At
Eurosatory 2010, the International Defense Exhibition
of Paris Nexter presented a new version of the VBCI
personnel carrier equipped with an upgrade armor,
which increase the protection against RPG rocket
fires. Based on the VBCI platform, the Armoured
Personnel Carrier variant can carried fro 11 to
14 soldiers. The internal available volume, the
mobility performances, the combined CBRN/AC system
provide very comfortable on board live conditions
for every type of missions.
Variants
of VBCI standard version:
-
VPC : (command post vehicle) is equipped
with a terminal information system (SIT) FINDERS®,
developed by Nexter Systems, a regimental information
system (SIR), developed by EADS, and a remotely
controlled 12.7 mm cupola. 150 VPCs have been ordered
for the French Army. - VBCI : (infantry combat vehicle)
has a 25 mm cupola (designed to be manned with an
commander station observation, sighting and firing
capability, using remote functions) and a 7.62 mm
MG. The rank VBCI is also available in mortar and
Eryx (short-range, anti-tank missile system) versions,
and can also be equipped with 25 to 105 mm turrets,
or even a 120 mm low-recoil. 550 « rank »
version VCIs have been ordered by the French Army. - VTT : (Troop Transport Vehicle)
is designed to transport troops. It has an interior
volume of 13 m³ and can carry a 2-man crew
and up to 10 soldiers with their equipment. The
VTT is sized to meet export requirements and is
currently being considered by several national armies.
- Other types of utility vehicle can also be produced,
based on the same platform (ambulance, recovery
vehicle, workshop, mine clearance, earth moving,
etc.).
The
VBCI personnel carrier weapon system consists
of a remotely operated 12.7 mm cupola.
Protection
The hull and the turret of the VBCI Nexter
Systems is composed by Welded steel and
aluminum, who offers a protection against
against small arms fire and artillery shell
splinters. To increase the protection against
RPG rocket fires, the VBCI personnel carrier
uses a combination of Nexter SlatAlu and
RUAG Sidepro armor systems. The side protection
SidePRO-RPG is a globally unequalled and
highly efficient passive protection against
RPG-7 for medium and heavy armoured vehicles.
The passive, cost-optimised protection system
offers at least the same if not higher level
of coverage as reactive protection systerms.
The great advantage of SidePRO-RPG is its
weight; it is 80% lighter than a reactive
protection system. The modular design warrants
easy fitting.
Propulsion
Thee
VBCI Nexter is motorised with 550hp diesel
engine with an in-line six-cylinder configuration
and automatic gearbox are installed in the
front right of the vehicle. In-line transmission
is by four central axles protected by armoured
housings. The VBCI is a 8 wheel drive configuration,
the 8x8 configuration breaks with the tradition
of tracklaying Infantry Combat Vehicles,
to combine maximum ballistic and anti-mine
protection with very high mobility. The
VBCI offers a range of 470 miles and a maximum
road speed of 60 mph. The vehicle can be
driven with seven wheels if a wheel is lost
by mine explosion.
Accessories
The
VBCI APC Nexter is equipped with night/day
vision for the commander and the gunner.
The commander has a remote display from
the gunner's sight equipped with an override
control suite allowing the commander to
operate the turret and weapons. Fitted with
an open electronic architecture, the APC
variant can easily be equipped with any
kind of CAISR, vision (the version at Eurosatory
2010 was fitted with the Nexter CEPIA panoramic
observation cupola), active protection and
weapon station.
Specifications
Armament
One
remotely operated 12.7 mm
machine gun cupola
Country
users
France
Designer
Company
Nexter
Systems
Accessories
Observation,
aiming and firing capability
from commander station inside
hull, Fire control system
with laser ranging and IR
camera;, NBC protecion,
centralised tyre pressure
system
India
on Friday, February 10, 2012, tested a ballistic missile interceptor
from a defence base in Odisha to create a shield against incoming enemy
missiles, a senior defence official said.
