Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle. The Bushmaster was primarily designed by the then government-owned Australian Defence Industries (ADI), and is currently produced by Thales Australia following their acquisition of ADI. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army, British Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Indonesian Army, Fiji Infantry Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force, New Zealand Army and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
| Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle | |
|---|---|
A Royal Netherlands Army Bushmaster fitted with a remote turret | |
| Type | Infantry mobility vehicle |
| Place of origin | Australia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997–present |
| Used by | Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Thales Australia (formerly ADI) |
| Manufacturer | Thales Australia (formerly ADI) |
| Unit cost | A$2,450,000 (2022) |
| Produced | 1997–present |
| No. built | 1,195 |
| Variants | Troop, Command, Ambulance, IED, Utility |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11,400 kg (25,133 lb) (kerb) 15,400 kg (33,951 lb) (GVM) |
| Length | 7,180 mm |
| Width | 2,480 mm |
| Height | 2,650 mm |
| Crew | 1 (driver), 9 (passengers) |
| Armor | ballistic exceeds STANAG 4569 level 1 – standard ballistic up to STANAG 4569 level 3 – option FSP up to STANAG 4569 level 5 – option IED high level of protection from monocoque hull – standard mine exceeds STANAG 4569 level 3 – standard |
Main armament | Remote weapon station up to 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL, or manned open turret up to 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL |
Secondary armament | Manned swing mounts up to 7.62mm (one front and two rear) |
| Engine | Caterpillar 3126E 7.2L six-cylinder diesel, turbocharged 224 kW (300 hp) @ 2,200rpm 1,166 N⋅m (860 lb⋅ft) @ 1,440rpm |
| Power/weight | 26.4 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | ZF Ecomat 6HP502 G2 (six forward speeds, one reverse) |
| Suspension | Arvin Meritor 4000 series fully independent, progressive coil spring with upper control arm and lower wishbone |
| Ground clearance | 1,340 mm (front overhang) 1,950 mm (rear overhang) 40° (approach angle) 38° (departure angle) 108° (ramp over angle) 60% (gradient) 36° (side slope) 460 mm (vertical obstacle) 1,200 mm (fording, unprepared) |
| Fuel capacity | 319 L (84 U.S. gal) |
Operational range | 800 km (497 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph)(governed) |
Steering system | Power assisted |
Transportation of infantry, incorporating full protection from small arms fire, was the primary role for which the Bushmaster was designed; infantry would dismount from the vehicle, before going into action. As it was lightly armoured, the term infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) was initially used, rather than armoured personnel carrier, to distinguish the Bushmaster from heavier wheeled and tracked APCs used by the Australian Army, such as the ASLAV and M113. It was later discovered that the high-hardness steel specified for the Bushmaster meant that it generally offered better protection against ballistic weapons and IEDs than the aluminium alloys used in ASLAVs and M113s. To reflect this capability, it was later redesignated a "Protected Mobility Vehicle" (PMV).