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 |
Country of
Origin: Spain.
Notes: This is a
Spanish combat engineer vehicle based on the M-60A1 tank, also tested by
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 |