Oct 2012 Compendium 1 - Armada

Army CBRN vehicle will adopt the long
wheelbase; it will feature a short cabin,
seating two-plus-one, the flatbed being
used to install a specific CBRN module
developed in the Czech Republic. The
current Special Forces version was
developed on a short wheelbase chassis;
however a further development could
lead to a long wheelbase vehicle with a
short cab and a flatbed.
The LMV/Lince remains one of the
European best-sellers in its category. In
addition to the Italian Army, Norway is
still showing interest in new versions, as
do many other customers, by the way.
In the Netherlands, for instance, there
is a light utility vehicles replacement
programme. The original requirement
called for some 1,000 to 1,200 vehicles,
but it is not clear if the type of vehicle
needed might change, evolving from a
non-protected vehicle plus armour kit
to a vehicle with some protection plus
add-on armour. Iveco DV is also keen
to enlarge its product line by developing
other variants for specific applications
and export markets.
Leveraging experience acquired with the
LAPV series, Mercedes Benz is now proposing
the LAPV 6.1, with better protection and
higher payload. (Mercedes Benz)
16 armada Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles 2012
MERcEdES-BENz lApV 6.1: At
Eurosatory In 2010 Mercedes Benz
exhibited two prototypes of its Light
Armoured Patrol Vehicle (LAPV), the
LAPV 6.X and the LAPV 7.X in addition to
the LAPV 5.4 that has been acquired by the
German Bundeswehr (where it is known
as Enok) to fulfil the GFF1Geschützte
Führungs und Funktionsfahrzeuge
or Armoured Command-and-Control
Iveco DV and Oto Melara recently
delivered to the Italian Army the first
Lince equiped with the Hitrole Light
RCWS. These vehicles are currently being
deployed to Afghanistan. (Oto Melara)
Vehicles) requirement. The first order
involved 45 LAPV 5.4 of which a number
have been deployed to Afghanistan since
February 2011. Following the initial
assessment by the troops in July 2011 a
further order for 76 more, all in Military
Police guise, was placed, with completion
of deliveries by late 2013. With such
experience behind its belt, Mercedes Benz
introduced the LAPV 6.1 boasting better
protection and higher payload capacity.
It maintains the same dimensions as
the 5.4 with the exception of the height,
which is higher due the ground clearance
that was increased from 223 to 412 mm.
This improves protection against mines,
the Enok having a floor concept designed
to withstand Level 1 threats with optional
upgrade to near Level 2a, while the floor of
the 6.1 is designed for a Level 2a protection.
Improved energy absorbing seats and
harness also contribute to a greater crew
safety of explosion. As a side boon, the
increased clearance gives a deeper fording
capacity (from 600 to 800 mm) while
ramp attack angle increases from 24° to
40°. Ballistic protection remains at Level 2
and an optional Level 1 bonnet is available
to protect the engine. The drivetrain is
based on that of 300 CDI model, with
a reinforced chassis and stronger portal
axles, to bear the higher 1.3-tonne payload
limit (instead of 1.07 tonnes).
NEW EAGlE: A Bundeswehr progamme
that still has to be completed is the GFF2,
namely the 7.5 tonne class and more