Best "mud Recce" vehicle?

[armd_recce]

Well, if were stuck with a jeep for recce, the Eagle would be pretty jammy I think. Hatch for the observer, turret with a GPMG, based to the Hummer chassis.
Wishful thinking I know, but it‘s always fun to window shop.
Take a look; http://www.armyvehicles.dk/mowageagle.htm

 

[rceme_rat]

Given the budget these days, you‘re more likely to see recce being done in an old AMC Eagle than the Mowag Eagle.

I wonder if Ruf (Mowag‘s owner) is the same guy who does the Porsche conversions.

 

[USMCMatt]

Don‘t laugh, but the US Special Operations Command back in the mid-70‘s used AMC Eagles for covert ops. Richard Marcinko discusses this in his book Rogue Warrior and how he refused to use a vehicle that would stand out like a sore thumb in a third world country (ie. AMC Eagle) and opted for Mercedes-Benz sedans and Toyota Landcruisers (?).

In all seriousness though, apparently the Danes aren‘t as thrilled with their MOWAG Eagles as they anticipated. I think that Keld at www.tactical.dk could provide you with some insight on this. Their "pathfinder" units (recce. equivalent) are using soft-topped Mercedes G-Wagen‘s rather than the Eagles, as apparently they have better observation from the vehicle. I‘m no expert, since I‘ve never been in the Danish Army, or ever used a MOWAG Eagle, so contact Keld. He‘ll have the scoop for you there.

 

[rceme_rat]

As a fan of the "family of vehicles" concept (and its corollary - the fewer families of vehicles, the better), I would suggest that the Eagle might be very attractive to troops using Hummvees. Since the rumour is that we will be going with the G-wagen, a look at its recce variant would be worthwhile.

(Now, if we could roll back the clock, and replace the Iltis and the 5/4T at the same time, the Hummvee would have been a good choice.)

 

[Black6]

If we are restricting the choice to a 4x4 chasis, then my pick would be the French VBL.

Completely armoured with turret, NBC, passive ni vis, air conditioning AND it‘s amphibious (it‘s a SIN that the Coyote cannot swim!)

Here are some links to take a look at:

http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/supplement/lav/lav_panhard_vbl.shtml

http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/dimi_labada/VBL/VBL_UK.htm

Driver, ADVANCE!

 

[armd_recce]

Looks like another cool one. But is there a hatch for the crew comd AND observer?
Ideally I‘d want the Obs on the gun and the CC with his head out too...
But it sure seems superior to the Eagle, especially if it has ATGM capability

 

[ryemaybee]

Just like to say Hi...me being the new guy.
I have to agree with Black6, VBL would ahve been my choice particularly for reserve units...easy and cheap to maintain, easy to train on, and it could carry a MILAN. Plus it swims, as my esteemed colleague has pointed out. I bet we could get it fairly cheap too.

 

[ryemaybee]

I agree. VBL is a great vehicle proven in many different environments and since it‘s off the shelf would be pretty cheap too. Also the cupola ring supports weapons up to MILAN...that‘s a lot more punch than a C-6 bungee corded to my hood. And if I remeber correctly the VBL has three roof hatches, a "family" hatch, and one each for CC and OBS/GUN.

 

[Armoured Fist]

Heard only nightmarish stories about the electrical system from a recently retired warrant officer of the FFL. Said that the thing wouldn‘t start if windsheild washers were N/S. All the computer system is linked and garbage, that is what I heard, can‘t confirm it for myself, and haven‘t done any research on the VBL.

 

[Black6]

I wonder if it was even considered for the trials? Sounds like an Access to Information task to me!

 

[Black6]

Hey Armd Fist,

Well, what ever problems the VBL has now could only get worse once Bombardier or White Star get their paws on it! lol

But it looks like a pretty impressive little CRV!

 

[Black6]

Here‘s another interesting recce veh the "FENNEK"

Looks very capable, NBC, very good armour protection, 3 man crew, 3.3m surveillance mast, weapon station...no mention of water crossing capability though..hmmmmm. But, it is a German product so I would bet on it can cross water - they seem to understand that need: Luchs, Fuchs..

Here is the link, but you have to drill down to WHEELED VEHICLES then FENNEK

http://www.kmweg.de/english/

I wonder why this little gem was never mentioned in trials?

 

[McG]

Janes lists the Fenneck as being Manufactured by SP Aerospace and Vehicle Systems in the Netherlands. The web site vaguely mentions the company, but I belive the Germans are actually the smaller share holder in the project (at least they were when Jane‘s wrote the article I read). In any case, there were several even more flatering pictures there.

It would be interesting to see that thing move cross country.

 

[Spr Earl]

One of the smart choice‘s ever made was the buying of the "Mamba" an Engineer E.O.D. vehicle,
a South African vehicle made by Aldis ,armoured all round including window‘s, the hull is V shaped to deflect the blast and it‘s made in section‘s so if say the right front end hit‘s a mine the blast damage can be repaired easily also during trial‘s crew survivabilty was rated at 95% for a mine srtike.
On the front end are wing tank‘s over the wheel‘s for water for blast protection or drinking!
In the back is room for 6 men with all the kit needed but a pig an the Highway but good off road.
We used it in Yugo. as a Firing point for destuction of munition‘s up close and what a view!!! :evil: nice seeing your work up close up.( Yes We like our boom boom‘s)

I‘ll keep looking and post in the vehicle site if I find the photo‘s

P.S Me and my ****y spelling!

 

[John Nayduk]

What‘s your thoughts?

 

[Sharpey]

Mud RECCE should be small and fast right? Well, how about an ATV type vehicle. This obviously leaves the operator vulnerable, but no more volnerable than the Iltis.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Give me back my Ferret!

 

[Spanky]

Depends on the terrain and task. Desert or other areas requiring long distance to cover...something like a hummer. Close in territory with shorter distance... ATV Maybe a combination org like Hummers or Land Rovers with dirt bikes mounted on back.

 

[John Nayduk]

How about the French VBL? Small, amphibious, armoured...

 

[toms3]

I am all for it, I love the VBL. The problems I have heard from individuals that have seen them overseas is space for kit (pers and Ops) and you can‘t take your top off.....

I think for Mud Recce, maybe a jeep type that can go "armour up".

:tank: