The CARACAL airborne vehicle family had its public premier at Eurosatory. In partnership with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armoured Car Systems, Rheinmetall has tailored the new versatile and highly mobile 4×4 vehicle family to the requirements of platforms for airborne or special operations units, Rheinmetall writes in a press release. The new family of airborne CARACAL vehicles is based on the G-class chassis for rescue and special operations, featuring optionally mountable protection elements for countering ballistic and landmine threats and a 249 hp six-cylinder Euro III diesel engine which gives the 4,900 kg vehicle a top speed of 140 km/h.
Up to two CARACAL vehicles can be airlifted in the cargo hold of a CH-53K KING STALLION or CH-47F CHINOOK transport helicopter.
According to Rheinmetall, the CARACAL can be employed in a variety of roles during airborne operations – as a basic troop carrier or medical support vehicle, for example, or as supply vehicle. The CARACAL will be ready for full-scale production starting in 2023.
JH
