ASVS Taipan.

The Taipan is Australian Specialised Vehicle Systems' (ASVS) submission to the Australian Army's Project Bushranger Phase 2/3 search for an Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV).

The Taipan is derived from the Mamba by Reumech of South Africa; Reumech holds 49% of ASVS. Like the BAeA Foxhound, one of its rivals in Bushranger, the Taipan uses the chassis and running gear of the Mercedes Benz Unimog U2150L. The Australian Army already uses Unimog 4x4 (and soon 6x6) trucks.

Taipan carries a crew of two with up to nine on the rear compartment. Entrance is by the rear door only and the flanks of the vehicle are taken up with storage bins. Heating, air-conditioning and a chilled water unit are fitted in view of Australia's range of climates. Spare wheels are mounted at each side of the rear body.

Protection against 14kg of TNT detonated under the vehicle and against small arms fire is claimed; extra armour can be fitted.

Manufacturer's Specifications: ASVS Taipan 1996.

• Infantry Mobility Vehicle (~ wheeled armoured personnel carrier), 2+9 seats, 1 door (rear)
• loa: 5950mm, width: 2465mm, height: 2675mm, reducible 2554mm
• approach: 40, departure: 40, ramp break over: 142
• turning radius: 7.5m (curb), 8m (wall)
• GVM: 12.5 tonne
• Mercedes Benz OM366LA, diesel, 6-cyls, turbo-charged intercooled
• transmission: 8 fwd / 4 rev, part-time 4WD, front and rear diff' locks, hub-reduction gears and portal-axles
• suspension: live-coil/live-coil, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 365/85 R20 on 10.00-V20 rims, fuel-tank: 288L

Go to the ASVS, Project Bushranger or Military Vehicles pages