| At Eurosatory 2012, the French Company ARQUUS formerly Renault Trucks Defense manufacturer of armoured vehicles and military tactical trucks has unveiled a new version of its VAB 6x6 armoured personnel carrier named VAB Mark 3. This vehicle is not a simple upgrade, but it is a new vehicle design that is fully adapted to new threats on the battlefield such as IEDs and mine blast. The aim of this vehicle is to provide a replacement for the old BTR, M113 and VAB based on the design of a combat proven vehicle and a cheaper price. Renault Trucks Defense offers the vehicle in several versions as personnel carrier, ambulance, battlefield surveillance, mortar carrier, command post etc. In September 2020, Morocco has announced its plan to acquire VAB Mk 3. |
| Armament |
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The VAB Mark 3 can be equipped with a full range of turret or remote weapon systems up to 30 mm caliber cannon. At Eurosatory 2012 the vehicle is fitted with remotely weapon station TRT-25 from BAE Systems. The TRT-25 is fitted with a dual-feed 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon with two 130-round bins, a 7.62 mm machinegun with 1,000 rounds, and four smoke grenade launchers. The TRT-25 is equipped with electro-mechanical drives and sight equipment giving it all-round observation, fast reaction time and accurate weapon firing. Its range and effectiveness is determined by the choice of weapon. The system is equipped with safety interlocks and mechanisms for effective and safe use of the weapon from behind cover. The operator is protected while controlling the system remotely from inside the vehicle.
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| Design and Protection |
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The layout of the VAB mark 3 is similar to the standard version of the VAB, with the engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle and the troop's area at the rear. New modular design, sufficient payload and innovative electronic architecture allow the VAB Mark III to be used for various missions and to be accommodated with a wide range of weapon systems with growth potential. The front vehicle is equipped with two large bullet-proof windows. One single door is available to each side of the crew compartment. The rear side of the hull is equipped with a hydraulic ramp. The VAB Mark 3 is heavier than the old VAB, 13,000 kg for 20,000 kg for the new vehicle. The VAB Mark 3 is equipped with new armor which provides protection for the crew and the soldiers Level 4 STANAG 4569. The VAB Mark 3 provides also a mine/IED protection up to MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle. The vehicle can carry 3 crew members and 7 infantry soldiers.
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| Propulsion |
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The VAB Mark 3 is motorized with a Renault truck engine that has power from 320 to 400 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission with 6 forward and 1 reverse speed. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h. The VAB Mark 3 can cross a trench of 1 m and can mount 0.5 m of a vertical obstacle.
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| Accessories |
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The VAB Mark 3 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by one water-jet mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle can be air transported and deployed by C-130 Hercules or Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. As a medium combat system for current and future battlefields, the VAB Mark III receives the BATTLENET INSIDE innovative electronic architecture designed by Renault Trucks Defense. BATTLENET INSIDE is based on open, standardized and proven COTS solutions coming from the IP technologies: Switched Ethernet, SNMP administration, Voice over IP, MPEG4 video standard, Open Source developments.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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Ring mount or remote weapon system up to 30mm caliber maximum.
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Country users
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Morocco
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Designer Company
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Renault Trucks Defense
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Accessories
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Central tyre inflation system, night vision, amphibious kit
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Crew
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3 + 7 soldiers
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Armor
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Ballistic armour protection and Anti-mine protection level 4 NATO STANAG 4569
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Weight
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20,000 kg
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Speed
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105 km/h
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Range
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890 km
a
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Dimensions
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Lenght, 6.7m; Width, 2,50 m; Height, 2.2 m
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