Marauder armored vehicle gets upgrades
Dubbed the ‘World’s Most Unstoppable Vehicle’ by BBC’s Top Gear has become even more stout.
Johannesburg, South Africa - In a move that will set a new benchmark in the global armored vehicle market, Paramount Group, the global aerospace and technology business, has revealed Marauder ‘Mark 2’, the new model of its world-renowned armored vehicle.
The Marauder Mark 2 boasts a host of new features, offering significant advantages on the battlefield and in asymmetrical warfare, enhancing crew capability and vehicle performance, while also bolstering manufacturing efficiencies, resulting in increased rates of production and deliveries to customers around the world.
Dubbed the ‘World’s Most Unstoppable Vehicle’ by BBC’s Top Gear, Paramount Group’s latest advancements to the already-extremely rugged, versatile and highly mobile Marauder include the introduction of a universal hull, interchangeable dashboard modules and steering wheel components.
While the Marauder can be configured as an armored personnel carrier (APC) or as an infantry combat vehicle through the addition of appropriate weapon systems, the ‘Mark 2’ upgrades in the Marauder’s driver interface will dynamically enhance crew capability and vehicle performance during diverse missions such as peacekeeping, border patrol, counter-insurgency or national defense, those which can often take place in rugged and remote theaters of operation.
Operational with armed forces across Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and SouthEast Asia, these latest enhancements will enable the Marauder to be manufactured in either Left or Right-Hand Drive configurations, from the same hull and component sets on the same production line.
This will further unlock the ability to convert Left-hand Drive versions of the Marauder to Right-Hand Drive (and vice versa), in under two hours’ time, should operational needs (such as peacekeeping deployments in foreign countries) require, making the Marauder highly-applicable to the asymmetrical challenges of the modern battlefield, wherever in the world that battlefield may reside.
Deon Grobler, CEO of Paramount Land Systems stated: “The Marauder is one of world’s most iconic and toughest armored vehicles, often described as best suited for an apocalyptic environment. We are very proud of its well-deserved reputation and our latest advancements present significant benefits to its performance, crew capability and the customer."
“Impressive developments in man-machine interfaces often go unnoticed, however the systems which we have incorporated within the new Marauder ‘Mark 2’ have made great strides in improving ergonomics, comfort and functionality. The improvements in the Marauder’s operator interfaces will increase usability when operating in rugged conditions, while at the same time reducing driver and crew fatigue, making the platform more comfortable and user-friendly, keeping troops safe and battle ready.”
The multi-role Marauder features double-skin armor, proven and reliable drive lines, and an impressive burst speed of 110 km/hr. It remains fully operational in extreme conditions from – 20 to +50 Degrees Celsius and can be deployed with efficiency for both long-range or quick reaction operations. Day/Night vision devices and extra sensors can also be fitted to provide 24/7 operability.
The Marauder Mark 2 offers class leading mine and ballistic protection for its crew of two in the front cockpit, and up to eight fully equipped soldiers in the rear. The vehicle hosts an IED and mine-protected double-skinned monocoque hull, with significant ground clearance, giving the Marauder exceptional off-road mobility and crew protection. The vehicle is further equipped with specially designed anti-blast seats, which prevent injury from the extreme acceleration of a side blast or mine blast under the hull. The Marauder can further be airlifted (from, for example, a C130 and Chinook) with little preparation.
From the vehicle’s inception, first launched at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi in February 2007, Paramount Group has since supplied Marauders to its partners and sovereign governments around the world, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique and Singapore.
The advancements incorporated within the ‘Mark 2’ edition of the vehicle will result in faster rates of production and deliveries to the company’s future customers worldwide.
About Paramount Group
Paramount Group is the global technology and aerospace business. It is a leader in defense and security innovation and is a trusted partner to sovereign governments across the globe. Paramount specializes in the creation of portable manufacturing facilities through technology and skills transfer, resulting in new local capabilities and sustainable jobs, proven to not only benefit local defense industrial capabilities but economic diversification and growth.
Paramount Group has been responsible for the development and production of a broad range of highly advanced armored and mine protected vehicles that are in operation around the world. The family of APC and combat vehicles which has been developed from clean-sheet design is at the vanguard of armored vehicle technologies. These vehicles have been designed and developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-role, high mobility, and mine hardened platforms, providing a solution to the ever-changing demands of the global battlefield. Please visit www.paramountgroup.com for more information and follow us on Twitter.
From the staff of North America's no. 1 historic military vehicle source -- Military Vehicles Magazine
