Multi Purpose Combat Vehicle (MPCV) is the latest generation high firepower weapon system specifically designed by MBDA to meet the most demanding requirements for ground-based air defence operations at very short range. MPCV is designed to provide air defence units with a weapon system combining high mobility, crew protection and high fire power. The system comprises a motorized turret that that is mounted on an armoured vehicle. The turret features electro-optical sensors, a small calibre gun and four ready-to-fire missiles that are controlled from a firing console installed inside the vehicle. Integration of the weapon system has been tested and studied on a wide range of high-mobility armoured vehicles.
The vehicle was developed by MBDA in collaboration with Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE). The base MPCV systems are based on Renault Trucks Defense’s Sherpa 3A all-terrain armoured vehicle. The MPCV can be integrated onto various armoured vehicles with a payload capacity of 3t. The highly mobile 4WD (4×4) and 6WD (6×6) wheeled MPCV provides high level of crew protection by withstanding nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) weapons, bullets and shrapnel. It is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging targets on the move. The MPCV system consists of a motorised turret installed on an armoured vehicle. The turret features electro-optical sensors, four Mistral 2 missiles and a small calibre machine gun. The vehicle also carries four additional missiles for re-loading.
MPCV (Multi-Purpose Combat Vehicle) benefits from all the performance advantages offered by the MISTRAL missile, most specifically its Fire-and-Forget capability as well as its ease of operation, high reliability and its unrivalled kill probability. MPCV (Multi-Purpose Combat Vehicle) is MBDA’s response to today’s requirements for a weapon system that combines high fire power, short reaction time, day/night surveillance and engagement capabilities, tactical and strategic mobility, together with a high level of crew protection. MPCV’s modular architecture allows the system to be integrated into a coordinated fire control network and to be part of a fully-digitised force.
MBDA also plans to develop a land combat version of the MPCV which will deploy the new Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) medium range surface attack missile being developed by the company. In addition to an autonomous IFF, MPCV uses a first class suite of gyrostabilised electro-optic sensors, which includes TV and IR sights, laser range-finder and automatic tracker. The system can operate both day and night and fired on-the-move, thereby enabling it to carry out convoy escort missions or to provide mobile protection of deployed mechanized /armoured units with an outstanding degree of effectiveness. The system has been designed to minimize crew workload and facilitate long duration operations. It can be operated by one single soldier or by a two-man crew including a team leader. Moreover, it is completely operable from within the vehicle or, remotely, through a state-of-the-artfully mobile workstation, which can be installed in a building, a bunker or any protected place if static operations are called for.
