| Saurer 4K 4FA | |
| Origin: | Austria |
| Used By: | View in "Operators" |
| Wars: | Boko Haram insurgency |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Type: | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Manufacturer: | Saurer-Werk |
| Length: | 5.4m (17.7feet) |
| Width: | 2.5m (08.2feet) |
| Height: | 2.1m (06.9feet) |
| Weight: | 4K 4FA-G2: 15 tonnes 4K 4FA-G1: 12.5 tonnes |
| Armour: | steel |
| Suspension: | torsion bar, 5 road wheels |
| Engine: | 6-cylinder Saurer diesel engine |
| Engine Power: | 250 hp (184 kw) |
| Speed: | 65km/h |
| Vehicle Range: | 370km (230miles) |
| Primary Armament: | 4K 4FA-G2: 20 mm Oerlikon Contraves cannon Model 204 GK 4K 4FA-G1: 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Passengers: | 8 |
The Saurer 4K 4FA is an Austrian armoured personnel carrier with caterpillar tracks. It was later replaced by the Steyr 4K 7FA G 127. It went into production in 1961.[1]
In 1956, the contractor Osterreichische Saurer-Werke from Vienna (which was taken over by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG in 1970) started development of an armoured personnel carrier. The first prototype, the 3K 3H, was completed in 1958 and the second, the 4K 3H, the following year. They are both powered by a Saurer 3H 200 hp diesel engine.[2]
The next model, the 4K 2P, had a different hull layout, a new torsion bar suspension and was powered by a 250 hp Saurer 2P diesel engine. In appearance it was similar to the first production vehicles which were completed in 1961 and designated 4K 4F. Later production vehicles were the 4K 3FA (230 hp) and the 4K 4FA (250 hp), which differed only in minor details such as their Sauer engines.
A total of 445 production vehicles was delivered to the Austrian Army in the following versions: 30 4K 4F, 211 4K 3FA, 38 4K 3FA-FS, 12 4K 4FA-Fü/FIA, 15 4K 4FA-San, 76 4K 4FA-G2, 60 4K 4FA FüA 1 to 4 series, three 4K 3FA Fül and a number of 4K 3FA GrW1 81 mm mortar carriers which were conversions of earlier vehicles. Production was finally completed in 1969. The vehicle was succeeded in production by a new model, described in detail in a separate entry, called the 4K 7FA which uses the same automotive components as the SK-105 Kürassier light tank also manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch. Production of the 4K FA and SK 105 are complete and all marketing of these has ceased.
In mid-1999, the Austrian MoD awarded Steyr-Daimler-Puch a contract for the supply of 112 ASCOD Ulan infantry fighting vehicles for the Austrian Army. These were delivered from 2002 to 2004 and has now replaced at least part of the current Saurer 4K 4FA APC fleet of the Austrian Army. The 4K 4FA series will remain in service with Austria for some time.
The hull of the Saurer 4K 4FA series armoured personnel carrier is made of all-welded steel armour and is immune to penetration from 20 mm armour-piercing projectiles over its frontal arc. The driver sits at the front of the hull on the left side with the power pack to his right and has a two-piece hatch cover that opens to the left and right, in front of which are three day periscopes. The centre periscope can be replaced by a passive periscope for driving at night.
The gunner sits behind the driver and on the basic model has a cupola with a two-piece hatch cover opening left and right and a single day observation periscope. A standard 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun is mounted on the forward part of the cupola and most vehicles are fitted with a shield to give limited frontal protection to the gunner. This model is known under the company designation of the 4K 4FA-G1 with its Austrian Army designation being the usMGSPz (Schützenpanzer/Überschweres MG).
The personnel compartment is at the rear of the hull with the eight infantrymen seated on bench seats, four down each side of the hull. The crew in the rear face inwards. The section leader is the first on the right seat and is provided with a day periscope in the forward part of the personnel compartment roof, on the right side. Access to the personnel compartment is by two doors in the rear of the hull. Two hatches over the roof of the vehicle open to the outside. Mounting sockets for the pivot trunnion of an adaptor mount for the MG 42 machine gun are provided on the front, right, left and rear side of the hatch above the personnel compartment.
The suspension is of the torsion bar type with either side consisting of five dual road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, the idler at the rear and two track-return rollers. The first and last road wheel stations are provided with a hydraulic shock-absorber. The 4K 4FA has no NBC system, night vision equipment or amphibious capability.
Austria - As the Saurer 4K4FA
Cyprus - As the ELVO Leonidas 2
Greece - As the ELVO Leonidas