APC Development and related topics.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Like MRAP development, APC design is accelerating just as rapidly. Many of the technologies found in the MRAP are finding their way into APC designs currently available and in the future. These are to include but not limited to modular construction, new hull designs, mine and IED resistant, reactive and hybrid armor packages with on-board Battlefield Management Systems (BMS). This is to show what is available and coming to both inform and hopefully get into SPMBT. So for your review first up:
British MOD evaluates two foreign designs for their Future Rapid Effect Systems (FRES) program. FRES Scout Vehicle will be made for recon, Med. armor & maneuver support. Two bids will be submitted in Nov. with a possible 2 Billion Pound contract awarded by the first quarter of 2010. MOD plans for 1300 FRES variants with the first 270 being scout vehicles. Vehicles to enter service in 2015 made in the UK to replace the Scimitar and Spartan. BAE Swedish Op to submit CV90 chassis vehicle. With a British designed new turret that utilizes a new auto 40mm CT40 Case Telescoped Weapon System (CWTS) developed by CTA International in joint venture with BAE and Nextar Industries. Turret designed for accurate firing on the move which will be a first for a Med. armored vehicle in British service. Max combat Wt. 32-35 tons speed 70km/h on road and will have ADS for active protection system. Will be similar to Swedish and Dutch CV9035 MKIII. Note picture on the right shows the MOD version test firing in Sweden with the British turret. Pictures as follows:

General Dynamics UK to submit ASCOD-2 an upgraded version of the Austrian ULAN and Spanish Pizarro. Max combat Wt. 31 tons speed 70km/h with 33km/h in reverse. And is fully battle field integrated. Note ASCOD-2 is in service with the Spanish and German armies now. Pictures as follows

Sources: defence-update.com and Jane's armored vehicle online edition. Will have news from Singapore later.
Regards to all!
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

In joint venture with Turkey, Singapore Technologies Kinetics has developed the TERREX ICV. Singapore will field an initial 135 units to it's Infantry and Guards units during 2010. The TERREX is an 8x8 ICV (Infantry Carrier Vehicle) with a crew of 2 and can carry 12 passengers. Powered by a 400hp CAT C9 Diesel it's speed will be btwn. 110-115km/h. It will sport an independent hydro pneumatic suspension system. Mounted on the chassis it will feature a fully stabilized turret with a remote operated
30mm Bushmaster II. What sets the TERREX apart is that it has a new Acoustic Weapon Detection System (AWDS) on-board along with a Battlefield Management System (BMS). Pictures:

This is part of Singapore's major effort to modernize it's forces and keep pace with it's regional neighbors such as Indonesia that's doing the same and plans to purchase 420 TERREXs. The TERREX will replace Singapore's V-200 carrier (Will re-verify this.) and augment the purchase in 2005 of the BIONIX II and currently the improved BIONIX III and 2006 purchase from Germany of the LEOPARD IIA4. Pictures:

If Singapore isn't in SPMBT as was suggested in a thread elsewhere, maybe as the author suggested this can be rectified?
Good Night!
Pat

[Anthony_Scott]

Please see this thread about some Elbit closed hatch concepts, which will revolutionise how infantry fights from APCs:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=44092

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Anthony,
Thank you, I read the post. Just use the TERREX or to represent the MRAPs the
RG-35, they are both examples of the thinking going on around the world to more effectively protect crew and passengers while still increasing vehicle survivability at the same time sort of like "Having your cake and eating it to.". TERREX w/AWDS it hears it, tells FCS to shoot it and after BUSHMASTER II kills it the on-board BMS has already told the battlefield commander "in the rear with the gear" in real time what's happened and even watched if his country has a satelite or other visual source such as a UAV etc. Hi-Tech on the battlefield is certainly moving on! What Patton could've done if he had it!?! Also please note TERREX source info is the same as the previous FRES one.
Thanks!
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

VBM Freccia 8x8 IFV. Developed by the Iveco-Oto Melara consortium, the Freccia is the first digitised vehicle to enter service with the Italian Army. Based on the Centauro 105mm tank destroyer chassis, the Freccia sports a longer and narrower hull capable of carrying a crew of 3 (1 Driver and 2 in the turret.) along with 8 soldiers. An order of 249 units has been placed with all to be fielded by 2013. Broken down as follows: 172 IFV's with the Oto Melara Hitfist Plus turret with a Oerlikon 25mm KBA cannon, pair of 7.62mm coaxial one main gun fitted the other roof mounted, pointing laser device and a thermal night camera. 36 ATGW units that will in addition to the above, carry 2 Rafael Spike long range anti-tank guided missiles. Others to include a mortar variant with a
Thales 2R2M, striped 120mm mortar with auto loader, hydraulic recoil cushioning system and auto handling and shooting management system. The Command variant to have an Oto Melara Hitrole 12.7mm turret with a full battlefield comms and electronics package. There will also be an Ambulance and Recovery variants.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

VBM Freccia 8x8 IFV. Developed by the Iveco-Oto Melara consortium, the Freccia is the first digitised vehicle to enter service with the Italian Army. Based on the Centauro 105mm tank destroyer chassis, the Freccia sports a longer and narrower hull capable of carrying a crew of 3 (1 Driver and 2 in the turret.) along with 8 soldiers. An order of 249 units has been placed with all to be fielded by 2013. Broken down as follows: 172 IFV's with the Oto Melara Hitfist Plus turret with a Oerlikon 25mm KBA cannon, pair of 7.62mm coaxial one main gun fitted the other roof mounted, pointing laser device and a thermal night camera. 36 ATGW units that will in addition carry 2 Rafael Spike long range anti-tank guided missiles. Others to include 21 Mortar variant with a Thales 2R2M, striped 120mm mortar with auto loader, hydraulic recoil cushioning system and auto handling and shooting management system. 20 Command variants to have an Oto Melara Hitrole 12.7mm turret with a full battlefield comms and electronics package. There will also be an Ambulance and Recovery variants. First IFV delivered in Feb. 2009, at Cepolispe in Montelibretti, Rome. All weapon systems testing was successfully completed in June 2009. All have onboard fire suppression systems, NBC protected and front and underside armor to protect against up to 30mm rounds and 6kg TFT blasts with a package to withstand 8kg mine blasts. Will provide stats next time, didn't print out right-sorry! Source for info and photos: army-technology.com.
Photos:

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Hope everyone is doing well, just some quick updates.
1. VBM Freccia 8x8 additional stats as promised 26 tons powered by an Iveco diesel 6V super charged engine rated at 550hp, Spd. 110km/h and Rng. of 800km. Source army-tecnology.com.
2. At AUSA 2008 held in Wash. DC earlier this year, General Dynamics Armament&Technology Products (GD-ATP)unveiled the STRYKER with it's new hybrid armor kit (Designed by Rafeal.) that will be replacing the current SLAT armor kits being used now. Delivery is to be completed by March 2010 under the 150M contract awarded to GD-ATP. Note GD has been awarded the contract for the next gen STRYKER also will provide info and pictures later. Pictures follow, note second one shows a STRYKER with SLAT and Hybrid armor for wheel protection this is a "quick fix" until units are all retro-fitted. Source defence-update.com.


3. British MOD has decided to update the WARRIOR under the
FRES SV program (See earlier post). Will update later sources are both above.
4. South Korea to field new K21 APC. Source:
army-technology.com. Again will update later.
Thanks! And a Merry Christmas to all!!
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

"CROSS" had already done a thread on this-thanks! Just providing additional info with a related story. British MOD will and has acquired 100 Bronco ATTC vehicles from ST Kinetics of Singapore in a contract worth 150m pounds that will, as reported be designated as WARTHOG by B-MOD. Contract to be completed by mid 2010. The WARTHOG is to replace the VIKINGS currently being used in Afghanistan purchased under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR). Specs: Crew 2 with 10 troops, 65km/h roads and 5km/h in water, WARTHOG will in addition have a Platt MR50 shielded ring mount and external fuel tanks, powered by Caterpillar C7 generating 350bhp at 2400rpm.


France on the other hand has chosen to purchase from BAE 129
BvS10 MKII VIKINGs a heavier version of the BvS206s VIKING for it's Rapid Intervention Forces (RIV) at a cost of 220m pounds. France chose the VIKING MKII over the Bronco. Deliveries to begin in this year.

[Imp]

Strange isnt it that it only took 60 years to create lightweight Schuzen as in SLAT armour, think the Ruskies tried springs with limited success

[DRG]

This is excellent. Thanks Pat

Don