The Mbombe is a mine-protected, high-mobility, armoured fighting vehicle

Armoured fighting vehicle

An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....

 that is produced by Paramount Group

Paramount Group

The Paramount Group is a group of internationally based companies offering programs and manufacturing products with a focus on defense, internal security and correctional services. The Executive Chairman of the Group is Ivor Ichikowitz, a South African industrialist of Lithuanian...

 in South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

.

The vehicle was unveiled on 20 September 2010 at the African Aerospace & Defence Exhibition, the largest aviation and defence show in Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

, held in Cape Town

Cape Town

Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...

. Mbombe is named after a famed African warrior.

Vehicle specs

Mbombe has an unladen weight of 16,000 kg and a maximum combat weight of 27,000 kg, carrying a crew of 11. The Mbombe’s six speed automatic gearbox provides a maximum speed of 100 km/h and the vehicle has a 700 km range. Using a 6x6 configuration

Configuration

The term configuration has several meanings.In computing it may refer to:* Computer configuration or system configuration* Configure is the output of Autotools and used to detect system configuration...

, the Mbombe is able to carry considerable loads over all types of terrain

Terrain

Terrain, or land relief, is the vertical and horizontal dimension of land surface. When relief is described underwater, the term bathymetry is used...

 without loss of mobility.
The vehicles three axles provide excellent cross country performance and make it an exceptionally versatile platform that can be modified to meet the exact requirements of military operations around the world.
The Mbombe is equipped with a Cummins ISBe4 diesel

Diesel engine

A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...

: 300kw engine

Engine

An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

 integrated with an Allison 6 speed automatic transmission

Automatic transmission

An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...

. The engine parts are used around the world, allowing the Mbombe to be repaired and serviced in most countries without having to invest in an independent logistics

Logistics

Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...

 system.

Armour

The Mbombe hull

Chassis

A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...

 provides excellent stopping power against ballistic attack in excess of STANAG 4569 Level 4. This means the vehicle can withstand a 10 kg TNT blast under its hull or any wheel station. As standard the Mbombe offers all-round crew protection against RPG threats while special protection modules provide protection against IEDs

Improvised explosive device

An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...

, up to 50 kg TNT at 5 metres.

Armament

The vehicle can be equipped with a heavy machine gun

Machine gun

A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....

 or autocannon

Autocannon

An autocannon or automatic cannon is a rapid-fire projectile weapon firing a shell as opposed to the bullet fired by a machine gun. Autocannons often have a larger caliber than a machine gun . Usually, autocannons are smaller than a field gun or other artillery, and are mechanically loaded for a...

. Mbombe can also be fitted with day and night vision

Night vision

Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...

 capability and sensors to extend the ranges of observation and engagement, dependent on the customer’s requirements.

Functions

Mbombe can be configured as an Armoured Personnel Carrier

Armoured personnel carrier

An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...

, Combat Vehicle

Combat vehicle

A combat vehicle, also known as a ground combat vehicle, is a self-propelled, weaponized military vehicle used for combat operations. Combat vehicles can be wheeled or tracked.- Automation :...

, Command Vehicle or ambulance

Ambulance

An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...

. The Mbombe can be fitted with a variety of weapons stations, including a 30mm overhead weapons station.