German consortium consisting of the Rheinmetall (Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles in this case) and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann companies has developed the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).Together with ROSOMAK S.A. company, the works have been undertaken to tailor the new vehicle to the requirements of the Pegaz programme which is being run by the Polish Ministry of Defence, and the AMPV is also offered as a new Patrol vehicle for the land forces.
AMPV is placed within the segment of the vehicles, weight of which does not exceed 10 tonnes. According to the basic assumption the new vehicle is to make it possible, for its crew of 5 to effectively operate in the conditions that are present within the area of a contemporary battlefield. According to the declarations made by the manufacturers, the main design requirement was to tailor the vehicle to the threats present during the NATO operations and other military deployments.
Main Design Assumptions
The main assumption made by the German manufacturers was to create a family of vehicles based on one chassis. These vehicles were to be characterized with good mobility and protection parameters. AMPV features a monocoque hull with a composite armour, along with a specially designed front frame, independent triple control arms and automatic differential management.
In its basic variant, the vehicle provides the crew with level 3 ballistic protection and 4a/3b mine protection (4b to be reached), in line with the STANAG 4569 norm. The manufacturers declare that the body is protected from IEDs that are equivalent to 100 kg of TNT exploding 5 m from the vehicle (150 kg equivalent of TNT to be reached). AMPV is also tailored to be fitted with an NBC protection system. Both the quantity, as well as configuration of the additional armour may be individually customized. Additionally, the vehicle may be equipped with a warning system and a system for establishing smoke screens (the ROSY system is being currently tested), or an active protection system.
The propulsion is realized with a 6 cylinder, 3.2 liter diesel engine, with a power of 272 HP at 4000 RPM. The M16 SCI engine we mean here, is being manufactured by the Steyr Motors company. The engine’s maximum torque reaches 610 Nm at 1800 RPM. The vehicle is capable of running on a variety of fuel types and it meets the requirements of the Euro III norm. The independent suspension with double wishbones is characterized with a long spring travel (up to +/- 150 mm). 385/80 R20 tyres are equipped with the run-flat system.
The vehicle, in its basic variant, is capable of carrying loads of up to 2200 kg. This payload may change, depending on the variant and purpose of the vehicle, which means that load capacity is dependent on the equipment and the combat capabilities.
Maximum speed of the vehicle on the road is 110 km/h, while its range reaches the level of 700 km. The vehicle is capable of overcoming 60% slopes with more than 40% of lateral tilt. The wading depth, without prior preparation, is equal to 850 mm, AMPV goes over 400 mm vertical obstacles and 750 mm wide ditches.
Dimensions of the vehicle (length – 5660 mm, width – 2300 mm, height – 2180 mm – without the armament) make it possible to transport it with the use of medium sized (C-160, C-130, A400M), heavy transport aircraft, as well as hanged under the heavy cargo helicopters, such as CH-47 or CH-53.
Armament may consist of two independently controlled modules or turrets controlled by the operator, all of which may be fitted with 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine guns or with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Side-mounted armament can also be fitted on the vehicle, alternatively, a turret with an automatic cannon is also an option here.
Additional hatches, cameras and protection systems, as well as optronic systems, may be fitted in accordance with the customer’s specification.
The vehicle manufacturer is currently tailoring the product, together with the ROSOMAK S.A. company, to the Polish requirements. This includes changes in the interior required to fit in the equipment and armament needed by the Polish Army, and to provide proper equipment-carrying and logistics support capabilities.
Marek Dąbrowski