EE-11 Urutu

   Development of the EE-11 Urutu (crossed pit viper) armored personnel carrier began in 1970. First prototype was built the same year. Production of the EE-11 Urutu commenced in 1974. Initially produced for the Brazilian armed forces, soon the EE-11 Urutu was exported to Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Gabon, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Uruguay and Venezuela. Around 1 500 vehicles of this type were built.

   This armored personnel carries has unordinary twin-layer armor. The external layer is made of hard steel, while the internal armor features increased viscosity. A front-mounted engine also increases passive protection for the occupants. Front of the hull provides protection against armor-piercing bullets, while all-round protection is against small arms bullets, mine splinters and artillery fragments. The EE-11 Urutu is fitted with an automatic fire suppression system, however NBC protection system was only optional.

   The EE-11 Urutu is armed with a single 12.7-mm machine gun, mounted on top of the roof. There is a number of variants of the EE-11 fitted with various turret-mounted armament.

   The EE-11 armored personnel carrier has a crew of one and can carry 12 - 14 fully equipped troops. Troops enter and leave the vehicle through side or rear doors, or roof hatches. There are a number of firing ports provided.

   Vehicle is powered by the Detroit Diesel 6V-53T diesel engine, developing 260 horsepower. Some vehicles were fitted with a Mercedes-Benz OM-32A diesel engine, developing 190 horsepower. This APC shares many automotive components with the Engensa EE-9 Cascavel armored car. The EE-11 Urutu is completed with an unusual boomerang-type rear suspension, developed by Engensa and fitted on some other vehicles. Such suspension provides great cross-country mobility. Vehicle is also fitted with a central tyre inflation system. The EE-11 Urutu is fully amphibious without any preparation. APCs intended for ground forced are propelled on water by the help of wheels, while variant intended for marines is fitted with two waterjets.

Variants

   Armored ambulance;

   Command vehicle;

   Fire support vehicle with a 90-mm turret, as fitted on the EE-9 Cascavel;

   Mortar carrier, fitted with 81-mm mortar;

   Mortar carrier, fitted with a turret-mounted 60-mm mortar;

   Anti-aircraft vehicle with twin 20-mm cannons;

   Recovery vehicle;

   Logistics vehicle, with a cargo capacity of up to 2 t. This vehicle retains it's amphibious qualities even fully loaded;

   Internal security vehicle, fitted with obstacle clearing blade and armed with a 7.62-mm MG.