Making its international debut at last week's Eurosatory show was Israel Military Industries' Wildcat armored wheeled vehicle. Wildcat has recently been evaluated by the US Marine Corps as a candidate for the Medium Personnel Carrier (MPC) mission (although that decision has been delayed until 2010) and is due for formal evaluation by the Israel Defense Force towards the end of this year. The IDF is looking for a replacement for the M113 and a complement to the heavyweight Namer, derived from the Merkava tank.

IMI says that the Wildcat incorporates the lessons learned in urban combat by the IDF. It uses a 4x4, off-the-shelf chassis from Tatra of the Czech Republic, a 325 hp Cummins diesel engine and an Allison transmission, with an IMI-built welded-steel body. The basic vehicle is C-130-transportable and is protected against 7.62 mm fire, but is designed with two optional armor kits:  Kit B handles 14.5 mm and improvised explosive device (IED) threats and Kit C adds slat armor for RPG protection. The kit elements are designed to be installed in the field and handled by a two-man team. Another standard option is the IMI WAVE remotely operated weapon station.

The basic vehicle accommodates three crew in front and nine soldiers in the back. Important features include three firing ports on each side, with upward-looking windows for better situational awareness in urban canyons, and powered rear and side ramps for quick entry and exit.

The 4X4 chassis is mobile - it can cross a 900 mm trench, ford to 1.5 m and exceed 60 mph on the flat - and agile, with a 17.5 m turning circle. IMI says that it was the only 4X4 to survive the MPC testing. Commercial components also reduce cost:  IMI claims that the Wildcat costs half as much as the US Stryker, for equivalent capability.

pic:  Bill Sweetman