The Caiman Plus Cat I is a variant of the basic version of Caiman 6x6 with an upgrade of armour. The Caiman Plus is designed and manufactured by the Company BAE Systems. The vehicle is part of the MRAP (Mine Resistant Armor Protected) family vehicles. As the other variants of the Caiman family vehicle, the Caiman Plus is based on the ultra-reliable FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) A1R chassis and the combat-proven Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC), The Caiman Plus is an improved version of the standard Caiman wrapped with applique armor boxes on its sides. The Caiman plus is upgraded with 16 unique engineering change proposals to include "MAMA Bear Protection", improved suspension, enhanced fire suppression and 570 AMP alternator. The Caiman 6x6 Plus can be used for a full range of missions as reconnaissance, convoy operations, troop transport, combat engineer and EOD missions for maneuver units. |
Armament |
The Caiman Plus 6x6 can be fitted with armored glass open top turret, armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the top at the front of the crew compartment.
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Design and protection |
The Caiman 6x6 is an armored vehicle with a V-shaped hull design based on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) and Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC), initially developed by Stewart & Stevenson. The purpose of design is to increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine or IED (Improvised Explosive Device) away from the vehicle, while also presenting a sloped armor face. By presenting its armor at an angle, it increases the amount of material a ballistic projectile must pass through in order to penetrate the vehicle, and increases the chance of deflection. The hull of the vehicle is made with steel and aluminum which provides protection for the crew and the soldiers against the firing of small arms. To increase the armor, the Caiman Plus 6x6 is fitted large applique armor boxes on the side of the hull, also referred as the "Mama Bear" protection kit. The crew compartment is at the front with the driver and commander and the troop compartment at the rear. The troops enter and leave via two doors in the rear, both of which have each a bulletproof window.
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Mobility |
The Caiman Plus 6x6 is based on the chassis of the FMTV AR1 chassis truck. The Caiman Plus 6x6 is motorized with a Caterpillar C-7 7.2 liter Diesel engine with ACERT technology developing 330 hp, coupled to a Type 1 Allison 3700SP Gen IV transmission and transfer case. The Caiman Plus 6x6 can run at a maximum speed of 105 km/h with a range of 650 km.
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Accessories |
Caiman's automotive design features include: Runflat Devices, Single Molded Piece with Integral Beadlock, Brakes, Primary Dual-Circuit, Four Channel Air,Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Trailers ABS Connectors for Emergency Towing. A jammer system uses against IED threats is mounted at the front of the vehicle.
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Specifications |
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Armament
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One 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun a a a
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Country user
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United States
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Designer Country
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United States
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Accessories
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central tire inflation, NBC filter, spare tires
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Troop seating
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2 + 6
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Armor
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V-shaped hull, standard armour against small arms firing and shell splinters, armour protection against IDED and land mines, applique armor boxes "Mama Bear"
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Weight
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23,225 kg
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Speed
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105 km/h maximum speed on road
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Range
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675 km
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Dimensions
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Lenght, 7.49 m; Width, 2.54 m; Height, 3.32 m
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