As versões apresentadas neste artigo sobre o EVO 6X6, com a excepção do porta canhão, são as que actualmente estão em falta na frota pandur 8X8.The Pandur Evolution 6×6 is one of the most powerful armored vehicles in its class. Around 20 years after the wheeled armored vehicle Pandur 6×6 was first introduced into the Austrian Armed Forces, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) developed the Pandur Evolution 6×6 in 2019, a variant of the vehicle with significantly increased combat effectiveness, and handed over the first examples to the infantry units of the Armed Forces . The Austrian fighters use the Pandur Evolution as a personnel carrier. The crew consists of a driver, gunner and vehicle commander, and there is also room for eight fully equipped infantrymen in the vehicle.
In order to meet the increased demands on the vehicle - especially in terms of protection - GDELS has completely revised the Evolution and relied on the proven concept of the monocoque hull made of armored steel with the drive train fully integrated into the hull. Following the construction philosophy of tactical wheeled vehicles – as implemented with the Boxer, for example – the entire drive train including hydraulic systems, the fuel system and the steering were left in the vehicle hull to protect them from ballistic threats. Another advantage of this design is the lower mechanical stress (dirt, impact damage, overheating) on the components when driving in difficult terrain and the associated lower maintenance costs.
More recently, a variant of the vehicle that offers a combination of mobility and protection coupled with interior cargo transport capability on the C-130J tactical airlift aircraft has also been designated a protected platform by US Special Forces as part of the Armored Ground Mobility System Program (AGMS). selected for counterterror and reconnaissance operations. GDELS is currently mass-producing the Pandur Evolution, as more than 100 vehicles are already under contract, with a large proportion having already been delivered and having proven themselves in service with the troops.
The Pandur Evolution 6×6 as an internal load in a C-130 transport aircraft. (Photo: GDELS)To the technique
Compared to other 6×6 wheeled tanks, the Pandur Evolution has a particularly powerful engine. The vehicle, which weighs around 18.6 tons and has a payload of up to 4.5 tons, is powered by an 8.9 liter Cummins ISLe 450 6-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 335 kW via a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission and reaches top speeds of 82 km/h (off-road) or 118 km/h (road). The power-to-weight ratio is 17.6 kW/t, which according to the Pandur GDELS gives it agility unrivaled in the vehicle class both on and off-road. The independent wheel suspension including the so-called Automatic Drivetrain Management with 100 percent locking efficiency also contributes to this. According to GDELS, this offers "fully automatic powertrain management (activation and deactivation of all-wheel drive, longitudinal/transverse locks) with possible manual partial or full override".
Drive train, hydraulics, cable winch and steering system (with the exception of the outer steering lever) are or can be installed within the protected vehicle pan. (Graphic: GDELS)
Including the mine protection and the additional armor from Rheinmetall Protection Systems - ballistic protection class according to STANAG 4569 Level 3 - the vehicle is only 2.6 meters wide and 2.2 meters high, which means that it can be transported by air in a C-130 H/J . An explosion suppression system, a decoupled floor (as part of mine protection; at the same time offers added value for crew comfort and ergonomics) and NBC protective ventilation contribute to the high level of protection.
Specifications Pandur Evolution 6×6
maximum weight allowed 19t
Curb weight 14.5 tons
Length Width Height 6.70m / 2.60m / 2.20m
Motor 6 cylinder (Cummins)
power 335 kW (455 hp)
power-to-weight ratio 17.6 kW/t (24 hp/t)
buoyancy possible
independent suspension yes
Steered axles 2
Protection class STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic and higher than Level 3 mine protection
Decoupled floor yes
Decoupled seats yes
fire suppression system yes
NBC protective ventilation system yes
Possible crew 3+8
Full focus on tactical use in the field
The design philosophy of the vehicle is recognizable at first glance, the tactical use of the vehicle is the absolute focus. Comparable to main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers, the Pandur Evolution did not have a windscreen for the driver and commander for reasons of protection. The vehicle is guided either through the hatch or under the hatch using corner mirrors and 360-degree driver vision systems (day/night).
The arrangement of the engines (power pack concept) at the front right of the vehicle not only enables quick and easy access for maintenance and combat damage repairs, it also offers direct access to the driver from the combat compartment. If necessary, it can be salvaged under armor protection. According to the manufacturer, an engine replacement is possible within one hour – 30 minutes removal and 30 minutes installation.
Several roof hatches for the driver, commander and three hatches for the fighting compartment as well as a hydraulically operated rear ramp with a manually operated emergency door not only offer a wide range of options for getting on and off, but also the option of conducting firefights via the hatch.
The placement of Rotzler's internal capstan self-recovery threads with the option of pulling forwards or backwards at the upper left corner of the rear of the vehicle or the upper right side of the vehicle front is particularly well thought out. Once "properly" stuck, the vehicle crew does not have to first dig out the winch and possible attachment points in order to be able to recover the Pandur.
Balanced "Iron Triangle"
Mobility, protection and effectiveness are the essential parameters that determine the performance of military vehicles. Basically, these parameters influence each other. Higher protection usually requires more armor or other protective measures, which in turn results in a higher weight and a larger volume and thus has a significant influence on the mobility of the vehicle. Protective measures are also important. Weight reserves can therefore no longer be used for the parameter effect (e.g. weapon systems or payload/combat volume). The interaction of these mutually influencing factors is referred to as the "Iron Triangle".
With the Pandur Evolution 6×6, GDELS seems to have succeeded in making the “iron triangle” particularly balanced. The vehicle has a comparatively high level of protection for its weight class (14.5 t). For comparison: In the lighter configuration (16 t), the Patria 6×6 CAVS only achieves a level of protection in accordance with STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic and mine/IED. At the same time, the Pandur is around 40 centimeters narrower and 20 to 30 centimeters lower than other 6×6 wheeled armored vehicles, such as the latest version of the Fuchs armored transport vehicle or the aforementioned Patria vehicle. In conjunction with a power-to-weight ratio of 17.6 kW/t, which has also not been achieved so far, the technical parameters of the vehicle not only lead to particularly high tactical mobility (off-road capability, maneuverability in densely built-up urban structures or regions with only weak infrastructure), they also lead to a particularly high strategic mobility. Because the Evolution is suitable for being transported as an internal load in a C-130 transport aircraft – the most widespread transport aircraft in the world. To do this, however, the weapon station must be removed.
In addition to the three-person crew, the Pandur Evolution armored personnel carrier variant has space for eight fully equipped infantrymen and a lavish group outfit. (Photo: GDELS)Technically, an amphibious mobility of the Pandur Evolution is also feasible. Even though neither the Austrian nor the US version of the vehicle is buoyant, GDELS says it could also offer the Pandur Evolution 6×6 in a buoyant version. According to GDELS, all the necessary technologies and know-how are available in the company and amphibious Pandours (8×8) have been in use in the Czech Republic and Portugal for some time. The drive components, which are protected in the vehicle hull, offer buoyancy advantages for the vehicle. GDELS engineers point out that this vehicle design provides the basis for making even more heavily armored vehicles buoyant.
At the same time, the vehicle is able to accommodate a crew of three and up to eight other fully equipped infantrymen in the combat area. Which was probably one of the reasons why the US special forces chose exactly this vehicle. Due to the compact design and small width of the vehicle, this can of course only be achieved in a narrow, interlocking seat configuration - one of the knees of the other person is between the legs of the person sitting opposite.
The combat compartment configuration of the Pandur Evolution 6×6. (Graphic: GDELS)Possible options. The Pandur Evolution 6×6 is currently being manufactured in two different variants – armored personnel carriers for the German army and an unspecified version as the Armored Ground Mobility System for the US armed forces.
Thanks to a rail system integrated in the combat area, the armored personnel carrier variant of the Pandur can also be converted in the field using a conversion kit to a CASEVAC variant if necessary, so that the wounded can be rescued from the battlefield under armored protection. (Photo: GDELS)The manufacturer refers to the high modularity of the Pandur, which is already being used at user level. Thanks to a rail system integrated in the combat area, the Jägertruppe can, if necessary, also convert individual vehicles in the field using a conversion kit to a CASEVAC variant in order to be able to rescue wounded people from the battlefield under armor protection. For this purpose, a wounded stretcher for a lying patient is scaffolded in the left part of the combat area. The right three seats remain unaffected.
The concept of the monocoque hull is designed in such a way that a complete family of wheeled vehicles can be represented on the same platform. According to GDELS, the platform offers an excellent basis for further variants of combat vehicles due to its high payload. Variants would be conceivable as command and reconnaissance vehicles - also with an unmanned 30 mm machine gun turret - as well as anti-aircraft vehicles (radar or weapon carriers), engineering vehicles, but also 120 mm mortar carriers or tank destroyers. The interior can be configured modularly and designed for mission-specific requirements. For example, depending on the requirements, the fuel tanks can be integrated inside the tub, or external and self-sealing tanks can also be installed. This concept significantly increases the storage volume in the vehicle.
Due to its design concept, the Pandur platform is suitable for a wide range of different vehicle variants. (Graphic: GDELS)
All in all, the Pandur Evolution 6×6 also offers a possible alternative to the regeneration of armored transport vehicles introduced by the Bundeswehr in terms of its capabilities, the possible variety of variants and the pricing, which could be available in the near future.
https://esut.de/en/2022/08/fachbeitraege/ruestung/36452/pandur-evolution-6x6-taktische-und-strategische-mobilitaet-der-extraklasse/