The 92nd VBMR-GRIFFON 6x6 wheeled multi-role armored vehicle for French Army.

On the 24th of December 2019, the temporary company grouping EBMR received an inspection report for the delivery of the 92nd VBMR-GRIFFON 6x6 wheeled multi-role armored vehicle from the quality department of the French Army Defence Procurement Agency (DGA/SQ).

Griffon VBMR 6x6 multi-role armored vehicle for the French Army. (Picture source French Army )

The EBMR team consisting of Nexter, Arquus and Thales meets its objectives for 2019, in accordance with the initial purchase notified in 2017 and as defined in the military programming law. Last summer, in July 2019, the first batch of vehicles was submitted to the French army by the DGA, in attendance of the French Army minister, Florence Parly. As a result, the production of the 92 GRIFFON required less than six months: it represents a real industrial challenge that permits to respond to Land Forces’ requirements.

Since 2015, Nexter, Arquus and Thales’ parties are fully involved, in partnership with the DGA, to achieve the development, qualification and production of the GRIFFON. They work together to conceive a vehicle with a high level of protection, an ultimate ergonomy, a great mobility, an effective weapon system, and finally the last generation of communication system with new functions such as sensors, electronics and algorithms for the collaborative combat.

Nexter acts as the representative of the grouping. Nexter is in charge of the development and production of the vehicle structure, including the armored hull, NRBC and ballistic solutions, and the interior layout. The mechanically-welded structure of the aluminum cases offers, thanks to high precision machining and robotic welding operations, the best protection performance to the military.

Furthermore, Nexter has the responsibility of the vehicles’ assembly and the integrations in the Roanne industrial site. All the equipment and subsystems supplied by partners and contractors are integrated in this facility.

Arquus designs and produces the full driveline for the GRIFFON, including all parts and organs that ensure the vehicle’s mobility. This driveline redefines the mobility standards of armored troop transport vehicles and grants the GRIFFON new generation all-terrain capabilities. The GRIFFON is thus able to accompany all other vehicles of the SCORPION program in all conditions. Arquus also designs and produces the GRIFFON’s remote-controlled self-defense systems, which also equip the other vehicles of the SCORPION program. These remote-controlled weapon systems benefit from the most advanced technologies: Full HD video, augmented reality tactical situation view, extended connectivity with the vetronics, which place the RCWS at the heart of collaborative combat.

Thales brings on board the vehicles all the technologies enabling the use of data and information for the collaborative engagement of the platforms. This includes onboard vetronics, which are based on computers and link all navigation, protection, observation and communication services. The onboard vetronics allows the management and merging of all data within the vehicle. The CONTACT radio software ensures the networking of forces by providing real-time communication capabilities.

Overall, the SCORPION program plans the delivery of 1 872 GRIFFON to the French army by the temporary company grouping EBMR. 936 vehicles will be presented until 2025 with all the maintenance and logistic support. Belgian army has also ordered 417 Griffon armored vehicles with the first delivery in 2025.

The Griffon VBMR (Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle) is a new development of 6x6 Multi-Role armored vehicle for the French Army under the program EBMR Scorpion (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôle - Armoured Multi-roles Vehicles). The vehicle was designed and developed by a consortium of French Companies including Nexter Systems, Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense), and Thales.

The Griffon is fitted with a remote weapon system manufactured by the French Company ARQUUS, that can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Such equipment is used on modern military vehicles, as it allows a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle.

he Griffon will have a weight of around 24,500 kg. and has been designed to offer a high level of off-road performance and a high level of ballistic protection through its modular armor system (up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4) that provides a ballistic protection against firing of small arms 14.5×114mm AP / B32 at 200 meters with 911 m/s and shell splinters at 30 m of the vehicle and mine protection 10 kg of mine explosion under the center of the hull and the wheels.

In Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) configuration, the Griffon is capable to carry a total of 11 soldiers including the driver, commander, gunner and 8 infantrymen