| MOWAG Roland | |
|---|---|
 MOWAG Roland Kantonspolizei Bern | |
| Place of origin |
 Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| Used by |
Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Peru , Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Greece |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | MOWAG |
| Produced | 1964 - 1980 |
| No. built | > 500 |
| Variants | Military version, Police Version |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) |
| Length | 4.73 m (186 in) |
| Width | 2.05 m (81 in) |
| Height | 2.1 m (83 in) |
| Crew | 1 driver + 1 commander + 4PAX |
|
| |
Main armament | Customer Specific assault rifle or gun |
Secondary armament | modification with unguided rockets |
| Engine |
V 8 Chrysler LA 318-3 160 hp |
| Transmission | NP 435 mechanical gears 4 forward gears 1 reverse |
| Suspension | 4x4 wheeled |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The MOWAG Roland is an armored personnel carrier. The vehicle was developed in 1960 and the prototype was tested in 1963. The Roland production was built from 1964 to 1980.
Equipment and use[]
The Roland was designed for a variety of tasks: ambulance, reconnaissance, armored troop carriers, riot /protests control and as rocket launcher. There is a searchlight mounted on the front, directly behind it is a rotary roof section for a machine gun (MG) or a tower for a heavy machine gun MG, which is operated by the commander. The engine is in the rear, on the left side of the vehicle. On the right side, in the rear and on the left side of the vehicle are a doors fitted for the vehicle occupants to enter or exit.[1] Some African operators have their MOWAG Roland equipped with multiple rocket launchers for 5 unguided rockets.[2] MOWAG Roland vehicles for police units typically do not have a gun, but are equipped with a siren, blue light, searchlight, loud speakers and a V-shaped dozer blade. Over 500 Mowag Rolands were produced and shipped to countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Greece, Mexico, Peru and the Police Departments in Switzerland.[1] The Military Museum Fort Reuenthal has a display of a Roland MOWAG from the Bern Cantonal Police. This model is exhibited with a plow attached and was in use until 1997.[3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Marcus Bauer, Nutzfahrzeuge der MOWAG Motorwagenfabrik AG, Fachpresse Goldach, Hudson & Company, 1996 ISBN 9783857380563
- ↑ Foss, Christopher F. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1987–88. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1987. ISBN 0-7106-0849-7
- ↑ Militärmuseum Full Switzerland
The original article can be found at MOWAG Roland and the edit history here.