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)
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.
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 GFF1Gesch체tzte F체hrungs und Funktionsfahrzeuge or Armoured Command-and-Control
Leveraging experience acquired with the LAPV series, Mercedes Benz is now proposing the LAPV 6.1, with better protection and higher payload. (Mercedes Benz)
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armada
Compendium Light Armoured Vehicles
2012
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 24째 to 40째. 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