The mid-weight 7000-MU Navistar supply truck performs well in Afghanistan.
The need to transport military equipment and military supplies across the entire territory of the conflict areas proved to be a compelling reason, forcing the armoring of supply vehicles against a wide variety of threats
The unprecedented speed of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 was greeted with either overwhelming praise or overwhelming horror, depending on your point of view at the time.
Since the armored "spear" pierced deeply into the country, passing strong points and hotbeds of resistance, many of the coalition's suppliers (logisticians) found themselves behind everyone in a very difficult position due to the fact that they were dealing with an incredibly difficult task of supplying fuel, ammunition, provisions and other supplies of the vanguard rushing forward.
Not only this, but also due to the fact that combat units rarely stopped to consolidate positions or eliminate resistance, the following supply chain had to break through difficult, sometimes ambushed areas on trucks and transporters with poor or no defense, having with only small arms of the crews.
It is now common knowledge that security in Iraq has weakened since the initial invasion, as front lines have rapidly disappeared along with neutral or safe areas in which relatively unprotected supply chains could function.
Supply convoys in Afghanistan, of course, have proven vulnerable in areas of combat without front lines. Also, the situation was further complicated by the actual lack of a road network and extremely difficult terrain.
Most of the countries involved in operations in these theaters have embarked on programs to improve, modernize and arm their existing supply vehicle fleets, or have embarked on new procurement programs to obtain more specialized secure vehicles.
In the early stages of the operation in Iraq, non-standard upgrades were widespread, as the soldiers used whatever they could get to protect their vehicles. As a result, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles had a very strange appearance with reduced ground clearance, with hatches and hatches covered with improvised material and welded armor plates removed from armored vehicles.
US Army units began using plates from destroyed or abandoned Iraqi army combat vehicles to create "cannon trucks" from existing vehicles that could be used as mobile firing platforms to escort other supply vehicles.
The US Army Logistics Journal once even described the 548th Support Battalion's practice of making armored "cases" for its 5-ton M939 trucks. These "cases" were obtained from armor plates from Russian vehicles found at the Iraqi supply base in Tajji. The vehicles were also equipped with 12, 7-mm machine guns on a support ring, 40-mm Mk19 grenade launchers and other weapons in order to obtain regular firepower.
In more official language, a number of different approaches have appeared due to the fact that, of course, upgrades are limited by the existing design of the machines, which does not allow for the necessary modification.
Particularly problematic are structures with a forward-mounted cockpit above the engine, in which the crew and engine are positioned exactly above the front axle, where the greatest damage occurs due to detonation of mines or improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, some drivers have reinforced the cab anchorage and added seat belts to prevent them from being thrown out of the cab in an explosion.
Regardless of mine protection, most vehicles in hot spots currently have some form of ballistic protection against bullets, debris or fragments, while many are also protected from anti-tank grenade launchers.
The British Army's modernization of the 7,000 liter MAN ERF tanker focuses on protecting the crew rather than the contents of the tank
Logistics support for all echelons
Where possible, logistic cargo is transferred to an increasing number of protected patrol vehicles or MRAP (mine-resistant ambush-protected) vehicles, but some cargo remains too bulky to be transported by this type and large vehicles, especially tank trucks. still undoubtedly occupy their niche.
The UK offers an interesting supply solution for all echelons on the basis of its new family of specialized protected combat supply vehicles TSV (Tactical Support Vehicle). These machines are available in TSV Light, Medium and Heavy versions (light, medium and heavy respectively) and can operate across the entire logistics range up to the front line, if one exists.
In fact, the light infantry nature of most operations in Afghanistan and the mass of equipment carried by dismounted personnel has prompted the UK to acquire a fleet of ATVs and trailers to escort patrols, which in turn can be supplied by the new Springer 4x4 supply vehicles.
Springer is a modified version of the TomCar, but nevertheless it is a new vehicle for the British army. The car has excellent off-road mobility and a surprisingly high carrying capacity of 1.2 tons. Although it is too small for heavy armor, it has ballistic armor panels to protect two crew members from small arms and a turret-mounted 5, 56mm Minimi machine gun for self-defense.
The TSV Light is a versatile 6x6 variant of the Supacat Jackal known as the Coyote, it has the same level of increased mobility and anti-explosive protection as combat vehicles, but with a cargo platform complete with NATO standard anchorage points for about 3 tons of cargo with armor protection installed. A combat module or a support ring and a machine gun for the co-driver can be installed on the vehicle.
Next in class is the TSV Medium; this is a slightly larger version of the Husky, called the MXT 4x4, manufactured by Navistar International. Unlike the Coyote, the MXT has a fully enclosed four-door cab as well as a cargo platform that can accommodate over 5350 lb (2388 kg) or 1.5 tonnes.
Finally, the TSV Heavy is a Wolfhound vehicle from Force Protection and NP Aerospace, which is mostly a cargo variant of the Cougar / Mastiff platform, having a payload of 4.5 tons with a very high level of protection against IEDs and small arms.
The TSV family was purchased, among other things, to create a "bridge" of supply, since the support vehicles of the British army, like most European armies, were not intended for the most part for operations on the front line and, therefore, did not have any protection.
In 2007, the UK Arms and Defense Procurement Organization (DE&S) issued an urgent operational requirement to correct these deficiencies called "Fortress" in order to improve the protection of the new MAN SV (Support Vehicle) support vehicles, which were then deployed in Iraq.
In January of the following year, the DE&S general support vehicle development team awarded contracts to a number of companies. MAN (main contractor for the car), NP Aerospace (booking solutions), General Dynamics UK (Bowman digital communications system) and Istec (secure weapon station) at the start of work on 280 Fortress vehicles.
The main emphasis in the program is placed on the survivability of the crew, and all vehicles were equipped with electronic suppression devices in order to neutralize IEDs. Their cabover cabs were equipped with hinged armor that corresponds to Level II ballistic protection and Level 1+ anti-explosion protection of the STANAG 4569 standard. Additionally, the front and side surfaces of the cab have lattice armor to neutralize RPGs.
A more active defense allows the presence of a protected combat module PWS (Protected Weapon Station) from Istec, mounted on the roof of the cockpit and armed with a 7, 62-mm universal machine gun for self-defense. The PWS itself has ballistic protection similar to that of the cockpit.
All vehicles are painted in desert camouflage and are equipped with infrared headlights, taillights and night vision devices in order to move stealthily in the dark. Fighting tires with puncture-proof inserts are installed as standard.
In addition, all vehicles were equipped with Bowman digital VHF and HF communications equipment and an intercom system from General Dynamics UK to provide convoys with communications to fixed supply bases and security units.
A small feature for which all those serving in Afghanistan are grateful: the production MAN SV vehicles are equipped with a roof-mounted air conditioning system as standard.
The first upgraded vehicles were deployed in Iraq within 4 months of the contract award in January 2008, and most have since been redeployed in Afghanistan. The official date for entering service with the trucks was April 2008, followed by the EPLS (Enhanced Platform Loading System) variants in July and the ARV variant in August, which replaced the Foden 6x6 recovery vehicles.
The Fortress vehicles represent a very small fraction of the UK's total fleet of MAN vehicles, which should eventually total 7,285 vehicles in 42 different variants, in accordance with a contract originally awarded in March 2005.
The first batch of 161 production vehicles, delivered at the beginning of 2007, was to a certain extent a simplified version and was used for training. But, starting with the 162nd vehicle, it is possible to install the developed APK (Adaptive Protection Kit) mounted armor kit on all SVs.
In addition to the MAN SV, the UK has increased the number of other British SVs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For example, the cabins of a batch of Oshkosh 1070F 8x8 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) trucks have been fitted with lattice armor to meet another pressing requirement. More recently, a set of new Tarian fabric armor was installed on them, around the perimeter of the cockpit, but the lattice armor in front of the windows was left.
Tarian was developed by AmSafe Bridport and DSTL in just 16 months. More than 20 truck kits delivered to date. NO. Extensive testing has confirmed that the system provides the required levels of protection and withstands the intense wear and tear that is common in Afghanistan.
The exact details of Tarian's mesh protection are still classified as classified, but it is described as an intricate interweaving of fabrics and other unnamed materials in a protective outer layer. AmSafe claims it is 85 percent lighter than steel mesh armor and half the weight of aluminum systems. It is attached to each corner of the platform with quick release fasteners, which allows for quick replacement of damaged panels.
German industry has a strong position in the rugged truck market. In addition to MAN trucks, which are preferred by the British army, Mercedes-Benz has in its portfolio several protected vehicles, easily replaceable armored cabins and armor kits for existing vehicles.
MAN off-road trucks can also be equipped with a new all-welded steel armor cab, developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which provides a very high level of protection. They can also be equipped with protection against weapons of mass destruction (WMD), an intercom system, a rear view system and various weapons systems installed on the roof for self-defense.
The latter can range from a one-man protected weapon installation with a 5, 56 mm or 7, 62 mm machine gun and to a fully remotely controlled combat module armed with 7, 62 mm or 12, 7 mm machine guns. This cockpit model has been supplied to several countries, including Denmark and Germany, for deployment in Afghanistan.
Russian truck Ural-4320 with protected engine compartment, cab and troop compartment
MAN off-road truck with fully protected cab from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and mechanical lift and transport system at the rear
One of the most interesting vehicles deployed in Afghanistan by the German army is the so-called Team Transport Container (TTC), which is installed at the rear of the MAN 8x8 all-terrain chassis with a protected cab from KMW.
The TTC was developed by EADS and is an air-conditioned, WMD-protected capsule for 18 fully equipped soldiers. The container has a high level of protection against small arms fire, shell fragments, anti-tank mines and IEDs.
IBD Deisenroth has also supplied a large number of attachment armor kits for various trucks and specialized combat support equipment. For example, the IVECO 6x6 trucks of the Belgian army were additionally armored with AMAP-B (Advanced Modular Armor Protection - Ballistic, a new type of modular armor - ballistic) and AMAP-M (Advanced Modular Armor Protection System - Mine, a new type of modular armor - mine) that other countries already have, such as Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
Belgium is also armed with 400 armored tactical trucks Astra M250.45WM 6x6 weighing 8 tons from IVECO Defense Vehicles, the last of which were delivered at the end of 2008. The company has taken a phased approach to installing improved protection on its tactical trucks, including both new cabins and integrated armor solutions. All Belgian vehicles have a cockpit above the engine with clamps for attached armor; thus, it can be quickly installed using standard tools. Also, the cabins have built-in mine protection as standard.
A total of 350 removable RPK (Removable Protection Kit) protection kits from IBD Deisenroth were also delivered to Belgium through IVECO, providing protection against small arms fire and shell fragments. Under a separate contract, a batch of weapons protection kits was delivered, which can be installed if necessary. Spain also received 150 RPKs for its IVECO Defense Vehicles trucks.
IVECO and KMW have developed and tested a fully protected cab above the engine that can be quickly installed on 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 tactical vehicles of the Trakker series. It provides protection against mines and IEDs, as well as ballistic threats, and leaves enough space for the installation of an air conditioning system, communications equipment and IED silencers.
The German army received 72 Trakker 8x8 vehicles with a fully protected cab, as well as Karcher decontamination equipment under the designation TEP90. She also received about 100 Trakker 8x8 vehicles with a protected cab for a number of special tasks, including a tanker version.
The United States has adopted a typical holistic approach, deploying a range of vehicles with built-in defenses, and is also pursuing deep modernization programs.
For example, the 7000-MV mid-range logistics truck and its 5000-MV heavy equipment transporter from Navistar are unarmored as standard. Approximately 800 5000-MVs and more than 8100 7000-MVs operate in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to a Navistar spokesman, the company supplied bullet-proof glass with bolt-on metal mesh protection to minimize the area of vulnerable surfaces.
Armored truck IVECO M250. Belgium and Germany are armed with IVECO vehicles with improved protection
Experienced GunPACS kit installed on MTVR. The kit was shown in a public demonstration at the US Department of Defense.
In addition, the trucks have double-armored windshields that fly out without splintering. Navistar could, if necessary, continue to upgrade its vehicles with booking kits, but to date there have been no requests for them.
Oshkosh NO is an eight-wheeled tractor used to transport M1A1 MBTs, armored combat vehicles, armored vehicles, self-propelled howitzers and oversized construction equipment.
American booking strategy
In early 2005, the Combat Training and Doctrine Development Command (TRADOC) issued a briefing report identifying new threats to logistics vehicles. The requirements for minimizing these threats provide for the introduction of a new booking strategy for the army's fleet of military wheeled vehicles, including modernization work and the production of new vehicles.
Shortly thereafter, the army applied its long-term armoring strategy LTAS (Long-Term Armor Strategy), a modular armoring solution that allows for heavier protection for missions with higher threat levels. The LTAS includes a ready-to-arm, so-called A-cab, which itself has a basic level of built-in protection, in particular the underbody. Also included are retrofit kits of overhead armor or B-kits, which can be installed on top of the A-kit if required in the field.
Installing the B-kit usually requires removing the car doors as well as the bulletproof glass inserts. Due to the fact that the cabins with the A-set are specially made for the possibility of installing the B-sets, there is no need for drilling or replacing the panels, as is often the case with the installation of hinged armor.
The Army has incorporated these "modular" A and B armor kits into newer versions of the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) four-axle heavy off-road vehicles and intends to use them to upgrade a number of existing vehicles to higher levels of protection.
HEMTT machines are used as cargo trailers, fuel tanks and truck tractors.
A number of older HEMTT models are being redesigned to meet LTAS booking requirements. Additional armoring of older HEMTT models, for example, variants A0 and A2, is labor intensive due to the removal of the cab from the truck and the addition of heavy armor panels; at the same time mobility deteriorates. However, the trucks initially have a high body arrangement, which contributes to an increase in their mine protection.
The Army has asked Oshkosh to design the latest LTAS-compliant version of its HEMTT A4 logistics trucks, all with an armored floor that is installed in the cab during assembly. That is, in the event that combat missions require increased protection, the addition of B-kits will turn into a simple procedure performed in the field.
The first HEMTT A4 machine to meet the LTAS standard was manufactured in 2008, and Oshkosh has since produced about 5,000 of these platforms for the army. The company has also converted over 1,700 legacy HEMTT trucks into an A4 configuration compatible with LTAS.
The contracts for these machines are structured so that Kit A cabs come as standard, but are ready for the installation of Kits B, which can be purchased later.
“We have a fleet of several hundred HEMTT A4 trucks currently serving in Afghanistan, and we are receiving [ad hoc] reports from the field that the protection is working very well,” said Mike Ivey, Chief of Army Programs at Oshkosh.
“When we started the HEMTT A4 project, we started with the idea of unifying the cab with PLS [Palletized Load System],” he added.
Oshkosh's new five-axle PLS A1 is the latest version of the military 16-ton truck, first introduced in the early 1990s, and features the same LTAS cab design as the HEMTT A4. The first production PLS A1 was manufactured in mid-April 2010. Oshkosh has not sold a single vehicle to the army yet, but it is still pending.
Ivy couldn't say anything definite about the B-kit for reasons of secrecy, but said it covers “every plane of the cockpit” and has armor panels of varying thicknesses and includes bulletproof glass. Ivey also said that "the kit adds 2,000 lb (over 900 kg) to the cab."
Taking into account the increase in weight, the 445 hp engines. from Detroit Diesel, these machines were replaced by Caterpillar C-15 EPA engines with a capacity of 500 hp; also, both trucks have had their front suspension upgraded.
The PLS received TAK-4 independent suspension and the HEMTT was fitted with air suspension systems.
In the meantime, the vehicle NO was operated with an additional armor kit, since the supply trucks were primarily equipped with additional protection. These four-axle all-wheel drive tractors have a six-seat cab and are used to transport M1A1 tanks and other bulky and heavy equipment.
Work is underway to rebuild the vehicles to the NO A1 configuration, which includes some changes to the cockpit, but does not include the B-kit. “The Army wanted to continue to use its existing set of additional armor on the NO platform due to the fact that the crew is quite far from the ground. Moreover, the built-in protection of NO is rather weak and this deficiency is partially compensated only by the accommodation of the crew."
Even so, the upgrade was necessary because the add-on armor on HET vehicles, along with additional armor on vehicles that HET often tow, form a significantly greater mass than the mass the truck was originally designed to carry.
As a consequence, the NO A1 will feature powerful leaf spring suspension at the front and air suspension for its triple rear axle. The trucks will also be equipped with a more powerful power unit with a 700 hp CAT C-18 engine.
Next, we follow in the direction of reducing the size and carrying capacity. The widespread family of medium tactical vehicles FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) of the American army, according to the LTAS plan, also receives additional cabin booking due to the installation of the A-kit, but, apparently, this does not require any improvement in the mobility of the vehicle. The Army says "most" of its nearly 50,000 FMTV trucks will require an A-kit cockpit, and B-kits will be installed under optional contract terms.
FMTV trucks are based on a common chassis, engine, wheels and cab, resulting in over 80 percent component consistency. LMTV 4x4 (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle - light military vehicle of the middle class) has a carrying capacity of 2.5 tons, and MTV 6x6 has a carrying capacity of 5 tons.
These vehicles perform a variety of functions, including haulage, long haulage, towing and dumping, and serve as platforms for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Patriot missile systems. Oshkosh began work on FMTV in February 2010 after winning a competition and in court challenging the legality of the contract. By the decision of this court, the FMTV program was taken from BAE Systems and transferred to Oshkosh.
As for the PLS A1 and HEMTT A4 machines, the new FMTV cabins are made with anchorage points to which the hinged armor panels of the B-kit are bolted. Oshkosh manufactures and installs sets of armor panels that are bolted to the cab of the ubiquitous 7-ton Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) truck. These add-on kits were introduced in 2005, and in 2008 Oshkosh began production of MTVR “height-reducing armor kits” to meet Marine Corps headroom requirements for transporting vehicles on transport vessels. With such a kit, the upper part of the cab is removed and placed on the platform of the truck so that it can maneuver in the below deck space.
In addition to additional armor, most of the kits that the American Armed Forces install on logistics vehicles (logistics) provide places for bolting on the roof of the turret weapon installation. But more and more often, remotely controlled combat modules are being installed on them. The Marines have taken another conceptual step by starting work on experimental systems for convoy vehicles such as networked remotely controlled weapon stations, mapping and shot location technologies.
To this end, the US Marines are working with the Army Technical Directorate to create a gunner kit to improve the security of the GunPACS (Gun-slinger Package for Advanced Convoy Security) transport convoys. The system was created to provide improved situational awareness, instant threat detection and joint actions of combat and logistic components to detect and destroy targets.
Marine Corps Colonel Patrick Kelleher, program director of the Pentagon's Advanced Technology Directorate, said the kits were deployed in about 12 months in response to discussions about how to expand and improve MTVR's capabilities.
Four prototypes of the GunPACS were tested in Afghanistan in the 1st Marine Division for a year.
This MTVR kit includes a Boomerang threat detection acoustic system and a versatile CROWS II remotely controlled weapon station. It connects the systems of other vehicles in the convoy and the tactical operations center into a single network. In this case, the commander decides to transfer the target to one or more shooters in the convoy. As soon as the shooter receives the target designation data, his combat module automatically turns in the direction of the target.
Russia has also developed a number of trucks with a protected cab and, in some cases, a protected troop compartment at the rear.
One example is the Ural 4320-0710-31 6x6 off-road truck, which is equipped with a KDZ reservation kit consisting of engine compartment protection, an armored cabin with several firing embrasures, and an armored container body in the rear.
The latter has seats for 24 soldiers who board through the back door. Bullet-proof and splinterproof windows with circular firing holes allow some shooters to shoot their weapons from the container, but if a regular number of troops are placed in it, it becomes very cramped inside. The car has left side arches and it is possible to stretch a tarpaulin canopy on them.
The Ural Automobile Plant and other Russian manufacturers also offer a range of protective kits, some of which must be installed during manufacture, while others can be installed at the unit level. Currently, Kamaz offers a new family of trucks 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 with a new protected cab of a cabover configuration installed as standard.
Ahead of its time. Secured Logistics Machines South Africa
South African experience of guerrilla warfare in mine-strewn Angola and northern Namibia forced the country to become the first to deploy a full line of protected logistics vehicles in the late 1970s.
The presence of armored, mine-protected cabins, and in some cases, hulls, allows the logistics units of the South African army to operate on roads and off-road, despite "annoying" mining, small arms fire and ambushes with RPGs.
The first mine-protected logistic vehicle of the South African security forces was the Zebra, which was basically a mine-protected cab mounted on a standard four-ton Bedford truck. It was used mainly by police units, complementing the mine-protected armored personnel carriers at the Bedford base.
Later, the police acquired mine-protected Casspir armored personnel carriers with a monocoque body and a Blesbok truck, a Duiker diesel tanker and a Gemsbok evacuation version. All of these vehicles had a hull protected from mines along the entire length, an armored cab and shock-absorbing seats with seat belts. The former South West African Police have followed suit with the purchase of Wolf APCs and Strandwolf Trucks. She was also armed with a 6x6 recovery and recovery version.
The Army took a different path, developing armored and mine-protected cabins for their standard 2, 5 and 10 ton Samil 4x4 and 6x6 trucks, originally based on the German Magirus chassis.
Typically, they are equipped with an all-welded steel armor front box that protects the engine and crew from small arms fire, shell fragments and anti-tank mines. Some evacuation vehicles also received five-seater armored, mine-protected cabins; also in service with the army were buses and several vans for transporting horses with protection from mines along the entire length of the hull.
Mine-protected cabins have also been developed for the Aljaba 8x8 heavy trucks and the Leguan 10x10 bridgelayer. The police followed suit and installed sheltered cabins on their heavy support vehicles, namely a 10-ton Albatross truck, a diesel tanker and a trailer / prime mover.
Many of these vehicles are still in operation, but the army plans to upgrade its fleet with new-generation logistics vehicles with 6x6 and 8x8 wheel configurations, acquired from the deferred Vistula project. About 70 percent of 8x8 trucks and about 10 percent of the 6x6 variant should be equipped with mine-protected, armored cabins. This combination is based in part on their likely use away from hazardous areas, and in part due to the restrictions imposed by the installation of a heavy armored cab on a single front axle.
The first vehicles will be equipped with two-door / two-seater cabins with the possibility of mounting a heavy machine gun on a turret above the second driver; radio stations will also be installed in them. Research has begun to improve protection against IEDs, which could lead to a different cab design on subsequent vehicles.
Specialized versions of the new trucks will be purchased at a later date, some of which will be equipped with four-door / five-seat cabins or special hulls with full length protection.
Meanwhile, Land Mobility Technologies (LMT) specialized vehicle design company, in line with the first phase of the Vistula project (also adopted by the Canadian Army), has developed an armored, mine-protected cab for the Daimler Actros 8x8 truck as part of a proposal for the South African army.
LMT has since developed two more protected cabins for Daimler: one installed in the Actros AHSVS and is undergoing evaluation tests in the German army; the other is for the Zetros family of trucks in a 6x6 configuration and has a lower level of protection in order to keep weight within a predictable range for this type of vehicle. She was tested in the Australian Army under the Overlander project.
LMT has also developed an armored, mine-protected personnel carrier module for Actros and similar trucks. It was acquired by the Canadian Army, which placed additional orders for it. The module has the same ballistic and mine protection as the cockpit; it is fully self-contained, has an auxiliary power unit, NATO air conditioning and communications, and water tanks. It has standard ISO dimensions and can be stacked like any other container. It can be configured to carry a different number of people (14-22 seats) or converted into a sanitary module or command post.
