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The Wilder is designed to meet the needs of military patrols and Special Forces.

The world we live in now is not the same as it was for our forefathers. Conflicts still exist, but their nature and dynamics have shifted significantly. The world has changed since the end of the Cold War, and the involvement of international organizations, as well as international treaties, has altered how international actors engage in conflicts in the modern era.

Plasan, an Israeli startup, has unveiled a revolutionary light armored vehicle featuring a mid-mounted engine and an attack helicopter-style cabin. The Wilder, designed by Nir Kahn, deviates from the trend of armored military vehicles becoming larger and larger by fitting four soldiers and a functional pick-up load bay into a footprint equivalent to that of a modern Jeep Wrangler. As a result of this, the military-vehicle rule-book has been thrown aside by Kahn and the engineers at Sasa. They've mid-mounted the engine and transmission in a tubular sub-frame, which is hung off a monocoque 'kitted hull,' with a second sub-frame supporting the front suspension, taking influence from off-road buggies. "The Wilder is like a wheeled Apache attack helicopter," Kahn explained.

Wilder is light and small, and it can be transported internally by CH47, allowing it to be deployed wherever soldiers are needed. It can carry out a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance and raids, through the roughest terrains and in the harshest of weather.

Related: 8 Coolest Light Armored Military Vehicles In Service

Plasan is constantly extending its combat vehicle lineup, with new platforms being added each year. This year at Eurosatory 2022, the business will unveil the Wilder, a new version of a light armored vehicle. Wilder is a departure from standard armored vehicle design based on commercial chassis, and offers a novel automobile concept. The new vehicle is built for specific operations, with outstanding off-road mobility, decent crew compartment armor protection, and payloads up to 1763 pounds.

Despite the fact that the Wilder and AteMM – Plasan's All Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATEMM) is a fully robotic two-wheel trailer that can hitch on for electric drive – platforms were developed independently, when combined, they offer distinct benefits. "Self-driving in combat is not the same as civilian autonomy," Kahn explained. "The challenges are completely different: the car may go wherever it wants, but there is no infrastructure, such as white lines for navigation."

Plasan is one of several automakers competing in Project Theseus, a field trial of autonomous technology to replace manned vehicles for the final mile of travel into difficult locations, therefore the Wilder or some of its technology might find a place in the British Army. Horiba MIRA, based in the United Kingdom, has previously been awarded contracts to supply the British Army with unmanned self-driving Viking 6x6 trucks for trials, similar to Plasan's AteMM.

Related: 10 Greatest Light Utility Military Vehicles Ever

Wilder was envisioned as an ultralight armored vehicle capable of transporting four soldiers, according to vehicle designer Nir Kahn. Unlike the Stinger, which was built on a modified HMMWV chassis, the Wilder is a completely new design. "We're using 4x4 all-wheel drive with center, front, and rear differential locks, which gives us exceptional road stability and off-road mobility," Khan explains. Wilder can be modified with front and rear steering to improve agility in restricted spaces and perform in narrow urban terrain. Wilder performs admirably as an off-road armored vehicle, climbing a 15.6-inch vertical step, 80 percent vertical slope, 54 percent side slope, 23.6-inch trench crossing, and fording 23.6-inch of water.

The Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel in the Wilder produces 161 horsepower. This engine has a power-to-weight ratio of 36 HP/Ib, which is unmatched for armored vehicles, with a curb weight of 7400 pounds and a GVW of 9000 pounds. On the two sub-frames supporting a forward mount and a 1.7 m2 flatbed in the back, the vehicle can carry 1763.6 pounds of practical payload. Light weapon stations and optronic sensors are carried on a roof-mounted rigid mount. "Before Wilder, these requirements could be met by armored vehicles weighing 15,432 pounds," Kahn continued.

The Wilder has the mobility and off-road capability of a racing buggy, combined with the protection and remotely operated firepower normally only seen on vehicles weighing twice as much, thanks to a unique patented suspension system, a reliable 310Ib-ft engine driving all 4 wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and a central driving position with panoramic view. The comfortable air-conditioned monocoque Kitted HullTM provides outstanding situational awareness for all four people, and the rear cargo bed can easily hold a NATO pallet laden with equipment and supplies for a protracted operation.

Wilder is shown controlling the Wolverine and Xtender small drones from Xtend at Eurosatory, using an autonomous UAV launch and retrieval system from Easy Aerial. The vehicle's stability and safety are ensured by sub front and rear frame systems when driving four-wheel-drive at high speeds on and off-road, in mud and snow. The REGO REX independent suspension system gives the car more ground clearance and a smoother ride on any terrain. The technology is combined with customized axles and a differential that doubles the wheel travel and allows the vehicle to function well off-road.

The vehicle has a 'bolt-on' protection capsule with sophisticated composite armor and big transparent plates that meets STANAG 4569 Level II. The armor is offered as a 'kitted hull' ensemble affixed to the monocoque capsule, allowing for field replacement and protective system upgrades. The driver is located in the center of the cabin, with unimpeded front and side views, and three troop seats on the sides and center rear, providing appropriate coverage from all directions with an overhead view given by the instrumented sensors and RCWS.

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