The "Piranha" armored vehicle is a wheeled armored vehicle designed and manufactured by the Swiss Mowag company, according to the number of wheels, there are 4× 4, 6×6, 8×8, 10×10 and other versions, which is a widely used armored vehicle in Europe and the United States.
| Basic parameters | |
| Length | 4.6 meters |
| Full width | 2.3 meters |
| Full height | 1.9 meters |
| weight | 3 tons |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h |
| Maximum stroke | 780 km |
History of R&D
In the early 1970s, Mowag began developing the Piranha armored vehicle on a self-financing basis. The first prototype was produced in 1972, which was a 6×6 model. In 1976, Mowag began producing 4×4, 6× 6, 8×8 models for Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In 1977, after a thorough comparison, the Canadian Armed Forces selected the Piranha armored vehicle and signed an order for 350 6×6 models. Soon, it was increased to 491 vehicles. Since then, the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Australia, Oman Sudan, Denmark, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand, Qatar and other countries have also ordered "piranha" armored vehicles. Today, the Piranha armored vehicle has evolved from a | to a V.S.
Hull construction
The "Piranha" armored vehicle has a cockpit on the left side of the front of the hull, a power cabin on the right side of the driver, a combat cabin in the middle, and a crew cabin in the rear. The crew can get on and off through the two doors at the rear of the vehicle body. The top of the crew compartment is usually also equipped with two doors that open outwards. The crew compartment is flanked by spherical firing holes for the carrier to shoot by cattle and is equipped with observation periscopes.
Attack ability
The Piranha armored vehicle can carry a variety of weapons, such as the 10×10 version of the main weapon is a 105 mm rifled gun, the turret can be rotated 360 degrees. Launch tail-stabilized shell-piercing shells with an initial velocity of 1495 m/s and have anti-tank capabilities. The secondary armament was a 7.62 mm parallel machine gun. The vehicle carried 38 rounds of shells and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
The "Piranha" armored vehicle (8×8 models) was driving at high speed
Protection capabilities
The early version of the "Piranha" armored vehicle used homogeneous armor, and later models changed to fully welded high-hardness armor, which could be equipped with additional armor or "Kevra" armor if necessary. The front of the vehicle can withstand the attack of 30 mm armored bullets, and other parts can also withstand the attack of heavy machine gun bullets at a distance of 500 meters. Anti-mine measures were taken at the bottom of the hull, and there were anti-mine shock wave deflection plates. The car has three defense devices, and the design also takes into account the suppression of radar signals and thermal signals.
Maneuverability
The piranha armored vehicle is powered by a Detroit 6V53TA diesel engine with a maximum of 202 dry watts. The driver can use the central tire pressure adjustment system to adjust the tire pressure according to the driving element of the vehicle's road surface. There is an early warning signal device in the car, and when the vehicle travels at a speed that exceeds the selected tire positioning limit, the early warning signal device will issue an alarm signal. The Piranha armored vehicle has the ability to wade through 2 meters of water.
Ten seconds of quick recognition
The front of the "Piranha" armored vehicle is pointed, the front armor is tilted significantly, the roof is horizontal, and the rear has a hatch that opens outward.