AIL Storm
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| Storm MultiMission Vehicle | |
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| Manufacturer | Automotive Industries Ltd. |
| Parent company | Automotive Equipment Group |
| Also called | Sufa |
| Production | 1990–present |
| Assembly | Upper Nazareth, Israel |
| Class | Mini SUV |
| Layout | F4 |
| Related | Jeep Wrangler |
The AIL Storm (Hebrew: סופה, Sufa) is an Israeli manufactured mini SUV and the workhorse of the Israeli Security Forces. The series of Jeep Wrangler based vehicles have been produced by Automotive Industries Ltd. in Upper Nazareth under licence from Chrysler since 1990. The vehicles fill a number of military roles, including that of armoured Infantry Mobility Vehicle, and certain models are available for export as well as for the civilian market.
Production of an updated four-door second generation model commenced in 2006 despite some mixed messages from the Storm's primary customer, the Israel Defence Forces. Development of a third generation vehicle based on the new Jeep Wrangler JK is in advanced stages, and significant production for both Israeli and foreign customers is planned.
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[edit] Storm I
| M-240 Storm Mark I | |
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| Body style(s) | 2-door convertible, 3-door truck |
| Platform | YJ, CJ-6 |
| Engine(s) | 3.983 L AMC petrol I6 2.5 L Volkswagen turbodiesel I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed Aisin AX15 manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2630 mm (103.5433 in) |
| Length | 4492 mm (176.8504 in), 4150 mm (163.3858 in) |
| Width | 1676 mm (65.9843 in) |
| Height | 2020 mm (79.5276 in) (overall) |
| Curb weight | 1,760 kg (3,880 lb) (petrol), 1,780 kg (3,924 lb) (diesel) |
The M-240 Storm MultiMission Vehicle is the first of three Storm generations. A variant of the 1991 Jeep Wrangler YJ and the older CJ-6/CJ-8 wheelbase, it is entirely produced in Israel by Automotive Industries Ltd. with the exception of the engines, as their manufacture is not economically viable on the Storm's market scale.[1]
The Storm was primarily meant to satisfy Israeli military needs, but capable long and short versions are produced for the local civilian market. Like the Jeep, it has a conventional front-engine design with a driver and passenger seated behind the engine, and room for cargo or passengers behind them. It is powered by a Chrysler 3.983 litre 6-cylinder in-line petrol with fuel injection developing 180 hp (130 kW) at 4,700 rpm, fitted with Vortox 2-stage air cleaner or a VW 2.5 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel developing 88 kilowatts (118 hp) at 4,200 rpm. The front axle is fully floating and the rear axle is semi-floating, while a reinforced frame and body as well as good angles of approach and departure (40° and 37° for short frame, 40° and 26.5° for long frame) add to the Storm's off-roading capability.[2]
The two production frame lengths, 4.15 (13.6) and 4.5 metres (14.8 ft), the latter of which was among the few such Jeep-derivatives in production in recent years, were both available in civilian and military models. Aside from the Israeli market, Storms have long been exported to countries in South America, Asia, and Africa.[3] A Jeep-managed production line in Egypt, whose vehicles are used by the Egyptian armed forces, was absorbed into the AIL Storm production after it closed in 1995.[4]
[edit] Security versions
Like its parent Jeep Wrangler, the Storm is first and foremost an airmobile, capable offroad and utility vehicle meant to tackle extreme terrain in a general reconnaissance role, and can be outfitted with a machine gun or other weapons systems. When armed with a 105 mm (4.1 in) M40 recoilless rifle, the vehicle is uniquely capable of firing directly over its blast guard equipped hood rather than in the perpendicular position required by most other vehicles.[5]
A variant of the extended version used in desert border patrol makes use of a high-ceilinged canopy to allow a swivelling rear facing heavy machine-gun mount, while the canopy can be extended to provide a mobile command post. An air conditioned hardtop version of the extended model is often used by officers, and a version developed for riot control has clear polycarbonate shielding along the rear sides and roof, as well gunports for less-lethal weapons. The shielding allows for a wide field of view while at the same time protecting against firebombs and rock-throwing.[5]
[edit] Armoured version
As with several analogous light military vehicles, despite being originally designed to fill a light reconnaissance role, the advent of urban warfare and close quarters combat meant that the Israel Defense Forces had to recast the Storm in new roles.
When the need for a light armoured vehicle became apparent to the Israeli security forces, AIL's engineering department designed a vehicle protection system from the bottom up, integrating it into the existing vehicle in a manner that did not compromise its off-road and other capabilities, and that did not create the mechanical strain and increase in maintenance often associated with up-armouring, in part due to its computerized 180 horsepower (130 kW) injected engine.[5]
The armour protects against 7.62 millimetre (0.3 in) armour-piercing ammunition, and maintains a high protection-to-weight and cost ratio by employing IDF approved advanced materials. The protected Israeli configuration's gross vehicle weight is 3,000 kilograms (6,614 lb),[6] though several varying protection levels are in use with individual units.[5]
Another important asset are the Storm's narrow dimensions, which allow it to traverse the narrow alleyways common to the casbahs of many Middle Eastern cities, places that armoured Humvees can only enter with great difficulty and minimal manoeuvrability, if at all. Full-height rear doors which allow for the quick deployment of fully equipped troops into combat are touted as another advantage over similar vehicles.[5]
[edit] Civilian use
First generation Storms were made available to the general public in Israel from 1992 to 2001. A small number were purchased directly by private consumers, while larger numbers were acquired second-hand from Israeli government-owned firms like the Israel Electric Company and Mekorot water company, as well as National Parks Authority and Israel Police. Modified Storms are popular with off-roading enthusiasts in Israel.[7]
[edit] Storm II
| M-242 Storm Mark II | |
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| Production | 2006–present |
| Body style(s) | 4-door convertible, 5-door truck |
| Platform | TJ |
| Engine(s) | 3.983 L AMC petrol I6 2.5 L Volkswagen turbodiesel I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2931 mm (115.3937 in) |
| Length | 4463 mm (175.7087 in) |
| Width | 1750 mm (68.8976 in) |
| Height | 1942 mm (76.4567 in) |
| Curb weight | 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) |
Beginning in 2006, AIL began delivery of an improved model to the IDF, the M-242 Storm Mark II, known in the field as the "Storm Commander". A number of significant changes have been incorporated into the new TJ-based Storms stemming from soldiers' feedback, updated operational requirements, and testing by GOC Army Headquarters and Logistics, Medical, and the Centers Directorate. Perhaps the most obvious change is the addition of dual passenger doors, making the Storm II the first five-door Jeep Wrangler derivative.[8][9][10]
Other improvements include the addition of gears to six over the previous four and increased stability resulting from wider axles than its predecessor. Leaf springs were replaced with modern suspension, and the Storm II features rear Dana 44 axles and front TJ Dana 30s, factory designed slip yoke eliminators, and the added safety of airbags. Soldiers' comfort was addressed as well with the addition of standard rear air conditioning as well as CD players.[9][10][1]
Storm II is also produced in an armoured version, and is offered with an optional 2.8 litre VM Motori turbodiesel, automatic transmission, right hand drive, and run-flat tyres. AIL is capable of completing ten vehicles daily. Due to recently passed tax laws, a civilian version is not yet available in the local market.[9][10][1]
[edit] MDT David controversy
Developed in the 2000s at an investment of US$2 million after IDF commitments for 1,200 units, some AIL jobs were believed to be in jeopardy following a mid-2005 announcement that the IDF would purchase 100 US sold Land Rover Defender-based MDT David. The announcement provoked threats of protests from AIL's management and labourers, who had recently faced the blow of local Humvee assembly ceasing due to budget considerations. The MDT David was chosen over the armoured version of the Storm because the heavy Storm was said to suffer from handling and reliability problems, safety hazards and limited mission operability. However the IDF said that the purchase of the David was to fill a temporary gap in production until the Storm II's testing was completed, and has since begun filling its commitment.[6][11]
[edit] Storm III
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This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle. |
A Storm Mark III is set to be produced for the Israeli Security forces starting in June 2008, and a prototype is already on the roads. Based on the new four-door Jeep Wrangler JK design, the Mark III is meant to address some of the shortfalls of the current Mark II. Whereas the previous vehicle was an update of the original Storm, the Storm III is designed from the outset for a five-door configuration. Unlike the JK, the new Storm will have a much higher maximum load in part due to heavier-duty shock absorbers, necessary for an armoured version. It will include as standard a 2.8 litre VM Motori turbodiesel and automatic transmission.[3]
Like the Storm II, the Mark III will initially only be available to the military, with versions set to be delivered to Israel Police in 2009. A civilian version will only be released if the local tax code is modified to allow it to compete with foreign imports of the same class, and AIL says that if that happens such a version could be offered with a petrol engine. Nevertheless, the factory says it plans to roll out 600 vehicle the first year for both local and foreign markets.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Ezra HaLevi. "Israeli Jeep Ties Past to Present and Future", Arutz Sheva, 2006-06-28. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ 4x4 סופה: מפרט טכני. Automotive Equipment & Vehicles. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ a b c בני ברק. "תעשיית רכב נצרת תציג בקרוב את הסופה-3", Ynet, 2007-05-29. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.(Hebrew)
- ^ Jeep Egypt. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
- ^ a b c d e Storm. Israeli-Weapons.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ a b MDT David. Defense-update.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ Asaf Katzir (October 2007). Storm M240 Mk2, Israel's Military Jeep - exclusive test drive. Jeepolog.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.(English) Note: Loose translation and summary of Hebrew Jeepolog.com reference
- ^ ה"סופה" החדשה מגיעה לצה"ל. IDF Spokesperson's Unit (2005-11-25). Retrieved on 2007-07-19.(Hebrew)
- ^ a b c אסף קציר (2006-01-15). סופה 2 במבחן שטח. Jeepolog.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.(Hebrew)
- ^ a b c מישל דור. "הג'יפ החדש של צה"ל: סופה 2", Ynet, 2006-06-27. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.(Hebrew)
- ^ David Regev. "Defense ministry opts for U.K. jeeps", Ynet, 2005-12-12. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
[edit] External links
- Extensive road test of M240 Storm Mk2, 2006, Jeepolog.com
- Automotive Industries Ltd. on Global Auto Index
- Civilian Storm on Automotive Equipment & Vehicles
- Storm on Automotive Industries Ltd.
- Storm on Israeli-Weapons.com
