Armored vehicles at DSEi 07: Chrysler is planning to reintroduce the legendary Jeep multipurpose vehicle into military service. At DSEi 07 the company unveiled the new Jeep J8, to be produced in Egypt beginning Spring 2008. “The new J8 marks the brand’s return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use” said Thomas Hausch, vice president international sales at Chrysler. J8 follows the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited model. The J8 uses a reinforced frame for increased ruggedness, allowing greater payloads of up to 1,339 kb (2,952 lbs). Axles, brakes and suspension use heavy duty components. The vehicle uses Command-Trace four wheel drive system to improve on-road and off-road mobility.
J8 is powered by a 2.8 liter four cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 118kW (158 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb. ft) torque. The engine is mated with a five speed automatic transmission. Special hood-mounted shorkel air intake and filtration system is used to improve the vehicle’s off-road performance in desert condition, enduring up to five hour operations in sandstorm and fording water at depth of 76.2 cm (30 inch). J8 is available in a two-door, pickup and four door configuration. The vehicle can be armored and is transportable in light cargo planes and helicopters.
Land Rover Offers a New 6×6 Platform
Land Rover Government & Military introduced a 6×6 prototype of the Land Rover vehicle representing the company’s proposed solution to new operational requirements and growing demand for payload and armoring capacity. Conceived in the 1980s as a specialist vehicle for the Australian defense Forces ‘Perentie’ project, the Land Rover 6×6 was developed to meet Australian requirements for high payload, cross-country vehicle. The vehicle was based on the defender 110 parts, equipped with a unique power train. Over a thousand vehicles were produced in Australia under license. The new vehicle will use the Defender 2.4 liter common-rail diesel engine mated to a six speed manual gearbox and 2 speed transfer box coupled to a permanent 6×6 drive. Its payload is increased to 4 tons, offering more volume for cargo (190 mm wider, 1.4 meter longer). The vehicle has a lower silhouette, offering better concealment and better stability for weapon systems, compared to higher truck-based platforms.
