270��1.7,.�0;8<<�@.201=�27,;.*<.-�/;86��=8��=877.<�

Panhard, France

VBL MK2�.70=1 �� 6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<��.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A �87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. #=.B;��*A�#9..- ��

&.;B�>99.;�5262=�8/�5201=�?.12,5.<��78=�875B�/8;�9*=;85�->=2.<��+>=�*5<8�*�12015B�*;6.-;.,,.�,*;�@2=1�*�6.-2>6�,*52+;.�0>7�

Panhard, France

VBR�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �$%��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � ��


� � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

�7�5.<<�=1*7�=@8�687=1<��>;85�-.?.589.-�=1.�/2;<=�9;8=8=B9.�8/�2=<��3-.;��A��*7-�>7?.25.-2=�*=��=1.�,869*7B�2<�;.*-B�=8�-.?.589�*�?.;<287�+*<.-�87�*�5870.;�,1*<<2<�

Nurol Makina, Turkey

EJDER�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

�;68>;�-.?.589.-�@2=1�!5*<*7�#*<*��+.*=� ,.58=�27��><=;*52*F<��*7-��!1*<.��9;80;*66.�27��.,.6+.;��

Thales Australia, Australia

HAWKEI�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 � �6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A �87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

� ��

#85-�=8�=1.�%72=.-��;*+��62;*=.<�*7-�=8��2+B*��=1.�5*==.;�;.,.2?.-�?.12,5.<�@2=1�.?.5��+*552<=2,�*7-��.?.5��*7=2�627.�9;8=.,=287�

Bin Jabr Group, Abu Dhabi

NIMR II�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��*A�#9..- ��

�.?.589.-�+B��8;,.�!;8=.,=287�27��>;89.�@2=1�"2,*;-8��'277.;�8/�=1.��;2=2<1��!!&;.:>2;.6.7=�

GDLS/Force Protection, UK/US

OCELOT�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A �87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. #=.B;��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

� ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

�8698<2=.�,.55�-.?.589.-�+B��!��.;8<9*,.�68>7=.-�87�=1.�#>9*,*=�,1*<<2<��

Supacat, UK

SPV400�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 �� 6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A �87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��*A�#9..- ��

�*<.-�87�=1.��8-0.�"*6��,1*<<2<�/8;�9*;*6252=*;B�*7-�6252=*;B�/8;,.<��?*25*+5.�@2=1�-2//.;.7=�9;8=.,=287�5.?.5<�

MDT Armor, US/Israel

TIGER�.70=1 �� 6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �>6627<��*A�#9..-

� � � � � � � �

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� �

��

� � � � � � � � �

��

� ��

�

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

� ��

��

�7�<.;?2,.�@2=1�=1.��<;*.5��./.7<.��8;,.��+B�7>6.;8><�8=1.;�,8>7=;2.<�*7-�=1.%72=.-��*=287<�*<�*�=;889�,*;;2.;��

Hatehof, Israel

WOLF�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. �8;-��*A�#9..- ��

�7�2=<��A��?.;<287�=1.�).91B;��"&�,*7�+.�,87/20>;.-�/8;�*�@2-.�;*70.�8/�89.;*=287*5�;85.<�

Penman-Creation, UK

ZEPHYR�.70=1 ��6.=;.<'2-=1 ��6.=;.<�.201= ��6.=;.<�86+*=�@.201= ��=877.<!*B58*- ��=877.<!*A ��87/20>;*=287 �A��7027. ��*A�#9..- ��

� � � � � � ��

Emirates Armed Forces signed an US$820million contract for a further batch of Nimr4x4 multipurpose combat vehicles and 6x6armoured personnel carriers. While the lattercan be hardly considered part of this work at15 tonnes GVW, the 4x4 armoured versionof the Nimr with its nine-tonne permissibleweight can easily be considered light. Such anintention was announced at IDEX inFebruary 2013 and follows another contractfor 800 vehicles, while 500 4x4s weredelivered earlier to the Presidential Guard.

Nimr Automotive is certainly not relyingonly on the national customer; in fact the firstcustomer for the Nimr was Libya, whichreceived over 100 vehicles prior to the 2011Arab Spring and got some more donated in2013 by the Emirates to the new Libyangovernment. Libyan vehicles were built inJordan by Advanced Industries of Arabia,before production moved to the new NimrAutomotive UAE plant. The new countryrulers and their armed forces seem willing togo ahead with the contract signed by Gaddafi,the vehicles being of use both for military and paramilitary forces. Another majorbreakthrough in export was the establishmentof Nimr-Algerie Joint Stock Company, a jointventure between the Algerian DefenceMechanical Industry Promotion Group andTawazun Holdings that has started producingthe Nimr at the Khenchela plant. Designedand developed by Emirates DefenceTechnology in the early 2000, the Nimr hasnow evolved in a mature product availablein 4x4 and 6x6 configurations and at least

seven different configurations within eachof them. The Nimr 4x4 is also in service inLebanon and Jordan.

I SPAINThe latest iteration of Uro VehiculesEspeciales (Uroves) Vehículo de AltaMovilidad Táctico – Vamtac in short – is theST5, which does not vary much from the S3although the front design is quite different aswell as the interior. Engine, transmission andmost of the main components remain thesame with minor update. The ST5 is available

in different versions, namely the base versionat 5.3 tonnes with an 188 hp engine, the ST5HD at 6.6 tonnes with a 218 hp engine onoption, the 8-tonne 2HD with a 218 hpengine, and finally the 3HD which at 9.5tonnes is offered on option with 272 hp.

In spite of variable outputs, the 3.2-litreturbocharged diesel engine remains thesame, but the turbochargers change.Suspensions, hubs and wheels are reinforcedas the weight increases. All vehicles featurethe same basic Allison transmission,although those under 6.3 tonnes this is a

22

The new Eagle family which is marketedby GDELS-Mowag has scored a new

success with the adoption of the Eagle bythe Bundeswehr. (GDELS)

The first military customer for the Eagle V or New Eagle, the latest version of theKreuzlingen-produced vehicle, was the Swiss Army. (GDELS)


five-speed system while for those above thatmark an extra speed is added. The ST5 3HDBN3 is the armoured version of the heavierweight ST5 that maintains a 1.5-tonnepayload capacity in the 4PC version, whichcan be considered the base version, hostingfour to five soldiers. Protection is at Level 3ballistic, while customers can chose betweenLevel 2a and 2b for anti-mine protection,IED protection level remaining classified.

Considering the increase in on-boardpower requirements Urovesa proposes astandard 28 V/180 A alternator with a 240A as option. Providing adequate grip isavailable, the ST5 3HD BN3 can climb a100% slope and can travel along on a 50%side gradiant. The 140-liter fuel tankensures an operating range of 600 km, whilemaximum speed is 110 km/h.

While standard vehicles have a 3.55-metrewheelbase, the mortar carrier version seesthis stretched to 3.85 metres and features anextended cabin hosting four soldiers. TheEOD version has a four- seat cabin, its rearcompartment being specially designed forcarrying the robot, two disrupters, ordnancedisposal suits, shields, power generator andother equipment. All models feature the

same protection and, depending on models,two, three or four firing ports are availableallowing soldiers to use their individualweapons for self defence.

In May 2013 the Spanish Ministry ofDefence announced a four-year contract thatmight eventually lead to a total acquisition of772 vehicles, split between Army (519), Navy(99), UME joint reaction force (78) and AirForce (76), the value of the contract if fullyexercised being of €149 million. In 2013

Spain ordered 115 vehicles in eight differentconfigurations, armoured weapon carrier, S-788 shelter carrier, armoured Tow-Spikelauncher, command post, communicationsvehicle, ambulance, Mistral missile launcherreconnaissance. These vehicles will be splitbetween Army and Air Force, the first Navyorders being awaited for 2014. As for export,in 2012 Urovesa delivered the 85 Vamtacsordered by the Malaysian Army through thenational company Master-Defence, which

The 6x6 version of the Eagle in the ambulance configuration; although derived from a patrolvehicle, it hardly fits in the “light” category given its weight. (GDELS)

add to the 18 units delivered in the past as 105mm gun tractor. Among other recent exportsuccesses is the half-million Euro contractwith Romania for two EOD versions of theS3 (there are thus over 100 Vamtacs in servicewith the Romanian Army.

The Urovesa vehicle is in service indifferent versions and configurations also inthe Dominican Republic with all threeservices, in Saudi Arabia, in the MoroccanArmy, in the Ghana Army and in theAngola police.

I AUSTRIARadfeld-based Achleitner is proposing two4x4s that fall into the light armouredvehicles category, being mostly aimed atpatrol and utility missions.

The lighter one is the Survivor I RCV(Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle),with a GVW of 7.5 tonnes depending onconfiguration, with a 1.5-tonne payloadcapacity for the basic version. The vehicle isbased on an armoured steel monocoque cellwith composite add-ons that provide itsoccupants (two crew members plus amaximum of five dismounts) with Level 2ballistic and Level 2a/b mine protection. Italso has a deflecting floor and floating seatsthough IED protection level remainsundisclosed. The Survivor I RCV is poweredby a 250 hp VM diesel engine, that provides apower-to-weight ratio of over 33 hp/tonne. Itis coupled to an Allison automatictransmission with three 100% differentiallocks and a permanent four-wheel drivetraction. The vehicle is fitted with live axlesfront and rear and with 335/80 R20 run-flattyres. Its maximum road speed is around 100km/h while its cruise range is given as 800

km. The vehicle, which is available in three- orfive-door configurations, is outfitted not onlyfor communication equipment and otherauxiliary systems, but also for a remote-control weapon station on the roof.

The Survivor I RCV is offered in five configurations: communications,reconnaissance, border patrol, command andambulance, the latter being able to carry twocrew members, one medical attendant, oneseated casualty and one stretcher. TheSurvivor I RCV is in service with anundisclosed customer.

The Survivor HMV (High MobilityVehicle) is a stretched and heavier versiongrossing at 11 tonnes with a two-tonnepayload, depending on configuration. Slightlylonger (15 cm) wider and higher, its ballisticprotection level is Level 2 with some areas atLevel 3 in the basic configuration, while mine

and IED protection remain similar. Also apermanent 4x4 wheel drive, it is providedwith the same 335/80 R20 tyres while theengine is replaced by a 250 hp Cumminsdriving an Allison automatic transmission;however the Cummins engine provides atorque that nearly doubles the 550NM of theRCV engine, thus ensuring optimal cross-country agility. Its power-to-weight ratio isaround 22.7 hp/tonne, while cruise range isgiven as 700 km. Energy-absorbing foldingbenches installed on the side of the rearcompartment allow to transport up to sixsoldiers plus crew. The RCV and the HMV arein service with an undisclosed customer.

Achleitner further developed its Survivorconcept into the Survivor II, with muchhigher mine protection levels, but due to itsdimensions and weight this cannot beincluded in the light category, being more

24

Supacat is pursuing the marketing of itsSPV400, the protection system of which wasdeveloped in co-operation with NPAerospace. (Supacat)

To lower the cost of its Ocelot, General Dynamics-Force Protection developed a new version that uses the same chassis topped by a new crew cell made of welded steelinstead of composites. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

An artist’s impression showing the three versions of the SupacatSPV400: the patrol vehicle in the centre, the utility in the backgroundand the WMIK in the foreground. (Supacat)


FOR ONLINE AND PRINT QUERIES, CONTACT US:www.armada.ch

Editor’s analysisGet analysis on the latest

technology news byArmada’s team of

defense industry experts

Get Accessto the articles covered

in the latest issue

Compendium/ArchivesFind what you are looking

for in the ArmadaArchives. A mine of

information to researchfrom within the

Compendium series

Latest issue available online!Get access the latest issue of Armada

International and Compendium

��

e-magazine also available on

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

an Mrap-like vehicle. New designs currentlyunder development both in the light andheavier vehicles segments should beunveiled in 2014.

I RUSSIAThe 2014 acquisition plan for the RussianArmy includes, amongst others, the Tigr-M.This is an updated version of the GAZ lightarmoured vehicle that was submitted tocomparative trials in early 2013. This bringsback the Tigr into Russian plans followingthe decision to cancel the contract withIveco that will limit the number of Italianvehicles in Russian service to 358 instead ofthe previously agreed 1,775. It is thus quiteprobable that if the requirement does notchange some 1,500 such vehicles might beacquired by Russia.

I ISRAELThe need for armoured light vehicles inIsrael led a few companies to develop someproducts in that category.

The bigger producer of such vehicles inIsrael is certainly Hatehof, whose 8.5-tonneWolf is now a well proven item with over 250vehicles in service with the Israeli DefenseForces and other export customers. Basedon the Ford F550 chassis, the Wolf ensuresa ballistic Level 2 protection while mineprotection is a basic Level 1a. The Wolf is

available in different configurations, such aslogistic, patrol, medical evacuation, rapidintervention, NBC reconnaissance variantsand so on. The Wolf made headlines inIsrael when it was used to return Gilad Shalit(the soldier kidnapped in June 2006 by aHamas commando) home from captivity.

Hatehof confirmed to ArmadaInternational its intention to upgrade itsbest-selling vehicle to Level 3, while mineprotection will remain basic, the vehicle nothaving even a slight V-shaped belly.Whether this be named Wolf 2 (a vehiclebearing that name having been announcedsome time ago) is not certain. Some tendersfor the Wolf are open, a considerable interestcoming especially from Latin America.

In the past years Hatehof developed the X-Treme, a heavily protected vehicle aimed at aspecific undisclosed customer in a deal thathowever failed to materialise and the vehicleremained at prototype stage. Leveraging theR&D work for that programme the Israelicompany developed the Hurricane, a 9.6-tonne gross weight vehicle capable oftransporting up to seven soldiers. Fitted withfour side-doors plus a rear one, it ensuresLevel 2 ballistic protection with the “A kit”while its bottom provides Level 2a/b mineprotection. A “B kit” is available to increaseprotection to Level 3, but this reducespayload capacity to 2.1 tonnes. Powered by a245 hp Cummins ISB245, it can cope with60% gradients and 38% side slopes, while itsturning radius can be reduced from 8.2 to 6

26

Nimr Automotive has scored numerousvictories on the market. The the 6x6 versionseen here is now also in production inAlgeria. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

The Vamtac S3 developed by Urovesa has nowbeen succeeded by the S5, a very similar vehiclewhich, depending on protection, can reach agross weight of up to 9.5 tonnes (Urovesa)


Three versions of Urovesa’s Vamtac S3, the 81 mm mortarcarrier adopted by the Spanish Army, the EOD versionadopted among others by Romania, and the version witha 12.7 mm RCWS, developed for Spain. (Urovesa)

metres if the selectable rear steering isengaged, an appreciated feature in urbanareas. Currently the Hurricane hasundergone full ballistic and mine protectiontests, as well as mobility trials and awaits alaunch customer for full industrialisation.

Israel Aerospace Industries involvementin land programmes is often overlooked, yetits Ramta division has been designing andmanufacturing successful light armouredvehicles since the 1970s, the latestconfiguration being the Ram Mk III.Powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled 185hp Deutz 6.5-litre turbocharged diesel, theMk III can reach a maximum speed of 96km/h, but a cruising speed range of some 800km is given on a fuel tank of 160 litres. A four-

speed automatic transmission with a two-speed transfer case provides good cross-country capabilities, a 2x4 drive beingselectable to reduce wear and consumptionfor raod driving. Cross-country mobility isenhanced by the choice of 12.5 x 20 MPTradial tyres mounted on run-flat wheels,pneumatics being bigger than those adoptedon most vehicles of equivalent class. The Ramhas a steel monocoque hull with V-shapedunderbelly that provides Level 2a/b mineprotection, the crew being protected againstthe ballistic threat at Level 2, which can beincreased to Level 3 using an add-on kit. Aceramic kit has recently been adopted toincrease protection while remaining withinacceptable weights. With a curb weight of 5.3

tonnes, the MkIII has a 1.2-tonne payload,which means that its power-to-weight ratioreaches 27.6 hp/tonne. Available with long orshort wheelbase, the Ram seats its driver plusup to seven soldiers who access the vehiclevia one or two back- or front-hinged doorsper side as per customer requirements. Airtransportable by C-130 and Antonov An-12,the Ram in its various versions andconfiguration is in service in over tencountries with military and paramilitaryunits in Asia, Latin America, Africa,Vietnam, Chad, Botswana and Gabon. In themid-2000 Plasan Sasa developed a 4x4offroad vehicle known as the Sand Cat, basedon a shortened Ford F-series chassis.

I SOUTH AFRICAIn 2013 the South African arm of BAESystems completed the delivery of 170 RG32to Sweden, which were acquired under twoseparate contracts, bringing to 370 thenumber of vehicles in service in thatcountry. Another Scandinavian country,Finland, received 25 more in 2013, bringing

The Russian military decided to acquire aconsiderable number of Tigr 4x4 vehiclesfollowing a policy change decided by the newMinister of Defence. (Gaz)

The Hurricane is the latest vehicle developed by Hatehof, based on the work done by the Israelicompany on the X-Treme, and it is awaiting its first customer. (Hatehof)

A solid commercial success for Hatehof, theWolf is evolving into a more protected vehicle

that should appear within 2014. (Hatehof)

its own total to 80. Some 27 RG32 LTV arealready in service with Ireland whilenumerous RG32Ms are in service with theUnited Nations.

The base vehicle, the RG32M, has a 2,90-metre wheelbase and a curb weight of 7.5tonnes in the basic configuration, with amax weight of 9.5 tonnes. Powered by a181hp Steyr M16TCA turbodiesel, it carriesa two-man crew plus four or six dismounts,depending on options fitted. These areprotected at Level 1 ballistic, which can beincreased to Level 2 with add-on armour,mine protection being against the DM31-standard anti-personnel mine.

The LTV, for light tactical vehicle, has alonger 3.34-metre wheelbase with a curbweight increased by 1.2 tonnes due to theextended cabin and increased mineprotection to Level 2a/b (ballistic protectionremaining unchanged). Propulsion is courtesy of a beefier 268hp Steyr M16SCIturbocharged diesel. Standard configurationhosts two crew members and two dismounts.

BAE Systems also offers the RG34, a 4x4protected at Level 2 ballistic and Level 2a/banti-mine with a curb weight of 7.5 tonnesplus a two-tonne payload allowance. Itcarries a two-man crew and seat for sixdismounts. For the time being no RG34 hasscored any sales.

The Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP)range includes two families of mine-protected vehicle models, the Reva III andReva V, the former grossing at around 10tonnes. Based on a monocoque V-shapedhull the Reva III is available with threedifferent wheelbases – 2,27, 3,24, and 3,40metres with respective gross weight ratingsof 9.1, 9.24 and 10.8 tonnes. The relativesmall difference between the Reva SWB and

the Reva III Standard LWB in terms of curbweight, respectively 7.4 and 7.95 tonnesalthough nearly one metre separates theirwheel bases, is due to different protectionlevels; the Standard LWB is at Stanag Level 3bmine protection and a 6 mm armourprotection plate against IEDs with level B5ballistic protection (i.e. 5.56 and 5.45 mmball) while the SWB maintains the same mineprotection level, but sees IED protectionincreased thanks to the addition of a 6mmsecondary armour skin to the original 6mmarmour protection plate, ballistic protectionbeing also increased at Level B6+. The LongWheel Base maintains the latter levels andhas a curb weight of 9.5 tonnes. All poweredby the same 170hp GBT 5.9 155 30turbodiesel engine, the long wheelbaseaccommodates a two-man crew and eightdismounts, while the short wheelbase seesthe rear compartment seats halved. ICP Reva

vehicles in their different versions are inservice in South Africa and in numerousother countries among which are Somalia,Equatorial Guinea, Thailand, Yemen andSouth Sudan, some vehicles having also beenused by US Special Forces in Iraq.

I AUSTRALIANews is scarce on the Thales Australia frontas far as the Hawkei is concerned, thecompany having delivered on schedule allsix test vehicles to the Australian DefenceMateriel Organisation in the frame of theLand 121 Phase 4. The two last vehicles,delivered in late May 2013, were inreconnaissance guise and joined, togetherwith a trailer, the two Command and thetwo Utility vehicles delivered earlier.

The command version has a four-doorcabin that can seat up to five soldiers and has a10.2-tonne gross weight over seven-tonne

30 Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2014

IAI Ramta Ram MkIII has auncommon architecture for a 4x4vehicle as its engine is installedin the boot. (IAI Ramta)

In late 2013 Hema discontinued its co-operation with Streit and is now working onnew vehicles among which is the HHD-1 4x4,which should be unveiled in mid 2014. (Hema)

Nearly 400 RG-32 have been sold by BAE Systems South Africa in Scandinavia, Sweden beingthe major customer for this 4x4 lightweight vehicle. (BAE Systems)

kerb rating. The utility version retains theprotected cabin, capable of hosting up tothree soldiers and features a rear flatbedallowing payload capacity increase to 3.4tonnes (due to the reduction of the armouredvolume). If equipped with the B-kit armoursystem, which can be installed by troops onoperations in less than 30 minutes withoutthe need for special tools, the decrease in

32

O ne of the most critical issues forlight armoured vehicles is theprotection against mines orroadside bomb explosions,

whether these occur under the wheels or thebelly. The latter is of course the worst casebecause it happens under the crewcompartment and penetration must beavoided. However, penetration is not the onlycause of casualties: the acceleration generatedby the explosion, and the resultant suddenupward acceleration and subsequent strongdeceleration once the vehicle heavily landsback on earth can be lethal even if the vehiclefloor survived the blast. New solutions toabsorb energy and reduce as much aspossible the thrusting effects of the explosionare thus being developed.

QinetiQ North America developed a blastabsorption system known as BlastPro toreduce by three to five times the energytransmitted to the vehicle. No details aboutthe type of technology used have obviouslybeen disclosed, apart from the fact that thesolution is applicable to both new vehiclesand refurbished vehicles, meaning that it canbe fitted as an add-on to flat and V-shapedunderbellies. Reducing up to five times the g-force means that the height reached by thevehicle following an explosion will be 40 to50% less. The weight issue is always aconcern, and according to QinetiQ itssolution is lighter than existing solutions atequivalent cost. The BlastPro was submittedto extensive analysis with state-of-the artmodelling environments from Level I toLevel IV+ and has then been tested on scaledmodels and finally on full scale vehicles.

Acquired by 3M in late November 2012,Ceradyne developed an energy absorptionadd-on bottom for the Humvee that adds only300 kg while reducing by 30% the blast energymitigating the lift effect while also providingfragment protection and impulse reduction.The low-weight solution was obtained usingan aluminium based periodic cellularmaterial known as MicroTruss developed byCellular Materials International that boasts adensity of 58 kg/m2, which is nearly half thatof an equivalent monolithic metal solutionweighing 112 kg/m2.

Fractional information on a new activesystem by TenCate has been around for sometime, however details were difficult to get.Finally at AUSA 2013 the company unveiledits ABDS System. The system does not somuch aim at improving the protection givenby the floor as to reducing the transfer ofdeadly mine blast impulse energy to vehicleoccupants by managing acceleration forces.This is effected by exploiting a physicalprinciple known as conservation of energy,in other words by tossing in the air acountermass. This is well known amongstrecoilless rocket launcher users as the “Daviseffect”. Reaction must, however, be nearlyinstantaneous, as the time elapsed betweenthe moment the shockwave hits the vehicle’sbottom and the moment the vehicle starts tolift-off is very short – an estimated fivemilliseconds. To eject the countermass at thedesired speed a minimal quantity ofinsensitive explosive is needed. The conceptwas proved at the Danish premises, trialsbeing conducted on an M113. It showed thatthe system was able to react within the

required interval to hold the vehicle downon the ground.

The development then shifted on theother side of the Ocean, with trials carried outwith an undisclosed OEM. This carried outautonomous test firings getting to theconclusion that what used to be anunsurvivable accident was becoming quitesurvivable using the ABDS. To understandthe results a quick note about the DRI(Dynamic Response Index), an index used incrash evaluations that measures the likelihoodof spinal damage arising from a vertical shockload such as a mine blast, a helicopter crash, oran ejection on board a fighter aircraft. DRI isproportional to the maximum spinalcompression suffered during an event, the lifethreatening threshold being around 17.5. Thetests carried out by the OEM have shown that with the ABDS off, the driver

Underbelly Protection

3M-Ceradyne underbelly energy absorptionsystem is based on the MicroTruss cellular materialdeveloped by Cellular Materials International,which allows to considerably reduce blast effects.(Armada/P. Valpolini)

A prototype of the Thales Hawkei undergoestrials in north Queensland in September 2013as part of the Stage 2 development and testingphase for Land 121 Phase 4 programme.(Australian MoD)


33Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2014

anthropomorphic test dummy experienced a23.6 DRI, while the right rear passenger DRIreached 35.2, which respectively are 50% and100% over the critical limit. The vehiclejumped at over 2.4 metres with significantdamages, while the dummies indicated thatneither the driver nor the passenger wouldhave survived. The test was then repeatedswitching the ABDS on: the vehicle jumpedone metre, a 58% decrease, while the twodummies experienced respectively an 11.4DRI and a 14.6 DRI, with a reduction of 52%and 58% respectively, sensors showing thatinjuries would be much less critical and thatthe two occupants would have survived, whilethe cab did not suffer any damage.

The ABDS is made of countermeasures,sensors, a processor and a man-machineinterface, the latter used to switch on and offthe system. Each countermeasure is coupled toa sensor, and comes in the form of a sort ofjerry can that is fixed on the outer side of thevehicle; up to four such countermeasures canbe installed, depending on the vehicle. Nodetails were released about the sensors and thetype of countermass used, although it makessense to think about improved sensors usedin the automotive world for safety systemssuch as airbags, the only information beingthat the accelerators used are proprietary. Aredundant signal is sent to the computer bythe sensors, the initial impulse beingmeasured for energy intensity; if the impulsesignature is recognised as being generated byan explosion then the computer sends animpulse to the countermeasures switchingthem to ready. A further data check is carriedout before the processor confirms the threatand triggers a tuned recoil response tooptimise the effect, the insensitive explosivethrusting the countermass upwards. The

system is tuneable and scalable, changing thenumber of countermass or installingcountermass of different size. In terms ofweight, the ABDS for an Humvee has a massbetween 250 and 300 kg. Power consumptionis limited, which together with reduceddimensions and weight allows to install it onmany types of vehicles. TenCate considers the

ABDS ready for production and is planningto test it on as many types of vehicles aspossible. In October 2003 TenCate AdvancedArmor USA and the U.S. Army Research,Development, and Engineering Commandsigned a multi-year co-operative research anddevelopment agreement to pursue fullevaluation of the company ABDS.

The impressive sequence shows the different behaviours of a standard vehicle and a TencateABDS-equipped equivalent when exposed to the explosion of a buried explosive device. (Tencate)

payload compared to that of the commandversion will certainly be lesser. However nodetails were provided by Thales on theconfigurations provided to the customer.

The Stage 2 development and testingphase was announced in June 2012 and wasfunded to the tune of $US37 million. Thisfollowed a Stage 1 testing that took placeafter the Hawkei was selected as theManufactured and Supported in Australia(MSA) option in December 2011. The firstStage 2 were delivered in December 2012. InSeptember 2013 the vehicles were submittedto a first round of testing in northQueensland, heading for a 100,000 km run,

although most of the testing will take place atthe Monegeetta Proving Ground in Victoria.No decision is expected before 2015, theAustralian MoD also considering off-the-shelf solutions including the US JLTV,although the initial provision of prototypesof JLTV contenders has been abandoned.

Overall Land 121 Phase 4, which willrepresent the bulk of the Australian DefenceForces deployable capability, will includesome 1,300 vehicles and respective trailers toreplace current 4x4 and 6x6 unprotectedLand Rovers. To win the contract ThalesAustralia will need to demonstrate its capacityto meet technical performance, cost and time

scheduling. Foreign options, such as the USJLTV in which Australia invested some us$40million in the technology development phase(without entering the engineering andmanufacturing development phase) arecurrently considered back-up solutionsshould the Hawkei miss the target.

I JAPANThe self-imposed ban on defence hardwareexport by Japan might soon come to an end,should the new security strategy that callsfor a more active role be voted by theParliament. This would mean a furthercompetitor on the defence market, in a

ADAS PHILIPPINES 29ARMADA WEBSITE 25ELBIT SYSTEMS Ltd. – LAND AND C4I C2EUROSATORY C3IAI RAMTA 23IDEAS PAKISTAN 27

NEXTER ARAVIS 11OSHKOSH C4OTOKAR 13RUAG DEFENCE 7SOFEX 31

I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Compendium Light Armoured VehiclesSupplement to Issue 1/2014Volume 38, Issue No. 1, February-March 2014

INTERNATIONALis published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd.Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd.Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd,1205, Hollywood Centre 233, Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. BiassRegular Contributors: Roy Braybrook, Paolo Valpolini, Peter Donaldson, Wesley FoxChairman: J.S. UberoiPresident: Xavier Collaco Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal MehtaManager Marketing: Jakhongir Djalmetov Sales &Marketing Coordinator: Atul BaliCreative Director: Bipin KumarDeputy Art Director: Sachin JainAsstt. Art Directors :Mukesh Kumar, Ajay KumarVisualiser: Sujit SinghProduction Manager: Kanda ThanakornwongskulGroup Circulation Manager: Porames ChinwongsChief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar

Advertising Sales Officesn AUSTRIA, BENELUX, SWITZERLANDCornelius W. BontjePh: +41 55 216 17 81, [email protected] FRANCEPromotion et Motivation, Odile OrbecPh: +33 1 41 43 83 00, [email protected] GERMANYSam Baird Ph: +44 1883 715 697,[email protected] ITALY, NORDIC COUNTRIESEmanuela Castagnetti-GillbergPh: +46 31 799 9028, [email protected] SPAINVía Exclusivas, Macarena Fdez. de GradoPh: +34 91 448 76 22, [email protected] UNITED KINGDOMZena CoupéPh: +44 1923 852537, [email protected] RUSSIAAlla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd,Ph: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653Email :[email protected] EASTERN USA – EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVERMargie Brown, Ph: (540) 341 7581,[email protected] WESTERN USA – WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVERDiane Obright, Ph: (858) 759 3557,[email protected] ALL OTHER COUNTRIESVishal Mehta, Tel: (91) 124 4759625,Mobile: (91) 99 999 85425, (44) 11 5885 4423, E-Mail: [email protected]

Annual subscription rates:Europe: CHF 186. + 36. (postage)Overseas: USD 186. + 36. (postage)

Controlled circulation: 24,351,certified by ABC Hong Kong, valid from1st April 2012 to 30th June 2012.

Printed by Media Transasia Thailand Ltd.75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II,Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoeynue,Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1

Subscription Information: Readers should contactthe following address: Subscription Department, Media Transasia Ltd. 1205, Hollywood Centre 233,Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2851 1933

ON THE COVER: Otokar has carved itself a fineniche in the light armoured vehicle world, particularlywith the Cobra seen here, but the Turkish firm is nowturning up with new vehicles to meet the growingcompetition described in this Compendium.

ABC

34

moment where budgets are shrinking. AsJapanese vehicles do not appear atinternational defence exhibitions, not muchis known about them. Moreover Japan SelfDefence Forces do not take part, for the timebeing, in multinational deployments aroundthe world. This is however not entirely true:in November 2004 exiting the main base atthe Nasiriyah airport in Iraq a group of lightarmoured vehicles were adorned with largeJapanese flags. At first glance they lookedsimilar to Panhard VBLs, but upon closerlook they were a totally different vehicle.These few belonged to the Japanese IraqReconstruction and Support Group.

A 4.5-tonne curb weight vehicle, theKU50W was designed and manufactured by

Komatsu Defense Systems Division to carryfour seated soldiers plus a machine gunner (a7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun mounted onthe roof with the hatches providing someform of protection to the machine gunner).An antitank missile can be installed in place ofthe automatic weapon. Powered by a 160 hpengine it can reach 100 km/h. No informationis available on its armour, but a Level 1-2seems reasonable considering weight anddimensions. Access is through two doors perside and a rear door. Over 1,600 vehicles arecurrently in service with the Japanese GroundSelf Defence Force. In perspective, experienceacquired with the KU50W might bring Japanamong the meaningful players in the lightarmoured vehicle field.


Three views of the Komatsu KU50W, pictured in southern Iraq in late 2004. If Japan alters itslegislation on defence equipment exports, a new competitor might soon enter the lightarmoured vehicles scene. (Armada/P. Valpolini

compendium light armoured vehicles compendium

Documents

light armouredvehicles

light tacticalfleet

far light

patrol vehicles onsteroids

oto melarahitrole light

vehicle field

hands of army

thisnew vehicle