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Version française
 
VLRA TPK ACMAT All-terrain multirole tactical vehicle
 
 
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Description
The ACMAT VLRA (Véhicule de Liaison, de Reconnaissance et d'Appui) is a light multirole tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by the French Defence Company ACMAT. Development began in the '50s, and since it is used by the French Army and many other countries throughout the world and is also used for a variety of civil and law enforcement applications. The wide range of ACMAT VLRA 4x4 is around 60 models, , including armoured versions, tactical, logistic and specialised variants such as ambulances. The VLRA is also available in 6x6 chassis. The troop carrier version is the most used. ACMAT vehicles have been supplied to at least 48 countries on five continents, company figures quoting 93 per cent of ACMAT sales as export. The VLRA fully equipped has the capacity to travel 34 hours of cross-country operations. All the entire ACMAT range of VLRA4x 4 and 6x6 use 80° of common parts including engine. In 2008, the French Defence Company Acmat has launched a new version of the old VLRA. The new VLRA TPK meets the whole tactical and operational requirements of the Armed Forces and the Special Forces, with more mobility, payload and protection.
 
Variants
- TPK 4.15 SM3: 12 man transport
- TPK 4.15 STL: General purpose transport
- TPK 4.15 FSP: Long Range Patrol Vehicle
- TPK 4.15 LRM: Multiple rocket launcher carrier
- TPK 4.15 ASPIC: Weapons carrier
- TPK 4.15 PACF: Weapons carrier
- TTK 4.20 BL: the armoured variant
- TPK 4.20 SC: 2500-litre tanker version
- TPK 4.20 PCR: Radio Command Post
- TPK 4.20 SL7: Light recovery duty vehicle
- TPK 4.20 SM2: Troop Carrier
- TPK 4.20 SAM: Ambulance
- TPK 4.20 SM3: 2.5t "gunship" truck
- TPK 4.20 VCT: Command and transmission vehicle
- TPK 4.20 VPL2: Scout car
- TPK 4.20M ALM: cargo
- TPK 4.25 SAm: Ambulance
- TPK 4.30 BUS: 28 passenger bus (short chassis) or 34 passenger (long chassis) also available in a command vehicle conversion.
- TPK 4.30 SAM: Workshop
- TPK 4.35 SCM: Mechanical handling vehicle
- TPK 4.35 SM: Troop carrier
- TPK 4.35 SM2: Truck
- TPK 4.35 VPC: Convoy protection vehicle/weapons carrier
 
Technical Data
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Armament
The standard VLRA 4x4 or 6x6 can be equipped with a full range of armament as pedestal-mounted or 360° ring-mounted for 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun. In addition, more swivel stations can be added at the front and at the rear of the troop's compartment armed with 5.56 mm machine gun. The cargo area can be accommodating to transport heavy weapons as anti-tank or missile launcher systems. In the French army there are some variants with Milan anti-tank launcher missile or Mistral air-defence missile system.
Design and Protection
The VLRA 4x4 or 6x6 designs is conventional with the engine at the front, the crew cab in the centre and the cargo or troop's compartment at the rear. The crew cab has a windscreen which can be folded forward onto the bonnet and a removable nylon canvas roof and side doors. The cargo area at te rear of the chassis can be used to carry soldiers with 2 x 6-seater fitted down the sides or in the centre with a maximum payload of 3,000 kg. The cargo area at the rear has a drop tailgate, removable bows and nylon canvas covers.
Propulsion
The standard VLRA uses a 4x4 or 6x6 chassis with semi-elliptic multi-leaves spring’s suspension and telescopic shock absorbers at the front and the rear which provides an excellent mobility in all-terrain conditions and harsh environments. The VLRA has ground clearance of 500 mm maximum, and is capable of bridging a 0.90 m gap and has a maximum approach angle of 43/41-degrees.The engine is couple to a manual gearbox with 4 forward and 1 reverse gears. The VLRA is motorized with a Perkins 6.354.4 6 cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developing 138 hp. at 2,800 rpm. In order to run long distance, the VLRA is equipped with two fuel tanks each with a capacity of 180 litres. The VLRA can run at maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum range of 1,200 km without refuelling.
Accessories
Most of the time a spare wheel is available under the chassis, on the side of the vehicle or behind the crew cab. Standard equipment of VLRA 4x4 or 6x6 includes jerrycans, pioneer tool kit, toolbox with tyre inflation system, and sand filter for desert operations. The front of the chassis can be equipped with a 3,000 kg self-recovery winch. A 6,000 kg towing hook is standard and a multi-position version is also available for the artillery-towing role.
 
Specifications
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Armament
12,7 mm machine gun circular station, swivel station for 7,62 mm machine gun, or 40 mm grenade launcher, or launcher station for anti-tank or air defence missile
Country users
France and 48 coutries in the world
Designer Company
ACMAT
Accessories
Spare wheel, central tyre inflation system, tool kit, self-recovery winch and towing hook.
Crew
2 + 12/19 soldiers
Armor
No armour
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Weight
4,300 kg empty; 6,800 kg combat condition
Speed
100 km/h
Range
1,200 km
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Dimensions
Lenght, 6,30 m; Width, 2,10 m; Height, 2,56 m
 
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Pictures - Video
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