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Acmat a new range of armoured personnel carrier vehicles for the modern battlefield 1204122

Armoured Personnel carrier on the battlefield

Thursday, April 12, 2012, 08:22 PM

Acmat a new range of armoured personnel carrier vehicles for the modern battlefield.

The modern armoured vehicle personnel carrier (APC) is a combat vehicle designed to transport soldiers on the battlefield. Most of the time the APC can be fitted with a small turret armed with weapons from 7.62 mm machine guns to 40 mm cannons. The vehicle is not used to take part in direct combat, but to carry military personnel on the battle field in safe conditions and to protect the crew against new threats such as mines blast and IED's. (By Alain Servaes, Chief Editor Army Recognition)

The first APC was developed during the 20th Century in order to protect infantry soldiers on the modern battlefield. This type of vehicle allows the military personnel to employ their weapons from within the safety of an armoured vehicle. In addition, the APC also allowed soldiers to operate in CBRN (chemical – biological – radiological – nuclear) combat conditions.

Two approaches have been adopted to meet the new demand: armouring existing vehicles and developing purpose-built armoured vehicles. The French Defence Company Acmat presents a new wheeled armoured vehicle personnel carrier in its range of military vehicles based on the VLRA light truck: The BASTION APC equipped with an armour package which provides protection for the crew a ballistic armour protection from level 170 level 3 against small arms fire and mine blast Level 2a/2b STANAG 4569., for its 10 crews.

The installation of armour package on a vehicle based on light truck increases the protection of the crew against the IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) which were the greatest threat during the war in Iraq and currently to coalition forces in Afghanistan. In addition, the vehicle offers the advantages of greater strategic and tactical mobility, especially in urban environments.

The P4P was used by French Army operating in Bosnia, but the vehicle only provided an improved protection against small arms fire.

Many armies in the world have chosen to replace unarmoured light tactical vehicle with light protected vehicle. Faced with escalating casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, military defence leaders decided that only light armoured tactical vehicle would be used for operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and launched a crash program to fit add-on armour to vehicles in theatre.

In the 1990s, the standard light tactical vehicle uses by the French armed forces, the Peugeot P4 was upgraded with an armoured package and in March 1995, the French Army took delivery of 50 Peugeot P4 (4 × 4) 750 kg light vehicles fitted with a passive armour kit originally developed by the now Panhard General Defense as a private venture. This vehicle was named Peugeot P4P (P for protected).

The P4P was used by French Army operating in Bosnia, but the vehicle only provided an improved protection against small arms fire. The needs of the armed forces today are different with the introduction of new threats and guerilla tactics used on the new theaters of operations. With the BASTION APC, the French Defence Company ACMAT provides a new combat vehicle which meets these new needs.

ACMAT BASTION APC Armoured Personnel Carrier

The BASTION APC is a 4x4, high-mobility armoured vehicle personnel carrier developed and based on the rugged chassis of the VLRA TDN-TDE series to provide a capable and reliable multirole platform. BASTION range is economically through the use of parts in common with the VLRA TDN-TDE, enabling easy maintenance and easy logistics.

For its protection, the BASTION APC is based on monohull structure steel armour that has been optimized to increase survivability. The BASTION uses V-hull technology, the purpose of this design is to increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine or Improvised Explosive Device away from the vehicle, while also presenting a sloped armor face.

Armoured vehicle personnel carrier requirements over the next decade will centre on being modular, mobile and adaptable. The demand for light armoured personnel carrier vehicles will outstrip all other variants, meaning the supply chain and end-user must traverse the delicate balance between protection and maneuverability during this age of economic austerity.

With the BASTION APC, the French Defence Company ACMAT presents a vehicle with high degree of commonality of wear parts throughout the entire range of ACMAT vehicles. Not only is the same engine used in every ACMAT VLRA vehicle, but a commonality level of over 80 per cent exists across the entire range of ACMAT VLRA chassis and cabs. While detailed items are the subject of continued research and development, the overall dimensions of the major components do not change, so ACMAT is able to guarantee the availability of exchange components for the life of the vehicle.

Video BASTION APC Armoured Personnel Carrier

In the future, armoured personnel carriers will need to be able to re-role quickly between offensive, counter insurgency, ambulance, peacekeeping roles and more. The BASTION APC is multi-mission capable and is ideal for reconnaissance, forward command and control, patrol, security, escort, route clearance support, peacekeeping, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team, ambulance and urban and close quarters operations.