SISU XA-180 APC

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SISU XA-180 APC in UN Colour Scheme Copyright � M. McNamara/Curragh Historical Group

Background

Two SISU XA-180s were acquired for trining purposes in the UN School in the Curragh and for troop familiarisation courses prior to their departure to the Lebanon. The XA-180 had been adopted by the UN as the standard APC for UNIFIL. Initially the Lebanon XA-180s were equipped with a Russian Heavy Machine Gun, however following a sniper attack and the death of an Irish Soldier in that attack it was decided to replace the Heavy Machine Gun with the twin Mag armed turret from Panhard M-3s. The two Irish XA-180s, fitted with Turrets, were deployed briefly to Somalia when the situation there deteriorated.

Vehicle Specification Crew 2+8 Driver and Commander/Gunner Armament 12.7mm MG Typical (Ring Mount) 2 x 7.62mm MAG (Giat Turret) Unladen Weight 13,420 Kg 15,800 Kg with Up-Armour Option Combat Weight 14,670 Kg 17,050 Kg with Up-Armour Option Length 6,350mm . Width 2,700mm . Height 2,230mm Hull Ground Clearance 420 mm under hull 400 mm under axle Max. Speed 120 kph Open road Max. Speed in Water 8 kph Propeller Driven Cruise Speed 90 kph . Range 800 Km Open road Max. Vertical Step 1,000 mm . Max. Trench 2,000 mm . Max. Gradient 70% . Max. Side Slope 45% . Armour . . Ballistic Protection 7.62 mm AP at 30 m, All Round 12.7 mm AP at 100 m, 60 deg. Fontal Arc Ballistic Protection 12.7 mm AP at 500 m, All Round 25 mm KBA APP-T at 500 m, 60 deg. Fontal Arc Ballistic Protection 12 kg TNT Anywhere under the Vehicle Engine Caterpillar C12 410 bhp/306 Kw Transmission Allison HD4070(P) 7 Speed Automatic

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