Nexter Aravis
Encyclopedia
The Aravis is a 4x4, mine-resistant, ambush protected vehicle developed and built by Nexter. An order for 15 Aravis vehicles was placed by the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement
in April 2009 for use by the French Army
as a reconnaissance and escort vehicle for engineer units
. Deliveries for the initial order began in January 2010.
chassis. The total internal volume for the vehicle is 9.5m3 with 8m3 of that under full armoured protection. The Aravis can be equipped for a variety of roles, including patrol vehicle, ambulance, and command and control vehicle.
, improvised explosive device
s, 14.5mm anti-armour rounds, and 155mm artillery bursts in mind, meeting full STANAG 4596 Level 4 specifications. Like many other mine-protected vehicles, the Aravis was built with a V-hull
intended to deflect as much energy as possible from detonations beneath the vehicle away from the vehicle. Nexter has patented the modular hull armour used on the Aravis under the name "Safepro". The vehicle has survived detonations of 50 kilogram of TNT at a distance of 5 m (16.4 ft) in testing.
. Armament can vary based on the customer's specifications, but the vehicle has been displayed with a Selex
12.7mm machine gun mount, and Nexter has developed the ARX 20 remote weapon station, which features a 20mm M621 cannon
, for use with the Aravis. The ARX 20 can also be fitted with the Pilar anti-sniper system.
365/80R 20 152 K with run-flat and central tire inflation systems.
In terms of strategic and operational mobility, the vehicle is transportable by aircraft equivalent to the C-130 Hercules
or larger.
- 15 on order. In 2010, the French military deployed 11 Aravis in Afghanistan.
- Nexter intends to offer the Aravis as a contender for the Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle project.
Délégation Générale pour l'Armement
The Direction générale de l’armement, which could be translated as “General Directorate for Armament”, or DGA, is the French Government Defence procurement agency responsible for the program management, development and purchase of weapon systems for the French military.-Armament programs...
in April 2009 for use by the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
as a reconnaissance and escort vehicle for engineer units
Military engineer
In military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
. Deliveries for the initial order began in January 2010.
Design
The Aravis' chassis is based on the Unimog U5000Unimog
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. The total internal volume for the vehicle is 9.5m3 with 8m3 of that under full armoured protection. The Aravis can be equipped for a variety of roles, including patrol vehicle, ambulance, and command and control vehicle.
Protection
The Aravis was designed with protection against minesAnti-tank mine
An anti-tank mine, , is a type of land mine designed to damage or destroy vehicles including tanks and armored fighting vehicles....
, improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s, 14.5mm anti-armour rounds, and 155mm artillery bursts in mind, meeting full STANAG 4596 Level 4 specifications. Like many other mine-protected vehicles, the Aravis was built with a V-hull
V-hull
The V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers , infantry mobility vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles...
intended to deflect as much energy as possible from detonations beneath the vehicle away from the vehicle. Nexter has patented the modular hull armour used on the Aravis under the name "Safepro". The vehicle has survived detonations of 50 kilogram of TNT at a distance of 5 m (16.4 ft) in testing.
Armament
The Aravis' primary armament is housed in a remote weapon stationRemote Weapon Station
A remote weapon station, also known as a remote weapon system, is a weaponized system for light and medium caliber weapons which can be installed on ground combat vehicle or sea and air-based combat platforms. Such equipment is used on modern military vehicles, as it allows a gunner to remain in...
. Armament can vary based on the customer's specifications, but the vehicle has been displayed with a Selex
SELEX Galileo
SELEX Galileo is a major defence electronics company that specialises in surveillance, protection, tracking, targeting, navigation and control, and imaging systems. It is owned by the Italian company Finmeccanica....
12.7mm machine gun mount, and Nexter has developed the ARX 20 remote weapon station, which features a 20mm M621 cannon
M621 cannon
The M621 is a 20 mm automatic cannon of French design, developed by Nexter as on-board armament for armored vehicles, aircraft, helicopters and small coastal vessels of the French Navy....
, for use with the Aravis. The ARX 20 can also be fitted with the Pilar anti-sniper system.
Mobility
The Aravis is capable of speeds of up to 100km/h on roads, and is said to have a "high standard of cross-country and urban maneoeuvring capability".. Without preparation, the vehicle can ford up 1m of water. The Aravis uses are MichelinMichelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
365/80R 20 152 K with run-flat and central tire inflation systems.
In terms of strategic and operational mobility, the vehicle is transportable by aircraft equivalent to the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
or larger.
Current
French ArmyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
- 15 on order. In 2010, the French military deployed 11 Aravis in Afghanistan.
Potential
Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
- Nexter intends to offer the Aravis as a contender for the Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle project.