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M462 Abir



Overview


M462 Abir

M462 Abir patrol vehicle in use with the Israeli military. Note the tarpaulin roof for protection from the sun.
Source: Unknown author - © public domain

Origin
Israel
Type
Utility vehicle
Entered service
Late 1980's
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
Israel - Automotive Industries Ltd
Production
1986 - 2005
Producer
Israel - Automotive Industries Ltd
Number produced
Produced in large numbers
Designations
Abir
Hebrew for "knight"
Notable users
Israel
Colombia

Description


Introduction

The M462 Abir is a 4x4 utility vehicle of Israeli origin. It was developed in the 1980's to replace the older M325 Commandcar. The name Abir is Hebrew for "knight". As with the previous Commandcar most parts are civilian of the shelf components.

Design

The design of the Abir is based on the M325 Commandcar, but the chassis has been improved to provide a smoother ride and to increase speed on dirt roads. The nose has been extensively modified and widened to accept a more powerful engine. The Abir has 4x4 drive and uses single rear wheels. The basic vehicle is softskin and open, with closed and armored models available.

Cargo capacity

The Abir may carry up to 1.8 t of cargo or be fitted with specialist equipment within that weight limit. With an open body up to 11 troops can be carried and less when armor is installed. In the ambulance role four stretchers or eight sitting patients can be transported.

Firepower

In the utility role the Abir is unarmed. As a troop transport usually one or more 7.62mm MAG machine guns are installed on pintle mounts. The Abir also serves as a weapons carrier and can be fitted with an infantry model TOW anti-tank missiles launcher or M40A2 recoilless rifle. In Colombian service it is the launch vehicle for the Nimrod missile.

Protection

The standard versions of the Abir that are used in the utility and troop transport role are unarmed softskin vehicles. Some Abir feature an armor kit and the Rhino is a special version with redesigned armored body. Either armored version protects against small arms fire and shell splinters. A mine protection kit is optional on both armored and non-armored versions.

Mobility

The Abir has good off road characteristics and has a maximum road speed of 110 km/h. It is normally fitted with a 170 hp diesel engine but a 155 hp V8 petrol engine is optional.

Users

The main user of the Abir are the Israeli military and law enforcement. It has been exported to various South American nations and possibly others. In Israeli many vehicles were fitted with armored cab. The HMMWV has replaced the Abir in many roles.

Variants


M462 Abir

Baseline softskin utility vehicle with benches facing inwards.

M462 Abir patrol vehicle

Standard version with benches facing outwards and pintle mounts for machine guns.

M462 Abir weapons carrier

Standard version with foldalbe windscreen and no sides for mounting TOW or M40A2.

M462 Abir uparmored

Abir with armored crew and troop compartment for police and urban use.

M462 Abir ambulance

Abir with armored crew compartment and ambulance rear body.

M462 Rhino

Dedicated armored version of Abir with redesigned single piece armored hull.

Details


Facts M462 Abir
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Utility vehicle
Crew
1 + 2 + 10 (driver, 2 in front seats, 10 on benches)
Dimensions
Weight
4.7 t fully laden
Length
5.03 m
Width
2.04 m
Height
2.1 m
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 4x4
Tread
1.72 m
Wheelbase
3.2 m
Automotive
Engine model
General Motors
Engine type
6.5 liter 4-stroke water cooled diesel
Power output
170 hp at 3.400 rpm
Transmission
Automatic, 3 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
144 L
Mobility
Speed
110 km/h on road
Range
600 km on road
Turn radius
7.1 m
Power to weight ratio
36.2 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Wall
0.45 m
Gradient
78 %
Fording
0.75 m
Protection
Armor type
Optional, see text
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Cargo capacity
Max load
1.9 t

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