VECTOR
VECTOR | |
---|---|
Secondary armament | 1 × FN Minimi light machine gun or FN MAG general-purpose machine gun |
Engine | 3.2 litre, six-cylinder Steyr diesel engine 220 hp |
Payload capacity | 1,440 kg (3,170 lb) |
Transmission | ZF six-speed automatic transmission |
Ground clearance | 340 mm (13 in) |
Fuel capacity | 115 L (25 imp gal; 30 US gal) |
Operational range | 800 km (500 mi) |
Maximum speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) (limited) |
References | [1] |
The VECTOR (Versatile Expeditionary Commando Tactial Off Road) is a Dutch
Development
In 2013, the Dutch Ministry of Defence launched a procurement program aimed at replacing the
The research and development phase continued after the contract was awarded and involved close cooperation with the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and the end-users. In 2014, the KCT received the first two prototypes which were subsequently subject to an extensive set of trials. Deliveries of serial production vehicles commenced in December 2017 at the production facilities located in Tiel.[4] In June 2018, the Ministry of Defence announced that Defenture was awarded the contract for an additional 25 vehicles, the complete order therefore amounting to 75 vehicles. Deliveries were completed in July 2020.
Description
Drivetrain
The VECTOR is powered by a 3,200 cc Steyr six-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 220 hp (160 kW) and 500 Nm of torque. The maximum speed is limited at 130 km/h, the 115 L fuel tank gives the VECTOR an operational range of 800 km The Steyr engine is linked to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. The permanent four-wheel drive with three differentials, the optional four-wheel steering allows for a turning radius of 9 metres. The maximum payload capacity of the VECTOR is 1,440 kg, the curb weight is 3070 kg with a maximum vehicle weight of 4,700 kg. The VECTOR can wade through 75 cm of water.
Cockpit
The driver and passenger seat are adjustable to the needs of the occupants and are fitted with detachable back support modules, the rear seats are foldable. The VECTOR is equipped with a digital dashboard which displays the status of all critical systems.
Weaponry
The VECTOR comes standard with two
Communications
The VECTOR can be equipped with a range of
Equipment
The VECTOR is fitted with blackout lighting and infrared lighting for tactical situations that require the usage of night-vision goggles.
The rear and sides of the vehicle are fitted with external weapon mounts for personal weapons, such as the
Protection
The standard variant only has limited ballistic protection in the bulkhead, the front and rear doors and the tailgate. The ballistic protection can be expanded with a 'low' ballistic package, which includes four ballistic panels for the doors and behind the rear seats. The 'high' ballistic package consist of bulletproof windows and a mine protection package.
The ballistic packages are compliant with
Transport
The vehicle can be transported as underslung as well as internal load with the
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Front view
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Side view
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Rear view
Operators
Current operators
- German Armed Forces (80)
- In June 2021 the Nexter and 15 general support vehicles (UFK).[5]
- Netherlands Armed Forces (75 in service + 41 on order)
- The Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal Netherlands Army operates 75 VECTOR vehicles. Deliveries commenced in 2017 and were completed in 2020. While the vehicles are administratively assigned to the KCT, the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces have access to the vehicles when deemed necessary by the Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM).
- In October 2023, 41 were ordered for the 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade. [6]
Future operators
- Austrian Armed Forces (unknown quantity)
- Selected in April 2024 to replace the PUCH G 290/LP "Sandviper", purchased as the new light tactical and air-loadable mobile platform for the Jagdkommando. The first deliveries are planned for 2024.[7]
- Swiss Armed Forces (1 prototype + unknown quantity ordered)
- In March 2021 it was announced that Armasuisse, the procurement agency of the Swiss Armed Forces, had received a Defenture demonstrator vehicle based on the GRF platform under the name LAUF 20. The LAUF 20 demonstrator vehicle will be utilised to determine the optimal configuration for a follow-up order of 20 vehicles. The LAUF 20 vehicles are intended to replace the dated Serval vehicles, designated Leichte Aufklärungs- und Unterstützungsfahrzeug (LAUF), that were acquired in 2007.[8][9] An order for further vehicles was confirmed in December 2023, for an unknown amount and quantity. [10]
References
- ^ "GROUNDFORCE – 5.12". defenture.com. Defenture. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Vector-terreinwagen (SOF)". defensie.nl. Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Westerhoven, Leo van (2014-12-08). "De VECTOR: het ultieme Special Operation Forces-voertuig die de commando's altijd al hadden willen hebben". Dutch Defence Press (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ "Eerste SF-voertuig VECTOR voor commando's". defensie.nl. Ministry of Defence. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-03-09. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Geiger, Waldemar (23 June 2021). "Bundestag billigt Haushaltsmittel für neue Spezialkräfte-Fahrzeugfamilie". Soldat & Technik. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Oosbree, Gerard van (2023-10-16). "Defenture GRF voor 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade". Dutch Defence Press (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ "Österreichische Sondereinsatzkräfte erhalten Groundforce Fahrzeuge". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 2024-04-10. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ van Osbree, Gerard (1 March 2021). "LAUF 20 – Defenture levert prototype aan Zwitserland". Dutch Defence Press. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Heiming, Gerhard (2 March 2021). "Mobilität für Spezialkräfte: Prototyp LAUF 20 an die Schweiz geliefert". Soldat & Technik. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ admin (2023-12-19). "Defenture Signs Contract With Armasuisse For Delivery Of GRF Lightweight Tactical Vehicle - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 2023-12-26.