APC Development and related topics.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Sorry I've been getting these out late but I've been busy in other areas this past week. So here's more news from last week...

1. USA continues to make improvements to BRADLEY to increase its life cycle abilities.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...835/#contracts

2. I think this next will be the final nail in the coffin for the EFV, I fully understand its current status in the game and agree with it. We have time and I won't recommend a change in status until I post my final 2011/2012 Patch Post. Alternatives are discussed in this article, but I would further suggust that Brazil's new VBTP-MR fully amphibious 8x8 Marine version might get a look down the road as well. It certainly would fully meet the carry requirements for a USMC squad (13 I believe?) plus crew and can carry wide range of weapons as well. See the APC section Patch Post here or go to that thread itself for more info. Of course I'll continue to follow the EFV as needed.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...#efv-contracts

Time get ready for work.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

News of LW+:

1. TROPHY completes U.S. tests successfully.
http://www.rafael.co.il/Marketing/19...Marketing.aspx

2. Brazil to upgrade it's M-113 APCs to the German WARAN status. Simply speaking it's a stretched M-113 with an added road wheel similar to Turkeys ACV-S.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23681/

3. BRADLEYS to get improved personnel survivability upgrades.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23915/

4. Our timeline is good as the first of the BTR-4 APCs are shipped to Iraq from the Ukraine.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/april...y_2004111.html

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The Turkish ARMA 6x6 has been bought by a foreign country (verified) as the first customer. What I have found is circumstantial evidence (NON BLOG) to suggust it was Saudi Arabia. This is not good enough to get it in the game, does anyone have any info that's ONLY from a reliable source or newspaper that says X country has bought it? Trying to get this very capable piece of equipment in. Yes have checked OTAKAR.

Thanks!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

News of LW

1. BOXER finally gets fielded with the 23rd Mountain Ranger Brigade. The Bundeswehr is slated to get 220 units to replace the 2 ton Unimog trucks in current use.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/808/
TRACK AND CHECK THIS ITEM AGAINST GAME.

2. STRYKER to get double v-hull protection.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24385/

3. Happy 10th Birthday STRYKER!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24362/

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Though Don has taken care of this, I'm not one to waste good information once gained. So I'll just present the basics since I won't have to "fight" to get it in now. See MBT thread Post #151 Pg. 16, for initial reporting relating to Thailand apparently choosing to replace it's M41A3 tanks with the Ukraine OPLOT MBT. The Ukrainian BRT-3E1 (Export version of the BTR-3U.) is an updated version of the Russian BTR-80. The Ukraine is building the BTR-3E1 brand new. The first initial order of 96 units will be delivered by the end of 2011, with the first two delivered last September. The Thai Army should have (had) by the end of 2010 it's first 22 units while the Thai trainers were in the Ukraine for training in the instructor school starting last Oct. Another 121 units are to be ordered later this year. Units are to cover all operational types with emphasis on the APC and IFV types. Will use June 2011 based on training and equipment availability per first ref. here. Using new expanded format below, is this better for you?
ADD/THAILAND/JUN 2011/BTR-3E1 IFV/C3 P6/Turreted 30mm 250Rds, Coax 7.62mm 2500Rds and ATGW 2x4 KONKURS/DEFENCE 6x81mm S/AeroGL/All vehicle types are FULLY AMPHIBIOUS from the start./Can substitute 30mm AGL 116Rds for cannon./
Other types per last ref.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/secu...etener-to-army
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/inve...an-btr-3e1-apc
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/article/article_772.html
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php
http://www.ds-pa.com/index.php/btr-3...cle-production

Pic:


Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

I'll need to double check the number of infantry the unit can carry. One souse says it's only 6 which "complicates" the OOB. Also, the sources seem to indicate the AGL is included as part of the standard package not a subsitute for the AC so the set up would be similar ( but not quite the same..) to the BTR-4 GROM in the Ukrainian OOB

Don

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
You can rest assured that...

1. All my refs posted thus far including the manufacturers agree with C3 P6, which I'll re-post below for convenience sake. I'm currently playing a long campaign as the Thai vs. China and understand your concern with the OOB, the BTR-3E1 will be about useless in the carry of mainstream infantry units. If not mistaken it won't even be able to carry a Thai HMG section. Looks like RECON, ATGW etc. type units only get to ride in it. But as with the apparent OPLOT buy this was all about getting the "biggest bang for the buck" except for the CEASAR (6 UNITS) and GRIPEN (Both types and they will get the AESA (?) RADAR when available later this year or early next.) where they needed more capabilities vs current equipment.

2. In my "Night Stalker" mode missed the highlighted line of separation between systems on the manufacturers site so, the 30mm AGL is all inclusive to the turret and not a separate option for the cannon.

3. Lessons Learned: The first site is one of my trusted go to sites normally HOWEVER since my AC system has been operating with a mind of it's own lately, I'm a little HOT (Excuses, Excuses...) and missed checking it which would've answered all the questions by itself including why I couldn't find pictures showing all the systems carried on the turret (Those missing 30mm AGL...) on the net, because they had them!! See below.

4. The CORPS might face the same issues with some of the replacements to the EFV. I still think the Brazilian VBTP-MR 8x8 Marine version (See Post #92 A15.) still might get a look before all is said and done it's fully amphibous and will have more then enough carry and operational capibilities for the CORPS. Any takers?
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...#efv-contracts

Refs for the BTR-3E1:
http://www.military-today.com/apc/btr_3u.htm
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3874.html
Click on lower left links for turret and ATGW system info.

Pics:


UAE Marine version.

From my work calendar: "Constant and determined effort breaks down all resistence and sweeps away all obstacles" it does seem to fit at times.

This is for the AC Tech if he doesn't get here today after almost 2 weeks!!


Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Good News! We're on track with some items from the last PP 2010/2011.

1. PARS.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/25059/

2. VBTP-MR and we have a real one to look at now.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product4269.html

3. FRES-SV project ahead of schedule.
http://www.generaldynamics.uk.com/ne...e_firing_tests
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/article/article_2201.html

4. USA GCV Program in jeopardy-again!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/25359/

5. The cost of canceled vehicle programs to the UK.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...19&c=LAN&s=EUR

6. My nemesis the ARMA 6x6, OTAKAR signs yet a second contract for it to ethier the same or a second unknown country. I WILL CRACK THE CODE-someday!?!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/25065/

7. And just because I like it, the LAV-AD! As "Gunny" Vandeere likes to say @ work "GET SUM!!", Charles is the man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM82Vuq3PdM

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Had to do some Post research for the current job at hand and thought some might find the following useful. It is a free registration site.
1. The site:
http://www.the-blueprints.com/

2. An example of what you might find:



Hope this will be helpful to some.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

1. Gotta love India working hard to build a strong economy, military, education and let's not forget in ~15yrs or less surpass China in population, I wonder what the implications of that could lead to? For now though it's the search for newer military hardware.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/news123924.html

2. Well at least Denmark is keeping their tanks, for now anyway, but it's time to replace their M-113's.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rope&Itemid=57

3. The WARRIOR got some recent upgrades but I wasn't sure about putting it into the curent PP in progress. So here's a "Hail Mary Pass" to see if it's worth the effort.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/25686/

4. An old friend that was on my very first PP from 2yrs. ago. The last of them are now delivered.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/840/

5. Brazil to maybe upgrade their M-113 APC as KMW opens up for business there.
http://defense-update.com/wp/20110414_kmw_laad.html

Regards,
Pat