OBRUM PL-01

Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Fire Support Vehicle Concept

Poland | 2018

"With assistance from BAe Systems of Britain, the Poles are attempting an all-new IFV design through the PL-01 initiative."

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/27/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

OBRUM of Poland attempted work on the earlier, largely traditional, Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) - the WPB Anders - which now appears to have been abandoned. Instead, the company, with support from British-based BAe Systems Land Systems, has taken up a new, more advanced vehicle project in the "PL-01". As it stands, the PL-01 is being forged as a concept tank first with production possibility second. It is certainly an optimistic, next-generation product utilizing the latest in active stealth features (as far as vehicles go), crew survivability and offensive firepower. A prototype is slated to be unveiled during 2016 with serial production - should the program progress as far - for sometime in 2018. Export models could be ready as soon as 2022.

The vehicle, based on BAe's CV90 IFV for the Swedish Army, was first showcased at the 2013 MSPO Defence Exhibition - appearing as something out of a futuristic Hollywood film. It certainly fits some of the stronger qualities of both Eastern and Western combat tank systems. The official battlefield role for the PL-01 will be Infantry Fighting Vehicle, light tank or Fire Support Vehicle - though it will carry Main Battle Tank (MBT) capabilities without the excess weight involved.

The concept design is 7 meters long with a width of 3.8 meters and a height of 2.8 meters. Seven road wheels are featured to a hull side and the hull structure is very well protected in armor (with an up-armoring kit being optional as well). The glacis plate is broad and nearly flat giving the vehicle an overall low profile. Overall weight is in the 35 tonne range and an amphibious capability is being built-in (following some preparation for true deep water fording). Power is to come from a yet-unnamed diesel engine of at least 950 horsepower with projected speeds of 70 kmh and a range out to 500 kilometers.

Internally there is only a crew of three (unlike the traditional four seen in a modern combat tank) as an unmanned, powered turret is used, further keeping the profile of the vehicle in check. The main gun barrel - of either 105mm or 120mm caliber and electronically-stabilized and fed by way of an autoloader - is nearly fully encased as part of the turret structure with a multi-slotted muzzle brake fitted at the business end of the gun. The driver manages a position at front-left, his vision blocks just visible along the glacis plate. The commander and gunner will also take up positions within the hull itself and all work stations will feature blast-resistant seats. A laser rangefinder and thermal imaging system will be added to aid accuracy and situational awareness - indeed a 350-degree observation capability is set to be a part of the PL-01's design. Additional system possibilities are an Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) and GPS navigation. Survivability will be improved against land mines, IEDs and onboard fires through various measures including a fire suppression system. Beyond the operating crew, the vehicle will also be able to house up to four infantrymen in a small compartment within the rear of the hull - similar to the Israeli Merkava MBT. In this fashion, the PL-01 will be able to push ahead alongside infantry elements.

The entire vehicle will feature an adaptive technology formed from hexagonal plates along its various surfaces which will be used to adjust temperatures of the tank to ambient levels on-the-fly, adding an inherent "stealth" feature to the tank. An active defense system, for protection against incoming airborne enemy threats like armor-defeating missiles, will allow for automatic responses. Smoke grenade dischargers will further aid in screening the vehicle from potential ranged threats. While a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun will be standard, an optional fit will be possible through a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) fitted to the turret roof. This station will support machine gun weapons of 7.62mm and 12.7mm calibers as well as a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) fit.

As is the case with other frontline combat vehicles, the base chassis of the PL-01 is set to become the foundation for a Command & Control (CC2) vehicle, and Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV), mine clearance vehicle and other battlefield platforms as made possible by the flexible chassis.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the OBRUM PL-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Fire Support Vehicle Concept.

1 x Diesel-fueled engine developing at least 950 horsepower (unknown make and model).
Installed Power

43 mph
70 kph
Road Speed

311 miles
500 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the OBRUM PL-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Fire Support Vehicle Concept.

3
(MANNED)
Crew

23.0 ft
7 meters
O/A Length

12.5 ft
3.8 meters
O/A Width

9.2 ft
2.8 meters
O/A Height

66,139 lb
30,000 kg | 33.1 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the OBRUM PL-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Fire Support Vehicle Concept.

1 x 105mm OR 120mm main gun
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in Remote Weapon Station (RWS) at turret roof.

AMMUNITION:
Not Available.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the OBRUM PL-01 family line.

PL-01 - Base Series Designation

PL-01 CC2 - Proposed Command & Control variant

PL-01 MINE - Proposed mine-clearance vehicle

PL-01 ARV - Proposed Armored Recovery Vehicle

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the OBRUM PL-01. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 1 Units
Contractor(s): OBRUM - Poland / BAe Systems Land Systems - UK

[ Poland (possible) ]

1 / 1

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Going Further...
The OBRUM PL-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Fire Support Vehicle Concept appears in the following collections:

HOME

ARMOR INDEX

ARMOR BY COUNTRY

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)