via DefPro.
The German-based companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall have placed on display before the international audience gathering at Eurosatory 2010 one of the four prototypes of their newly developed family of armoured multipurpose vehicles (AMPV) in the 5.3 to 9.3-ton class. The vehicle, which has not been only developed for the Bundeswehr’s GFF/GTF project, having requested protected C4I and mission-specific vehicles as well as protected transport capacity, is designed taking into account the operational experiences made by the German armed forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere.I guess this is the official unveiling because this vehicle has been up on KMW's website for at least a year or two. Another 7 ton Humvee/JLTV/light weight MRAP/patrol vehicle.
We have too many of these already. I don't really see much of a future in this segment. One dirty little secret of the current conflicts is that Infantry operating on foot or out of larger vehicles like the MTVR are as effective as those operating in uparmored Humvee type vehicles.
I think this type of vehicle has a great future. As long as it is employed strictly in roles that un-armoured Land Rovers, G Wagons or HUMVEE's would once have performed.
ReplyDeleteThey are not a replacement for a dedicated armoured vehicle, but for light utility, command post/FAC, communications, surveillance and light recon duties they are ideally suited, IMHO.
The market seems crowded, but how many soft-skinned light 4WD vehicles exist in that same marketplace?
And for once, a reasonably attractive looking vehicle has been designed. Form being more important than function, obviously... :)
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Lots of companies are jumping on this bandwagon. A little too late, if y9u ask me.
ReplyDeleteNow this i like. It has the German mark of excellence on it, damn, i feel like i would buy one of those to clear traffic back home.
ReplyDeleteBet that governor in Cali has ordered one, running on biofuel that is.
ReplyDeleteB. Bolsøy
Oslo