MAC OWL Deploys to the Front Line: Militarnyi Reviews New Armored Vehicle

A prototype of the Ukrainian MAC OWL armored vehicle, which offers the highest level of protection in its class, is entering combat trials with a unit of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Militarnyi’s journalists examined the armored vehicle on the eve of its deployment to the front line.

Developed by the Ukrainian company MAC HUB in cooperation with Paramount Group Greece, the vehicle is based on the South African Mbombe 4’s armored hull and a newly developed chassis designed to meet the requirements of the Ukrainian battlefield.

The armored hull of the Owl currently provides the highest level of ballistic protection in Ukraine, capable of withstanding 360-degree fire from machine guns and rifles chambered in 7.62×54 mm. During the demonstration, the prototype still bore visible non-penetration marks from laboratory ballistic tests.

The heavy 300-kilogram doors successfully stopped a hit from a 7.62×54 mm B-32 armor-piercing incendiary roundfired from a distance of 30 meters. For penetration by calibers larger than 12 mm, the developers have installed a spall liner behind the armor plate to prevent secondary fragmentation and minimize passenger injury. The liner covers the entire interior of the vehicle, including the roof.

Inside the armored vehicle, the troop compartment has six passenger seats, two for the driver and vehicle commander, and a platform that can accommodate a weapon operator or carry equipment, storage boxes, or other infantry cargo.

However, the key advantage of the new vehicle from MAC HUB is its record-level mine protection for Ukraine, rated at Level 4 under STANAG 4569, which is capable of withstanding detonations of up to 10 kilograms of TNT equivalent. This exceeds the explosive power of the most powerful Soviet TM-62 anti-tank mine, which is widely used in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Survivability of the travelers in such a blast is achieved through the cab-over design and a specially engineered V-shaped hull, which absorbs and disperses the energy of the blast wave. Roof-suspended seats further absorb part of the explosive energy, minimizing spinal injuries to passengers.

The running gear of the 15-ton MAC OWL uses independent suspension axles from AxleTech International – the same company that supplies components for the American MaxxPro armored vehicle. Power is provided by a 450-horsepower Cummins 8.9 diesel engine paired with an Allison automatic transmission. Both units can be quickly removed by two personnel for rapid modular-level repairs.

The vehicle is equipped with a central tire inflation system (CTIS) controlled by the onboard computer, allowing tire pressure to be adjusted to improve traction across different terrains. To improve grip on snow-covered roads, the tires were deflated, as shown in the photographs.

The dashboard also displays feeds from the front and rear cameras, with day and night modes. From the same interface, the rear ramp and the onboard electronic warfare (EW) system are controlled.

The developers integrated an electronic warfare (EW) suite into the vehicle to counter enemy attack drones and developed an add-on protective mesh system to be used when EW fails to suppress the threat.

It is also worth noting that along the sides of the vehicle, in the area of the troop compartment, there are external stowage boxes for entrenching tools and luggage. These boxes serve as spaced armor, increasing standoff distance and moving the epicenter of a drone-strike explosion away from the main armor.

A high level of protection comes at a cost. According to Oleksandr Dubyna, Director of Military Armored Company HUB, the price of the new armored vehicle reaches approximately $700,000, making it the most expensive serially produced armored vehicle of Ukrainian design.

MAC OWL is expected to enter extended combat trials as early as this month, during which its strengths and potential shortcomings will become apparent. This will serve as a prerequisite for the vehicle’s adoption into service and the launch of serial production.

The company’s management told Militarnyi that it already has a potential customer within the Ukrainian Defense Forces and is prepared to ensure production of up to 100 armored vehicles per year.

Military Armored Company HUB also owns several other defense companies. Their products are employed on land, sea, and in the air. In particular, these include Katran unmanned surface vessels and other weapon systems for ground, air, and maritime operations.