{{Short description|Polish light strike vehicle}} {{Infobox weapon | name = LPU Wirus 4 | image = LPU Wirus IV---Żmija---cropped.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Transfer of LPU Wirus 4 to the Polish Land Forces | origin = Poland | type = Reconnaissance vehicle | is_vehicle = yes | is_UK = yes | service = 2021 – present | used_by = See ''Operators'' | wars = | designer = Concept / Polski Holding Obronny | design_date = ? | manufacturer = Concept / Polski Holding Obronny | unit_cost = ? | production_date = 2017 – present | number = 118 | variants = Reconnaissance vehicle | weight = 1700 kg | length = 4 m | width = 2 m | height = 2 m | crew = 3 (driver + gunner) | passengers = 3 | armour = STANAG 4569 Level 1 | primary_armament = * UKM-2000 or WLKM 12,7 mm (depending on the version) | engine = Diesel engine | engine_power = 180 HP | fuel_capacity = | pw_ratio = | suspension = 4×4 wheel drive | vehicle_range = {{Convert|1200|km|mi|abbr=on}} | speed = {{Convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | guidance = }}

'''LPU Wirus 4''' (''Lekki Pojazd Uderzeniowy Wirus 4'', Light Strike Vehicle Virus 4) is a Light Strike Vehicle, currently used in the Polish Armed Forces<ref name=":2">{{Citation |title=MSPO17: Debiut LPU Wirus 4 |work=www.milmag.pl |url=https://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=277 |language=pl}}</ref> and developed by Concept and Polski Holding Obronny. The vehicle can be used in long-range reconnaissance missions and fast strikes.<ref name=":4">{{Citation |title=Wirus 4 Light High-Mobility Vehicle - Army Technology |work=www.army-technology.com |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/wirus-4-light-high-mobility-vehicle/}}</ref>

== Development == LPU Wirus 4 is the new light vehicle with high mobility designed and manufactured by Concept. It is the fourth in the Wirus series of armoured vehicles. Together with LPU Wirus 2 and LPU Wirus 3, it is a direct development of the LPU-1 Wirus vehicle, which is Concept's response to the Long-range Reconnaissance Vehicles programme codenamed "Żmija". The production-ready prototype of the Wirus 4 vehicle was presented at the MSPO defence fair in Kielce in September 2017. The Wirus 4 vehicle also became the winner of the "Żmija" programme, and in 2017 at the Kielce fair, a contract was signed for the delivery of these vehicles to the Polish Army.<ref name=":5">{{Citation |title=Wirus dla Żmii za ponad 90 mln zł. Spółka Concept z kontraktem na pojazd dalekiego rozpoznania - przemysł obronny |work=wnp.pl |url=https://www.wnp.pl/przemysl-obronny/wirus-dla-zmii-za-ponad-90-mln-zl-spolka-concept-z-kontraktem-na-pojazd-dalekiego-rozpoznania,327220.html |language=pl}}</ref> The vehicle was also presented at the international defense and security exhibition Eurosatory, which took place in Paris in June 2018.<ref name=":4">{{Citation |title=Wirus 4 Light High-Mobility Vehicle - Army Technology |work=www.army-technology.com |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/wirus-4-light-high-mobility-vehicle/}}</ref>

The vehicle uses a central differential mechanism, and it is possible to select permanent drivers of both axles while driving in various road conditions. From the mass-produced vehicles from the LPU Wirus family (first, second and third generation), the Wirus 4 uses the supporting frame, drive system, reduction gear, front axle, and rear axle. In contrast, many elements and systems have been completely redesigned, among others, a safety cage, adjustable rear suspension, a new electrical system, a body (including the floor, and rear part construction) made of carbon composites, new side and rear doors and bucket seats for the crew with 5-point seat belts. Additionally, it was decided to use a new chassis.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=MSPO 2017: Premiera Wirusa - Defence24 |work=www.defence24.pl |url=https://www.defence24.pl/mspo-2017-premiera-wirusa}}</ref>

== Description == The LPU Wirus 4 is based on a modified Mitsubishi L200 chassis. Its hull comprises high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel pipe and composite laminate connectors.<ref name=":4">{{Citation |title=Wirus 4 Light High-Mobility Vehicle - Army Technology |work=www.army-technology.com |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/wirus-4-light-high-mobility-vehicle/}}</ref> The vehicle uses a 2.4-litre diesel engine with 180 HP and a maximum torque of 430 Nm. The drive unit is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a transfer-reduction gearbox with a locking inter-axle differential, implementing one of four operating modes: 4×2, 4×4, 4×4 locked and 4×4 with a reduced ratio. The vehicle's performance, by the requirements, is: 140 km/h on a paved road and 100 km/h on a dirt road. The vehicle's crew consists of 3 people - the driver, commander and weapons operator. The curb weight of the Żmij is (without weapons) 1700 kg, the payload is 900 kg, and the permissible gross vehicle weight is 2600 kg.<ref name=":6">{{Citation |title=LPU WIRUS IV – TEAM-CONCEPT |url=https://team-concept.pl/work/lpu-wirus-iv/ |language=pl-PL}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Citation |title=MSPO17: Debiut LPU Wirus 4 |work=www.milmag.pl |url=https://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=277 |language=pl}}</ref>

The vehicle has floor armouring at level I according to STANAG 4569 and run-flat inserts in the tires, allowing movement with shot or punctured tires. Wirus 4 also has a radio communication system with a range of 150 km and an electric winch with a rope outlet to the front and rear. The vehicle's configuration options allow for maintaining the autonomy of conducted reconnaissance operations for at least 7 days and the installation of various weapons.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=MSPO 2017: Premiera Wirusa - Defence24 |work=www.defence24.pl |url=https://www.defence24.pl/mspo-2017-premiera-wirusa}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation |title=Eurosatory2018: Debiut Conceptu |work=www.altair.com.pl |url=https://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=25443 |language=en}}</ref>

== Variants == * LPU Wirus 4 – 3-person basic variant, light attack vehicle for special forces and long-range reconnaissance. Ordered for the Armed Forces.<ref name=":6">{{Citation |title=LPU WIRUS IV – TEAM-CONCEPT |url=https://team-concept.pl/work/lpu-wirus-iv/ |language=pl-PL}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Citation |title=Wirus dla Żmii za ponad 90 mln zł. Spółka Concept z kontraktem na pojazd dalekiego rozpoznania - przemysł obronny |work=wnp.pl |url=https://www.wnp.pl/przemysl-obronny/wirus-dla-zmii-za-ponad-90-mln-zl-spolka-concept-z-kontraktem-na-pojazd-dalekiego-rozpoznania,327220.html |language=pl}}</ref> * LPU Wirus 4 SOF – a variant of the basic version of the LPU Wirus 4 modified to meet the needs of special forces. The vehicle has a 4-person partially built-up cabin, a winch, bases for mounting the ROSY smoke grenade protection system, mounts for UKM 7.62 mm or 5.56 mm weapons, a 360-degree turntable with mounting for {{ill|Wielolufowy karabin maszynowy WLKM 12,7 mm|lt=WLKM 12,7 mm|pl}} or UKM 7.62 mm and the possibility of mounting a communication system.<ref>{{Citation |title=LSV Wirus 4 SOF – TEAM-CONCEPT |url=https://team-concept.pl/work/wirus-sof/ |language=pl-PL}}</ref>

== Operators == '''Current Operators''' * '''{{flag|Poland}}''' ('''118''')

* 118 LPU Wirus 4 vehicles were set to be delivered in 2020–2022.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Citation |title=Pierwsze Żmije dopiero w styczniu - Defence24 |work=www.defence24.pl |url=https://www.defence24.pl/pierwsze-zmije-dopiero-w-styczniu}}</ref>

'''Deliveries''': * The first 25 vehicles were delivered to the Armed Forces on December 7, 2021.<ref>{{Citation |title=Pierwsze pojazdy dalekiego rozpoznania odebrane|work=DziennikZbrojny.pl|url=http://dziennikzbrojny.pl/aktualnosci/news,1,11595,aktualnosci-z-polski,pierwsze-pojazdy-dalekiego-rozpoznania-odebrane |language=pl}}</ref> * Second batch of 35 vehicles were delivered on 20th July 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title= Żmije w Wojsku Polskim. Do jednostek na wschodniej granicy trafiło 35 pojazdów dalekiego rozpoznania|url=https://portalobronny.se.pl/polityka-obronna/zmije-w-wojsku-polskim-35-pojazdow-dalekiego-rozpoznania-trafilo-do-jednostek-wojskowych-na-wschodniej-granicy-aa-5A6W-gsZP-bjA5.html|date=20 July 2023 |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>

* Third and last batch of 58 vehicles were delivered in 2024.<ref name="dziennikzbrojny.p">{{cite web|date=25 January 2025|title= Dostawy sprzętu wojskowego dla Wojska Polskiego w 2024 roku|url=https://dziennikzbrojny.pl/aktualnosci/news,1,12117,aktualnosci-z-polski,dostawy-sprzetu-wojskowego-dla-wojska-polskiego-w-2024-roku|access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>

== See also == {{Portal|Poland}} * AMZ Bóbr-3

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://team-concept.pl/en/work/lpu-wirus-iv-2/ Concept official website] LPU WIRUS IV

{{ModernPOLAFVsNav | style= wide }} {{Modern Recce}}

Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Reconnaissance vehicles Category:Military vehicles of Poland Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2010s