Basic Information

Name

Bushmaster Australian 4x4 Armored Ambulance

Designation

Bushmaster Armored Ambulance

Alternate Designation

Bushmaster Armored Ambulance

Equipment Type

CBRN Vehicle

Manufacturer

Thales Australia

Date of Introduction

1997

Description

Bushmaster ambulance This variant can transport two stretchered patients, or one stretchered and four seated patients at one time. They are equipped with the latest medical equipment and provide protection against blasts and ballistic threats. 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 with a support contract provided by Oshkosh Truck following the 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, Fiji Infantry Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force and the New Zealand Army. The role of the Bushmaster is to provide protected mobility transport (or protected troop lift capability), with infantry dismounting from the vehicle before going into action. As the Bushmaster is only lightly armoured, the term Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV) was initially adopted to distinguish it from a heavier wheeled or tracked armoured personnel carrier, such as the ASLAV and M113 also in Australian service. Later the Bushmaster's designation was changed to Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV). The Bushmaster is optimised for operations in northern Australia, and is capable of carrying up to 9 soldiers and their equipment, fuel and supplies for 3 days, depending on the type of variant. The vehicle is fitted with air conditioning and was once planned to have a cool water drinking system, but was omitted upon production due to cost constraints. After operational complaints the drinking water cooling system is being reconsidered for installation. It has a road cruise speed of 100 km/h and an operational range of 800 km. The Bushmaster is a mine protected vehicle and provides a high degree of protection against land mines, using its v-hull monocoque to deflect the blast away from the vehicle and its occupants. The vehicle's armour provides protection against small arms of up to 7.62 mm ball ammunition, 81mm mortar fragments, Claymore mines, and with additional applique armour, protection for armour-piercing ammunition of up to 7.62mm. The fuel and hydraulic tanks of the vehicle are located outside the crew compartment, while it also has an automatic fire suppression system. The troop carrier variant of the Bushmaster is fitted with one gun ring. The forward gun ring can be fitted with a 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun. The two rear hatches each have a mounting boss to allow the attachment of a swing mount capable of holding a 7.62 mm machine gun. The Bushmaster is air transportable by C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III and Mil Mi-26 aircraft. It is the first armoured vehicle to be designed and completely manufactured in Australia since the Sentinel tank during World War II.

Ground Specifications

Crew 2

Mobility Type Wheeled (4x4)

Engine 6-Cylinder Turbocharged Diesel (300 hp)

Max Speed 100.0 km/h

Range 800.0 km

Variants

Planned Variants ADI (now Thales Australia) planned at least six variants. These included an armored ambulance; command vehicle; mortar carrier with internally mounted 81-mm or 120-mm weapon; fire support vehicle with 12.7-mm machine gun and 40-mm automatic grenade launcher; engineering vehicle; and firefighting vehicle.

Bushmaster ambulance This variant can transport two stretchered patients, or one stretchered and four seated patients at one time. They are equipped with the latest medical equipment and provide protection against blasts and ballistic threats.

Bushmaster EOD The Bushmaster explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) variant is fitted with a 27 ft 11 in (8.5 m) interrogator arm with a 225-degree arc of operation around the front of the vehicle. The arm can be installed onto any existing Bushmaster vehicle to modify it into an EOD variant. The two-piece articulated arm can include the following attachments: interrogation tool with clasp claw; work light; camera; detection equipment; and proximity detector. The vehicle can also be fitted with a roller clearance system that is hydraulically operated, steerable and easily attached and released. An EOD robot can also be stored internally .

Bushmaster combat support vehicle Thales Australia privately developed a prototype Bushmaster combat support vehicle in 2005. It was previously known as the Copperhead . This 4 x 4 vehicle features the Bushmaster cab at the front, with a flat-bed cargo area at the rear, which can carry up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) of cargo. The cargo area measures 101 sq ft (9.4 sq m). Upgradeable ballistic protection options are available for the crew cabin. The vehicle has a top speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) and a maximum range of 500 mi (800 km). It also offers high clearance for obstacles, tight turning circle and the ability to travel off-road in all conditions, according to the manufacturer. A dual-cab variant, offered for the British operational utility vehicle system (OUVS) program, featured a larger interior cabin with room for two crew and up to six passengers with four side-opening passenger doors and a flatbed area of 54 sq ft (5 sq m) and a 6,600-lb (3,000-kg) payload.

Bushmaster 6 x 6 Thales Australia has conducted studies of a 6 x 6 version of the Bushmaster, which would have a gross vehicle weight of up to 25.6 tons.

System

Alternative Designation Bushmaster Armored Ambulance

Type Armored Ambulance

Manufacturer Thales Australia (formerly ADI)

Configuration 4x4

Crew 2 (commander, driver) ea

Passenger Capacity This variant can transport two stretchered patients, or one stretchered and four seated patients at one time.

Dimensions

Length, Overall 6.60 m

Length, Hull 7.09 m

Height 2.65 m

Width 2.50 m

Cabin Volume 11.2 cubic m

Ground Clearance, Hull 0.43 m

Ground Clearance, Axle Housings 0.40 m

Wheel Track 2.10 m

Wheel Base 3.90 m

Weight, Unloaded 12,500 kg

Weight, Combat 15,000 kg

Weight, Payload 2,500 kg

Automotive

Engine Name 1 x Caterpillar 3126 ATAAC

Engine Type 6-cylinder turbocharged air-to-air after-cooled diesel

Engine Power 300 hp at 2,400 rpm with 25 percent torque rise

Fuel Capacity 319 Liters

Transmission ZF 7HP502 full automatic with front-end retarder for controlled slope descent

Tires 395/85 R20 with bead locks or optional run-flat inserts

Inflation System optional dual-channel with dash-mounted push button control, providing 4 settings highway, sand, mud/snow and emergency

Brakes dual circuit Meritor air-operated disc brakes assisted by a hydraulic retarder

Suspension AxleTech 4000 series coil spring with short-long-arm wishbone and double-acting hydraulic shock-absorbers, bump-stop rubbers

Axles Arvin Meritor/Timoney 4000 series independent suspension axle system, 7,700-kg capacity with diff locks front, center and rear

Range 800 km

Speed, Road 100 km/h

Vertical Obstacle 0.50 m

Fording 1.20 m w/out preparation

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Approach Angle 40 deg

Departure Angle 38 deg

Turning Circle 18.6 m

Main Gun

Note There are no weapons mounted on the

Protection

Hull Armor The Bushmaster is a mine-protected vehicle and provides a high degree of protection against land mines, using its v-hull monocoque to deflect the blast away from the vehicle and its occupants. The vehicle's armor provides protection against small arms of up to 7.62 mm ball ammunition, 81mm mortar fragments, Claymore mines, and with additional applique armor, protection for armor-piercing ammunition of up to 7.62mm.

Turret Armor INA

Applique Armor INA

Explosive Reactive Armor No

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing No

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection INA

Smoke Equipment 8 x grenade launchers (bank of 4 on each side of vehicle hull)

Image Sources

Notes https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bushmaster_rear_side.JPG; http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2011/10/bushmaster-ambulances-delivered.html; https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press-release/thaless-new-bushmaster-mr6-protect-soldiers-lives;