KTO Irbis (ORCWS-30)

PiekarzV2 · June 20, 2026, 6:23pm

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KTO Irbis with ORCWS-30

History

The Irbis wheeled armored personnel carrier was developed in 2005 by the Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne No. 5 (WZM) in Poznań as a supplement to the Ryś family of 8x8 vehicles, which had been under development since 2000 and whose concept originated from a deep modernization of the SKOT APCs. Recognizing a market gap in the segment of lighter 6x6 vehicles, the Poznań engineers designed a smaller vehicle intended for patrol and reconnaissance missions. The design was finalized in the first quarter of 2005, and a demonstrator in a combat configuration was prepared for its premiere at the MSPO defense industry exhibition in Kielce. Although initial plans involved merely shortening the hull of the Ryś, a complete redesign of the chassis and shifting of the axles proved necessary to ensure even weight distribution and optimal handling characteristics. For this reason, it was decided to completely redesign the undercarriage and shift the axles, which allowed for equal distances between them, optimized weight distribution, and reduced rolling resistance.

The Irbis APC was characterized by a weight of 11 tons and compact dimensions, enabling its trouble-free transport aboard C-130 Hercules aircraft, a task that often posed a challenge for heavier 8x8 vehicles. The propulsion system utilized a modern power-pack layout with a 6-cylinder IVECO Motors Cursor 8 diesel engine producing 352 horsepower, while the more powerful Cursor 10, delivering 430 horsepower, was also anticipated. This allowed the vehicle to reach road speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour with an operational range of over 600 kilometers. The transporter was fully amphibious and capable of swimming at speeds up to 10 kilometers per hour using water jets, while maintaining a safe margin of buoyancy.

Demonstrator at the MSPO 2005 equipped with ZSMU-127 Kobuz, and in 2006 with ORCWS-30

A year after the official debut of the base vehicle, WZM presented another important stage in the transporter’s evolution: a version integrated with the Elbit Systems ORCWS-30 turret system. The turret was fitted with a mock-up of a 30mm caliber autocannon. The combat weight of the Irbis increased by about 2.5 tons, reaching the vehicle weigh of 13.5 tons in this configuration compared to the 11 tons of the base version.

The design of the ORCWS-30 system offered very high weapon elevation angles, ranging from -15 to as much as +60 degrees, which allowed the crew to effectively engage not only armored targets on land but also low-flying aerial objects, such as helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles, while using target target tracker. Crucial for safety, the entire traverse mechanism, advanced optoelectronic systems, drives, and the full ammunition supply were located completely outside the hull structure. The absence of a traditional turret basket ensured that the interior of the troop compartment lost none of its original spaciousness.

Firing trials of ORCWS-30 on Piranha IV

The presentation at MSPO 2006 was intended to prove to the Polish military and potential foreign clients that a smaller and cheaper to operate 6x6 vehicle could possess firepower comparable to large 8x8 transporters however the project failed to generate significant interest, and the vehicle was ultimately abandoned.

Characteristics

Armament

Turret: Elbit ORCWS-30
- Horizontal/Vertical guidance speed: 50 deg/s
30mm Bushmaster Mk.44 (Mock-up)
- Elevation: -15°/+60°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
- Ammo capacity: 200 rds ready racked
Ammo: Standard 30 mm
7,62 mm FN MAG
- Ammo capacity: 690 rounds

Mobility

Crew (3): Driver, Commander, Gunner
Engine: IVECO Cursor 8 Euro III
- power: 259 kW / ≈352 PS @ 2100 rpm
Transmission: ZF Eurotronic
- Gears: 12 forward, 2 reverse
- Max speed: 100 km/h
- Max swimming speed: 10 km/h
Combat weight: 13500 kg

Optics, electronics

Gunner optic:
- Thermal camera
  - 2nd generation
Commander optic:
- POD-72 night vision
Driver optic:
- PNK-72 night vision
Laser warning system: ELAWS
- Detection angular range in vertical plane: -20°/+90°
- Detection angular range in horizontal plane: 360°
Laser rangefinder
Videotracker

Dimensions

Overall length: 6430 mm
Overall width : 2500 mm
Height (without turret): 2370 mm

Summarized characteristics

Crew (3)
- Driver, gunner, commander
30mm Bushmaster Mk.44 (Mock-up)
- Ammo: Standard 30mm
- Elevation: -15°/+60°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
Gunner sight
- Thermal camera
  - 2nd generation
Combat weight: 13,5 t
Engine: IVECO Cursor 8 Euro III 259 kW / ≈352 PS @ 2100 rpm
- Max speed: 65 km/h
Length 6,43 m Width: 2,5 m Height (without turret): 2,37 m