Eurosatory 2012: Jankel unveils Pegasus SOV
12 June 2012 - 12:24 by Tony Skinner in Paris
Jankel is targeting a number of European nations that have potential requirements for a new special forces tactical vehicle with the launch of its Pegasus Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris.
Described by the company as a ‘class-leading light tactical vehicle’, the Pegasus is based on the Jeep J8, but has been redesigned to be air-transportable by a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter.
Jankel business development director Daniel Crosby said a number of upgrades to the vehicle made the Pegasus highly mobile, while the modular design allowed for greater customer flexibility.
‘There are a range of SOF vehicle type requirements that we have in mind and which we are aiming the vehicle at. We are looking to engage with those customers over the next few months,’ Crosby said, although he was unwilling to go into specifics.
Among the possible target countries is the Netherlands, which has stated ambitions to purchase a soft-topped, ‘Air-Transportable Tactical Vehicle’ that can be loaded into a CH-47D/F Chinook with full payload in place.
The Pegasus is designed to accommodate a range of weapon and C4I systems; the vehicle on display at the show was fitted with a C4I suite developed by Kongsberg.
Also on display was the hard-top Jeep J8 personnel and cargo carrier, which has recently undergone trials with the Swiss armed forces as they seek a replacement for their G-Class and Pinzgauer vehicles.
Crosby said that in replacing their main utility vehicle fleet, the Swiss could purchase as many as 3300 vehicles. Trials are currently taking place and a request for proposals is expected to be released for the project towards the end of the year.
The vehicle has been designed to carry out a wide-range of logistics roles. As well as seating the driver and front passenger, folding rear seats allow an additional crew of six or cargo transport, including a NATO pallet load.
Jankel also showcased a five-door soft-top variant, which was chosen by Ghana in a 22 vehicle order.
Jankel offers its various Jeep solutions through its subsidiary Jeep Government & Military Sales (JGMS), which is the official distributor of Jeep J8 4x4 vehicles to government, military and security customers.
Meanwhile, the company plans to use the DVD exhibition in Millbrook, UK, on 20 June to launch an armoured version of the new Toyota 200 series.
Crosby explained that the armour package had been developed through the company’s ‘hot form’ solution, which has resulted in only 36 pieces of armour for full protection, including one panel running down the length of the vehicle.
http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/eurosatory-2012-jankel-unveils-pegasus-sov/
