Combat vehicles / Reconnaissance / Cobra
Cobra
General Facts
- TYPE
Reconnaissance vehicle - ORIGIN
Turkey - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1990's - DESIGNER
Otokar - PRODUCTION
1997 - present - PRODUCERS
Turkey - Otokar - QUANTITY
Over 2.300 produced - UNIT COST
Unknown, but costs differ significantly given armament and equipment options - CHARACTERISTICS
Good mobility
Limited costs
Various weapon options
Introduction
The Cobra is a reconnaissance vehicle of Turkish origin. It was designed to fill a need with Turkish forces for a small and mobile vehicle with adequate protection level for patrol and reconnaissance duties. It is based on the chassis of the HMMWV, but bears a much greater resemblance to the French VBL.
Layout
The chassis of the Cobra is derived from the proven HMMWV. The superstructure is very different with its V-shaped hull and monocoque steel armor. The Cobra can be configured during production for a variety of roles. Mission specific equipment includes observation and communication systems, amphibious capability kit and NBC equipment.
Firepower
The Cobra can be fitted with a variety of armament. The most common setup is a one man turret with 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Additionally and overhead weapon system, an autocannon or a variety of anti-tank missile launchers can be fitted.
Protection
The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. A gun shield and open roof one man turret are common. Spall liners are optional. The V-shaped hull provides resistance to mines and IED's although not a the same level as many heavier vehicles dedicated to that role.
Mobility
The HMMWV 4x4 chassis provides good mobility on roads and in the field. A 190 hp turbo diesel engine provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 115 km/h on roads. Optional propellers allow the Cobra to be amphibious.
Users
The first user was the Turkish military. The Cobra has been exported in large quantities to various nations around the world.
Cobra
The Cobra is a light armored reconnaissance vehicle based on the HMMWV chassis. It is produced in one version with many options available. The Cobra can be configured with various weapon systems, armor packages,
- Specifications:
- Cobra
Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
---|---|
Crew | 2 + 11 (driver, gunner, 11 troops) |
Length | 5.23 m |
Width | 2.22 m |
Height | 2.1 m (roofline) |
Ground clearance | 0.35 m |
Weight | 4.8 t empty, 6.3 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 4x4, 3.30 m wheelbase, 1.82 m track, run flat tires |
Turn radius | 7.7 m |
Engine | General Motors V8 turbo diesel, 190 hp at 3.400 rpm |
Power ratio | 30.2 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Automatic, 4-speed |
Speed | 115 km/h on road, 8 km/h in water |
Fuel | 120 L |
Range | 500 km |
Wall | 0.3 m |
Trench | ? |
Gradient | 70% gradient, 40% slope |
Fording | 1 m for non-amphibious models |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | Optional |
Night vision | Optional |
---|---|
Smoke | Optional |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun |
Weapon1 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun in one man turret 1.000 rounds, 100 ready to fire manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | - |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |