AMZ Zubr

AMZ-Zubr Story

AMZ Zubr is a necessary addition to the range of the modern Polish army. Zubr's design focuses on agile, armored, multi-purpose, four-wheeled chassis based on locally produced IVECO EuroCargo vehicles, providing a powerful and responsive solution for Polish mechanized forces.

At its core, Zubr is an armored vehicle designed to provide Polish militants with an "all-around" platform to support various army units. Drawing deadly lessons from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq (the Polish Army provides limited contingents for both coalition purposes), the AMZ Zubr is specifically designed to defend against blasts and hidden enemies from IED (improvised explosive device) sources square mine.

Polish concern AMZ Kutno is modifying existing vehicle systems to create a variety of high-performance wheeled vehicles, including civilian, police, general security and professional military solutions. In the AMZ nomenclature, the Zubr is classified as an "armored transporter".

In terms of design, the Zubr features four-wheel drive and four large rubber tires - two wheels on one side of the vehicle. The arrangement of these wheels and chassis allows for excellent ground clearance, improved off-road driving and explosive deflection below. The latter further benefits from the V-shaped nature of the hull design, which effectively spreads the shock wave away from the centerline of the vehicle. The engine is traditionally mounted at the front of the vehicle, with the passenger compartment in the middle and rear. There are four automotive-style gullwing doors, two on one side (depending on the variant).

Each seating position is protected by thick glass viewing panels, while the sides of the vehicle slope outward for basic ballistic deflection. A large tubular bumper system protects the front end of the vehicle from road obstacles and aids in impacts. A remote weapon station (if equipped, allowing firing from inside the vehicle) is mounted on the roof of the vehicle, as are various equipment arrangements and mission equipment. Typical weapons are a heavy 12.7mm machine gun with full elevation and traverse from its high position, and a combination of a 7.62mm machine gun and 30mm automatic grenade launcher.

Overall armor protection is designed to protect against large caliber weapons up to 12.7mm (0.50 caliber), as well as general protection against 7.62mm projectiles and shell fragments. Its compact size also makes it eligible for air transport on standard medium military transport aircraft.

Passenger capacity includes relatively comfortable seating for up to ten people. Four smoke grenade launchers (mounted on the front roof, if equipped) provide some tactical protection.

The Zubr is powered by an N60 ENT C Iveco Tector series 6-liter 6-cylinder diesel engine with 275 hp and 2,500 rpm. The powerplant is mated to a seven-speed (six forward, one reverse) automatic transmission. The vehicle has a highway top speed of 62 mph (less off-road) and a range of 372 miles (under ideal conditions).

The ground clearance is 0.7 meters. The vehicle weighs 15,000 kg (33,000 lb), has a travel length of 6.45 m and can reach a height of 2.65 m.

Zubr currently has four different variants. The base vehicle is the Zubr, which is classified as an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protection) vehicle. Zubr WD is a dedicated command vehicle with additional communication equipment installed. The Zubr P is designed as a mobile defense platform equipped with Grom (Donner) guided surface-to-air missile launchers (similar in range and functionality to the U.S. Stinger-armed Humvee system).

The Zubr MMSR is a dedicated surveillance platform equipped with N-26 series radar systems for tracking air activity. All vehicles remain largely similar in appearance.

At this stage Poland remains the sole operator of Zubr vehicles.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on variant and weapon layout.

Changes