Eurosatory 2018: Polish company Team Concept displays Wirus 4 for special forces.

Team Concept Ltd. is a Polish designer and manufacturer of special vehicles, vehicle bodies and components for vehicles and aluminum boats. They are part of the “VanPartner by Mercedes-Benz” programme awarded by Daimler AG. Built on a Japanese 4x4 chassis, the Light Attack Vehicle “Wirus” has been designed especially for special forces and long-range reconnaissance forces. 118 vehicles have been ordered by the Polish Ministry of National Defence. The vehicles already delivered make their users enthusiastically satisfied.

Current version of the vehicle called LPU Wirus 4 will be delivered to Polish armed forces in 2020 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The company’s history started in 2001 and, currently, it is part of Griffin Group whose best-known products are assault ramps, delivered to special operations forces in Poland and abroad. Team Concept delivers special vehicles and military ATVs to military police and territorial defense force. Until now, Concept has made hundreds of deliveries to its clients across the world e.g. special forces in the Czech Republic and Kingdom of Jordan.

Oberaigne, Team Concept’s partner, was established in Rohrbach (Austria) in 1977. From the beginning they have been associated with Mercedes-Benz. Oberaigner designs and produces 4x4 drivetrains (e.g. reduction and angle gearboxes, differential lock systems). They produce 4x4 drivetrain for series-produced MB Sprinter. They also produce modified versions of MB Sprinter with 4x4 and 6x6 drivetrain with much better all-terrain capabilities.

The Wirus history of started in 2012 whith the first version of the Wirus (LPU-1) was unveiled during the International Defence Industry Exhibition. From that time, the company has designed an improved model of the Wirus. The refined model (LPU-2) was presented in 2014. Current version of the vehicle called LPU Wirus 4 will be delivered to the Polish armed forces in 2020.

The fourth generation of Wirus as a production prototype was presented in September 2017. The range of the vehicle with its 75-liter fuel tank reaches 600 kilometers on paved roads and over 400 kilometers off-road. Maximum speed of the vehicle is 120 km/h (on paved road) and up to 80 km/h (off-road). Height and width of the vehicle are about 2 meters, and length about 4 meters. Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 2.6 tons, of which 1.7 t is the empty weight. It means that the Wirus 4 can carry up to 900 kg of payload, including the 3-man crew sheltered in the composite body superstructure. It is fitted with mine resistant underbody armour Class 1 according to STANAG 4569 Annex B and run-flat tires.

Wirus 4 is adapted for different kinds of transport (by sea, air and rail). It can be transported in C-130 Hercules and other similar aircraft or as underslung load. The vehicle is prepared for airborne assault. It can be fitted with weapon mounting systems such as vehicle hatch able to receive 5.56, 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns and 40 mm grenade launcher, as well as personal weapon mounts for commander and soldiers. Wirus 4 can be fitted with optronic systems for land surveillance and target designation such as Safran’s MOST, As an option, the vehicle can be fitted with electric winch built in frame of the vehicle with front and rear fairleads and radio systems.