Fact file: Mfezi armoured ambulance

Type:                                     

Mine protected armoured ambulance.

Numbers:              

132, but only 40% in service, one beyond economical repair.

Manufacturer:                                      

BAE Systems Land Systems OMC.

Dimensions

·        Length:                                         

·        Width:                                           

·        Height:                                          

·         Wheel base:                                

·         Ground clearance:                       

·         6.56m.            

·         2.48m.

·         3.03m.

·         3.91m.

·         0.35m (depending on axles).

Mass

·         Tare:                                              

·         Payload:                                        

·         GVM:                                             

·         12.4mt.

·         3.6mt.

·         16mt.

Seating:                                 

Driver, two orderlies.

Litters:   

Two with two stretchers, meaning four patients can be carried prone.

Fuel:                                      

400 litres.

Water for crew:                                    

Protection levels

·         Ballistic:                                        

·         Mine:                             

·         Proof against 7.62x51mm NATO Ball.

·         Will survive 3 x TM57/21kg TNT under any wheel, 2 x TM57/14kg TNT under hull.

Performance:

·         Top speed:                   

·         Range on single refuelling:

·         Acceleration:                               

·         Turning circle:             

·         Ground pressure:                        

·         Power/mass ratio:                        

·         Can climb a __ vertical step:     

·         Can cross a __ wide trench:      

·         Can ford water __ deep:             

·         Can climb a gradient of __ deg:

·         Can traverse a gradient of __ deg:               

·         90km/h.

·         1000km (road), 300km (cross country).

·         –

·         19m.

·         –

·         –

·         0.6m.

·         1.06m.

·         1.2m.

·         70.

·         18

Drive train

·         Engine:                          

·         Transmission:                              

·         Transfer Box:                               

·         ADE 449T 9.51 litre 5-cylinder diesel, 184kW @ 2100 rpm.

·         ZF S6-90 synchromesh, six forward, one reverse.

·         Two-speed pneumatic.

Variants:               

None but several, including APC, were proposed.                       

Armament:            

None fitted as standard. Four gun ports on each side and two in rear doors for self defence. Co-driver`s position can also be equipped with MG firing through a gimbal mount in front window.

Comment:

A superb vehicle, now regrettably coming to end of its working life. Its ability to continue despite battle damage and ease of repair after even massive anti-tank mine blasts are legendary – largely because of its v-shaped monoque, chassis-less hull and 52mm windows.