ProductsMountain Lion - “Powerful, Graceful, Agile... And Adaptable”The Mountain Lion is a versatile armored utility vehicle able to fulfil multiple roles on the battlefield. Engineered for a demandingly high payload while ensuring crew survivability, the Mountain Lion enhances the mobility of combat forces and extends expeditionary capabilities. The vehicle is also ideally suited for peacekeeping, peace enforcement and policing type operations.
The Mountain Lion’s unique design incorporates
a single piece (monocoque) Use of applied systems engineering techniques has culminated in unprecedented survivability for both the crew and vehicle. This engineering is founded in the knowledge base from the development and operation of the unrivalled Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD) as well as through feedback from customers using this vehicle. The VMMD has been aquired by the US government on a program of record and successfully deployed in Africa, Middle East, Balkans and Asia. It has also successfully completed arduous and comprehensive testing conducted in South Africa and at the US Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland and the White Sands Missile Range in California.
The Mountain Lion is equipped with the unique Four Wheel Steer (4WS) system that has been combat proven on the Husky VMMD. This dramatically reduces the turning circle enhancing the Mountain Lion’s mobility in close terrain and urban areas. The vehicle is fitted with an air conditioner
providing 10 kW of cooling as well as a 5 kW
Webasto diesel heater, allowing crews to operate
in arctic and desert environments.
Combat proven Allen Vanguard blast attenuating
seats and Skydex energy absorbing floor
panels further enhance crew protection and ride At present a 570 A Niehoff alternator, which delivers a maximum of 14 kW, supplies ample power through a unique Actia power management system, to operate a wide range of communication, surveillance and other electronic equipment required by soldiers to survive on the modern battlefield. Further development will see the addition of a second, hydraulically driven, 570 A alternator which in conjunction with the first alternator will deliver up to a monstrous 24 kW of power (with 12 kW available from engine at idle). The Automatic Fire Extinguisher System (AFES) which is supplied to US Military Specifications by Kidde USA provides fire suppression capabilities in the crew and engine compartments as well as for the tires and fuel tank. Strategic mobility is ensured by the fact that a Mountain Lion vehicle can be transported in a C-130 aircraft (without preparation required). Use of the maximum number of commercial
components in the Mountain Lion enhances the
ease with which the vehicle can be maintained
and supported logistically. Removable floor
panels and a one-piece engine hood facilitate
easy maintenance. The Mountain Lion’s ample load capacity allows
it to fulfil a wide range of command and control
functions as well as route clearance and combat
A Platt MR800 electrically driven armor protected ring mount which can carry a main weapon of the customer’s choice is fitted to the Mountain Lion. It incorporates a robust ring bearing assembly which has been proven in the harshest environments. The soft mount has four springs which buffer the recoil of the weapon, reducing vibration and increasing accuracy. This can, however, easily be replaced with a CROWS or similar remote weapons station, or turret of the customer’s choice. A digi-rack also allows for easy installation and storage of communication and other add-on electronic equipment required.
|
Tactical mobility and crew comfort (endurance)
during missions is achieved through the
combination of a powerful 300 hp, 810 lb-ft
engine coupled with a six speed automatic transmission,
suitably matched transfer transmission
and planetary axles fitted with double wishbone
fully independent suspension and coil springs
which have been integrated with LORD Magneto-
Rheological (MR) Semi Active Dampers.
