Thai company Panus Assembly Co. Ltd has unveiled the latest version of its 4×4 armored vehicles based on HMV-420 that it hopes to supply to the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Following a series of tests carried on from September to this November month at the Department of Army Transportation in Kanchanaburi Provinceand listening to the input from the army requesting a special layer of armor emerged the new “Mosquito” 4×4 AFV-420P vehicle. The HMV-420 high mobility vehicle (HMV) is based on the company’s HMV-150 platform, which was unveiled in 2017 and, in turn, is based on a re-engineered and upgraded Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando 4×4 light armoured vehicle. Panus wants to produce and sell AFV-420P overseas.
The AFV-420P platform is used for variants such as APC, radar vehicle, command and communication vehicles, etc. The axle shafts have been replaced with larger ones and the tires are enlarged so that the vehicle is slightly higher. This vehicle has a length of 6.72 m, width of 2.86 m, height of 2.98 m, ground clearance is 0.61 m. It can reach 110 km/h. The turning radius is minimal thanks to its 4-wheel steering system. The AFV-420P has a weight of 15.84 tons, with a payload of 1.5 tons. The newer product sports better protection and more internal space for its occupants and installed weapons while being powered by a Cummins diesel unit of 420 horsepower output (Allison 4500 gearbox).
The Mosquito can accommodate a remotely controlled weapon station of a more conventional turret armed with a 12.7 mm caliber MG and/or missile launcher(s). Firing ports are positioned along the sides of the hull to allow occupants to engage outside enemy elements from within the protected confines of the truck. Armor protection is up to small arms fire and artillery spray but mobility is at the heart of such designs. Attention has also been given to enhanced protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and land mines common to urban fighting. Armor reaches up to 16mm at crucial facings through a double-layer steel configuration. Steel layers can be added to protect the personnel and engine compartments against 12.7 mm caliber ammunition and schrapnels.
