A Bruiser of a Vehicle: Rugged, Powerful and Cost-Effective
Naming conventions for armoured vehicles have become complex, sometimes impenetrable, often ‘touchy-feely’ in their impact. That in no way can be said of Bruisertech’s first foray into the protected tactical vehicle market. The BRUISER 112 is a robust (one might say ‘Africa-proof’) powerful and, above all, cost-effective armoured personnel carrier (APC) aimed specifically at the African and Middle Eastern markets, according to the South African company. And it looks the part.
Privately developed, the BRUISER 112 was first seen at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition earlier this year, but the formal launch will be later in the year, when an initial ten vehicles will be built – though MONCh understands there is not as yet a confirmed customer for them.
The BRUISER’s ‘secret sauce’ is simplicity. Given the harsh conditions of the operational environments extant in its target markets – and having paid close attention, one dares think, to the operational experience with rather more complex (and, arguably, more vulnerable) vehicles in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan – the designers have eschewed elaborate electronics or complex engineering solutions, opting instead for rugged, easily maintained and well-proven components. The vehicle requires neither specialised equipment nor highly trained technicians for maintenance and/or repair.
Easily transportable (it fits inside a standard ISO container with barely any preparation), carrying a crew of 2+10 and with a kerb weight of 8,500kg and a useful payload of 4,500, the BRUISER 112 offers ballistic and blast protection to STANAG 2 and STANAG 3A/B respectively.
Powered by a six-cylinder MWM turbodiesel coupled to an automatic transmission, the vehicle is exceptionally agile and is designed in a modular fashion, allowing for technology insertion ranging from automatic braking systems and central tyre inflation to additional fuel tanks and weapon stations. Additional variants are planned, including command, ambulance and logistics vehicles. Although BRUISER 112 is entering an increasingly populated market, the design and commercial philosophies that underpin its genesis may tilt Fortune in its favour. It will be interesting to watch.