Casspir

Casspir
A Casspir Mk II on display in 2010
Type	Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle
Place of origin	South Africa
Specifications
Mass	10.88 t
Length	6.9 m (22.64 ft)
Width	2.45 m (8.04 ft)
Height	2.85 m (9.35 ft)
Crew	2+12
Main armament	Various: 3 × 7.62 mm MG or 20 mm cannon
Secondary armament	12 firing ports
Engine	Atlantis Diesel Engines OM352A turbo-charged diesel 124 kW
Suspension	4×4-wheeled
Operational range	770 km
Maximum speed	98 km/h on road 70 km/h off-road

The Casspir is a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle that has been in use in South Africa since the 1980s. It is a four-wheeled, four-wheel drive vehicle, used for transport of troops. It can hold a crew of two, plus 12 additional soldiers and associated equipment. The Casspir was unique in design when launched, providing for passive mine defence. The main armoured steel body of the vehicle is raised high above the ground, so when a mine is detonated, the explosion is less likely to damage the crew compartment and kill the occupants. The cross-section of the hull is V-shaped, directing the force of the explosion outwards, further protecting the occupants.

The vehicle also offers crew protection from small arms fire. The capabilities of the Casspir were the basis of the outline capabilities required by the U.S. Marines for their Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected or MRAP vehicle project.^[1]