The document describes the ARK, an amphibious tracked vehicle developed by ARIS SpA to provide logistical support and emergency services. It was designed to have good navigation, stability, and loading capability in water, seas, and on land like the proven M548 vehicle it is based on. Key features include a keel for buoyancy, ducted propellers for propulsion, and the ability to operate as an ambulance, carry supplies, or fight fires with additional kits. The goal was to create a versatile vehicle that increases intervention and projection capabilities for civil authorities.

1. ARK
Logistic Amphibious Tracked Vehicle
07/01/13 General information 1
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

2. ARK
07/01/13 General information 2
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

3. ARK mission
• To provide the civil emergency plans Authorities and
Landing Forces with a Logistic Amphibious Tracked
Vehicle (LATV) suitable to increase their intervention and
projection capability, to satisfy the requirements and
duties of search and rescue mission. It can be used as an
ambulance to to provide emergency and medical services,
access and transportation to blockaded villages and to
supply them with any kind of supplies.
• It will also carry out rescue operation in case of natural
catastrophic events. Capable to run in marine, lagoon,
river and mountains, also in snow environment. With
suitable fire fighting kit, it can be used also for fire fighting
missions.
07/01/13 General information 3
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

4. Design criteria 1
•Add amphibious capability to the very reliable and
all over the word proven M548, adding:
• good navigation performance,
• high stability into water,
• same performance on ground of the original M548.
•Obtain an amphibious vehicle that can operate not
only in sea and in shoreline environment, but can
also operate on road, railways, mud and marsh with
a good loading capability.
07/01/13 General information 4
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

5. Design criteria 2
Using this hierarchy, A.R.I.S. engineering
ARIS designers used the developed simple and effective solutions:
following priority principles: A keel to improve the buoyancy and to
reduce the water (wave) drag.
1 - MOBILITY Two ducted propellers driven by
hydrostatic motors, that can be
2 - LOADING CAPABILITY independently actuated and also
reversed for in-water direction control.
3 – COST Two hydraulic pumps to actuate a.m.
hydrostatic motors.
Increased trust at fixed point into water has
been obtained installing in the rear part, two
additional propellers, making it easier to
come out from water and get afloat stranded
ship.
07/01/13 General information 5
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

6. ARK-itecture
1
2
Legenda: 1= original M548
2= added part for floating, propulsion
and reduced drag.
07/01/13 General information 6
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

7. Propulsion block diagram
Right ducted propeller
Hidraulic pumps
Diesel Motor
Hydraulic oil reservoir
In water control system Left ducted propeller
07/01/13 General information 7
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

8. Floating
07/01/13 General information 8
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

9. Landing
07/01/13 General information 9
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

10. Front ducted propeller
07/01/13 General information 10
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

11. Pitch control for in-water-
propulsion
To stabilize the trust in different loading conditions
07/01/13 General information 11
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

12. Possible versions
Base M548
Amphibious kit
Fire
Fighting kit
Base Logistic Amphibious
Tracked Vehicle
Ambulance/
Transport Kit
07/01/13 General information 12
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

13. Performances
• Maximum speed in water using the same diesel
engine of M113A1 type 6V53 (212 hp): about 7 kts.
• Good stability into water and sea keeping
• Same land performance of M548.
• Same useful load and ground mobility of M548.
• Same range on land of M548.
07/01/13 General information 13
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

14. Available accessories
• Hoop and canvas
• Personnel transportation kit
• Rescue equipment
• Van
• Fire fighting kit
07/01/13 General information 14
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

15. Fire fighting kit
• 2000 l. Stainless steel
water tank
• 25O l. Stainless steel
Foam generator reservoir
• 800 l /min Foam flow
• 2 hand nozzles with 200
l/min ea flow, joystick
controlled from the
cockpit
• Electrical and hydraulic
quick disconnect fittings
• Removable kit with crane
or fork lift
• Weight of the kit: 4000
kg., with water and foam
07/01/13 General information 15
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA

16. Further development
• More powerful Euro 3 diesel engine
• Better transmission
• Increased loading capability
07/01/13 General information 16
Propriety e rights del present document are reserved to ARIS SpA