General Dynamics European Land Systems unveiled the Piranha III+ at Eurosatory 2014.
General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) MOWAG launched its latest Piranha III+ at Eurosatory 2014 in Paris in an armoured personnel carrier (APC) configuration.
This version, which can be fitted with a wide range of weapons, appeared at Eurosatory with the proven Kongsberg Protector M151 remote weapon station armed with a fully stabilised .50 M2 HB machine gun (MG).
The APC version has a crew of three - commander, gunner, and driver - and carries nine dismounts, who can rapidly leave the Piranha III+ via the large power-operated ramp in the hull rear.
According to GDELS MOWAG, the latest Piranha III+ incorporates many improvement that reflect customer feedback from more than 4,500 Piranha III and Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) vehicles deployed by 13 customers.
The US Army version of the LAV, known as the Stryker, is still in quantity production in Canada.
Typical gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the Piranha III+ is up to 27 tonnes, of which 10 tonnes is the payload of the weapon, ammunition, crew, and the armour package.
The armour package is the same as that fitted to the Piranha V, which is the most advanced of the Piranha family of wheeled combat vehicles with greater protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.
For an improved power-to-weight ratio the Piranha III+ is fitted with a new power pack consisting of a Caterpillar C13 diesel developing 520 hp coupled to a ZF 7HP902S fully automatic transmission. This is claimed to provide a 30% increase in power. The vehicle has a road speed of up to 110 km/h and a road range of up to 750 km.
GDELS is offering both conventional and hydropneumatic suspension systems for the Piranha III+ with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres as standard. The upgraded suspension provides greater cross-country mobility and has commonality with the latest Canadian LAV upgrade and US Army Stryker Engineering Change Proposals upgrade.
The latest Piranha III+ is slightly longer, wider, and higher than the current production Piranha III and therefore has more internal volume.
To cope with the additional systems now typically installed on vehicles, the Piranha III+ has additional electrical power.
For worldwide deployment it is fitted with a high-capacity air-conditioning system and a NBC system.
The latest Piranha III+ will be marketed alongside Piranha III, which has a typical GVW of up to 22 tonnes and is powered by a 400 hp diesel engine.
An amphibious version of the Piranha III+, with a water speed of up to 10 km/h, is also being marketed.
There are more than 37 Piranha III variants. An amphibious version has been developed and placed in production for Brazil and Spain.