Following the production of 12 Timoney 4 × 4 armoured personnel carriers for the Irish Army, Timoney Technology built two prototypes of a 4 × 4 armoured reconnaissance vehicle.

The Mk 1 armoured reconnaissance vehicle was powered by a Perkins T6.3544 six-cylinder diesel developing 155 hp coupled to an Allison Transmission MT-653 five-speed fully automatic transmission.

From the transmission, power was taken through a Timoney single stage transfer box to the front and rear differential assemblies. The latter incorporated oil-cooled disc brakes which were basically the same as those in the 4 × 4 armoured personnel carriers.

The vehicle had independent suspension consisting of upper and lower wishbones and coil springs which, like the hub reduction gears, was also the same as in the 4 × 4 armoured personnel carrier. It was also fitted with Trelleborg tyres with a Trelleborg run-flat insert system.

The Mk 1 was fitted with a two-man turret of the Alvis Scorpion CVR(T) armed with a 76 mm gun.

The Mk 1 was followed by the Mk 2 which was powered by a Detroit Diesel Model 4-53T developing 194 hp and was fitted with two water-jet propulsion systems.

More recently Timoney Technology has built prototypes of a 6 × 6 armoured vehicle which incorporate improvements in the design of the independent suspension and axle modules and total wheel travel has increased from 300 mm to 400 mm. A tyre pressure control system has also been installed which allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit the terrain being crossed.

By early 1993 three prototypes of the Mk 8 6 × 6 vehicle had been built, with the last two having a different hull front. As of mid-1995, production of this vehicle had yet to commence.

The hull is of all-welded high hardness homogeneous steel armour plate of Brinell Hardness 500 BHN. The plate joints are formed using high hardness steel extrusions to give a smooth contour. Over the frontal arc, the hull provides protection against 14.5 mm AP attack.

According to Timoney Technology, this innovative construction method provides significant benefits both in construction and performance. In construction, plate preparation is simplified since a suitable weld preparation is provided by the simple flame-cut edge and the extrusion. No machining preparation is required on the plate.

The armour extrusions are designed to provide extra plate thickness in the heat affected weld zone, compensating for any softening of the steel in this region. The extrusion overlap provides a double thickness in this region. This construction method eliminates the need for spall backing plates behind the weld resulting in simpler manufacture and a cleaner finish.

The power pack consists of the engine, automatic transmission, transfer gearbox and the complete cooling system.

The engine, a Perkins Phaser developing 300 bhp or a Cummins 6 CTA 8.3 developing 350 bhp, is directly coupled to a ZF transfer gearbox incorporating a torque distributing locking differential which proportions the torque between the front and rear wheels.

The cooling system for the engine and transmission, including the hydraulically driven high efficiency axial fan, is mounted directly onto the power pack on anti-vibration mountings. The complete power pack and cooling system can be removed as one assembly.

The power pack is carried on four anti-vibration mountings and is retained on these mountings by quick release over centre clamps. It is positioned by guideways for quick and easy installation and removal.

The three axles are composed of identical modules. In the front axle, the second output (through drive) location is blanked off and in the rear axle the water propulsion system drive is installed in this location. The commonality of the three axles reduces the logistic requirements of the vehicle.

The axle boxes are suspended from the armour floor of the vehicle by rubber mounting bushes to reduce the transmission of noise and vibration to the hull itself. To protect the axle housings from hostile action or from terrain damage, a removable armoured steel cover is located under the axles, resulting in a smooth and unbroken underbody surface from front to rear.

The brakes are of the air over hydraulic, ventilated disc type mounted directly on the axle housing. This inboard location of the brakes reduces the unsprung weight of the suspension and enables the brakes to be mounted within the protection of the body. Vulnerable hydraulic connections, which would normally extend to the wheels, are eliminated. Servicing of the brakes is also greatly simplified and brake pads can be changed without having to remove the wheels.

The rear axle is fitted with an extension gearbox which drives the water propulsion propellers. This gearbox is engaged by a mechanical dog clutch and when engaged the transmission is locked into 1st and 2nd gear to ensure a correct relationship between wheel speed and propeller speed for optimum waterborne performance and for maximum efficiency in entering and leaving the water.

The steerable propulsion propellers are of the open type to give maximum propulsive efficiency. When not in use, the propellers are rotated around the vertical axis into a park position which reduces vulnerability to damage from tree branches and other obstacles. Risk of injury to personnel is also reduced.

Each wheel is independently sprung with the suspension system consisting of an upper and lower wishbone arm with twin helical springs acting on the lower wishbone. A telescopic damper is located coaxially with one of the springs. The low mounting of the springs and extremely compact design of the suspension assembly eliminates any intrusion of the suspension into the available crew space, even though the vertical suspension movement is 400 mm.

The wheel assembly consists of a planetary drive which facilitates the installation of a central tyre inflation system allowing the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit the nature of the ground being crossed. A control system at the driver's station warns if the allowable speed at a particular pressure is being exceeded.

The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull with the 10 troops seated five down each side facing each other. Between this area and the driver's position there is space for up to three more people or one person and communications equipment.

If required a turret mounting weapons up to 105 mm in calibre can be mounted on top of the hull, this also being armed with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The vehicle is also provided with firing ports and vision blocks for the crew.

Access to the rear is via a hydraulically operated ramp that can be fitted with an additional access door if required. There is also an access door in the side of the hull with the driver provided with a single hatch opening to the right. The driver has a day periscope with a wiper, a fully adjustable seat with a 260 mm raise/lower facility and a fully adjustable steering column.

If required the vehicle can be fitted with a full collective filtration system, using the cabin overpressure principle, and an air conditioning system can also be provided. In the engine compartment, a fire detection and suppression system can be installed which will operate either automatically or manually as required.

Other vehicle options include a heated driver's periscope, driver's night vision device and a power-operated winch.