Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is receiving a new all-terrain wheeled vehicle for liaison and patrol tasks. The requirement is 350 units. The Israeli manufacturer of protected vehicles, Plasan, has developed the light, protected off-road vehicle Hyrax based on the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz.

The agile vehicle, which weighs just 4.8 tons with a payload of 810 kg, is designed for use in urban environments and off-road on paved and unpaved paths. The chassis of the G-Class 300 GDI has all-wheel drive, a Euro III engine with 136 kW, rigid axles with reinforced suspension, automatic transmission and switchable longitudinal and transverse locking differentials. Two generators (14 V and 28 V) with a total of 5.3 kW supply three 60A batteries with electrical energy and enable continuous operation of the electronic devices (silent watch) and the delivery of electrical energy to external consumers.

In der Kabine können neben Fahrer und Kommandant je nach Missionsanforderungen und -ausstattung bis zu vier Personen in unterschiedlicher Position (Blick nach vorn, nach hinten, zur Seite) untergebracht werden. Mit der „Plasan Kitted Hull Technology“ kann der Schutz modular dem Bedarf angepasst werden. Die Schutzlösungen in Composit- oder Metall-Composit-Technik sind in die verschraubten Kabinenmodule integriert und erreichen Schutz bis Level 2 nach STANAG 4569. Die schweißfreie Kabinenlösung bietet Kostenvorteile für Logistik und Instandsetzung.

Plasan's Hyrax is based on the extremely successful Mercedes G-Class. Photo: Heiming

Dank der kompakten Abmessungen (L/B/H 4,57 m/1,95 m/2,10 m) und des Gewichts unter fünf Tonnen kann der Hyrax in Transportflugzeugen des Typs C-130 und größer transportiert werden.

The cabin roof is designed to accommodate remote-controlled weapon stations, such as EB5 or Mini Samson, with machine weapons up to a caliber of 12.7 mm. These two-axis stabilized stations can be operated from the protected cabin and offer day/night optics and target tracking.

After prototype testing, offers must be submitted by the end of the year. The selected manufacturer is scheduled to deliver additional test vehicles in the third quarter of 2022.

The prototype shown at the Mercedes-Benz Defense Vehicle Experience in Erzberg/Austria in September 2021 was based on the W 461 series of the G-Class, which is expected to no longer be available. Therefore, before series production begins, the Hyrax will probably be migrated to the W 464 series, which was recently introduced for military applications. In this case, the vehicle would benefit from the significantly improved mobility of the new G-Class.

Editors / gwh

Related topics

Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 300 CDI 6X6 with double cab for Sweden Protected 4×4 StormRider presented by Plasan New G-Class for military and civilian emergency services New G-Class for the military Swiss Army has received 1,190 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Smash Hopper shown for the first time on a 4×4 tactical vehicle G class for Dutch airborne troops Mercedes wants to introduce a new special protection vehicle IDEX - Sprinter - MUROS for surveillance and observation