At
DSEI 2013,Iveco Defence Vehicles displays the amphibious 8x8 SUPERAV
which is being displayed in the UK for the first time. Developed to meet
the requirement for a vehicle to support littoral operations, SUPERAV
provides class leading payload and protection.
The base vehicle is
currently being offered for the US Marine Corps (MPC) program.
Operational trials are on-going and the results received to date are
highly promising. SUPERAV is available in two different body widths –
2.7 and 3 metres, for different roles. As a result of SUPERAV’s high
payload, the vehicle can be equipped with weapon systems of up to 40mm
calibre.
The SUPERAV design exploits the lessons learnt from operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan, with the innovative chassis and hull design providing
high levels of protection against both mine and IED attack without
compromising the vehicle’s amphibious performance. By designing in
survivability from the outset, Iveco’s engineers have ensured that, even
at the lower GVWs available, SUPERAV has the highest protection in its
class. Survivability is enhanced by a series of designinnovations,
including high performance on board fire fighting and anti-explosion
systems.
SUPERAV is particularly well adapted for operations, with the well
proven driveline allowing the vehicle to carry an additional 4.8 tonnes
over and above its amphibious limit of 24 tonnes. As a result of this
outstanding design flexibility, many variants are available including
Personnel Carrier, Combat Vehicle, Anti-Tank, Mortar Carrier, Recovery,
Ambulance, Engineering, and Command Post, depending on specific to
customer requirements. On relevant variants, a hydraulically controlled
rear ramp allows rapid access and egress.
SUPERAV’s high fuel and on-board water capacity ensure that the vehicle
is capable of undertaking operations across substantial distances, with a
500 mile range on land, and 40 miles in amphibious mode. This
outstanding operational mobility is complimented by the vehicle’s
tactical mobility and terrain accessibility, enhanced by a Central Tyre
Inflation System and run-flats all round. An area in which Iveco has
acquired considerable expertise, and from which SUPERAV benefits, is the
installation of appliqué passive and active protection systems without
noticeably changing the vehicle’s profile. This has the considerable
benefit of ensuring that an enemy cannot tell what level of protection a
given vehicle is carrying.
The vehicle’s engine and driveline were selected to provide the benefits
of a COTS production system which is both highly reliable and
particularly well suited to this application, being derived from the
battle proven Centauro vehicle family.
The driveline’s H-shaped configuration combines redundancy (with 2
lateral drive shafts), and structural simplicity (1 differential instead
of 4) with proven durability. Additionally, the H-shape provides
intrinsic ABS functionality to the vehicle. The independent hydraulic
suspension units allow the driver to vary the ride height within given
parameters, enabling him to tilt the vehicle for loading and unloading
payload, level the vehicle while firing in a sloped terrain and reduce
height to fit into a C130.
