ARIS ARK

The ARK is a patented tracked amphibious vehicle from A.R.I.S. SpA of Italy. It was designed to carry people and materials in emergencies. According to the maker, it was used in rescue operations by the Italian Civil Protection agency. ARIS also offered it as a logistic support vehicle for landing craft such as the AAV-7 and its own Arisgator, and as a way of pulling stranded vessels off a beach.

Design

The hull is light alloy, shaped for low drag in the water. The engine bay is sealed and zinc anodes protect against corrosion. Two propellers at the front and two at the rear are each driven by independent hydraulic motors, which gives high static thrust. A tilting bow steadies the vehicle when afloat. On land it can be driven with either levers or a steering wheel, and in the water with a joystick. The tracks are rubber or rubber-and-steel, need little maintenance and give low ground pressure. It can be carried on a standard trailer, by aircraft or slung under a helicopter, and can tow boats of up to 30 tonnes.

Specifications

The ARK is 6.96 m long and 2.55 m wide (2.65 m in another configuration). Kerb weight is 7,600 kg and gross weight 12,800 kg, giving a 5,200 kg payload in an 8.5 m3 cargo space. Top speed is 60 km/h on land and 6 knots afloat. It can climb a 60% grade, and range is over 500 km.