Wonder Wheels

ullu

New Member
These babies look good.... anyone got their pictures please post them in military image forum. ;)

http://www.global-defence.com/2002/Resources/gmdefensea.jpeg


Light armoured vehicles are in demand around the world. Key requirements are firepower, protection, mobility, strategic deployablity and ease of maintenance. Stretched defence budgets mean there is also a need for competitive purchase prices, and low and predictable long-term costs.

GM Defense has a portfolio of products ranging from light armoured fighting vehicles to multi-purpose support vehicles based on commercial products.

LAV and Piranha armoured vehicles

Developed in the 70s by MOWAG, the family of Piranha vehicles feature independent suspension on all wheels, central drive-line system, engine on the front right-hand side, driver on the front left-hand side, crew compartment in the rear and amphibious capabilities. There is a modular family approach to major sub-components, weapon systems and other equipment. Over 5,000 LAV built and 3,000 on order, make Piranha vehicles the most numerous armoured vehicles in the world.

A significant feature of the Generation III family is payload versus GVW or combat weight. The new design provides flexibility of protection levels and equipment/weapons integration and personnel transport.

The power pack is an important part of the modular design approach, MOWAG offers high-performance engines and torque-matching automatic transmissions. Mobility benefits from a hydropneumatic system with height adjustment at all wheel stations combined with a new wheels system with CTIS and ABS. A choice of tyre sizes suits all terrains and a high power-to-weight ratio power pack gives tracked-vehicle mobility and C-130 air-transportability. These vehicles contribute to many UN international peace missions.

Piranha IV

The first prototype of this new 8x8 vehicle was presented at the 2001 DSEi exhibition. MOWAG developed the Piranha IV to meet high levels of ballistic protection, enhanced carrying capacity and internal volume, and to complement the Piranha III that will be produced for at least 10 years.

EAGLE

The AM General Hummer chassis provides a platform for the MOWAG EAGLE 4x4 armoured reconnaissance vehicle that is suited to reconnaissance, surveillance, liaison, escort, border patrol and police missions.

The system comprises: Modified Hummer heavy chassis, designated a high-mobility-multipurpose-wheeled vehicle (HMMWV); MOWAG-designed and manufactured armoured superstructure; and a MOWAG MBK2 armoured observation cupola.

The EAGLE 4x4 four-seater is NBC-tight. Fully equipped, it is air-transportable by C-130 or helicopter. Windows are bullet-proof and troop access is by four lateral doors and cargo via a rear door.

The 360° rotating observation cupola with thermal imaging unit is in the roof for all-round observation in an NBC-secure vehicle in all weather conditions. Ballistic protection is state-of-the-art; composite armour plates mounted to inner faces of aluminium plates.

General Motors is on contract with the US Army’s Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) for a five-year supply of CUCV-IIs and next-generation LSSVs vehicles to the USAF. The Model Year 2000, a compact service support vehicle (CSSV) based on the Chevrolet S-Series pickup and Blazer utility, was developed as a small truck for reliable and affordable on/off road transportation. GM’s medium-duty service-support vehicles feature 4x4 and 6x6 conversions of the rugged Chevrolet medium-duty truck modified for demanding military duty.

The GM service support vehicle portfolio was developed to ensure parts and systems commonality to reduce logistics and training requirements, and all GM commercial vehicles undergo product improvement programmes to ensure optimal and efficient design. Field-tested around the world, GM service support vehicles offer unsurpassed reliability, low life-cycle cost, safety, maintainability and passenger comfort.

GM Defense, headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, operates from a worldwide network of facilities. It has five divisions: GM Defense Canada, London, Ontario has as its flagship the LAV family of light armoured vehicles, built to North-American specifications, and the Pirhana family of light armoured vehicles offering a European-based heritage and pedigree.

GM Defense Canada, a major design and manufacturing centre for the LAV, provides its IAV version to the US Army for its Brigade Combat Teams Program through a joint venture with General Dynamics.

MOWAG (Motorwagenfabrik AG), of Kreuzlingen, Switzerland designed, developed and produced the original Piranha family. Founded in 1950 by engineer Walter Ruf who sold the company’s stock to General Motors of Canada in 1999, MOWAG is part of GM Defense. It is the centre of development work on the new Piranha IV and the Eagle.

GM Military Trucks is located in Troy Technology Park Center, Troy, Michigan, where tactical wheeled vehicles are customised for military customers.

Delco of Goleta, California is the world leader in vehicle electronics and effective, affordable, reliable turret systems. Its products are used by the US and allied military. Production facilities are in Canada and Australia.
 
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