The ACMAT VLRA (Véhicule de Liaison, de Reconnaissance et d'Appui) was developed in the late 1950s specifically for operations in the Sahara. Since then, it has been adopted by the French Army and many other countries throughout the world and is also used for a variety of civil applications, for example by oil companies. The ACMAT Division ALM factory at Saint Nazaire can manufacture up to 1,200 vehicles of all types every year.
The base vehicle in the ACMAT range is the VLRA 4 × 4, of which over 60 models are available, including armoured versions, tactical, logistic and specialised variants such as ambulances. ACMAT vehicles, of which over 80 models are available in total, are in service with at least 45 countries on five continents.
In 1998, and in response to pending European requirements, ACMAT began development of the VLRB (armoured liaison and reconnaissance vehicle) based on the VLRA chassis, but with an emissions compliant engine, a fully automatic transmission, and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). In keeping with the ACMAT philosophy of modularity and interchangeability of components, this updated VLRB driveline is fully transposable in to any VLRA variant. Full details of the VLRB can be found in Jane's Armour and Artillery, and full details of the updated driveline package (TCM 4 20) can be found elsewhere in this section.
Description
The layout of the ACMAT VLRA 4 × 4 is conventional, with the engine at the front, cab in the centre and cargo area at the rear. The cab has a windscreen which can be folded forward onto the bonnet and a removable nylon canvas roof and side doors. A European cab (metal door and fabric top) and an all-metal cab are available. The spare wheel is mounted to the left of the driver's position, or in the rear cargo space. The cargo area at the rear has a drop tailgate, removable bows and nylon canvas covers. Seats can be fitted down the sides or centre of the cargo area for carrying personnel.
The TCM 4 20 driveline variant mentioned earlier is now available, but prior to this, on every ACMAT VLRA 4 × 4 variant the engine was the same, namely a Perkins 6.354.4 diesel developing 138 hp at 2,800 rpm, coupled to a manual four-speed gearbox.
Special equipment fitted as standard includes long-range fuel tanks to allow 1,600 km of travel or 34 hours of cross-country operation, and a 200 litre water tank; these figures are reduced to 900 km and 100 litres for the TPK 4.15 SM3/FSP. Standard equipment also includes four jerrycans, two sand channels, twin-dry and oil-based air filtration equipment and a six-bladed 500 mm fan driven by twin fanbelts, as well as a specially designed water radiator. A heavy-duty chassis, gearbox and suspension are also employed. The reduction box and axles are of ACMAT design.
All vehicles are suppressed to the second degree (NATO standard) and a 3,000 kg winch can be fitted to the front of the vehicle if required. A 6,000 kg towing hook is standard and a multiposition version is also available for the artillery-towing role. Full EC lighting equipment is available if required, as is power-assisted steering. All VLRA vehicles can be produced in left- or right-hand drive forms.
The basic vehicle can be armed with a 5.56 or 7.62 mm machine gun, which is pedestal-mounted, and a 12.7 mm machine gun ring-mounted above the passenger's seat if required. Various types of weapon can be carried on the rear cargo area.
It is important to note the high degree of commonality of wearing parts throughout the entire range of ACMAT vehicles. Not only is the same engine used in every ACMAT VLRA vehicle, but a commonality level of over 80 per cent exists across the entire range of ACMAT VLRA 4 × 4 and 6 × 6 chassis and cabs. While detailed items are the subject of continued research and development, the overall dimensions of the major components do not change, so ACMAT is able to guarantee the availability of exchange components for the life of the vehicle.
Variants
TPK 4.15 SM3
Patrol vehicle for special forces. This parachutable, air transportable (4 × 4) troop/cargo carrier has a carrying capacity of 15 fully equipped soldiers or 1,500 kg of cargo. An operating range of 900 km is available, and a 100 litre drinking water tank is standard. Virtually all wearing parts are identical to the TPK 4.20 SM3. This vehicle can be delivered by the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES).
TPK 4.15 FSP
Weapons carrier for special forces. Essentially the same as the TPK 4.15 SM3 but with provision to act as a light weapon carrier, typically a MILAN ATGW.
TPK 4.15 LRM
Multiple rocket-launcher vehicle. This vehicle mounts a 40-tube launcher for the Belgian LAU-97 multiple rocket system with a range of 8,000 m. Weight of this variant with the launcher loaded is 5,650 kg.
TPK 4.20 SM3
Light reconnaissance and support vehicle, base vehicle of the ACMAT range. This parachutable, air transportable (4 × 4) troop-carrying vehicle has the capacity for 17 fully equipped soldiers in the rear cargo body together with a spare wheel housing. It can be adapted to carry a wide range of weapons. Payload up to 2,500 kg. The data in the Specifications table refers to this variant.
TPK 4.20 STL
Multipurpose vehicle. The 2.9 × 2.1 m (L × W) cargo area has hinged removable sides and tailgate for carrying pallets or shelters. Payload up to 2,500 kg.
TPK 4.20 PMB
81 mm mortar carrier. The mortar can be fired from on board the vehicle.
TPK 4.25 STL
Multipurpose vehicle. The flat rear platform measures 3.3 × 2 m (L × W) with tilting and demountable side panels, and can be used to carry 16 passengers, cargo or a special purpose frame. The reinforced floor can accept a weapon support mounting and twistlocks are provided for a platform mounting for a Mistral air defence missile launcher. Payload up to 2,500 kg.
TPK 4.25 SH
Multipurpose vehicle. The flat rear platform measures 4.01 × 2 m (L × W) with twistlocks for carrying a SH 285A shelter or up to three 6 kVA generator sets. A fixing device can be used to carry a SH 385A shelter and there is a spare wheel on the reinforced front part of the platform. Payload up to 2,500 kg.
TPK 4.36 STL
Multipurpose vehicle. The flat rear platform measures 3.9 × 2 m (L × W) with tilting and demountable side panels, and can be used to carry 18 passengers, cargo or a special purpose frame. The reinforced floor can accept a weapon support mounting and twistlocks are provided for a weapon platform mounting. Payload up to 3,000 kg.
TPK 4.25 SH
Multipurpose vehicle. The flat rear platform measures 4.01 × 2 m (L × W) with twistlocks for carrying a SH 285A shelter or up to three 6 kVA generator sets. A fixing device can be used to carry a SH 385A shelter and there is a spare wheel on the reinforced front part of the platform. Payload up to 3,000 kg.
TPK 4.20 VCT
Command and communications vehicle. The six-seat rear compartment can be covered by a fold-down canopy and adjustable hood. Payload up to 1,500 kg.
TPK 4.25 F
Workshop body vehicle. The workshop bodies will vary according to role. Payload up to 3,500 kg, according to type.
TPK 4.25 SAM
Ambulance. Equipped to carry up to four casualties in a body measuring 3.307 × 2.2 × 1.675 m (L × W × H). Air conditioning is provided.
TPK 4.32 SB
Cross-country bus. Available in two chassis lengths. The short version can carry up to 28 passengers and the long version up to 34. Air conditioning can be provided.
TPK 4.33 SB
Cross-country bus. The body can be configured as a personnel carrier, a mobile command post or as a casualty carrier.
TPK 4.25 STL
Tanker with CSE 285 SCC frame. Can carry 2,500 litres of fuel or water.
TPK 4.20 BL
Light armoured vehicle. Multipurpose personnel carrier with internal space for up to 10 personnel.
TPK 4.20 SL7
Light recovery vehicle. Provided with special tools and equipment together with an overhead gantry for light recovery tasks. Payload is up to 2,500 kg.
TPK 4.36 SCM
Loading and material handling vehicle. This variant has a hydraulic crane located behind the cab. The crane arm has a full 360º traverse and can lift 875 kg at 6.1 m.
TPK/TGM 4.20 FFM
Forest firefighting vehicle with 2,000 litre tank.
TPK/TGM 4.31 FFM
Forest firefighting vehicle with 2,000 litre tank and six-seat cab.
TPK/TGM 4.31 FPTL
Light fire pump water tender.
TPK 4.21 SM3
Double cabin patrol vehicle. The double cabin which has four doors and cab seating for the driver and five personnel. There is seating for a further 12 in the rear which is identical to the rear cargo area of the ACMAT TPK 4.15 SM3. The all-metal cab has roll-over bars incorporated and a heavy duty air conditioner is optional.
Specifications
TPK 4.20 SM3
Cab seating: 1 + 2
Configuration: 4 × 4
Weight:
(laden) 6,800 kg
(unladen) 4,300 kg
Max load: 2,500 kg
Max towed load: 3,000 kg
Load area: 2.8 × 1.94 m
Length: 6 m
Width: 2.07 m
Height:
(steering wheel) 1.83 m
(tarpaulin) 2.62 m
(load area) 1.096 m
Ground clearance: 0.287 m
Track:
(front) 1.76 m
(rear) 1.66 m
Wheelbase: 3.6 m
Angle of approach/departure: 43º/41º
Max road speed: 100 km/h
Range: up to 1,600 km
Fuel capacity: 2 × 180 litres
Max gradient: (loaded) 65%
Fording: 0.9 m
Engine: Perkins 6.354.4 6 cylinder water-cooled diesel developing 138 hp at 2,800 rpm
Transfer box: ALM ACMAT 2 speed
Gearbox: manual with 4 forward and 1 reverse gears
Clutch: single dry plate (330 mm)
Steering: worm and nut
Turning radius: 8.5 m
Suspension: leaf springs and heavy duty double action hydraulic shock absorbers, front and rear
Tyres: 335/80R 20
Brakes:
(main) air/hydraulic
(parking) mechanical
Electrical system: 24 V
Batteries: 2 × 12 V, 100 Ah
Status
In production. ACMAT vehicles are in service in at least 45 countries worldwide, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, UK and Zaïre.
Manufacturer
ACMAT (Ateliers de Construction Mécanique de l'Atlantique)
Division ALM, Le Point du Jour, F-44600 Saint- Nazaire, France.
Tel: (+33 2) 40 22 33 71
Fax: (+33 2) 40 66 30 96