EE-3 Jararaca
Encyclopedia
The EE-3 Jararaca is a 4 wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle developed and manufactured by Brazilian company Engesa
and in use by the Brazilian and other armies. It is named after the jararaca
, a South American venomous pit viper.
which dated back to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force
that fought in Italy during World War II
. The vehicle was developed at the end of 1970s. It went into commercial production in 1980. It was initially intended for use in reconnaissance and patrolling but other variants were also developed, some fitted with anti-tank or anti-aircraft guided missiles. It was purchased by the Brazilian armoured forces but was also exported to a number of African and Latin American countries.
Engesa
Engesa – Engenheiros Especializados S/A was a Brazilian company in the agriculture and defense sectors that specialized in producing tactical military trucks, armored fighting vehicles, and civilian Sport utility vehicles....
and in use by the Brazilian and other armies. It is named after the jararaca
Jararaca
Jararaca may refer to:* Bothrops jararaca, a venomous pitviper found in South America* Bothrops neuwiedi, known as jararaca pintada, a venomous pitviper found in South America...
, a South American venomous pit viper.
History
Brazil was looking for a replacement for their ageing fleet of M8 GreyhoundM8 Greyhound
The M8 Light Armored Car was a 6x6 armored car produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It was used by the U.S. and British troops in Europe and the Far East until the end of the war. The vehicle was widely exported and as of 2006 still remains in service with some third world...
which dated back to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force
Brazilian Expeditionary Force
The Brazilian Expeditionary Force or BEF was a force about 25,700 men and women arranged by the Army and Air Force to fight alongside the Allied forces in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II...
that fought in Italy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The vehicle was developed at the end of 1970s. It went into commercial production in 1980. It was initially intended for use in reconnaissance and patrolling but other variants were also developed, some fitted with anti-tank or anti-aircraft guided missiles. It was purchased by the Brazilian armoured forces but was also exported to a number of African and Latin American countries.
Design
The driving compartment is located in the front, combat compartment in the middle, and the engine compartment is placed at the rear. It is operated by a crew of 3: driver, commander, and signaller-observer. The armored hull is protected by multi-layer welded armour, consisting of two layers of steel. The driving compartment is fitted with three periscopes. Driver access to his compartment is through a hatch in the roof. The commander's turret is placed behind the driving compartment to the right side and is also fitted with three periscope observation devices. The turret is equipped with a 20mm autocannon and a 12.7mm machinegun, both of which can be fired from inside the turret. The signaller's-observers seat is placed to the left of the commander's turret and has its separate hatch.External links
- EE-3 Jararaca - prototype pictures (in Portuguese)