Scorpion is a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armoured personnel carrier.
The Scorpion MRAP vehicle was on display at Eurosatory 2016. Image courtesy of STREIT Group.
The Scorpion APC is intended to offer superior survivability for tactical response teams and special forces units. Image courtesy of United States Army.

Scorpion MRAP vehicle

The Scorpion 4×4, mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP), armoured personnel carrier (APC) is produced by Streit Group. It is designed to offer high survivability for tactical response teams and special forces units, and can be configured for use in a range of military applications.

The vehicle was displayed at the Eurosatory 2016 defence and security exhibition held in June 2016.

Design and features of Scorpion MRAP vehicle

The vehicle features a unique modular design integrating a V-shaped, monocoque, armoured hull compartment. It features a traditional layout with an engine at the front, a four-door armoured section in the centre and cargo area at the rear. The interior of the Scorpion can be configured with five / eight-seat layout with enclosed cargo section at the rear.

The crew can enter / exit the vehicle through first row of doors on either sides of the hull, while the troops can access the vehicle through a second set of doors on each side and through a rear door. The bulletproof windscreen and windows on the doors offer good visibility to the occupants. The windows can be covered with anti-riot mesh.

The vehicle can also be offered with emergency roof escape hatch, wall gun ports and rifle racks, video surveillance and monitoring systems, automatic and manual fire suppression system, air-conditioning, communication systems and self-recovery winch.

The Scorpion APC measures 5.88m-long, 2.49m-wide and 2.54m-high, and has a wheelbase of 3.59m. It has a curb weight of 11,000kg and a maximum payload capacity of 2,000kg.

Armament and self-protection

The roof of the vehicle can be installed with a remotely-controlled weapon station or a manual turret for mounting a standard .50 calibre machine gun. The APC can also be armed with grenade launchers.

“(The Scorpion) is designed to offer high survivability for tactical response teams and special forces units, and can be configured for use in a range of military applications.”

The Scorpion MRAP vehicle offers STANAG 4569 Level II armoured protection to protect the crew from blast effects from mines and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. The crew compartment can be up-armoured to offer STANAG 4569 Level III protection.

The vehicle can be integrated with add-on armour for high levels of protection against 7.62mm × 51mm calibre armoured piercing rounds fired from a distance of 30m at a speed of 930m/s. The armour on the floor allows the APC to withstand the explosion of an 8kg mine at any place under the hull and any wheel. Additionally, the V-shaped hull deflects the blast force away from the vehicle.

The power-pack and fuel tank are also armoured to safeguard the mobility of the vehicle in the event of an attack. The vehicle can be installed with customer-specific equipment and systems including anti-blast mine seats, benches and individual bucket seats for protection against under-body explosions.

MRAP engine and mobility

The Scorpion MRAP vehicle is powered by a Cummins six-cylinder ISBE 6.7L turbocharged diesel engine. The power-plant develops a maximum power output of 300hp at 1,500rpm and torque of 1,100Nm at 1,500rpm.

The V-shaped hull of the Scorpion APC provides high ground clearance and acute turning circle, ensuring superior cross-country mobility. The suspension components of the vehicle are strengthened to handle additional weight of the vehicle. The vehicle can be fitted with central tyre inflation system (CTIS) for improved mobility on different terrains.

The Scorpion APC has a maximum road speed of approximately 105km/h and can reach a maximum distance of 800km. It can negotiate a gradient of 60% and side slope of 40%, and can cross water streams with a maximum depth of 1.5m.