The VPS is a light 4x4 patrol vehicle especially designed for Special Forces. The contract for the SAS Patrol vehicle was awarded to Panhard by the DGA in 2005 for the Special Operations Command. 51 VPSs have been ordered by the French Ministry of Defence. The Panhard VPS (Véhicule Patrouille SAS) had been selected by French Army to meet a requirement for a rapidly deployable vehicle capable of long-duration missions in extremes of climate. The VPS features longer range and compatibility with extreme climatic conditions. An armored floor provides anti-landmine protection to the crew. The VPS has a payload of 1,200 kg so it can perform a wide variety of missions. This vehicle illustrates Panhard's know-how when it comes to converting vehicles in order to cater for very specific military requirements. The VPS is air transportable by C-160 Transall or C-130 Hercules.
The VPS Panhard can be armed with a full range of weapons as 81 mm mortar, anti-tank missile launcher MILAN, 12.7 or 7.62 mm machine gun or Gatling machine gun. In the French Army, the VPS is equipped with 360° ring-mount over the rear body which is armed with a Browning 12.7mm heavy machine gun or Gatling machine gun. One more 7.62mm machine is mounted on swivel station at the front of the crew compartment which is operated by the vehicle commander.
The VPS is equipped with 360° ring-mount over the rear body which is armed with a Browning 12.7mm heavy machine gun
Design and Protection
The Panhard VPS delivered to the French Army is based on the Mercedes-Benz 270 CDI G-Class 4x4 light tactical vehicle. The VPS can accommodate five fully equipped soldiers, with the driver and commander at the front, and three soldiers at the rear including the shooter for the 12.7 mm machine gun. It's an open top vehicle with a tubular frame roll-bar. Most of the time there is no door at the front. The crew is protected by an armour floorpan which provides a protection Level 1 STANAG 4569.
Propulsion
The VPS is motorized with a turbocharged Diesel engine Mercedes-Benz OM612 DE27LA coupled to a gearbox Mercedes-Benz W5A 580 with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears. The VPS can run at a maximum road speed of 120 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The vehicle can climb up to 60% gradient, move on 30% side slope, and cross water of 60 cm depth.
Accessories
The great payload of the Panhard VPS allows the vehicle to carry a large quantity of equipment, ammunition, water and communication equipment to perform long-duration missions in full autonomy. Standard equipment of VPS includes a first aid kit, 2 jerrycans of 20 liters, storage for 30 liters of food or water, two spare wheels (one each side of the vehicle), a shovel and pickaxe, and a 4,000 kg front bumper-mounted self-recovery winch. An air compressor is fitted in the engine compartment of the vehicle for the regulation of tire pressures.
