Hagglund

A Hägglund is an all-terrain heavy duty vehicle first manufactured in Sweden in 1922.  Hägglunds are used in Antarctica to transport people and cargo over snow and ice in the field, and are also used at modern Antarctic bases.

Hägglunds are very loud, slow and uncomfortable, but are enclosed so offer warmth and protection from the elements to passengers.  Hägglunds generally have two cabs, with the front cab holding up to four passengers.  The rear cab is used to transport cargo or further passengers. Hägglunds are diesel powered and run on four rubber tracks.  Steering is achieved by articulation of the front and rear cabs, with both cabs having powered tracks. A unique feature of the Hägglund is that it is amphibious, meaning that if it falls through sea ice it can float and move through the water – a vital feature in the treacherous and often unpredictable Antarctic environment.

The operational range of a Hägglund is approximately 250 km, depending on the cargo load, speed and terrain.  A minimum hard sea ice thickness of 50 cm is required for the Hägglund, and they have a towing capacity of up to 2 tonnes.