JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A new mine-protected armored personnel carrier has been launched by BAE Systems-South Africa.
The Mk6 is a new version in the Casspir family of vehicles. It is an open architecture fit for many applications, including the option for different variants -- 4x4, 6x6, utility, APC and command.
BAE said this battle-proven vehicle is a robust design suitable for the harshest African conditions. Commercial-off-the-shelve building blocks are used in the design and manufacturing for increased cost benefit.
The Casspir Mk6, with a contributing to the superior mine protection is the monocoque V-shaped hull, is about 25 feet in length, 8.7 feet in width and has a ground clearance of 14 inches.
Its gross vehicle mass is 31,570 pounds. The vehicle seats 16 people.
"This new version integrates decades of experience saving lives, offering a solution with a world-class track record," said Johan Steyn, managing director, Land Systems South Africa.
"With proven mobility, crew and ballistic protection, getting the soldiers safely around any environment was top of mind during development of this vehicle."
