Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier (ATTC)
Bronco Mortar Tracked Carrier (MTC)
Warthog
The Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier (ATTC) was unveiled in 2000 by ST Kinetics (a subsidiary of ST Engineering) as Singapore's first all terrain, multi-purpose articulated tracked carrier that could augment the Army's mechanised force. The vehicle was product of close cooperation between ST Kinetics, the Singapore Armed Forces, and the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA). The vehicle was developed to supplement and potentially supplant the Bv-206 series vehicles already operated by the Singapore Army. Though similar in concept to the Swedish vehicle, the designs are distinct. The Bronco can be configured for a variety of missions, such as general troop carrier, ambulance, resupply, and field workshop.
With proven and battle-tested platform from over 50 years of deep engineering experience, the Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier is a fully amphibious all-terrain armoured vehicle with exceptional on and off-road mobility designed to conquer 82% of the world’s terrain in adverse environments. The Bronco has been in service since 2001. The Warthog, which was customised for the British Army, was deployed in Afghanistan for four years, clocking more than 300,000 miles, encountered 30 IED attacks with zero fatalities. With over 40 variants, the Bronco can be configured to support a wide variety of mission sets for modern armed forces, from combat support to combat service support missions.
Optimal for a range of missions and demonstrated outstanding armoured protection and manoeuvrability with an unsurpassed payload of 13,227 pounds. Featuring a completely re-engineered chassis incorporated with a V-shaped hull, it holds the largest capacity in the Bronco family; providing superior MMI armoured protection, maximise crew’s operating space and effectively deflects underbelly detonations. With a capacity of 388 cubic feet, Bronco can easily accommodate a required payload of soldiers, equipment and cargo to provide total support for mission conditions.
At 16.4 tonnes, Bronco is highly manoeuvrable and amphibious - the ability to traverse across difficult terrain effortlessly at a top speed of 65 km/h at higher STANAG level protection, be it swamps, desert, snow or water bodies to satisfy the most demanding mobility requirements of expeditionary forces. Having completed winter and summer trials in the Arctic Circle and United Arab Emirates respectively, Bronco performs well under extreme temperatures ranging from -45°c to 49°C.
Incorporated with digital vehicle architecture – CANBUS and modern ergonomic interiors, Bronco’s modular design is engineered for the modern armed forces with low cost of ownership. Customisation of variants can be crafted to meet the strict requirements of our customers with the easy reconfiguration of Bronco. Suited for rapid deployment by air, land or sea freight, Bronco’s compact space envelope is compatible with most military transport aircraft such as C-130 or C-17 or a 40 foot ISO container via commercial transport.
With a lower curb weight than the Warthog, the latest generation of Bronco can take on higher add-on protection and payloads. With a completely re-engineered chassis to maximise the crew’s operating space, it has the largest capacity in the Bronco family, accommodating crew and passengers of different body sizes comfortably, giving superior man-machine interface and protection.
The V-shaped hull effectively deflects underbelly blasts while contributing to a stiffer chassis for better all-round protection. Meanwhile its revolutionary camera system allows manipulation of the virtual viewpoint seen by the crew so that they possess clear perception of the situation at any angle around the vehicle, while driving close-hatched, at night or even when the view through the windscreens is obscured. Being lighter, the latest generation of Bronco is capable of swimming and traversing water obstacles effortlessly at higher STANAG level protection.
In 2007-08 Thailand became the first export customer for the Bronco Singaporean vehicle, its Broncos being mostly used by engineers. Heavily involved in Afghanistan, in 2008 the British Army acquired over 100 Warthogs, a derivative of the Bronco also dubbed Bronco 2, the first vehicle entering service in late 2009. The Warthogs featured increased protection and a Platt protected machine gun post on top of the forward module. Increase in protection came at a cost for payload: kerb weight went up to 14.5 tonnes, troops in Afghanistan using the vehicle well above the nominal GVW, reaching up to 21 tonnes. That said, combat the vehicle allowed saving lives in the Helmand Valley, no fatalities having occurred on Warthogs hit by IEDs. Overall more than 1,200 vehicles have been delivered in at least 20 different versions, many more having been developed by what is now ST Engineering Land Systems.
The Bronco also served as the basis for a mortar carrier vehicle, the Bronco Mortar Tracked Carrier (MTC). Unveiled in 2007, the MTC was also jointly developed by the SAF, DSTA and ST Kinetics. Its primary weapon is ST Kinetics 120mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS), a recoiled mortar system, which is capable of engaging targets quickly and accurately at a high rate of firing. The built-in Automatic Fire Control System (AFCS) comprises a Fire Control Unit and an Inertia Navigation System, allowing it to conduct immediate deployment without conventional surveying methods. This enhances survivability during deployment. A Hydro-pneumatic Recoil System reduces the overall recoil force, thus allowing minimal reinforcement of the original hull structure, and post-firing stabilising time. This increases the rate of firing with improved accuracy. The Blast Diffuser reduces the impact of shockwaves generated from the blasts, further enhancing the safety of its crew. The AFCS is also equipped with a Mortar Platoon Management System (MPMS) which enables it to be networked to the 3rd Generation Armoured Battle Group via the Battlefield Management System (BMS).
In 2010, the United Kingdom purchased 115 Bronco ATTCs in 4 configurations (troop carrier, command post, repair and recovery, and ambulance), specifically configured for use as a protected patrol vehicle by UK forces in Afghanistan. The vehicle, dubbed the Warthog, was intended to replace a variant of the BAE Systems Hagglunds BVS10, called the Viking. The Warthog was equipped with an upgraded cooling and filtration system, Bowman BCIP 5 communications, mine blast protection and slat armor, and electronic counter measures. The Warthog provided protected mobility for infantry troops and was also used in a mounted close combat role and in support for dismounted close combat scenarios. All Warthogs were equipped with a crew served weapons system. This provided them with a protected weapon station from which the commander would be able to quickly deliver fire on either the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun or a .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun. The mount allowed accurate, suppressive fire out to 1000 meters allowing for effective self defence or the provision of fire support when required.
By 2013, ST Kinetics was also offering a New-Gen Bronco ATTC, which featured a lower curb weight than either the Bronco ATTC or the Warthog variant. The vehicle featured a complete re-engineered chassis incorporating a v-shaped hull to maximise the crew's operating space and protect against underbody detonations.
Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carriers innovatively combine outstanding mobility with proven high survivability (as demonstrated by the Warthog variant) for tactical manoeuvrability and superior protection in the field. Its smart design is modular to allow quick changing of rear mission modules; as well as network-centric to enable future technology insertions.
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