Patria Pasi

Norwegian Sisu XA-185, belonging to the Royal Guards (Hans Majestet Kongens Garde)

The Patria Pasi (earlier known as the Sisu Pasi) is a Finnish made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier(APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. It was designed to operate with ease of use, simple structure and low-cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration of Patria Pasi is similar to most wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 versions are fully amphibious while the XA-203 is not.

Finnish Firm SISU built a wheeled 6×6 prototype in 1982 to meet the requirements of the Finnish Defence Forces as a replacement to the ageing Russian BTR-60’s in service at the time. The SISU XA-180 prototype was selected after trials and entered production in 1984, which has now been carried out by Patria for a number of years.

The series is known as the XA-180, as well as Patria Pasi and includes new XA designationed vehicles as the series has been upgraded over the years such as the XA-200. The series has been exported to a number of countries due to its high performance on UN Peace keeping missions, as original sales and still proven popular with a number of 2nd hand sales as more modern 8×8 vehicles such as the German Boxer and Patria AMV are being purchased as its replacement with those nations who originally purchased it. Production of the vehicle has now ceased.

Weight 13.5 tonnes
Length 7.35 m
Width 2.9 m
Height 2.77 m
Crew 2 (+16 passengers)
Armor 10 mm
Primary armament 12.7 mm (aka .50cal) NSV machine gun
Engine various per model –XA-180: Valmet 611 DSBJA diesel
XA-200: Valmet 612 DWIBIC (EURO 2), 6 in-line cylinders, turbo-charged, intercooled diesel
XA-180: 236 hp (176 kW)
XA-200; 271 hp (202 kW) at 2100 rpm, max torque 1080 Nm at 1600 rpm
Power/weight ratio 17.48 hp/tonne
Suspension parabolic leaf-springs with hydraulic shock absorbers
Operational range 900 km
Speed 100+ km/h, swim 10 km/h

Versions

Sisu XA-180

Original six wheeler, carries crew of 2 and 16 troops. Empty weight ca 12 tonnes.

Sisu XA-185

Upgraded version, carries crew of 2 and 18 troops. Has a more powerful engine and improved power transmission. Used as ambulance in the Norwegian Army.

Sisu XA-186

Upgraded armour. Armoured and machine assisted gun turret (.50 BMG). Can not swim because of the heavy armour. Empty weight ca 19 tonnes. Engine and transmission same as XA-185.

Sisu XA-188

Used by the Netherlands Army.

Sisu XA-200

The 200 series looks a little different from older variants due to increased armour. It lacks amphibious capabilities but can wade through water that is up to 1.5 m deep. The improved armour protects the passengers against up to 14.5 mm small arms fire. It is also equipped with modern optical aids like periscopes and night vision. The armor upgrade was initiated after the realisation that the previous armor was inadequate, even modern armor-piercing 7.62 mm ammunition could pierce the older XA-180 and XA-185 models in certain areas. The XA-202 was originally developed for Communications and Command. The XA-203 was made as a temporary replacement for XA-185, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service.

There are numerous sub-versions of the different main versions, e.g. armored personnel carriers, ambulance, communications, surface-to-air missile carrier, radar vehicle, headquarters, fire-fighting and anti-tank versions among others.

MambaTM Mk5 Magirus

The Next Generation of the Legendary Armoured Vehicle

Osprea Logistics is proud to launch the next generation of the legendary
Mamba APC, the Mk5 – now with more power, innovative tactical capacities,
advanced technology and new, upgraded armour protection.

Faced with 21st Century threats, governments, corporates and organisations
operating in conflict environments repeatedly request the Mamba vehicles they
know and trust.

The latest version of the legendary Mamba armoured vehicle – the Mamba
Mk5 – provides even higher degrees of ballistic and mine protection, excellent
mobility and more manoeuvrability than ever before.

The Mamba was one of the most successful wheeled vehicles designed to
protect multi-role forces operating in mine-threatened environments. Thousands
of Mamba vehicles have been built in South Africa; and most are still in service
in military, combat and peace-keeping operations, across Africa and the world.

The Mamba has a documented and enviable in-service record for userfriendliness, safety, performance reliability and ease of logistics support.

Sound in its ballistic and ergonomic design, it remains the preferred choice in
medium-sized wheeled armoured vehicles.

The new Mamba Mk5 retains all of the legendary design and performance
capabilities of the Mamba pedigree, combined with the latest improvements
and modifications critical for 21st Century combat operations. All this at a price
point that reflects the realities of today’s budgetary requirements.

As the owner of the Mamba brand, only Osprea Logistics produces new Mamba
Mk5 vehicles.

www.osprea.com
• Combat proven pedigree
• Maximum power, manoeuvrability, and protection
• Advantageous price point

Core Operational Advantages of the Mamba Mk5

The Mamba Mk5 Magirus is stronger and more powerful than its competitors,
with improved manoeuvrability and performance, especially in urban theatres.
Its class-leading performance highlights include:
Top Speed 105 kph
gradient ability 70%
Tipping angle 32.7º
Vertical Step up 600 mm
Fording Depth 1,200 mm
ground clearance 340 mm
range km 800
Turning circle (m) 13.5 m
Payload 3,630 kg
Power to weight 14.81 kw/ton

• Dual layer armour (an effective upgrade from 8 mm to 13 mm). Armoured
back plate on side storage bins and rear door.

• Additional appliqué plates and armoured glass panes can be fitted and
removed as required, in the A + B Armour System.

• Sole adherence to European and NATO components.

• Extreme engineering at an advantageous price.

• Up to 7 roof-firing points, 3 fixed weapons mounts or turrets and weapons
systems capabilities up to 20 mm rifles, mortar platforms, or multiple rocket
launchers.

• Optional configurations: armoured personnel carrier, infantry fighting
vehicle, fully fitted 2-stretcher ambulance, command and control vehicle
and multi- modal communications platforms.

• Production capability of up to 25 units per month with options for co-located
assembly facilities at client venue.

• Full warranty protection for vehicle and drive train.

• Optional Osprea Logistics operator, mechanic training and on-site repair
and maintenance services.

• Combat protection against anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, IEDs,
RPGs and rifles up to 7.62 mm.

VPK-7829 Bumerang (Boomerang) Armored Personnel Carrier

Russia's rearmament program will see the replacement of the iconic Soviet BTR-80 with a new armored personnel carrier known as the Boomerang.

The Boomerang is still about two years away from serial production, but it will take part in this year's May 9 parade.
 

Recently a new family of 8x8 armored vehicles was developed in Russia. The project is known as the Bumerang (boomerang). A baseline vehicle is an armored personnel carrier. The new APC was revealed to Russian military officials in 2013. The whole project is being kept in high secrecy. It is being developed alongside a new-generation Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicle. First APCs were delivered to the Russian Army for trials and evaluation in 2013. The Bumerang was first publicly revealed in 2015. Once approved, full-scale production is expected to begin in 2015.

Once operational this new-generation APC should replace a whole host of ageing Russian armored vehicles. The estimated requirement is at least 2 000 vehicles.

In the early 90s the BTR-90 was developed in Russia. It had a more powerful armament, improved protection greater mobility and increased internal volume, comparing with the previous BTR-80. However it was not accepted to service with the Russian Army, possibly due to funding problems. Since 2010 Russia stopped purchasing the older BTR-80 APCs. Currently improved BTR-82 is being obtained as a stop-gap measure until a new vehicle is available. In 2011 Russian MoD issued a requirement for a modular family of armored vehicles instead of the BTR-90.

The new vehicle has modular design. It has been reported that a number of components and subsystems are interchangeable with Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicle.

Engine of the Bumerang is located at the front of the hull. Troops will leave the new vehicle via rear doors, or roof hatches. It is worth mentioning that a rear-mounted engine of the BTR series APCs was a significant drawback, as troops had to leave the vehicle via side doors. Cramped side entry and exit hatches are even worse on BTR-70 APCs, which is still in service with the Russian Army. If such vehicle is ambushed, troops usually have to leave it under direct enemy fire.

It is most likely that the Bumerang will have a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver. It will carry around 7 soldiers.

The new armored personnel carrier will be fitted with remotely controlled weapon station. Various stations are being developed, armed with 30-mm cannon, 12.7-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns. Vehicle might be also fitted with anti-tank guided missile launchers.

The new APC will have an 8x8 configuration. It will be fitted with a turbocharged diesel engine, developing around 500 hp. The same engine will be also used on Kurganets-25 next-generation infantry fighting vehicle. It seems that the new vehicle will be fully amphibious. On water it will be propelled by two waterjets.

Other armored vehicles of the Bumerang family will include armored ambulance, command post vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, anti-tank missile carrier, air defense missile launcher, fire support vehicle, mortar carrier, and other. It seems that with these vehicle Russia plans to equip rapid deployment brigades, similar to US Stryker brigades.

Entered service	expected in 2015
Crew	3 men
Personnel	~ 7 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight	15 ~ 20 t
Length	~ 8 m
Width	~ 3 m
Height	~ 3 m
Armament
Main gun	30-mm (?)
ATGW	Kornet-EM (?)
Machine guns	1 x 7.62-mm (?)
Ammunition load
Main gun	500 rounds (?)
ATGW	4 missiles (?)
Machine guns	2000 x 7.62-mm (?)
Mobility
Engine	diesel
Engine power	~ 500 hp
Maximum road speed	~ 100 km/h
Amphibious speed on water	~ 10 km/h
Range	~ 800 km
Maneuverability
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	~ 0.6 m
Trench	~ 2 m
Fording	Amphibious

LAV-25 Upgrades

Marines from 1st LAR Battalion prepare to move out in their LAV-25A2 to the range on Al Asad Air Base. The Marines first have to calibrate the sights on their small-arms prior to going on real-world operations, February 2, 2009.

An up-armored program was successfully completed in April 1991 utilizing Light Appliqué System Technique (LAST) ceramic tile armor kits developed by the Foster-Miller Inc. The $2 million contract was awarded for 75 prototype kits to add additional armor for LAVs deploying to Saudi Arabia. The appliqué armor within the LAST kits utilizes a hook and loop attachment system and can be installed by the crew to add protection from .50-caliber/12.7mm and 14.5mm rounds. Yet the kits were developed too late to see action during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. After the war, the LAST kits were split, equipping Marine LAV units on the East and West Coasts. 

In 1998, Marine LAV units started to receive passive armor systems with protection against 20mm armor-piercing rounds fired from 15m away. Known as the Composite Ceramic Armor (CCA) system, the kits were produced by the Ordnance Systems Division of Rafael, Israel.

SLEP

In 2000, the Marine Corps selected Metric Systems of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to perform a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the branch's remaining 770 LAVs. The program was initiated to increase survivability, reliability, and bring down the operational and support costs. To increase the LAV survivability, add-on camouflage panels were used to reduce the vehicle's visual signature, as well as heat emissions. The vehicle's exhaust system was treated to improve thermal reduction. Electrical and electronic systems with high failure rates were upgraded, and corrosion control was improved, decreasing the operational cost per vehicle. A heads-up display (HUD) was integrated into the driver's compartment to improve safety during operations. LAVs assigned to fleet locations had the SLEP kits installed by contractors. Depot personnel located at Albany, Georgia, and Barstow, California, would also install the SLEP kits as needed when an LAV underwent inspections. Once an LAV had received the SLEP upgrades, it was designated an LAV-A1, the first of which was ready for service in May 2003. 

LAV-A2 Program

In 2005 a Marine Corps force structure review board added five companies to the four LAR battalions, with a goal of increasing the LAV inventory to 1,005 vehicles. Additional procurement began in 2006, with 125 vehicles needed to field the additional companies. The new vehicles would incorporate lessons learned from experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, these conflicts contributing to significant survivability upgrades within the Marine Corps' LAV program. The changes gave the vehicle a new A2 designation. The A2's external changes include a three-kit armor system designed to increase survivability against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and kinetic energy weapons. The additional weight of the new armor dictated a change in the LAV's suspension. The upgraded suspension consists of improved shocks, struts, torsion bars, drive shafts, and steering knuckles. 

Internal changes include an automatic fire suppression system and better ballistic protection within the hull. The turret upgrade utilizes electric power to traverse, replacing the hydraulic system. A Raytheon AN/PAS-13 Improved Thermal Sight System (ITSS) allows for increased lethality in all-weather day/night conditions. The sight incorporates a new laser rangefinder, fire-control solutions, and improved target acquisition, giving the A2 enhanced first-hit performance. In February 2006, a contract was awarded to General Dynamics to produce the LAV-A2s, with multiple variants, the first of which was accepted on October 12, 2007. The majority of the 893 LAV vehicles within the Marine Corps' inventory as of 2011 have been brought up from the LAV-A1 baseline to the A2 standard. The last of the LAV-A1 variants within the inventory will be upgraded as they are rotated from maritime prepositioning ships.

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BTR-60 PB

Unlike the BTR-50P series, the BTR-60P series has an 8 x 8 wheeled drive configuration, with the power being derived from two GAZ-49B petrol engines. 

Entering service during the early 1960s, the original BTR-60P had an open troop compartment while the later (and far more numerous) BTR-60PA (also known as the BTR-60PK) had an armoured roof.

On the BTR-60PB a turret, mounting a 14.5 mm heavy MG and a coaxial 7.62 mm MG, was added, reducing the number of troops carried from 16 to 14. 

In its day the BTR-60 series were widely used as APCs but are now little encountered in this role. Instead the BTR-60P series has become a veritable maid of all work throughout the Eastern Bloc and elsewhere. Variants abound. Just to list them would fill many pages but essentially they include numerous command vehicle types, some having specialised installations for artillery or signals units, while others are equipped for various communication purposes or for electronic warfare (EW) with prominent antennae arrays. 

There are also artillery observation vehicles, others are front line mobile workshops, while in several Third-World nations BTR-60P series vehicles are employed for police or para-military duties, At least one type of forward air control post for directing strike aircraft was developed, There have been many user nations over the years and the type can still be encountered in countries such as Cambodia, Cuba, Angola and Turkey (who received a batch of 300 ex-East German vehicles during the early 1990s); the only Warsaw Pact nations not to use the BTR-60P were the Czechs and the Poles. Some nations, such as Cuba, have added roof-mounted light air defence guns or recoilless anti-armour weapons. 

At least 34 user nations have been identified and there may well be more. 

A licence was issued to Romania to produce a BTR-60PB-based model known as the TAB-71, from which a 4 x 4 scout car (the TABC-79) was developed.

Specification (BTR-60PB)

Crew: 2

Seating: 14

Weight: (combat) 10,300 kg

Length: 7.56m

Width: 2.825m

Height: (hull top) 2.055 m

Ground clearance: 0.475 m

Track: 2.37m

Max speed: (road) 80 km/h

Fuel capacity: 290 litres

Range: 500 km

Fording: amphibious

Vertical obstacle: 0.4m

Engine: 2 x GAZ-49B petrol

Power output: 2 x 90 hp

Suspension: torsion bar

Armament: 1 x 14.5 mm MG; 1 x7.62mmMG

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