Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2022-03-01

Griffon at The Forefront of Collaborative Combat

The Griffon, a 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicle developed as part of the Scorpion EBMR (engin blindé multi rôles) programme, has always been seen as a source of strength for the French Army. The fitting of Hornet remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) on Griffon has further proved to be a technological and operational leap forward for the vehicles. 
The Scorpion programme, launched in 2014, aims to renew and modernise the Army’s combat capabilities.
 
The Griffon will mainly be used as a troop transport vehicle to replace the Véhicule de l’avant blindé (VAB) currently used by the French Army.
 
Fitted with a 400 HP engine coupled to an automatic gearbox, independent running gears and 6-wheel drive, the Griffon allows a great tactical mobility.
 
With a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 24.5 tonnes, it can reach a speed of 90 km/h and has excellent crossing capacities on any ground. The axles and gearboxes of the Griffon’s power train have been specially developed by Arquus and also equip the Jaguar vehicle.
 
The Griffon has all the latest technologies such as Inflation pressure variation system, steering rear axle, roll-flat system and state-of-the-art electronic architecture.
 
Griffon’s mobility is easy to maintain, with, among other things: diagnosis of the main equipment using the test case, removal/installation of the Motor Propulsion Unit in less than four hours.
On December 6, 2021, the GME (Groupement Momentané d’Entreprises) EBMR delivered to the French Army the 119th and last Griffon planned for 2021.
 
As many as 128 Griffons had been submitted for verification in 2020, and 92 in 2019, making a total of 339 Griffons since the notification of the TC2 conditional tranche of the EBMR contract. 
 
All variants of the troop transport version are now qualified, namely the FELIN, sniper section (STE), 81mm mortar (MO81), refuelling (RAV), light intervention element (ELI), engineer (GEN), medium range missile (MMP) variants, in addition to the command post vehicle (EPC) version. 
 
The delivery of Griffon vehicles is expected to continue at the same pace in 2022.
 
BMX 01 Inspiration
The Griffon draws its inspiration from the BMX 01 developed by Renault Trucks Defense and tested by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) between 2011 and 2014.
 
Arquus started working on the BMX 01 in 2010 as part of Plan d’Etude Amont (PEA) of the DGA. The aim was to identify several concepts that could meet the Griffon specifications.
 
In six months, Arquus presented three concepts, subdivided into 10 sub-variants in total. On February 2, 2011, the ATAV (All Terrain Armoured Vehicle) choice was selected for its ergonomics, high protection, terrain mobility and target price.
 
The first tests of the rolling model named BMX 01 begin in 2012. The success of the model by the DGA and the French Army made it a representative prefiguration of what the Griffon would become in the EBMR contract. 
 
Nearly two years later, the “mobility and protection” demonstrator called BMX-01 carried out more than 10,000 km of tests under all conditions. The BMX 01 AEP has thus allowed the refinement of the Griffon specifications.
 
High Protection
The Griffon offers a significantly improved level of protection, whether against ballistic threats or mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with more effective armour, a remotely operated turret and latest-generation sensors.
 
Capable of collecting all the data from its environment and transforming it into combat information, and equipped with decision support tools to assist in dealing with threats, the Griffon vehicles are at the forefront of collaborative combat. 
 
The armoured vehicle is part of the 25-tonne range. The engine compartment is located at the front of the vehicle, the crew compartment in the centre and the troop compartment at the rear. 
Due to the shape of its body, the way it was built and its interior layout, it is particularly well suited to counter threats and protect soldiers.
 
The crew is made up of 10 equipped fighters (including the pilot and the gunner).
 
Special Features
The salient features of Griffon include a six-wheel suspension; 400 HP Renault engine allowing to reach a road speed of 90km/h;Autonomy 800 km and 400 L tank; Front and rear steering axle; Protection against 14.5mm light weapons fire and 155mm artillery shrapnel and A 7.62mm/12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
 
Six Versions
Contrary to the VAB which has 30 versions, the Griffon will be available in only six variants.
These include the Ambulance / Health: intended for the Health Service of the Armed Forces; MEPAC ((Mortier Embarqué Pour l’Appui au Contact ), ATV (Troop Transport Vehicles) which will be available in four sub versions  -- Feline Version, Sniper shooting section version, Medium Range Missile Version, Refuelling Version - Command and artillery post, Engineering and CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear). 
 
Hornet Power
Griffon’s shooting post is ergonomic and its proximity to the tactical chief and the pilot is a huge advantage in terms of communication. Hornet RCWS have been equipping Griffon vehicles since 2019 and will be deployed on all the French Army’s new combat vehicles, namely the Griffon, the Jaguar and the Serval. 
 
The Hornet RCWS are key for the collaborative combat capabilities offered by the Scorpion programme, as any RCWS from any vehicle will be able to react to a threat detected by another vehicle and engage it. They will be at the heart of the French Army’s operational deployments in the decades to come.
 
Hornet is a full range of RCWS: Hornet, Hornet Lite and Hornet S.
RCWS are now at the heart of modern land combat. They offer protection and accuracy to the gunner, versatility, tactical overview, and collaborative combat capabilities to the commander. The Hornet RCWS combine the mastery of several highly technical fields: precision engineering and mechanics, secure electronics, optronics, image processing, dynamic electrical servocontrol. They benefit from the most modern and advanced technologies: full HD digital image chain, extended connectivity with the vetronics, tactical overview sharing thanks to augmented reality. A Hornet RCWS provides with the information, reduces processing time, improves response efficiency and ensures protection of vehicles and crews.
 
Fitted with a Sensor Unit designed in cooperation with optronics company, Safran Electronics & Defense, the system offers unique performance with a full digital optronics unit and a 13’3 16/9 full HD screen. The Sensor Unit has an uncooled thermal camera and three daylight cameras for wide area awareness and target identification with continuous zoom and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. The user can switch between day and night cameras. 
 
The system is C4I agnostic – capable of integration with Arquus Battlenet or any interface system with capabilities such as Slew-to- Cue and Far Target Location. It is compatible with the most advanced features, such as Blue Force Tracking and augmented reality applications.
 
Served by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) rated sensors, a two-axis gyro-stabilised turret and a two-axis detached line of sight, the Hornet delivers accurate firing. The first round hit probability is enhanced by a sophisticated ballistic solution system that takes various parameters such as weapon, ammunition type, range, target motion and vehicle behaviour into account. 
 
To increase survivability on the battlefield, the Hornet RCWS is fitted with an exclusive, independent smoke launcher system which can conceal the vehicle to avoid detection or react immediately to a threat. With the Hornet RCWS, Arquus has a game-changer with an exclusive design based on an independent ring carrying eight smoke grenade launchers.
 
When an armoured vehicle is illuminated by a laser rangefinder or a beam rider, the Hornet, fitted with a Laser Warning System turns to face the threat and engages the smoke protection automatically or manually. 
As the weapon axis and the smoke grenade axis are independent, the gunner can keep the weapon trained on the tactical mission underway.
 
Exclusive Feature
The Hornet RCWS is equipped with an exclusive cleaning feature which guarantees the optronics’ availability at all times, including in the most demanding terrains and weather conditions. 
The RCWS’ gunner is able to focus on combat or surveillance operations without having to check the system or expose himself outside the vehicle.
 
The Hornet Business Unit will also be able to offer comprehensive maintenance and training services to maximise the RCWS’ service life and the operators’ performance. These services include digitalised, real-time maintenance support, as well as computer-based simulations and console training.
 
Reference Text/Photo:
 

Add Comment

Your comment was successfully added!

Visitors Comments

No Comments

Related Topics

KF51 Panther MBT .. The Game Changer of Future Battlefields

Read More

HIGH DEMAND FOR PANDUR FAMILY

Read More

Su-57: Superior Stealth, Advanced Avionics

Read More

F-15EX to Offer Unmatched Speed, Control, and Payload

Read More

The Multi-Variant ACV-15

Read More

The Unrivaled Tu-160 Strategic Missile Carrier

Read More
Close

2024-02-26 Current issue
Pervious issues
2017-05-13
2014-03-16
2012-01-01
2014-01-01
2021-06-01
2021-02-21
2022-06-01
2021-09-15
.

Voting

?What about new design for our website

  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
Voting Number 1647