Mbombe 8 South African 8x8 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Mbombe 8
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Mbombe 8 South African 8x8 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Designation
Mbombe 8
Alternate Designation
Mbombe 8; Barys 8
Equipment Type
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Manufacturer
Paramount Group
Date of Introduction
2016
Description
The Mbombe 8 South African 8x8 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) is a wheeled AFV in the 8×8 configuration. It is armored according to NATO standards and can be armed with either NATO or Soviet caliber weapons. It conforms with current 8×8 vehicle trends in that it has a double-skinned hull and can be fitted with additional ballistic armor if required. It is designed to carry up to 10 dismounts into combat and can provide them with direct fire support once there.
Ground Specifications
Crew
2
Mobility Type
Wheeled (8x8)
Main Weapon
57 mm dual-feed gun
Engine
Turbocharged Diesel (450 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
110.0 km/h
Range
800.0 km
System
Alternative Designation
Mbombe 8; Barys 8
Type
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Manufacturer
Paramount Group
Configuration
8x8
Crew
2 ea
Passengers
8 ea
Note
Standard equipment includes a 12 kW air-conditioning system with climate control, and external stowage boxes on either side of the hull that are blown away the event of the vehicle running over a mine or being hit by an IED. Additionally, the Mbombe 8 can be equipped with a front-mounted hydraulic winch, and an APU, which would allow all of the key subsystems to run with the main diesel engine switched off.
Dimensions
Length
8.00 m
Width
2.80 m
Height
2.40 m
Ground Clearance
0.45 m
Weight, Standard
20,000 kg
Weight, Combat
28,000 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
Cummins, 6 cylinders
Engine Type
Turbocharged and Intercooled Diesel
Engine Power
450 hp
Maximum Range
800 km
Maximum Speed
110 km/h
Amphibious
No
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
40%
Vertical Step
0.60 m
Fording
0.9 m
Trench
2.00 m
Turning Radius
12.0 m
Angle of Approach
40°
Angle of Departure
49°
Main Weapon System
Note
When the Mbombe 8 was shown for the first time, it was fitted with the Russian AU-220M remotely-operated turret armed with a stabilized A-220M 57 mm dual-feed gun and 7.62 mm PKTM co-axial MG. The 57 mm gun has a maximum cyclic rate-of-fire of 120 rds./second and fires ammunition natures including HE, APDS, and laser-guided projectiles. The laser-guided projectiles are reportedly capable of accurately engaging targets well beyond the range of standard 57 mm ammunition, up to a maximum of 12 km horizontally and 8 km vertically, according to the manufacturer. Some variants of the 57 mm gun have been fitted with a slotted muzzle brake, but the baseline uses a pepper pot muzzle brake. Mounted right of the A-220M is the PKTM, it has a maximum range of 1,500 m and a cyclic rate-of-fire of 800 rds./min. The turret carries 200 rounds for the A-220M and 2,000 for the PKTM.
An alternative option, the Ansar combat module, was presented by KPE in 2019 and 2020. Ansar is an unmanned turret that carries a 30×165 mm 2A72 cannon from the Russian company Tulamashzavod. It also carries a fire-control system designated Shyula, which informburo.kz states is a uniform design that can be used with other KPE weapon systems such as the Sunkar remote weapon station for light armored vehicles. Earlier reports indicate that it would be intended to carry an ATGM or other advanced weapon system, but no evidence of this was presented during the early 2020 trials.
Protection
Armor
The Mbombe 8 is protected with double-skin steel armor that provides ballistic protection qualified to STANAG 4569 Level 4, which is sufficient to provide the inhabitants with protection from 14.5 × 114 mm AP B32 ammunition fired from a range of 200 m as well as 155 mm HE shells detonating 30 m from the vehicle. Mine protection is set at STANAG 4569 levels 4a and 4b as standard, which means the vehicle is protected from a 10 kg anti-tank mine blast under any wheel and under the center of the hull. The ballistic protection can be extended to STANAG level 5 or 6, protecting the vehicle from 25 mm APDS-T fired from 500 m at the front of the vehicle and 30 mm APFSDS respectively. The crew have blast-attenuating seats and the vehicle can be fitted with an NBC system if required. It is thought that the Mbombe 8 has a form of digital electronic architecture that may allow the installation of an active protection system.
Applique Armor
Available
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Yes
Image Sources
Details
Country of Origin
South Africa
Category
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Land > Infantry Vehicles > Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
Filter Label
M
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
8 m
Width
2.8 m
Height
2.4 m
Weight
28000 kg
Operators (2)
South Africa
Kazakhstan
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