| ACEC Cobra | |
| Origin: |  Belgium |
| Type: | APC (AFV) |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Manufacturer: | ACEC SA |
| Variants: | Numerous, see text |
| Length: | 4.52 m (6.86 m) |
| Width: | 2.75 m |
| Height: | 2.32 m (2.25 m) |
| Weight: | 8,500 kg (9,500 kg) |
| Suspension: | Helicoidal (helical) springs with shock absorbers on first and last road wheel stations |
| Speed: | 75 km/h (land) 10 km/h (water) |
| Vehicle Range: | 600 km |
| Primary Armament: | see text |
| Secondary Armament: | see text |
| Armour: | 7.62mm NATO ball all angles at point-blank range, 7.62mm AP front armour, 105mm HE shrapnel all round |
| Engine: | Cummins VT-190 super-charged, water cooled diesel engine |
| Crew: | 2 + 10 passengers (3) |
| Engine Power: | 190 hp at 3,300 rpm |
| Transmission: | ACEC electrical |
| Fuel Capacity: | 309 litres |
| Clearance: | 0.42 m (0.4 m) |
| Pw Ratio: | 22.35 hp/tonne (20 hp/tonne) |
The ACEC Cobra is a tracked armored personnel carrier with amphibious capabilities, similar in concept to the BTR-50. It was developed by Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi (ACEC) along with the Belgian Army. The Cobra was the fifth vehicle prototype of an experimental project to create a vehicle with an electric transmission. The electric transmissions made the vehicle lighter and have more room than previous vehicles. The vehicle was completed in October 1985, but never made it into active service because the Cold War ended in 1989/1990.When the Cobra went through performance training in Detroit, the test drivers stated that the electric transmission gave the Cobra equal, if not better, performance and maneuverability than vehicles with mechanical transmissions.The vehicle provided its passengers with protections from small arms fire, small armour piercing projectiles, and shell splinters.
Of the Cobra, several versions have been developed, using identical automotive components:
It was also possible to fit the MILAN MBT turret.
