The Calidus "Wahash" ("Wild Falcon") is a new offering from the growing defense industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with assistance from South African-based ADG Mobility. The Wahash represents an all-modern 8x8 wheeled armored fighting solution intended to compete with a deep market of Western offerings of same multi-mission/multi-role classification. The vehicle is designed around mobility and survivability as core traits and sports a "go-anywhere" 8x8 wheeled configuration to keep up with the main fighting force.
The Wahash was unveiled to the public during IDEX 2019 in Abu Dhabi. Ukrspecexport of Ukraine has been signed on to handle the serial production of the vehicle.
The Wahash sports typical Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) design qualities such as a shallow glacis plate, angled side armor, high ground clearance and roof/rear hull entry-exit hatches. The 8x8 wheeled arrangement is fully suspended for offroad travel and each axle is well-spaced. Headlamps are buried at the extreme front corners of the hull with outstretched rear-view mirrors providing rearward viewing access. At the rear are found elevated tail lamps and a heavy, hinged door (complete with steps) for access to the rear section of the hull.
Water travel is possible by the fully-amphibious nature of the Wahash. Twin propeller jets are found at the lower corners of the rear hull for this purpose though speeds are limited to 10 kmh.
Modularity is key to the success of the multirole-minded Wahash with the base chassis and hull design ready to undertake Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) roles as needed by the customer. The typical operating crew is three (driver, commander, and dedicated gunner) while up to eight passengers can be hauled under protection. The driver sits at front-left with the powerpack situated to his immediate right. A turret can be carried near midships and roof hatches are found over the rear passenger cabin. The crew is given an all-modern, digital battlefield environment with full systems integration and real-time reporting for enhanced situational awareness as well as protection against Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) threats. An onboard fire suppression system is also standard. The "V-shaped" nature of the hull underside (a proven South African design staple) protects occupants from blasts originating under the vehicle, deflecting potentially dangerous forces away from center mass. Overall protection is against Level 4a/4b land mines, artillery spray, and STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistics. Add-on armor can be affixed to enhance survivability.
The hull roof is designed to support all manner of weaponry running the gamut of smaller, contained solutions such as 7.62mm medium and 12.7mm heavy machine guns to complete powered turrets (such as that of the Russian BMP-3 series tracked IFV). This means that the same chassis can be used to field potent armament in the form of automatic cannons, grenade launchers, machine guns, and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) to suit the mission need. It can also carry smoke grenade dischargers for self-screening.
Dimensions of the Wahash include a running length of 8.5 meters and a height of 2.7 meters. Weight is 32,100 kilograms under full combat loads. The dimensions of the vehicle are such that it can be air-transported in the belly of a Boeing C-17 "Globemaster III" or similar hauler. Performance specifications include a maximum road speed of 130 kmh with a range out to 750 kilometers. Power is from a single Scania DC13 diesel engine of 724 horsepower mated to a ZF7 AP2600 SP gearbox. The vehicle's payload capacity is rated at 10,800 kilograms.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Calidus Wahash 8x8 Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
1 x Scania DC13 turbocharged, diesel-fueled engine of 724 horsepower output driving a conventional, fully-suspended, four-axle, 8x8-wheeled arrangement. Installed Power
62 mph 100 kph Road Speed
500 miles 805 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the Calidus Wahash 8x8 Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
3 (MANNED) Crew
23.8 ft 7.25 meters O/A Length
9.2 ft 2.8 meters O/A Width
9.0 ft 2.75 meters O/A Height
26,455 lb 12,000 kg | 13.2 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Calidus Wahash (Wild Falcon) 8x8 Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
Variable: Typically fitting 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun (MMG) or 12.7mm or 14.5mm Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) through a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) atop the hull roof. Also 30mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL), 30mm automatic cannon, and Anti-Tank Guided-Missile (ATGM) launchers.
6 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers.
Also any personal weapons carried by the crew.
AMMUNITION: Dependent upon armament fit.
6 x Smoke Grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Calidus Wahash (Wild Falcon) family line.
Wahash ("Wild Falcon") - Base Series Name.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Calidus Wahash (Wild Falcon). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 2 Units Contractor(s): Calidus - United Arab Emirates (UAE) / ADG Mobility - South Africa / Ukrspecexport - Ukraine
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