The Sand Cat (Hebrew: ???? ???? ?, also Placemark Caracal ) is a combination of layers steel vehicles designed by Plasan Israel. It is based on a commercial Ford F-Series chassis that is shortened to a wheelbase of 2.84 m (112Ã, in) by Manning Equipment from Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Originally designed as a potential substitute for the AIL Force jeep from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), they have developed vehicle versions of 4 to 6 tons to carry up to 8 soldiers. Examples have been tested by the IDF in Israel and the US Army at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
A highly armored Cat Cat version featuring ceramic body parts was presented to the US military at the System Platform Demonstrator event in August 2006. At the 2008 Eurosatory, Sand Cat was featured branded as a Oshkosh Corporation product.
The new Sand Cat Stormer featuring more ballistic resistance and advanced technology will be produced by IBN Industrias Militares/IBN Military Industries (INBRA USA INC) in 2016.
Video Plasan Sand Cat
History
The Sand Cat was first shown publicly as Caracal at the AUSA show in October 2005. Since then it has been presented at various events including the 2005 Milipol law enforcement show in Paris, 2006 Mid-America Trucking Show, and 2006 Eurosatory with the name "Sand Cat".
In June 2008, Sand Cat was relaunched as a product of Oshkosh Defense. Now based on the 9-ton F550 chassis, it is being pitched to fill the gap between armored HMMWV and JLTV anticipated. The Oshkosh Sand Cat includes lessons learned from the MRAP series and features that absorb the impact of the suspended seats and the V-hulls to increase armor protection at the bottom. In 2010 SandCat was upgraded with double-bottom protection from the previous version. The Sand Cat Tactical Protective Vehicle was first launched in LAAD 2011.
Local production of Sand Cat is done by Blindajes Epel for the Mexican Army, with the help of Oshkosh Defense.
Maps Plasan Sand Cat
Design
The design was described by the Israeli car magazine Hegeh as "sexy as a female air force commander". The trapezoidal side windows are designed to reduce the weight of the transparent armor without affecting the field of vision.
The body is fully armored using a combination of armored steel, ceramics, and composites to provide a modular armor package area that can be replaced at various threat levels. Sand paint is reported to have excellent handling and acceleration for armored vehicles. The interior can accommodate an open litter.
Variant
- Sand Cat Utility
- Sand Cat Transport
- Sand Cat SOV: Inaugurated at the 2009 Defense Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) exhibition, marketed to countries for special military forces requiring mobile vehicles to operate in remote locations.
- Sand Cat Plus: In July 2007, Plasan released information about a new version of Sand Cat, "Sand Cat Plus". Featuring a station wagon-style body and eight seats it is designed as a low-profile vehicle for use by elite units. Unlike the Military Sand Cat, Plus is equipped with full side body moldings and is painted in civilian colors. Although the SUV's appearance still has a high level of armor and NBC and fire prevention systems. It has a very small turning circle and has been described as very fast for a 7 ton vehicle.
- Sand Cat Stormer
- Sand Cat M-PLV: Showcased in 2010, the Light-Protected Mine Patrol Vehicle is intended for missions that require protection from mine explosions, IEDS and AP ammunition.
- TPV Cat Sand
- Cat MX: A Mexican-made variant made for the Mexican military.
- Sand Cat Granite: sophisticated reconnaissance vehicle based on IAI 'EL/I-3302 Intelligence Surveillance & amp; Reconnaissance Vehicle (ISRV) developed by Elta.
Operator
- Azerbaijan
- Brazil
- Ã, Bulgarian
- Ã, Canada
- Colombian
- Israel
- Kazakhstan
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Polish
- South Korea
- Swedish
- Ukraine
See also
- AIL M325 Command Car
- AIL Abir
- AIL Storm
- Guardium
- Humvee
- MDT David
- Wolf Armored Vehicle
References
External links
- official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia