Tenix S600 APC (Australia) KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES • Vertical hull front with bonnet sloping upwards to two part windscreen which slopes slightly to the rear. Horizontal roof and vertical rear with two part hatch, the upper part opens upwards and the lower part opens downwards to form a step • The upper and lower parts of the hull sides slope inwards with the wheels being at either end of the vehicle. In each side of the hull is a large window to the front and a single side door, the upper part opens upwards and the lower part opens downwards to form a step • Two spare wheels are normally carried one either side at the rear and a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun is normally mounted on the roof. There is a distinct air intake tube on the front right side of the hull
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SPECIFICATIONS Crew: Armament: Ammunition: Length hull: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Power-to-weight ratio: Ground pressure: Engine:
1 + 11 1 x 12.7mm MG (typical) 1000 x 12.7mm MG (typical) 5.76m 2.95m 2.70m 0.44m 12,500kg 17.1hp/tonne Not available Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder in-line turbo-charged and inter-cooled diesel developing 214hp at 2,600rpm Maximum road speed: 110km/h Maximum road range: 1,000km Fuel capacity: 320litres Fording: 1.20m Vertical obstacle: 0.5m Trench: Not available Gradient: 75% Side slope: 58% Armour: Classified Armour type: Steel NBC system: No Night vision equipment: Optional
DEVELOPMENT The S600 was originally developed by Shorts of Northern Ireland and was first revealed in September 1995. The design, sales and marketing rights were subsequently sold to British Aerospace Australia who eventually sold their complete range
of 4 x 4 light armoured vehicles, including the S600, to Tenix Defence Systems also of Australia. The first customer for the S600 was the Kuwait National Guard who ordered 22 vehicles which were delivered between 1998 and 1999. The S600 is based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog (4 x 4) truck chassis for which parts are available all over the world. The body provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire, shell splinters and small mines. The powerpack is at the front of the vehicle with the remainder being taken up by the troop compartment. The commander and driver are seated at the front with the troops being seated on bench seats that run down either side of the hull at the rear. Various types of light weapons can be mounted on the roof such as 7.62mmor 12.7mm machine guns or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. A wide range of optional equipment can be provided such as front mounted winch, applique armour, grenade launchers, land navigation system, central tyre pressure regulation system, heater, fire detection and suppression system and night vision equipment. Different roof hatches and seating arrangements are also possible.
VARIANTS Barricade removal vehicle, ambulance, 81mm mortar, command post, surveillance vehicle and airport security vehicle. STATUS Production as required. In service with Kuwait.
MANUFACTURER Tenix Defence Systems, Victoria, Australia.
