General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has unveiled the 10×10 Piranha Heavy Mission Carrier (HMC), the latest variant in the Piranha wheeled armoured vehicle family.
The Piranha HMC weighs 40 tonnes and has a payload capacity of 17 tonnes. The vehicle features advanced driveline and suspension technologies, including a 10×10 all-wheel-drive power driveline and a unique multi-link suspension system (MLS) that features 1st/2nd and 4th/5th axle steering.
These features allow for minimum axle loads to comply with European road regulations, superior cross-country mobility, and the ability to cross trenches with ease, all while maintaining a reduced turning cycle of less than 18 meters.
GDELS stated that with the Piranha HMC, the company is responding to the growing need for highly manoeuvrable wheeled armoured vehicle platforms for increasingly demanding mission profiles while accommodating essential military mobility requirements for NATO and international customers.
“The PIRANHA HMC is a direct response to our global customer base`s evolving payload and space claim requirements for versatile and multi-purpose missions including direct and indirect fires, air-defense and tactical bridging capabilities”, says Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS Vice President for Global Sales & Services.
“This unique vehicle platform is a result of our continuous strive towards innovative automotive and driveline technologies combined with over 40 years of excellence and experience as a world-class vehicle OEM”, added Giuseppe Chillari, GDELS Vice President Wheeled Vehicles & Managing Director GDELS-Mowag.
The Piranha family of vehicles has over 12,000 vehicles in service in over 20 countries. The family includes versions such as 8×8, 4×4, 6×6, and 10×10, as well as amphibious variants.
