French defense industry unveils first prototype of Jaguar 6x6 armored.

During the Press Trip for Eurosatory 2018, French Defense Industry has unveiled the prototype of the Jaguar EBRC 6x6 armored, a new development of a 6x6 Reconnaissance and Combat Armoured Vehicle for the French Army under the program EBMR Scorpion (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôles - Armoured Multi-roles Vehicles).

French Defense Industry unveils prototype of Jaguar EBRC 6x6 reconnaissance armoured vehicle (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Scorpion (Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l'infovalorisation) program was launched to complete replacement or renovation of all of the army's frontline combat vehicles at the same time and the linking of these with a new and unified communications and battlefield management system (BMS).

The project of Scorpion Program was begun by the French Army Staff and the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) in 2000 with a lengthy trial period lasting almost 15 years. In total over EUR200 million (USD224 was spent conducting studies and analysing the operational experience of the precursor networked technologies found within the FELIN soldier system and the electronic architectures of the Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).

The Jaguar EBRC 6x6 armoured is a part of the Scorpion Program to replace the AMX10RC, the ERC-90 Sagaie and the VAB Hot in service with the French Army. The EBMR program includes the delivery of 248 Jaguar EBRC to the French Army which could be started in 2020. A total of 110 vehicles expected to be delivered until 2025.

The Jaguar EBRC will be fitted with a two-man turret 40 CTAS armed with one 40mm CTC cannon with Ammunition Handling System (AHS). The 40mm cannon will have a maximum range of 1,500 m. Each side of the turret will be fitted with MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée - Medium Range Missile) missile designed by the French Company MBDA. The MMP missile is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance which has a maximum range of 4,000m.

The Jaguar EBRC has a crew of three including driver, commander and gunner. It has an armour STANAG 4569 Level 4 that provides protection against fire of small arms 14.5mmx114 AP, 155mm artillery shell splinters at 30m and mine blast protection of 10 kg TNT under the wheels.