Czech Army Conducts Test Drive of TITUS 6×6 Infantry Mobility Vehicles

The Czech Army is vigorously conducting durability and performance testing of its new TITUS 6×6 infantry mobility vehicle. EDRMagazine reported that Czech Army will acquire 62 such vehicles to replace most of their command vehicles in service with the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade (4 Brigada Rychleho Nasazeni). The brigade is assigned to the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps but falls under the organizational control of 1 (UK) Armoured Division when required. TITUS (Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System) is an infantry mobility vehicle developed and built by French defense company Nexter and Czech company Tatra Defence Vehicle. The vehicle was unveiled at DSEI 2013, the International Defense & Security event in London, United Kingdom, in September.

All vehicles will be produced in the Czech Republic, the prime contractor being ELDIS Pardubice, responsible for systems integration, while the platform is provided by Tatra Defence Vehicle with Retia producing the specialised systems installed on all three versions. The 62 infantry mobility vehicles on order are split into three versions. Six Titus will produced in the KOVVŠ variant, the acronym standing for Kolové Obrn?né Vozidlo Velitelsko-Štábní or wheeled armoured command-staff vehicle configuration; 36 will be in the KOVS, Kolové Obrn?né Vozidlo Spojovací or wheeled armoured liaison vehicle configuration; and finally 20 6×6 vehicles will be available in the MKPP variant, the acronym for Místo Koordinace Palebné Podpory, that is Fire Support and Coordination Centre.

The layout of TITUS is very similar to MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) category vehicle with the engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle, and the troop’s area at the rear. The front part of the vehicle and the windows provide protection against small arms firing and shell splinters, Level 1, STANAG 4569 and Level 2 for the crew and soldiers compartment able to withstand a 50 kg IED blast. TITUS can be fitted with add-on armour to increase the protection. The TITUS is also equipped with SAFEPRO® seats to increase the motorized infantryman’s survival. TITUS® offers exceptional mobility through its Tatra 6×6 chassis coupled with a Cummins 500 Hp engine coupled to an automatic gearbox with 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds.

TITUS can be equipped with any kind of Remote Control Weapon Station from 7.62mm to 20mm, and 40mm Grenade Launchers as well, depending on the level of threats and type of missions. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the right of the main armament and a bank of four smoke grenade dischargers is mounted at the front of the turret. One swivel weapon station for a 5.56mm machine gun is mounted on each side rear top side of the hull. The TITUS is fitted with four cameras providing 360° coverage. Standard equipment of the Nexter TITUS includes an air conditioning/heating system, air exchange, and NBC protection system. They are also fitted with jammers to counter the IED threat, which are being provided by the Czech company URC Systems.