CS/VP3 MRAP

CS/VP3 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2012-Present
Used by	People's Liberation Army Kenya Army Nigerian Army Uganda National Police Philippine Presidential Security Group Zambian Army
Wars	United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali Boko Haram insurgency Somali–Kenyan conflict
Production history
Designer	Poly Technologies
Designed	2009-2012
Manufacturer	Changan Automobile
Produced	2012-Present
Specifications
Mass	15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
Length	7.58 m (24.9 ft)
Width	2.48 m (8.1 ft)
Height	2.90 m (9.5 ft) (without turret)
Crew	2
Passengers	10
Main armament	QJC-88 12.7mm HMG
Secondary armament	Type 86 7.62mm GPMG
Engine	1x diesel engine of unknown type and variant 235kw
Payload capacity	3,200 kg (7,100 lb)
Operational range	800 km (500 mi)
Maximum speed	92 km/h (57 mph)

The CS/VP3 MRAP (Chinese: CS/VP3型防地雷反伏击车; pinyin: CS/VP3 xíng fáng dìléi fǎn fújí chē) also known as the CS/VP3 Bigfoot is a MRAP developed by Poly Technologies and manufactured by Changan Automobile in China. It was unveiled in China at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2012 in Zhuhai, China, and overseas at the 2012 DSA defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

History

China's increased operations with the United Nations peacekeeping forces increased its demand for such a vehicle. It has not previously owned a domestically produced MRAP and instead relied on IFVs and APCs to carry out operations.

China began negotiations with privately owned South African company Mobile Land Systems (MLS) in 2009 to develop the CAPRIVI-Mk1 (CS/VP3) MRAP in conjunction with Changan Automobile. At the beginning of 2010, MLS provided Changan Automobile with three CAPRIVI-Mk1s for testing, nine new vehicles in loose parts, and also provided training to Chinese engineers. The total value of the contract was 40 million rand (about $6 million), including the transfer of technology and licenses.

Design

The CS/VP3 is designed to provide secure transportation for combat personnel and equipment under the threat of anti-tank mines. The vehicle is based on a V-shaped hull and a fully-suspended 4x4 all-wheeled arrangement. A V-shaped hull deflects under-vehicle blasts away from its occupants and key driving components.

All-welded steel armour is used, and a ballistic protection level of BR-3 to BR-7 can be customised upon order. The hull can withstand blasts from 8 kg of TNT, and the wheels can withstand blasts from 16 kg of TNT.

The engine compartment is located at the front of the vehicle. The engine is a diesel-fueled engine of unknown make, design, and model, and provides 260 horsepower, allowing the car to reach the maximum speed of 92 km/h. The crew is located in the middle, with the infantry compartment in the rear, with five seats on each side, facing inward. There are many external storage compartments to carry equipment such as ammunition.

The crew cabin has two doors on both sides, and the infantry cabin has one rear door as well as an emergency door to the right.

There are four bulletproof windows on both sides of the vehicle, all with firing ports in the centre. There are two large bulletproof windows in the front of the crew compartment, with a firing port in the bottom-right corner of the right-side window. There is also a bulletproof window in the rear window on the rear door, with a firing port in the middle.