[R&D] HMI/Engesa Type 65 Light Support Vehicle

Partnering with Brazil's Engesa corporation, HMI Technics is proud to announce the design and future production of the Type 65 Light Support Vehicle (LSV). To be projected in production by 1965.

The LSV will be, in effect, a modern spin on the old interwar tankette concept, designed to be a rugged infantry support and recon vehicle to excel in jungle combat.

The specifications are as follows:

• Mass: 5 tonnes
• Length: 3.68 m
• Width: 1.80 m
• Height: 2m
• Crew: 3 (commander, driver, gunner)
• Armament: 1 Heavy Machine gun (In turret), 1 Medium Machine Gun (In bow). Either Madsen-Saetter or Browning models. 1 51mm breach-loaded commando mortar, 30 rounds (fixed in turret, semi-adjustable)
• Armor: 4–16 mm
• Operational Range: (Varies) 250 kilometers (160 mi) with diesel
• Maximum speed: (Varies) 42 km/h (26 mph) with diesel

The LSV will be designed to be as mechanically simplified as possible. With its engine easily repaired or replaced with few modifications with civilian diesel (or gasoline) engines of similar size. The turret, in addition, will have quick-change capability to allow the machine gun inside of it to be easily swapped with medium or heavy machine guns, or like weaponry.

A package will be made to allow for optional external fuel tanks to be mounted for extra range. Each vehicle will have an in-built fan system for crew cooling, though variants will likely be produced with small AC units in the future. Options will be explored to replace the HMG with an auto-grenade launcher in the future.

Production will be joint between HMI and Engesa and export will be subject to mutual approval. HMI will maintain a comparatively lower rate of production, the Brazilians a higher.