Plasan Sand Cat

Plasan Sand Cat

A Plasan Sand Cat armored vehicle, based on a shortened Ford F-350 platform.
Type Armored vehicle
Place of origin Israel
Service history
Used by See Operators
Wars War in Afghanistan[1]
Mexican Drug War[2]
Production history
Designer Nir Kahn[3][4]
Designed 2005
Manufacturer Plasan / Oshkosh Corporation / IBN Industrias Militares/IBN Military Industries
Produced 2005-
Specifications
Width 2 m (79 in)
Crew 4-8
Armor Variable level armor kits
Main
armament
 Remote weapon station (optional)
Engine 6.0 L Power Stroke diesel V8
Transmission 5-speed 5R110W automatic
Suspension 4x4, wheeled

The Sand Cat (Hebrew: פלסן קרקל‎‎, also Plasan Caracal) is a composite armored vehicle designed by Plasan of Israel. It is based on a commercial Ford F-Series chassis shortened to a 2.84 m (112 in) wheelbase by Manning Equipment of Louisville, Kentucky, United States.[5] Originally designed as a potential replacement for the AIL Storm jeeps of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF),[6] they have since developed numerous versions of the vehicle from 4 to 6 tons to transport up to 8 soldiers.[7] Examples have undergone trials by the IDF in Israel[8] and the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

A heavily armored version of the Sand Cat featuring ceramic body parts was presented to the U.S. military at the Platform System Demonstrator event in August 2006.[9] At the 2008 Eurosatory, the Sand Cat was shown branded as an Oshkosh Corporation product.

The new Sand Cat Stormer featuring more ballistic resistance and new advanced technologies will be produced by IBN Industrias Militares/ IBN Military Industries (INBRA USA INC) in 2016.[10]

History

The Sand Cat was first shown publicly as the Caracal at the AUSA show in October 2005. It has since been presented at various shows including the 2005 Milipol law enforcement show in Paris, the 2006 Mid-America Trucking Show, and 2006 Eurosatory under the name "Sand Cat".

Design

A Bulgarian military police Sand Cat in May 2012; armed with a remote weapon station.

The design was described by Israeli car magazine Hegeh as being "as sexy as a female air-force commander".[11] The trapezoid shaped side windows are designed to reduce the weight of transparent armor without adversely affecting the field of vision.

The fully armored body utilises a combination of armored steel, ceramics, and composites to provide a field replaceable modular armor package at various threat levels.[8] The Sand Cat is reported to have excellent handling and acceleration for an armored vehicle.[12] The interior can accommodate an open stretcher.[13]

Sand Cat Plus

In July 2007 Plasan released information about a new version of the Sand Cat, the "Sand Cat Plus". Featuring a station wagon style body and 8 seats it was designed as a low-profile vehicle for use by elite units. In contrast to the military Sand Cat, the Plus is fitted with full side body mouldings and is painted in civilian colors. Despite the SUV appearance it still has a high level of armor as well as NBC and fire suppression systems. It has a very small turning circle and has been described as surprisingly quick for a 7 ton vehicle.[14]

Oshkosh Sand Cat

An Oshkosh Sand Cat in desert camouflage; at a British military expo in June 2008.
A Republic of Korea owned Sandcat firing a Spike missile.

In June 2008, the Sand Cat was relaunched as a product of Oshkosh Defense. Now based on the 9-ton F550 chassis, it is being pitched to fill the gap between the armored HMMWV and the anticipated JLTV. The Oshkosh Sand Cat includes lessons learned from the MRAP series and features impact-absorbing suspended seats and a V-hull to add underbelly armor protection.[15] In 2010 the SandCat was upgraded with twice the underbody blast protection of previous versions.[1]

DN-XI

Local production of the Sand Cat by Blindajes Epel for the Mexican Army, with assistance of Oshkosh Defense.[16] Designation DN-XI by the Mexican Army.

Operators

Map with Sand Cat operators in blue

Current operators

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Barrett, Rick (2010-06-16). "Oshkosh creates new patrol vehicle". JSOnline. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  2. ↑ "Nuevos Vehiculos Oshkosh Sandcat TPV para el Ejercito - Página 3". Defensamexico.activoforo.com. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  3. ↑ חדשות הרכב מישראל ומהעולם, הכל על מכוניות (in Hebrew). Motocar. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  4. ↑ Across the desert in the Plasan SandCat. Top Gear (magazine). 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  5. ↑ Schoenberger, Robert (2006-10-19). "Manning plans military vehicle on Ford frames". The Courier Journal. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 2007-09-27. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  8. 1 2 ""Sand cat" - All-Protected Combat Vehicle from Plasan Sasa". Defense-update.com. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  9. ↑ "BATTLESPACE - In this issue". Battle-technology.com. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  10. ↑ "Fabricarán blindados Sandcat en México". Estado Mayor (in Spanish). Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  11. ↑ Hegeh b'Shetach, May 2006 p.38
  12. ↑ "BATTLESPACE - Companies Directory". Battle-technology.com. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  13. ↑ ""Sand cat" - All-Protected Combat Vehicle from Plasan Sasa". Defense-update.com. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  14. ↑ "פרי המלחמה - וואלה! רכב". Cars.walla.co.il. 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  15. ↑ Archived December 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ Blindajes Epel. "Sand Cat" (in Spanish).
  17. ↑ http://az.azeridefence.com/azerbaycanin-israilden-aldigi-sand-cat-masinlarinin-teqdimati-kecirilib-fotolar/
  18. ↑ "Plasan Delivers 25 SandCat Vehicles to Bulgaria". Army Technology. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  19. ↑ Colombia selects the Oshkosh Sandcat - Armyrecognition.com, December 20, 2012
  20. ↑ "Plasan armors Sand Cats for Israel Police". Globes.co.il. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  21. ↑ "קרקל - העידן החדש". 4x4.co.il. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  22. ↑ "Combatirán al crimen con el "gato de arena" - El Universal - Mêxico". El Universal. 2011-02-05. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  23. ↑ Navit Zomer (2011-02-28). "Plasan wins Mexican defense bid". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  24. ↑ John Pike (2011-04-11). "Oshkosh Defense Introduces SandCat Tactical Protector Vehicle in Latin America at LAAD 2011". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  25. ↑ "Plasan SandCat 4x4 czyli Szop". Defense24.org. 2015-09-08.
  26. ↑ Alina Dumitrache (2011-04-12). "Oshkosh SandCat TPV Goes to Latin America". Autoevolution.com. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
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