ACEC Cobra: A Universal Combat Platform Ahead of Its Time!

Belgian company ACEC was a manufacturer of electrical generation, transmission, transport, lighting, and industrial equipment. That included Diesel-Electric Drive systems.

Development of the ACEC Cobra

In the 1960s, ACEC started toying with the idea of manufacturing a military modular platform that could be powered by a Diesel-Electric power plant. They mated a Cummins supercharged diesel engine to one of their in-house electrical transmissions. The result was a very compact power plant, meaning more space available for armament, passengers, ammunition, or armour!

In the 1970s, ACEC had fitted its power plant to one M24 Chaffee and one AMX-10P to test their idea, and the results were promising! The Belgian company therefore decided to design its own range of vehicles based on their universal platform.

Prototype Features and Capabilities

By 1985, they had completed working prototypes for an APC/IFV modular platform. The APC version could carry up to 10 equipped infantrymen and be armed with anything from a .50 cal machine gun to a 90mm cannon. Options were available for rocket pods, autocannons, 120mm mortars, and Milan AT launchers.

The IFV was based on a reworked hull and was basically a light recon tank. It could be equipped with a 90mm gun turret or a 25mm Oerlikon gun. The IFV also came with laser range finders, day/night vision, and an FCS. Both the APC and the IFV were amphibious.

The Rise and Fall of the ACEC Cobra

During testing, the Cobra proved to have better performance and manoeuvrability than its peers thanks to its electric transmission. The design was definitely ahead of its time and yet, it came too late. The Cold War ended in 1989, and with Western militaries cutting down on defence budgets, there was no need for such a platform. The Cobra was never produced and the company (ACEC) was split and sold in 1989.