Storm

 


Unarmored version

 
 





LIC version

 
 
 

The AIL Storm (Hebrew: Sufa) is an Israeli manufactured mini SUV and the workhorse of the Israeli Security Forces. The series of Jeep Wrangler based vehicles have been produced by Automotive Industries Ltd. in Upper Nazareth under licence from Chrysler since 1990. The vehicles fill a number of military roles, including that of armoured Infantry Mobility Vehicle, and certain models are available for export as well as for the civilian market.

Production of an updated four-door Storm 2 model commenced in 2006 despite some mixed messages from the Storm's primary customer, the Israel Defence Forces. Development of a third generation vehicle based on the new Jeep Wrangler JK is in advanced stages, and significant production for both Israeli and foreign customers is planned.

 

Storm & Abir
 
 

The M-240 Storm MultiMission Vehicle is the first of three Storm generations. A variant of the 1991 Jeep Wrangler YJ and the older CJ-6/CJ-8 wheelbase, it is entirely produced in Israel by Automotive Industries Ltd. with the exception of the engines, as their manufacture is not economically viable on the Storm's market scale.

The Storm was primarily meant to satisfy Israeli military needs, but capable long and short versions are produced for the local civilian market. Like the Jeep, it has a conventional front-engine design with a driver and passenger seated behind the engine, and room for cargo or passengers behind them. It is powered by a Chrysler 3.983 litre 6-cylinder in-line petrol with fuel injection developing 180 hp (130 kW) at 4,700 rpm, fitted with Vortox 2-stage air cleaner or a VW 2.5 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel developing 88 kilowatts (118 hp) at 4,200 rpm. The front axle is fully floating and the rear axle is semi-floating, while a reinforced frame and body as well as good angles of approach and departure (40° and 37° for short frame, 40° and 26.5° for long frame) add to the Storm's off-roading capability.

The two production frame lengths, 4.15 (13.6) and 4.5 metres (14.8 ft), the latter of which was among the few such Jeep-derivatives in production in recent years, were both available in civilian and military models. Aside from the Israeli market, Storms have long been exported to countries in South America, Asia, and Africa. A Jeep-managed production line in Egypt, whose vehicles are used by the Egyptian armed forces, was absorbed into the AIL Storm production after it closed in 1995.

 
 
 
Armoured Version
 











 

As with several analogous light military vehicles, despite being originally designed to fill a light reconnaissance role, the advent of urban warfare and close quarters combat meant that the Israel Defense Forces had to recast the Storm in new roles.

When the need for a light armoured vehicle became apparent to the Israeli security forces, AIL's engineering department designed a vehicle protection system from the bottom up, integrating it into the existing vehicle in a manner that did not compromise its off-road and other capabilities, and that did not create the mechanical strain and increase in maintenance often associated with up-armouring, in part due to its computerized 180 horsepower (130 kW) injected engine.

The armour protects against 7.62 millimetre (0.3 in) armour-piercing ammunition, and maintains a high protection-to-weight and cost ratio by employing IDF approved advanced materials. The protected Israeli configuration's gross vehicle weight is 3,000 kilograms (6,614 lb),though several varying protection levels are in use with individual units.

Another important asset are the Storm's narrow dimensions, which allow it to traverse the narrow alleyways common to the casbahs of many Middle Eastern cities, places that armoured Humvees can only enter with great difficulty and minimal manoeuvrability, if at all. Full-height rear doors which allow for the quick deployment of fully equipped troops into combat are touted as another advantage over similar vehicles.

 
 
 
Security Versions
 

Extended version used in desert border patrol by Israel Border Police
 
 








Used by Israel Border Police

 
 

Like its parent Jeep Wrangler, the Storm is first and foremost an airmobile, capable offroad and utility vehicle meant to tackle extreme terrain in a general reconnaissance role, and can be outfitted with a machine gun or other weapons systems. When armed with a 105 mm (4.1 in) M40 recoilless rifle, the vehicle is uniquely capable of firing directly over its blast guard equipped hood rather than in the perpendicular position required by most other vehicles.

A variant of the extended version used in desert border patrol makes use of a high-ceilinged canopy to allow a swivelling rear facing heavy machine-gun mount, while the canopy can be extended to provide a mobile command post. An air conditioned hardtop version of the extended model is often used by officers, and a version developed for riot control has clear polycarbonate shielding along the rear sides and roof, as well gunports for less-lethal weapons. The shielding allows for a wide field of view while at the same time protecting against firebombs and rock-throwing.

 
 
 
Extended Version of Storm During Tests (2007)
 
 
 

Extended Version of Storm During Test
 
 
 
Civilian Use
 
 
First generation Storms were made available to the general public in Israel from 1992 to 2001. A small number were purchased directly by private consumers, while larger numbers were acquired second-hand from Israeli government-owned firms like the Israel Electric Company and Mekorot water company, as well as National Parks Authority and Israel Police. Modified Storms are popular with off-roading enthusiasts in Israel.
 
 
Recoilless Gun Carrier
 

 
Contrary to other such vehicles in which the gun must be fired perpindicular to the vehicle in combat, a unique feature of the STORM M-240 106mm Gun Carrier is that firing position can be maintained while the gun is positioned over the vehicle hood.

Sophisticated hood guard protects the vehicle body from the gun blast while firing. The carrier seats four troops in combat arrangement or 6 troops during transport or while the vehicle is being used for non-combat missions. Ammunition storage for 8 shells.

The optional soft top covering the entire body including the gun provides shelter in severe climate conditions and allows multi-purpose use of the vehicle when the Recoilless Gun is demounted. The soft top cab be easily removed when the need for combat use of the vehicle arises.