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Puma
4x4 armoured vehicle personnel carrier |
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The
Puma is a family of 4x4 and 6x6 light armoured vehicles designed and
manufactured by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara based in Rome,
Italy. The Puma was developed under a specific requirement of the Italian
army to have a wheeled armoured vehicle able to work with the Italian
anti-tank armoured vehicle Centauro. The first prototype of the Puma
was completed in 1988. At the end of 1999, the Italian Army ordered
580 Puma vehicles, 250 of the 6x6 configuration, and 330 4x4 vehicles.
First vehicles will be delivered in 2003 to enter in service with the
Italian armed forces. IVECO has developed a number of specialised versions
of the Puma for the Italian Army. These include ambulance, command post,
81mm mortar, air defence with MBDA Mistral missiles and two anti-tank
(one with the Raytheon TOW and one with the Euromissile MILAN anti-tank
guided missile system). Eight cavalry regiments and two special forces
regiments of Italian army are equipped with a total of 330 Puma 4x4
vehicles. 250 Puma 6x6 vehicles are in service with the Italian Army
Lagunari Regiment “Serenissima”, the “Folgore”
Parachutist Brigade, the 66th Air Assault Regiment and the Alpini Regiments.
The Puma design is such that it can be adopted for a wide range of other
roles and missions. The PUMA can be transported by a CH47C helicopter
or a military transport aircraft. |
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| Variants |
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Puma 6x6: the vehicle uses a 6x6 chassis and can carry six fully
equipped infantry soldiers. |
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| Technical
Data |
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| Armament |
| A
small turret is mounted at the centre top of the hull. The turret
can be armed with a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun. In the Italian
army, the Puma 4x4 is fitted with a one-man, electrically power-operated
turret, HITROLE® designed and manufactured by the Italian
Company OTO Melara. This turret can be armed with a 12.7 (or
7.62) mm machine gun or 40 mm AGL overhead and an under armour
control system. Sighting is performed by means of a mechanical
linked sight composed of day/night cameras and LRF in accordance
with customer's requirements (day-TV, IL-TV, IR-TV, LRF are
available). A special aiming periscope, with fixed ocular while
the output axis (line of sight) rotates with the turret and
moves in elevation parallel to the gun, can be installed as
back-up (option). Firing and turret movements are carried out
electrically by the operator through a control panel and a joystick
from a remote position. The machine gun is recocked from inside
the vehicle and is fitted with a firing solenoid for firing
by remote control. Feeding of ammunition is performed through
a flexible duct. The belted rounds are contained in ammunition
boxes, and can be reloaded from inside the vehicle. The Puma
4x4 is also equipped with one row of three Galix smoke dischargers,
mounted on each side of the hull. The Puma 4x4 is also configured
so that additional weapon systems can be fitted. These include
anti-tank systems (Milan orPanzerfaust), a60 mm mortar, a crew
machine gun and a40 mm shell launcher (individual weapon version). |
| Design
and protection |
The
layout of the Puma 4x4 is conventional with the driver at the
front, just behind the engine compartment and the troop’s
compartment at the rear. The driver is seated on the left right
side front of the hull. The driver has three periscopic sights.
The centre periscope is a passive night vision periscope. The
Italian 4x4 PUMA carries four infantry troops. One single door
is mounted to each side of the hull and one more at the rear.
The hull of the Puma 4x4 is of all-welded steel armour construction
which provides a protection against firing of small arms and
shell splinters. The hull has been designed to accept add-on
armour to provide increased protection. |
| Mobility |
The
engine is mounted at the front of the vehicle. The PUMA is powered
by an Iveco 132 Kw four-cylinder engine with a turbo-intercooler
which is coupled to a 5 speed Renk automatic transmission. Output
from the gearbox goes through a transfer box to front and rear
differentials. The vehicle has power assisted steering to the
front axle on the 4x4 version. The Puma 4x4 can run at a maximum
road speed over 100km/h with a maximum road range of 700 km.
The Puma 4x4 can climb a gradient of 60%, side slope 30% and
the vehicle has a fording depth of 1m.
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| Accessories |
Standard
equipment includes powered steering, run-flat tyres, a nuclear,
biological and chemical defensive system and a fire-detection
and suppression system. The Italian Army PUMAs are equipped
with air-conditioning, heating, a pressurised NBC system, an
engine compartment fire protection system (both automatic and
manual) and an electric self-recovery winch mounted at the rear
right side of the hull. The PUMA's can also be fitted with a
laser warning system, automatic smoke producer and automatic
fire protection system in the crew compartment. The PUMA can
be driven with the driver under armour through three day periscopes
and night vision is provided by a light intensification device
(IL). The vehicle is able to accommodate a number of different
radio systems linked to three antennas.
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| Specifications |
| Back
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Armament |
One
7.62mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, or 40mm automatic
grenade launcher. |
Country
users |
| Italy |
Designer
Country |
| Italy
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Accessories |
| Central
tyre inflation system, air conditioning, NBC
protection system and night vision equipment |
Crew |
3
(commander, gunner, driver) + 4 soldiers |
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Armor |
Protection
against small arms firing and shell splinters.
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Weight |
7,000
kg |
Speed |
110
km/h on road |
Range |
700
km
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Dimensions |
Length,
5.10 m; Width, 2.09 m; Height, 1.90 m |
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