South African defence and aerospace company Paramount Group has launched the new Mbombe 8 infantry combat vehicle for the global defence market.
The new 8×8 combat vehicle has been developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-role, high mobility and mine-hardened platforms.
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Powered by a turbo-charged diesel engine, the Mbombe 8 can travel at a top speed of 110kmph, with an operating range of 800km.
The vehicle can be fitted with weapon stations, such as the AU-220M remote turret, a 57mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine-gun.
Paramount armoured vehicle business CEO Ben Jansen said: “The development of Mbombe 8 has enabled Paramount Group to provide potential customers with a complete family of 4 x 4, 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) which share over 80% of common components to reduce through life costs and make for easier training and logistics.
“This commonality relates to both the driveline aggregates, as well as the fact that all three vehicles utilise a ‘conventional’ or ‘in-line’ automotive driveline configuration, positioning the powerpack at the front of the vehicle and along its centre line.
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By GlobalData“This configuration results in far greater efficiency in terms of the transfer of power from the powerpack to the wheels, as the loss of power associated with a second transfer gearbox necessary for ‘unconventional’ drivelines, such as with side-engined vehicles, is eliminated.”
Paramount’s Mbombe 8 can carry 9t of payload, including weapon systems, ammunition, crew and supplies.
The vehicle’s cooling systems and driveline have been tested in winter conditions of -55°C and desert conditions of 55°C.
The first advanced prototype of the Mbombe 8 will now undergo mobility trails.
Production of the vehicle will be carried out in South Africa or Kazakhstan.
Image: Paramount’s Mbombe 8 can be fitted with turrets and weapon stations. Photo: courtesy of Paramount.
