Chivunk
{{more citations needed|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Chivunk
| image =
| caption =
| origin = Brazil
| service =
| manufacturer = Colombus
| type = Air transportable, wheeled all-terrain light vehicle
| is_vehicle = yes
| crew = 3
| length =
| width =
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| armour =
| primary_armament =
| secondary_armament =
| engine = diesel
| engine_power = 135hp
| suspension = 4x4
| speed = 120 km/h
| pw_ratio =
| payload_capacity = 500 kg
| vehicle_range =
| is_UK =
}}
The Chivunk, also known as VLEGA Chivunk (port.: Viatura Leve de Emprego Geral Aerotransportável, en: air transportable general purpose light vehicle) is a Brazilian fast attack vehicle used by the Brazilian Army Rapid Action Troops.{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/chivunk.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107142145if_/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/chivunk.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 7, 2016|title=Chivunk - Fast attack vehicle}}{{Cite web |last=Petrov |first=Arkady |date=2022-09-06 |title=Columbus International delivers ten Chivunk 4x4 vehicles to the Brazilian Army |url=https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/defense-updates/columbus-international-delivers-ten-chivunk-4x4-vehicles-to-the-brazilian-army/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=The Rio Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Valpolini |first=Paolo |date=2023-04-12 |title=LAAD 2023 - SIATT missiles close to production while new projects are surfacing |url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/siatt-missiles-close-to-production-while-new-projects-are-surfacing |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=EDR Magazine |language=en-GB |quote=A new proposal is the integration of the MSS 12 AC on the Chivunk, a light 4×4 vehicle developed to meet the Brazilian Army Rapid Action Troops requirements. Developed by Columbus, a Brazilian company based in São Paulo, the vehicle is also known with the acronym VLEGA Chivunk (Viatura Leve de Emprego Geral Aerotransportável, air transportable general purpose light vehicle) and is powered by a 135 hp engine which allows a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The firing post is installed over the roll bar, two spare missiles being fitted on its sides. Total payload is 500 kg, the usual crew being made of three people.}}
Development
The Chivunk was preceded by a joint program by Argentina and Brazil as the VLEGA Gaucho until 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ctex.eb.mil.br/projetos-finalizados/91-viatura-leve-de-emprego-geral-aerotransportavel-vlega-gaucho|title=Viatura Leve de Emprego Geral Aerotransportável (VLEGA GAÚCHO)|access-date=2021-12-19|archive-date=2021-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219215026/http://www.ctex.eb.mil.br/projetos-finalizados/91-viatura-leve-de-emprego-geral-aerotransportavel-vlega-gaucho|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=Johnnie |date=2015-05-15 |title=Veículos Militares do Mundo: Chivunk (18) |url=https://veiculosmilitaresdomundo.blogspot.com/2015/05/chivunk_16.html?m=1 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Veículos Militares do Mundo}}
Design
The Chivunk uses diamond plate surfacing and a built-in roll cage for field ruggedness and durability. It has multipurpose roles such as transport, medevac, reconnaissance and can be air dropped by parachute. Around 2-4 vehicles can be air transported in a C-130 Hercules and 4-7 vehicles in an Embraer C-390.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-05 |title=Viatura Chivunk: tecnologia brasileira para qualquer terreno e múltiplas missões |url=https://www.lrcadefenseconsulting.com/2023/06/viatura-chivunk-tecnologia-brasileira.html?m=1 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=pt-BR}} Chivunk vehicles can be stored by stacking above each other. It can also be armed with a 120mm Mortar, AT4 launcher and FN MAG 7.62mm GPMG.
See also
- {{lwc|FMC XR311}}
- {{lwc|VLEGA Gaucho}}
- {{lwc|P6 ATAV}}
- {{lwc|Agrale Marrua}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ctex.eb.mil.br/projetos-em-andamento/90-viatura-leve-de-emprego-geral-aerotransportavel-vlega-chivunk Viatura Leve de Emprego Geral Aerotransportável (VLEGA CHIVUNK)]
- [http://www.columbusparts.com.br/projeto.php?lang=2 Columbus]
- [https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/3074544/40-viaturas-vlega-chivunk-exercito-brasileiro-em-2018 40 viaturas Vlega Chivunk para o Exército Brasileiro em 2018]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZcl0t4oCdc Chivunk 4x4]
{{Automotive industry in Brazil}}