Piranha Family of Vehicles

The Piranha III 6x6 was as a modernized version, designed to address the needs for enhanced mobility, firepower, and modularity in a rapidly changing combat environment.

The 6x6 configuration is less common compared to the more popular 8x8 models but remains valuable for forces requiring a balance of mobility and protection without the full weight and complexity of larger configurations.

The 6x6 Piranha I, developed in 1972, was integrated into the Swiss Army and licensed for production in Chile and Canada. The Canadian model, known as the AVGP or LAV I, shares this platform. Some Chilean Piranhas were equipped with the IMI HVMS 60mm high-velocity gun, acquired in 1980, while Swiss units used a turret for TOW missiles, called the NM142.

The Piranha I had a distinctive hull with a bow-like front, trim vane, and water propellers, making it capable of amphibious river crossings. The driver's seat was positioned on the left, with the engine compartment to the right. The commander sat directly behind the driver, equipped with his own viewing periscopes and hatch. In APC configuration, a one-man turret was placed behind the commander, and the rear troop area included seating for soldiers who entered through twin rear doors. The design used steel armor to protect against machine-gun fire, and troop benches were set back-to-back, unlike most other APCs.

Status uncertain. Believed to be retired.

Initial operational capability (IOC) was reached in 1976. A total of 3,989 Piranha III 6 x 6 vehicles were reportedly completed.

General Dynamics European Land Systems (MOWAG), Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

Cardoen, Chile (under license)

Formerly operated by:

 Chile        
 Denmark              
 Ghana                    
 Nigeria                 
 Switzerland             

 CREW
   Total                   driver plus 13 troops

 WEIGHTS
   Combat                  23,150 lb (10,500 kg)
   Unloaded                17,640 lb (8,000 kg)

 DIMENSION
   Length
      hull                 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m)
   Width                    8 ft 2 in (2.50 m)
   Height                   6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
   Distance between axles
      1st to 2nd            6 ft 8 in (2.04 m)
      2nd to 3rd            3 ft 5 in (1.04 m)
   Ground clearance         1 ft 8 in (500 mm)

 PROPULSION
   Engine                  1 x Detroit 6V-53T 318-cu in (5.22 L)
                              liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, V6 turbocharged diesel
   Power                   300 hp at 2,800 rpm
   Power-to-weight ratio   28.60 hp/metric ton
   Suspension              6 x 6 (6-wheel drive, 2-wheel steering) coil
                              spring on front axle and torsion bars on 2
                              rear axles, hydraulic shock absorbers at all
                              wheel stations (12.5 in/0.32 m travel)

 PERFORMANCE
   Speed
      road                 60 mph (100 km/h)
      water                 7 mph ( 11 km/h)
   Range                   370 mi (  600 km)
   Obstacle
      vertical             1 ft 8 in (0.50 m)
   Fording                 amphibious
   Gradient                70 percent

 ARMAMENT
                           various armament options available including:
                           12.7-mm machine gun turret;
                           Oerlikon 20-mm GAD-AOA turret;
                           25-mm and 30-mm cannon turrets;
                           2-person turret armed with 90-mm Cockerill
                              or Mecar, Thune-Eureka turret w/2
                              BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile launchers;
                          81-mm mortar

 PROTECTION
   NBC                     yes

Ambulance

This was an unarmed variant with roof-mounted air conditioning.

Radar carrier

Variant was fitted with RASIT battlefield surveillance radar. Radar could be lowered under armor for protection.

Armored Recovery Vehicle

This was an unarmed variant with light boom, winch and recovery tools.

Grizzly family

These were Canadian versions of the Piranha 6 × 6 fitted with a different turret and equipment. This included the Husky maintenance and recovery vehicle and the Cougar fire support vehicle. Grizzlies had been upgraded to the 8 × 8 standard.

Cardoen/MOWAG 6 x 6

This was a license-built version of the Piranha 6 × 6 built by Cardoen in Chile. The Chilean model was virtually identical to the Piranha, except for a greater fuel capacity (400 liters versus 250 liters), which gave it a greater range of 746 mi (1,200 km). These vehicles had been fitted with a wide variety of weapons including 120‑mm mortars, 90‑mm cannons, 20‑mm cannons, radios, aerial surveillance radars, and anti‑tank missiles. Only mortar, cannon, command, and APC variants had been produced; the rest were prototypes.

Panzerjager 90

This variant was a Piranha 6 × 6 fitted with the Norwegian Thune‑Eureka turret with two launchers for Hughes TOW 2 anti‑tank missiles. The first vehicle was delivered to the Swiss Army in May 1989. There were 310 Panzerjager 90s in service by 1992 in 31 anti‑tank companies.

The following engine and transmission options were available for the Piranha family of APCs, including German MTU 6V183TE22 (400 hp at 2300 rpm) and ZF Ecomat 6 hp 600 automatic transmission. Also:

Swedish Scania DSJ9-48A (400 hp at 2,300 rpm) and ZF Ecomat 6 hp 600 automatic transmission.

U.S. Caterpillar 3126 (350 hp at 2500 rpm) and Allison MD 3066P automatic transmission.

British Cummins 6CTAA8.3-T350 (350 hp at 2,200 rpm) and Allison MD 3066P automatic transmission.

U.S. Detroit Diesel 6V53TA (350 hp at 2,800 rpm) and Allison MD 3560P automatic transmission.