The
Al-Masmak or Nyoka Mk2 is an APC armoured vehicle personnel carrier
in the category of MRAP family. The vehicle is designed and manufactured
by the SAUDI GROUPS based in Saudi Arabia. In 2011, SAUDI GROUPS has
unveiled its Mines Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier (MRAPC) called
AL-MASMAK. SAUDI GROUPS is a private Saudi Arabian company specialized
on military and security systems that produces AL-KASER, AL-MANSOUR,
AL-NAIF and AL-FAISAL armored personnel carriers (APC) in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia as well as other GCCC and Middle Eastern Countries with
more than 300 APC's currently in use by government entities. At AAD
2012, Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, the Masmak was presented
for the first time to the public for African market under the name “Nyoka
Mk2”. During an interview made by Army Recognition at AAD 2012,
Mister Mohammed Al-Mutairy, President and CEO of Saudi Groups unveils
the secret of the design and the performances of the Al-Masmak. There
are several types of similar vehicles in the market but the Al-Masmak
offers a higher level of protection, and the vehicle has been designed
based on the experience from the military and security users deployed
on combat area as Afghanistan and Iraq. The Al-Masmak is a response
about the new threats with a ballistic protection not only against the
standard AK-47 ammunitions 7.62x39 mm but also against the 7.62x54 mm
caliber used by the Russian sniper rifle Dragunov or the Russian 7.62x63
mm ammunitions. The al-Masmak is designed to be used basically as armoured
vehicle personnel carrier but the vehicle can be adapted for a variety
of roles. With a maximum payload of 2,000 kg, the vehicle is able to
perform missions as armoured personnel carrier, battlefield ambulance,
command vehicle and weapon platform up to a caliber of 25mm. According
to Mister Mohammed Al-Mutairy three countries of the Middle East are
showing interest for the vehicle.
AL-MASMAK
versions include Personnel Carriers, Command & Control, Ambulance,
Boarders Patrolling, Anti-Hijacking, and can be adapted to any client
specific requirements.
The Al-Masmak
is equipped with a state of the art complete protected turret
mounted at the top of front hull, armed with a 12.7mm or 7.62mm
machine gun including day and night aiming capabilities as
well as 4 smoke grenade launchers mounted to the left side
of the turret. The vehicle can be also armed with a 40mm automatic
grenade launcher or a remote weapon station armed with weapons
up to a 25mm caliber
Design
and protection
The
layout of the Masmak is similar to standard APC with the engine
at the front, crew are in the middle and soldiers compartment
at the rear. The driver and the commander seats are on the front
of the vehicle, and eight troops are carried in the rear compartment,
one seated back of the driver, one in the turret, three seated
on the left side and three seated on the right side of the hull,
on individual seats with a full harness seat belt. The Al-Masmak
is based on a monocoque hull design to increase protection against
mine blast. Two large bulletproof windows are provide for the
front and four small bulletproof windows on each side of the
troops compartment with one individual firing port at the lower
part and these provide the same degree of protection as the
steel hull. The infantrymen enter and leave the Al-Masmak via
a double door in the rear of the hull, which opens outwards.
One single hatch is available at the rear of the top soldier’s
compartment. AL-MASMAK is the first worldwide 4X4 armored personnel
carrier tested (In South Africa and Saudi Arabia) up to STANAG
4569 level 4A & 4B mines resistant levels (double anti-tank
mine -14 kg of TNT under the hull), (triple anti-tank mine -
21 kg of TNT under any wheel), (50 kg of TNT at 5m all-around
of the vehicle) and all around ballistics protection up to STANAG
4569 level 3 (7.62 54mm API 890 m/s and 7.62 63mm AP 830 m/s).
The vehicle can defeat firing of small arms 12.7mm caliber all-around.
Propulsion
AL-MASMAK
is motorized with a very powerful 450 HP diesel engine with
a high torque of 1695 N.M and a governed speed of 2200 RPM.
The vehicle is equipped with a full automatic gearbox with The
Al-Masmak MRAP can reach a maximum road speed of 150 km/h and
39 HP/Ton power to weight ratio with a maximum cruising range
of 700 km which can be extended to 1,200 km. AL-MASMAK capabilities
include excellent maneuverability and grade ability up to 70%
in forward and 60% on reverse and a 420mm ground clearance as
well as up to 1 meter water fording.
Accessories
AL-MASMAK
can carry fully equipped nine soldiers including gunner in addition
to the driver and commander (Total 11). AL-MASMAK standard specifications
includes a 48,000 BTU Air-Conditioning System, 2 Extract Ventilation
Ports, Central Tire Inflating System CIT, Global Positioning
System GPS, Radio Integration, Engine, Crew Cabinet, Night Drive
Capability, Tires Fire Extinguishing System, Siren and Strobe
Lights, Towing Bars, and self-recovery Winch.
Remote
weapon station or turret with 12.7 mm machine
gun
a
Country
users
Ready
for production
Designer
Country
Saudi
Arabia
Accessories
Air-Conditioning
System, 2 Extract Ventilation Ports, Central
Tire Inflating System CIT, Global Positioning
System GPS, Radio Integration, Engine, Crew
Cabinet, Night Drive Capability, Tires Fire
Extinguishing System, Siren and Strobe Lights,
Towing Bars, and self-recovery Winch.
Crew
2
+ 9 soldiers
Armor
STANAG
4569 level 4A & 4B mines resistant levels,
all around ballistics protection up to STANAG
4569 level 3
South
Korean officials condemned the launching of another short-range missile
Sunday, May 19, 2013 by North Korea, saying the action was provocative.
North Korea fired the missile Sunday afternoon into the ocean off the
country's east coast ....
