CS/VP3 MRAP Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected armoured personnel carrier Vehicle
Description:
CS/VP3 is an APC armoured personnel carrier in the category of MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle) vehicle designed and manufactured by the Chinese Company Poly Technologies. The vehicle was unveiled at the DSA 2012, defence exhibition in Malaysia. With its new MRAP, Chinese defence industry responds to needs of modern armies as American and European defence industries since several years. MRAP vehicles were largely used during the war in Iraq and currently in Afghanistan. We can suppose that the Chinese MRAP vehicle CS/VP3 is cheaper than its American or European counterparts.
Variants:
The CS/VP3 may be suitable for use as ambulance, command post and reconnaissance vehicle.
Technical Data:
Armament
There are two small manual single turret mounted at the front and the rear of the top crew compartment which can rotated on 360 deg, each with one single hatch. The turrets can be armed 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. The gunners are protected with armour plates on 360 deg.
Design and protection
The engine compartment of the CS/VP3 is at the front, driver and commander in the middle and infantry soldiers compartment at the rear. Several storage compartments are located in the vehicle's exterior body section to facilitate the storage and carrying of various types of logistical equipment and ammunition. One single door is provided for the driver and the commander and one to the rear of the hull allowing the troop's to leave and enter quickly in the vehicle. There are four bulletproof windows on each side of the hull with a firing port in the center. The front of the crew compartment is fitted with two large bulletproof windows; the right one is equipped with one firing port in the middle. The CS/VP3 is based on a V-shaped hull and all-welded steel armour that provides a ballistic protection against firing of small arms 7.62x51mm caliber and 7.62x51mm with add-on armour.
Land mine protection is provided against 8kg TNT all-around the hull and 16kg of TNT under each wheels. The CS/VP can accommodate a total of 12 soldiers, including driver and commander. The
troop's compartment has a total of 10 individual seats, 5 on each side of the vehicle, facing inwards
Propulsion
The CS/VP3 is motorized with a unspecified Diesel engine. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 100km with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The CS/VP3 is able to negotiate slopes up to 60%, side slopes to 30%, vertical obstacle of 0.6m and fording depth of 1.2m.
Accessories
Standard equipment of the CS/VP3 includes a 10t self-recovery winch mounted at the front of hull, fire extinguishers and two spare wheels, one to each rear side of the hull. In option, the vehicle can be equipped with radio and network communication systems, GPS and air conditioning.