Our vehicles

The type G2 was the straight-forward transport version of the high-mobility "sLKW" series from ÖAF. While the type G1 and G3 with their hydraulic cranes were mainly ammunition-supply and heavy engineer vehicles, the plain G2 version was predominantly used for bulk loads. Based on the same chassis and drive train as the whole "s" series, it provided excellent offroad capabilities and - at the time of its introduction in the mid s970s - unheard-of driver comfort. The fully synchronized 6-speed transmission together with the torque converter (WSK 400) eliminated any engine-stall problems in heavy offroad applications, and the 320HP V8 engine provided ample power under all circumstances. During field exercises the "s" was always a preferred vehicle for the drivers, because the cab provided two full bunks.

When the Austrian Army was re-established after WW2 and the occupation period in 1956, the domestic vehicle industry had already started to develop new post-war trucks. Steyr Daimler Puch had introduced its post-war truck line with the Type 370, shortly to be replaced with the first Diesel Type 380 (of which only a small number was procured by the Army). The Type 480 became the first post-war medium supply truck that entered Army service. Over the years, its WD 413 4-cylinder Diesel engine saw several modifications (increasing in power to 95 HP), however the Army clearly demanded a 4WD-version to replace the large number of light and medium US-trucks left behind by the occupational forces.

In 1992 the Austrian Armed Forces acquired several tractor-trailer units for mobile x-ray stations that were to be used for tuberculosis-screening. Since there was no intention of ever taking such units off the paved roads, conventional medium-weight civilian-type tractor units from Steyr were selected, and with the low weight of the trailers (6 tons) the 230 HP engine was by far sufficient. Both trailer and tractor (rear axle) were equipped with air-ride suspensions to better protect the sensitive x-ray units. Due to the relatively high electric power demand of the x-ray unit, the trailers were not equipped with on-board generators, but instead every Austrian barracks got one high-power 380V electric outlet installed, and these x-ray units would typically be parked next to these outlets.

By the mid-1960s the Austrian Army started looking for a replacement for the aging Dodge light trucks left behind by the US occupational forces upon their departure in 1956. Austrian manufacturers Steyr-Daimler-Puch and ÖAF responded to this request and started development of light trucks with 1 (and later 1-½) ton payload. While ÖAF based their development on a downsized version of their heavy truck family, Steyr decided to expand its well-proven light Haflinger high-mobility vehicle with its central tube chassis. The two resulting vehicles were the ÖAF 2-90 „Husar“ (see also the history of our Husar on this homepage) and the Steyr-Daimler-Puch Pinzgauer, and first prototypes were tested by the Army starting in 1966/67.