Arma is an amphibious tactical wheeled armoured vehicle family designed and developed by Otokar

Otokar

Otokar, a sub-division of Koç Holding, is a Turkish manufacturer of buses and military vehicles headquartered in Sakarya, Turkey.-History:Otokar began business in 1963 as Turkey's first intercity bus manufacturing company under the license of Magirus Deutz of Istanbul. Otokar was noted for...

. The vehicle is a modular multi-wheel configurable with high level of ballistic and mine protection due to its high hardness monocoque steel hull.

Development

The Arma is a full design of the company Otokar. The vehicle is developed to target the Turkish Land Forces’ Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armoured Vehicle (Ozel Maksatli Taktik Tekerlekli Zirhli Arac, OMTTZA) project. It is competing against two other vehicles in the shape of FNSS Defence Systems’ Pars and HEMA Endustri’s Anafarta, a variant of Patria’s 6×6 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). Turkish Land Forces are expected to make a selection for its OMTTZA requirement by mid-2010 and subsequently procure 336 vehicles in a variety of versions: 30 for NBC reconnaissance, 36 radar carriers, 108 sensor carriers, 39 command vehicles and 108 fire-support vehicles, which could be armed with a manually operated 20 mm cannon. Mobility tests with prototypes to date have included around 10,000 km of running over varied terrain.

At Eurosatory 2010, Otokar present the first time to the public, his new wheeled armoured vehicle, the Arma. The ARMA is the latest product of Otokar’s design and development studies and a proof of Otokar’s ability to leverage its engineering, manufacturing and expertise across a large portfolio of armoured tactical vehicles. ARMA is a new product family within the Otokar’s the tactical wheeled armoured vehicle range with modular multi-wheel configuration. ARMA vehicle platform with superior tactical and technical features will be an outstanding and cost effective product among competitive products. Thanks to the high level of ballistic and mine protection as well as, the outstanding design allowing the integration of various types of weapon stations and mission equipments, ARMA will be an adaptable platform for evolving mission needs in a modern battlefield. ARMA vehicle’s development started in 2007 as a company funded development project for home and export markets.

Development studies from concept design till the end of test phases including qualification and validation processes, detailed design, computer aided engineering studies, are performed by Otokar. ARMA 6x6 is ready for full scale production and the family will be complemented by an 8x8 version late in 2010. In 2010, Turkish leading land systems manufacturer, Otokar received the first contract for its new 6x6 tactical armoured vehicle ARMA from abroad. The contract is valued in excess of $10.6 million including the vehicles, spare parts and training. Deliveries under this contract award are expected to be completed in 15 months. In June 2011, Otokar has been awarded a $63.2 million second contract for its new 6x6 tactical armoured vehicle ARMA.

Armament

The first prototype of the Arma is equipped with a circle ring support, armed with a 12,7 mm machine gun. The Arma could probably be equipped a large range of manned and remote weapons stations.

Protection

No details have been released on its ballistic protection, but since it is required to be amphibious, armouring is not expected to exceed STANAG 4569 Level II, but its relatively high 425 mm ground clearance should help achieve mine protection to Level IIIB or higher. ARMA’s ballistic and anti-mine protection is provided by high hardness monocoque steel hull and all personnel is seated on anti- mine seats.

Propulsion

The Arma uses a 6 x 6 chassis and is motorised with a 450 hp water-cooled turbo diesel capable of running on F-34 or F-54 fuel drives the wheels through an automatic gearbox and single-speed transfer box, giving it a top speed of 105 km/h and a power/weight ratio of 24.3 hp/tonne. This also powers the onboard 24 V DC electrical system, which incorporates two maintenance-free 125 Ah batteries and a 3.3 kW converter. Arma’s front two axles are steerable enabling it to make a turning radius of 7.85 m and the vehicle rides on independent hydropneumatic suspension, offering respectable off-road mobility and comfort. It can negotiate a 45-degree approach and departure angles leading onto 60 per cent inclines and 30 per cent side-slopes. It can also cross 1.2 m-wide trenches and climb over 60 cm obstacles.

Accessories

The ARMA can be transported by a C-130 plane. Standard equipment of ARMA 6x6 includes NBC protection system and air conditioning. ARMA can be driven in 6x6 or 6x4 modes depending upon the terrain conditions. The vehicle is amphibious and driven by 2 hyraulically driven propellors in water allowing a high seagoing performance with a pivot turn capability.

Variants

Arma is currently available in 6x6 wheeled version. The family will be complemented by an 8x8 version in late 2010.

Specifications

Dimensions: Length, 6,428 m; Width, 2,708 m; Height, 2,223 m.

Weight: 18,500 kg

Speed: 105 km/h on road

Range: 700 km

Crew: 2 + 8 (10 if 8x8 variant) soldiers

Armor: Protection 12.5 mm, mines and IDFs.

Armament: One 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun and more to be made

Accessories: NBC protection system, air conditioning