Puma (transport tank)
| Puma (4 × 4) | |
|---|---|
Puma (4 × 4) from Iveco and Oto Melara . |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 (commander, driver) + 2 infantrymen |
| length | 4.76 m |
| width | 2.09 m |
| height | 1.67 m |
| Dimensions | 7 t |
| Armor and armament | |
| Main armament | 7.62mm or 12.7mm MG (also called .50 BMG), TOW anti-tank missiles |
| agility | |
| drive | Iveco 8042 TCA, 180 PS (132 kW) |
| Top speed | 110+ km / h |
| Power / weight | |
| Range | 600 km |
Puma is the name of an Italian reconnaissance or transport tank ( Veicolo Blindato Leggero-VBL ). It was developed together with the Centauro armored vehicle in the 1980s by a consortium of companies consisting of Iveco and Oto Melara for the Italian army . At the end of 1999 Italy ordered a total of 580 of these light armored vehicles in the versions 4 × 4 (330 reconnaissance tanks ; supplement to the Centauro wheeled armored vehicle) and 6 × 6 (250 transport tanks ). Originally the "Puma" was supposed to be put into service in the early 1990s, but there was a significant delay in the program due to financial problems.
After a little over ten years of service in combat units, the Puma armored vehicles were gradually replaced by the new Iveco LMV and given to support units. From 2013 some of the vehicles also went to the armed forces of Libya .
Technical specifications
Puma 6 × 6
- Manufacturer: Iveco, Oto Melara
- Length: 5.07 m
- Width: 2.3 m
- Height: 1.68 m
- Weight: 8.2 t
- Drive: Iveco, 180 PS (132 kW)
- Speed: 110+ km / h
- Range: 600 km
- Armament: 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank missiles
- Crew: 1 + 6 men
