The Desert Iris is a 4x4 versatile and durable strategic auxiliary vehicle. It was developed by the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (now Jordan Design and Development Bureau)[1] and SHP Motorsports to meet an operational requirement identified by the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) for a cost-effective, light-weight, rapid deployment vehicle which would be used to secure its territorial borders.[2] The Desert Iris can mount a range of weaponry on its multi-purpose weapons tray. This unit can be fitted and removed easily and rapidly, enabling the Desert Iris to be re-configured as required by ground forces.
| Desert Iris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Auxiliary Vehicle |
| Place of origin | Jordan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005-Present |
| Used by | Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Libya, United Nations |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1999-2001 |
| Manufacturer | King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1650kg |
| Length | 4250mm |
| Width | 1900mm |
| Height | 1750mm |
| Crew | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
Operational range | 600km |
Variants
edit- Desert Iris TOW : The Iris is configured with a mounted anti-tank TOW along the back side of the vehicle.
- Desert Iris MRLS: Enables most handheld rocket launcher systems to be mounted to the back side of the vehicle.
- Desert Iris 12.7 mm: A 12.7 mm machine gun is fitted to weapons tray the back side of the vehicle.
- Desert Iris UAV: The weapons tray comes with a UAV launcher platform mounted to the back side of the vehicle.[2]
Armament
editThe vehicle includes a weapon frame and ring mount directly behind the driver/commander seats that permits the vehicle to carry a variety of weapons based on the mission profile. Some include a basic 12.7 mm machine gun up to and including a TOW launcher.[1]
Propulsion
editThe Desert Iris was built around Toyota automotive components and a 2.8 liter four-cylinder Toyota engine. It is able to be utilized as a fast attack platform due to its capable operational range of 600 km on paved surfaces and 400 km off-road. The engine develops 100 Bhp/ 75 KW at 4200 rpm. The independent double wishbone with coil-over-shock suspension in the front and independent training arms in the rear give the Desert Iris tremendous stability and off-road mobility.[3] The vehicle is able to maneuver over slopes of 60% incline vertical, as well as 40% horizontal.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "KADDB | Home Page". www.kaddb.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ^ a b "Jordan Eyes Expansion of Domestic Defense Industry". www.nationaldefensemagazine.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ^ "Jordan eyes expansion of domestic defense industry. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ^ "Desert Iris". www.deagel.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.