Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle

Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle
A Royal Netherlands Army Bushmaster fitted with a remote turret
TypeInfantry mobility vehicle
Place of originAustralia
Service history
In service1997–present
Used byUsers
Wars
Production history
DesignerThales Australia (formerly ADI)
ManufacturerThales Australia (formerly ADI)
Unit costA$2,450,000 (2022)[1]
Produced1997–present
No. built1,195 [citation needed]
VariantsTroop, Command, Ambulance, IED, Utility
Specifications
Mass11,400 kg (25,133 lb) (kerb)[2]
15,400 kg (33,951 lb) (GVM)[2]
Length7,180 mm[2]
Width2,480 mm[2]
Height2,650 mm[2]
Crew1 (driver),
9 (passengers)[2]

Armorballistic exceeds STANAG 4569 level 1 – standard[3]
ballistic up to STANAG 4569 level 3 – option[3]
FSP up to STANAG 4569 level 5 – option[3]
IED high level of protection from monocoque hull – standard[3]
mine exceeds STANAG 4569 level 3 – standard[3]
Main
armament
Remote weapon station up to 12.7 mm HMG or 40 mm AGL, or
manned open turret up to 12.7 mm HMG or 40 mm AGL[2]
Secondary
armament
Manned swing mounts up to 7.62 mm (one front and two rear)[2]
EngineCaterpillar 3126E 7.2L six-cylinder diesel, turbocharged[2]
224 kW (300 hp) @ 2,200rpm
1,166 N⋅m (860 lb⋅ft) @ 1,440rpm[2]
Power/weight26.4 hp/tonne
TransmissionZF Ecomat 6HP502 G2 (six forward speeds, one reverse)[2]
SuspensionArvin Meritor 4000 series fully independent, progressive coil spring with upper control arm and lower wishbone[2]
Ground clearance1,340 mm (front overhang)[2]
1,950 mm (rear overhang)[2]
40° (approach angle)[2]
38° (departure angle)[2]
108° (ramp over angle)[2]
60% (gradient)[2]
36° (side slope)[2]
460 mm (vertical obstacle)[2]
1,200 mm (fording, unprepared)[2]
Fuel capacity319 L (84 U.S. gal)[2]
Operational
range
800 km (497 mi)[2]
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)(governed)[2]
Steering
system
Power assisted

The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle. The Bushmaster was primarily designed by the then government-owned Australian Defence Industries (ADI), and is currently produced by Thales Australia following their acquisition of ADI. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army, British Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Indonesian Army, Fiji Infantry Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force, New Zealand Army and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4]

Transportation of infantry, incorporating full protection from small arms fire, was the primary role for which the Bushmaster was designed; infantry would dismount from the vehicle, before going into action. As it was lightly armoured, the term infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) was initially used, rather than armoured personnel carrier, to distinguish the Bushmaster from heavier wheeled and tracked APCs used by the Australian Army, such as the ASLAV and M113. It was later discovered that the high-hardness steel specified for the Bushmaster meant that it generally offered better protection against ballistic weapons and IEDs than the aluminium alloys used in ASLAVs and M113s. To reflect this capability, it was later redesignated a "Protected Mobility Vehicle" (PMV).[5]

  1. ^ Goodall, Hamish (7 April 2022). "Australia's touching painted message to Ukraine on side of battle supplies". Sunrise. Seven Network. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Bushmaster Troop Carrier (brochure)" (PDF). War Wheels. Thales Australia. 17 September 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Bushmaster (brochure)" (PDF). ADI. 16 February 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2006.
  4. ^ Nicholson, Brendan (2 February 2018). "Bushmasters give allies a safe ride". The Australian. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  5. ^ Haugh, David; Keenan, Patrick. "Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV)". WarWheels.Net. Retrieved 28 February 2015.