VBL Puma 4x4 (Prototype)

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

The Puma 4x4 

General Info
The story of the VBL Puma series of vehicles begins all the way back during the late stages of the cold war, Iveco and Fiat had teamed up, and made as a private venture a set of 3 known vehicles, these would be the AVL 6634. the AVM 6633, and Lastly the AVH 6636. The AVL would specifically be the precursor to the Italian Puma. However, even though testing had shown that the vehicle not only could mount several weapon types if needed, such as a dual Milan launcher, it ultimately never got picked up by the Italian army. However to not let their work go to waste Iveco had continued to refine the design, and would finally come out with the Puma 4x4. The Puma 4x4 and Puma 6x6 are Italian light armored wheeled vehicles, the main reason it was adopted, was to allow the Puma to work together with the Centauro tank destroyer, however the vehicle was popular enough that even infantry divisions started getting equipped with it. The prototype versions which im suggesting are extremely similar to the production models, only design really being the main difference.The first batch of vehicles for Italy came in 2003, in which they were promptly put into service in the Italian armed forces. They ordered 330 4x4 variants of the vehicle and 250 of the 6x6 variants. The vehicle is made in such a way that adding more weapons is easy, thus creating multiple variants such as the Anti-Tank and Anti-Air. For the anti tank sector it can be equipped with up to 12 TOW ATGMS, and the Italian army has come out and stated that the production models can also use Milan ATGM's, no pictures have been found in that configuration, but its likely similar to the TOW version. For anti air sector, its said it can be equipped with a light SAM launcher, Matra Mistrals or Stinger seem to be the likely ones, however finding info or pictures regarding this variant has not been too successful. There also is a Medi-vac configuration making the vehicle incredibly versatile in terms of what it can do. In terms of mobility, The Puma vehicles are powered by an Iveco 8042 TCA ,this allows the Puma to reach speeds up to 110km an hour. According to the CIO website,The Puma is equipped with air-conditioning, heating, a pressurized NBC system, an engine compartment fire protection system (both automatic and manual) and a winch for self-recovery (electric on the 4x4 and hydraulic on the 6x6). The 4x4 PUMA carries four and the 6x6 carries seven personnel (including driver). The prototype version of the Puma im suggesting would use the same smoke discharges present on the B1 Centauro or first Arietes. Later down the line, production vehicles would have 2 rows of three Galix smoke dischargers. The Italian production Pumas have an extensive service record, the Puma has partook in multiple peacekeeping and counter terrorism missions. For peacekeeping its been particularly been used in the Italian UN contingent, such as in Lebanon. For counter terrorism it has been used in places such as Afghanistan and a patrol and troop transport vehicle. It has also been exported to places such as Pakistan, who also use it for UN peacekeeping missions. Libya seems to be the one of the countries with a decent fleet in service. Italy was kind enough to donate 20 of them for use in counter terrorism, Libya decided covert a few of them and equip them with Russian made SA-6 Rockets. Other notable nations who use the VBL Puma are Djibouti and Argentina. (note-The Puma 6x6 is just slightly bigger than the 4x4, everything else it has pretty much can be added to the 4x4)

Armament+Equipment+Specifications 



 

Why these vehicles should be added in the game
I believe this vehicle should be added as they'll make a fine addition in the Italian tech tree, either by making multiple separate vehicles dedicated towards their variant or making 1-2 vehicles with a set amount of upgrades that make them unique. These vehicles are mass produced around Italy and since one of their tasks was to pair up with a centauro tank destroyer it'll be great seeing them side by side. Just going off by their armaments they can prove themselves to be powerful inside of the regular tech tree, for example the 4X4 Puma with the Tow launcher could become the next step after the M113 Tow in the tech tree. Or (Although Italy has many AA) have an AA version with the mistrals or the Milan missiles, or perhaps adding one with the grenade launcher. 

Sources
Iveco Fiat PUMA Brochure
VBL Puma ''usage and maintainment'' manual
Several Puma 4x4 and 6x6 manuals
https://www.iveco-otomelara.com/wheeled/PumaFamily.php
https://www.armyrecognition.com/italian_army_italy_wheeled_and_armoured_vehicle_uk/puma_4x4_iveco_oto_melara_armoured_personnel_carrier_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puma_(AFV)

https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/products/hitrole-light
https://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/20142/3150977/HITROLE_Light_RWS_LQ_mm08765_.pdf?t=1538987723832
https://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2013_news_defence_army_military_industry_uk/libya_has_received_20_italian-made_puma_wheeled_armoured_vehicles_personnel_carrier_italy_0303131.html
https://www.militarypedia.it/vbl-puma/
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Italy/Puma-AFV.php
http://www.associazionelagunari.it/blindo_puma.htm
http://www.military-today.com/apc/puma.htm
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product227.html

Pictures
ATGM Carrier (Puma Prototype)

Spoiler

Other pics of it with and without armaments 

Spoiler

Interior+Closeup pics for modelers.

Spoiler

 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by Nicholas_Concu

[Aether_Tartarus 73]

Open for discussion, however please add some more information regarding the weapon systems.

[Solarmod 1,203]

+1 from me, want more AFVS

[Perdikofas 16]

Yes! More wheelie-bois are always fun.

[Охраняет-Камни 6,650]

+ 1 Puma with Tow can take place of M113A1(TOW) which should be lowered in br. Puma with 2 Milan launchers will be a great vehicle too, can be 8.7 or even higher, because turret is remote-controlled and have unlimitted horizontal angles.

[Solarmod 1,203]

I just saw the giant missile truck. Dang. Beep beep missiles

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

I've also found this picture, i have no idea what armaments have been added on but if anyone has any information regarding it please tell me.

[Grimbergen95 362]

 

[_Pixy 196]

+1

[Solarmod 1,203]

On 28/11/2019 at 10:16, Nicholas_Concu said:

I've also found this picture, i have no idea what armaments have been added on but if anyone has any information regarding it please tell me.

What is this crossout irl?

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

12 hours ago, Solarmod said:

What is this crossout irl?

Sponsored by Libiyan Engineering.

[Solarmod 1,203]

9 hours ago, Nicholas_Concu said:

Sponsored by Libiyan Engineering.

I just saw the missile one, I'm dying. Who thought these were good ideas?! 

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

6 hours ago, Solarmod said:

I just saw the missile one, I'm dying. Who thought these were good ideas?! 

Il be honest with ya, I’m war you gotta do what you gotta do. They’re definitely quite a sight to see though. 

[qpranger 1,887]

No. German Pumas only. Grrr.

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

1 hour ago, qpranger said:

No. German Pumas only. Grrr.

[onemax9000 1,242]

+1 I would to see these as there own variants 

MILAN anti-tank guided missile system
BGM-71 TOW
81mm mortar
MBDA Mistral missiles
Grenade launcher Mk-19 (40mm)

 

 

not sure how the x3 Russian SA-6 Rockets can be added in game and how useful the 12.7mm Hitrole Machine Gun and 7.62mm Hitrole Machine Gun variants would be in game.

[Conte_Baracca 4,547]

Italy shall be the home of the armored car

[S__bastienZ88 635]

On 07/05/2020 at 01:37, Conte_Baracca said:

Italy shall be the home of the armored car

That's exactly waht I thought about the Italian TT. This vehicle is a must have for Italy.

Edited June 10, 2020 by S__bastienZ88

[ironcell26 252]

+1, the crossout modification is hilarious, but imagine running around with those 3 big rockets on your roof and flipping over every time you try to turn at high speed+1

[Milocat 4,848]

+1, the original version would be a good AGTM vehicle.

[LtChambers 159]

Apparently those Sa-6 rockets are modified to be surface-to-surface? That would make a very funny April 1 event. Toss everyone in one of those and let them fire bigass dumbfire missiles at each other.

[mc205v 786]

+1 The Puma 4x4 with ATGM would be a very nice vehicle, it has a low profile that you can hide very well, it is perfect for ambushing. 

[snepcheck@live 343]

+1 would be a fun and unique little truck

[Ruthless95 1,177]

+10

[Billygoatunicorn 178]

This would be amazing to see in game, most specifically, the .30, .50, and 40mm, but all of them look very interesting. Like a mini, more potential R3