Patria reveals FAMOUS tracked vehicle

Patria believes there is a significant market in replacing ageing fleets of M113 series and other All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in service in Europe and elsewhere.

Under funding from the European Union aimed at renewing a European technical capability in the manufacture of ATVs, Patria is leading a nine country consortium and has designed and built two test beds of a new ATV concept vehicle called FAMOUS (Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems).

Since the 1960s more than 80,000 M113 series vehicles have been produced according to Defence Insight. There are significant inventories still in Europe, including Denmark, Greece, Norway and Portugal.

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Mikko Karppinen, senior VP protected mobility and defence systems at Patria, told Shephard: “This vehicle has exceptional cross country and on a hard surface has achieved a maximum road speed of 88km/h.”

In many respects it is very similar in appearance to the Russian MTLB tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC) built in large numbers for the Russian Army and many other countries. It is used for a high number of more specialised missions, due to its mobility.

As result, users of these vehicles now in the Western orbit also present another significant market opportunity, according to Sam Hart, lead land analyst for Shephard Defence Insight.

Few technical details have been released on FAMOUS but a gross vehicle weight of around 15 tonnes is claimed of which 3.5 tonnes, is payload. It can cross a 2m ditch and climb a gradient of 60%.

Depending on the payload it is also fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks at a maximum speed of up to 4km/h.

The hull is of all welded steel with various applique armour systems also being offered for higher survivability.

No details of the power-pack of FAMOUS have been released, but it is not at the front and is to the rear of the crew consisting of driver and commander. The 10 dismounts are seated in the rear and can rapidly enter and leave via the rear door.

Mounted on the roof of the FAMOUS test bed is an ITAR-free Kongsberg remote weapon station armed with a KNDS–France 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

No details of the suspension used on the test bed have been revealed, but it is understood not to be torsion bar.

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