Use of high mobility vehicles for special military operations has an extensive history in the Middle East, with a direct line of evolution stretching from World War Two to today. The Z family, from the ELTA division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) may be considered its ltimate expression. On the establishment of Israel in 1948, the nation found itself in a desperate fight for survival. At a real disadvantage in manpower and equipment, aggressive tactics were employed to compensate. Inspired by then-recent wartime experiences, a special operations unit, Samson’s Foxes, was established to serve in the desert terrain of the Southern Front. Employing war surplus Jeeps, the unit distinguished itself in reconnaissance and combat roles. The concept of quick, agile SOF vehicles remains extant within the IDF today. A variety of platforms, domestic and foreign, have been adapted over the years. But while IDF requirements continued to drive development, the search for the ultimate in off-road performance continued, culminating in the design of rugged, high-performance, off-road vehicles: Z-MAG and and Z-D, the fruits of creative mechanical minds and decades of off-road experience. Featuring robust drivetrains, protected drivelines, low center of gravity, high ground clearance and exceptionally large diameter low-pressure tires, the Z vehicles traverse the most challenging terrain with surprising ride comfort. High power to weight ratios are achieved through use of a weight-minimising chassis design and quiet, powerful engines, paired with overbuilt automatic transmissions for simple operation and maintenance. The design facilitates exceptional payload capability, nearly equaling net weight. Fitted to sturdy, stiff monocoque bodies, the unique Z suspension, with its highly refined geometry, offers exceptional comfort, stability and mobility over widely varied terrain. From a legacy of off-road racing, it offers nearly a full metre of travel, and is largely responsible for the Z family’s impressive performance: 90º approach angle; 48º departure angle; 60% side slope; 100% longitudinal slope; 530mm underbody and 380mm under-axle clearance; 0.5m step; and 0.8m ditch and water crossing. Z-D’s performance is no less impressive in its respective vehicle class. Evolution to Revolution in SOF Vehicle Design: IAI/ELTA’s Z-MAG Feature MT 3/2022 · 39 ELTA acquired the Z family in 2020, recognizing they constituted ideal platforms for its sesnors and systems produced for the IDF and other military, paramilitary and border patrol units worldwide. Compact radars, SIGINT sensors, advanced communications with real-time video transmission, incoming fire sensors, and other tools enable ELTA to equip the Z family with previously unachievable mission capabilities, to create the ultimate fast reconnaissance vehicle. For example, Z-MAG can mount ELTA’s advanced RWS configured with radar, E/O and fire detection sensors (Othello ELO-5220). It can also deploy the ELI-4030 Drone Guard, integrating 3D radar, COMINT, E/O and soft- and hard-kill capabilities into a multi-layered system that detects, identifies and neutralises hostile drones. Z family vehicles, integrated with advanced sensors and systems, cross the line from evolutionary design to offer revolutionary light reconnaissance capabilities. The ZIBAR all-terrain utility vehicle. (Photos: IAI) The ZMAG all-terrain reconnaissance vehicle pictured next to the ZIBAR.
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