APC Development and related topics.

[Suhiir]

I keep thinking about how happy the guys in M3's and Sd.Kfz. 251's were that they weren't in an unarmored truck, and now we have "APCs" with almost as much armor as a top tier MBT.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well I guess I'll kick off 2019 with the first post in TO&Es with a couple of FYI stories. The first was brought up in Amit's (Gingertanker) IDF OOB Thread with Don and the next is for my MARINE friend lest she thinks I forgot about her. After all you can't keep a good rivalry down, now can you!?!

Israel: NAMER IFV test fired SPIKE LR from new turret. The launcher can fire two of these missiles that can be reloaded from within the unmanned turret protecting the crew. I estimate the following: 1) It will carry at least eight missiles and I see the distinct possibility it could be ten based on the fact again, this is an unmanned turret. 2) There are still other system checks to be done, so I believe we could possibly see it in service as early as 10/2019 but I feel it'll be closer to 12/2019. It'll also be "armed" with the TROPHY HV. Note: Ref. 3 is unusually a little behind in it's reporting, however, it's still an outstanding source on the progression of the NAMER.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/dece...v_armored.html
https://www.armyrecognition.com/augu..._10208171.html
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...the-usa-06620/

Also on EITAN I know I posted some info on this to include the IDF OOB Thread and gave a FOC projected date. I just didn't have a chance to verify when I did that, so, I don't know if some of that decision was based also on the following ref. If so my apologies in advance. From the ref. (Now deleted when this posts.) below...
"Israel’s new Eitan armored personnel carrier is in final field testing with the Nahal infantry brigade. Its series production is scheduled to start in 2021. Once the Israeli army has received enough Eitans to replace the last of their old M113s, the vehicle will be made available for export."
https://www.armyrecognition.com/nove...n_in_2021.html

USMC: Well the CORPS has been chasing their tail on a replacement for the AAVs for almost a decade now. Even the ACV Program has had many developmental issues to include changing mission requirements etc. The process has now been settled and the first step of possibly three has begun with the ACV 1.1 with the BAE Systems vehicle having won the competition. From ref. 1 below...
"U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command at Quantico Marine Base are ordering 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) and accompanying vetronics to replace the Corps's ageing fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs). A $140.4 million contract has been signed with BAE Systems Platforms & Services segment in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Expected delivery of the first vehicles is fall 2019 and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force’s 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., is expected to be the first to get them the following year."
So depending if everything goes alright, then USMC SYSCOM will be conducting the OPEVAL and possibly IOC evaluations. I feel though the IOC/FOC will be done by the "3rd AAB".
So I'm projecting FOC 01/2021. Oh that'll include the Grenade Launcher also being equipped.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/dece...s_to_usmc.html

Also this I believe I had gotten this fixed with Don already as I've been posting on the CORPS LAV-AT for some years (Since around 2011/2012) now. I believe as in the game now we had changed the date to reflect the following ref. and others at the time. If not Oops! and . Will check this later in the morning. In the meantime here's on of the better refs. on the topic...
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...killers-07373/

Looking at the "TYPE" now I remember this was a "minor" PITA at the time. Anyway LAV-AT2 as we had to call them, UNIT 018 01/2018 is good as entered.

Well I did say "a little later this morning.". and that last was well, a little later.

Happy New Year everyone!!

FOLLOW UP ON THIS POST!

Regards,
Pat

[MarkSheppard]

Chinese companies are floating preliminary HIFV concepts:

Concept of NORINCO VT-4 Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (HIFV) displayed at IDEX 2019. Noticed the shared chassis with VT-4 Main Battle Tank, which would provide the vehicle with significant protection and mobility.

It's a long way from actual production; just here to show you what NORINCO is thinking about in the East....

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This is by way of an UPDATE concerning the AJAX. JANE's is reporting with the following ref. the same thing I reported using a different source before the end of the year, where I submitted a START date change to the right to JUNE 2020 I believe it was.

From the article "British Army crews will begin trialing the turreted reconnaissance version of the Ajax family of armoured vehicles during the third quarter of this year, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)." That's in 2019. And...

"...the ministry told Jane’s that the first squadron-sized sub-unit will be equipped with the full complement of the variant in early 2020 ahead of the initial operating capability (IOC) being declared the following July."

I took a gamble on FOC being reached at that time (As submitted.) because the UK has been staying ahead of schedule in the testing program to date. Apparently it's meeting expectations and proving very reliable thus far.

Please remember I have no access to the game or my notes at this time. I will endeavor in the meantime to recover that post which I think is in the MBT Thread that also contained a START Date change for the Israeli ENTAN.
https://www.janes.com/article/87527/...s-by-september
https://des.mod.uk/what-we-do/army-p...-support/ajax/
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-gb...-vehicles.html

Ref. 3 (Manufacturer) is indicating trials will be ongoing until 9/2020.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I found the "offending" post to my last, it's in the IDF OOB project by GingerTanker on Pg. 8 Post #80 of this forum. Though tracking for EITAN not so much for the AJAX. So much for "crystal balls" especially when overcome by newer references (For both that also pushed them back.) since that post was submitted last Nov.

Just following up is all.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

It's July 2020 right now. I may push it forward or not

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Don't push it forward, that's in line now for the "projected" IOC date, the real issue here is will we need to "push it back" for FOC.

Also see Post #472 above on this page. That was convenient for a change!

Regards,
Pat

[AtomicTank]

Sorry if someone has already made a request

Could you add
EBRC Jaguar for France and Belgium

Source:
https://www.armyrecognition.com/fren..._pictures.html

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/act...n-et-le-jaguar (in French)

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualit...ffon-et-jaguar (In French)

https://defpost.com/belgium-orders-3...ored-vehicles/

Thanks

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

We are tracking it since program inception. It's probably about 2-3 years out from FOC at this point which is why it's not in the OOB.

I see you used Army Recognition, which the web tracking site "ALEXA.com" (I believe.) has declared it the #1 Defense site on the web.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/marc...alexa.com.html

Also submissions are closed for the next patch. And the Andy/Don "TS Skunk Works Project" is probably by now in the "testing phase" for the next patch release.

Regards,
Pat


EDIT: Sorry should've been more specific in this earlier. I was referring to possible FOC for France.

[DRG]

quote........."The new vehicles will be delivered to Belgian Land component between 2025 and 2030 and will replace its Piranha IIIC armored personnel carriers, Pandur I reconnaissance vehicles and Dingo 2 infantry mobility vehicles.