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     Mine- & Ballistic Protected
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     Technical Specifications for
        Casspir MPV

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MINE- AND BALLISTIC PROTECTED VEHICLES

The Mine-Protected Vehicles (MPV) offered and utilized by MECHEM (Pty) Ltd is based on a design of a V-shaped monocoque hull manufactured from armoured steel and its scientifically tested and battle proven concept originated within the MECHEM stable.

The design offers protection for the occupants against double 7 kg TNT explosive charge or equivalent under any wheel or anywhere underneath the hull of the vehicle.

For ease of maintenance and quick repair ability, standard automotive aggregates and mechanical components of well known manufactures are integrated into our MPV's.

The cabin area is based on an open layout complimented by the monocoque hull construction.

The vehicles all have a right-hand driver layout with a co-driver seat positioned on the left. The vehicles offer an overhead roof hatch for the driver with an additional hatch for the team leader or crew commander enhancing observation while on the move.

All seats are fitted with 4 point safety harness.

Due to the battle proven characteristics of the MPV's, MECHEM adopted an approach of "why re-event the wheel" whereby MPV's, sold to customers or deployed in Mine Action operations, construction projects or commercial companies, are remanufactured to the highest standards under stringent quality control with the claimed protection levels as the main consideration and focus. All such MPV's are remanufactured from decommissioned military MPV's.

Ballistic protection from the armoured hull and all glass fitted to the vehicle offer protection against 7,62 x 39 mm and 7,62 x 51 mm NATO projectiles at distances greater than 30 m.


TYPES OF MINE PROTECTED VEHICLES
	MECHEM has access to various types of MPVs. This includes CASSPIR, TAPIR, MAMBA and limited number of RINKHALS.


	A Rinkhals MPV	A Tapir MPV negotiating the Afghan desert

Of all the different vehicles available, the most popular, reliable and renowned is the CASSPIR. The CASSPIR MPV bears its name from a combination of abbreviations of the organisations involved in the initial manufacturing of the vehicle. CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of which MECHEM was a part in its earlier history) and SAP (South African Police). The CASSPIR is undoubtedly the international benchmark for mine protection in vehicles and therefore all MPV's manufactured worldwide based on the principal of the monocoque hull should be judged as originating from the tried and tested CASSPIR.

Numerous CASSPIRS are in service with different armed forces, commercial companies, security companies and humanitarian organisations. Countries where CASSPIRS are serving include, inter alias, Angola, Mozambique, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The CASSPIR after many years of service still offers certain unique characteristics:

	High mobility, easy handling and crew comfort.

	The use of tried and tested drive line units ensure ease of maintenance, high availability and cost effective operational employment.

	The vehicle updated design not only protects the crew against triple tank mines under any wheel, or doubles under the hull, but also facilitates rapid field repair after a mine detonation.

	Robust, simple yet highly functional hull assembly.

	Spacious face to face seating.

	Versatility.


	VARIANTS OF THE CASSPIR MPV
Due to the CASSPIR's exceptional reliability and unique characteristics, MECHEM is able to offer to clients different variants mainly as platforms for different usages. All of which have been tested under operational conditions and all such variants are presently in use with highly commendable results. These variants include:

	CASSPIR-S

	Note the load body on the Casspir-S	Casspir-S MPV


The CASSPIR-S offers a shorter version with seating for a crew of 5 plus driver and co-driver. With the CASSPIR-S being shorter and thereby lighter in mass, MECHEM is now able to offer an up-armored package for organisations requiring higher levels of ballistic protection. The CASSPIR–S also allows for a smaller diameter turning circle making it more suitable for urban operations. The vehicle also provide for a load body allowing transportation of crew equipment and thereby contributing to self sustainability of teams when independent deployment is required.

	As MVMMDS Platform

	A CASSPIR MPV modified as platform for MVMMDS


	As MEDDS Sampling Platform

	A Tapir MPV in Afghanistan used as motorized MEDDS sampling platform. Note the sampling array positioned at the rear of the vehicle


	Personnel Carrier

	The well renowned, trailed and tested CASSPIR


	Platform for Mechanical Assisted Mine Clearance (MAMC)	CASSPIR Recovery

	CASSPIR fitted with steel wheels for the execution of MAMC


	Scope of Remanufacturing
Hull - The hull is stripped of all accessories and main components fitted and secured to the hull. The hull is then sand blasted to strip all paint. The complete hull will now undergo crack testing. Repairable cracks will be repaired through specialised welding processes.

Power Unit - An ADE 352T engine is fitted to the vehicle. The power unit will be dismantled to component level and all parts measured to comply within tolerances. Crankshaft machining will be allowed to a maximum of 0.030. Any machining required greater than 0.030 will be deemed outside specifications and therefore implicate replacement. The total dismantling, tolerance measurements and reassembly is executed by an ISO 9002 approved motor engineering company. The power unit will be dynamometer tested after assembly and results are documented and supplied to the end user.

Fuel System - The complete fuel system shall be disassembled for cleaning and defect inspection. Fuel pump is removed cleaned and inspected for defects, repaired as required and recalibrated before refitted. All perishable fuel lines connections are replaced. All injector tips are replaced with new.

Air Intake System - The complete system is cleaned and inspected and tested for defects. All defective parts, outside original specifications, will be replaced with new. Filters, primary and secondary, are replaced.

Exhaust Outlet System - Existing systems are removed in total, discarded and replaced with a new upgraded more sufficient system.

Cooling System - The radiator is removed and cleaned for pressure testing. The radiator shall be fitted with new cores where test results indicate insufficient pressure tolerances. The radiator shall be fitted with new, thermostat, filler cap and hoses.

Transmission - The gearbox shall be removed and dismantled. All bearings, seals and synchromesh rings shall be replaced with new. The complete clutch sub assembly replaced with new. Links are dismantled and replaced with new where wear proof to be outside acceptable tolerances. Transfer gearbox will be removed, dismantled, cleaned and inspected for defects. All bearings and seals to be replaced with new before refitting transfer gearbox. All transfer gearbox hold down bolts and nuts shall be replaced.

Propulsion Shafts - All shafts shall be removed and dismantled. All universal yokes are inspected for irregular wear and replaced if outside original specifications. All universal joints shall be replaced with new. All propulsion shafts shall be balanced before refitted.

Axles and Wheel Hub Assemblies - Front and rear axles are removed and disassembled. All shafts and gear assemblies (crown wheel and pinion) are inspected, measured and reset if within tolerance and wear limits. Crown wheel and pinion assembly shall be replaced with new components if irregular wear is measured to be present. All bearings and seals are replaced with new.

Wheels and Tyres - All wheel rims (including spare wheels) are removed and dismantled. Wheel rims shall be sandblasted and inspected for defects and wheel stud holes inspected for wear. All wheel studs shall be replaced with new. All wheel rims shall be repainted before refitted. All wheel nuts shall be replaced with new. All six (6) wheel rims shall be fitted with 1400 x 20 on-off road M-type tyres:
Optional RFI (run flat inserts) may be fitted at additional costs.

Suspension - All sub assemblies are removed and dismantled. U-bolts are replaced with new. Centre bolts are replaced. Shackle brackets are inspected for irregular and or excessive wear and shall be replaced if outside original specifications. Shackle pins and bushes are replaced with new. Shock absorbers are replaced with new.

Brake System - The complete braking system is upgraded with a booster assisted braking system. All perishable hoses are replaced with new. All steel brake pipes shall be removed and pressure tested. Brake disc and brake drums are removed and skimmed. All brake shoes and brake disc pads are replaced with new. Master and wheel slave cylinders are dismantled, honed or machined where applicable. All brake cylinder pistons are replaced with new.

Maintenance Service Spares - Maintenance service spares is supplied with the vehicle on the assumption for the vehicle to travel 5 000 km in 6 months.

Warranty - On a remanufacturing consignment MECHEM offers a 6 month unlimited warranty.


MINE PROTECTED CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES
In view of the growing demand to expedite rapid humanitarian relief in post conflict situations, MECHEM realised the need for access routes to be safely accessible to allow regular maintenance and thereby enhancing mobility for humanitarian relief transportation. MECHEM therefore developed some construction vehicles which offers the same protection levels as the personnel carriers. These include, but are not limited to, Road Graders and Backhoe Loaders.


A Medium Construction Road Grader modified with a Mine Protected Cab		A Backhoe loader modified as vegetation cutter with blast protection shielding

With many years of valued experience in the manufacture and utilisation of MPV's, MECHEM will strive to accommodate within safety parameters and abilities to any user requirement on MPVs.


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