AMZ unveils its new concept of wheeled amphibious armoured vehicle HIPOPOTAM at MSPO 2012 0409125

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MSPO 2012
International Defence Industry Exhibition

3 - 6 September 2012
Kielce, Poland
 
AMZ at MSPO 2012
 
 
Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 11:06 PM
 
AMZ unveils its new concept of wheeled amphibious armoured vehicle HIPOPOTAM at MSPO 2012.
The Polish Company AMZ unveils at the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2012 in Poland, a new concept of amphibious personnel carrier called the HIPOPOTAM. The new eight-wheel-drive vehicle is intended to complement the country's Rosomak armored modular vehicle (AMV), made by state-owned Wojskowe Zaklady Mechaniczne Siemianowice under a license from Finland's Patria group.
     
The Polish Company AMZ unveils at the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2012 in Poland, a new concept of amphibious personnel carrier called the HIPOPOTAM. The new eight-wheel-drive vehicle is intended to complement the country's Rosomak armored modular vehicle (AMV), made by state-owned Wojskowe Zaklady Mechaniczne Siemianowice under a license from Finland's Patria group.
The HIPOPOTAM heavy amphibious armoured vehicle at MSPO 2012
     

With the Polish military mission in Afghanistan poised to end by 2014, the Army has become more interested in amphibious capabilities. Poland has suffered several devastating floods from its many rivers in recent years, and such capabilities were not a primary concern in 2003, when Rosomak production was launched.

The HIPOPOTAM uses a newly-developed armour using modern composite technologies and systems providing the maximum possible level of ballistic protection for the crew (up to level 4 according to Stanag 4569,14.5 * 114 mm B32 from distance of 200 meters at a speed of 911 m/s) and the maximum mine protection using modern construction of the vehicle floor.

At a weight of more than 22.5 tons, the Rosomak cannot float, which limits possible upgrades or additional armor.

According to the manufacturer, the Hipopotam will be able to float with a total weight of at least 25 tons, including a payload capacity of 5 tons.

     

The new eight-wheel-drive vehicle is intended to complement the country's Rosomak armored modular vehicle (AMV), made by state-owned Wojskowe Zaklady Mechaniczne Siemianowice under a license from Finland's Patria group.
     
The Hipopotam is motorized with a 480-kilowatt diesel engine TCD 2015 V08 from Germany's Deutz. It will also be equipped with water jet propellers made by the U.K.'s Ultra Dynamics, at least two torsion axles from Timoney Technologies, and an automatic gearbox supplied by U.S. manufacturer Allison Transmission.

Design of the Hipopotam has a versatility of the interior layout and the ability to quickly adapt it depending on the type of activities conducted. Currently Hipopotam is adapted to Wheeled Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle version for five-man crew (commander, driver-mechanic, two scout-engineers and scout-chemist).