Nowadays, when armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles are trying to migrate to 6x6 and 8x8 platforms, and the trends of increased protection levels for armored personnel carriers and firepower for infantry fighting vehicles contribute to an increase in their mass, 4x4 platforms are still popular as reconnaissance vehicles, weapons transporters or light armored personnel carriers. … Consider a 4x4 vehicle whose weight can vary significantly depending on the destination
At the beginning of the scale we will definitely see communications and reconnaissance vehicles, usually less than 10 tons in mass, while between 10 and 15 tons we will most likely find protected transporters, whose carrying capacity is inversely proportional to their level of protection. Not all countries need STANAG 4569 level 4 protected platforms, in which most of the payload goes to armor kits. When the threat level is low, the load capacity tends to increase, since less weight is spent on transparent and opaque protection.
With regard to procurement programs, some European countries intend to purchase light armored 4x4 vehicles in the near future. The Danish Defense Procurement Agency announced in early 2016 that five potential suppliers of a new patrol vehicle for the Danish army had been selected. This will clearly be a heavier vehicle compared to the currently operated Eagle IV armored vehicle; Denmark was one of the earliest customers for the original Eagle. According to the agency, the contenders will be Foxhound (British version of Ocelot) and Eagle V offered by GDLS-FPE and GDELS, Aravis from Nexter, M-ATV and L-ATV from Oshkosh Defense, as well as Cobra and Cobra II armored vehicles from Turkish Otokar. … Five other companies were selected for the MultiRole Vehicle - Protected (MRV-P) Group 2 competition for the British Army. BAE Systems Land (UK) and GDLS UK applied for it with their Eagle 6x6 armored vehicle, Mercedes Benz and Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems with their Survivor-R and Thales with their Bushmaster machine. The initial contract for Denmark provides for the supply of only 36 vehicles, although additional contracts may appear at the last moment, while the British needs are about 180 platforms that will be operated as a personnel carrier and ambulance. Other countries, such as France, are also looking at an "easy" 4x4 solution to complete the renewal of their armored vehicle fleet, while Italy intends to replace its Lince armored vehicles with a newer version. What the platform, which will replace the BRDM-2 of the Polish army, will be, in a 4x4 or 6x6 configuration, is not yet known. Numerous applicants are lining up for the project on the new LOTR vehicle (Lekki Opancerzony Transporter Rozpoznania - light reconnaissance armored personnel carrier), because an order for 200 vehicles may be at stake, while at the moment the platform in the 6x6 configuration is considered the preferred choice. In the United States, a large-scale JLTV armored car program may in the future receive an export branch. Brazil needs 350 light armored vehicles, other Latin American countries are also looking at vehicles of this class. Not to mention the insatiable markets of the Middle and Far East.
Let's take a look at the world of light armored vehicles, starting with what will truly be the largest program in the years to come. In the lighter segment, the most notable platform is, of course, the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) light tactical vehicle, which will partially replace the HMMWV armored vehicle fleet. Oshkosh was selected in a competition involving three teams - AM General, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Oshkosh Corporation. Under the contract for the initial production, she received $ 6, 7 billion to manufacture the first batch of 16901 vehicles for the army and marines. The director of the financial department of the Army, Thomas Holander, noted in this regard: “The JLTV armored car remains a central part of the army's strategy to modernize the fleet of tactical wheeled vehicles, by 2041 it will make up about a third of the fleet of light vehicles. In the 2017 financial year, the purchase of 800 cars is envisaged compared to 2016, when less than 700 cars were purchased. " The JLTV project, which is largely based on the L-ATV (Light combat tactical-All Terrain Vehicle) platform, includes numerous protection and mobility solutions developed by Oshkosh for its vehicles. According to army sources, “The JLTV has the same bottom and side protection as the MRAP Oshkosh M-ATV (with increased protection against mines and improvised explosive devices), but at the same time it is two-thirds lighter; it also has more payload and greater reliability than the Humvee. " The JLTV is equipped with Oshkosh's TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension, which provides 508mm of wheel travel, allowing for a 70% speed increase over other tactical wheeled vehicles. At the push of a button on the instrument cluster, the adaptable suspension increases or decreases the ground clearance depending on the terrain to be overcome and allows for self-leveling on transverse and longitudinal slopes while stationary. The JLTV was equipped with the Core1080 Crew Protection System, developed based on an integrated design and testing approach, which demonstrated its ability to improve the survivability of combat-proven vehicles. Compared to the 4.5-ton armored M1114 Humvee, which has a second level of protection in accordance with STANAG 4569, the level of protection of the JLTV armored car exceeds the third. The vehicle has basic armor, on which additional kits can be hung in order to achieve the desired level of protection, which allows for future upgrades. The JLTV power unit is based on a 6.6 liter Banks 866T turbocharged diesel engine (based on the General Motors Duramax engine design) coupled to an Allison transmission. Power output is not disclosed at the moment, but it undoubtedly provides the highest possible maneuverability. Oshkosh Defense is ready to install its ProPulse hybrid diesel-electric powertrain if the military decides to switch to it. However, at the moment, as we can see, the traditional solution based on the diesel engine has been adopted. As a result of the latest changes in the program, two options are purchased: CTV (Combat Tactical Vehicle), which can carry four people and a cargo of 1.5 tons, and CSV (Combat Support Vehicle), which can carry two people and a cargo of 2.3 tons, its own both variants weigh less than 6,350 kg. As for the weapons, most of the vehicles will be equipped with either the Crows II weapon module with a 12.7 mm machine gun, or the same machine gun in a protected turret mount.
The army's requirements, announced in 2014, include the purchase of 49,099 vehicles, while the Marine Corps (ILC) wants to receive 5,500 JLTV vehicles; these figures are still valid. Final deliveries for the army are projected for 2040, while all vehicles for the ILC are to be delivered by 2022. The army intends to replace part of its HMMWV, the remaining vehicles in service will perform auxiliary tasks. The KMP intends to deploy 1,200 vehicles each in three expeditionary brigades and 200 vehicles each in its seven expeditionary battalions, the remaining 500 vehicles will be assigned to the naval advance storage forces and logistic support units.
The first order for 201 vehicles worth $ 115 million was issued in August 2015. A second order for 657 vehicles, 2,977 removable kits and related logistics, valued at 243 million, was placed in March 2016. The first seven vehicles were delivered in September 2016. The army decided not to complete the full test cycle of the three rival models due to limited funding, so at the moment the first 100 production vehicles are taking part in tests, after which full-scale serial production is scheduled to begin in the 2018 financial year. Immediately after the delivery of the first cars in September 2016, another contract was signed worth 42 million dollars for the delivery by November 2017 of 130 JLTV vehicles and 748 sets. The next order, worth 176 million, issued in January 2017, includes 409 vehicles, 1,984 removable kits and 82 replacement systems, as well as related maintenance and logistics. Due to delays in Lockheed Martin's filing of a protest against the results of the competition, the initial deadline for the entry of equipment into the troops has shifted to the right, the army now expects to end 2019, and the Corps to mid-2018. In March 2016, it was announced that due to the revision of the cost of machines and sets for them, as well as for a number of other reasons, the total cost of the program from the original 30.57 billion has decreased to 24.67 billion dollars (savings of 5.9 billion, an unprecedented case in the US defense complex).
For 2017, the army has not asked for funding for a light reconnaissance vehicle Light Reconnaissance Vehicle, it looks like they intend to use JLTV in this role as an intermediate platform. Apparently, this requires an additional seat and heavier weaponry, although the requirements have not yet been finally approved. At the Modern Day Marine exhibition, Oshkosh Defense showed off its JLTV vehicle equipped with an EOS R-400S-Mk2 remotely controlled weapon module with a 30mm M230 LF automatic chain cannon from Orbital ATK. The same gun is installed on the AN-64 Apache helicopter, that is, we can talk about a significant increase in the firepower of the vehicle. Oshkosh may also take this opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of its new machine to potential overseas customers. The JLTV platform may soon become available under the Law on the Sale of Arms and Military Equipment to Foreign States and the first buyer, most likely, will be the United Kingdom, the closest ally of the United States. The British Army is considering this vehicle for its Multi Role Vehicle-Protected (MRV-P) Group 1 requirement, according to which approximately 750 vehicles are to be purchased in three options: logistics, operational control and communications.
With regard to applicants for the JLTV program, Lockheed Martin issued a statement saying: “Our company continues to operate in the military ground vehicle market. Our JLTV 4x4 remains an effective combat vehicle and we will continue to look for opportunities to supply these platforms to other countries that show interest in them.” AM General appears to be focusing on upgrading the ubiquitous HMMWV platform, while leveraging the experience with its Blast Resistant Vehicle-Offroad (Blast Resistant Vehicle-Offroad) platform that has been proposed for the JLTV program. Other applicants appear to have left the American light armored vehicle market. Although one can mention another light armored car, still offered by Navistar Defense. The five-seater MXT MVA armored car has an unladen weight of 15 tons, a carrying capacity of 4.5 tons and an engine with a capacity of 340 hp. Its independent suspension modification under the designation Husky is in service with the British Army.
In France, Renault Trucks Defense is undoubtedly the main player in the 4x4 light armored vehicle field. However, with the expansion of the lightweight concept, Nexter (now part of the KNDS Group) is also coming into play. The French army has launched the Scorpion program, under which two vehicles in a 6x6 configuration will be adopted. They are being developed by a consortium of Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales, which will subsequently also manufacture them. In addition, it is planned to start developing a third type of vehicle. This armored vehicle in a 4x4 configuration will go into service with the units of the French rapid reaction forces. The vehicle, currently designated VBMR Leger (Multipurpose Light Armored Vehicle), will have a gross vehicle weight of less than 12 tons and will be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon module (almost no doubt it will be the T1 developed by RTD and Sagem for the Griffon 6x6 armored vehicle). The vehicle, equipped with the SICS operational control set common to all components of the Scorpion program, will be deployed in reconnaissance units, as well as in communications and electronic warfare units operating at the tactical level. According to available information, the VBMR Leger will be assembled from ready-to-use military grade modules. In accordance with Phase 1 of the Scorpion program, 200 of these machines will be purchased by 2025, the first deliveries should begin in 2021, with a total demand of 358 machines. Under the lighter platform of the Scorpion program, cooperation between the three companies of the consortium is not expected, every man for himself. Although no official information has been released, it is known that three companies reacted independently to the request for information on the car. RTD has more than one option in its portfolio, if we also take into account the subsidiary company ASMAT. The first contender is the Sherpa Light armored car, whose internal volume and passenger capacity are apparently insufficient for the French army. The internal volume of this company's second platform, called Bastion, meets the needs of specialized machines such as communications and electronic warfare options. Thales offers its Thales Australia Bushmaster armored vehicle, which is already in service with a number of countries.
As for Nexter, it is known that the 4x4 Titus variant based on the Tatra chassis is in its final stages of development. The company also offers the field-proven Aravis, which is already in service by the French army. The technical characteristics of these three machines are presented in a small table.
In 2013, Volvo Group Governmental Sales (VGGS) underwent a reorganization, gaining direct control over the brands and manufacturing divisions of Renault Trucks Defense, Panhard and ACMAT, while consolidating both the engineering and commercial services of all three companies. Each of these brands has in its portfolio light armored vehicles and heavier 4x4 armored vehicles, which makes VGGS one of the main suppliers of such platforms. Panhard was arguably the first company to develop a very light vehicle, which has been given a lot of protection from the early design stages. VBL (Vehicule Blinde Leger) is widely used in the French army and is in service with many countries. Currently, the bestseller can be called the Dagger with a gross weight of 5.55 tons, which, in a transporter configuration, can accommodate two crew members and six troops. Four fully equipped soldiers can be accommodated in the rear in the troop transport variant, and the command and staff vehicle can accommodate three to four people. The crew is provided with ballistic protection of Level 2, mine protection corresponds to Level 1. Two power units of different capacities are available, 170 or 200 hp. The Dagger armored car (photo below), known in the French army as PVP, participated in hostilities in different countries, it is also in service with Togo, Chile and Romania.
