Eurosatory 2018; many emerging news, many MRAPs and amphibians. Italy impresses the marines, the great TATRA production

(To Gianluca Celentano)
25/06/18

The 2018 edition of Eurosatory, the biennial event of the defense industries, took place in Paris.

The first impact in the face of so much interactive technology brings to mind the film series Impossible mission with Tom Cruise, in which even the undersigned was convinced that many special effects were only the result of the fervent imagination of the director.

We know that military research is far ahead of civilian research: here in Paris the most famous industrial groups met to present the unthinkable for the defense sector.

Curious and spectacular are, for example, the paints that change color, the interactive LED NBC masks or the virtual consoles for preparing for missions. CBRN systems have also found great space.

The concept that passes, after observing images and stands, consists in the radical change of the "Defense system", less and less tied to the number of units and increasingly focused on remote "safe" attack and defense devices.

As for the Tokyo airport, in addition to the kind hostesses who received the world military delegations, there was a robot with human features and able to interact with visitors' requests, clearly recognizing the language and responding sympathetically to the many questions.

MRAP and amphibians, TATRA triumphs, Italy top in the search

In addition to the technology included in the weapon systems, individual weapons, optics, fabrics for uniforms rather than shoes, glasses and objects, there were several manufacturers of vehicles for military use and among these stood out the typology Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) of foreign production, currently among the most popular vehicles.

Beyond its valid production signed Iveco Defense Vehicles and some aesthetic restyling, Italy has proposed an updated version of the MUV Military Utility Vehicle / 70.20, which aroused many perplexities in the public compared to the good old VM90. On the other hand, the enviable success and interest received by our country regarding engineering research and Leonardo operating systems with the new IDV amphibian, the ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle, in the photo) produced in collaboration with BAE Systems for the US marines and capable of carrying 13 soldiers with interesting performances.

Other well-known brands in the defense sector were present, including the undisputed KMW and Mercedes Defense, while among the most interesting in the world I remember Finland with PATRIA AMW, the Czech Republic with TATRA and EA Excalibur Army, Spain with URO VAMTAC, Turkey with OTOKAR and the USA with POLARIS and the related production of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV).

Many other companies were present with interesting proposals which, due to quality, technology and competitive costs, would perhaps be able to acquire an important slice of the market which today - source Sipri - amounts to a good 1739 billion dollars.

The Swedish Scania - 45% of Volkswagen - was also present with protected logistic trucks or simply with reliable "loaner mechanics" such as that fitted out in the latest generation PATRIA Multi-Purpose Armored Vehicle, with 540 hp engine ( the same tested on Swedish trucks) capable of overcoming, despite its 27 tons, 100 km / h on land and 10 km / h in water.

We can understand why Irizar Bus Italia wanted to power the new buses mainly Scania and MAN, 13% in the Swedish company.

With TATRA I had long ago perceived a possible exploit from its borders for Defense production. In fact, this Czech company founded in 1850 and which today enters into agreements with Mercedes Benz, has the credentials and the technology necessary to make its unstoppable 8X8s appreciated, and this thanks also to an intelligent investment in communication as in the case of the events of Trucks Trial, where Tatra has always stood out for quality and efficiency thanks also to the patented longitudinal “central tube” from which the axles for the wheels start.

Let's now have some quick description of the means ...

EA Excalibur PATRIOT 4X4 MATMMV (Medium Armored Tactical Multi-Mission Vehicle)

A Czech Multirole built on Tatra mechanics with commercial name T815 Patriot.

The aggressive line strikes in particular, the design seems designed to convey omnipotence, but what is surprising is the speed with which it can lower or rise from the ground thanks to the rapid filling of the air suspension according to the need for operational viability. Totally armored, simple but technologically advanced it has attracted the attention of many armies that are winking at him for the characteristics of versatility and mobility, with the 130 km / h and 300 hp of its American engine Cummins ISB to 6 cylinders turbo diesel and its Allison automatic transmission to 5 gears. It has an autonomy of well 500 km and can cover side slopes in the order of 31 ° (60%) and 45 ° fronts - but also something more - and this thanks to the mass distribution of its "central tube".

STANAG 4569 Level 3 standard and Level 2a / 2b standard approved, it can be equipped in a turret with 7.62, 12.7 and 40 mm MG weapons, carrying seven military personnel depending on the equipment. Particular is the use of sturdy steel grates behind the shell to protect the external mirrors.

Curiosity: in its production Tatra also includes a two-axle logistic version, the 790R99 38, very similar to our legendary ACM80 / 90.

Strictly Michelin tires; the French house has always provided tires with tattered for civil and military use, be they runflat rather than with an internal bulletproof core, multi-seasonal and resistant to aggressive chemicals and strong heat.

FNSS PARS III 8X8 amphibious Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicle

Turkey presents the armored "on rubber" Pars III 8X8 even if in vision there is an interesting version 4X4 armored and amphibious, really very agile. It is a VBM - medium armored vehicle - of 25 tons and 7 meters in length with independent pneumatic suspension protected by an oscillating ballistic fairing together with independent wheels. It has a 7-speed transmission and, like everyone now, permanent traction and a survival cell for the occupants. It can be fitted with a 600 hp Caterpillar engine or a 500 hp German Deuz engine and reaches 100 km / h with a range of 700 km.

The slopes that can be surmounted from the side and from the front are also interesting. It can overtake ditches of 2 meters of width or obstacles of 80 cm and level its attitude even only laterally or from the front rather than from the rear. A feature that allows you to move the center of gravity and transit on lateral slopes in the order of 30%. Thanks to the 8 steering wheels, its narrow radius occupies only 8 meters of space. It can also move sideways like a construction machine. The seats have a special shock absorber that absorbs explosions and thanks to the prismatic crystals the vision of the conductor exceeds the 180 °. In addition to the system Can Bus System, sensors and thermal cameras, the Turkish 8x8 still has many newcomers for security and simultaneous response to fire, but listing them all would be really long even if interesting and compelling.

It can withstand the explosion of well 10 kg of tnt under the hull. In Afghanistan, two FNSS vehicles would have been hit by RPG-7 and would have returned without problems to the base.

URO VAMTAC HMTV "High Mobility Tactical Vehicle"

Spain is present with interesting news but we describe one of the "small" of Iberian production after the giants illustrated above. The Urovesa production is interesting with this 4x4 available in different tactical / logistic conformations. 4.8 meters long by 2.1 meters wide and 1.9 meters high, it can cross fords diving up to 1,5 meters and overcome slopes of 70%, 35 degrees. Its 200 hp Steyr Td engine and its 5-speed gearbox make it reach 135 km / h with a range of 600 km. Excellent and much appreciated for its speed and reliability.

PATRIA AMV Armored Modular Vehicle

The Finnish Patria also has an 8x8 with a SCANIA engine in 12 V-cylinders and 480 or 540 cv. It can reach the 100 km / h road and the 10 in water transporting up to 12 military. It has an interchangeable structure based on the use and homologation provides resistance against the piercing projectiles of 30 mm. Its modern and captivating line with LED lights conceals highly technological instruments for the identification of the adversary even if not visible.

Otokar Cobra II

The name Cobra it is due, with some imagination, to the resemblance - probably desired and to have less ballistic impact - of its front that recalls the open hood of the very poisonous reptiles in guard and attack position. This is the latest armored 4x4 Turkish armor with 9 seats for the crew with 6.7 cc td engine with well 280 CV but is also available with 480 cv 3 axles. Twelve tons of mass for about 6 meters in length and a width of 2.5 meters. Imposing and very versatile and prepared anti NBCR, reaches the 120 km / h with an Allison gearbox six ratios. We could define it, also for its safety cell and for its characteristics and protection, as a Mediterranean competitor of our VTLM Lince.

Otokar Arma 8x8 amphibious

Caterpillar C9 engine from 480 cv with 7 automatic gears that produce 100km / h on road and smooth dirt road, where its 18 tons of mass move with agility especially if you choose hydropneumatic suspensions instead of the telescopic system with coil springs. It has the 4 steering axles and the navigation propellers are activated by hydraulic pressure. It can carry up to 14 military inside the protected cell and in extreme cases it can move even with only the two central axes.

Really many means but what is the best?

This could be the question of many in the light of the innovations presented, which in reality all seem to have a precise DNA in common, that is safety and versatility. Probably with the current Nato approvals there is no best or worst but if anything, the efficiency of the after-sales service and related costs must be verified. In the face of a more or less questionable sales business, which in any case creates wealth for nations, it should be considered that many of these "performance improvements" on the vehicles will probably never be used.

If we think of the simple and spartan Iveco 330.30 orange curlers of Overland with only the front and rear winches and their epic "Humanitarian" world tour passing through the most critical points, we will understand that reliability and simplicity often prevail over a thousand technological discoveries.

On the other hand the armor, which are probably more suited to athletic physicists and not too high must be tested primarily by their main users, at least to bring out details or problems worthy of changes, business apart. A utopia?

Modern Armed Forces

The concept of "military" known with the draft is now widely outdated as we know. Currently lean, dynamic and at the same time technologically prepared and fast departments are preferred, by virtue of the fact that the types of conflict have changed.

Increasingly, we are dealing with unconventional guerrillas who produce attacks rather than conflicts in the trenches. Former CSMD general Vincenzo Camporini is, with good reason, skeptical about the operational usefulness of restoring the military service, precisely because the numbers are not lacking, but the efficiency and modern preparation of the units already present must always be kept high. . If anything, it is necessary to re-evaluate the usefulness - but this is a free opinion - of auxiliary bodies (SMOM and Voluntary Military Corps Cri) for which volunteering and a paid service could create an interesting pool in synergy between civic and military training, aid and relief as an alternative to the current and admirable voluntary civil service for the neediest.

I take this opportunity to extend a cordial greeting to the prepared and truly brilliant doctor Elisabetta Trenta, who from this month has headed the Ministry of Defense, and to the new Chief of Staff of the General Army Salvatore Farina to whom the 1st binds me. rgt. broadcasts, its history, its men and its sacrifices.

(photo: Eurosatory / BAE Systems / FNSS / PATRIA)