Otokar ARMA

6x6 / 8x8 Wheeled Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAP)

Turkiye | 2010

"The Otokar Arma is another in a growing line of indigenously designed, developed, and produced military vehicles coming out of the nation of Turkey."

Image from official Otokar marketing material.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/20/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Otokar of Turkey markets its modular-minded "ARMA" wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) to cover a multitude of battlefield roles including troop ferrying, infantry support, and convoy security. At the heart of the design is its tactical flexibility and broad array of armament options ranging from basic anti-infantry measures to more advanced - and powerful - vehicle-stopping systems. Beyond its given military value, the ARMA can also find roles within the ranks of government security, special police forces, and humanitarian/peacekeeping elements around the world. The 24-ton vehicle is offered in two distinct hull forms - a 6x6 wheeled arrangement and an 8x8 wheeled arrangement with the latter adding length to the hull and an extra twin-wheeled axle.

The operating crew is two-to-three depending on model with seating for up to eight-to-ten passengers (model dependent) under protection. Armor shields against small arms fire and artillery spray while a monocoque steel hull is used to protect the more vulnerable belly of the truck - giving the ARMA survival qualities akin to Western MRAP (Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected) vehicles. Dimensions include a running length of 6.4 meters with a beam of 2.7 meters and a height of 2.2 meters - allowing it to be carried in the belly of a C-130 Hercules transport or similar aircraft.

The forward face of the hull showcases a very shallow, nearly horizontal glacis plate with embedded headlamps and low-level running lights. Rearview mirrors are positioned at either cheek position for the driver who takes his position at front-left in the hull. A hatch is set over the driver's position for easy entry/exit. The vehicle commander's station is directly aft of the driver and showcases its own entry/exit hatch complete with vision blocks for situational awareness. The passenger section makes up the rear of the fighting compartment and has its own entry/exit hatches (over the aft-section of the hull roof), side-fitted firing ports (complete with individual vision blocks), and a hinged access door at the rear hull face. There is a hinged square access hatch along the portside of the hull as well. Standard equipment includes an NBC () suite, anti-mine seats, and climate-control/air conditioning.

Power is from a single liquid-cooled, diesel-fueled turbo-charged unit outputting 450 horsepower giving the vehicle a maximum road speed of 105 kmh with an operational road range out to 700 kilometers. The engine is positioned at front-right, opposite the driver's location. The chassis is suspended through a hydropneumatic arrangement offering excellent cross-country mobility and ground clearance. An optional amphibious quality is supported for the ARMA design with propulsion by way of waterjets fitted to each corner of the rear lower hull area. Some preparation for the vehicle is needed prior to entering water sources and aspiration of the engine is through a snorkel tube.

The 6x6 model is offered in a basic Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), Command Post (CP), Ambulance, reconnaissance, and driver trainer forms.

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The base, unarmed model is a 6x6 wheeled form which provides a better turn radius (when compared to the 8x8 sister design) while retaining mobility and ground clearance. 8 x Smoke grenade dischargers are fitted in two banks of four launchers at the rear side hull roof lines. The ARMA 6x6 CBRN is another 6x6 wheeled form. This fits a 7.62mm trainable machine gun on a pintle mounting at the gunner's station offering light suppression capabilities. The ARMA 6x6 OMTTZA fits a 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) at the gunner's position (shield-protected) and carries 8 x Smoke grenade dischargers. The 12.7mm fit can be substituted with a 7.62mm caliber Medium Machine Gun (MMG) or a wholly-remotely-controlled Remote Weapon Station (RWS) fielding a 7.62mm machine gun. Over the rear of the hull can be installed a secondary, pintle-mounted 7.62mm weapon though little in the way of protection is afforded the firer.

8x8 wheeled models fulfill similar and more broadened battlefield roles: APC, IFV, mortar carrier, Mobile Gun Carrier, air defense/airspace denial, and CP.

ARMA 8x8 TZA mounts a powerful 20mm automatic cannon in a fully-traversing turret. A coaxial 7.62mm machine is fitted over the cannon and eight smoke grenade dischargers give the vehicle a self-screening capability. Advanced optics allow for excellent situational awareness by the crew. The ARMA "MIZRAK-30" fits an even more powerful 30mm autocannon with coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and smoke grenade dischargers. A tank-killing model has also been unveiled with a turret-mounted 105mm rifled main gun.

To date, the Otokar ARMA counts the military of Bahrain as an operator. The nation secured seventy-three vehicles in a 2010 deal. United Arab Emirates in 2017 announced a deal for 700 vehicles modified for army service under the "RABDAN" name. This truck weighs 28 tons when completed and outfitted.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Otokar ARMA 6x6 / 8x8 Wheeled Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAP).

1 x Caterpillar liquid-cooled, diesel-fueled turbo-charged engine developing 450 horsepower.
Installed Power

65 mph
105 kph
Road Speed

435 miles
700 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the Otokar ARMA 6x6 / 8x8 Wheeled Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAP).

2
(MANNED)
Crew

21.0 ft
6.4 meters
O/A Length

8.9 ft
2.7 meters
O/A Width

7.2 ft
2.2 meters
O/A Height

40,786 lb
18,500 kg | 20.4 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Otokar ARMA 6x6 / 8x8 Wheeled Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAP).

HIGHLY VARIABLE:

Supported systems include 7.62mm (coaxial and pintle-mounted) and 12.7mm machine guns, Remote Weapon Stations (RWSs), 105mm rifle main gun (Mobile Gun Carrier variant), 20mm autocannon, 30mm autocannon, 40mm Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGLs), 120mm field mortars (mortar carrier variant), and smoke grenade dischargers.

AMMUNITION:
Dependent upon armament fit.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Otokar ARMA family line.

ARMA - Base Series Name

ARMA 6x6 - Base 6x6 wheeled chassis form.

ARMA 8x8 - Base 8x8 wheeled chassis form featuring a lengthened hull and extra twin-wheeled axle.

ARMA 6x6 CBRN - Reconnaissance model.

ARMA APC - Armored Personnel Carrier vehicle.

ARMA IFV - Infantry Fighting Vehicle form.

ARMA CP - Command Post vehicle

ARMA OMTTZA - 12.7mm/7.62mm armament; RWS support.

ARMA MC - Mortar Carrier vehicle

ARMA "MIZRAK-30" - 30mm autocannon-armed model.

ARMA 8x8 TZA - 20mm autocannon-armed model

ARMA MGC - Mobile Gun Carrier form; Tank Destroyer variant featuring 105mm rifled main gun in turret with coaxial machine gun armament.

ARMA AA - Anti-Aircraft defense model.

ARMA AMB - Battlefield Ambulance model.

ARMA "RABDAN" - 28-ton Variant modified for service with the UAE; 100mm main armament in turret with 20mm autocannon as secondary armament.

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

Total Production: 773 Units
Contractor(s): Otokar Otomiv ve Savunma Sanayi AS - Turkey