Country of origin |
International |
Entered service |
? |
Configuration |
4x4 |
Cab seating |
1 + 1/3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight (empty) |
2 000 ~ 2 200 kg |
Payload capacity |
500 ~ 800 kg |
Length |
4.5 ~ 5 m |
Width |
~ 1.8
m |
Height |
~ 2 m |
Mobility |
Engine |
various petrol or diesel engines |
Engine power |
varies depending on the engine |
Maximum road speed |
~ 160 km/h |
Range |
700 ~ 1 000 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
40% |
Vertical step |
~ 0.35 m |
Trench |
~ 0.5 m |
Fording |
~ 0.5 m |
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During
various military conflicts standard commercial pickups are often
converted into improvised fire support vehicles, armed with heavy
machine guns, mounted on tripods. These improvised combat vehicles
are called technicals. Light improvised fighting vehicles date back
to the first use of automobiles. However the generic term "technicals"
originated only in the early 1990s. These improvised fire support vehicles are
very popular in Africa, Middle East, South America, and other
war-torn regions. These are widely used by various irregular forces
and militant groups, as well as military units.
Technicals
are typically converted from 4x4 pickup trucks with high off-road
mobility. Most commonly used vehicles are
Toyota Land Cruiser and
Toyota Hilux. These are popular due to their unsurpassed
reliability, toughness and great off-road mobility. Other popular
vehicles are Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200, and other pickups.
Technicals
are typically fitted with trainable heavy machine guns, installed on
the tripod in the rear cargo area. Also there can be
numerous improvised modifications, fitted with anti-aircraft guns
and missiles, anti-tank missiles and recoilless rifles. Even
salvaged artillery rocket systems and helicopter rocket pods are
mounted on pickups. There were even cases when pickups were fitted
with captured
BMP-1 turrets. So the weapons can vary widely, depending on
tolerances of the platform, readily available weapons and
imagination of the fighting force. Some technicals are fitted with add-on
steel plates, which provide some degree of protection for the
gunner.
Many
purpose-designed tactical vehicles, such as the
HMMWV,
have provision for mounting a machine gun and other weapons by their
design. Hence these are not considered as technicals.
Technicals
can strike from unexpected direction and deploy troops. These light
gun trucks can be also used for defense of rear areas, setting up
checkpoints, reconnaissance, escorting convoys, patrolling and other
roles. These vehicles can be used for utility role, carry armed
troops, weapons and supplies.
Technicals
are typically used by militants and irregular forces, who lack
conventional armored vehicles, but need offensive capabilities.
These light gun trucks are also used by poorly funded governmental
military units, where soldiers have to make do with what is
available for them. By fielding technicals some countries and
militant groups respond to unexpected military situations.
Converting standard pickup trucks into improvised fighting vehicles
is a low-cost way to create a multi-role vehicle with fast attack
capability. Various pickup trucks are widely available in large
numbers. In some cases pickups are requisitioned from their owners
for military needs. In war-torn regions technicals are often used by
both parties.
However even
a US military, notably special forces, purchased Toyota Tacoma
pickups from car showrooms, modified them and used for covert
operations in Afghanistan.
It takes
less than one day to fit a standard pickup truck with a heavy
machine gun. Such work can be performed in any mechanical workshop,
and even in field conditions, if welding and other tools are
available.
However
these soft skin civilian vehicles are extremely vulnerable to small
arms fire, artillery shell splinters and landmines. Technicals
exploit their speed and mobility in order to avoid contact with
enemy. The light gun trucks avoid contact with heavier armored
vehicles, such as armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting
vehicles and tanks, as well as helicopters and ground attack
aircraft.
Overall
technicals perform well against less technically-advanced enemies.
However these improvised vehicles perform poorly and have little
tactical value when facing technologically superior enemies.
Mechanical
reliability of these vehicles is useful for irregular force that
lack repair-related infrastructure of conventional army. This is the
main reason why proven and reliable vehicles, such as Toyota Land
Cruisers and Hiluxes are being selected for conversion to improvised
fighting vehicles. Their four-wheel dive allows for certain level of
off-road performance.
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