The MDT David is an ultra light armored personnel carrier and light Armored Vehicle assembled by MDT Armor Corporation, an American subsidiary of Shladot LTD.[2] The vehicle is based on Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser platforms and replaces the AIL Storm.[3]
| MDT David | |
|---|---|
 A MDT David | |
| Type | Light Armored Vehicle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | MDT Armor Corporation, Shladot |
| Produced | 2006–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Land Rover Defender 110: 3,800 kg (8,378 lb), Toyota Land Cruiser LC79: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb) (Gross weight)[1] |
| Length | Land Rover Defender 110: 4,470 mm (15 ft), Toyota Land Cruiser LC79: 5,040 mm (17 ft)[1] |
| Width | Land Rover Defender 110: 1,790 mm (6 ft), Toyota Land Cruiser LC79: 1,972 mm (6 ft)[1] |
| Height | Land Rover Defender 110: 2,035 mm (7 ft), Toyota Land Cruiser LC79: 2,227 mm (7 ft)[1] |
| Crew | 4 – 6 |
| Engine | Turbocharged inter-cooled diesel engine Land Rover Defender 110: 122 bhp (91 kW) @ 3500 rpm, Toyota Land Cruiser LC79: 129 bhp (96 kW) @ 3,800rpm |
| Drive | Permanent 4 wheel drive, Part time 4X4 |
| Transmission | Manual, 5/6 forward |
| Suspension | Suspension can either be based on a Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser, or Land Rover Defender. |
History
editOn September 6, 2006, MDT Armor Corp was awarded a contract worth $10.1 million under a firm-fixed-price contract with an estimated completion date on July 30, 2007.[4] On October 7, 2009, Arotech and Israel Military Industries (IMI) representatives signed an agreement to jointly work together and market the David worldwide except for India, Israel and the US.[5]
On July 8, 2020, MDT Armor Corp was awarded a contract by US Army Contracting Command to purchase Davids under a $9,982,848 firm-fixed-price contract with an estimated completion date by October 31, 2022.[6]
On March 30, 2023, MDT Armor Corp was awarded a contract by US Army Contracting Command to purchase Davids under a $21,913,585 firm-fixed-price contract, which is expected to be concluded by September 30, 2025.[7] On October 19, 2023, the Israeli Ministry of Defense reported initial deliveries made from the US.[8]
Design
editIt is designed to provide protection in low intensity conflict. It is capable of resistance from assault rifle fire, blast from floor and roof, and limited protection against Improvised Explosive Devices.[3]
The David has a 4-cylinder, turbocharged inter-cooled diesel engine. It can accommodate 4–6 fully armed people with three doors, roof hatch and 4–6 windows.[9]
Users
edit
Chad: Provided 28 Davids in 2020 by Washington DC for Chadian troops under the Special Anti-Terrorism Group in the G5 Sahel.[10] 88 Davids provided to Chad in 2021.[2]
Ecuador: Acquired 45 out of 137 Davids with a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 chassis under a contract worth $67,284,313.[11] Outfitted with Browning M2A2 QCB COAX HMGs.[11]
Israel: Used in the IDF.[12] 370 Davids are in service and are expected to be retired from active service after 2027.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "MDT David brochure" (PDF). MDT Armor Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Israel's Shladot company to supply IDF with dozens of David light armored vehicles | Israel Defense".
- ^ a b "David – Light Armored Combat Vehicle". Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "$10.1M Order for MDT David Up-Armored Urban Vehicles - Defense Industry Daily". Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Arotech, IMI to Jointly Market David Vehicle". Defense aerospace. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "MDT Armor DAVID Urban LACV Contract Award". Joint Forces News. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "New MDT Armor DAVID Urban LACV FMS Contract". Joint Forces News. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "US delivers David light armored vehicles to Israel amid ongoing war | Defense News October 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "The David". MDT Armor Corporation. 7 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "US comes through for Chad with 28 David armored vehicles, 10 trucks, other equipment". Military Africa. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Ecuadorian Army Deploys "David" Vehicles in Anti-Terror Operations | Israel Defense". 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Shladot's David: IDF's Dominant Armored Vehicle". Haaretz. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Israel to receive more David vehicles | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
External links
edit
 | This article about a modern automobile produced after 1975 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |