Paramount Mbombe

The Paramount Bombey Story

South Africa participated in the Rhodesian Bush War (1964-1979), during which the development of special mine-protected vehicles was considered. In the 1980s and 1990s, the class evolved into more battlefield roles such as general security, border patrol, armored personnel carriers (APCs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). After the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the ensuing urban battles, a new term was coined to describe a whole new line of mine-protected vehicles - MRAPs ("mine-protected, ambush-resistant").

Today, many companies outside South Africa specialize in offering products to the MRAP market. With the transition from expensive heavy tracked armored vehicles to relatively inexpensive wheeled armored vehicles currently gaining traction in Europe and elsewhere, MRAPs remain an important cog in the modern war machine.

Paramount Group made headlines in 2011 when it unveiled an all-new aircraft designed by AHRLAC (Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft) as an ongoing close air support (CAS) requirement for many cost-effective solutions for the nation. To date, the genre has attracted considerable interest as it continues to grow in development. Not content with just showing off airborne solutions, the company has achieved this by developing a range of armoured vehicles, including the Mbombe - a multi-purpose wheeled system with two main body styles with inherent adaptability to customer requirements.

Throw its cap into the MRAP ring.

The chassis is available in 4x4 and 6x6 wheel forms, called "Mbombe 4" and "Mbombe 6" respectively. The most obvious difference between the two main variants is that the Mbombe 6 adds another pair of wheels to its elongated body and chassis, increasing interior space and more on the top and sides of the fuselage.

Both vehicles have bulletproof vision blocks along the sides of the fuselage at the rear and entry/exit at the rear. As expected, ground clearance is excellent, and the hull floor of the crew/passenger compartment features a new flat-bottom blast-proof design to counter the explosive force of concealed mines or improvised explosive devices. The vehicle's low overall profile helps hide it in the distance and in low-lying brush.

The all-wheel-drive system aids in mobility, while the proven powertrain provides the reliability that such a vehicle needs in the segment. In addition to its touted land capabilities, the Mbombe is designed with inherent wading qualities, capable of traversing water as deep as 3 feet without the crew's prior preparation.

The basic form of the Mbombe series is the APC, while special models include the IFV, Command Vehicle (CV), 120mm Mortar Transporter and Mobile Fire Support Platform (FS). The APC model can be equipped with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun for local defense, while carrying 6 to 8 passengers depending on the body structure (4x4 or 6x6).

The IFV model adds a manned or remote-controlled turret with up to a 30mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun for combat against lightly armored vehicles and infantry at short to medium engagement distances. Its ability to transport passengers is slightly limited. The CV supports a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun mounted Remote Weapon Station (RWS) for base defense and includes extended communications equipment.

The mortar transporter has a double door at the rear of the hull roof, which opens to reveal the heavy field mortar for indirect fire support services. The Anti-Armor Support Vehicle (AASV) form will receive four-barrel Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGM) capable of being fired from a powered turret and a 12.7mm coaxial machine gun.

Crews get full day/night optics customization.

The Mbombe 4 has a combat weight of 15,000 kg, a travel speed of 150 km/h and a range of 700 km. At reduced road speed (105 km/h), the Mbombe 6 has an increased combat weight of 22,500 kg, although its range is extended to 1,000 km.

Both versions are equipped with run-flat tires, a central tire inflation system (CTIS - optional), support for additional armor kits for increased protection against IED and RPG attacks (optional), a state-of-the-art integrated battlefield management system (BMS) - optional). ), radio/intercom system (optional) and inherent explosion protection up to class 4a/4b. Air conditioning also provides comfort for crew and passengers.

Both body types use a 450-horsepower diesel engine.

Jordan has ordered 50 Mbombe 6 vehicles and production will be handled locally.

The Mbombe 8 (detailed elsewhere on this page) is the latest model in the Mbombe range, which debuted in June 2016.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on weapon.

Changes