Oct 2012 Compendium 1 - Armada

can be redistributed to all three positions.
The intercom can also be used by a
dismounted crew-member (standard
range is around 300 metres but a onekilometre
option can be installed on
customer demand). The Vsys-net allows
to distribute all imagery produced by
weapons, on-board sensors and local
situational awareness systems to each
crew station, while image processing for
alert and analysis is also integrated. An
ultra-compact inertial and GPS location
system provides high accurate geolocation
as well as the link to a target
designation system, while the availability
of terrain profiles increases mobility.
Turning now to its armament, the Crab
can host a variety of remotely controlled
turrets equipped with weapons up to
30 mm in calibre. The version shown at
Eurosatory was equipped with a Cockerill
Maintenance & Ingénierie turret armed
with a 25mm Bushmaster M242, the
overall mount weighing around 800 kg.
Although lighter than most Mrap-type
vehicles currently in service, the Crab
can withstand such a 40 kN recoil level
weapon because of its very low centre
of gravity, wheras Mraps are limited by
their top-heavy configuration that makes
The Mk2 is the current standard of
Panhard VBL in production. French Army
vehicles operating in Afghanistan have
been considerably upgraded to cope
with the increasing roadside bomb threat.
(Armada/PV)
08 armada Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2012
them rather unstable. The CMI weapon
station has been purposely adapted to the
Crab to optimise turret/chassis coupling
and has been equipped with a hatch that
allows the vehicle commander to have a
direct view of the surroundings, which is
a French Army requirement. The turret
features a stabilised panoramic sight with
a 60° elevation (the cannon’s elevation
range is –10°/+45°). A dual feed system
allows to use two types of ammunition,
the overall number being 150 rounds.
Two sets of solar cells are installed over
the Crab in order to increase the onboard
available power and the batteries
endurance when the engine is not
running. (Armada/PV)
An open bottom allows reloading and
maintenance operation to be carried
out from under armour for maximum
crew safety. Guided missiles are another
armament choice for the Crab, as well
as lighter turrets that include smaller
calibre weapons and target designation
systems. Due to its low shape and limited
dimensions, precise figures were not
provided but by rule of thumb the Crab is
5 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. It can
be loaded onto a C-130H, a C-130J will
take two and a A-400M three, meaning
that the latter is able to land a ready-tooperate
platoon.
According to company sources the
Crab positively impressed the French
Army Staff as well as the General
Armaments Direction when the vehicle
was illustrated to the officials. Its
dimensions perfectly match the Army’s
requirements, although these are still in
the definition stage, a beyond line-ofsight
role being envisaged for the VBAE.
When developing the Crab Panhard
General Defense did not exclusively
eye the domestic market; according
to the company there is a market for
light vehicles equipped with medium
armament since that niche is currently
devoid of competitors. Systems such
as the Panhard AML and Sagaie or