AIL Desert Raider

     Notes: This unusual fast attack vehicle has an innovative suspension that the manufacturer claims give it a degree of of-road mobility comparable to tracked vehicles.  The four rear wheels are on springing bogie-type units that allow the rear wheels to flex up to 600 millimeters.  The suspension is so sure that the vehicle is able to maintain movement even though only one of its wheels is touching the ground.  The Desert Raider has a reduced noise and IR signature. It is able to negotiate a 70-degree side slope and climb a 60-degree slope, and can ford a 70-centimeter body of water. The roll bar cage incorporates a weapon mount, and a number of mounts (up to four, depending on the size of the weapons mounted) may be used in the rear cargo area.  The Desert Raider is small enough to be inserted into a CH-53 helicopter, or multiple Desert Raiders can be sling loaded from the same helicopter. Power may be provided by a Chrysler fuel-injected gasoline engine developing 150 horsepower or a VM 2.5-liter diesel developing 107 horsepower. These engines are coupled with a Chrysler 411E automatic transmission.

AAI Lizard

     Notes: This is a light utility vehicle designed for airborne infantry use.  It is a light vehicle constructed primarily of aluminum and not much more than frame, engine, and wheels with a platform body on top.  There are two seats with a small cargo area at the rear and front. The wheels are each driven by a hydraulic pump, which are in turn driven by the main engine. Each wheel and pump are independently suspended and there are no primary axles. Since the entire system is hydraulic, there is no transmission, and no gear changes regardless of speed. Speed is controlled by a hand lever, whether in forward or reverse.

     The Lizard is also produced in Italy by Astra as the Astra L1.

AIL M240 Storm

     Notes: This Israeli vehicle is also known as the MMV (Multi-Mission Vehicle).  It is the result of decades of experience with off-road vehicles, and has a reinforced body and frame, automatic transmission, 4x4 suspension, and a powerful engine with a better-than-average drive train.  The Storm normally has a weapon mount for the commander, and some are armed with a 106mm recoilless rifle or ATGM system.  All versions have a 3629-kilogram capacity winch. 

     There are several major variants of the Storm.  The Storm I, also known as the Sufa I or Storm Mark I, is based on the Jeep Wrangler YJ; the Storm I is built entirely in Israel except for the engines, which are not economically viable to build in Israel. The Storm I is built on long and short wheelbase sizes, and powered by an AMC 6-cylinder gasoline engine developing 180 horsepower, or a Volkswagen 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel developing 118 horsepower.  Military Storms are equipped with a blast shield built into the hood and specially-coated windshields to protect the vehicle when firing the 106mm M40 recoilless rifle or ATGMs. The canvas tilt over the vehicle can be extended to provide a small command post extension when the Storm I is stationary. The Storm I comes in an armored version able to stop AK 7.62mm rounds; it is heavier than the standard Storm I, but has a more powerful 180-horsepower diesel engine.

     The M242 Storm II, known by troops as the Storm Commander, is based on the Jeep Wrangler TJ, with a lot of military customization based on feedback from soldiers in the field and in combat. The Storm II has six forward gears instead of the Storm I’s four.  The track is extended to increase stability on rough ground, and the Storm II is airbag-equipped for crew safety. Crew comfort was addressed with air conditioning and a CD player. The passenger positions have their own doors, and the Storm II is the only Wrangler with five doors. Power is provided by a 172-horsepower gasoline engine or a 175-horsepower diesel engine. An armored version was devised.

     The Storm III is based on the five-door Jeep Wrangler JK.  The Storm III has a much greater load-carrying capability due to heavier-duty shock absorbers, springs and axles. The Storm III does not have as yet a civilian counterpart, but does come in a Commander version and an armored version. Only one engine is produced, a VM Motori turbodiesel developing 158 horsepower. The Storm III is used by several unnamed countries besides Israel.

AIL M325 Commandcar

     Notes: The Commandcar is the predecessor of the Abir listed below, and is based on the Dodge WC series of light military trucks.  It is used by Israel and has seen some export sales.  The cab may be open or closed, and a machinegun mount may be located in front of the commander's position.  There are several cargo bodies.  A hard-bodied ambulance may carry 4 stretcher cases or 12 seated wounded, and has air conditioning.  The basic cargo body is canvas-covered, and has a towing hook at the rear; in this version, the seats are on the outside facing inward.  The patrol/reconnaissance body is the same, but the seats are down the center facing outward, and there is a weapon mount and a searchlight mount on each side of the cargo area.  This cargo body vehicle was also used to tow 105mm howitzers. A box body is available, which may carry a variety of shelters and containers, such as the ambulance mentioned.  A winch in the front bumper can pull 2.5 tons with 65 meters of cable. The Commandcar is powered by a 100-horsepower Chrysler 227 gasoline engine.

     The M325 is typically known by Israeli soldiers as the Nun-Nun, which is the Hebrew abbreviation for noseh neshek, or weapons carrier.

M462 Abir

     Notes: The Abir is a multipurpose 4x4 tactical truck used by Israel.  The layout is conventional and based on the M325, and the vehicle has some resemblance to the soft-top version of the HMMWV.  The vehicle has been designed with crew and passenger comfort in mind, with a heavy-duty suspension, high all-round visibility, and automatic transmission.  The nose is larger to house the more powerful engine, and this allows for a third cab crewman. Three weapon mounts are provided, one on each side of the cargo area and one in front of the commander's seat.  Variants include a TOW ATGM carrier, communications shelter carrier, command/intelligence vehicle, and ambulance.  The standard engine is a 170-horsepower GM diesel, but a Chrysler 316 gasoline-burning engine developing 155 horsepower may be fitted; this gasoline engine was the original engine.

Matmar CJ-5/CJ-6

     Notes: From the mid-1970s to early 1980s, Matmar Industries manufactured the Jeep CJ-5 and the long wheelbase version, the CJ-6, under license.  (Matmar is no longer in business.) These included militarized models, with improved suspensions and reinforced frames, in addition to other changes necessary for military operations, such as tool storage and items such as tow hooks.  (These two vehicles do not have as standard a military radio onboard.) They could also be found with items one would think would be on civilian vehicles, such as bucket seats and good upholstery. By the mid-1990s, most of these were out of active IDF service, but could still be found with reserves, local defense units, and with the police.  The body panels of the Matmar versions are made from heavy 18-gauge steel, and have a soft top and doors which may be removed if desired.  A roll bar behind the front seats is standard, along with a folding frame for the soft top.  The floor of the rear cargo/passenger area is ribbed to increase strength, and the rear seat (or seats, in the case of the CJ-6) may be folded forwards to increase cargo space.  The windshield may be folded down onto the hood. Options include various weapons mounts (normally on a post behind the front seats or on the roll bar), a front-mounted 2-ton winch, a heater, and mounts for two stretchers.  Variants include the Tolar variant of the CJ-6, which mounts a 106mm recoilless rifle, and is fitted with ammunition racks, an additional fire extinguisher, equipment for the recoilless rifle, and a rack at the rear for additional jerry cans.  There are command and radio variants of both the CJ-5 and CJ-6; these versions have extra lights on the roll bar for the interior, a strengthened 24V electrical system, and various mounts and racks as necessary for its duties.  A reconnaissance version has machinegun mounts on the roll bar, at the rear, and in front of the commander’s seat.  It also has racks for two radios and a base for a long antenna, as well as storage for ammunition. The engine for both is an AMC 155-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 gasoline-burning engine.