BAE Systems » Pinzgauer II

Pinzgauer was developed as a successor to the Steyr-Puch Haflinger by Steyr-Daimler-Puch. In 2000, the production was sold to the UK company Automotive Technik LTD. Two years later, in 2002, Automotive Technik was acquired by Armor Holdings. In 2006, Armor Holdings also bought Stewart & Stevensson, the maker of US Army FMTV vehicles. In May 2006, Stewart & Stevenson became a subsidiary of the aerospace and defense group Armor Holdings, Inc. One year later, Armor Holdings was acquired by BAE Systems plc, who discontinued UK production of the Pinzgauer, which was proving to be vulnerable to mines and improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

In the 2000s, BAE Systems South Africa made several prototypes of the modified truck called Pinzgauer II. The new vehicle has increased mobility, payload, performance and protection. Only 6x6 prototypes were made, but BAE failed to receive any production orders for this model.

The Pinzgauer II is larger than the original model and has more internal space. 6x6 truck can carry 3.8 t of cargo or, two standard NATO pallets, or 14 fully equipped troops. It can also tow trailers or artillery guns with weight up to 2 tonnes. The Pinzgauer II can be equipped with additional external armor protection. It provides protection against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and IED blasts.

The vehicle uses a 194 hp Steyr 3.2-liter turbodiesel that meets Euro 4 emission requirements. The gearbox is an automatic 6-speed. The Pinzgauer II has a maximum road range of about 1 000 km. It can be increased to 2 000 km by adding another fuel tank, which is proposed as an option. Such a long range on fuel provides operational and logistics support benefits. With preparation this light vehicle fords water obstacles up to 1.5 m deep. Different version of Pinzgauer II can be transported by C-130 Hercules plane and CH-47 Chinook helicopter.