Soframe (a subsidiary of the Alsace-based LOHR Group) unveiled its MOSAIC concept designed to meet the needs of the future French Armoured Vehicle for Engagement Support (VBAE) MOSAIC, the acronym derived from Mission Observation Surveillance Acquisition Investigation Combat enters the running in France with the Arquus Scarabée already dominating the media scene, and the Thales Hawkei as the outsider. Inspection of the illustrations provided by Soframe shows that the architecture choices between MOSAIC and Scarabée are very different.
VBAE roles are to include intelligence and reconnaissance, engaging targets, and transporting teams carrying the MBDA Medium-Range Missile (MMP) anti-tank guided missile, which is in service in the dismounted role. The latter includes an add-on armour solution notably based on the new in-house developed Tenexium technology. To provide a higher level of protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), MOSAIC’s hull incorporates flue pipes above the wheel arches to channel the blast of the explosion upwards and away from the vehicle.
