DEFEA 2021: Elvo and Plasan display Storm-Rider light mine-resistant 4x4 armored tactical vehicle.

At the booth of its Greek partner ELVO at DEFEA 2021, the Israeli company Plasan displays the last generation of its light mine-resistant tactical armored vehicle named Storm-Rider, a new member in the SandCat FoV family which is based on the Plasans' 4th generation SandCat architecture.

At the booth of its Greek partner Elvo, Israeli company Plasan presents its latest generation of light mine-resistant tactical armored vehicle Storm-Rider. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Storm-Rider maintains the SandCat's characteristics, with the engine at the front, crew in the middle and troops' compartment at the rear. The vehicle is able to accommodate up to 10 soldiers. The hull of the vehicle provides protection against the firing of small arms and can be configured between ballistic protection up to STANAG Level 3. It is also protected against mine threats up to Level 2a/2b STANAG 4569, 6 kg of TNT explosion under the wheels and floor of the vehicle.

The Storm-Rider is powered by a 6.7L V8 OHV Power-Stroke Turbo-Diesel engine developing 330 hp. at 2,600 rpm coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 105 km/h. It can climb a vertical step of 500 mm and can negotiate a side slope of 35° and gradient of 60%.

The Storm-Rider has four doors which are fitted with heavy-duty door handles offering ease unheard of for armored vehicles. Inside of the vehicle, dual combat locks ensure the doors stay safely closed, even after a blast. Floating floors, footpads and Energy attenuating blast seats protect the occupants and even more importantly keep them comfortable over long missions.

The entire design of the Storm-Rider is the result of optimizing geometry and material to maximize space, payload, protection and minimize weight by utilizing a flat bottom multilayer blast mitigation system, allowing the vehicle to maintain a low center of gravity and combat vehicle low profile silhouette. The interior is well-insulated and spacious, designed specifically to accept the integration of any equipment a user could need.

The roof of the Storm-Rider can be fitted with a remotely controlled weapon station that can be armed with a machine gun and controlled from inside of the vehicle.

The Storm-Rider has a Curb-Weight of 10,500 kg with a maximum payload of 1,400 kg. The seating configuration consists of two seats at the front, two seats in the middle, and six seats at the rear. There is one additional door at the rear of the hull used by the soldiers to quickly enter or leave the vehicle.