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Background
— Special Ops Vehicle Candidate — Supacat Jackal |
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Jackal Origins – the Supacat HMT 400 Truck
The Supacat HMT 400 is a high mobility light tactical vehicle for the British Army
and Rapid Reaction Force. The powerplant is a mid-engine Cummins BTA 5.9 turbo-diesel in common
with several other British Army vehicle types.[1] The ‘cab’ is a light, removable structure attached to
a tubular roll-over cage. With modification, the HMT 400 formed the basis for the SOV
Jackal.
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A Supacat for Special Ops – High Mobility Truck to a Jackal Mobility Weapons
Mounted Installation Kit
The HMT 400 chassis was designed for rough terrain driving – with such features as adjustable ride height [2] and a
belly pan. SOV modifications primarily involved redesigning the roll cage to form the main gun ring (what
the British Army calls a WMIK or Weapons Mounted Installation Kit). The passenger seat has a swing-out gun
mount for the crew commander. Another gun position (on a swing-out mount) has been shown set up on the
rear cargo deck. [3] A Jackal could easily accommodate a crew of four (as demanded by the
SOIQ) and three gun positions but with reduced payload (which is larger than requested anyway).
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For the cargo/litter carrier role, weather protection comes in the form of a soft- top (right). The gun ring
and rear deck of the fighting vehicle can be covered with a fitted tarp (below, right). The flat
deck HMT 400 progenitors can have a small box shelter mounted on the bed. As a result, converting the
Jackal into an ambulance (or a better protected cargo/litter carrier) will be comparatively easy.
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Supacat Jackal MWMIK Mobility Weapons
Mounted Installation Kit
| Crew: |
three – driver, crew commander, and
gunner |
Armament |
1 x 12.7mm M2 or 40mm AGL, 1 or 2
7.62mm GPMG |
Powerplant:
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185hp 5.9 L Cummins BTA 6-cylinder
turbo-diesel
Allison Series 2000 5-speed automatic transmission |
Suspension:
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Double wishbone, adjustable double air shocks, air-
over-hydraulic power brakes, power-assist steering |
| Performance: |
max speed: 130 km/h (pavement) 90 km/h (governed) |
| Weights: |
6650kg (6820kg mandated max), payload:
4 tonnes |
| Dimensions: |
Length 5.39m, Width 2m, Height 1.97 m (roll cage) |
| Protection: |
Chassis unarmoured, add-on composite armour
kit |
| Transportable: |
In cargo hold of Hercules or
Chinook (‘kneeling’) |
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In its size, armament, and carrying capacity, the Jackal will get full marks. Where it is
weaker in meeting Canadian requirements is commonality with existing CF vehicles. None of the
Jackal’s main components – main gun mount, chassis or engine – are in use by the CF. If
DND places as much value on parts commonality as their SOIQ suggests, the Jackal must claim a
transmission in common with the RG-31 APV (Allison S2000) and
LAV III tires (335/80R20 XML). Not much to go on. Supacat [4] must push performance.
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[1] This includes the Truck Cargo 4 Tonne GS, a Leyland DAF 4x4 and, as a re-engining program, the CVR(T) family of
armoured vehicles.
[2] For the CF SOV, a ground clearance of 260mm is mandated. The Jackal has a clearance of 280mm (on
roads) which can be adjusted to 380mm for off-road driving. Maximum clearance (front) is 530mm.
‘Kneeling’ with all air removed from the tires, clearance drops to 180mm.
[3] The widely-distributed image of a Jackal armed with GPMG, AGL and rear-mounted M2
appears to be a speculative photo-retouching.
[4] Supacat is a very small firm and has had trouble meeting orders (and the British MoD placed further orders
in June 2008 after success- fully deploying the Jackal to Helmand Province in April). DML in
Plymouth has been organizing Jackal production for the British Army. Lockheed Martin bought the HMT 400 series
rights and North American distribution rights, so DND may be dealing with LM for its SOV.
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