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 addition to the driver and commander, up to four people can be accommodated in the cabin in different positions (looking forward, backwards, to the side), depending on mission requirements and equipment. With the “Plasan Kitted Hull Technology” the protection can be modularly adapted to requirements. The protection solutions in composite or metal-composite technology are integrated into the screwed cabin modules and achieve protection up to level 2 according to STANAG 4569. The weld-free cabin solution offers cost advantages for logistics and repairs.
Thanks to its compact dimensions (L/W/H 4.57 m/1.95 m/2.10 m) and weight under five tons, the Hyrax can be transported in C-130 transport aircraft and larger.
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
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