Supacat Jackal MWMIK Light Patrol Vehicle (United Kingdom)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 19/01/2023

The Supacat Jackal (also "MWMIK", otherwise nicknamed "EmWimmick" though an acronym for "Mobility Weapon-Mounted Installation Kit") currently serves the British Army as a multi-purpose, wheeled, all-terrain mobile weapons platform and reconnaissance car. The vehicle heads a line of military-minded systems provided by the Supacat concern. The base car was developed specifically for British Army service for use in Afghanistan where crews were repeatedly subject to ambush and IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks from rebel forces. As such, the Jackal is designed for maximum crew survivability while attempting to keep the vehicle as mobile as possible. Supacat designates the Jackal product under its "HMT" class as the "HMT 400" and includes a 6x6 version as the "HMT 600" and a special forces-minded variant as the "HMT Extenda". The vehicle is manufactured (under license) by the American concern of Lockheed Martin.

The Jackal features a length of 90 feet, a width of 6.7 feet and height of 6.2 feet. Its wheelbase measures 9.8 feet with a ground clearance of up to 1.6 feet (0.60 feet minimum). Gross weight is reported at 16,755lbs while being able to carry a 4,630lbs mission payload. The design includes a thought given to clearances near the lower front and lower rear of the vehicle as well. The vehicle can traverse gradients of 60% and ford up to 3.3 feet of water. Due to the open-air nature of the crew area, roll-overs are protected by a fixed roll bar structure.

The Jackal features a three-layer protection scheme intended to improve survivability of its occupants. This includes mine-resistant seats and a mine-resistance floor. Ballistics/IED protection is then furthered by armored plates at the sides, front and rear of the vehicle. The open-air crew compartment minimizes weight and allows for unfettered access around the vehicle by the occupants engaging the enemy through onboard weaponry or personal arms. A composite armor kit is optional for added protection against armor-defeating projectiles. A typical crew complement is three with the driver seated at the front-right of the vehicle and a dedicated gunner at the center weapons ring. The compact dimensions and base weight of the Jackal allow it to air-transported within the hold of a British Army CH-47 Chinook tandem-rotor helicopter.

The chassis sits atop a four-wheeled arrangement, fully suspended by a sport-type independent double wishbone (air-adjustable ride height) system for good cross-country travel capabilities. The chassis is supplied by Universal Engineering Ltd. Power is served through a Cummins 6-cylinder diesel engine of 185 horsepower which promotes a top road speed of 80 miles per hour and operational range of nearly 500 miles. The engine is mated to a 5-speed Allison automatic transmission system tied to a 2-/4-wheel drive system while steering is power-assisted. Supacat offers "run flat" tires as optional and other "accessories" include a powered winch (for self-recovery), electrically-operated smoke grenade dischargers and support for a Remote Weapon Station (RWS).

As a weapons platform, the Jackal can be outfitted with several crew-served weapons in the form of 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns and 40mm automatic grenade launchers (these weapons consistent for a vehicle of this type). The primary weapons ring is found at the center of the vehicle with a commanding view of the situation around the entire car, offering a complete 360-degree engagement angle.

The Jackal vehicle has already seen practical combat service with the British commitment concerning Afghanistan. There have been mixed results in terms of crew survivability with enemy IEDs though the vehicle's inherent firepower capabilities and mobility have proven good qualities of the design allowing for a variety of mission types to be fulfilled including convoy and fire support. Some 500 total vehicles will eventually stock the British Army inventory heading into the near-future.

The base Jackal line has been evolved to include the "Jackal 2" offering based on the original Jackal vehicle. Combat service has dictated a reinforced understructure for improved mine resistance and a broadened weapons load out capability - incorporating a front and rear weapons position as well as room for additional crew. The Jackal also forms the basis for the "Coyote" line of 6x6 wheeled vehicles which are intended as multi-role "carriers" as opposed to direct-contact and assault platforms. The chassis has been extended to include a third axle though the vehicle retains the cross-country capabilities of the 4x4 version. The 6x6 design is designated by Supacat as the "HMT 600".