MOWAG Eagle AOPV

     Notes:  The Eagle AOPV is used by the Swiss Army (and designated by them the Artillerie Schiesskommdant Fahrzeug 2000, or ASF-2000).  Switzerland uses versions based on the Eagle I and Eagle III versions, with the later version having slightly heavier armor and carrying improved equipment.

     For the Eagle AOPV, the rear area has a raised superstructure, underneath which is a sensor pod on a two-meter extendible mast.  When retracted, armored panels close over the pod.  The driver and commander are in the front of the vehicle in a cab, behind a large, bullet-resistant windshield.  On the ASF-2000 I, this is a double windshield; on the ASF-2000 III, it is a single-piece windshield.  There are bullet-resistant windows on either side of them, in their doors; behind those doors, there is another door on each side with a bullet-resistant window in it.  In the rear of the vehicle is a reduced-size (from the normal Eagle) door with a bullet-resistant window in it.  Above the commander is a hatch with a pintle mount for a weapon.

     The sensor pod of the ASF-2000 I has a thermal imager, image intensifier, and laser rangefinder, as well as a telescopic day optic.  The optics are downlinked to the crewmember inside the vehicle. In the rear is a simple artillery computer, but this is used more for generating coordinates and has limited mapping software for that purpose; supplying fire solutions is not normally its job and its computer has limited capability in that department.  The ASF-2000 I has a long-range data-capable radio and a short-range radio.

     The ASF-2000 III came into service in 2003 and has enhanced capability in its sensors, including the replacement of the image intensifier with an enhanced model with a range of 8 kilometers and replacement of the thermal imager with a FLIR with a range of 6 kilometers.  The computer of the ASF-2000 III is fully capable of generating fire solutions as well as coordinates and can communicate directly with the fire solution computers of artillery, MRL, and mortar units.  The ASF-2000 III carries an additional data-capable long-range radio.  The sensor pod carries a laser designator as well as a laser rangefinder.  The ASF-2000 III has a GPS receiver.

     The ASF-2000 has a 4x4 off-road suspension and is powered by a 250-horsepower Cummins ISBe 5.9L turbocharged horsepower engine, coupled to an automatic transmission.  The relatively high power output of the engine leads to a large fuel consumption, unfortunately.  The ASF-2000 III uses the same engine as the ASF-2000 I, but the performance does suffer considerably due to the higher weight of the ASF-2000 III. Armor is decent for such a vehicle, but primarily effective against small arms and shell fragments.  The tires of the ASF-2000 I are run-flat tires; the tires of the ASF-2000 III are puncture-resistant as well.