The KTO Rosomak ("Wolverine") is a family of multi-purpose, eight-wheeled, armored vehicles currently in service with the Polish Army and originally based on a Finnish design - the Patria AMV. In the early part of the century, Polish authorities sought a cost-effective, multi-role vehicle to modernized their mechanized forces and replace outmoded types fulfilling the same battlefield role. Instead of settling on an indigenous internal design, several foreign entries were entertained. The Polish government settled on the capable Finnish Patria and a bulk procurement order for several hundred vehicles ensued in December of 2002. The deal included license production rights for the vehicle - designated as the Rosomak - to be constructed locally and with Polish Army-required changes in the mix, making Poland the first foreign operator of the Patria system. The eventual order totaled nearly 900 vehicles to be completed in two distinct forms - an armed infantry fighting vehicle and a basic armored vehicle to be modified by the Army as needed. In all, the deal numbered 313 IFVs and 377 base wheeled models. Polish production of the Rosomak is currently being handled by the WZM S.A. concern out of Siemianowice Slaskie of Southern Poland. Beyond Poland, Malaysia remains a potential customer of the Rosomak though no deal has formulated as of this writing.
Vehicles such as the Patria/Rosomak mark a changed direction of armored warfare where a single wheeled armored chassis forms the basis of a series of vehicles. This creates a modular product to which the operator can address specific battlefield requirements at cost. The Rosomak differs from the original Patria due to the instituted Polish Army requirements but, overall, remains faithful to the Finnish design. While a relatively new addition to the Polish inventory, the type has already been fielded operationally in the War in Aghanistan as part of the Polish presence there and has proven reliable and resilient considering the volatile and unforgiving operating theater. The Rosomak was also used in the EU mission in Chad. Such a system rewards its owners by allowing modifications to the basic design in the form of varying armament arrangements, logistically-friendly automotive parts and generally robust design elements.
The Rosomak exists in several notable variants to this point. The basic infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is the KTO Rosomak and identified by its Oto Melara Hitfist-30P powered turret. The turret sports the 30mm ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II series chain gun autocannon as well as a 7.62mm UKM-2000C series general purpose machine gun in a coaxial installation. The 30mm armament can handle light armored vehicles with high-explosive (HE) and armor-piercing (AP) projectiles as well as fortifications housing enemy elements. The 7.62mm machine gun can manage enemy infantry concentrations as needed.
Poland's involvement in the War in Afghanistan forced the development of a theater-based version known as the Rosomak-M1M. This version was differentiated from the original base form by the installation of improved communications gear, external video cameras tied to internal screens, a Pilar directional fire detection system, additional armor protection, an optional Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) steel cage "netting" to help defeat incoming projectile grenades and wire cutters fitted to at the driver and commander hatches. As all of these additions ultimately changed the basic design - that is, produced a heavier end-product - the Rosomak-M1M lost its amphibious capabilities (including its water propeller systems).
The KTO Rosomak-M3 became a dedicated armored personnel carrier (APC) variant. This design, like the M1M before it, was also brought about due to the Polish involvement in Afghanistan and follows closely the changes already witnessed in the M1M version. However, the M3 is completed with a lighter open-air turret and fits a dual weapon station armed with a 40mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher as well as a 12.7mm NSV series heavy machine gun. The weapons are intended for point defense of embarking/disembarking troops and can supply cover and suppression fire as needed.
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ANTI-AIRCRAFT / AIRSPACE DENIAL
Base model or variant can be used to search, track, and neutralize airborne elements at range.
ANTI-TANK / ANTI-ARMOR
Base model or variant can be used to track, engage, and defeat armored enemy elements at range.
INFANTRY SUPPORT
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.
25.3 ft (7.7 meters) Length
9.2 ft (2.8 meters) Width
7.5 ft (2.3 meters) Height
48,502 lb (22,000 kg) Weight
24.3 tons (Medium-class) Tonnage
1 x Scania DI12 diesel-fueled engine developing 480 horsepower driving conventional 8x8 all-wheel arrangement. Drive System
62 mph (100 kph) Road Speed
497 miles (800 km) Road Range
Basic IFV Model:
1 x 30mm ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II autocannon in front turret face.
1 x 7.62mm UKM-2000C co-axial machine gun in front turret face.
6 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers on turret sides.
OPTIONAL:
1 x 12.7mm WKM-B Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).
1 x 40mm Mk 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL).
AMMUNITION
300 x 30mm projectiles (estimated).
1,000 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated).
6 x Smoke grenades.
KTO Rosomak - Base Infantry Fighting Vehicle; fitted with 30mm chain gun in turret.
KTO Rosomak-M1M - Infantry Fighting Vehicle; desert equipped; steel composite armor; improved communications suite; anti-RPG netting and IED system.
KTO Rosomak-M3 - Armored Personnel Carrier; open turret emplacement; armed with 1 x 40mm grenade launcher OR 1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
KTO Rosomak-WEM - MEDEVAC Variant; cabin room for 3 x medical litter and medical staff.
KTO Rosomak-S - Armored Personnel Carrier, Anti-Tank; stocked with Spike ATGM.
KTO Rosomak-WD - Command Vehicle; improved communications and electronics.
KTO Rosomak-Lowcza - Anti-Aircraft Defense Vehicle.
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