MOWAG Piranha 5 10x10

     Notes: Unlike most of MOWAG’s Piranha range of vehicles, the Piranha 10x10 (also known as the Piranha 5) was never designed or meant to be an APC chassis.  It was designed from the start as a heavy scout vehicle and tank destroyer.  The Piranha 10x10 was a private company design that MOWAG hoped would interest international buyers; the first prototype was completed in 1993, with the development phase being completed in 1994, and presentation to the international arms market in 1995,  Later in 1995, the Piranha 10x10 was first demonstrated to several potential Middle
Eastern buyers.  However, the eventual customers were primarily European nations – Denmark, Sweden, and Romania.  Later, the Spanish acquired several Piranha 5s, including an unknown number for the Spanish Marines, armed with a 120mm gun and having advanced stabilization as standard. In addition, the Piranha 5 was in contention for the fire support elements of Stryker Brigades (though it did not fare will in the air-portable tests).  The US has retained 5 Piranha 5s for further testing. The New Zealanders also use the Piranha 5. The Piranha 5 has not seen combat use, except for sporadic combat in a peacekeeping role.

     For the most part, each countries’ Piranha 5s are the same externally, with most differences being internal.  All of these vehicles sold are equipped with a NATO-compatible rifled 105mm GIAT G2 main gun, but a 120mm Rheinmetall gun has always been an available option.  The TML 105 turret is equipped with advanced fire control and vision devices, but poor gun stabilization in its basic form. Each has a 40-kilowatt APU for use when the engine is off; Sweden is said to have specifically requested this feature, as their Piranha 5s are to be used for long coastal watches (and patrols), where power may be needed immediately for fire control and to power vision devices.  In addition, there are two clusters of seven GALIX grenade launchers, which may be command or automatically-fired. The grenades are larger than standard NATO smoke generation grenades at 80mm.

     Power is provided with a 340-horsepower Scania turbocharged diesel coupled to a 7-speed fully automatic ZF transmission.  The driver has conventional controls, with power steering on the front four wheels and power/antilock brakes.  The tires have central tire pressure regulation, and are puncture-resistant run-flat tires. The driver is on the front right, with his hatch cover rotating open to the left.  He has three wide-angle vision blocks to his front and sides; the center one has a night vision channel.  To his left is the engine; behind him is a seat for an additional passenger, with a hatch that rotates out to the right. The commander is on the turret left, and the loader’s hatch is on the turret right.

     The rear of the vehicle carries the fuel tank, 26 rounds of 105mm ammunition or 22 rounds of 120mm, and a small space where the crew can store their gear and which is big enough for a single cot.  The rest of the ammunition is in the turret bustle.

     The chassis is essentially an extended Piranha II 8x8 chassis.  The hull is of all-welded steel, but has only moderate protection in the armor department. 

     A number of options are available for the Piranha 5, besides the 120mm Gun.  The engine may be replaced with a 400 or 450 horsepower engine.  Applique armor may be applied to the vehicle’s hull and turret, as may lugs for ERA on the front and sides of the hull and turret.  If applique armor is installed, it is welded on rather than being bolted on (and giving something else to rocket around the vehicle upon a hit). NBC overpressure or vehicular NBC systems may be installed; all five parties operating these vehicles have taken the NBC Overpressure option.  A BMS is available, along with a vehicle state system and GPS.  An autoloader can be added to the loading system, but this is not designed to completely replace the loader. Better stabilization is also available, as is a laser designator.  A day/night CITS can give the Piranha 5 a hunter/killer capability; the Swedes and Spanish have taken this option. Air conditioning can be added.

Swedish Piranha 5s

      The Swedish iteration of the Piranha 5 have an internal soft Kevlar antispalling liner.   Swedish Piranha 5s do not use the RWS option; instead, the use an electrically-turning cupola with a Ksp-58 for the commander. They are equipped with NBC Overpressure, with a vehicular NBC backup. Sweden uses a domestic form of a BMS, along with a vehicle state computer, GPS, and a mapping computer.  Swedish Piranha 5s have a CITS, enabling a hunter/killer capability. Swedish Piranha 5s are equipped with a 400-horsepower engine. They have a short-range radio jammer (does not jam friendly forces’ radios) to keep IED from exploding; this extends under the front third of the vehicle, and the commander gets an alert if anything is found.  They are equipped with a full BMS, including vehicle state computer, GPS, and mapping module.

Danish Piranha 5s

     Danish Piranha 5s have Kongsberg Protector RWS above the commander’s hatch.  Denmark adds hard Kevlar panels to the interior molded into the walls, and also have a Kevlar antispalling liner.  Danish Piranha 5s use a 400-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine.  In addition, Danish Piranha 5s. Danish Piranha 5s have a short-range radio jammer (does not jam friendly forces’ radios) to keep IED from exploding; this extends under the front third of the vehicle, and the commander gets an alert if anything is found. Danish Piranha 5s have a Kongsberg Protector RWS above the commander’s hatch.

Spanish Piranha 5s

     Spain has gone all-out with their Piranha 5s.  They armed their Piranha 5s with 120mm Rheinmetall guns, and Spain has elected to equip their Piranha 5s with a mondo-powerful 577-horsepower engine. The vehicles have a full BMS and Vehicle State computer, along with GPS and a mapping module. They have a CITS, giving it a hunter/killer capability. The Spanish have installed a 40-liter chilled water tank in their cargo area.  Spanish Piranha 5s also have RWR and LWR,  They are equipped with air conditioning with NBC filters.

Romanian Piranha 5s

     Romanian Piranha 5s also have a Kongsberg Protector RWS, but it is differently-armed than the Danish Protector. They are outfitted with the 450-horsepower engine.  Romanian Piranha 5s do not have a BMS, but they do have a vehicle state computer and GPS with a mapping computer.  They are equipped with air conditioning with NBC filters.

New Zealander Piranha 5s

     New Zealander Piranha 5s are very similar to Danish Piranha 5s; they have a CROWS-type OHWS, they have hard molded-in Kevlar panels as well as an antispalling blanket.  have a short-range radio jammer (does not jam friendly forces’ radios) to keep IED from exploding; this extends under the front third of the vehicle, and the commander gets an alert if anything is found.  The New Zealander Piranha 5s, however, use an uprated 450-horsepower engine. New Zealander Piranha 5s have a full BMS with Vehicle State computer and GPS with a mapping module.  They have AC with NBC Filters.  Their Piranha 5s have a 50-liter chilled drinking water tank, as well as a ration cooker and water heater. New Zealander Piranha 5s have RWR, LWR, and IFF; it is rumored that this is preparation for the installation of an APS in the future.

     I have included versions below for Piranha 5s with all the options installed, just for the heck of it, in both 105mm and 120mm versions.  Drinking water tanks, chilled or room-temperature, can be installed in the cargo space’ the Spanish and New Zealanders have elected to install a 40-liter chilled tank. Spanish Piranha 5s also have Radar and Laser Warning Receivers, as do New Zealander Piranha 5s.

*Hull and Turret Roof AV for these versions is 5.  Hull floor AV is 7Sp.

**Hull and Turret Roof AV for these versions is 6.  Hull floor AV is 8Sp