Eurosatory 2018: General Dynamics European Land Systems unveiled Pandur Evo 6x6.

The Pandur Evolution (Evo) has been engineered by a team having more than three decades of experience of design, development, production, testing and logistic support of about 2,000 tracked vehicles. Therefore, the Pandur shares a lot of design loads and boundary conditions for the concept design, dimensioning and selection of mechanical and electrical/ electronical components and subsystems with the tracked vehicle families (ASCOD / ULAN). So far, 34 Pandur 6x6 have already been ordered by the Austrian army (Bundesheer), the first of which was delivered on 4 June. The program cost turns around EUR 105 million (USD 123 million).

GDELS Pandur Evo 6x6 at Eurosatory 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Pandur Evo has a more powerful 455hp engine than its predecessor, a better mine protection, more inner space, an anti-lock braking system for greater driver safety, an NBC protection system, and more capable electronics. The program cost is around EUR105 million (USD123 million).

The Pandur 6x6’s curb weight is 14 tons. With its maximum payload of 4.5 tons, the gross weight tops at 18.5 tons. The proven and powerful combination of the 8.9-liter, 455 hp (335 NM) Cummins ISL450 engine and the 6-speed ZF Ecomat transmission now integrated in the Pandur 6x6 makes it a very efficient vehicle. The 2-stage transfer gear - shiftable on the move, the 100% locking differentials (highest tractive effort), the Automatic Drivetrain Management and the Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) adjustable on the move guarantee an exceptional off-road mobility. The power/weight ratio is excellent: 25hp/ton. Last but not least, the Pandur benefits from the latest electronic architecture of the AJAX program.

The vehicle has a crew of three and can transport eight soldiers. The protection is provided by a mine and IED safe hull structure with decoupled intermediate floor, an optimized add-on armor kit providing excellent an EPC of over 96%, an NBC protection system and fire suppression systems.