Renault » VAB Mark 3
At Eurosatory 2012, the French Company Renault Trucks Defense manufacturer of armoured vehicle and military tactical trucks unveiled a new VAB 6x6 armoured personnel carrier named VAB Mark 3. This vehicle is not a simple upgrade, but it is a new vehicle design that is fully adapted to new threats on the battlefield such as IEDs and mine blast. The aim of this vehicle is to provide a replacement for the old BTR, M113 and VAB based on the design of a combat proven vehicle and a cheaper price. Renault Trucks Defense offers the vehicle in several versions as personnel carrier, ambulance, battlefield surveillance, mortar carrier, command post etc.
The VAB Mark 3 can be equipped with a full range of turret or remote weapon systems up to 30 mm caliber cannon. At Eurosatory 2012 the vehicle is fitted with remotely weapon station TRT-25 from BAE Systems. The TRT-25 is fitted with a dual-feed 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon with two 130-round bins, a 7.62 mm machinegun with 1,000 rounds, and four smoke grenade launchers. The layout of the VAB mark 3 is similar to the standard version of the VAB, with engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle and the troop's area at the rear. The front vehicle is equipped with two large bullet-proof windows. One single door is available to each side of the crew compartment. The VAB Mark 3 is heavier than the old VAB, 13,000 kg for 20,000 kg for the new vehicle. The VAB Mark 3 is equipped with new armour which provides a protection for the crew and the soldiers Level 4 STANAG 4569. The vehicle can carry 3 crew members and 7 infantry soldiers.
The VAB mark 3 is motorized with a Renault truck engine which has a power from 320 to 400 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h. The VAB mark 3 can cross trench of 1 m and can mount 0.5 m of vertical obstacle. The VAB Mark 3 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by one water-jet mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle can be air transported and deployed by C-130 Hercules or Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.
