Combat vehicles / Logistics vehicles / Kynos Aljaba
Kynos Aljaba
General Facts
- TYPE
Heavy equipment transporter - ORIGIN
Spain - NICKNAMES
Cavallo (South African designation) - DESIGNED
Early 1980's - DESIGNER
Kynos - PRODUCTION
1987 - present? - PRODUCERS Spain - Grupo SPA
Spain - Kynos - QUANTITY
At least 131 military models - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Very good mobility
Secondary recovery role
Large and bulky vehicle
Has difficulty with steep angles
Introduction
The Aljaba is a heavy equipment transporter of Spanish origin. The Aljaba was developed as a private venture by Kynos in the early 1980's and was first ordered for military use in 1985. Although of Spanish origin the Aljaba is better known for its South African service, where several specialist versions have been developed.
Layout
The Aljaba uses a long 8x8 chassis that is fitted with very wide tires for use in desert and bush-like environments. The forward mounted cab is positioned rather low since the engine is mounted between the front wheels. Although it was mainly developed as a 5th wheel tractor for use with a 4 wheel 60 t semi-trailer, the Aljaba is also useful as a recovery vehicle since two heavy winches are fitted behind the cab. The semi-trailer may carry a single heavy vehicle or two medium weight vehicles. The Aljaba and its derivatives are unarmed vehicles and do not feature a weapon mount.
Protection
The Spanish models are not armored in any way. The South African versions feature a mine resistant cab, but are not protected from projectiles or shell splinters. No smoke grenade launcher, fire extinguishing systems or NBC system is installed.
Mobility
The Aljaba has a good performance both on roads and off road. The 8x8 chassis has large tires that perform well in sand and bush-like environments.
Users
The 8x8 models are in use with Spain and South Africa, which also employs a variety of specialist versions. The 6x6 model is only used by Spain.
Aljaba
The Aljaba is an 8x8 vehicle that serves as both a 5th wheel tractor and a heavy recovery system, since between the 5th wheel and the cab a large winch is installed. The South African version is called Cavallo and was produced in much larger quantities. The South African model differs from the original Spanish model in having a mine protected cab and additional winching gear. In South African service the Cavallo is primarily used as recovery vehicle although a 60 t semi-trailer allows it to transport vehicles as well.
- Specifications:
- Aljaba
| Type | Heavy equipment transporter |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 + 4 (driver, 4 passengers) |
| Length | 9.88 m, 22.27 m with trailer |
| Width | 3.3 m |
| Height | 3.63 m |
| Ground clearance | 0.37 m |
| Weight | 22.1 t empty, 46.1 t max chassis load |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 8x8, 1.52 + 3.48 + 1.52 m wheelbase, 2.6 m track, 24.00 R20.5 tires |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | Deutz BF12 L513 V12 turbo diesel, 525 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 23.8 hp/t (empty), 11.4 hp/t (max load) |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual, 16 forward, 2 reverse |
| Speed | 80 km/h |
| Fuel | 1.000 L |
| Range | 1.000 km on road, 700 km off road |
| Wall | 0.5 m |
| Trench | 2.1 m |
| Gradient | 31% gradient fully laden, 25% slope |
| Fording | 0.8 m |
| Armor | No |
| NBC equipment | No |
| Night vision | No |
|---|---|
| Smoke | No |
| Remarks | 2x 25 t winch, 5th wheel for trailers |
| Armament | - |
| Weapon1 | - |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
K15-100
The K15-100 is a later and smaller development of the original Kynos Aljaba. The K15-100 is much smaller than the Aljaba and has a 6x6 wheelbase. The K15-100 is primarly used as a 5th wheel tractor for a 60 t semi-trailer. Since two winches are intalled behind the cab it may also serve as a recovery vehicle.
- Specifications:
- K15-100
| Type | Heavy equipment transporter |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 + 5 (driver, 5 passengers) |
| Length | 6.26 m |
| Width | ? |
| Height | 3.06 m (cab roof) |
| Ground clearance | ? |
| Weight | 14.2 t empty, 16.0 t with winches |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 6x6, 2.97 + 1.14 m wheelbase, 1.83 m track |
| Turn radius | 9.64 m |
| Engine | Deutz V8 diesel, 540 hp at 2.100 rpm |
| Power ratio | 38.0 hp/t (empty) |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual, 16 forward, 2 reverse |
| Speed | 90 km/h |
| Fuel | 800 L |
| Range | ? |
| Wall | ? |
| Trench | ? |
| Gradient | 24% gradient fully laden |
| Fording | ? |
| Armor | No |
| NBC equipment | No |
| Night vision | No |
|---|---|
| Smoke | No |
| Remarks | 2x 25 t winch, 5th wheel for trailers |
| Armament | - |
| Weapon1 | - |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
Skimmel
The Skimmel is a recovery vehicle based on the Cavallo chassis. Unlike the Cavallo it is not fitted with a fifth wheel and additional recovery equipment is fitted. The Skimmel has a 12 t tow arm, 20 t winch, 7.6 t crane with a 4 m reach and various other equipment. The Zebra is a maintainance and repair vehicle based on the Cavallo chassis. The Zebra carries various tools and parts in the two containers and a small crane is fitted at the rear of the vehicle.
- Specifications:
- Skimmel
| Type | Recovery vehicle |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 + 4 (driver, 4 passengers) |
| Length | 10.14 m |
| Width | 3.3 m |
| Height | 3.58 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.36 m |
| Weight | ? |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 8x8, 1.52 + 3.48 + 1.52 m wheelbase, 2.6 m track, 24.00 R20.5 tires |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | Deutz BF12 L513 V12 turbo diesel, 525 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | ? |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual, 16 forward, 2 reverse |
| Speed | 80 km/h |
| Fuel | 1.000 L |
| Range | 1.000 km on road, 700 km off road |
| Wall | 0.5 m |
| Trench | 2.1 m |
| Gradient | ? |
| Fording | 0.8 m |
| Armor | Mine resistant cab |
| NBC equipment | No |
| Night vision | No |
|---|---|
| Smoke | No |
| Remarks | 20 t winch, 7.6 t crane, 12 t lift arm, 48 t towed load |
| Armament | - |
| Weapon1 | - |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
Kameelperd
The Kameelperd is a battery command post vehicle that is used in conjunction with South Africa's air defense systems. Besides the command post cabin it carries a radar system with a 60 km surveillance range. The radar is mounted on a 13 meter tall arm and carried under cover when lowered. When the radar is in use two large jacks provide stabilization.
Bridgelayer
The Cavallo chassis has also been used as the bases for a bridgelayer vehicle, which is yet to be named by the South African military. At least a single functioning prototype exists and additional units might be in production. The bridgelayer uses a modified Cavallo chassis with the cab mounted lower since the bridge extends over the cab. A large bridge launching arm is intalled at the rear of the chassis. The LEGUAN 42 meter MLC 70 two part bridge is carried. When launching the bridge the two parts are moved horizontally into position. Then the launch arm extends towards the rear and two jacks are lowered. Finally the bridge is placed over the span that is to be crossed.
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