Four SUV for Latvia. Ministry of Defense holds a tender for armored cars for the army
At the same time, this is the second stage of tests, in which six manufacturers participate, and only four of them provided their equipment for testing. The first stage involved 12 vehicles.
In the final stage, a special commission of the Latvian Defense Ministry will test four cars: GTP 4 × 4 from Sisu Auto (Finland), HUMVEE from AM General (USA), Marauder LAV from Paramount Group (South Africa) and Cobra from Otokar (Turkey).
SISU GTP is a modular armored vehicle with a maximum combat weight of 14 tons and a maximum payload weight of up to 4500 kg (including the mass of possible additional reservations). Levels of ballistic and mine protection are not disclosed. In order to enhance the mine protection, the combat / airborne detachment is made hung separate from the vehicle frame - providing a V-shaped battle / airborne detachment with a flat bottom of the machine itself (which ensures good snow passability). To protect the crew and assault, an unbreakable set of measures, called SISU Crew Body technology, is used. Capacity together with the crew reaches 16 people. The length of the hull is 6 m, the height is 2,5 m, the width is 2,5 m. The machine is equipped with an independent suspension of all four wheels and a differential locking mechanism for both axles. The diesel engine of unnamed type in combination with a six-speed automatic transmission provides a maximum speed of more than 100 km / h. Power reserve up to 700 km. Used tires 365 / 80 R20.
Finnish company Sisu Auto developed GTP 4 × 4 specifically for the Latvian tender
American Army off-road vehicle. The car has a high maneuverability, suitable for transportation by air and dropping by parachute method. Its development began in the 1979 year, and already in the 1981-m army concluded a contract with AM General, although only the first version of the prototype was ready. For thirty years, the 281 000 "Humvee" was built, and this is not to mention the civilian development of the model - the famous "Hammer". Humvee exists in more than a hundred versions and is in service with 76 countries of the world. Currently, the United States is replacing the Humvee with a more modern model of the Oshkosh L-ATV armored car, and the rest of the cars are "attached" wherever they can.
The Marauder is a multipurpose armored car with the outstanding ballistic and mine protection of Paramount Group from South Africa. In addition to this country, it is produced under the relevant agreements in Azerbaijan, as well as in Jordan. The three-door Marauder with a station wagon is designed for a crew of 10 people: 2 in front (driver, commander) and 8 fully equipped soldiers in the back. It can be configured as a simple armored personnel carrier or as an effective combat military vehicle on wheels by adding appropriate weapon systems, which makes it ideal for conventional and non-traditional missions. It can be supplied in standard or elongated versions, which offer additional space for the transportation of a larger number of troops and an additional arsenal. There are various options for cardan transmission, available depending on customer requirements. Patrol APC, armored ambulance, anti-tank, staff, fire support of infantry are Marauder modifications. It can accommodate a wide range of weapons systems, starting with a 7.62 mm machine gun on a simple swivel and ending with remotely controlled 12.7 or 14.5 mm heavy machine guns with anti-tank missiles installed. Turret designs and capabilities will vary depending on customer requirements, including the caliber of the weapon system, the presence of a mechanical or electric drive, or even remote control of the weapon. The range of further improvements can be unified in order to connect missile systems and a set of defensive aids.
The armored body of the Cobra II armored car provides protection against 7,6-mm ammunition and artillery shell fragments. The bottom of the crew compartment is equipped with a removable parabolic plate to reflect the blast wave. The machine also protects the crew from debris and improvised explosive devices. The Cobra II armored vehicle is equipped with a 6,7-liter six-cylinder diesel engine paired with an automatic transmission (six forward gears and one reverse gear), as well as water-cooled, turbocharged and battery-powered systems. The engine produces power in 281 l. with. at 2500 rpm The engine complies with Euro-3, an environmental standard that regulates the content of harmful substances in the exhaust gases of vehicles with diesel and petrol engines, and is compatible with military fuel for F-34 aircraft engines and F-54 diesel fuel.
Armored car "Cobra II" provides excellent progress over rough terrain under the most difficult climatic conditions. The fully independent suspension of the machine is equipped with a spring and a shock absorber, and the air-hydraulic brakes are equipped with anti-lock braking systems. The car is also equipped with a system of centralized pressure control in tires and tires with run-flat technology for all-terrain. May be landed from NATO transport aircraft.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense has only to choose!
- Vladimir Lytkin (major071)
- armyrecognition.com
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