General Dynamics has unveiled an enhanced version of its Pandur 6×6 combat vehicle, specifically designed for air defense operations. This updated model, known as the Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) variant, boasts advanced capabilities, including Moog’s unmanned Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret. This feature allows it to effectively neutralize both ground and aerial threats, showcasing its versatility in combat scenarios.
Further enhancing its operational efficacy, the Pandur M-SHORAD is equipped with a state-of-the-art software-defined cognitive Ku-band medium-range radar, which provides comprehensive airspace monitoring and target tracking. The vehicle’s armament includes a 30x113mm caliber XM914 cannon alongside eight Stinger anti-aircraft missile launchers. These upgraded features significantly increase its lethality and effectiveness against a wide range of threats.
General Dynamics emphasized the flexibility and modularity of the Pandur family of vehicles in a statement, highlighting that the integration of the RIwP turret underscores their commitment to advancing mobile force protection capabilities, particularly against both manned and unmanned aerial threats.
The new Pandur variant is set to make its debut at the 2025 AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, providing a platform for military and defense stakeholders to witness the latest advancements in air defense technology.
This development comes closely on the heels of the U.S. Army’s request for information regarding its M-SHORAD Increment 4 program initiated in May 2024. The program, which is being referred to as “Sergeant Stout,” aims to establish a more cost-effective and lightweight platform to succeed the existing Stryker-based M-SHORAD system. Notably, General Dynamics’ Pandur M-SHORAD is designed to effectively counter Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems, aligning with the U.S. Army’s evolving operational needs.
Ray Moldovan, the business development manager at General Dynamics, provided insights into the vehicle’s design, noting that the new Pandur has a weight of approximately 40,000 pounds (18,143 kilograms), making it about 20,000 pounds (9,071 kilograms) lighter than its Stryker-based counterpart. This reduction in weight not only facilitates increased operational efficiency but also enhances the vehicle’s transportability, both inter-theater and intra-theater. The integrated control consoles for the weapon system and fire control computers inside the vehicle further contribute to this improved efficiency.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Pandur M-SHORAD signifies General Dynamics’ ongoing focus on providing innovative solutions to meet the sophisticated demands of modern military operations, especially in air defense. As the global security landscape evolves, the capabilities of these advanced combat vehicles will be critical in ensuring effective and agile force protection.
