DVD 2018: Supacat displays Light Reconnaissance Vehicle.

British manufacturer Supacat has unveiled its LRV (Light Reconnaissance Vehicle) which it dedicates to special forces, border patrol, reconnaissance or strike forces. The proven Land Rover Discovery base platform combined with Supacat’s defence specific enhancements provides high-level performances, supportability and safety.

Supacat LRV, Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The LRV’s size and weight (enable effective air portability, including tactical internal loading in a CH-47 Chinook, a widely-considered standard. The top speed is set at 160 km/h, and the range to 800 km with the 80-liter tank. The 45 kW/tonne power to weight ratio is excellent. The vehicle is able to climb a 60% slope (40% side slope) and ford a 75cm-deep river. The engine is a V6 3.0-liter diesel developing 256 hp and a 600Nm torque. The engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission with high and low range. The vehicle is a permanent 4WD with center differential lock. Front and rear air locking is an option. Other options are Hutchinson bead-lock run flat tires, self-recovery winch, remote weapon station, weapon mounts, smoke grenade launcher, IR lights, Balistic armour and ballistic crew seats, etc.

Interestingly, the LRV platform can be converted from 4x4 to 6x6 to provide a flexible alternative configuration that significantly increases payload and capacity, if not additional roles. In such case, the empty weight changes from 4,200 to 5,500 kg, and the payload from 1,700 to 2,350 kg. The power to weight ratio, however, decreases then from 45 to 34 kW/tonne.

The manufacturer is able to offer this vehicle as a fully integrated military variant (as shown on picture) that includes the entire spectrum of integrated logistic support services.