Protected Mobility Candidate for French Army VBAE Programme

SOFRAME has unveiled its MOSAIC project – a flexible protected mobility platform – the company announced on 5 February.

MOSAIC (an acronym derived from Mission Observation Surveillance Acquisition Investigation Combat) is designed to meet requirements for light reconnaissance and support vehicles. Notably, it meets the anticipated requirements of the French Army’s Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE – Armoured Engagement Support Vehicle) in three main configurations: a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering vehicle; a direct fire vehicle; and a transport vehicle for an MMP missile team.

Designed with a view to a return to symmetrical, high-intensity type engagements, MOSAIC has been the subject of major innovations in ballistic protection. The platform’s bio-inspired architecture uses flue pipes to channel the blast of explosions, a patented principle. The armoured body uses solutions combining very high hardness steels (HHS) and high-performance non-metallic materials that provide the crew and sensitive systems with the level of protection expected for a forward combat vehicle.

MOSAIC is also highly mobile. The drive train has been designed to accommodate, without modification, the components of a full electric hybrid that will result in silent driving for stealthy reconnaissance missions. Derived from technologies mastered by the LOHR Group (SOFRAME’s parent company) in low CO2-emission public transport systems, the militarised development also provides power generation for the weapon system and can add its torque to that of the engine to generate instantaneous acceleration, a guarantee of survival in certain combat situations. The electric propulsion mode is also very easy to control for operational robotics applications, in which a MOSAIC vehicle can be remotely operated without crew.