The Sherpa Light Scout is one of the variants of the Sherpa Light family designed and manufactured by the French Defense Company Renault Trucks Defense. Renault Trucks Defense launched at Eurosatory 2006 defense exhibition new members of the Sherpa family of trucks, including a tactical vehicle, armored vehicle and light truck. The Sherpa Light and the Sherpa are 4x4 vehicles all terrains mainly dedicated to projection, intervention and logistic units. The Scout variant (former Sherpa 2), available in unarmoured or armoured variants, is ideally suited for tactical missions such as scouting, patrol, convoy escort and command and liaison. It is able to transport up to 4 or 5 soldiers and a roof-mounted weapon system. , the Sherpa Light is fully air transportable (A400M / C-130), multirole and ready for being up-armoured (ballistic and mine kits). The Sherpa Light has already been adopted by NATO, France and other countries.
Variants:
- Sherpa Light APC: is a 3 doors protected troop transport version for up to 10 soldiers with their equipments. - Sherpa Light Carrier: a cargo/utility version available in unarmoured and armoured variants with a short or long cab (2 or 4 soldiers). - Sherpa light FS (Special Forces): This version is open top version of the Sherpa Light especiall designed for Special Forces units. - Sherpa Light HI: The HI “High Intensity” is ideally suited for combat missions demanding a high level of protection such as offensive scouting, counterinsurgency tasks, and convoy escort. - Sherpa Light Station Wagon: The « Station Wagon » (SW) is fully armoured and ideally suited for various tactical missions such as protected patrol and internal security.
The Sherpa Light Scout can be fitted with open-top turret or a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) armed with weapons up to 12,7 mm calibre. The weapon system is mounted at the center of the roof crew compartment. With the RCWS the weapon is controlled from inside the vehicle thanks to a joystick and LCD video screen. In addition, the system provides enhanced situational awareness under the protection of the vehicle.
Design and protection
The layout of the Sherpa Light Scout is conventional with the engine at the front, crew and troops compartment in the middle and cargo area at the rear. There is two seats at the front for driver and commander and two or three seats at the rear. There is two doors on each side of the vehicle with small bulletproof window and firing port. It can carry a total of 4 to 5 soldiers. The Sherpa Light Scout has a large interior volume/payload capacity, and offers protection against multiple threats, as firing of small arms and mine blast.
Mobility
The Sherpa Light Scout is motorized with Renault MD-5 diesel engine developing 215 hp and one of the highest ground clearance of the market, the Sherpa Light Scout is a high mobility vehicle able to cross any obstacle including gradients of up to 100%. The engine is coupled to an automatic transmission Allison S250, with 6 forward gears and 1 reverse. The vehicle is able to run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km. The Sherpa Light Scout can negotiate a gradient of 60% and side slopes of 40%. It can cross natural or man-made obstacles up to 500mm high, trenches 0.9 m wide and fording depth of 0.75 m without preparation and 1.5 m with preparation.
Accessories
Standard equipment of the Sherpa Light Scout includes electric winch mounted at the front of the vehicle and air conditioning. The tyres of the Sherpa Light Scout are fitted with a run-flat device, allowing vehicle mobility even when one or more tires are flat. The vehicle is also equipped with a central tyres inflation system (CTIS) which provides smoother ride on different terrains.
