At FEINDEF 2023, an international defense exhibition in Madrid, Spain, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) displays the CASTOR, the new tracked engineer armored vehicle for the Spanish army. The vehicle is based on the ASCOD tracked chassis which is used by several armies in the world.
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GDELS CASTOR engineer vehicle based on the ASCOD tracked armored chassis. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development) tracked chassis, developed by General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), is a robust and versatile platform. Its origins trace back to the 1990s when it was jointly developed by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch and the Spanish company Santa Bárbara Sistemas, which are now parts of GDELS.
The ASCOD platform's adaptability has made it a preferred choice for various military vehicles, including the Austrian Army's Ulan infantry fighting vehicle and the Spanish Army's Pizarro fighting vehicle. Besides these, the chassis can be reconfigured to serve as command and control vehicles, armored personnel carriers, artillery observation vehicles, and even anti-aircraft systems.
One of the key characteristics of the ASCOD chassis is its remarkable mobility. With a potent engine and a hydro-mechanical transmission system, it is capable of maintaining high speeds on both on-road and off-road terrains. Its robust tracks and advanced suspension system ensure impressive maneuverability in a variety of challenging environments.
Protection is another vital aspect of the ASCOD platform. It comes with advanced composite modular armor and has provisions for additional armor kits if required. The design also aims to minimize infrared and radar signatures for added stealth. Some variants also incorporate mine protection and active protection systems to enhance battlefield survivability.
Perhaps the most defining feature of the ASCOD platform is its modularity. The ability to swap out different components and systems makes the chassis easily adaptable to a broad range of roles.
The Spanish Army's engineering units are set to receive an exceptional addition with the VCZAP “CASTOR” based on the ASCOD tracked chassis. This remarkable piece of engineering is equipped with a versatile automated system, which allows for the integration of various mission-specific equipment into a single vehicle. It can accommodate a dozer blade, mine plow, self-protection combat roller, and obstacle marker system depending on the mission requirements.
The vehicle showcased at FEINDEF is the inaugural unit of the 36 VCZAP contracted units. This marks a significant milestone in the growth of Spain's armored vehicle fleet. The CASTOR supplements an array of variants previously delivered under the first and second phases of the PIZARRO program, which altogether account for a total of 227 vehicles.
Utilizing the ASCOD tracked chassis, the CASTOR VCZAP underscores the platform's adaptability. It demonstrates how the modularity of the ASCOD can cater to a wide range of roles, proving especially advantageous in this context for meeting the unique operational needs of the Spanish Army's engineer units.
