Alvis/SEI M-11072 LAB

     Country of Origin: Britain

     Notes: The LAB (Light Assault Bridge) was designed at the request of the US Army, who was at the tail-end of its experimentation of 9ID as light motorized division.  The Mowag Piranha II 10x10 chassis was just one of the possible configurations of the LAB; others included basing it on the Alvis Stormer or Shielder chassis, another was to base it on a trailer carrying the spans and a mechanical method to deploy them, along with some trestles.  In the end, the LAB went the way of the Dodo along with the experiment that produced the 9LMID.

     Fictional History: The 9LMID realized that one of the pieces of kit they would need is a short-span AVLB (they would have preferred a longer-span version, but this would have been size-prohibitive, as the vehicle would have to fit inside a C-130).  The bridge used scissors-type deployment, and could be deployed or recovered only from the rear of the vehicle.  It used a pair of 7.62-meter ramps and a pair of 15.24-meter spans; the ramps deployed the same time that the spans did.  This allowed for a 45-meter crossing, and adjustable trestles could be used to facilitate (the LAB carried four of these, which had to be deployed by manpower.  The roadway is 4 meters wide, and is MLC 35.  It is made from high-strength aluminum alloy, as is the Piranha base vehicle. The crew does not have to leave the vehicle to deploy it or recover it; only trestle-setting requires exterior troops.

     The base Piranha II 10x10 vehicle uses a DURO 350-horsepower 350 turbocharged engine, along with an automatic transmission.  The vehicle is armed with a CROWS II-type OWS, armed with an M-240 and a Mk 19 AGL, forward of the bridging equipment and spans.  Ammunition, however, is in short supply, as some of the bridging equipment intrudes into the interior space, leading to a low ceiling and little internal storage space.  The CROWS can be removed for packing into a C-130.  The vehicle is otherwise protected by NBC Overpressure, and has air conditioning and heating.  The commander is in the cab and is part of the bridging crew, while the vehicle has a dedicated gunner. There are a pair of rear doors; they are small, however, about half-height.

     It should be noted that the LAB was about the largest vehicle the 9LMID regularly used.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$568,934

D, A

400 kg

23.67 tons

3

20

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

134/68

38/19

492

124

CiH

W(5)

TF4 TS4 TR4 HF6 HS4 HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Fair

M-240B, Mk 19

750x7.62mm, 140x40mm

 

Malyshev BREM-64

     Country of Origin: Ukraine

     Notes:  As Russia began to retire its T-64 tanks, some of these vehicles were converted into recovery vehicles for other main battle tanks.  These vehicles are known as the BREM-64.  The BREM-64 is based on a T-64A chassis. It appears at this time that only one prototype was built; some reports say that it was scrapped, but others say that it has continued development and that the Ukrainians are interested in building a fleet of BREM-64s, as-yet prototype MT-64 AVLBs and a possible CEV from the T-64As they inherited from the Russians.  The prototype BREM-64 and MT-64 have appeared at international arms shows, but not in several years.  The BREM-64 appears deficient in many ways, compared to its Western counterparts; it may not be in its final form yet.

     In this vehicle, the turret is removed and replaced with an armored superstructure. The BREM-64 is equipped with a crane that may lift 2.5 tons (the approximate weight of a Russian tank's power pack); however, it cannot in its current form lift a tank’s turret, and that the typical Western tank-based ARV can lift 25 tons or more.  The crane can rotate through 250 degrees. The crane is mounted on the center left and is locked down to the rear when travelling. The BREM-64 has a cargo platform on the rear right that may carry the powerpack or other large cargoes. The BREM-64's main winch has a pulling strength of 25 tons, while the secondary winch has a strength of 2.5 tons; note that the typical Western tank-based ARV’s main winch can pull about 60 tons.  Winching power can be doubled or quadrupled using snatch blocks. The vehicle has a full-width 4-meter dozer blade mounted at the front, which may brace it during lifting and winching operations, or prepare combat positions and clear obstacles.  In addition to the standard diesel engine of the T-64, the BREM-64 has a powerful auxiliary power unit of 60 kW, to power vehicle tools without wasting engine fuel.  The BREM-64 is equipped with basic tools, tracked vehicle tools, small arms and heavy ordinance tools, a tow bar, a welding unit, an air compressor, two hydraulic jacks, and excavating tools. 

     The driver of the BREM-64 is in the standard position on the front left of the vehicle.  The commander has a cupola on the front right, this is on the superstructure roof instead of being down with the driver.  The commander has an electrically-rotating elevated cupola with all around vision blocks, and a night vision channel for its front vision block.  His machinegun may aimed and fired from within the vehicle, with the hatch closed.  The third crewmember primarily operates the crane and also has an elevated cupola with all-around vision blocks, though he does not have a weapon.  The also has a rotating CCTV on a mast to use. The crew has an air conditioner, heater, and an NBC Overpressure system, as well as a ration/water heater.  On the front center, in two clusters of four facing outwards in different directions, are smoke grenade launchers. The Ukrainians have tested a version of their BMS on it, as well as equipping it with GPS and a small computer with repair and recovery solutions,

     The BREM-64 uses the 5TDF turbocharged multifuel engine of the T-64A.  This engine develops 700 horsepower.  It has an automatic construction. In addition to the fuel types shown, it may also run on kerosene, jet fuel, and propane. However, this engine makes the BREM-64’s engine is notoriously unreliable, and tends to overheat with heavy loads and when towing heavy vehicles or moving at high speed. It may be replaced in the future.

     The outdated BREM-1 appears to be a better ARV than the BREM-64 in its current form, and has the virtue of many years of useful service.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,339,404

D, G, AvG, A

3 tons

35 tons

3

15

Passive IR (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

143/100

40/28

1000

260

Stnd

T6

HF86Sp  HS18Sp  HR10

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

NSVT (C)

800x12.7mm

 

CESV

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: This vehicle is similar to the Canadian M-113 ESEV, but based on the larger MTVL chassis. The CESV's ramp may be used as a working platform, and may hold 1.1 tons. It has the same hydraulic auger that may dig in earth, asphalt, and frozen ground to a depth of 3.048 meters and 203mm wide; hydraulic power tools (a chainsaw, jack hammer, impact wrench), a welding set, and an engineer demo chest. The CESV is also equipped with a light turret. As of 2003, only a single demonstrator vehicle has been built.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was taken into service by the US Army in late 1996 as the M-113A4 Sapper Vehicle.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$147,965

D, A

4.2 tons

18.14 tons

2+8

10

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

146/102

30/20/3

492

143

CiH

T3

TF3 TS3 TR3 HF6 HS4 HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Fair

M-2HB, MAG

1000x.50, 1500x7.62mm

 

Forward Repair System-Heavy

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: The FRS-H is based on the chassis of the M-1074 PLS vehicle (a heavy, 10x10 truck). The chassis is lightly armored, and has been modified to accept a work module, tools storage, a crane, and a load area. The crane has a capacity of 7.5 tons -- large enough to lift any major component in the US Army except M-1 series turrets. The vehicle has a minimum of two NATO slave receptacles and can thus jump a minimum of two NATO-compatible vehicles simultaneously. The FRS-H also has a 10kW generator designed to run more quietly than a standard 10kW generator; this can be used to run power tools, the crane, and jump vehicles all at once. The FRS-H typically carries welding and cutting gear, two heavy jacks, and electronic diagnostic gear and computers. The work module has a large roof hatch so that large components can be lowered inside; the cab has a door on each side, and a hatch on the roof with a heavy machinegun mount. This vehicle is not expected to be in service before 2008, if ever.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle began production shortly before the November Nuclear strikes. Most of them were retained in the Continental US.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$198,246

D, A

13.84 tons

26.08 tons

4

9

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

177/106

38/23

379

184

Stnd

W(5)

HF4 HS4 HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

1000x.50

 

Future Armor Rearm System (FARS)

     Notes: This is one of those ideas that come along every so often that seems so good that it makes me wonder why they never did anything with it.  Based on an MLRS chassis, The FARS was designed for rapid reloading of armored and some other types of vehicles in the field, and to be able to reload them faster than they can be reloaded by hand (or in the case of M109s, by conveyor belt). The FARS was projected to have several versions: one to reload M1 Abrams tanks, one to reload Bradleys, one to reload M109s, and one to reload Apaches.  (Obviously, some human intervention would be required, but not nearly as much as is done currently.  And before you say it, the FARS was part of the GCV program and the Stryker did not exist yet; doubtless, if the FARS had been adopted, a version for at least the Stryker MGS would have been devised.  The M1-reloading FARS was the most developed, with the ammunition going from a turret based on the MLRS launcher through a tunnel to the M1’s case ejection port.  (It was realized that the case ejection report would have to be modified to allow two0way operation.) To reload Bradleys, the chute would essentially operate as a high-speed conveyor for TOW rounds, and could link directly to the ammunition bins for the autocannon and machinegun (again, it was realized that some modifications of the Bradley would be necessary).  For the M109, the FARS would have a moveable chute allowing their ready rounds to be directly reloaded, though extra rounds in bins would have required human assistance. For the Apache, the reloader chute could be linked directly to the autocannon ammunition reloader, though rockets and missiles would again have to be manually reloaded. (The rocket launchers, however, would come out of the FARS with pods already loaded and ready for mounting.)  The FARS would have GPS with a mapping module and an early form of BFT. The commander’s machinegun would be on an OHWS that many be fired, aimed, and reloaded from under armor.

     The big advantage was obviously in reloading the M1, though reloading times would be cut even for other vehicles, particularly the M109.  And the FARS would have been decently armored, particularly in the ammunition-carrying turret.  One of the times when combat vehicles are most vulnerable is when they are reloading, and the time of this vulnerability would be cut, substantially for the M1 Abrams.

     In the end, the probable cause of the FARS’ demise was the amount of modifications what would have been required in many vehicles. The GCV programs was eventually cut, and with it, the FARS.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$198,246

D, A, JP8

13.84 tons

28 tons

4

9

Headlights

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

120/91

36/23

617

185

Trtd

T4

TF6  TS6  TR6  HF9 HS5 HR5*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50, 34x120mm or 35x155mm or1 200x12mm and 7 TOW II rounds or 2000x30mm and 4xLAU-19 rocket launchers and 16xHellfire Missiles

*Hull Roof AV is 5, as is hull floor.

 

M-1 Wilson AEV (Assault Engineer Vehicle)

     Country or Origin: United States

     Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life; it is a concept put forward in an article in Armor magazine as a vehicle type that (according to the author) is badly needed in the US Army.  As far as I know, the author's idea was ignored.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The M-1 AEV was built to fulfill the need for a modernized assault engineer vehicle. The M-113 series could not keep up with the faster Bradley and Abrams. The Bradley did not have the room for a full engineer squad and all their equipment. The Bradley also lacked the armor protection necessary to breach obstacles. The solution was to take the M-1 Abrams chassis and modify it to fulfill the need.

     The vehicle consists of an M-1 Abrams chassis with a small one-man turret mounting a 25mm ChainGun (as on the M-2 Bradley). The turret also has a hardpoint that is usually fitted with a TOW launcher, though it is sometimes fitted with a Hydra-70 pod (similar to those on attack helicopters). The TOW launcher is reloaded from a hatch directly behind the turret (similar to the Bradley). There are two hatches on the roof of the passenger compartment, and a clamshell door on the left side of the hull to allow the passengers to dismount without exposing themselves to enemy fire. There are large lockers on the exterior of the vehicle on each rear side for bulky equipment.

    This vehicle was produced in small numbers directly before the outbreak of the Twilight War, and numbers of this vehicle were never high.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$476,483

D, G, AvG, A

1 ton

55 tons

3+6

19

Passive IR, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

186/131

40/30

1907

629

CiH

T6

TF10 TS6 TR4 HF201Cp HS26Sp HR19

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Good

25mm ChainGun, TOW II Launcher, MAG

300x25mm, 7xTOW II, 3000x7.62mm

 

M-5 Abrams Recovery Vehicle

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: The M-5 is a recovery vehicle based on the chassis of the first-generation M-1 main battle tank, and retains 85% parts commonality with the M-1A1 (and nearly 100% with the M-1). The turret of the M-1 is replaced with an armored superstructure. To the left of this superstructure is a crane with a capacity of 35 tons and a traverse of 270 degrees. On the front is a dozer blade, and behind that is a winch with a capacity of 45 tons, or 90 tons with block and tackle. The winch has 117 meters of usable cable. An auxiliary winch is provided with a capacity of 2.2 tons and 200 meters of cable. The vehicle has a full set of tools, including basic, wheeled vehicle, tracked vehicle, small arms, heavy ordinance, and excavating tools. An air compressor, a welding and cutting set, a fuel pump, two tow bars, and several lengths of cable, rope, and chains are also provided. The M-5 has an APU to power the equipment; this is an 8.1kW diesel generator. Space is provided for 4 passengers; this is normally for the crew of the tank the M-5 is recovering. The M-5 was not chosen by the US for its recovery needs, but General Dynamics is aggressively marketing it overseas.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was taken into US service in late 1996, but only about 150 were ever built.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle entered US service in 2006.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$283,440

D, G, AvG, A

5 tons

68.5 tons

3+4

24

Passive IR, WL/IR Spotlight

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

147/103

30/20

1920

652

Stnd

T6

HF151Cp HS26Sp HR19

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

1575x.50

 

GAMESA M-60 VZ

     Country of Origin: Spain.

     Notes: This is a Spanish combat engineer vehicle based on the M-60A1 tank, also tested by Greece and by Germany and Turkey, though Spain did not receive orders from those countries 

     The turret of the M-60A1 is replaced by an armored superstructure, beside which is placed a large crane.  The superstructure is topped with the M-60A1’s machinegun cupola, and retains the M-2HB.  The crane is normally equipped with a digging bucket, and has a capacity of 10 tons.  A hydraulic hammer, a shearing head, a grapple, or a smaller and more precise digging bucket can replace the head.  The large bucket has a digging depth of 2.7 meters, and the arm has a reach of 7.2 meters.  The front of the vehicle has a dozer blade (which may be replaced by a mine plow), and is 900 millimeters high and 3.7 meters wide.  There is also a main winch in the front of the vehicle with a pulling strength of 30 tons and 90 meters of cable.  The pulling strength can be increased to 60 tons by use of block and tackle.  The M-60 VZ has an auxiliary generator of 5kW power.  The standard tools for a combat engineer vehicle are carried: basic tools, excavating tools, power tools, a welding and cutting set, and an air compressor.  The M-60 VZ never passed the prototype stage.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles were used in large numbers by the Turks, who used them primarily for fortification and road building.  The Spaniards also used them is good numbers, but the Germans never used more than the 5 prototypes they ordered for testing.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$428,774

D, A

1.8 tons

51.5 tons

3

19

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

112/79

31/22

1420

272

Stnd

T6

HF56  HS15  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

600x.50, 40xAPERS Mines, 40xAT Mines, Engineer Demo Chest, 40 kg C4.

 

M-113A3 ESV

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life; however, it is a real concept put forward in the late 1990s to increase the capabilities of the modified M-113s currently employed by US Army combat engineers.  It was never more than a drawing-board concept, however.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This was a limited-production combat engineer vehicle produced for US, Belgian, and Canadian forces during the Twilight War. Canadian ESVs were primarily deployed to Europe (about 75% of them, with the remainder kept at home); most US ESVs were deployed to the Middle East, with about 20% used in Korea, and another 20% in Europe. The vehicle consists of a base M-113A3 chassis topped with a small turret mounting an M-2HB heavy machinegun and a twin launcher for TOW missiles. A TOW missile with a HESH warhead was specifically designed for this vehicle and other combat engineers, for use as a demolition warhead; most of the TOW missiles carried by this vehicle have these HESH warheads. The M-2HB is used for defense or to detonate mines at a distance. An engineer’s chest and stowage boxes for plastic explosives, dynamite, or TNT completes the modifications.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$153,171

D, A

1 ton

18.9 tons

2+3

9

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

141/99

30/20/3

464

143

Trtd

T2

TF4 TS4 TR4 HF6 HS4 HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

M-2HB, 2xTOW II Launchers

1000x.50, 6xTOW II, 50 kg Plastic Explosives

 

M-993 Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: Introduced by the US in the early 1990s, the Grizzly is designed to breach obstacles and minefields that normal CEVs cannot. The Grizzly is equipped with a huge dozer blade 4.6 meters wide that is able to dig one meter into the ground at a swipe and excavate 300 cubic meters per hour. The dozer blade is heavily armored and is immune to mine damage. Hull front hits are 50% likely to hit this blade, which has an armor value of 20. Two telescoping arms with buckets are able to reach 10 meters and can excavate 80 cubic meters per hour. The buckets are located on either side on the front hull, and can lift 6.3 tons. Two grapples can be shot 20 meters and can pull 2 tons each. A hydraulic hammer can deliver a 475kg psi blow. An auger can dig a hole 0.6x2.5m in one minute. A lift hook can lift 9 tons. The Grizzly has an integral 60Kw generator. There is a large crane that is able to lift 10 tons, and a winch able to pull 30 tons. The driver and engineer sit in tandem, slightly offset in the front hull. The weapons are in a remote-controlled cupola to the rear of the engineer’s hatch.

     The Grizzly program was killed in early 2000.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Grizzly was taken into service in 1997.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$575,969

D, G, AvG, A

2 tons

64 tons

2

26

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

157/110

35/25

1920

662

Stnd

T6

HF30 HS12 HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

Mk-19, MAG

400x40mm grenades, 1000x7.62mm

 

Malyshev MT-64

     Country of Origin: Ukraine

     Notes: The MT-64 AVLB was developed at the same time at the BREM-64; the story is much the same, with only one prototype made so far.  Some reports state that the MT-64 prototype has been scrapped, and others say that is undergoing advanced testing and development.  Like the BREM-64, it is based on the T-64A chassis, and is/was intended to be part of a range of vehicles, including a CEV and the BREM-64 ARV. It was designed to support a fleet of newer T-64s that the Ukrainians have in their possession, or other similar-weight vehicles or less.

     The bridge is designed to cross bodies of water, ditches and trenches, and in some cases, antitank obstacles.  It is an MLC-50 bridge, able to support 50 tons and able to span 24 meters.  It is a scissors-type bridge, with a total length of 26 meters, and 3.3 meters wide.  Laying and recovering the bridge takes 2 minutes apiece. It can be retrieved from either end.  The crew does not need to leave the vehicle or open the hatches to lay or recover the bridge.

     The crew is provided with a heater, air conditioner, and NBC Overpressure protection.  The MT-64 also has an automatic fire detection and suppression system.  On each side, just behind the bumpers, is a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers.

     The driver is on the front left; the commander/bridge operator is to his right, in a raised non-rotating cupola with all-around vision blocks.  There is no armament.  The MT-64 is fitted with a BMS and GPS systems.

     The engine is the same 5TDF turbocharged 700 horsepower multifuel engine of the T-64A, along with its automatic transmission.  This engine is notoriously unreliable.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$982,688

D, G, AvG, A

400 kg

40 tons

2

39

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

152/106

42/30

1000

281

Stnd

T6

HF86Sp  HS18Sp  HR10

 

Sisu KAM-1

     Country of Origin: Finland

     Seen In: Jane’s of the early-late 1980s, though it also appears on some web sites (usually as a perfunctory note).

 

     Notes: This Finnish recovery vehicle is a conversion from the T-55 chassis.  The KAM-1 was originally an experimental vehicle for the Finnish Army, and the Finnish Army’s order was cut considerably, especially after Finland’s acquisition of the VT-55A from the Czech Republic.  The Finnish Army had a mere 2 KAM-1 ARVs, which were later upgraded to the KAM-2 standard; these seem to have been subject to a never-ending series of field tests until taken out of service in 1989.  Many troops in the Finnish Army felt, that in it’s KAM-2 configuration, this was a better ARV than the VT-55A.  But with lots of VT-55As available from the Czech Republic and Slovakia for little money compared to converting Finland’s own T-55s to KAM-type vehicles, the Finnish MoD told the Army, “You get the VT-55As.”

 

KAM-1

     On the KAM-1, the turret of the T-55 is removed and replaced with a flat, wide turntable mounting a heavy-duty crane.  The crane has a capacity of 22 tons with a reach of 6.7 meters.  The winch has a capacity of 36 tons in a straight pull, or 72 tons with block and tackle, and has 140 meters of cable.  The vehicle is equipped with a dozer blade, a towing jib and tow bar, ropes, and a wide variety of tools, including wheeled vehicle, tracked vehicle, excavating, small arms, heavy ordinance, basic, and welding.  As there is no APU, the engine must be running to power the tools, winches, and crane. The vehicle has the ability to generate smoke by injecting diesel into its exhaust. There is a commander/crane operator's position, with a manually-operated cupola, but there is no weapon mount, as the vehicle's equipment and lockers would block most shots. Power is provided by a V-55 38.88-I 580 horsepower engine with a manual transmission and suspension by torsion bars.

 

KAM-2

     The KAM-1 version upgrades a plethora of features of the KAM-1. The crane’s capacity was increased to 30 tons, while the winch’s basic pulling ability was increased to 45 tons. A lead/aux winch was added with a capacity of 600 kg, and has 200 meters of cable.  A 15kW APU has been added; this can power the tool set as well as the crane or winch (but not both at once).  Other details are as the KAM-1 excerpt that the suspension has been beefed up,, the engine has been upgraded to 661 horsepower, the electrical system upgraded, an air conditioner added, and a vehicular NBC pack has been installed, to which the crewmembers may plug in their protective masks.  Room for another crewmember has been added, usually giving the KAM-2 another mechanic.  The KAM-2 is equipped with a gyrocompass for navigation instead of a simple magnetic compass.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was just beginning to be produced before the Twilight War, and there are perhaps 20 of them in all Finland.  All of these are the upgraded KAM-2 version.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

KAM-1

$165,013

D, A

2.46 tons

44 tons

2

25

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

KAM-2

$173,466

D, A

2.77 tons

44.63 tons

3

27

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), WL/IR Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

KAM-1

116/81

32/23

812

172

Stnd

T6

HF65 HS12  HR8

KAM-2

113/79

32/22

812

246

Stnd

T6

HF65 HS12  HR8

*The dozer blades of the KAM-1 and 2, while primarily simple stabilizing blades, can provide an AV to the front of 4Sp; which area of the front is covered by the blade depends on how high it is raised (lower full, lower glacis, or upper glacis).

 

KMW Stryker-Launched Assault Bridge (SLAB)

     Notes: The SLAB is an AVLB based upon the Stryker chassis.  Based on a lighter chassis, it is adequate for something like a Stryker Brigade’s vehicles to ford obstacles, but it cannot handle all vehicles in the US Army inventory, being only MLC 50 in capacity. The SLAB, however, would provide the Stryker Brigade or other such light motorized formations with an organic fording capability which can respond to needs faster than heavier AVLBs from a higher echelon.  The US Army is currently testing the SLAB for Stryker Brigades, the Marines are also interested in the SLAB, and KMW is offering the SLAB for international sales, both on a Stryker chassis and on other wheeled chassis.  The SLAB has a 12-meter single-span aluminum bridge, allowing it to span a gap of 11 meters. The bridge is 1.52 meters wide and weighs three tons.

     The SLAB is based on a modified M1132 ESV vehicle, with the addition of deployment arms and machinery and mounting arms.  A SLAB may be converted back to an ESV in a little over three hours. Being a modified ESV, the SLAB retains most of the features of the ESV, including its CROWS, the mission computer, the robot controllers, the BMS with GPS and inertial navigation backup, and the ability for the hull and turret to take applique armor. Applique armor is also able to be applied to the front of the vehicle, as the dozer blade is not carried on a SLAB; however, applique must be “cut to fit” a SLAB due to the bridge-deploying machinery.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

SLAB

$1,269,221

D, A

670 kg

17.97 tons

3

17

Passive IR (C), Image Intensification (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), WL Spotlight

Shielded

SLAB w/Bar/Slat

$1,192,589

D, A

670 kg

18.47 tons

3

16

Passive IR (C), Image Intensification (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), WL Spotlight

Shielded

SLAB w/MEXAS

$1,209,266

D, A

670 kg

20.77 tons

3

20

Passive IR (C), Image Intensification (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), WL Spotlight

Shielded

SLAB w/MEXAS & Bar/Slat

$1,221,007

D, A

670 kg

21.27 tons

3

22

Passive IR (C), Image Intensification (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), WL Spotlight

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

SLAB

154/78

43/22

201

132

CiH

W(8)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR6 (1)

SLAB w/Bar/Slat

162/82

44/22

201

132

CiH

W(8)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10Sp  HS8Sp  HR8Sp (2)

SLAB w/MEXAS

150/75

41/21

201

132

CiH

W(8)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF15Cp  HS10Cp  HR7Sp (3)

SLAB w/MEXAS & Bar/Slat

147/74

41/21

201

132

CiH

W(8)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF15Cp  HS12Cp  HR8Sp (4)

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

SLAB (All)

+2

Fair

M2HB (G), 2xJavelin ATGM Launchers (G)

2000x.50, 2xJavelin Missiles

(1) Roof AV is 3; Floor AV is 4Sp. The bridge, if mounted on the SLAB, may also be hit on a turret hit – AV of the bridge is 4.

(2) The bar/slat armor provides a sort of “double spaced armor” effect depending upon the face it hits – if the front or sides are hit, 4D6 damage is removed from the hit’s penetration if the Stryker is hit by HE-type rounds.  The rear face’s bar/slat armor protects the rear face only on 20% of hits – the rest of rear face hits have only an AV of 6.  Roof AV is 3, Floor AV is 4Sp. The bridge, if mounted on the SLAB, may also be hit on a turret hit – AV of the bridge is 4.

(3) Roof AV is 4, Floor AV is 5Sp.  Hits from certain angles (front and sides) will have a “composite-spaced” armor effect – divide incoming hits by two for HE-type warhead hits, then subtract 2D6. The bridge, if mounted on the SLAB, may also be hit on a turret hit – AV of the bridge is 4.

(4) Roof AV is 4, Floor AV is 5Sp.  Hits from certain angles (front and sides) will have a “spaced-composite-spaced” effect – divide incoming hits by two for HE-type warhead hits, then subtract 4D6. The bridge, if mounted on the SLAB, may also be hit on a turret hit – AV of the bridge is 4.

 

VCRT

     Country of Origin: Argentina

     Notes: This is an Argentine recovery vehicle based on the VCTP armored personnel carrier chassis. In this role, the turret is removed, and in its place is a raised superstructure with a crane with 5-meter reach and capable of lifting 22 tons. The vehicle has a main winch with 100 meters of cable and capable of pulling 30 tons, and a secondary winch in the rear with a capacity of 10 tons. There is also a rear-mounted dozer blade to brace the vehicle during heavy lifting or winching operations. The VCRT is equipped with basic tools, tracked and wheeled vehicle tools, excavating tools, an air compressor, and a welding and cutting set, as well as a 5kW generator. This vehicle unfortunately fell victim to budget cuts before even a prototype could be produced.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: There were perhaps 25 of these vehicles that were ever produced, making them some of the rarest military vehicles of the war.

     Merc 2000 Story: These vehicles sold reasonably well worldwide, except to the Argentine military themselves.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$214,166

D, A

1.5 tons

27.5 tons

4

12

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

189/132

40/30/4

640+400

267

Stnd

T3

HF32 HS6 HR6

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

MG-3 (C)

5000x7.62mm