Where have all the beast go?

Hari-Digma

Prototype design made by SteelCraft Industries, once competed on AFP’s search for a new wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC), thou it lost to Simba APC. They no longer manufacture the said model, it is officially defunct, but the design is used for later creation of MX-1 Kalakian.

MX-1 Kalakian
Specifications
Type: AFV/FSV
Crew: ? (could be comparable to Simba AFV)

Engine: Cummins 6 cylinder 250 HP In-Line engine
Fuel Capacity: 300 liters diesel fuel
Suspension: Allison 4x 4 transmission
Speed: 100 km/h

Armour: 12mm thick armor plating, comparable to Simba AFV
Weapon System: Three Weapon Turret System
Armaments:
- 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL)
- 50 cal MG
- 7.62mm MG (one on the turret and one on the rear)

The prototypes mounted with a one man - three weapon turret system equipped with a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL), a .50 caliber MG and a 7.62mm Machine gun. It has another 7.62mm LMG at the rear.

For better protection and target acquisition of the gunner, the AGL was house inside the turret; and to suit the tactical needs of our troops for faster mounting and dismounting, a variation was made from the usual two-door configuration of our present armored vehicles. The prototype has two (2) side doors and one (1) rear door. It can accommodate up to twelve (12) combat equipped dismounts that could be inserted in an engagement area.

MX-7
Specifications
Type: Scout/Escort Vehicle
Crew: 2 (commander, driver)
Armament: 7.62 mm MG

Modification made :
- Engine is replaced by Diesel Engine
- Modified drive train with 5-speed pre-selected transmission
- Upgraded windshields (probably bullet proof).



MX-8

On 2005 another prototype from SteelCraft debut, the brainchild of then PA-Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, in response to army’s need to replace their vehicle used in escort security missions which is usually done by their armored fighting vehicles.

In terms of mobility, the MX-8 is almost equivalent to humvee only with shorter turning radius, with 4X4 capabilities for off-road use. In maintenance, parts are commercially available, and most of all, they are low cost, totally depend from foreign parts since it is available locally, except for it’s engine Mitsubishi FUSO 130BHP Diesel which came from Japan, Tune-up & oil change, is very cheap it could only cost in estimated Php 2.5k, cheap huh?, expected over-all cost is as the same as a delivery truck.

Cost of operation?, estimated at around P6 million, approximately 80% less than the price of a Simba APC, it is primarily used as escort security vehicle, but it can also be used as Armored troop support even in harsh terrain, which is common here in the Philippines.

It has a top speed of 100-120 km/h, it withstand a fire from 7.62 mm (M60, M14, AK-47), and it can also withstand fire from a .50 caliber depending on the angle of impact.

It can accommodate a crew of 3 (Commander, Driver, Gunner), the power to weight ration is 30:1 minimum (with full combat weight), with the estimated gross weight of 4,000–5,000 kg if fully loaded, the weight is similar to the humvee but it is lighter than a LAV-150 Commando.

MX-8 is armed with one (1) 7.62 mm belgian-type machine gun (possibly M240/FN MAG)

The army are considering some future version; like water resistant, Twin .50 cal MG, armored troop carrier and TOW version.

Disclaimer:
This post will be continually update by the author without prior notice.