Arotech Corporation has unveiled a new version of the Tiger armored, Mine and Blast protected light vehicle, first unveiled at the AUSA 2009 exhibition in Washington in October. The Tiger is based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), the current version employs a commercial Dodge RAM 5500 platform, applied with highly protected monocoque armored capsule accommodating 6-9 soldiers with their equipment.
The vehicle is protected against large caliber small-arms, as well as roadside IEDs and mines. Its sides and floor are designed with blast mitigating elements and all crew and passenger seats are designed to reduce the exposure of the crew to blast effect.
The vehicle is powered by a Cummins 350 HP diesel engine, and equipped with large, military standard tires and 127” wheel base, offering high all terrain performance. The vehicle designers applied an advanced suspension system to ensure comfortable ride for the crew off-road, without utilizing independent suspension. Rated for a 8.8 ton Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) the fully armored and equipped vehicle has a payload capacity of 1.5 tons – for example, supporting 6 passengers plus 900 kg of equipment. An enhanced version can be upgraded to support up to 10.4 ton GVW allowing for additional armor protection. The vehicle uses standard attachments for application of add-on armor. Its payload capacity is significantly large enabling users to including appliqué armor that can defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFP) and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). The vehicle is designed with two doors at each side, a rear access door and roof hatch that can employ a gunner protected position or remotely operated weapon station. The cabin capsule can be removed and remounted in the field, allowing its installation on a new platform, enabling users to support missions with armored vehicles, by removing armored capsules from damaged vehicles or those sent for overhauled and repair, and mounting them to newly arrived platforms. According to the manufacturer, The MDT Tiger LPV was designed to be cost effective. The COTS Dodge platform ensures widespread support and cost effective maintenance.
At Milipol MDT presented the lighter variant, designed for police and para-military roles involving high risk. It is designed for SWAT units, anti terror units, drug enforcement units and other government agencies requiring exceptional all train capabilities coupled with extreme survivability. The cabin has a flat floor throughout and vertical walls, all-round windows and optional gun ports on all four directions, allowing flexible seating and equipment mission-dependent arrangements. The front row has three-in-a-row seats for driver, navigator and commander. In the rear, 3, 4 or 5 passengers can ride facing forward. The rear cabin can also accommodate 6 passengers in two side-facing rows. A 2 or 4 liter MedVac configuration is also supported.
