General Dynamics European Land Systems–Steyr presents a new variant of the PANDUR 6×6 EVO at AUSA Global Force in Huntsville, Alabama from March 25 to 27. The new Maneuver Short Range Air Defense, or M-SHORAD, variant is equipped with Moog’s unmanned RIwP turret (Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform), a proven, modular, and scalable weapons platform for air defense, anti-tank or fire support with a medium-caliber cannon and missile effectors. The three-day AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition 2025 is expected to attract more than 6000 attendees. The event highlights how the U.S. Army will modernize and transform into a multi-domain capable force.
The PANDUR with integrated RlwP is a further proof of the high flexibility and modularity of this family of vehicles. Based on the proven PANDUR platform, the system is equipped with a 30 x 113 mm caliber XM914 cannon and 2 x 4 launchers for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The cannon is able to fire ammunition with proximity fuse. A software-defined cognitive Ku-band, 4D medium-range pulse-Doppler radar of the next generation Echodyne EchoShield is used to monitor the airspace at close range and for target tracking. Two control consoles for the weapon system and the fire control computers are located inside the vehicle.
The M-SHORAD PANDUR is particularly capable of providing highly mobile force protection against manned and unmanned airborne threats. The current centerpiece of the U.S. Army’s mobile air defense are the STRYKER-based SGT STOUT (M-SHORAD Inc 1) and the C-UAS program M-LIDS (Mobile Low slow small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System), both also using the RIwP turret. A total of 100 PANDUR 6×6 EVO will shortly be in service with the Austrian Armed Forces. In February 2024, the Austrian Ministry of Defence has ordered a further 225 vehicles in twelve different mission variants.
The Pandur 6×6 family of wheeled armoured vehicles has been developed by Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria and is manufactured by AV Technology International (a General Dynamics company) of Chesterfield, Michigan, USA. In November 2003, General Dynamics took over Steyr-Daimler-Puch, which is now part of General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (ELCS). The US Army awarded a contract for up to 50 Pandur vehicle to form the basis of the Armoured Ground Mobility System for USASOC Special Forces/Special Operations Forces units.The US Department of Defence announced at the end of June 2022 the order of the Armored Ground Mobility System Heavy Platform Vehicles (AGMS) for USD $55.85 million. The vehicle is meant to replace the Pandur I Armored Ground Mobility System.
