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Casspir vehicle shedding its apartheid links as it takes on peacekeeping role

8th April 2016

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

  

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Defence vehicle systems company Denel Land Systems (DLS) is continuing to update and broaden the versatility of the Casspir family of mine-protected vehicles – a move that is not only safeguarding the South African-developed platform, but also helping the vehicle to shed its controversial past links to apartheid.

‘Casspir’ is an anagram derived from the abbreviations of the names of its developer, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the (then) South African Police (SAP), for which it was designated. The original Casspir was designed in the late 1970s by Dr Vernon Joynt, of the CSIR.

The vehicle’s primary design characteristic is its V-shaped hull, which serves to deflect blast energy from a landmine. Its high ground clearance also serves to reduce the possibility of a rollover during such blasts.

The Casspir Mk I was developed in the late 1970s from Vernon’s design primarily because the SAP required a mine-protected armoured personnel carrier (APC) in the Namibian War of Independence. Shortly thereafter, the SAP’s counterinsurgency unit (a controversial para- military force known as Koevoet) required a mine-resistant personnel-transporting vehicle for ‘border war’ operations in Angola during the 1980s. Areas along the border of Angola, including the infamously dangerous Caprivi Strip (used as an access point into Angola), were littered with landmines to deter invasions by the SAP and the South African Defence Force.

Casspirs were also notoriously deployed in domestic security operations, primarily in townships and areas of social resistance to the then ruling National Party. As a consequence, the vehicles became strongly associated with excessive force and repression.

The vehicle’s hard edge was not confined to its operational role, with the first Mk I and Mk II variants incorporating a rudimentary design, which offered little comfort. The hard-foam seats were permanently fixed, there was no air conditioning and insulation and also only one entry point for troops. Denel also produced a Mk III with modifications to accommodate a more powerful, updated 170 hp engine and suspension system.

The first commercial-scale order for 140 Casspirs was placed with manufacturer Henred Fruenhauf in 1979. TFM took over production in 1981, which improved the design of the Mk II. Various other manufacturers produced the Casspir, including Vickers Defence Systems (later known as Alvis Vickers), and Land Systems OMC, of which Denel acquired 75% in 2015. About 3 000 Casspirs have been manufactured in South Africa to date.

New Generation
Following the negotiated settlement that resulted in the end of apartheid, the vehicle has been actively reinvented. However, it was only in April 2013 that the Mk classification was scrapped and the New Generation, or NG, 2000, variants launched. All future updates to the Casspir NG 2000 (with 2000 referring to the new millennium) have been associated with letters of the alphabet, such as NG 2000 B.

At the same time, the vehicle began to take on a new role, primarily in peacekeeping, which was reflected in the modifications. Upgrades include internal light-emitting diode (LED) clusters; gun ports in the windows instead of the body; dual air-conditioning units and insulation; an upgraded suspension, improved from load-bearing capabilities of 7 t to 9 t; removable seats; a recovery winch; a rigid tow bar; dual rear doors; and two additional front doors for driver and co-driver. These advancements were adopted to ensure greater compatibility between all the Casspir variants and to improve operability and interchangeability between all the variants.

To assist in reversing the negative image associated with the Casspir during the apartheid era, DLS is marketing the Casspir NG 2000 as a multirole peacekeeping platform, primarily used for defence and deterrence purposes.

DLS has retained the Casspir’s strong mine-resistant capabilities, as the bulk of its current and future applications will involve being used in mined areas. “We are also increasing its resistance to road-side bombs and, in this regard, DLS is working with the CSIR to develop an external system to mitigate the damage caused by such bombs,” says DLS senior manager Jack Geldenhuys.

DLS received an order in 2013 for 45 Casspir NG 2000 vehicles of various platforms from Angola.

Family Platform
Casspirs are designed to protect and ensure the survival of its crew, Geldenhuys says, adding that the vehicles will be significantly damaged during most incidents of severe mine blasts, but the crew would emerge without life-threatening injuries.

However, major drive- train components can be restored to a “degree of working order” within two to four hours – if parts are available and the crew is adequately trained – after a mine blast, which “will at least allow for the vehicle to be driven away”, he adds.

Subsequent to the early base-model platform – the Casspir Mk I APC – several other variants were developed over its life span, including an early version of a recovery, logistical carrier and field transport units, as well as some prototypes.

In terms of the Mk models, an ambulance version was adapted from the early APC variant to accommodate two stretchered patients and medical personnel.

Meanwhile, the NG 2000 APC – capable of carrying ten troops, a driver and a co-driver and complemented by a range of supporting vehicles – remains the primary vehicle platform.

The NG 2000 range now includes recovery and maintenance (4 × 4 for medium-duty operations and 6 × 6 for heavy towing), ambulance, water carrier, fuel tanker, command, weapons platform, improvised explosive device (IED) intervention and logistical transport variants. These multirole vehicles are suited to most of the peacekeeping operations currently being conducted in African war-torn regions.

There is also an 8 × 8 recovery and maintenance vehicle, but Geldenhuys notes that the bulk of current heavy-duty demands can be met by the 6 × 6 variant. The recovery vehicles are suitable for the recovery of any of the Casspir range of vehicles, as well as vehicles of similar weight and size.

Client Customisable
A Casspir NG 2000 variant can be custom-built according to client specifics, such as installing region-specific drivetrains or unique weapons systems, he adds.

Geldenhuys says the Casspir NG 2000 is marketed with either Mercedes-Benz or Powerstar South Africa (licensed by Mercedes-Benz to be built locally) engines. The latter engine is more simplistic, without electronically controlled engine management systems, which means these variants attract less of a premium and simplify maintenance and servicing. Within this engine range, standard power outputs range from 230 hp to 306 hp, with the additional option of a high- output 360 hp engine.

The Powerstar engine provides a unique benefit for African clients and conditions, as it can be serviced or removed by personnel without special training or using high-tech equipment, he notes.

The NG 2000 Ambulance uses the new wide-body format and builds on the early- generation Casspir ambulance with the addition of two more stretcher spaces, bringing the total patient capacity to four stretchered and two seated patients. There is also seating for two medical personnel, a driver and a driver’s assistant. There is also a washbasin and LED lights at each working space.

Further, an internal winch facilitates ease of loading patients on stretchers from a battlefield scenario by one person. This feature is also essential to empowering women in the defence industry, as it enables them to handle stretchers on a vehicle of high ground clearance, says Geldenhuys.

The Casspir NG 2000 Command vehicle also uses the wide-body format to provide more room for commanding officers. It also includes tables and easily stowable seating, as well as options to install antennas and radio and satellite communications infrastructure to facilitate communications in any military or peacekeeping operation.

“Although we do not provide the physical command equipment, we do provide the necessary infrastructure to retrofit whatever the client requires,” he says.

It also features fold-down black-out panels on all the windows and doors to decrease visual detectability during night-time operations, with an external generator providing electricity without having to operate the vehicle’s engine.

The Casspir NG 2000 IED intervention variant employs a hydraulic telescopic boom to which various bomb-inspecting and -disposal tools can be attached. The boom employs video cameras to assist in visually inspecting suspicious items and is equipped with larger- than-normal windows at the operator’s station.

To mitigate risk for the crew, the tool end of the boom can be accessed from inside the vehicle, which enables the crew to change tools without being exposed to gun fire or shrapnel.

DLS is responsible for the design and initial construction of the US Army’s primary IED intervention vehicle – the Buffalo – which was used extensively in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Since 2008, DLS, incorporating Mechem, has supplied a number of Casspir NG 2000 IED intervention vehicles to the United Nations for use in Somalia, as part of the African union mission in that country.

The primary role of the EID intervention vehicle is to be the lead vehicle in military convoys, as it is tasked with inspecting suspi- cious items. The boom is equipped with a high-pressure water disruptor, which is used to separate components of suspected road-side bombs and also potentially disarm them nondestructively.

Firepower
The newly added so-called double-cab Casspir NG 2000 is suitable as a weapons platform, and includes a crew-carrying cabin and rear flat-bed platform, upon which various weapons can be installed.

This version can accommodate a driver, co-driver and four members to operate the weapons system.

Typical weapons systems that can be installed include indirect-fire weapons, such as an 81 mm mortar system, or direct-fire weapons such as a 106 mm recoilless gun, or a 23 mm anti- aircraft gun.

A medium turret, upon which machine guns of up to 12.7 mm can be fitted, can also be installed. Rooftop pintle mounts can also accommodate machine guns of up to 7.62 mm.

Denel’s Plofadder mine-clearing system can also be installed.

Geldenhuys says the NG 2000 platform facili- tates growth for DLS into the expanding and critical market of peacekeeping and support missions, as well as mine clearing operations, with a single vehicular platform to assist in simplified maintenance and operability of a fleet of vehicles that can be used for different tasks.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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