Arquus Fortress is a 4×4 armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed and developed by French land defence systems manufacturer Arquus Defense (formerly Renault Trucks Defense).
Fortress APC is a versatile battle-proven vehicle designed in compliance with Nato standards. The APC is capable of handling extreme mission conditions, while offering a balanced weight to power ratio. It offers superior mobility across all terrains, along with optimal comfort to the crew and occupants onboard.
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The high-mobility vehicle is in service with various special forces units around the world. Arquus exhibited a Fortress variant armed with Hornet T1 remotely-controlled weapon station (RCWS) at the IDEX 2019 event held in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.
Fortress armoured vehicle variants
Arquus Fortress can be configured into multiple versions. It is primarily offered in APC and logistics versions, with the APC version designed for troop and cargo transport missions. It can also be modified as an ambulance, workshop, or a command post vehicle to perform medical evacuation, repair, and command and control missions respectively.
The logistics version features a rear platform with fold-down flaps, an armoured cabinet to accommodate two or three crew members, and a ring-mounted 12.7mm machine gun or a remote-controlled weapon system.
Arquus Fortress APC design and features
Arquus Fortress APC is based on a robust multi-mission platform designed in accordance with the existing military and Nato standards.
The vehicle features an armoured monocoque structure, which enables maximum protection to the crew and personnel aboard the vehicle. The cabin of the APC can accommodate two crew members, while the troop section can accommodate eight armoured personnel.
The Fortress APC integrates a range of equipment and systems such as power management system, cartography, position and gradient indication system, radios and intercoms, battery management system (BMS), and crew consoles. The vehicle can be installed with three types of Battlenet integrated systems of Battlenet Select, Battlenet Prime, and Battlenet Elite.
Battlenet Select integrates a 12in touchpad tablet operator, a video encoder, four perimeter cameras, a GPS antenna, and a controlled area network (CAN)/Ethernet gateway.
Battlenet Prime contains an 8.4in touchpad tablet for the driver, a recording system, and an inertial sensor, as well as all the equipment and features of Battlenet Select. Additional features include video recording and imaging, and gradient detection.
Battlenet Elite comprises a 12in tablet for the gunner and a compass in addition to all the equipment and features of Battlenet Prime. The additional features include on course management and 3D cartography.
Fortress APC armament and self-protection features
The armoured vehicle is equipped with a range of high-calibre machine guns / weapons mounted on the hull. It features a ring mount on the roof, which can be accessed through the roof hatches.
Arquus Fortress APC integrates a range of RCWS and ring-mounted turrets mounted with 7.62mm, 14.5mm, and 12.7mm to 30mm machine guns.
The vehicle integrates active protection system including laser / infrared (IR) detection, sniper acoustic detection, and smoke grenade launcher. It offers STANAG 4569 standard protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IED).
Fortress APC engine and mobility
The 14.5t armoured carrier vehicle is equipped with a 340hp engine coupled to an automatic transmission system. It can reach a top speed of 120km/h and attain a maximum range of 1,200km.
The independent wheel suspension system and resistant driveline of the APC allow it to overcome challenging terrains with ease. The vehicle can negotiate gradients of 60% and side slopes of 30%. It can cross trenches of 0.8m and vertical obstacles of 0.5m and ford water bodies having a depth of 1m.
Arquus Fortress APC is air transportable by C-130 and A400M military transport aircraft for rapid deployment during missions.
