Reumech OMC Casspir Mk III APC (South Africa) KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES • Lower part of hull is Vshaped with upper part of hull sides and rear vertical, single wheel at each end of the vehicle outside of the armour envelope • Bonnet type engine compartment at the front with horizontal engine louvres with chamfer between sides and top, large bullet-proof windows at front and along sides of hull. The bullet-proof windows along sides towards rear have firing ports below • Horizontal hull top with forward part armoured and often mounting a 7.62mm machine gun, early models had open roof but late production models had fully enclosed rear troop compartment, twin doors in rear
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SPECIFICATIONS 2 + 10 4x4 1 to 3 7.62mm MGs 6.87m 2.5m 2.85m 0.41m (axles) 12,580kg 11,040kg 13.51hp/tonne ADE-352T, 6-cylinder diesel developing 170hp at 2,800rpm Maximum road speed: 90km/hr 850km Maximum road range: Fuel capacity: 220 lit Fording: 1.0m 0.5m Vertical obstacle: Trench: 1.06m 65% Gradient: 40% Side slope: Armour: Classified Armour type: Steel NBC system: None Night vision equipment: None
Crew: Configuration: Armament: Length: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Weight, empty: Power-to-weight ratio: Engine:
offensive operations in Southern Africa. A unique feature of the Casspir is that it has been designed to give its crew a high degree of protection against anti-tank mines and for this reason the vehicle has a very high ground clearance with the hull having a V-shape to help deflect the blast from any mines. The large cross-country wheels are outside of the main armour envelope. There have been three main models of the Casspir, the Mk 1, Mk II and Mk III, all of which have incorporated improvements as a result of operational experience. Wherever possible standard commercial components are used in the construction of the Casspir family of vehicles. The engine compartment is at the front, commander and driver to the immediate rear with the troop compartment extending right to the rear. The troops are seated five either side facing each other. There are minor differences between production runs and there are a number of local modifications. Standard equipment includes long range fuel tank, drinking water tank, two spare wheels and tyres and fire extinguishers. Optional equipment includes floodlights, searchlights and obstacle clearing equipment. As well as the 7.62mm MGs, a rubber bullet launcher can be fitted. The original manufacturer was TFM but this company has been taken over by Reumech OMC.
VARIANTS DEVELOPMENT The original Casspir family of vehicles was developed in the late 1970s but from 1981 production was undertaken by TFM which has since developed the Casspir Mk II and Mk III vehicles of which well over 2,000 have been built. Although designed mainly for internal security operations, it has been used for
Blesbok, this is a cargo carrier and retains the fully armoured cab. Duiker, this is a 5,000 litre fuel tanker and retains the fully armoured cab. Gemsbok, recovery vehicle with recovery equipment at very rear of hull and fitted with extended armoured cab.
