Mungo Armoured Multirole Transport Vehicles

Mungo is an armoured multirole transport vehicle in service with the German Army. Image courtesy of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

The Mungo armoured multi-role transport vehicle can accommodate ten fully equipped troops. Image courtesy of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

The armed infantrymen exit from the rear compartment of the Mungo armoured multi-role transport vehicle. Image courtesy of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

Two or three Mungo vehicles can be transported in a C130 and A400M aircraft. Image courtesy of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter lifts a Mungo armoured multi-role transport vehicle. Image courtesy of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

The Mungo family of air transportable, armoured multi-role transport vehicles are manufactured by Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) for the German Army. The vehicle is specifically designed to meet the requirements of highly-mobile airborne forces.

In December 2003, the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) placed a contract with KMW for the delivery of 388 Mungo vehicles for the special operations division (DSO). The Mungo vehicles in German Army’s inventory are referred to as Mungo ESK (Einsatzfahrzeug Spezialisierte Kräfte).

In May 2009, KMW was commissioned to deliver an N/C Reconnaissance version of the Mungo. The German Army signed a contract with KMW in September 2011 for the delivery of 31 Mungo multipurpose vehicles. Deliveries are expected to conclude by 2013.

The Mungo vehicles are operated by the Airmobile Operations Division and Special Operations Division of the German Army.

Mungo variants

The Mungo family of vehicles includes the Mungo Group Vehicle, the Mungo Multipurpose Vehicle, the Mungo Large Capacity Vehicle and the Mungo N/C Reconnaissance Vehicle. The Group Vehicle is a basic troop carrying variant capable of transporting up to ten fully equipped troops.

The Multipurpose variant of Mungo is equipped with a universal hydraulic transport system for transporting munitions and equipment for tanks, repair shops, and nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) decontamination. It can transport up to 1.5t payload and additional goods or mission kits by trailer.

The Large Capacity variant features a large armoured cabin which provides an internal volume of eight cubic meters. The large cabin makes the vehicle ideal for transporting airborne forces. It can be converted into command and communications, N/C-reconnaissance or a field ambulance. The N/C reconnaissance version is equipped with large and totally protected continuous safety cell and a light N/C reconnaissance kit. The vehicle is used to detect and identify nuclear or chemical warfare threats.

Mungo design

The Mungo is based on the Multicar M30/FUMO 4×4 chassis. The standard layout has a forward engine, crew cab in the centre and troop compartment at the rear. The armoured driver cab accommodates two-man crew. The troop section is covered by either a soft or hard-top, depending on the mission variant.

The base vehicle has a length of 4.47m, a width of 1.94m and a height of 2.44m. The gross weight of the vehicle is 5.3t.

Armament and self-protection

The Mungo Large Capacity and Multipurpose variants are installed with a FLW 100 remote controlled weapon station mounting 7.6mm machine gun. The gun can be aimed from inside the vehicle using day and night vision devices. The other variants are optionally equipped with a platform for mounting a HK MG4 light machine gunor a G82 anti-material sniper rifle. Troops can use their hand-held weapons to fire from within the vehicle.

The vehicle offers protection against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) threats. Its floor is fully armoured and separated from the chassis to enhance the protection. The vehicle can be hinged with add-on armour for protection against 7.62mm armour piercing rounds. It offers Level 2 protection against ballistic threats and better protection over other similar 4×4 light armoured vehicles.

Engine and mobility

The Mungo is powered by TDI 270, a 2.8L five cylinder diesel engine delivering a maximum power output of 107kW at 3,500rpm. The engine is coupled to five-speed gearbox and reverse or a two-speed hydrostatic transmission.

The Mungo has a maximum speed of 90km/h and a cruising range of over 500km. The vehicle can negotiate a gradient of 60% and a side slope of 30%. It is capable of crossing a vertical step of 0.4m and a trench of 0.5m. The Mungo can safely ford a depth of 1m.

The light airborne vehicle can be transported as an internal / external load by the CH-47 Chinook and CH-53G helicopters. Three vehicles can be carried along with crew in a C130, C160 and A400M transport aircraft.

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