Mamba APC
Encyclopedia
The Mamba is a South Africa
n armoured personnel carrier
that offers protection against small arms fire and land mines. The vehicle, which uses a Unimog
chassis and is powered by a Mercedes Benz engine, is suited for rough terrain and can carry up to 10 passengers plus the driver. It has been used by a number of countries as well as peacekeeping
forces of the United Nations
, and the improved Mk2 and Mk3 versions are in service with the South African military. It is also used in Iraq by private security contractors. Several variants have been developed from the Mamba.
. It utilizes a Unimog
truck chassis and is specifically designed to suit the African terrain. It is powered by a 352N Mercedes Benz 6-cylinder diesel engine. The Mamba entered service in 1995, and is still in use with the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) and several other countries. The SANDF now uses the improved Mamba Mk2 and Mamba Mk3 versions, with the Mk2 able to be upgraded to Mk3 configuration.
The Mamba is 5460 millimetres (215 in) in length, 2205 millimetres (86.8 in) in width, and has a height of 2495 millimetres (98.2 in). The four-wheeled vehicle can carry up to 10 passengers, excluding the driver. A roof hatch allows a gunner to use the weapon mount, which can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun. A large door at the rear of the vehicle provides access to the passengers and crew. The Mk3 features better ballistic protection over the Mk2 – the latter can withstand impacts from up to 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, while the former is capable of handling 5.56x45mm NATO
impacts. The Mk3 is also lighter, more stable, has lower operating costs and comes with an 8-speed transmission compared to the 4-speed transmission of the Mk2. However, the Mk3 has a range of only 650 kilometres (403.9 mi) whereas the Mk2 has a range of 900 kilometres (559.2 mi). The Mamba also provides protection against mines
of up to 7 kilograms (15.4 lb). It has four-wheel drive
capability, and can achieve a top speed of 102 kilometres per hour (63.4 mph). Apart from the APC role, the vehicle may also be used as an ambulance, a command vehicle, a VIP transport, or a logistics vehicle.
In addition, the Mamba is used by United Nations
peacekeeping
forces, such as in Angola
, Bosnia, Kosovo
and Sudan
. Apart from South Africa, Argentina and the United Kingdom have also exported their Mambas. Sudan has received the most number of Mamba APCs, with South Africa having delivered 62 Mamba Mk3 units to assist in the peacekeeping operations there. The Mamba has also been used by private security contractors
employed in Iraq
by the United States military. According to them, the vehicle has an aesthetic appeal and appears "less aggressive".
Numerous variants of the Mamba have been produced, as well as vehicles derived from it.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n armoured personnel carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
that offers protection against small arms fire and land mines. The vehicle, which uses a Unimog
Unimog
Unimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is pronounced in German and is an acronym for the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine or device...
chassis and is powered by a Mercedes Benz engine, is suited for rough terrain and can carry up to 10 passengers plus the driver. It has been used by a number of countries as well as peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
forces 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...
, and the improved Mk2 and Mk3 versions are in service with the South African military. It is also used in Iraq by private security contractors. Several variants have been developed from the Mamba.
Design and features
The Mamba was developed by Land Systems OMC, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Land Systems South AfricaBAE Systems Land Systems South Africa
BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa is a South African defence company and a subsidiary of BAE Systems Land Systems, itself part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments...
. It utilizes a Unimog
Unimog
Unimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is pronounced in German and is an acronym for the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine or device...
truck chassis and is specifically designed to suit the African terrain. It is powered by a 352N Mercedes Benz 6-cylinder diesel engine. The Mamba entered service in 1995, and is still in use with the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
(SANDF) and several other countries. The SANDF now uses the improved Mamba Mk2 and Mamba Mk3 versions, with the Mk2 able to be upgraded to Mk3 configuration.
The Mamba is 5460 millimetres (215 in) in length, 2205 millimetres (86.8 in) in width, and has a height of 2495 millimetres (98.2 in). The four-wheeled vehicle can carry up to 10 passengers, excluding the driver. A roof hatch allows a gunner to use the weapon mount, which can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun. A large door at the rear of the vehicle provides access to the passengers and crew. The Mk3 features better ballistic protection over the Mk2 – the latter can withstand impacts from up to 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, while the former is capable of handling 5.56x45mm NATO
5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
impacts. The Mk3 is also lighter, more stable, has lower operating costs and comes with an 8-speed transmission compared to the 4-speed transmission of the Mk2. However, the Mk3 has a range of only 650 kilometres (403.9 mi) whereas the Mk2 has a range of 900 kilometres (559.2 mi). The Mamba also provides protection against mines
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
of up to 7 kilograms (15.4 lb). It has four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
capability, and can achieve a top speed of 102 kilometres per hour (63.4 mph). Apart from the APC role, the vehicle may also be used as an ambulance, a command vehicle, a VIP transport, or a logistics vehicle.
Operational history
The following countries operate the Mamba or have used it in the past.In addition, the Mamba is used by 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
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
forces, such as in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, Bosnia, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. Apart from South Africa, Argentina and the United Kingdom have also exported their Mambas. Sudan has received the most number of Mamba APCs, with South Africa having delivered 62 Mamba Mk3 units to assist in the peacekeeping operations there. The Mamba has also been used by private security contractors
Private military company
A private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
employed in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
by the United States military. According to them, the vehicle has an aesthetic appeal and appears "less aggressive".
Variants and derivatives
- Mamba Mk1 - Original 2x4 (Over 500 built by TFM Industries later becomes Reumech OMCOMC (South Africa)Land Systems OMC is a South African company that produces a range of armoured vehicles which have been successfully exported and are in service with, amongst others, the U.S., Canadian and South African militaries...
)- Springbuck Mk1 - modified version
- Reva Mk1 - modified version by ICP
- Puma - modified version with a Toyota Dyna 7-145 powerplant and drivetrain
- Mamba Mk2 - 4x4 (built by Sandock Austral and TFM) Mamba Mk II - Improved production version.
- Mamba Mk2 EE - Version produced for the Estonian Army
- Mamba Mk2 SW - Version produced for the Swedish Army
- Komanche - A short wheeled base (SWB) version which can carry up to 7 troops
- Sabre - 4 man cab with a cargo area in the rear
- Alvis 4 - Version produced by Alvis UK for the British Army
- Alvis 8 - Komanche SWB version produced by Alvis UK for the British Army
- RG-31 NyalaRG-31The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
- redesigned version by TFM - Romad - modified version by Sandock Austral)
- Reva Mk2 - modified version by ICP with Cummins powerplant
- Springbuck Mk2 - modified version
- Mamba Mk3 - 4x4 version fitted with Mercedes Benz 312N engine. Built by Alvis OMC
- Reva Mk3 - modified version by ICP
- Taipan - a version with a Mercedes Benz OM366LA turbo-diesel engine that lost the bid for the AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Specialised Vehicle System (ASVS) proposal (Project BushrangerBushmaster IMVThe Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by...
)
See also
- Infantry fighting vehicleInfantry fighting vehicleAn infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
- List of AFVs
- BuffelBuffelThe Buffel is a mine-protected APC used by the South African Army during the South African Border War. The Buffel was also used as an armoured fighting vehicle and proved itself in this role...
- RCV-9RCV-9The RCV-9 is a light armoured vehicle manufactured by Land Systems OMC of South Africa.-Production history:It was developed in 1986 as a private venture by Sandock-Austral as an internal security vehicle for protecting high risk areas such as airports...
- Reva APCReva APCThe REVA 4x4 MKII Armoured Personnel Carrier is a mine-protected vehicle. It is produced by ICP South Africa. The vehicle’s V-shaped hull offers protection against land mines and Improvised Explosive Devices s. The vehicle has space for at least 10 passengers. Ten firing ports are also available...
- similar vehicle produced by ICP South Africa. - RG-12RG-12The RG-12 is a multi-purpose public order vehicle with anti-personnel mine, grenade, fire bomb and small arms fire protection that is manufactured by Land Systems OMC of South Africa, with over 700 being in service globally in more than eight countries.Originally designed as a police public order...
- RG-19RG-19The RG-19 Caddie is a prototype Armoured Personnel carrier manufactured by TFM of South Africa. The company was later taken over by Reunert Defence OMC.-Production history:...
- RG-31RG-31The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
- RG-32RG-32The RG-32 Scout is a family of mine-resistant 4x4 light armoured vehicles made by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa in South Africa. It is based on the RG-31, which is already deployed worldwide with peace-keeping, security and combat forces. The combat weight of the vehicle is about 7,300kg...
- RG-33RG-33The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle initially designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems. BAE Systems in the US extensively modified it with additional protection, new power train and suspension systems. It was built in a number of...
- RG-34RG-34RG-34, also known as Iguana FV4, is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle designed by IADSA.The Iguana was developed by IADSA, under contract from Sabiex in Belgium. In June 2009, BAE Land Systems obtained the rights to develop and manufacture the vehicle.As with all modern South-African military...
- RG-35RG-35RG-35, is a South African mine resistant ambush protected vehicle developed by Land Systems OMC, a subsidiary of BAE Systems. The RG-35 was introduced in 2009 as a 6x6 vehicle, and a 4x4 version is also under development with the designers intending to make it a new family of vehicles...