Hawkei

Hawkei
A Hawkei protected mobility vehicle on display at the 2014 MSPO
A Hawkei protected mobility vehicle on display at the 2014 International Defence Industry Exhibition
TypeMultirole armoured car / military light utility vehicle
Place of originAustralia
Production history
DesignerThales Australia
Boeing Australia
Plasan
Designed2010
ManufacturerThales Australia
Produced2016—present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass7,000 kg (15,432 lb) (kerb),
10,000 kg (22,046 lb) (GVM)
Length5,780mm
Width2,396mm
Height2,300mm
Crew4-6

ArmorGreater than STANAG 4569 (Level 1). Additional applique armour provided by Plasan composite and V-shaped monocoque hull
Main
armament
Manned weapon mount up to 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL
or remote weapon system up to 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL or ATGM[1]
EngineSteyr M16 six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine.
200 kW (268 hp) @ 4,000rpm
610 N⋅m (450 lb⋅ft) @ 2,000rpm
TransmissionZF 8-speed automatic
SuspensionAxleTech 3000, fully independent suspension, coil and double wishbone
Fuel capacity200 L (53 U.S. gal)
Operational
range
600 km (373 mi)
Maximum speed 130km/h (81 mph)
Steering
system
Power-assisted

The Hawkei is an Australian light four-wheel-drive protected mobility vehicle. Originally designed in 2010 to meet an Australian Defence Force (ADF) requirement for a light armoured patrol vehicle to replace some of its Land Rover Perentie variants. The Hawkei is a highly mobile, highly protected, 7-tonne vehicle, with inbuilt systems to allow it to be used as a fighting platform.[2] It has been developed with Vehicle Electronic Architecture to be mission system ready.[3]

It is intended to undertake a range of mission profiles, including troop movement, command and control, electronic warfare, liaison, surveillance and reconnaissance.[4] Prime contractors include: Thales Australia, Boeing Australia, Plasan (Israel) and PAC Group. In October 2015, the Australian Government announced the purchase of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles from Thales Australia.[5]

  1. ^ "Hawkei's Genesis: Protection, Mobility and Performance". Thales Group. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Hawkei - Next Generation Protected Mobility Vehicle" (PDF). Thales Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Thales Hawkei Receives Contract for Further Development". Deagel.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Hawkei - Next Generation Protected Mobility Vehicle". Thales Group. 8 May 2023.
  5. ^ Tufrey, LS Jayson (22 October 2015). "Our vehicle of the future" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1362 ed.). Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence. pp. 2–3. ISSN 0729-5685. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2017.