AAD 2018: World premiere OTT M36 Mk 6C 6x6 armored Logistic Support Truck.

World premiere for the OTT M36 Mk 6C 6x6 armored Logistic Support Truck at AAD 2018, the International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in South Africa. The M36 Mk 6C Logistic Support Truck is on display on Stand 50N2 outside Hall 5 and is ready for production.

OTT M36 Mk 6C Logistic Support Truck at AAD 2018, International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in South Africa. September 2018. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Fighters need logistic support to provide them with food, water, fuel, ammunition and other important requirements. The soft skin logistic vehicles can take supplies to the forward logistic bases but cannot move freely in the combat zones due to the IEDs and direct fire threats where a blast and ballistic protected vehicle is needed. The ideal situation is when a high logistic and technical commonality exists between tactical, logistic and support vehicles.

The OTT M36 Mk 6C Logistic Support Truck is based on the M36 armored personnel carrier but fitted with 6x6 drive line. The front of the vehicle uses the standard armored crew cab of the M36, but there is a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle able to carry container.

With the Puma M36 MPVs this is achieved using the drivelines of the corresponding logistic trucks that form the core of the MPV drive lines - Ashok Leyland Stallion for the M36 Mk 6A and Mercedes Benz for the M36 Mk 6C. The design philosophy of the Puma M36 Mk 6 MPV's allows for the use of the 6x6 variants of the core vehicles to be used on heavier versions like Recovery Vehicles and Logistic Support Trucks with at least 80% logistic commonality between the 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles.

The result of this is a 6x6 Mine Protected Recovery Vehicle and Logistic Support Vehicle with 100% commonality between these two vehicles and at least 80% commonality with the parent Mine Protected Vehicle.

An added advantage of using the above drive lines is the availability of "soft skin" logistic vehicles with the same automotive components as the corresponding mine protected vehicle thus simplifying logistic and technical support.