The Golan Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Hebrew: גולן) is a prototype Israeli MRAP infantry mobility vehicle made by the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems jointly with Protected Vehicles Incorporated.

Golan
TypeInfantry Mobility Vehicle, MRAP
Place of originIsrael
Production history
ManufacturerRafael Advanced Defense Systems / Protected Vehicles Incorporated
No. built64
Specifications
Mass15 tons[1]
Length5.9 m
Width2.55 m
Height2.35 m
Crew1+10

Main
armament
Remote weapon system
EngineCummins Diesel
315 HP
TransmissionAllison
Suspension4x4 wheeled
Operational
range
600 km

The mission of the Golan is to provide maximum protection to its passengers and crew. The Golan platform may be adapted to serve as an armored personnel carrier, command vehicle, ambulance or intelligence collection vehicle. In the personnel carrier role, it has capacity of up to 10 soldiers.

The V shaped hull and vehicle body has been specifically designed to withstand mines and IED blasts. It is configurable to carry different levels of armor, from light passive armor to heavy reactive armor that can deflect RPGs. When equipped with reactive armor, the vehicle is the only MRAP vehicle able to defeat Explosively Formed Penetrators, the deadliest type of IED.

The US Marine Corps has placed an order for 60 vehicles to be fielded in Iraq as Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Category 2 vehicles.[2] It was being considered for large purchases both in the American and Israeli armed forces. The Golan was eliminated from the Marine Corps competition, and most of the vehicles will leave Marine service.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-07-07. Retrieved 2007-05-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Golan Wheeled Armored Vehicle". Archived from the original on 2017-05-04. Retrieved 2007-03-08.
  3. ^ Connors, Shaun. "MRAPs on the march". Jane's Information Group.