(Source: Rafael; dated March 28, web-posted March 30, 2005)
The Israel Ministry of Defense has confirmed it has placed an order for the Wolf, Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd, designer of the Wolf, will act as prime contractor with the Hatehof company serving as main subcontractor. The contract is valued at about $14 milion.
The Wolf is a multi-purpose LAV built on the frame of a 4X4 commercial vehicle with an automatic gearbox. The armor envelope is built independently from the chassis, so it is possible to use the same armor envelope on another chassis (of the same model) when the chassis goes out of service. By modifying the interior section of the Wolf, it is possible to change the function of the vehicle; i.e. to an ambulance, rescue vehicle, logistics or command vehicle.
The Wolf is intended to replace the IDF's existing light, logistic, troop transport vehicles such as the Command Car. It will provide improved safety and protection to those troops being transported.
The production of the Wolf will take place mainly at Hatehof in Israel and at Force Protection in the US, owing to their special expertise in vehicle manufacturing. The combined production in Israel and the US enables, on the one hand, greater employment possibilities in developing areas within Israel and the use of FMF funds on the other.
Rafael designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of advanced defense systems for all branches of the military and homeland security forces. Tailored to its customer's specific needs, Rafael provides state-of-the-art, yet cost-effective systems and weapons in the fields of Missiles, Air Defense, Naval Systems, Target Acquisition, EW, C4ISR, Communication Networks, Data Links, Electro-Optic Payloads, Trainers and Simulators, Add-on Armor, Combat Vehicle Upgrading, Mine Field Breaching, Border and Coastal Protection Systems, UAVs and much more.