Transportpanzer 1 Fuchs APC, Germany

Thyssen UR-416

The first prototype of the Thyssen TJR 416 wheeled APC appeared in 1965 as a private venture project to produce an internal security (IS) vehicle with military applications.

In order to keep down overall costs and provide compatibility with commercial sources of component supply the design was based on the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog all-terrain truck to which was added a well-sloped armoured steel body; for repairs or maintenance the armoured shell can be lifted directly off the chassis in one piece. The resultant UR 416 was widely adopted as an internal security vehicle but in some nations it is also issued to the military for various purposes.

Late production versions of the vehicle are known as the UR 416 M.

The commander and driver are seated side-by-side, in what would normally have been the truck cab, looking through windscreens which can be covered by armoured shutters when necessary The eight passengers are seated in the rear, provided with side and rear access doors. For most IS purposes no armament other than smoke projectors is carried but for military missions small turrets mounting one or two 7,62 mm MGs are available; a simple pintle mounting over the roof hatch is an alternative.

Optional equipment includes a front-mounted winch, run-flat tyres, smoke dischargers in either a turret or along the hull sides, air conditioning, and night vision devices. Known variants include a mobile workshop, an

Germany

ambulance, and the usual command and communications variants. Also available is a patrol and reconnaissance model with an optional turret mounting a 20 mm cannon.

Users of the UR 416 and UR 416 M include, Nigeria, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela, Kenya, South Korea, Morocco, Ecuador, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and^Peru - there are other users. In most of these countries the vehicles are used mainly for the IS role,

Production continues as required.

Thyssen UR-416

Specification:

Crew: 2 Seating: 8 Weight: (combat) 7,600 kg Length: 5.1 m Width: 2.25m Height: 2.25m Ground clearance: 0.44 m Track: 1.78 m Max speed: (road) 81 km/h Fuel capacity: 150 litres Range: up to 700 km Fording: 1.3m Vertical obstacle: 0.55 m Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 352 diesel Power output: 120 hp Suspension: coil spring Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm MG (if fitted) Variants: see text

The UR-416 wheeled APC, basically a Unimog truck chassis with an armoured body.