ARO – Athena
[b]Manufacturer[/b]
AEGIS Industry / Ground Systems Division
[b]Category[/b]
Ground Vehicle
[b]Class / Role[/b]
Ambulance / Medical Evacuation
[b]Country of Origin[/b]
France
[b]Year of Introduction / Retirement[/b]
2024 / —
[b]Current Status[/b]
In Service
Overview
The [b]ARO – Athena[/b] is a medical evacuation vehicle developed by [b]AEGIS Industry[/b] to meet the growing operational demands of the ARO Group. Designed to transport [b]more casualties than the Chiron ambulance[/b], it provides increased capacity while maintaining reliability and ease of deployment. In 2024, ARO faced a critical limitation: existing ambulances were no longer sufficient to handle mass-casualty scenarios and extended evacuation missions. Rather than designing a vehicle from scratch, engineers selected a [i]modified Sprinter platform[/i] as a proven and robust base. This approach allowed rapid development while integrating reinforced medical systems, expanded interior volume, and AEGIS-standard onboard equipment. The result was the Athena: a practical, scalable ambulance optimized for multi-victim transport and frontline medical support.
Technical Specifications
[b]Crew[/b]
2–3 operators
[b]Capacity / Passengers / Cargo[/b]
Up to 6 casualties
[b]Empty / Maximum / Full Load Weight[/b]
—
[b]Propulsion / Engine Type(s)[/b]
V4 naturally aspirated engine
[b]Total Power / Thrust[/b]
130 hp
[b]Transmission / Propulsion[/b]
Wheeled, rear-wheel drive
[b]Max Speed / Cruise / Knots[/b]
95 km/h
[b]Endurance / Range / Operation Time[/b]
250 km
[b]Average Consumption[/b]
—
[b]Fuel Tank / Capacity[/b]
100 L
[b]Dimensions (L × W × H)[/b]
7 m × 2.25 m × 2.75 m
[b]Beam / Draft[/b]
—
[b]Payload / Armament / Modules[/b]
Medical evacuation module
[b]Onboard Systems / Electronics / Sensors[/b]
Medical monitoring systems, VHF radio
[b]Main Materials / Armor[/b]
Reinforced civilian-grade chassis
[b]AEGIS Equipment Compatibility[/b]
Medical modules, communication systems
[b]Cost[/b]
17,700 $
Model Features
The [b]ARO – Athena[/b] stands out for: [list]
[*] Expanded medical compartment for multi-casualty transport
[*] One integrated medical bed for critical patients
[*] Full medical care equipment onboard
[*] Optimized interior layout based on operational feedback
[/list]
Performance and Use
[list]
[*] Strengths: high casualty capacity, reliable platform, easy maintenance, cost-effective
[*] Limitations: limited off-road capability, civilian-based protection level
[*] Areas of Excellence: mass-casualty response, urban and suburban medical evacuation, disaster relief
[/list]
[b]Conclusion:[/b] The Athena successfully fills the gap between light ambulances and heavy medical vehicles, offering ARO a flexible and efficient solution for modern emergency operations.
Related Versions
Variant
Designation
Main Features
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[i]Developed by AEGIS Industry – Ground Systems Division[/i] [i]"Care first, wherever it’s needed."[/i]
