Let's go back to Renault Trucks Defense. Its Sherpa Light platform gave birth to a whole family of vehicles, which includes the following options: reconnaissance, cargo and passenger, cargo and armored personnel carriers. Their total weight varies from 7, 9 to 10, 9 tons, while the passenger capacity ranges from two people in the cargo version with a shortened cabin, 4-5 people in the reconnaissance and cargo-passenger versions, and up to 10 people in the armored personnel carrier version. The level of protection of the cabin can be raised to the third, a V-shaped deflecting sheet is installed under the hull, which increases the level of protection against improvised explosive devices (IED); optionally, the mine protection levels can be increased to levels corresponding to the European standards CEN B6 or B7. You can choose from two power units from Renault with a capacity of 176 or 240 hp. Sherpa Light can be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon module (DUMV), turrets with 20-mm cannons, ATGM installations. The cargo version can be used as a mortar tractor or an artillery gun. The Sherpa Light armored vehicle is in service with many countries, both military structures and paramilitaries.
ASMAT offers a 12-ton Bastion armored vehicle based on the VLRA platform, which in a fully armored version of an armored personnel carrier can accommodate two crew members plus eight paratroopers. The vehicle has two side and two rear doors, 9 loopholes are made in the vehicle, which provides 360 ° firing and makes it possible to repel an enemy attack from ambushes. The machine can be equipped with a support ring for mounting a turret or a remote controlled turret. The vehicle's armor protection level corresponds to the second according to the NATO standard STANAG 4569, which can be raised to the third. In September 2015, the US Department of Defense ordered 62 Bastion armored personnel carriers from Mack Defense (local VGGS unit, see part 1) for delivery to African countries, including Somalia, Uganda, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ethiopia. In addition, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali are armed with Bastion, some unnamed countries in the Middle East have also purchased this vehicle from ASMAT. Using the VLRA 2 chassis, ASMAT developed the Bastion HM (High Mobility), which has a gross weight of 14.5 tons and a 340 hp engine. The vehicle is available in the version of an armored personnel carrier with a passenger capacity of 10 people and in the version of logistics with a crew of two or three people and a rear cargo platform with a carrying capacity of 4.5 tons. The new platform is longer and wider than the original Bastion and features fully independent suspension rather than the original's leaf-spring axles. Mine protection is Level 2a / b, ballistic protection is not reported, but most likely it should also be Level 2 upgradeable to at least Level 3.
The Nexter Aravis armored vehicle was operated as part of the French contingents in Afghanistan and Mali. The Gabon army is armed with 12 of these machines, operated by a contingent deployed in the Central African Republic under a UN mandate. In November last year, the French contingent suffered losses as a result of the explosion of a car on an IED, which raised the question of increasing the level of protection of light armored vehicles such as the Aravis, which are currently used in engineering units as part of a clearing system. The simplicity and reliability of the machine is evidenced by the fact that the Gabon army was able to service its machines without any support from the manufacturer and other suppliers, training was quite enough. Nexter also completed deliveries to one of the countries in the Middle East, but it is clear that this is Saudi Arabia. The first batch consisted of 73 Aravis machines, some of which were equipped with a DUMV ARX20 from Nexter Systems; it was followed by two more consignments with a total of 264 vehicles. Nexter has also completed training for drivers and technicians, and the Aravis has now been adopted by the Saudi National Guard, but its operational purpose has not been disclosed. No new Aravis variants are planned, according to Nexter; the main market for this machine is countries outside Europe, including many countries in Africa.
In the late 90s, the Italian company Iveco DVD developed a multi-purpose light vehicle LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle), which was adopted by 13 countries; at the same time, the UK became the starting customer in 2003. The largest number of LMV platforms is in service with the Italian army, which received more than 1,700 Lince armored vehicles (Lynx) in different versions. Initially, the mass of the car was 6.5 tons, but the mass of the latest version of the Lince, offered for foreign countries, increased to 7.1 tons. Some of the solutions implemented in the latest versions of the LMV machine were transferred to a new generation armored car, which received the designation Lince 2 in Italy. This machine was developed as part of the Forza NEC Italian army digitization program, which includes the equipment of various platforms with new information and control systems. The car is being developed in accordance with segment 4.9 of the Forza NEC program, which initially included six prototypes, but later the number of prototypes was reduced to two. These two prototypes were delivered to the Italian Ministry of Defense at the end of 2016. In addition, Iveco DV manufactured three prototypes of the new machine for its tasks, which were used for qualification tests of the platform, one of which traveled over 20,000 km without a single problem.
Compared to the original LMV, the new Lince 2 has a monocoque body, which provides significantly better protection against detonation along the sides, usually from IEDs. The rearrangement, as well as the use of base armor with higher characteristics and a slight increase in size, allowed an increase in internal volume by 13% for the same mass. In addition, due to the double bottom, the level of protection against mines and IEDs was increased. The total mass of the armored car is 8.1 tons, the chassis was reinforced by using SSAB Domex 700 steel with a yield point of 700 MPa instead of FeE490 steel with a yield point of 490 MPa. The suspension has also been tweaked to cope with the increased mass. The modified 165 kW engine, coupled with the new eight-speed automatic transmission ZF 8 HP 90S, has kept the power-to-weight ratio in excess of 20 kW / t. A redesigned dual cooling system and a new air filtration system provide improved performance, reliability and ease of use. The new car is equipped with two new systems that have increased its driving characteristics: automatic steering system ADM (Automatic Drivetrain Management) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). The first provides automatic locking of differentials, the function is activated when the anti-lock braking system detects a difference in the rotation speed of the drive shafts of more than 300 rpm. As for ESP, this system also uses ABS data as well as data from the optional inertial heading and steering angle sensor. The system actively controls the rotational speed and torque of each wheel, thereby improving the stability of the machine. Most of the increase in mass, and this is one ton, went to increase the carrying capacity from 800 to 1500 kg.
The two aforementioned prototypes, supplied to the Ministry of Defense, will be used for qualification tests of command posts and, therefore, will be equipped with an on-board information management system (BIUS), as well as the Hitrole Light DUMV. In accordance with the Forza NEC program, each Lince 2 will become a digital system node at the squad (T2), platoon (TZ) and company (T4) levels. The qualification will be conducted in conjunction with Leonardo's Defense Electronics Division, which is responsible for the information management system, which includes VHF and satellite radios, the composition of which depends on the node level. Upon completion of qualification tests of the platform and control units, a contract for 34 pre-production vehicles will be awarded, and Iveco DV will receive an order from Leonardo, the main contractor for the Eorza NEC program; first deliveries are expected at the end of 2017. The Italian army plans to receive the first order in the amount of about 400 vehicles. It will be followed by a multi-year procurement program that could lead to the delivery of over 2,000 Lince 2s, although experts say the actual number is 1,250 - in this case, replacing the previous version of the Lince 1 almost one to one. In segment 4.4 of the Forza NEC program, further development of the reconnaissance version of the Lince 2 ISTAR is underway. As for the CIUS kit, most of it will be based on the components for the T4 unit. The Janus Sight Station on the telescopic mast will be installed at the rear right, requiring the relocation of many of the communications kit components. Lince 2 ISTAR will be attached to reconnaissance regiments, it is planned to produce a total of 150-200 vehicles in this version. As for the RCB reconnaissance option, budget problems stopped the development process for an indefinite period.
With two generations of LMV armored vehicles in its portfolio, Iveco DV, as expected, seeks to open up new export opportunities for those countries that already have its 4x4 vehicle and that could switch to the LMV 2 platform, as well as those countries where the original LMV platform can satisfy local requirements.
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (currently part of the Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Division) has two 4x4 armored vehicles in its portfolio: Survivor-R and AMPV, the latter of which was developed jointly with KMW. The Survivor-R, with a deadweight of 11 tonnes and a payload of 4 tonnes, is based on a modified MAN chassis that can carry a gross weight of up to 18 tonnes. The machine is equipped with a 330 hp diesel engine, leaf spring suspension with additional hydraulic struts on the front and rear axles. The protection concept is based on an armored steel carrier body with a reflective V-plate. This allows to achieve the maximum level of ballistic protection corresponding to the third according to the NATO standard STANAG 4569, while mine protection corresponds to level 4a / 3b. The Survivor-R armored car is capable of withstanding the explosion of an IED weighing 100 kg at a distance of five meters. The car can accommodate ten people, including 8 paratroopers in the rear compartment. In addition to the personnel carrier option, several more options are also available: command, ambulance, pickup, as well as specialized vehicles such as reconnaissance and RCB reconnaissance.
With regard to the AMPV (Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle), the goal here was to develop a compact patrol vehicle with a very high level of protection. With the highest level of protection, similar to that of the Survivor-R, the AMPV armored car has a self-weight of 7800 kg and a payload of 2200 kg. The AMPV implements the concept of a protected crew capsule, ballistic protection is provided, among other things, by tungsten carbide ceramic tiles. While the vehicle passed qualification tests for Protection Levels 4a / 3b and detonation of a 100 kg charge at a distance of 5 meters, factory tests have shown that the vehicle can survive threats of Level 4b, as well as detonation of a 150 kg charge at the same distance. The machine is equipped with a power unit consisting of a 272 hp diesel engine connected to an automatic six-speed ZF transmission with a transfer case. The machine is equipped with an independent suspension with double wishbones and a differential lock control system. Sea trials were carried out of four prototypes with a total weight of up to 10, 1 ton, which drove over 25,000 km in various conditions, plus another 4000 km on artificial routes.
As already mentioned, the AMPV armored vehicle is a joint development of KMW and Rheinmetall. The specialist in the field of main battle tanks and heavy tracked vehicles - Krauss-Maffei Wegmann - entered the world of light armored vehicles in the late 90s. Its model Dingo 1 was adopted by the Bundeswehr in 2000 and since then has taken part in all operations of the German contingent. The machine is based on the Unimog chassis and has a 240 hp engine. The crew is housed in a protected capsule, and the V-shaped bottom guarantees increased protection against mines and IEDs. The standard version has a gross weight of 8.8 tons, a lifting capacity of 1.4 tons and a protected volume of 6.5 m3. The version with an extended wheelbase has a gross weight of 10.8 tons, a payload of up to 3.2 tons and a volume of 8 m3. Germany ordered 147 Dingo 1 vehicles for its army. The Dingo 2 variant is based on the Unimog U 5000 chassis, which increased the payload. With a total weight of 12.5 tons, all variants have a standard machine with a carrying capacity of 3 tons and can accommodate up to 8 people, a version with a large volume has a carrying capacity of 2 tons, and the number of seats depends on the configuration, protected volumes are 8, 2 and 11 and 14 m3, respectively. … In addition to the German army, which is armed with a large number of Dingo 2 in different versions, this vehicle has achieved success in the export market and is currently in service with Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Norway. The next version of the platform under the designation Dingo 2 HD (Heavy Duty) was presented in 2014. It is based on the improved U5000 chassis, has a gross weight of 14.5 tons and a payload of 3 tons, while the dimensions of the machine have remained almost unchanged. The aft lip facilitates access to the rear compartment. Over 1000 Dingo machines have been sold worldwide.
KMW also offers several models of Terrier armored vehicles based on the chassis of Iveco, Daily, Eurocargo and Trakker, respectively, with gross weights of 5, 5, 15 and 18 tons. The KMW wheeled vehicle portfolio also includes the Fennek armored vehicle, specially designed for German and Dutch requirements. This 12-ton armored vehicle took part in hostilities in Afghanistan and is available in the following versions: reconnaissance, anti-tank, command post, forward artillery observers, fire support, engineering, anti-aircraft and tactical aviation control post. Today the only foreign customer is Qatar; Germany authorized the delivery of 32 Fennek machines and 13 Dingo 2 machines to this country at the end of 2014.
The Eagle armored car developed by Mowag (now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems) was originally based on the HMMWV chassis. The latter version is currently based on the Duro chassis, which has increased the potential for further refinements. The basic version, which accommodates 4-5 people, has currently reached its own weight of 6, 7 tons with a payload of 3, 3 tons. Higher levels of protection (no exact data is given), not to mention additional kits, led to an increase in the mass of the machine. A 6x6 version was also developed with a Cummins engine, whose power can be adjusted from 250 to 300 hp. In order to meet the requirements of the GFF Class 2 (Gesehutzte Fuhrungs und Funktionsfahrzeuge - protected command and universal vehicles), the Bundeswehr, already in service with Eagle IV vehicles, purchased 176 Eagle V vehicles under two contracts in 2013-2014.
The Turkish defense industry is gaining more and more attention in the global defense market. Several local companies are engaged in the development and production of 4x4 light armored vehicles. The leading enterprise here, of course, is Otokar, whose Cobra armored car was first presented at Eurosatory 1996. This five-ton armored car is still in the company's portfolio and, in addition to Turkey, was bought by many countries, having worked in many hot spots under different flags. By car
installed 190 hp engine, passenger capacity is 9 people (2 + 7). Building on its success, Otokar introduced in 2013 the new Cobra II armored vehicle, which features increased levels of bullet and mine protection, which are still not disclosed. The total weight of the machine is 12 tons, it is possible to choose between two power units with a capacity of 281 or 360 hp. The passenger capacity of the new variant is the same as that of the original Cobra armored car. A larger floating version is also offered, the gross weight of which remains the same; it can accommodate 10 people. The advent of MRAP machines (with increased protection against mines and improvised explosive devices) forced Otokar to develop a machine in this category in 2009. The Kaua armored vehicle, based on the Unimog 500 chassis, has a 218 hp engine, a total weight of 13 tons and can accommodate two crew members and 10 infantrymen. In 2013, the company introduced the Kaua II variant with a GVW of 14.5 tons and a 300 hp engine. The vehicle can accommodate the same number of soldiers, but at the same time has higher levels of protection, and its higher power density provides better cross-country ability. A heavier and larger MRAP machine named Kale was also introduced in 2013. It has a gross weight of 16 tons and a 296 hp Cummins engine and can accommodate three crew members and 13 paratroopers.
Articles in this series:
Light armored vehicles 4x4. Part 1
