CZE - MARS 4x4

MARS 4x4


Armoured multi-purpose wheeled vehicle designed for military and police tasks. The design is based on the Perun. The MARS 4x4 vehicle was first introduced to the public at the Eurosatory military fair in Paris in June 2022. Two prototypes were presented at the exhibition: a police version with a large-capacity cab (fitted with a RBS-70 NG launcher) and a roller variant with a rear load platform (later used as a carrier for the Giraffe 1X radar of the MSHORAD system).


The MARS vehicle is fitted with an all-panel cab that is separate from the vehicle frame. Inside the cab there is a so-called floating floor. Both designs reduce the effects of a mine blast on the legs of the crew or the wounded lying on stretchers. The rear part of the cab is fitted with a hydraulically operated ramp for quick entry and exit of persons, loading of bulky cargo or entry or exit of unmanned vehicles. The ramp is 1.25 m high and 0.88 m wide. The load capacity of the ramp is 500 kg.


All axles of the vehicle have independent wheel suspension on two arms with differentials equipped with locking and reducing devices in the wheels. The chassis allows individual adjustment of the ground clearance of each wheel separately. The air suspension enhances the comfort of the crew when driving on rough terrain, as well as the protection of sensitive electronic equipment and instruments, regardless of the actual load on the vehicle.


The design of the vehicle offers variability in its configuration options. The vehicle is available in 4x4 and 6x6 chassis configurations and its spacious armoured cab makes it suitable for the installation of special equipment. In addition, the MARS can be equipped with a rear axle with wheel steering for operation in tight urban or off-road conditions.


The MARS vehicle in the S-330 variant with an all-armoured cab was selected by the Swedish company Saab Dynamics AB for the integration of its RBS-70 NG anti-aircraft system and the Giraffe 1X 3D surveillance radar. In the second half of 2021, one MARS vehicle was transported to Sweden to be fitted with a Trackfire weapon station with triple launcher for the RBS-70 NG anti-aircraft missile complex. The resulting fire vehicle, designated by the acronym MFU (Mobile Fire Unit), subsequently underwent ground functional testing and live firing of anti-aircraft missiles. The standard MFU vehicle crew consists of three persons: one driver and two operators, each operating one console. The operators are located in the rear seats, which are accessed by two doors. Inside the vehicle, space is created for the carriage of four spare anti-aircraft missiles and a tripod launcher, making it possible to use the installed RBS-70 NG system also in a standard portable version.


The use of the MARS vehicle in the S-330 variant is also envisaged for the MRU (Mobile Fire Unit) radar vehicle for the Giraffe 1X radar, which is based on AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Antenna) technology. The weight of the radar is less than 300 kg and the antenna rotation speed is 60 rpm. It has an instrumented range of 75 km, a long-range range of 30 km and an altitude range of 10 000 metres against a target the size of a fighter aircraft, and a range of 25 km and 8 000 metres against smaller aircraft and 13 km and 4 000 metres against small drones. The Giraffe 1X radar is capable of tracking more than 100 airborne targets simultaneously.


On 30 August 2022, Saab held a demonstration of its MSHORAD (Medium Short Range Air Defence) system consisting of MARS vehicles and an anti-aircraft missile suite RBS-70 NG at the Karlskoga firing range. Fifteen military delegations attended the event and saw the successful live firing of five RBS-70 NG missiles against a variety of targets and in different tactical situations.

Prototype of the MARS 4x4 vehicle in the S-330 version with a long cab.

Photo: SVOS

MARS 4x4 vehicles of the MSHORAD system in MFU and MRU versions.

Photo: Saab Dynamics AB

MARS 4x4 vehicle in MFU version with Trackfire weapon station and triple launcher for RBS-70 NG missiles.

Photo: SVOS

MARS 4x4 vehicle in MFU version with Barracuda mobile mask during a demonstration for foreign delegations at Karlskoga shooting range, August 2022.

Photo: Saab Dynamics AB