Bushmaster IMV
Encyclopedia : B : BU : BUS : Bushmaster IMV
 A Bushmaster IMV with the Australian Al Muthanna Task Group in Iraq | |
| Bushmaster | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 1 (plus 9 passengers) |
| Length | 7.087 m |
| Width | 2.5 m |
| Height | 2.65 m |
| Weight | 12.5 tonnes |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | Monocoque armour ? |
| Main armament | Gun ring for 5.56mm and 7.62mm machine guns |
| Secondary armament | Not applicable |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | Caterpillar 3126E engine 330 hp (246 kW) |
| Suspension | 4 wheel drive |
| Road speed | Over 100 km/h |
| Power/weight | 26.4 hp/tonne |
| Range | Over 500 km |
The Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian designed and built wheeled armoured vehicle produced by Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Limited. The Bushmaster is designed for operations in northern Australia, and is capable of carrying 9 soldiers and their equipment, fuel and supplies for 3 days.
Role
The role of the Bushmaster is to provide armoured transport, with infantry dismounting from the vehicle before going into action. As the Bushmaster is only lightly armoured and armed it should not be confused with an armoured personnel carrier. In keeping with the vehicle's role and capabilities, the Australian Army designates Bushmaster equipped infantry units as being motorised, and not mechanised.Variants
Six Bushmaster variants are in production for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. These variants are:
- Troop vehicle
- Command vehicle
- Assault Pioneer vehicle
- Mortar vehicle
- Direct Fire Weapons vehicle
- Ambulance vehicle
The unit price for the Bushmaster differs slightly between variants, ranging from A$562,878 for the troop carrier variant and A$589,182 for the ambulance variant.
The Bushmaster in Australian service
Following the vehicle's troubled development, a total of 299 Bushmasters are to be delivered to the Australian Defence Force (down from the 370 which were originally ordered). Bushmaster deliveries began in 2005 (three years later than was originally scheduled) and are scheduled to be complete in July 2007. Deliveries of the troop carrier variant (152 vehicles) were completed on 7 June 2006. Deliveries of the command variant are expected to be completed by mid-2006 followed by the delivery of the other variants.Units to operate the Bushmaster
The majority of the Bushmasters are to be allocated to the Army, though a small number will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force's Airfield Defence Guards.
The Bushmaster will be operated by the following Army units:
- B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (support elements only)
- 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (support elements only)
- 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
- 25th/49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment
- 7th Combat Service Support Battalion
- 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers
The Bushmaster will also be operated by the following RAAF Airfield Defence units (each squadron will receive 6 Bushmasters in early 2006):
The Motorised Combat Wing of the Army's Combat Arms Training Centre will provide initial training to Army and Air Force Bushmaster drivers.Operational record
To date, the Bushmaster has been deployed on three operations:
- Two prototypes were deployed to East Timor in 1999 for trials and VIP protection.
- Ten Bushmasters have been operated by the Australian Al Muthanna Task Group in Iraq since May 2005.
- A small number of Bushmasters have been attached to the Australian Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan since its re-deployment in September 2005.
Exports
ADI is currently aggressively marketing the Bushmaster for export. The Bushmaster has been trialed by the United Arab Emirates and exhibited in a number of trade exhibitions. The Bushmaster may also be offered to the United States and Iraq. To date, however, no export orders have been placed and the Bushmaster faces considerable competition from similar vehicles.References
- ADI Limited [Bushmaster]
- Australian Defence Magazine [Bushranger stands to deliver]
- Australian National Audit Office [Defence's Project Bushranger: Acquisition of Infantry Mobility Vehicles]
- 4WD Online [Project Bushranger]
- [Bushmaster] on Army Guide
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