Egypt showcases locally-produced ST100, ST500 armoured vehicles at Int'l Airshow 2024

Ahram Online , Tuesday 3 Sep 2024

The three-day Egypt International Airshow 2024 saw the display of Egypt's locally-produced ST100 and ST500 armoured vehicles-- which drew considerable attention during the event's inauguration on Tuesday.

Egypt showcase locally-produced ST100, ST500 armored vehicles at Int'l Airshow 2024
The ST100 and ST500 armored vehicles drew considerable attention at the inauguration of the Egypt International Airshow 2024

 

Both vehicles were highlighted during the event, which featured over 300 aviation and aerospace companies from more than 100 countries.

The ST100 and ST500, built by the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production at the 200 Military Factory, are crafted to resist mines and ambushes.

Produced through international collaboration, the ST100 and ST500 feature around 50 percent locally sourced components, with their design, assembly, and implementation — including electronics and remote-controlled combat tower — entirely Egyptian.

ST100: Versatile, Mine-Resistant

 

 

According to the Arab Security and Defence website, the ST100 armoured vehicle is available in 10 different versions and is designed for multiple missions. It can be configured as needed for various roles, including as an armoured personnel carrier for attack and intervention missions, an ambulance capable of transporting four people, and for reconnaissance, surveillance, command, and control operations.

The vehicle also functions as an air defence unit equipped with anti-aircraft missiles or artillery. It is also a tank-hunting vehicle equipped with anti-armour guided missiles (Tank Hunter), a rocket Launcher, a mortar carrier, a carrier of precision-guided surface-to-surface anti-armour/personnel missiles, precision attack missile carrier, and communication/electronic warfare vehicle.

With a weight of 14.5 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 18 tons, the ST100 has dimensions of 6.4 meters in length, 2.6 meters in width, and 3.8 meters in height. It has a crew of five, including the driver and commander, with three additional crew members for the patrol version, and up to eight for the attack and intervention version. The vehicle's maximum speed is 115 km/h.

One of the vehicle's key features is its unique V-shaped design on the bottom, which is intended to counter explosive devices and mines. It has a solid chassis and is reinforced with high-explosion-resistant materials in the lower section.

In the event of a mine or explosive device attack, the crew compartment is designed to separate from the rest of the vehicle to ensure crew survival. It can be mounted on another chassis if needed.

The seats for personnel are equipped with shock-absorption technology to reduce the impact of IED and mine explosions, and the engine can be easily removed and replaced to facilitate maintenance or repairs in the theatre of operations.

The vehicle is also equipped with a camouflage net to minimise radar and thermal signatures and features an integrated combat and protection system that can be customised based on needs. This system may include:

  • An electronic obstruction and jamming system that operates across various communication bands and wireless networks to neutralise remote IED detonation mechanisms. This system was developed collaboratively by IMUT and the Ministry of Military Production, with expertise from Swiss specialists in electronic countermeasures.
  • A French system designed to detect and identify firing sources through acoustic signatures. This system guides the remote-controlled automatic weapon station to target and neutralise snipers and armed elements during urban and confined-area combat.
  • An interactive defence system with sensors for detecting and warning against lasers and anti-tank missiles. It includes thermal and electro-optical jamming, smoke screens, and aerosol projectiles that obstruct electro-optical, thermal, laser, and radar guidance. These projectiles contain burning red phosphorus and aluminum coated with fiberglass, along with brass particles (30 percent zinc and 70 percent copper).

The vehicle can be armed with a multiple machine gun calibre 7.62 x 51 mm, a heavy machine gun caliber 12.7 x 99 mm, or a 40 mm grenade launcher, all of which can be mounted on a remote-controlled weapon station.

Both the defence system and the automatic machine gun station are operated by a digital battle management system, which can be added to the armoured vehicle, particularly in its specialised combat versions. These versions can also be equipped with anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, or mortars.

The armoured vehicle is equipped with a series of cameras and thermal sensors to assist the driver and relay a comprehensive view of the surroundings to the crew’s internal screens, enhancing situational awareness in operational areas.

Additionally, the vehicle features a US-made Cummins ISL turbocharged 6-cylinder 8900cc diesel engine, delivering 400 horsepower at 2100 rpm, paired with a ZF EcoLife 6-speed automatic transmission from ZF Friedrichshafen, Germany.

With added armour, the vehicle's bullet protection level can reach Stanag 4, enabling it to withstand impacts from 14.5 * 114 mm ammunition.

ST500: Multi-Role, Advanced Protection

The ST-500 armoured vehicle is designed for various roles, including troop transport, special forces operations, and ambulance services.

It can be equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station featuring multi-caliber machine guns, 30mm grenade launchers, anti-tank rocket launchers, or mortar carriers, along with smoke grenades.

In its soldier-carrying configuration, the vehicle can hold three crew members plus five additional personnel. The ambulance version accommodates three crew members and two stretchers for transporting the injured, while the mortar-carrying or rocket launcher version supports three people.

The ST-500 weighs eight tons, with a maximum load capacity of 10.5 tons. Its dimensions are 5.6 meters in length, 2.4 meters in width, and 3.1 meters in height. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 140 km/h and has a range of 700 km.

Its bullet protection level is BR 6/BR7, capable of withstanding 7.62 * 51mm caliber bullets in both standard and enhanced versions.

The vehicle is powered by an American Cummins QSB 6.7 6,700 cc turbocharged diesel engine, producing 300 hp at 2,500 rpm, and is equipped with an Allison 3000 SP automatic transmission.

 

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