Casspir
Overview
Casspir
Casspir mine resistant wheeled armored personnel carrier in service with Mali.
Source: German MoD -
© Copyright lies with original owner
1981 - 1995 (Mk 2)
1995 - ? (Mk 3)
South Africa - TFM, later Reumech OMC and Vickers OMC (Mk 2)
South Africa - Vickers OMC / Alvis OMC / Land Systems OMC(Mk 3)
India
Uganda
Description
Introduction
The Casspir is a late Cold War era armored personnel carrier of South African origin. It was developed as a mine resistant personnel carrier to supplement and replace the Buffel and similar makeshift mine resistant personnel carriers in South African service. The Casspir is often deemed the first dedicated MRAP - mine resistant ambush protected - vehicle with its monocoque hull and incorporating the host of mine resistant innovations from Rhodesia and South Africa, including the V-shaped hull.
Design
An improvement over earlier designs is the monocoque hull. The V-shaped hull also serves as the chassis, reducing weight. The driver's cab is integrated with the rear compartment, improving internal communication and forward vision that was lacking from earlier South African designs, such as the Buffel. Many variants of the APC have been produced, alongside a wide range of variants such as weapons carriers and logistics vehicles.
Firepower
The Casspir was often armed with medium machine guns, such as the MG4, MAG and SS-77. The MG4 is a South African conversion of the M1919A4 to 7.62mm NATO. Pintle mounts can be installed at the co-driver's position and at the rear of the crew compartment. Often two MG4 were fitted side by side in a mount with a gun shield. Some vehicles received a 20mm Hispano autocannon for improved firepower. Some Mk 2 vehicles have a ball mount for a MG4 in the front window.
Protection
The Casspir is protected from small arms fire and shell splinters all around. Compared to the earlier Buffel it also has an armored roof. The large windows are thick and bullet resistant. The main emphasis is on mine protection. The V-shaped hull protects the crew from a triple stack of Soviet TM-57 anti-tank mines under any of the wheel station. The center of the hull can resist as double TM-57 mine.
Mobility
The wheeled chassis provides good mobility on roads, and in the bush environment. The Mk1 was fitted with a 120 hp engine. The Mk 3 has a turbocharged 170 hp engine. The wider and longer wheelbase makes the Casspir less prone to rolling over compared to earlier mine resistant vehicles. However, the center of gravity is still quite high.
Users
The main user of the Casspir was the South African military, which extensively used it during the Bush War lasting from the 1970's to the 1990's. Many new and surplus vehicles have been exported to various users on the African continent and around the globe. The mine protection level has made the Casspir a favored vehicle to patrol areas which potentially have roadside bombs and ambushes, such as in peacekeeping and internal security operations.
Variants
Casspir
Casspir armored personnel carrier in service with the DINOES unit of the Peruvian national police.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
List of generations
Details
Media
Casspir
Forwar view of Casspir mine resistant wheeled armored personnel carrier.
Source: www.armouredvehicles.co.za
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Casspir
Three Casspir in service with Mali.
Source: German MoD
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Casspir
Three Casspir in service with Mali.
Source: German MoD
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Vektor MG4
The 7.62mm MG4 AA is the most common type of armament seen on the Casspir.
Casspir 106
Weapons carrier variant of the Casspir. Armed with 106mm M40 recoilless rifle.