Bernardini AM-IV

     Notes:  This is a small APC used by Brazil and Chile as a riot control vehicle. First deliveries began in 1988. The AM-IV looks basically like an armored SUV, and has the engine under the front hood, a cab to the rear of that, and a section in the rear for troops and passengers.  A siren and flashing lights are normally a standard installation, as the AM-IV is primarily a police and security vehicle. A small searchlight is also often fitted. In the sides of the cab there are a pair of doors, and the front of the cab has a bullet-resistant front windshield.  The rear has a door, which can be opened by the troops or the driver.  The cab has firing ports in the doors, the commander’s side under the windshield has a firing port, and the sides each have a two firing ports, with two firing ports being in the rear.  Atop the vehicle is a hatchway, but this is not fitted with a cupola or weapon mount.  In addition to the front windshield, there are windows in each door, and long, narrow windows down each side of the passenger compartment.  The armor is light, providing protection against basic small arms.  Power is provided by a 94-horsepower diesel engine. Early production versions has a collective NBC system, but this was later deleted.  Air conditioning is standard. A manual fire suppression system is mounted inside the vehicle and in the engine compartment.  Recently, a cluster of three smoke grenade launchers were added to each front corner of the front roof.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: As the situation deteriorated, they were taken into service as surrogate armored personnel carriers.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$16,901

D, A

600 kg

3.4 tons

2+4

2

WL Searchlight

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

299/56

66/13

102

44

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS2  HR2

 

EE-11 Urutu

     Notes:  Sharing many basic automotive components with the EE-9 Cascavel reconnaissance car, the EE-11 Urutu (which translates as “rattlesnake” or “viper” – it is a venomous Brazilian snake) is a Brazilian 6x6 wheeled APC designed for both domestic service and the export market. Development began in the mid-1970s, and by 1977, the Urutu was on the export market as well as being in Brazilian service. Production ended in 1987, though upgrade and refurbishment work continues. The largest customer was actually Iraq, who had 2000 on hand at the start of the 1991 Gulf War (though virtually all have since been destroyed); Brazil herself currently has 215 in service with another 11 being refurbished for active use, and though some 15 other countries use the Urutu, most of these countries use less than 100 each and most of those 20 or less Urutus). The Urutu has seen combat service as a part of several countries’ contingents to IFOR and KFOR, and has also seen service in Haiti, as well as the occasional border conflict.  The Urutu can have no turret (a simple pintle weapon mount instead) or one of several turrets; an upgrade was also made in 1988 to the Urutus of several countries, giving it three choices of a more powerful engine and an automatic transmission to match the new engines.  Though it is slated for replacement by the Brazilian Army and in some other countries, most of these users have experienced budget problems and the Urutu will probably continue to soldier on for a decade longer or more in most countries.

     The basic form of the Urutu is a sort of long, flat 4x6 vehicle with the front wheels being well ahead of the two rear wheels.  The four rear wheels are the drive wheels. These wheels are large, with a cross-country suspension, and have run-flat tires.  The driver is in the front left and has three wide-angle vision blocks to the front, the center of which can be replaced by a night vision block. The Urutu is amphibious, propelled in the water by waterjets and to a lesser extent by the motion of the wheels. A removable windscreen can also be erected, both for use when the driver has his head out of the hatch and to stop splashes during amphibious operations or in mud.  The windscreen is of simple clear plastic and folds away inside the driver’s compartment when not in use.  On the original version, power is provided by a 158-horsepower turbocharged diesel with a manual transmission, though the driver’s controls are conventional.  The engine is to the right of the driver.  On the front right, just off-center, is the commander’s position; he has a weapon on a pintle mount, and often has AV2 gun shields surrounding his position.  (The weapons are representative of the class of weapons and may not be exact.) The troops are in the rear of the vehicle and enter and exit through a door in the rear of the vehicle or a door in the left side under and to the left of the commander’s position on the left side.  The rear deck also has a large hatch for the troops. The rear door can be opened by the troops or by the driver.  Two firing ports are in each side of the troop compartment and one in the rear door.  As an option, five firing ports can be mounted on each side and one in the rear door; the rear can also optionally have two firing ports (one in the door, and one to the left of it).  In each case, the troops sit down the sides of the vehicle facing the center. Most vehicle components are indigenously designed or license-produced; overall design is indigenous.

     Optional turrets include a low-profile turret mounting a heavy and light machinegun, a turret mounting a 25mm autocannon and coaxial machinegun, the turret of the EE-9 Cascavel reconnaissance car (using the Mark III turret) armed with a 90mm gun and coaxial machinegun, and a Swedish turret which is the same as mounted on the Pbv-302 APC. The front hull often has clusters of three smoke grenade launchers on the top of the front hull on either side, though on turreted versions these are normally mounted on the turret.  In the case of the 25mm-armed turret and the 90mm-armed turret, the turret replaces the commander’s station; in the version with the Pbv-302 turret or the low-profile machinegun turret, the turret is the commander’s station. Most Urutus have a simple pintle mount at the commander’s station, though usually surrounded with the gun shields mentioned above.

     An optional 1988 upgrade brought automatic transmission to the Urutu, along with a choice of a 6V53 212-horsepower engine (the same as on the M-113 APC), or an upgraded versions of this engine, developing 230 or 260 horsepower.  The 260-horsepower engine is the most common engine upgrade. The engine upgrades relieve the underpowered nature of the Urutu’s stock engine. Armor protection of the Urutu from the frontal arc is surprisingly good, though side and rear armor is only mediocre.  So far, no appliqué armor kits have been devised or offered for the Urutu.

     Command and ambulance versions of the Urutu also exist.  Command versions have one short, two medium, and two long-range radios, along with map boards and various plotting and office-type supplies; later upgrades included making one of the long-range radios data-capable and a laptop computer, along with a hand-held thermal imager, image intensifier, and laser rangefinder for the command crew.  (This is the version reflected below.) The medical version has room for a medic and up to four stretcher cases and three seated patients or two stretchers and five seated patients, along with medical supplies such as an oxygen administration kit, a defibrillator, a small refrigerator, and the equivalent of 2 doctor’s medical bags and 20 personal medical kits.  Ambulance versions are normally unarmed; command versions normally have only pintle-mounted weapons at their commander’s stations.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Urutu (Basic, 153 hp)

$35,346

D, A

1.4 tons

14 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Urutu (Basic, 212 hp)

$36,546

D, A

1.4 tons

14 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Urutu (Basic, 230 hp)

$36,802

D, A

1.4 tons

14 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Urutu (Basic, 260 hp)

$36,912

D, A

1.4 tons

14 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Machinegun Turret (153hp)

$57,889

D, A

1.3 tons

14.3 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, C)

Enclosed

Machinegun Turret (212hp)

$58,109

D, A

1.3 tons

14.3 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, C)

Enclosed

Machinegun Turret (230hp)

$58,179

D, A

1.3 tons

14.3 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, C)

Enclosed

Machinegun Turret (260hp)

$58,289

D, A

1.3 tons

14.3 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, C)

Enclosed

25mm Turret (153hp)

$187,645

D, A

1.1 tons

15.2 tons

3+8

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

25mm Turret (212hp)

$188,076

D, A

1.1 tons

15.2 tons

3+8

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

25mm Turret (230hp)

$188,146

D, A

1.1 tons

15.2 tons

3+8

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

25mm Turret (260hp)

$188,256

D, A

1.1 tons

15.2 tons

3+8

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

EE-9 Turret (153hp)

$372,468

D, A

400 kg

16.8 tons

3+4

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

EE-9 Turret (212hp)

$373,668

D, A

400 kg

16.8 tons

3+4

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

EE-9 Turret (230hp)

$373,924

D, A

400 kg

16.8 tons

3+4

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

EE-9 Turret (260hp)

$374,034

D, A

400 kg

16.8 tons

3+4

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

Pbv-302 Turret (153 hp)

$50,636

D, A

1.3 tons

14.6 tons

2+10

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Pbv-302 Turret (212 hp)

$51,836

D, A

1.3 tons

14.6 tons

2+10

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Pbv-302 Turret (230 hp)

$52,092

D, A

1.3 tons

14.6 tons

2+10

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Pbv-302 Turret (260 hp)

$52,202

D, A

1.3 tons

14.6 tons

2+10

8

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Command Variant (153hp)

$348,446

D, A

700 kg

14.9 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Command Variant (212hp)

$349,646

D, A

700 kg

14.9 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Command Variant (230hp)

$349,902

D, A

700 kg

14.9 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Command Variant (260hp)

$350,012

D, A

700 kg

14.9 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Ambulance (153hp)

$39,498

D, A

700 kg

14.6 tons

*

11

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Ambulance (212hp)

$40,698

D, A

700 kg

14.6 tons

*

11

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Ambulance (230hp)

$40,954

D, A

700 kg

14.6 tons

*

11

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

Ambulance (260hp)

$41,064

D, A

700 kg

14.6 tons

*

11

Passive IR (D)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Urutu (Basic, 153 hp)

110/56

30/15/3

380

79

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Urutu (Basic, 212 hp)

134/68

37/18/4

380

109

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Urutu (Basic, 230 hp)

142/72

39/19/4

380

119

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Urutu (Basic, 260 hp)

155/78

42/21/4

380

136

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Machinegun Turret (153hp)

108/55

30/15/3

380

80

CiH

W(3)

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Machinegun Turret (212hp)

132/67

36/18/4

380

111

CiH

W(3)

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Machinegun Turret (230hp)

140/71

38/19/4

380

121

CiH

W(3)

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Machinegun Turret (260hp)

153/77

41/21/4

380

138

CiH

W(3)

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

25mm Turret (153hp)

97/49

26/13/3

380

86

Trtd

W(3)

TF5  TS3  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

25mm Turret (212hp)

121/61

33/17/3

380

118

Trtd

W(3)

TF5  TS3  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

25mm Turret (230hp)

129/64

35/18/4

380

130

Trtd

W(3)

TF5  TS3  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

25mm Turret (260hp)

141/71

38/19/4

380

148

Trtd

W(3)

TF5  TS3  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

EE-9 Turret (153hp)

92/46

27/13/3

380

95

Trtd

W(3)

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF10  HS4  HR3

EE-9 Turret (212hp)

112/56

33/16/3

380

131

Trtd

W(3)

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF10  HS4  HR3

EE-9 Turret (230hp)

119/59

35/17/4

380

143

Trtd

W(3)

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF10  HS4  HR3

EE-9 Turret (260hp)

130/65

38/18/4

380

163

Trtd

W(3)

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF10  HS4  HR3

Pbv-302 Turret (153 hp)

105/53

29/14/3

380

82

CiH

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Pbv-302 Turret (212 hp)

128/65

36/17/4

380

114

CiH

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Pbv-302 Turret (230 hp)

135/68

37/18/4

380

124

CiH

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Pbv-302 Turret (260 hp)

148/75

41/20/4

380

142

CiH

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10  HS4  HR3

Command Variant (153hp)

103/53

28/14/3

380

84

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Command Variant (212hp)

126/65

34/17/3

380

116

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Command Variant (230hp)

133/68

36/18/4

380

127

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Command Variant (260hp)

145/75

39/20/4

380

145

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Ambulance (153hp)

105/54

29/14/3

380

82

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Ambulance (212hp)

128/68

36/17/4

380

114

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Ambulance (230hp)

135/70

37/18/4

380

124

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

Ambulance (260hp)

148/76

41/20/4

380

142

Stnd

W(3)

HF10  HS4  HR3

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Urutu (Basic)/Command Variant

None

None

M-2HB (C) or MAG (C)

1260x.50 or 2100x7.62mm

Machinegun Turret

+1

Basic

M-2HB, MAG

1260x.50, 2000x7.62mm

25mm Turret

+2

Fair

25mm KBA Autocannon, MAG

700x25mm, 2000x7.62mm

EE-9 Turret

+2

Basic

90mm M-61 F1 Gun, MAG, MAG (C)

45x90mm, 2200x7.62mm

Pbv-302 Turret

+2

None

20mm m/47D

505x20mm

*See Notes for Crew and Passenger capacity.

 

VBT-2028 Armored Truck

     Notes:  This 6x6 Brazilian vehicle was first designed as a support and launch vehicle for a multiple rocket launcher.  It has been subsequently used as a general ammunition supply vehicle, a battalion command post, an FDC, a battlefield mobile workshop, and a personnel carrier.  The VBT-2028 has air conditioning for the cab, and the rear area on command and workshop versions.  The cab has bullet resistant windows in the front and sides which can be covered with armored shutters from inside the cab, and the commander has a roof hatch with a weapon mount (NATO tripod compatible).  A 6-ton capacity loading crane is mounted between the cab and cargo area; four stabilizer legs are normally lowered when the crane is being used.  Armor is nothing to write home about, and note that the cargo area of the APC and the cargo versions have side and rear armor, but no overhead protection except for a canvas cover.  Power is also nothing special, being provided by a 280-horsepower turbocharged diesel truck engine. The VBT-2028, however, has a satisfying cargo capacity and a modicum of protection. The crew figure includes the space in the rear and the cab capacity. This vehicle is in service with Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and formerly with Iraq.

     Command versions have the general command vehicle equipment, including two short-range, medium-range, and long-range radios, one of which is data-capable.  The interior has a table and chairs for the staff, and a ruggedized laptop computer.  Other equipment includes large map boards and plotting and office-type equipment.  The roof of the rear cargo area has several hatches, which can be used by the command staff to observe, including with a hand-held thermal imager, image intensifier, laser rangefinder, and several pairs of binoculars.  These hatches do not have weapon mounts, though one could fire from them. A 5kW APU helps run electronics when the engine is off.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological*

VBT-2028 APC/Cargo

$20,681

D, A

10 tons

20 tons

6+40

12

Headlights

Enclosed

Command Variant

$244,374

D, A

5 tons

20.6 tons

6+10

15

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor**

VBT-2028 APC/Cargo

219/41

56/15

700

147

Stnd

W(3)

HF2  HS2  HR2

Command Variant

212/40

54/15

700

151

Stnd

W(3)

HF2  HS2  HR2

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

VBT-2028

None

None

M-2HB (C)

500x.50

*For APC and cargo versions, the rear area Radiological value is Open.

**For APC and Cargo versions, the rear cargo area has a hull roof AV of 0.