Cockerill i-X 4x4

4x4 Integrated Interceptor Fast Combat armored Vehicle - Belgium

The Cockerill i-X (“i” for “interceptor” and “X” for “modular-multi weapons system) is a new generation of fast attack light 4x4 wheeled vehicle developed and designed by the Belgian-based company John Cockerill Defense. It was unveiled in March 2022 during the International Defense Exhibition WDS (World Defense Show) that was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. John Cockerill has designed the Cockerill i-X to be a breakthrough combat system for territorial defense interception able to engage and defeat, by controlled means of force, any incoming threats before they reach their objective. The Cockerill i-X embodies the essence of the operational superiority factors to be mastered on the battlespace using higher velocity, firepower, stealth, and embedded intelligence. The vehicle is capable of moving at very high speeds on-road and off-road (with a thermal or hybrid thermal-electric drive train), light, stealthy (appearance management with adaptive camouflage, and modification of IR and acoustic signature), integrating multi-sensor data fusion technology (Smart Helmet, on-board intelligence AI, cameras, sensors: LWS, Acoustic Gunshot detection and localization) and capable of integrating a suite of effective weapons (such as 25mm, 30mm, missiles, rockets,…) depending on the threat to be neutralized, as well as to foresee the integration of a new generation of effectors.

Cockerill i-X variants:

- The Cockerill i-X can be fitted with different types of weapon systems including 25mm and 30mm automatic cannons, anti-tank missiles or rocket launchers. 

Armament

The Cockerill i-X is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station which is stored inside the vehicle in road condition and can be raised on the roof of the vehicle to perform firing operations. The turret can be armed with one 25mm or 30mm automatic cannon as well as anti-tank weapons. Using a 25mm automatic cannon, the turret can carry 120 ready-to-fire ammunition. A 7.62mm or 12.7mm can be mounted coaxially to the main armament. In the anti-tank configuration, the turret can be armed with 2 or 4 anti-tank guided missiles or 7 tube launchers for RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades). The turret weighs only 650 kg, to which you must add around 60 kg of ammunition. She has a traverse of 360° with elevation from -10° to +60°. The turret is equipped with a 360° two-axis stabilized electro-optical sighting system including television, IR (Infra-Red), and a laser range finder allowing both crew members to detect targets at a range of up to 16.8 km and share information thanks to the onboard battle management system also designed by John Cockerill. The thermal imager has a detection range of 13.5 km.

Close view of the weapon system of the Cockerill i-X

Design and protection

The Cockerill i-X has a very unique low-profile design with only two crew members consisting of one driver and one commander/gunner. The hull is made of composite carbon fiber materials manufactured by John Cockerill. A weapon station is mounted in the center of the vehicle which can be raised on the roof to engage land or aerial targets. The powerpack is located at the front-middle of the vehicle. The ballistic protection of the vehicle can reach the Level 2 STANAG 4569 against the firing of small arms 7.62mm API (Armor Piercing Incendiary) caliber while the mine protection is Level 3 to withstand an explosive blast of 8 kg TNT under the wheels and the floor of the vehicle.

The Cockerill i-X has a crew of two, seated at the front of the vehicle.

Mobility

The chassis of the Cockerill i-X is based on the design of an undisclosed US rally car manufacturer that was developed especially for the Dakar race. The hydropneumatic suspension of the chassis has been modified by John Cockerill to increase high-speed mobility in all-terrain conditions. It can also be fitted with a controlled height mechanism. Having excellent mobility on any type of ground and achieving unrivaled speeds in defense theatres of operation, the Cockerill i-X is the first land vehicle to embody the DNA of the interceptor. The vehicle can be powered by a thermal engine developing 750 hp or an 800 hp hybrid thermal-electric engine. It can reach a maximum road speed of 200 km/h and 160 km/h in desert conditions with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. With the thermal engine, the i-X can reach a 100 km/h speed in less than 6 seconds and has a braking distance of 40 m at 100 km/h. In fully electric mode the cruising range is limited to up 30 km but provides a tactical advantage with thermal and acoustic signature reduction.

Combat Equipment

The Cockerill i-X features unique onboard fully digitized Man-Machine Interface sighting and observation systems including a cockpit screen allowing the driver to pull up all necessary information, while the commander has a high-resolution screen providing the images captured by the French company Safran Electronics & Defense and the sight of the turret. The Man-Machine Interface of the Cockerill i-X Interceptor is based on the Cockerill ® Smart Helmet, which is worn by the operator, and features an intelligent multimodal engine allowing the management of information of the weapon system and interactions that will be visual, auditory, and vocal. All this while ensuring a measured control of the cognitive load of the operator during his mission, by using an interface that will be as intuitive as possible. The interface is no longer seen as a «passive» device but becomes intelligent, efficient, immersive and uses the natural interaction capabilities of the operator, in a more ambitious context of use than usual (speed of action, multi-target, rapid movement of the vehicle). The weapon system of the vehicle also integrates high-performance sensors to collect combat data and to provide 360° situational awareness. The data processing is done via intelligent embedded algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence to perform threat Detection-Identification-Location and Assessment, enhanced decision aid to the operator. The onboard communication systems offer teaming and adaptive cooperation between equivalent systems in all squad vehicles by sharing data in order to take the best decisions and to share priorities. Another interesting feature of the Cockerill i-X is the installation of one built-in jack on each side of the lower part of the chassis which can be deployed on the ground for self-recovery from soft sand.

The Man-Machine Interface of the Cockerill i-X is based on the Cockerill ® Smart Helmet.