RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The tender for the modernization of the 6×6 Cascavel wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicle, opened by the Brazilian Army Command, already has a winner: the Consórcio Força Terrestre, consisting of the companies Akaer, Universal Engenharia, and Opto Space and Defence.
The selected companies offered a budget of R$74.6 million (US$14.5 million) for a minimum of 98 and a maximum of 201 units to be modernized.
The Cascavel modernization program will be carried out in several stages, first with the presentation of two prototypes and then the production and delivery of a pre-series of seven armored vehicles.
Within the consortium, Akaer will be the prime contractor for vehicle integration, Universal will be the systems integrator for manufacturing, and Opto will be responsible for sensors and electronics.
MODERNIZATION
The scope of the upgrade includes replacing the analog firing system with a more modern system with improved optronics, command and control (C2) systems, and dedicated computers.
The turret of these armored vehicles will be retrofitted with a new electric rotation system, and the propulsion unit (engine + transmission) and 90-mm gun and suspension system will be replaced.
A highlight of the package, which is a first for the Brazilian Army, is the installation of an anti-tank guided missile launcher (ATGM), which is contractually foreseen for about 30% of the fleet to be modernized.
This launcher must be developed in Brazil, considering the missiles already existing or in preparation, such as the Israeli Spike developed by Rafael.