MADRID - In April, General Dynamics European Land Systems and Airbus Defence and Space successfully demonstrated the load of a PIRANHA 5 8x8 Armored Personal Carrier (APC) into an Airbus A400M cargo aircraft during an evaluation exercise. As part of the drill, the PIRANHA 5 was driven into the cargo compartment and completely tied-down according the airlift procedures. The crew was able to easily load the vehicle in the cargo compartment of the aircraft, which can accommodate one PIRANHA 5 and 29 fully equipped soldiers.
The objective was to validate the boarding of a PIRANHA 5 in the cargo compartment without any special preparation as part of a broader A400M evaluation process, demonstrating the transport capability of combat vehicles.
The demonstration was conducted at Airbus Defence and Space site in San Pablo (Seville, Spain), which is the final assembly plant for the A400M.
Eight countries have placed orders for the A400M aircraft, including Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
Two NATO countries – Denmark and Spain - have selected the PIRANHA 5 as their future 8x8 vehicle platform. The Danish Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for 309 PIRANHA 5. The Spanish Ministry of Defense selected PIRANHA 5 as platform for the integration of Spanish technologies and subsystems under an R&D contract for the future Wheeled Combat Vehicle (VCR in Spanish) project.
The PIRANHA 5 is one of the most advanced and capable 8x8 wheeled armored wheeled vehicles and the top end of the PIRANHA vehicle family. In addition to its high level of protection, the PIRANHA 5 has a flexible and spacious crew compartment and tremendous payload. The inherent growth potential ensures the ability for future upgrades and technology insertion over the entire lifetime. In terms of mobility and maneuverability, the PIRANHA 5 with its efficient all-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension and 4th axle steering sets the top standard in this vehicle class. The PIRANHA family of vehicle is the most successful Western wheeled armored vehicle family - more than 11.500 PIRANHAs are successfully in service worldwide.
About General Dynamics European Land Systems
General Dynamics European Land Systems, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), and conducts its business through five European operating sites located in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Czech Republic. With around 1,800 highly skilled technical employees, the company designs, manufactures and delivers land combat systems, including wheeled, tracked and amphibious vehicles, bridge systems, armaments and munitions, to global customers. More information is available at www.gdels.com
About Airbus Defence and Space
Airbus Defense and Space, a division of Airbus Group, is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise and the second largest space business worldwide. Its activities include space, military aircraft and related systems and services. It employs more than 38,000 people and in 2015 generated revenues of over 13 billion Euros.