Rheinmetall Designs CARACAL 4x4 Light Assault Vehicle for Special and Airborne Forces.

The German manufacturer Rheinmetall is currently presenting its 4x4 Caracal Air Assault Vehicle at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2024 event in Millbrook. Designed to meet the increasing needs of airborne forces in Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries, the CARACAL offers an innovative solution with a wide range of operational capabilities. Built on the militarized and tested chassis of the G-Class series, this versatile vehicle is distinguished by its mobility, lightweight structure, and modular ballistic protection options.

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Rheinmetall 4x4 Caracal Air Assault Vehicle  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This compact all-terrain vehicle was specifically designed for airborne operations and special forces, enabling operators to be agile and effective in hostile environments. Thanks to its speed, discreet profile, and adaptable protection, the CARACAL is a crucial ally for critical missions. Its design allows for air transport, either internally loaded or slung beneath, notably with the latest helicopter models such as the CH-47F Chinook and CH-53K King Stallion.

The CARACAL is based on the robust and versatile G-Class chassis, known for its all-terrain performance and reliability. This chassis serves as the foundation for numerous military and civilian vehicles, thanks to its durability and adaptability to various configurations and specific modifications. Its use in the CARACAL provides great flexibility, with applications ranging from troop transport to logistical missions, including reconnaissance operations and medical services.

The vehicle features an open design that can accommodate up to five people, with two seats in the front and three in the back, including a circular mount that can be equipped with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The vehicle’s superstructure, manufactured by ACS (Armored Car Systems), is designed to be easily detachable thanks to a bolted attachment system, facilitating its adaptation to various operational needs. Additionally, the circular mount is foldable, which allows the structure to pivot when the vehicle is loaded into a helicopter.

From a technical standpoint, the CARACAL measures 4,350 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,850 mm in height, with a total weight of 4,900 kg. Its payload capacity reaches 1,500 kg, and its total weight for air transport is reduced to 4,400 kg. Performance-wise, the vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 140 km/h, climb slopes of 60%, and endure a lateral tilt of 30%. With a fording depth of 700 mm and an obstacle clearance capacity of 330 mm, it demonstrates a definite aptitude for the most challenging environments.

The CARACAL's engine is a 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, compliant with Euro 3 standards, developed by Mercedes-Benz. This 3-liter engine delivers 183 kW (249 hp) and a torque of 600 Nm, paired with a Mercedes-Benz 9G-Tronic transmission. This powertrain allows it to achieve high speeds while offering excellent crossing capabilities.

For air transport, the CARACAL is particularly optimized: it can be loaded aboard CH-47F and CH-53K HTH helicopters, up to two vehicles at a time, or transported via sling load. Its modularity allows it to be configured in several variants, including transport, reconnaissance, ambulance, command post, and combat engineer group versions. Ballistic protection kits and anti-mine options are available to enhance its field resilience.

The Rheinmetall CARACAL Air Assault Vehicle can also be equipped with a variety of armaments, thus providing operational flexibility. It can be configured with heavy machine guns, SPIKE anti-tank systems, and other standard infantry weapons.

The CARACAL is equipped with Rheinmetall's ROSY rapid optical jamming system, giving it significant self-protection capability. This system allows for the deployment of a multispectral smoke screen to break contact, escape the enemy, and mask its position. Whether in motion or stationary, ROSY provides effective coverage in both visual and infrared spectrums, with integrated jamming and decoy effects. This effectively counters not only conventional weapons but also those equipped with optical devices and laser rangefinding systems.

In addition to Germany and the Netherlands, which plan to acquire more than 1,000 and 504 vehicles respectively, the Rheinmetall CARACAL has already garnered interest from other countries. Ukraine placed an initial order of five vehicles and recently confirmed an additional order of 20 units. These purchases were funded by the German government as part of its military assistance initiative to Ukraine. The first deliveries were scheduled for late 2023 and early 2024.