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Iraq
Iraqi Marines to get Israel Golan Wheeled Armored Vehicle
2007-03-02
On February 23, 2007 the USMC awarded PVI a first order for 60 low rate initial production vehicles, representing the first order for Golan vehicles. This 15 ton armored, wheeled troop carrier is configured to accommodate 10 troops in a highly protected environment.

The vehicle uses an armored monocoque structure. The integrity of this structure provides the strength to absorb the deformations generated by mines and IED blasts. The V shaped hull has a "floating floor" panel to mitigate the blast effects of mines. It thereby provides an optimal solution to protect the crew and vehicle against the identified threats. The vehicle has an effective armor suite to defeat small arms and RPG threats, medium size IED's, 7 kg mines under belly and 14 kg under wheels. The spall liner was eliminated, assuming the efficiency of external armor to prevent hull penetration by most threats.


Unlike vehicles utilizing off-the-shelf commercial chassis, the Golan does not have a chassis at all. Instead, the 4x4 automotive system axles, and suspensions link directly to the armored structure, which acts as a frame. This approach is similar to that used with tracked APCs and tanks. It retains good off-road mobility, and is particularly suitable for operations in dense urban terrain.

All three protection level configurations present the same physical silhouette. In the light and medium level configurations, there are no reactive armor tiles attached to the outer crew compartment structure. In their place, passive armor tiles (that include storage boxes) with an identical outer shape are attached.
The vehicle can be equipped with remotely controlled weapon station mounting a machine gun, and optronic equipment, as well as the gunshot detection system.
More pics and info at site
Posted by:Sherry

#14  It was a good question, Mark Z. Do that some more, 'k? :-)
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-03-02 16:23  

#13  Sherry, Val,...thank you for your follow-up posts.

I'll shut up and go back to lurking. Your updates are much appreciated.
Posted by: Mark Z   2007-03-02 16:06  

#12  Since their deployment to Iraq in 2003 the Cougar and Buffalo vehicles employed with explosive ordnance disposal teams and engineers units have taken about 1,000 IED hits without a loss of life,

Impressive! Very impressive.
Posted by: Bobby   2007-03-02 16:03  

#11  Mark Z,

For the past 4 odd years the US has been using RG-31's, Cougars and Buffalo vehicles in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cougar Vehicle

The Buffalo

RG-31

Also the Golans are Cat 1 level MRAP vehicles or rather the MRUV (mine resistant utility vehicle) rather than the larger cougar or buffalo sized version.

An update on the whole order can be found here as well

Posted by: Valentine   2007-03-02 15:22  

#10  Glad you guys like my spelling!

Mark Z, from the article, I'm not sure it's been for sale. I didn't post this part:

Responding to the need for wheeled armored vehicles for use in asymmetric warfare, RAFAEL developed the Zeev (Wolf) armored utility vehicle. More recently, RAFAEL teamed with US based PVI and the Merkava program Office (Mantak), to develop the Golan Heavy Wheeled Armored vehicle.

This 15 ton armored, wheeled troop carrier is configured to accommodate 10 troops in a highly protected environment. Golan has been proposed for the IDF and USMC. Testing of the vehicle began in September 2006. In January 2007 Golan was selected, along with nine other candidates, to compete for the Joint US Marines/NavyArmy Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Program.

PVI is leading the team for th MRAP opportunity while RAFAEL is in the lead for Israeli and other overseas sales.

On February 23, 2007 the USMC awarded PVI a first order for 60 low rate initial production vehicles, representing the first order for Golan vehicles.
Posted by: Sherry   2007-03-02 14:58  

#9  IQAQ, Call Aflak their duck is heeded here.
Qwak, Qwak.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2007-03-02 14:42  

#8  Looks like A HUMVEE on Steroids. Call Arnold, bet he'll want one.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2007-03-02 14:39  

#7  Is that the Zionist death ray gun on top?

I love that they call it the Golan.
Posted by: Penguin   2007-03-02 14:36  

#6  Iqaq, werry cutes of youse Sherry.

;-)

(MRAP) Armored Vehicles

thisn haz sniper protection for the turret gunner.
Posted by: RD   2007-03-02 14:31  

#5  These Golans have been available to purchase for how long? You'd think...you'd think...maybe... just maybe it would be somebody's job in the Pentagon or DOD or civilian contrator services or somewhere to know these vehicles exist and somebody might have thought about asking to buy them say perhaps...oh...I don't know ... 4 years ago. Then again, maybe it's just me and I'm a f**kin' idiot to want the best money can buy for the troops in the field. How long has the Golan been out there and why are we now just reading about it? (sorry, but I'm pissed.)
Posted by: Mark Z   2007-03-02 14:17  

#4  In find it disconcerting in these times that our armed forces have chosen to acquire a vehicle that, so obviously, wastes the planets limited resources through it's reliance on an exorbitant amount of fossil fuels and most likely has an extremely high carbon footprint which could have a deleterious effect on global climate change..
P.S.: Where can I get one?
Posted by: Al Gore   2007-03-02 14:10  

#3  If you glance at it quickly it sort of looks like an EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle.

Posted by: GORT   2007-03-02 14:03  

#2  Good job, Sherry! Jon karri wuld be proid.
Posted by: DarthVader   2007-03-02 13:01  

#1  That's a new spelling of Iraq. Made that up all by myself!
Posted by: Sherry   2007-03-02 12:59  

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