Hi,
Breaching AEV (Armored Engineering Vehicle) is the answer to the riddle I have been trying to solve since my days in the Technion.
I found the answer in Latrun Yad_La-Shiryon (armored forces) museum facebook page as it showed how the vehicle is placed for exhibition in the museum and tells about how it was developed at the Technion.
The vehicle was developed under an initiative led by MAFAT (Directorate of Defense, Research, & Development of the Israeli Ministry of Defense), in cooperation with the IDF and the Major General Kuti Adam (z”l), Laboratory for Machine–Terrain Interaction in the Technion, under the leadership of Prof. Yitzhak “Shmilo” Shmulevich.
The platform is based on the hull of an American M88A1 armored recovery vehicle (also in service with the IDF). It is equipped with two articulated arms fitted with excavation buckets, as well as a front-mounted dozer blade.
Originally, the vehicle was designed to support breaching teams operating under the Soviet-style defensive doctrine that historically characterized the Egyptian and Syrian fronts. As operational realities evolved, the IDF’s maneuvering forces did not adopt this platform.
A similar vehicle is operated German Army currently operates 44 similar Kodiak 3 breaching vehicles, with an additional 42 on order. These systems are based on the Leopard 2 tank chassis.
Some say that the IDF too should have used those AEV instead of The D9 teddy bear, as it fit most for dealing with what had to be done in Gaza strip in Iron Swords war.
The vehicle was transferred, after it underwent structural rehabilitation, installation of the folding arms along both sides of the hull (they probably being dissembled over the years), and full refurbishment including cleaning and repainting.
The initiative to transport the vehicle to Latrun, including its preparation along the way, was led and supported by Col. (res.) Dr. Rafi Aviram — a member of the association and, coincidentally, the CEO and Vice President of the Technion — to whom the museum extend his sincere thanks.
Closed formation from front-side view
Closed formation back-side view
Closed formation side view
Open formation fornt-side view
Open formation fornt-side view – a different angle
Open formation side view
Setting the Breaching AEV in Latrun Yad_La-Shiryon museum (Source: Latrun Yad_La-Shiryon (armored forces) museum facebook page)
Photo courtesy of the Technion, from the testing/experimental phase (Source: Michael Mass facebook page)