JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - DECEMBER 10, 2003
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Swiss present Eagle IV vehicle
PAOLO VALPOLINI JDW Correspondent
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Additional reporting by Christopher F Foss JDW Land Forces Editor
London
The new Eagle IV 4 x 4 light armoured vehicle was rolled out late last month by MOWAG, a division of General Dynamics' European Land Combat Systems (Jane's Defence Weekly 25 June).
MOWAG has received orders for almost 500 Eagles in the Mk I, II and III versions for home and export markets, all based on the US AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle chassis.
Developed as a private venture, the Eagle IV is based on the new Duro II chassis built in 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 configurations. MOWAG acquired the Duro unit from Bucher Industries in 2002.
The Eagle IV has a gross weight of 7.4 tonnes, comprising a baseline weight of five tonnes and a 2.4 tonne payload.
The vehicle offers a significant increase in payload over the Eagle I/II/III, enabling it to undertake a wider range of roles. For MOWAG, it gives a much higher value content as the chassis complete with power pack does not have to be imported from overseas.
The vehicle is powered by a EURO III-compliant Cummins ISBe 5.9L turbo-diesel engine developing 184kW (250hp), which is coupled to an Allison automatic five-speed transmission. It can reach 120km/h and has an on-road range of 480km.
Cabin protection can be increased from Level 1 to Level 3, while protection against mines can be brought up to Level 2a with the adoption of add-on kits.
The Eagle IV is 5.09m long, 2.16m wide and 2m high. It can carry four troops.
"We strongly count on the synergy between the Eagle IV and the Duro to succeed on the market," Jürg Gygax, MOWAG chief executive officer, told JDW. "We are looking at co-operative production, although the drive train production will be carried out in Switzerland."
The Eagle IV was developed in only 10 months and a second prototype is now being built.
The vehicle will make its first public appearance at the AUSA Winter Symposium and Exhibition at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in March.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swiss present Eagle IV vehicle
PAOLO VALPOLINI JDW Correspondent
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Additional reporting by Christopher F Foss JDW Land Forces Editor
London
The new Eagle IV 4 x 4 light armoured vehicle was rolled out late last month by MOWAG, a division of General Dynamics' European Land Combat Systems (Jane's Defence Weekly 25 June).
MOWAG has received orders for almost 500 Eagles in the Mk I, II and III versions for home and export markets, all based on the US AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle chassis.
Developed as a private venture, the Eagle IV is based on the new Duro II chassis built in 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 configurations. MOWAG acquired the Duro unit from Bucher Industries in 2002.
The Eagle IV has a gross weight of 7.4 tonnes, comprising a baseline weight of five tonnes and a 2.4 tonne payload.
The vehicle offers a significant increase in payload over the Eagle I/II/III, enabling it to undertake a wider range of roles. For MOWAG, it gives a much higher value content as the chassis complete with power pack does not have to be imported from overseas.
The vehicle is powered by a EURO III-compliant Cummins ISBe 5.9L turbo-diesel engine developing 184kW (250hp), which is coupled to an Allison automatic five-speed transmission. It can reach 120km/h and has an on-road range of 480km.
Cabin protection can be increased from Level 1 to Level 3, while protection against mines can be brought up to Level 2a with the adoption of add-on kits.
The Eagle IV is 5.09m long, 2.16m wide and 2m high. It can carry four troops.
"We strongly count on the synergy between the Eagle IV and the Duro to succeed on the market," Jürg Gygax, MOWAG chief executive officer, told JDW. "We are looking at co-operative production, although the drive train production will be carried out in Switzerland."
The Eagle IV was developed in only 10 months and a second prototype is now being built.
The vehicle will make its first public appearance at the AUSA Winter Symposium and Exhibition at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in March.
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