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EE-9 Cascavel



Overview


EE-9 Cascavel

EE-9 Cascavel in use with the military of Brazil.
Source: Exército Brasileiro - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Brazil
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Entered service
1974
Status
In service
Development
1970 - 1973
Developer
Brazil - ENGESA
Production
1974 - 1993
Producer
Brazil - ENGESA
Number produced
1.738 (includes all production variants)
Designations
Cascavel
Portuguese for "rattlesnake"
CRR / Carro de Reconhecimento sobre Rodas
Portuguese for "reconnaissance vehicle on wheels"
Notable users
Brazil
Iraq
Libya
Cyprus
Colombia

Description


Introduction

The EE-9 Cascavel is a wheeled reconnaissance vehicle of Brazilian origin. Due to its heavy armament it can also serve as a fire support vehicle. It was widely exported and remains one of the most numerous cannon armed reconnaissance vehicles.

Layout

The layout is based on the World War 2 era US M8 Greyhound scout car. The EE-9 uses a similar 6x6 wheelbase with boomerang suspension for the rear wheels. The crew of three consists of a driver, seated in the front of the hull, and a commander and gunner who seated in the turret. The engine is mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

Armament

The EE-9 is armed with a 90mm EC-90 gun, which is a copy of the Belgian Mecar 90mm gun. The maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute. The gun is manually loaded and not stabilized, making firing on the move difficult. A 7.62mm machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon. Normally a 12.7mm machine can be mounted on the roof.

Protection

The dual hardness steel armor protects the EE-9 from 12.7mm rounds over the frontal arc and small arms fire and shell splinters all around. An NBC system is not fitted. Six smoke grenade launchers are attached to the turret.

Mobility

The 6x6 chassis provides good mobility on the road and performs reasonably in the field. The engine options include a 212hp Detriot Diesel or a 190 hp Mercedes-Benz diesel engine. Late production vehicles feature a tire pressure regulation system.

Users

Brazil is the main user of the EE-9. Many have been exported to South America, Africa and the Middle East. The EE-9 is not used by Western nations, except for Cyprus.

Details


EE-9 Cascavel

Right side view of Cypriot army EE-9 Cascavel.
Source: www.militaryphotos.net - © Copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the EE-9 Cascavel

The EE-9 is a wheeled reconnaissance vehicle, which also may serve as a fire support vehicle. No variants of the EE-9 were developed, however it was upgraded over time and equipment on export vehicles may differ.

The first 10 preproduction Mk II vehicles were fitted with a 37mm turret of the M3 Stuart light tank.

Mk III vehicles were fitted with a French H-90 turret as found on the AML-90 scout car, while all later vehicles were fitted with the ET-90 turret.

Facts EE-9 Cascavel
General
Origin
Brazil
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Crew
3 (commander, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
13.4 t combat load
10.9 t empty
Length
6.2 m gun forward
5.2 m hull
Width
2.64 m
Height
2.68 m with commander's cupola)
2.28 m to hull roof
Main armament
Type
90mm EC-90-III cannon
Mount
Turret
Ammunition
44 rounds, 24 ready to fire
Elevation
-8 to +15
Traverse
360 degrees, powered, 24°/s
Stabilizer
No
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm MAG machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.200 rounds carried
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
300 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 6x6
Wheelbase
1.41 m + 2.34 m
Tires
12.00 x 20 run flat tires
Ground pressure
Variable between 2 and 4 kg/cm²
Automotive
Engine
Detroit Diesel 6V53N V6 diesel
Power output
212 hp at 2.800 rpm
Transmission
Allison MT-643 automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
390 L
Mobility
Speed
100 km/h on road
Range
880 km on road
Power to weight ratio
15.8 hp/t (combat load)
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.34 m (axles)
0.5 m (hull)
Wall
0.6 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
1 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
8.5 to 16 mm
NBC system
No
Smoke system
2x3 smoke grenade launchers
Equipment
Night vision
Optional

Media