Wolf Armoured Vehicle
Encyclopedia
The Wolf Armoured Vehicle is an armoured transport vehicle, used mainly by the Israeli Defence Force. It was created to provide a better handling and better protected armoured vehicle than the M113 (Bardelas)
. The Wolf is a heavily armoured crew carrier, manufactured by the Hatehof
company. It combines a commercial truck's speed and maneuverability and APC-like
armour, qualities necessary for low-intensity confrontation
. The Wolf's chassis is based on a Ford F-550 truck, and is equipped with a 6-litre V8 engine
. The engine is combined with a 5-speed automatic transmission
, which drives all four wheels, making this a four-by-four.
. Recently the Israeli Ministry of Defense
ordered 150 Wolf Armoured Vehicles from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and an order for Hatehof
, for some to be used in urban combat. This is currently in production. The vehicle's first reported use was by the Israel Defense Forces
in Operation Bringing Home the Goods
on 14 March 2006.
Ford F-550 chassis modified by Manning Equipment, an OEM up-fitter located in Louisville, KY so it can be easily maintained anywhere. It is equipped with a diesel, 6 litre 325 HP
engine and automatic 5 speed transmission. It can weigh up to 8 tonnes. The automotive systems require no changes when the armor is applied. The armor protects crew compartment, automotive elements and wheels. The armor envelope is built independently from the chassis, so it is possible to use the same armor envelope on another chassis (of the same model) when the chassis goes out for service.
, except the addition of armor, the vehicle does not have any problems with engine overheating or handling. The Wolf weighs approximately 8 long tons (8,128 kg), and can carry a crew of up to 12 personnel, with an additional 2 stretch beds, if necessary. The doors are designed for a quick getaway. Most of the original parts were kept, with the only notable changes being the rear axle
and tires.
.
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
. The Wolf is a heavily armoured crew carrier, manufactured by the Hatehof
Hatehof
Hatehof is an Israeli company that builds tankers, aircraft refuelers, fire fighting trucks, armored vehicles and special purpose trailers. Hatehof also manufactures a wide range of trailers and other vehicles such as, tankers and road equipment. It was founded in 1947, and the company employs a...
company. It combines a commercial truck's speed and maneuverability and APC-like
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...
armour, qualities necessary for low-intensity confrontation
Low intensity conflict
Low intensity conflict is the use of military forces applied selectively and with restraint to enforce compliance with the policies or objectives of the political body controlling the military force...
. The Wolf's chassis is based on a Ford F-550 truck, and is equipped with a 6-litre V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
. The engine is combined with a 5-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, which drives all four wheels, making this a four-by-four.
Concept and purchase
The idea for the Wolf was born from the need of transporting soldiers safely during missions in an urban environment, and in peacekeeping missionsPeacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
. Recently the Israeli Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Defense (Israel)
The Ministry of Defence of the government of Israel, is the governmental department responsible for defending the State of Israel from internal and external military threats...
ordered 150 Wolf Armoured Vehicles from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and an order for Hatehof
Hatehof
Hatehof is an Israeli company that builds tankers, aircraft refuelers, fire fighting trucks, armored vehicles and special purpose trailers. Hatehof also manufactures a wide range of trailers and other vehicles such as, tankers and road equipment. It was founded in 1947, and the company employs a...
, for some to be used in urban combat. This is currently in production. The vehicle's first reported use was by the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
in Operation Bringing Home the Goods
Operation Bringing Home the Goods
Operation Bringing Home the Goods was a raid launched by the Israel Defense Forces on March 14, 2006, during the Second Intifada, on a Palestinian prison in Jericho. The prison held several prisoners wanted by Israel, whose incarceration was monitored by British and American wardens...
on 14 March 2006.
Build
The Wolf consists of a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)Commercial off-the-shelf
In the United States, Commercially available Off-The-Shelf is a Federal Acquisition Regulation term defining a nondevelopmental item of supply that is both commercial and sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace, and that can be procured or utilized under government contract...
Ford F-550 chassis modified by Manning Equipment, an OEM up-fitter located in Louisville, KY so it can be easily maintained anywhere. It is equipped with a diesel, 6 litre 325 HP
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
engine and automatic 5 speed transmission. It can weigh up to 8 tonnes. The automotive systems require no changes when the armor is applied. The armor protects crew compartment, automotive elements and wheels. The armor envelope is built independently from the chassis, so it is possible to use the same armor envelope on another chassis (of the same model) when the chassis goes out for service.
Design
The vehicle is completely protected, including the wheels—which have run flat tires. The armour is 3 long tons (3,048 kg), and is not critical to the Wolf's overall weight, since its maximum load is 8 long tons (8,128 kg). All of the doors of the vehicle are bulletproof, including the engine and gearbox compartments. There are six doors—four on the sides and two at the rear—which enables troops to get in and out easily and quickly with all of their equipment. The vehicle interior is equipped with a double air conditioning system, seats and brackets for items that a soldier might need. Since no major changes have been done to the F-550 chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
, except the addition of armor, the vehicle does not have any problems with engine overheating or handling. The Wolf weighs approximately 8 long tons (8,128 kg), and can carry a crew of up to 12 personnel, with an additional 2 stretch beds, if necessary. The doors are designed for a quick getaway. Most of the original parts were kept, with the only notable changes being the rear axle
Axle
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle...
and tires.
Users
- Armed Forces and Police - 2009 order was cancelled in 2011. - used by the police - used by the Military Police units of the Romanian Land ForcesRomanian Land Forces
The Romanian Land Forces is the army of Romania, and the main component of the Romanian Armed Forces. In recent years, full professionalisation and a major equipment overhaul have transformed the nature of the force.The Romanian Land Forces were founded on...
.