Unveils new infantry fighting vehicle Mbombe 8.
Paramount Group, the African-based global defence and aerospace company unveiled its family of Mbombe Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) and its new Mbombe 8 at the recent AAD 2016 expo.
Unveiled in Africa for the first time, the Mbombe 8 is the newest and ‘big brother’ of the Mbombe family. The major advantage of the Mbombe family is the 80% commonality that exists between the technologies and components used in the three vehicles. This presents significant cost benefits to armed forces due to greater efficiencies and significant savings in maintenance and logistical support.
“The development of Mbombe 8 has enabled Paramount Group to provide potential customers with a complete family of 4 x 4, 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 ICVs which share over 80% of common components to reduce through life costs and make for easier training and logistics. This commonality relates to both the driveline aggregates, as well as the fact that all three vehicles utilise a ‘conventional’ or ‘in-line’ automotive driveline configuration, positioning the powerpack at the front of the vehicle and along its centre line,” said Ben Jansen, CEO of Paramount Combat Systems.
Paramount Group, the African-based global defence and aerospace company unveiled its family of Mbombe Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) and its new Mbombe 8 at the recent AAD 2016 expo
“This configuration results in far greater efficiency in terms of the transfer of power from the powerpack to the wheels, as the loss of power associated with a second transfer gearbox necessary for ‘unconventional’ drivelines, such as with side-engined vehicles, is eliminated. This presents a unique opportunity for our global market, affording a prospective end-user of all three vehicles significant savings in the areas of maintenance and logistical support.”
Paramount Combat Systems (the newly formed integrated business comprising Paramount Land Systems and Paramount Innovation and Design) has developed and produced a broad range of advanced armored and mine protected vehicles that are in use from South America to Central Asia. Global demand for Paramount Group innovations like the Mbombe has enabled the company to grow significantly in recent years and attract leading global strategic partners. The Mbombe family capitalises on South Africa’s expertise in asymmetric warfare technologies.
The Mbombe 8 builds on Paramount’s Mbombe 6 that employs an innovative new form of construction to give unprecedented levels of protection, while keeping profile to a minimum. The 8 x 8 also draws on the company’s experience of designing the highly effective and battle-tested Marauder and Matador mine-resistant vehicles.
Boeing and the Paramount Group have recently expanded their 2014 agreement to cooperate on an advanced mission system for a variant of the Advanced, High Performance, Reconnaissance, Light Aircraft (AHRLAC). The South African designed, developed and built AHRLAC is due to enter line production in early 2017, with the construction of a purpose-built factory at Wonderboom Airport, north of Pretoria. The AHRLAC platform comes in five variants for applications in civilian and private use, policing and anti-poaching, training, safety and security, and military
Key features of the Mbombe 8 include the ability to carry a payload of 9 tons, including weapons system, ammunition, crew and supplies. It is powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and six-speed automatic gearbox, with a top speed of 110 km/h and an operating range of 800 km. A variety of turrets and weapon stations can be integrated into the Mbombe 8.”
Key features of the Mbombe 8 include:
• Gross weight of 28 tons and kerb weight of 19 tons
• Payload of 9 tons which covers weapon systems, ammunition, crew and supplies
• Powered by a 6 cylinder engine turbo charged diesel engine
• Six speed automatic transmission
• Max speed of 110km/h
• Operating range: 800 km
• High levels of ballistic and mine protection: ballistic protection: STANAG 4569 Level 3+ and blast protection: STANAG 4569 Level 4a and 4b
• Wide range of turrets and weapon stations can be integrated
• The cooling systems and driveline have been tested and proven in winter conditions of -55 Celsius and desert conditions of +55 Celsius
• Large internal volume due to position of powerpack
The Founder and Executive Chairman of Paramount Group, Ivor Ichikowitz said: “This is a momentous occasion not only for Paramount Group, but also for South Africa, which pioneered landmine protected technologies. In six years we have designed, developed and manufactured three high speed, long-range and low profile armored combat vehicles, the Mbombe 4, 6 and 8. Without exception, we’ve earned an international reputation for pushing the boundaries and creating armored vehicles that are groundbreaking in their design, protection levels and mobility.”
“Paramount Group’s success is ultimately the success of African innovation. South Africa has been leading the world in armored vehicle and land mine protected technologies for decades and we’re proud to take this heritage into the future,” Ichikowitz concluded.
