The Mbombe 8 provides increased ballistic and blast protection as well as enhanced mobility with four axles
South Africa-headquartered defence and aerospace platform manufacturer Paramount Group this week unveiled, for the first time in Africa, its high-mobility 8 X 8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the Mbombe 8, during the Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2016 exhibition, held at Airforce Base Waterkloof, in Centurion, outside Pretoria.
The Mbombe 8 adds to the existing family of Mbombe vehicles, including the Mbombe 4 and Mbombe 6, with the addition of a fourth axle to improve manoeuvrability and increase payload capabilities.
The Mbombe range can be modified to serve as either combat vehicles or armoured personnel carriers.
Paramount Group designed the vehicles to meet the increasing demand for multirole, high-mobility and mine-protected platforms, and for the changing demands of the global battlefield. The vehicles are sought after by governments around the world for their adaptability, protection and affordability, states Paramount.
The major advantage of the Mbombe family is the 80% commonality of components and technologies used in the three vehicles, which represents significant cost benefits to armed forces owing to greater efficiencies and significant savings.
Paramount Combat Systems CEO Ben Jansen said the development of the Mbombe 8 enabled Paramount to provide potential customers with a complete family of 4 X 4, 6 X 6 and 8 X 8 IFVs that share common components to reduce through-life costs and improve training and logistics.
“This commonality relates to both the driveline aggregates, as well as the fact that all three vehicles use a ‘conventional’, or in-line, automotive driveline configuration, positioning the powerpack (engine, gearbox and cooling systems) at the front of the vehicle and along its centre line.”
This configuration, he pointed out, results in greater efficiency in terms of the transfer of power from the powerpack to the wheels, as the loss of power associated with a second transfer gearbox – which is necessary for “unconventional” drivelines (such as with side-engined vehicles) – is eliminated.
“This presents a unique opportunity for our global market, affording a prospective end-user of all three vehicles significant savings in the areas of maintenance and logistical support.”
Key features of the Mbombe 8 include the ability to carry a payload of 9 t, including weapons system, ammunition, crew and supplies. It is powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and six-speed automatic gearbox, with a top speed of 110 km/h and an operating range of 800 km. A variety of turrets and weapon stations can be integrated into the Mbombe 8.
It also offers high levels of ballistic and mine protection, meeting North Atlantic Treaty Organisation standards Stanag 4569 Level 3+, 4a and 4b.
Paramount founder and executive chairperson Ivor Ichikowitz called the local unveiling of the Mbombe 8 a “momentous occasion” not only for Paramount, but also for South Africa – a country which “pioneered” landmine protected technologies.
“In six years, we have designed, developed and manufactured three high-speed, long-range and low-profile armoured combat vehicles. Without exception, we have earned an international reputation for pushing the boundaries and creating armoured vehicles that are groundbreaking in their design, protection levels and mobility.”