2 minute read
CasspirAPC, South Africa
from Fighting Vehicles
by Dellvzla
Mamba APC
At first sight the Mamba APC resembles a somewhat bulky but conventional personnel carrier but it was developed not only as an APC but as a mine protected vehicle for operations in areas where land mines are likely to be encountered. It was developed following a long series of mine-proofed vehicles specifically produced to counter the mine warfare conditions once prevalent along the South African borders and in the former Rhodesia,
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The Mamba produced by Reumech Sandock, thus has an armoured underside with sloped plates intended to direct the worst of a mine blast away from the vehicle. The chassis itself is based around the use of Unimog components and the Mamba thus has a remarkable cross country performance.
The steel upper hull can be armoured virtually according to requirements but is usually proof against small arms fire and ammunition splinters. The interior has the commander and driver seated side by side and up to nine troops seated in close proximity in the rear; entry to all position is via a single door at the rear or via roof hatches.
The commander has a roof hatch over which a MG can be mounted, if required, All occupants are provided with bullet-proof windows and the entire roof can be opened up when necessary The rear area can be readily configured to form an armoured ambulance or a command vehicle,
Other body types include a flatbed
South Africa
body for load carrying, to mount light weapons, or to accommodate a recovery hamper. It has been proposed that the Mamba could be fitted out as a VIP protected transport. The Mamba has been acquired by the South African National Defence Force and several other countries,
The Mamba is also being licenceproduced in the United Kingdom by Alvis Limited, The Mamba has been trialled by United Nations forces operating in the former Yugoslavia,
MambaAPC
Specification
Crew: 2 Seating: 9
Weight: (combat) 6,800 kg
Length: 5.46 m
Width: 2.205m Height: 2.495m
Ground clearance: 0.4 m
Track: 1.79m Max speed: (road) 102 km/h Fuel capacity: 200 litres Range: 900 km
Fording: 1 m
Vertical obstacle: 0.4m Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 352 diesel Power output: 123 hp Suspension: coil spring Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm MG (if fitted) Variants: See text
