Agrale Marruá
Encyclopedia
The Marruá is a family of four-by-four wheeled transport and utility vehicles, built by Agrale
in Caxias do Sul
, Rio Grande do Sul
, Brazil
. Developed in early 2000s to serve as a replacement for ageing jeep
s and other vehicles in Brazilian service, it has also been adopted by several other Latin America
n armies, and is used on peacekeeping missions with the United Nations
in Haiti
.
(Specialized Engineers SA) in early 1990, former employees of the company acquired the rights to the Engesa EE-4/EE-12 utility vehicle, and, working with the Agrale company, developed an improved version of the vehicle between 2003 and 2005 to meet a specification for a 1/2 ton, 4x4 Viatura de Transporte No Especializada (Non-Specialised Transport, VTNE) for the Armed Forces of Brazil, to replace the Jeep
s previously in service. Three prototypes were constructed for testing by the Brazilian Army
, with Agrale investing $11 million into the project, and the Marruá was accepted for Brazilian service on 27 July 2005.
Designed to be versatile, robust, and easy to maintain, the Marruá underwent over 60000 miles (96,560.4 km) of testing during its development, and is capable of carrying four fully equipped soldiers, anti-tank missile launchers, recoilless rifle
s, machine gun
s, or communications equipment.
Four models of the Marruá are produced: the baseline AM1 MB with four seats; the VTL Rec for armed reconnaissance missions, the VTNE, a 3/4-ton pickup truck
, and the AM20-VDC, a command and control vehicle. In addition, the AM2 MB-NET is a specialised version for the Brazilian Marine Corps
, with rust-resistant paint, high-flotation tires, and seating for six.
and the Brazilian Marine Corps
,, in addition to being acquired by the armies of Ecuador
and Argentina
, the latter using eighteen vehicles as part of the United Nations
Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti
starting in 2009.
Brazilian Navy
: Argentine Army
Argentine Marines
Ecuador: Ecuadorian Army
Agrale
Agrale is a Brazilian manufacturer of military vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, commercial vehicles, engines and agricultural tractors. It is based in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Established in 1962, the brand's current model line-up consists of the Marrua SUV and pick-up truck...
in Caxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. Coordinates: 29°10′0″ S, 51°11′0″ W....
, Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Developed in early 2000s to serve as a replacement for ageing jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
s and other vehicles in Brazilian service, it has also been adopted by several other Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n armies, and is used on peacekeeping missions with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
.
Design
Following the bankruptcy of EngesaEngesa
Engesa – Engenheiros Especializados S/A was a Brazilian company in the agriculture and defense sectors that specialized in producing tactical military trucks, armored fighting vehicles, and civilian Sport utility vehicles....
(Specialized Engineers SA) in early 1990, former employees of the company acquired the rights to the Engesa EE-4/EE-12 utility vehicle, and, working with the Agrale company, developed an improved version of the vehicle between 2003 and 2005 to meet a specification for a 1/2 ton, 4x4 Viatura de Transporte No Especializada (Non-Specialised Transport, VTNE) for the Armed Forces of Brazil, to replace the Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
s previously in service. Three prototypes were constructed for testing by the Brazilian Army
Brazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
, with Agrale investing $11 million into the project, and the Marruá was accepted for Brazilian service on 27 July 2005.
Designed to be versatile, robust, and easy to maintain, the Marruá underwent over 60000 miles (96,560.4 km) of testing during its development, and is capable of carrying four fully equipped soldiers, anti-tank missile launchers, recoilless rifle
Recoilless rifle
A recoilless rifle or recoilless gun is a lightweight weapon that fires a heavier projectile than would be practical to fire from a recoiling weapon of comparable size. Technically, only devices that use a rifled barrel are recoilless rifles. Smoothbore variants are recoilless guns...
s, machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
s, or communications equipment.
Four models of the Marruá are produced: the baseline AM1 MB with four seats; the VTL Rec for armed reconnaissance missions, the VTNE, a 3/4-ton pickup truck
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
, and the AM20-VDC, a command and control vehicle. In addition, the AM2 MB-NET is a specialised version for the Brazilian Marine Corps
Brazilian Marine Corps
The Brazilian Marine Corps is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy.- Mission :...
, with rust-resistant paint, high-flotation tires, and seating for six.
Operational history
The Marruá has entered service with both the Brazilian ArmyBrazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
and the Brazilian Marine Corps
Brazilian Marine Corps
The Brazilian Marine Corps is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy.- Mission :...
,, in addition to being acquired by the armies of Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, the latter using eighteen vehicles as part of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
starting in 2009.
Operators
: Brazilian ArmyBrazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
: Argentine Army
Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
Argentine Marines
Ecuador: Ecuadorian ArmyEcuadorian Army
The Ecuadorian Army is the land component of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Its 24,135 soldiers are sensibly deployed in relation to its military doctrine...
Specifications
fromDimensions
- Length: 3.8 metres (12.5 ft)
- Overall Height: 1.95 metres (6.4 ft)
- Height with windshield folded: 1.4 metres (4.6 ft)
- Width: 1.92 metres (6.3 ft)
- Capacity: 4-6 soldiers
Weights
- Weight in running order: 1960 kilograms (4,321.1 lb)
- Gross weight: 2460 kilograms (5,423.4 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 128 kilometres per hour (79.5 mph)
- Minimum sustainable speed: 4 kilometres per hour (2.5 mph)
- Maximum incline: 60%
- Maximum lateral incline: 30%
- Ford depth without snorkel: 0.6 metres (23.6 in)
- Ground clearance: 0.26 metres (10.2 in)
- Approach angle: 64°
- Departure angle: 52°
- Maximum payload: 500 kilograms (1,102.3 lb) + 500 kilograms (1,102.3 lb) trailer
- Fuel capacity: 100 litres (211.3 US pt)
- Range: 1000 kilometres (621.4 mi) (on road)
Transmission
- Model: Eaton FS 2305, mechanical
- Gears: 5 forward gears and 1 reverse
Engine
- Brand / Model: MWM 4.07TCA SPRINT-EII turbodiesel, 2.8-liter four-cylinder inline, water cooled
- Power: 132 hp at 3,600 rpm
- Torque: 340 Nm at 1,800 rpm