PARIS — General Dynamics European Land Systems business has used the 2012 edition of Eurosatory to take the wraps off a 6×6 version of the Eagle light armored tactical vehicle.

Lutz Kampmann, the vice president of marketing and business at the General Dynamics company told reporters at Eurosatory on June 12 that there were already marketing opportunities in Germany, France and elsewhere for the newly developed machine.

The German army has already purchased nearly 500 of the smaller Eagle IV. Kampmann said the new extended member of the Eagle family could be of interest as an ambulance or recovery vehicle.

The Eagle 6×6 shares common components with its smaller 4×4 family member and the company’s Duro vehicle.

The development by the company’s Swiss-based Mowag operation has resulted in a 6×6 with a maximum payload of 7.5 tons in the utility version. The gross vehicle weight of the larger Eagle comes out at 15 tons.

Kampmann said the 2.2-meter wide and 6.9-meter long vehicle had a turning circle of 16 meters when fitted with third-axle steering. Top speed is up to 110 km per hour on the road, and the range is 650 km.

Various configurations including ambulance, recovery, crew cab, utility and armored personnel carrier makes up the 6×6 side of the Eagle family. The APC variant can seat two crew and up to 10 soldiers.