RAFAEL announce the MANTIS fast attack vehicle

[2RHPZ]

Rafael Armament Development Authority of Israel unveiled the prototype of the Mantis high-mobility attack vehicle - the latest addition to its land systems programme - at the 14-18 June Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris.

http://10.5.4.101/www.rafael.co.ill/web/rafnew/images/Mantis.jpg

MANTIS - A Complete Upgrade Package
for Fast Attack Vehicles

The MANTIS ATGM & Reconnaissance multi-purpose vehicle upgrade combines the sensors, C4I system and the weapon on the same platform in order to quickly close the critical attack cycle.

The system consists of six spike missile with two in ready-to-launch position and utilizes the C4I system to detect, plan and communicate with other forces. The surveillance and reconnaissance system uses day and night cameras, LRF and GPS system.

Main Features and Benefits:

- Fire & Forget and Fire, Observe & Update capabilities enable operational flexibility
- Specially suited to urban operations
- Provides attack capabilities against in-depth, high value point targets
- Shortens sensor-to-shooter cycle between reconnaissance and assault forces
- Increased fire management efficiency
- Enables mission and path planning
- Situation awareness display
- Provides battle management support
- Mobile reconnaissance and observation system for military and civilian missions
- High resolution imagery, target acquisition and transmission in day, night and adverse weather conditions

http://www.rafael.co.il/web/rafnew/products/brochures/Mantis.pdf

[2RHPZ]

http://10.5.4.103/www.defense-update.comm/images/ram2000.jpg
IAI/Ramta has recently completed the development of its advanced version of the RAM armored vehicle, designated RAM 2000. The vehicle is an armored car, protected from 7.62 fire. The fighting compartment of the latest version was extended by 25cm, but retained the protection and mine protection capability which were also available in the original design. Other new features are improved accessibility for maintenance and repair, and improved ergonomics.

The new model is equipped with a turbo-charged 166 hp diesel and improved automotive system, which offers better mobility, including ground clearance of 53cm, side slope of 30%, crossing of a 0.8m' vertical obstacle, (fording of 1 m' deep water obstacle) and 60% gradient. The RAM 2000 weighs 4.6 tons unloaded, and can carry a payload of 1.2 tons. Ramta offers 12 different models of the vehicle, tailored to the customer's requirements. In LIC 2004 the company demonstrated a reconnaissance vehicle, equipped with remotely controlled POP 200 optronic payload which can be operated from he vehicle, or transmit images back to the control station.

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The new protection suit, designed by Plasan Sasa for the Greek up-armored Humvee (Hummer) provides level II protection armor, including mine protection (up to 3.5kg explosives under any wheel.) The new suit retains the Humvee's tactical agility and cross country mobility, enabling the vehicle to carry 1.3 tons of payload in addition to the crew and their gear. The vehicle is fitted with multiple access doors and sufficient open space to enable maximum utilization of available and protected space. It is also fitted with a new low profile hatch attached to the a standard machine gun ring mount.

A new model of a protected hummer, designed for six passengers is currently under development at Plasan. This version is designed to respond an IDF requirement and will be equipped with a 1.326 ton armor suite. It will be higher than current Humvees, and will be installed with a semi-protected firing position which could be substituted with a remotely controlled weapon station. The total weight of the vehicle will be 5,496 kg, (permissible weight for the vehicle is 5.5 tons).

The current IDF protected hummers, which were also produced by Plasan, weigh 5.216 tons. Due to budgetary constraints, the IDF is currently procuring these protected Hummers from O'Gara Inc., in the USA.

http://10.5.4.103/www.defense-update.comm/images/hummer-new.jpg