The Jordanian Temsah Heavy APC
The Temsah (Crocodile) heavy armored personnel carrier is a conversion of the Centurion main battle tanks. Temsah was developed by Jordanian King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) cooperating with South African and British companies. Vehicle was revealed in 2001.
The Centurion MBT has a rear power pack arrangement, what became an issue for the designers in attempt to make troop compartment in the rear part of the vehicle. Designers of the Temsah found a simple solution and swapped front end of the vehicle with the rear, so the vehicle is driving backwards comparing with the original Centurion. Thus the spacious front space of the Centurion was converted to the troop compartment.
The Temsah heavy armored personnel carrier has a low-profile welded hull with a significant inclination angles. Hull sides are covered with massive side skirts. It is claimed that frontal arc provides protection against 120-mm ammunition. Additional passive or explosive reactive armor packages might be fitted.
Prototype of the Temsah was armed with a French GIAT M621 20-mm cannon, however production models should have a British stabilized cannon of the same caliber. Additional armament consists of a 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun. It is claimed that production models of the Temsah will have an anti-tank guided missile launcher.
The Temsah heavy APC has a crew of two and provides accommodation for ten troops. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via a rear ramp or five roof hatches. No firing ports are provided.
Crew: 2 men
Personnel: 10 men
Dimensions and weight:
Weight ~ 35 t
Length ~ 7.8 m
Width 3.4 m
Height ~ 2 m
Armament
Main gun 20-mm cannon
Machine guns 1 x 7.62-mm
four Denel Ingwe anti-tank missiles
81-mm mortar
Mobility
Engine AVDS-1790-V12
Engine power 750 hp
Maximum road speed ~ 50 km/h
Vertical step 0.9 m
Trench 3.35 m
Fording 1.45 m
Variants
1- SWARM (Stabilized Weapon And Reconnaissance Mounting) overhead weapon station, fitted with 20-mm cannon, coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun
2- SWARM (Stabilized Weapon And Reconnaissance Mounting) overhead weapon station, fitted with 20-mm cannon, coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and four Denel Ingwe anti-tank missiles
3- Mortar carrier, armed with 120-mm mortar.