Vector Patrol Vehicle

High mobility all terrain 6x6

Vector across rough terrain

Vector

Vector military vehicle is mainly based on the 6 x 6 Pinzgauer chassis. It is a light protected patrol vehicle that was developed especially for 8-hour patrol missions. The vehicle was designed in order to cope with rough terrains. Vector is a troop carrier and a command vehicle that can be used during rural and urban patrolling in order to provide every active operation with success. It can carry two general purpose machine guns on its roof by using the Platt Mounts in order to guarantee the necessary fire support. The Vector is to be regarded as a very high mobility all terain 6x6 truck, that was designed and built by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch. Its production started back in 1971.

Vector is perfect for a wide range of tactical and military operations. It can be used for emergency services or fire fighting and its performance will be guaranteed. Every Vector is expected to have a service life of almost 20 years thanks to its strong structure and propulsion.

Development

The Vector vehicle is manufactured by the Pinzgauer Ltd that is owned by the famous UK-based Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. The latest and upgraded versions of the Vector feature some powerful and turbo diesel engines that will boost the overall performance of the vehicle. The upgraded ABS and Auto Transmission will also increase the current payload especially when compared to their predecessors. Still, the drive chain and the unique and powerful centre tube chassis are likely to remain the same.

The original prototype of the Vector has been produced back in 1965 but its production has started in 1971. Vector is the direct successor of the well known Haflinger. The first generation of this vehicle has been produced in 1980. It was available in 2 versions: the four-wheel drive and the six-wheel drive. These vehicles were designed in order to be easy to fix and reliable on the battlefield. Vector was shipped with the air-cooled and dual-carburetor engine. This engine was especially designed for the Vector and its special features have boosted the overall performance of this military vehicle. For instance, the engine has more than 1 oil pump in order for the engine to not get starved during the active operations. The engine will not run out of oil regardless of the position of the vehicle. The first generation of Vector has been provided with a very advanced and effective chassis. This chassis contributes to the increased agility and mobility of the Vector when on the battlefield.

Vector was provided with a very special and central tube chassis. The transaxle of the chassis will distribute the weight in an even manner by keeping the center of gravity in the right position, namely at a lower rate. The differentials of the Vector are designed in order to be sealed units and they are likely to require just a minimal additional lubrication. The new Vector versions have the same payload or they can have a higher payload capacity according to their initial designs. However, there are just a few and minor changes that were made to the initial design of the Vector. For instance, the new Vector has an inline6 cylinder Volkswagen turbo diesel engine, a slightly wider track, some slightly bigger tires, disc brakes and a standard and automatic transmission that comes along with an optional manual transmission. The second generation Vector went through some minor revisions.

Vector Battlefield Deployment

The current Vector battlefield deployment proves the high efficiency and performance of this military vehicle when facing rough terrains and critical war environments. For instance, Vector is widely used in the UK. These current versions are built on the already existing and proven designs but enhancements were added in order to include a new physical protection. This new physical protection includes some sophisticated and electronic counter measures in order to maximize the survivability and agility of the Vector while on patrol. Yugoslavia has become the first Vector customer in some huge numbers because the Serbian forces have decided to add some armored vehicles to their army. The latest field modifications were used in the Balkan conflicts. Vector has its own and typical military roles that include the troop carrier, the command vehicle, the ambulance, the general purpose and utility truck and tow vehicle.

Armament

The Vector armored model is a 6x6 military vehicle that can protect all its passengers from the rifle bullets and from the roadside bombs. This protection is mainly based on the presence of the Kevlar floor and the bullet proof glass. Even the tires of this military vehicle will run even when flat. The armored hull will provide a protection up to and even including the 7.62 standard ammunition, the standard grenades and the 155mm overhead bursts. The light and structure armored protection will provide resistance in the class M4/C4. There are some special features that include the high strength and steel alloy armor, the splinter proof and laminated armor glass. The Kevlar under floor and blast protection is extremely effective when the vehicle is engaged in an active operation. Vector may run with flat tires because these tires were provided with some re-enforced and aluminum wheel rims.

Propulsion / Engine

Vector is powered by the water cooled 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine named Euro III. Its 120/145 liters fuel tank is likely to have a range of almost 800 km and this possible range can be extended to up 3,000 km with some further fuel tanks. The top speed of the Vector is about 130 kph while on-road. However, in addition to its current 2.4-t internal payload, Vector was designed in order to be able to tow an extra trailer that has a max weight of up to 4-t. Vector needed a very robust engine in order to perform its main military duties. But its engine requires little maintenance because this air-cooled engine does not need too many efforts. Still, the present engine was especially developed for the Vector vehicle in order to meet its special needs. The engine is a horizontal and four-cylinder one. Its bore is 92 mm. Its stroke reaches 94 mm and the maximum output is of 90 h. p. at 4000 rpm. This maximum output is achieved with the compression ratio of almost 7,8 : 1 - high grade petrol. Therefore, the maximum torque of the 18, 5 mkp is at 2000 rpm. The Vector engine is designed in order to have finned and separate cylinders. The finned aluminum cylinder will head with the semi-spherical combustion chambers and with the special overhead valves. These Vector valves can be controlled by the pushrods and by the rocker arms.

The Vector engine casing is likely to be light alloy by holding the necessary five-bearing crankshaft. The proper lubrication is guaranteed by the gear pumps. These gear pies belong to the suction and special pressure types. Afterwards, the installed suction pump will deliver the oil coming from the front of the Vector engine sump right to the vehicle's oil container. The Vector pressure pump will suck this oil coming from the container and will feed all the crankshaft bearings. The cylinder heads will be fed too right through the drilled lubricating channels that are passing right through the thermostatically-controlled cooler and through the inline mesh filter. The Vector carburetion is made from 2 inverted carburetors. These carburetors are not position sensitive. Instead, they were provided with an effective choke arrangement. Therefore, the combustion air will be cleaned in the micro air filter. Vector electric supply is by the 28 V, 650 W alternators and the axial fan will provide the necessary engine cooling in order for the vehicle to perform well when on the battlefield. The single-disc clutch was hydraulically operated in order for the engine to run.

Upgrades / Variants

The latest upgrades of the Vector vehicle are provided with an enhanced armor. Additional Bowman radios have also been installed on the vehicle in order to boost its current performance. The military operations will be supported by the latest versions of this vehicle. The latest models have been provided with very powerful and highly effective turbo diesel engines. The initial payload was also increased and all these features may improve the performance on the battlefield. More power and higher torque were provided to the latest Vector and this new version can be equipped with blast protection standards and ballistic devices. The turbo diesel engines are extremely powerful and the speed of the vehicle will be increased. The latest Vector will provide an increased protection and mobility in the active operations. Its capacity is improved and its design will make it suitable to deal with rough terrains.

The rugged terrains will be conquered for good and even the long patrol distances can be covered thanks to the improvements of the latest Vector models. This up-armored vehicle is likely to provide an increased protection without being too intimidating. Less impact on various local infrastructures is likely to be expected because the latest models are provided with a wide range of additional options. Many tasks can be carried out thanks to the latest Vector models and the pressure on the crew will be diminished thanks to its improved armor. The upgraded Vector model can also be used as a bespoke ambulance in order to match the existing mobility of other vehicles that belong to a military convoy. Vector can provide the military convoy with the necessary support. The updated Vector models may provide the crew with the following improved features: the centre frame chassis has independent axles, the air cooled engine, the steering that is placed right in front of the engine and the fully synchronized and multi-speed gearbox. The updated Vector may provide its crew with a selective additional gearbox.