Field Resources > Light Vehicles
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Light VehiclesAuxilliary vehicles have received a great deal of attention since the US invasion of Iraq. The reason for this is that given a choice Abdullah (our nominal Al Qaeda insurgent) would rather attack a supply convoy than a heavily armed battletank. Moreover in doing so Abdullah is actually carrying out very sound strategic policy. Anyone with half a brain could see this was exactly the mistake the US/UK/Australian/Polish/Spanish/Italian alliance made in invading Iraq in the first place. The US is now paying the price in dead and maimed people and a humungous bill for armouring every vehicle the army uses to protect its people against the ubiquitous Abdullah.
New Zealand's choice of auxiliary vehicle is the Pinzgauer which was originally developed by Steyr Puch but after transiting American ownership is now owned by BAE Land Systems. The Pinzgauer replaced the British Landrover as the Army's Light Operational Vehicle and the order of 338 vehicles includes 60 armoured versions. As light utility vehicles go the Pinzgauer is well regarded but not the best in its class.
The Swiss switched to the Mowag Duro some years ago and the Duro has sold well around the world ever since. The Duro carries roughly twice as much as the Pinzgauer but the last order for 100 units by the German Army were at a unit cost of US$860,000 which makes the Pinzgauer look highly economical by comparison. Light Utility VehiclesThe days when the competition in the 4x4 market was between the British Landrover and the American Jeep is now well and truly over. Nearly every major automotive manufacturer makes a 4x4 of some form (even the ridiculous Diahatsu Terios). The philosophy of the army in choosing the Pinzgauer was that it was buying equipment which would, like its predecessor vehicles, need to serve a 30-year life. This review finds short-comings in that outlook. First it encourages preciousness because it assumes a very limited acquisition window, secondly it ignores the fact that automotive technology is on the cusp of a sea-change in engine systems.
Already Toyota's Lexus division is offering an off-road hybrid (RX) model. While this model is far from suitable for Defence purposes the concept of hybrids has value and the US Army is examining their use for the Humvee replacement. Basically the future of all vehicles lies in hybrid engine systems which offer better fuel economy. To purchase on a 30-year cycle is to ignore the fact that in 10 years automotive technology will have evolved substantially. Thus this review believes a 10-year cycle is more appropriate. Buying on a 10-year cycle essentially means buying a commercial off-the shelf (COTS) vehicle. This is because the cost structure of COTS vehicles are significantly cheaper than specialist military vehicles. They are also better supported with an international network of dealers and mechanics. The Danes have certainly taken this route in Afghanistan where both sides in the conflict operate Toyota Landcruisers. Naturally as a customer with a large fleet purchase a few specialist extras would also be required. In particular the force would require specialist military paints be used to reduce infrared and radar signatures. The vehicles should also be fitted with auxilliary Infra-red driving lamps to allow them to be driven at night with no visible light. The driver would need night vision goggles to use these lamps. The JD Power survey of automotive quality is an international benchmark which grades all vehicles and manufacturers. The company which consistently tops the survey is Toyota of Japan which is poised to become the world's largest. Toyota offers a range of 4x4 vehicles which would fit the requirement but without doubt the most popular and best supported worldwide is the Landcruiser. Although the Landcruiser has never developed the affection accorded the Landrover this is largely because they aren't temperamental beasts that need the intimate understanding of adoring mechanics, they just keep going. The Landcruiser 79 weighs 2.5 tonnes and carries up to 500kg or 10 personnel plus the driver. It can tow 3 tonnes with a brake assisted trailer.
Utility Version Thus where-ever this review refers to a Light Utility Vehicle it is referring to the Toyota Landcruiser 78 (left). The Landcruisers would operate on a ten year replacement cycle. The currently retail for $65,000 or US$37,000 each with rear disc brakes and high dust filter intake kit. This compares with the Pinzgauer average unit price of $298,000. That means one could buy 4 Landcruisers for every Pinzgauer or replace the Landcruisers three times in the life of one Pinzgauer.
Special Forces Patrol Version A long-range patrol Landcruiser version (Al-Thalab/The Fox) by Jankel is used in limited numbers (20) by the Rangers. This version has a crew of four, capacity for 1.3T in stores, and a 1500km range over a 10-day mission.
VIP Protection Version An armoured civilian version is used in limited numbers (10) by the Special Operations Battalion for specialist protection roles. Its higher level of acceleration is needed for high speed escorts. The Danes have armoured their Landcruisers for a unit cost of US$210,000. Versions include: Platoon 5-seat Utility vehicle - ( five seats plus rear stowage space) TOTAL ORDER: 400 vehicles Light Auxlliary UtilityWhile the Light Utility Vehicle is selected for its excellent cross-country capability and ruggedness it is better off the road than on it. For some tasks there is a requirement for a vehicle which is capable of off-road transport but which is faster and handier on the road. This is the vehicle used largely by the Military Police. It is standard civilian specification.
Versions include: Military Transport Police Vehicle ( for road closures etc) TOTAL ORDER: 33 Light Urban UtilityThere are times when the defence force is no different to any other organisation that needs to move people or loads from place to place. It does not need to pay the premium for 4x4 capability because all the movement will be occuring on ordinary streets. For this purpose the Commercial Off the Shelf Toyota HiAce is selected. The High Ace starts from around $47,000 or US$28,700.
Versions include: Stores van - ( two seats with rear compartment empty ) and a special Low Profile Ops Vehicle. This vehicle is used by the Parachute Company and the Operations Intelligence Company. The vehicle looks like an ordinary unmarked civilian van with bullbars but has wrap-around seats for two in the front and four in the back. The rear compartment has one-way vision and ballistic protection. The vehicle is used to close with terrorists or to carry out missions in foreign territories without drawing local civilian attention. TOTAL ORDER: 60 Light Amphibious Vehicles
There really is only two Light amphibious vehicles worth considering and both are produced by Gibbs Technologies. These travel at five to six times faster over water than bouyant vehicles. that is the Gibbs Quadski and the Gibbs Humdinga. Admittedly neither is in production yet but there are nothing like orders to assist that. The Quadski can achieve 72km/h (40 knots) on water and land making it as fast as many speed boats. The Humdinga achieves 60km/h on water (32 knots) which is faster than many boats. Boats going this fast are very hard to hit with unguided weapons (according to the Egyptian Army which tested a similarly speedy landing craft made in his younger days by vacuum cleaner tycoon James Dyson) so loading it down with armour would be self-defeating. Gibbs Technologies has entered into a joint development effort with Lockheed Martin to develop high speed armoured amphibious vehicles as part of the Littoral Combat Ship programme. Light Armoured 4x4sLight armoured 4x4s do not differ much from Light Utility Vehicles in terms of size and shape. Their purpose is to take troops into areas where they may be exposed to mines or improvised explosive devices. While it is possible to bolt armour on to COTS vehicles it doesn't work very well. A COTS vehicle is simply not built with ballistic or explosive force in mind. Mine force for example can end up being channeled and directed into the cab along things like steering columns, or can be trapped and intensified in wheel arches. Essentially a Light Armoured vehicle needs to be purpose built from the ground up. It also helps if they are tested with real mines, real gunfire and for the peace of mind of operators have a reputation of protecting crews that has been verified in the field. Such vehicles would be used for driving into areas where a friendly reception is considered unlikely. Space is needed for five plus potentially prisoners or casualties. There are four heritages of light armoured vehicles. RussianThe Russians developed armoured trucks starting with the BTR-40 back in the 1960s. This 4x4 is amphibious but largely redundant. The latest vehicles are based on the BTR-80. Unfortunately the Russian automotive industry is not what it was in the Soviet era and there are questions over the financial viability of suppliers such as GAZ.
If one is optimistic about these however the Russian Vodnik (water sprite) has a potentially useful specification. It carries nine people at 112km/h to around 1000km with a fuel consumption rate of 15L/100km. It can ford to 1.2m or swim without preparation at 5km/hr. The vehicle is armoured to resist small arms and splinters. It is not however well armoured against mines. European
The French company Panhard has developed the Armoured Scout Car ( Vehicle Blinde Leger) or VBL. This is a very popular machine used throughout Africa. There are a variety of different models most of which have an open roof. The vehicle is shaped to resist mines and is bouyant. The latest models are slightly larger providing more room for passengers. However they remain rather cramped.
More commercially successful is the Mowag Eagle built on the M1117 Humvee platform. It is unlikely to offer the same protection as a vehicle with a V-shaped hull.
The Fennek was a Dutch creation designed for reconnaissance. Well-protected, low and expensive it only has a crew of three and is not amphibious. It is now built by the Germans and finds itself in the same stable as the Dingo
The Dingo is similar to the South African machines in that it is built on a Unimog Chassis (U5000) but has been designed as an armoured truck from the get-go. The truck can carry a useful load of 3 tonnes but it does not appear to have the same profile as the South African machines when it comes to mine resistance. South Africa
But it was the South Africans (now largely in the form of BAE Land Systems South Africa) who developed the most impressive range of mine-protected and bullet-proof vehicles. These included the hated Casspir, an ugly armoured truck which can survive a blast big enough to demolish a small village under any wheel. It has been the South African line which has seen the most derivatives. These include:
The BAE Land Systems RG32-M Scout. A small landcruiser sized vehicle which can protect its passengers from a 7 kilogramme TNT mine under any wheel ( 3kg of TNT will destroy a house). In May, Land Systems announced a $28-million order for 100 of its RG-32M light armoured vehicles for the Swedish Defence Force. This places the average unit cost US$280,000.
The BAE Land Systems RG31 is like an SUV on steroids. Its bigger meaner higher and better armoured. It can resist a double mine detonation under any wheel. In February the US Army placed an order with the company for 148 RG-31 vehicles worth around $78-million. This places the average cost at US$550,000. The RG31 has seen extensive use in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as South Africa. IsraelLike South Africa Israel has years of practical experience in dealing with improvised explosive devices and mines. However in most cases it has had not had to contend with long ranges or transportability issues. Trouble has come to its front door. This has led to a reliance on very heavy armour. Seeing an opportunity for sales to the US in Iraq Israel, like South Africa, is trying to capitalise on its capacity.
Rafael has developed the Golan transport vehicle. The Golan is a purpose built vehicle for dealing with highly troublesome spots. The vehicles are being acquired by the US Marines in a deal with truck manufacturer Oshkosh.
 Israel Military Industries has developed the Wildcat. This vehicle is somewhere between the 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle and the armoured truck. While this vehicle may suit the rather antagonistic relationships common the the Middle East it does not seem to offer much advantage over the 8x8 AIFVs. Others
Our Australian friends have developed the Bushmaster Infanty Carrier. Its a nice wee truck that carries eight in air conditioned, Timoney suspension comfort over long distances through the bush. The US truck company Oshkosh has picked up the agency in the US but no sales have been announced. Its not hard to see why, the Australian machine has no combat experience and a doubtful maintenance record. Helpfully the Australians provide a list price of around A$560,000-569,0000 depending on configuration (US$390,000)per unit. AmericansThe RG-31 design has been picked up and improved on by the American company, Force Protection, which has intoduced the Cougar, 122 of which were sold for US$47 million in 2005 (average price US$370,000). The Cougar
and like this
More recently BAE Land systems (South Africa) has produced the RG33L.
This is the latest ( October 2006) in South African anti-mine /improvised explosive device protected vehicle. The full blurb from its makers is here. Suffice to say this is probably the best vehicle for engineers dealing with explosive hazards. The addition of slat armour to the RG series vehicles also makes them less likely to succumb to RPG rounds. Conclusions
Of course in theory these trucks are meant to look less aggressive than armoured vehicles it is hard to imagine anything which looks less aggressive that the 6x6 cougar battletruck. Thus the level of protection ends up becoming self defeating. You may as well deploy an armoured carrier. The more prominent the protection the more the fear and loathing it inspires. Light Armour ConclusionsAs a result this Review proposes
12 x RG33L for the Pioneers
24 x RG-33 for the Rangers 12 x RG33 Ambulance for Medical
This would require 48 vehicles at a cost of around US$21.5 million. |
which looks like this in publicity shots 
after our friend Abdullah has taken his shots.Notice, however that while the wheel has been blown off the troop compartment is intact. Good news for those inside assuming help comes.
