Belgian army evaluates Jankel LTTV light truck for Special Operations and Para-Cdo units.

In view of replacing Belgian army’s aging Unimog Jacams equipping its special forces, the Belgian Arsenal of Rocourt is evaluating the Prototype 0 of the British Jankel LTTV (Light Troop Transport Vehicle) that will be delivered in 199 units.
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Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Jankel is already the manufacturer of another – lighter – vehicleused by the Belgian Special Operation Group : the Fox RRV (Rapid Reaction Vehicle). So, this manufacturer is well acquaintrd with the Belgian army.

Following the 2015 contract to supply the Belgian Ministry of Defense with over 100 Fox Rapid Reaction Vehicles (RRV),  Jankel secured a second prestigious contract with the Belgian army to supply a new fleet of specialist tactical vehicles, under the LTTV Light Troop Transport Vehicles program. Jankel specialises in fully engineered solutions that utilise commercial-off-the-shelf base platforms and meet exact military customer requirements, standards and operational needs. The contract will see Jankel execute on this specialty by using the Mercedes Unimog U5000 platform but in civilian version, not the military one, thus unreinforced (probably a matter of cost).

The LTTV has been designed by Jankel's team of engineers to provide a modular vehicle solution that will benefit from unique removable mission modules that enable the vehicle to be re-rolled for operational platform versatility. Alongside a fully integrated suite of military sub-systems that includes a removable ballistic protection kit, a Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS), weapon mounts and communications fit, the platform will provide full interoperability with the Fox RRV fleet.

On June 30, 2017, the Belgian Ministry of Defense had approved the launch of the tendering procedure to equip Special Operations Forces with 199 new armored Light Troop Transport Vehicles.

The new LTTV wil not only equip the Special Operation Group but also the Para-Commando units for which itwill replace the old Unimog 1350Ls dating back to themid-1990s. By the way, this big Belgian army contract saved Unimog from a fatal commercial fate.

The LTTV is design to carry 8 fully equipped and armed troops in the rear compartment , on top of the driver and vehicle commander. The empty weight of the LTTV is 9.2 tons. The truck will weigh up to 10.8 tons when loaded in Paracommando service. The gearbox normally works in automatic mode but it can also be used in manual mode, be it for special use in off-road condition or in case of electronic failure of the automatic mode. The theoretical range is 1,200 km.

Regarding the protection, the LTTV’s cab has got an armored floor and armored folding front windows (the windscreen is made of two independant windows). For additional protection upon mission requirement, the cabin doors  and the cargo compartment, an RPK (Removable Protection Kit) will be available.

The exclusive pictures published by Army Recognition show Prototype 0, currently under test and improvement phase under Jankel’s scrutiny, as the future users arestill making their comments about the configuration, the SOG regretting some missing devices they have on the Jacam, but also appreciating the new advantages of the LTTV. The expertise of the Rocourt Arsenal was engaged for gravimetry, load tests with the Special Forces Group but also with the 2nd Commando Battalion. The prototype has also passed through the workshops of Peutie for transmission system assembly tests and is scheduled for range and dynamic testing in November at Elsenborn camp.

Production of the final version will start after validation by the ministry of Defense. The first deliveries were initially expected in 2019 but they have since been delayed to mid-2021.

Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal and the Unimog Jacam currently in service with the Belgian Special Forces Group (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal, rear compartment opened (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal fitted with armored doors  of the RPK (Removable Protection Kit) (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

KMW Dingo 2 MPPV (based on a Unimog 5000 chassis, like the LTTV) and Jankel LTTVprototype 0 at Rocourt Arsenal (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Test of recovery of the Jankel LTTVprototype 0 with a Renault Trucks Kerax recovery truck at Rocourt Arsenal (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)

Tow test of Jankel LTTVprototype 0 with a Renault Trucks Kerax at Rocourt Arsenal (Picture source: Gregory Collet, Technical Expert, Centre de Compétence du matériel Roulant et l'Armement, Belgian army)