Avro Bobcat

     Country of Origin: Canada

     Seen in: Canadian attempts to build a domestic family of vehicles

     Notes: Post World War 2, many countries were developing full-tracked enclosed APCs, sometimes from surplus wartime vehicles or vehicles based on an improved version of those designs.  In Canada in the 1950s, this vehicle was typified by the Bobcat.  While the Canadian Army during World War 2 had experimented with open-topped versions of the M7 and 25-pounder Sexton-based APCs, after the war they wanted a close-topped design.  Shortages of funds led to a somewhat deficient design, with not much headspace for the troops inside. However, the Bobcat was in service until 1963, when they were replaced by the M113, and later, the M114.

     Initially, the Bobcat was to be a family of vehicles, including mortar carrier, ambulance, LRT (Light Reconnaissance Tank, which would mount a British Saladin turret), and an IFV, with a small turret mounting a heavy and light machinegun coaxial to one another.  However, after some budgeting work was done, only APC prototypes was built.  Many wanted to switch to the M113 as soon as it was available, as the Bobcat had a number of quirks that made it inferior to the M113, while offering a bigger commander’s machinegun and superior protection.

     The Bobcat was armed with a single M1919A4 machinegun in a low turret, manually-rotating.  The Bobcat had a good engine, an early version of what would later power the M113 (a 280-horsepower gasoline engine). The original Bobcats were made of aluminum, but aluminum fabrication were not what they later would be, and the aluminum plates kept cracking, so they were switched to all-welded steel; welding large areas was also not as technologically sound as it would later be, and the Canadians switched to bolts. The Bobcat had a nasty tendency to throw tracks, even in mild turns, necessitating a redesign of the roadwheels and sprockets. The transmission was balky and noisy. There was no room up front for drive gear, so the drive sprocket and gear was moved to the rear. Those, and other problems, meant that the Bobcat was growing more and more expensive (in RL terms), and when the M113 was ready for export, the Canadians jumped on it, as the RL unit cost was much less for an M113 than a Bobcat, and did not have the problems the Bobcat had.

     The engine was at the front with the commander’s turret on the right side and the driver’s position on the left.  The glacis was almost vertical; more slope would have left less space for the engine and necessitating a lengthening, but would ballistically superior. The glacis was in fact, canted forward to a great degree.  It was a fairly small vehicle, but carried 8 troops in individual seats with a low overhead, and much crouching necessary to exit the large rear door. The troops had seats which could be moved up, allowing the troops in the rear to put their heads outside the vehicle for observation or to fire weapons outside the vehicle.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$55,385

G, A

900 kg

17 tons

2+8

12

Active IR (D)

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

123/86

34/24/3

320

125

CiH

T2

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF4  HS3  HR3

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Fair

M1919A4 (C)

1000x.30-06

 

BAE/Hagglunds Warrior 2000

     Country of Origin: Britain (with Swedish and Finnish Cooperation)

     Seen In: BAE Company literature and at world arms shows.

     Notes: The Warrior 2000 was developed for the Swiss competition for a new IFV.  (It lost in this competition to the CV-9030.) BAe then hoped to shop it around the world, but there were also no takers; the British M0D then gave it a no-go, as they had pitched head first into the FRES program. As the FRES program had to be continually rebooted as it went south (it is still steaming along, however), the British Army realized, especially after it’s experiences in Op Telic, that the standard Warrior or even the Desert Warrior were not quite up to realities of modern warfare, and who knows when the FRES program will yield any operational results?  The British Army looked at the Warrior 2000 again – It too was not quite what the British Army wanted, but it better than anything else on the horizon.  Now, to convince the MoD…

     The Warrior 2000 incorporated a new concept to armored vehicles (though, of course, it is not a new concept) – a partial stealth treatment.  The shaping of the turret is more lozenge-shaped (though it is based on that of the LAV-25, up-armored and heavily-modified), the glacis more angled with a further angled (in the opposite direction) underside to the glacis, slightly sloped sides, and a slightly sloped (to the rear) face.  The Warrior 2000 is actually 230 millimeters longer and 14 millimeters shorter in height than the standard Warrior.  The TOW launchers, one on each side of the turret, are also shaped to blend into the profile of the turret.  The engine exhaust, air conditioner exhaust, and NBC exhaust are cooled by as-yet unnamed technology.  In addition, there are coatings at several points on the hull; under IR, image intensification. thermal imaging, and FLIR, the Warrior 2000 doesn’t look much like a vehicle, and someone trying to spot the Warrior 2000 is one level less likely to do so, and two levels less likely to identify it as an armored vehicle.  Radar searches are also one level less likely to be less effective.  The engine is installed such as to dampen noise, and the new double-pin track is also much quieter.

     In addition to the TOW launchers (one on each side of the turret), firepower has been increased by replacing the 30mm Rarden with a rapid-firing 20mm Mk44 Bushmaster II Chain Gun. The L94A1 7.62mm Chain gun has been retained (though when demonstrated to the Swiss, the Warrior 2000 demonstrator was fitted with a 7.5mm conventional machinegun).  All three weapons have to-axis stabilization, and the weapons are linked to an advanced FC computer, and a laser rangefinder which can double as a designator.  The gunner has separate handles and triggers for the main gun and the machinegun, while the commander, who can take over either the main gun or coaxial gun, has one handle and trigger with a selector.  An interlock prevents the commander and gunner from firing the same weapon at the same time, with the commander having priority.  The gunner and commander can engage helicopters and UAVs  as well. Though a different system of the FC computer is used. On each side of the turret, under metal shrouding, are four smoke grenade launchers.

     The Warrior 2000 comes standard with a BMS and vehicle state computer, along with a comprehensive land navigation system.  It has a fire/explosion dampening system which is separate for the engine, transmission, fuel cells, ammunition compartments, turret, and driver’s compartment.  The Warrior 2000 is equipped with an air conditioner and heater, as well as an NBC Overpressure system which is linked to the air conditioner intake, allowing the air conditioner to operate in NBC environments.  The infantry squad leader has a roof-mounted cupola which also has a vision block that is equipped with an image intensifier.  He also has an LCD screen which provides him with needed tactical information about the immediate battle situation.  The squad leader can also tap into the turret’s thermal imager (though he has no control over its orientation), the backup camera, or

     The engine is the same, but is uprated to 750 horsepower and has a modified fully automatic transmission to match the new power ratios.  The transmission has a manual backup, but driving with this backup transmission is described as “rather fatiguing.”  Some sources indicate that the 750 horsepower engine of some of the previous upgrades is being considered to power the Warrior 2000.  Cage armor is not being considered, as it would spoil the stealth shape, but specially-shaped applique is being considered.  Armor is increased, and includes some “special materials” to enhance stealth. Large stealth-shaped lockers extend halfway up the sides for crew equipment, and the fuel cells have been moved to each side of the ramp and faired to blend into the stealth profile.

     In 2001, a version of the Warrior 2000 was demonstrated topped with BAE/Hagglunds E30, for trials in Finland.  (The Warrior 2000 in this guise was not chosen by the Finnish, though BAE/Hagglunds did later win the contract to supply the E30 turret for use on the CV9030 used by Finland, Norway, and Switzerland.  The primary change in the operation is the change in the size, shape, and electric drive of the turret.  However, the FC Computers are separate for each weapon, and have a fully digitized open electronic architecture, in which the software is relatively simple to upgrade; this is particularly, since all three parties indicated they might want to change to a 40mm autocannon in the future, and incorporate other software and sensor updates.  Another major difference is the use of an M2HB as a coaxial machinegun instead of a 7.62mm-based weapon, which could also be used as an aiming aid should the FC computer fail.  Though Warriors with the E30 turret were not produced, I have included them for comparison.  I have also presumed that any such Warrior 2000s would include a “stealth shell” over the body of the turret.

     All Warrior 2000s are capable of mounting specially-shaped spaced applique or MEXAS applique armor.  They also have bolt holes covered with plastic caps for the mounting of cage armor or ERA.. But the lugs themselves (or the ERA) are not normally mounted – again, it would spoil the stealth shape.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Warrior 2000 (750 hp)

$1,162,170

D, A

1.12 tons

31.6 tons

3+7

25

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

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique)

$1,197,033

D, A

1.09 tons

32.55 tons

3+7

21

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

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique)

$2,178,619

D, A

1.06 tons

31.7 tons

3+7

25

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

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, E30 Turret)

$1,360,395

D, A

1.37 tons

31.3 tons

3+7

26

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique, E30 Turret)

$1,363,527

D, A

1.15 tons

32.2 tons

3+7

27

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique, E30 Turret)

$2,355,113

D, A

1.18 tons

32.07 tons

3+7

27

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

$1,389,966

D, A

1.08 tons

33.48 tons

3+7

31

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

$1,395,036

D, A

1.05 tons

34.38 tons

3+7

31

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

$2,386,622

D, A

1.05 tons

34.25 tons

3+7

29

FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Warrior 2000 (650 hp)

136/114

34/21

770

290

Trtd

T4

TF12Sp  TS8Sp  TR5Sp  HF17Sp  HS10Sp  HR5*

Warrior 2000 (650 hp, Standard Applique)

134/112

33/21

770

294

Trtd

T4

TF12Sp  TS8Sp TR5Sp HS24Sp  HS16Sp  HR8**

Warrior 2000 (650 hp, MEXAS Applique)

136/114

34/21

770

290

Trtd

T4

TF12Cp  TS8Cp TR5Sp  HF24Cp  HS18Cp  HR8**

Warrior 2000 (750 hp)

154/129

38/23

770

328

Trtd

T4

TF12Sp  TS8Sp  TR5Sp  HF17Sp  HS10Sp  HR5*

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique)

152/127

37/23

770

333

Trtd

T4

TF12Sp  TS8Sp TR5Sp HS24Sp  HS16Sp  HR8**

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique)

152/129

38/24

770

324

Trtd

T4

TF12Cp  TS8Cp TR5Sp  HF24Cp  HS18Cp  HR8**

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, E30 Turret)

155/129

38/24

770

325

Trtd

T4

TF17Cp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF17Sp  HS10Sp  HR5*

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique, E30 Turret)

151/126

37/23

770

334

Trtd

T4

TF17Cp  TS10Sp  TR7  HS24Sp  HS16Sp  HR8***

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique, E30 Turret)

152/127

37/23

770

333

Trtd

T4

TF18Cp  TS11Cp  TR7Sp  HF24Cp  HS18Cp  HR8***

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

149/126

37/23

770

336

Trtd

T4

TF17Cp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF17Sp  HS10Sp  HR5*

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, Standard Applique, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

145/123

36/22

770

345

Trtd

T4

TF12Sp  TS8Sp TR5Sp HS24Sp  HS16Sp  HR8**

Warrior 2000 (750 hp, MEXAS Applique, E30 Turret, CT-40 Gun)

146/124

36/22

770

344

Trtd

T4

TF18Cp  TS11Cp  TR7Sp  HF24Cp  HS18Cp  HR8**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Warrior 2000 (Most)

+4

Good

30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II, L94A1, L7A2 (C),  2xTOW II Launchers

525x30mm, 1920x7.62mm, 7xTOW II ATGM

Warrior 2000 (E30 Turret, Upgunned)

+4

Good

40mm CT-40 autocannon, M2HB, 2xTOW II Launchers

500x40mm CTA, 1800x .50, 7xTOW II

*Hull floor armor for this version is 7Sp; turret roof armor is 5.  The spaced armor of the hull sides and hull front is of a special composition and stops 4D6 instead of 2D6 from HE-type rounds; from AP and KE-type rounds, it stops 2D6.

**Hull floor armor for this version is 8Sp; turret roof and hull roof armor is 5.  The front half of the turret’s roof AV is 5Cp.

 

 

BMD Weapons Carrier

     Country or Origin Russia (Soviet Union)

     Real World/Merc 2000 Notes:  This vehicle does not exist in real life; it was made up by the good people at GDW. In Merc 2000, the conditions that led to its creation did not exist.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMD Weapons Carrier is the same vehicle as the BMD-1 but with the turret removed. Two AGS-17 grenade launchers are on either side of the space where the turret used to be, and two PK machinegun mounts have been fitted, one on the bow firing forward and another on the rear deck firing to the rear. The driver's hatch is still on the front deck, and the place where the turret was is now open-topped.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$87.657

D, A

1 ton

8.5 tons

4+6

6

Active/Passive IR

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

181/127

40/25/5

300

89

Stnd

T4

HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

2xAGS-17, 2xPKT

180x30mm Grenades, 2000x7.62mm

 

BMP-40

     Country of Origin: Poland

     Notes:  As of 2008, this is still being shopped around and is not in production or service.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMP-40 was a rushed project of the Polish military in 1997 to produce an armored personnel carrier that could be used for a multitude of tasks (air defense, personnel escort, etc.).  The basic frame was patterned on the BMP-1, which the Polish military had quantities of to examine and use as a test bed for the BMP-40.  The primary cannon was copied from the Swedish CV 9040 vehicle.  Because it uses the Swedish 40mm cannon the turret is a larger model than seen on the BMP-1; as such, the overall troop capacity is reduced from 8 to 6.  Wartime models were seen with mounts using AGS-17 grenade launchers and/or AT-5 Spandrel ATGM weapons.  The Steel Works of Stalow Wola was the primary manufacturer of this design, and allied air bombing of this facility hurt production of the BMP-40.  As such only some 70 models are known to have been produced prior to the November nuclear strikes.  Some models are reported to have been equipped with lugs for explosive reactive armor (TF, TS, HF, HS), and some have been equipped with appliqué armor similar to that of other BMP models.   The ammunition for the 40mm gun was patterned after the 40mm Swedish ammunition, but was often difficult to obtain during the war amidst other Pact vehicles.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$276,465

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

15.4 tons

3+6

7

Passive IR, Image Intensification (for gunner)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

99/69

20/15/2

460

97

Trtd

T2

TF6  TS5  TR5   HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Good

40mm Polish autocannon, AT-5 launcher, PKT, AGS-17 (C)

230x40mm, 6xAT-5 ATGM, 2000x7.62L, 200x30mm grenades

 

BWP-2000

     Country of Origin: Poland

     Notes:  The BWP-2000 is a heavily armed IFV based on an MT-S tracked prime mover chassis and an Italian-designed turret and an autocannon of Israeli design.  The hull and turret are all-welded, with no rivets to pop loose when the vehicle is hit.  Lugs for ERA are fitted to the HF, HS, TF, and TS.  The driver is at the front left, and the commander and gunner have hatches on the turret roof.  Image intensification is provided for the commander, thermal imaging for the gunner, and passive IR for the driver.  The commander also has a monitor to his front to see what the gunner sees in his thermal sight.  TOW II missiles were obtained from Italy and copied, then fitted to the turret, which is a modified form of the turret mounted on the VCC-80 IFV.  The rear of the vehicle has a power ramp with a hatch in it, and there are two large circular hatches in the troop compartment roof.  Two firing ports are on each side of the vehicle.  As of 2000, this vehicle is still a prototype and there are no plans to produce it.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$406,742

D, A

1.5 tons

29 tons

3+8

12

Passive IR, Image Intensification, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

84/59

20/15/2

705

143

Trtd

T4

TF22  TS8  TR6  HF27  HS10  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+4

Good

60mm HVMS, 2xTOW II Launchers, PKT

180x60mm, 4xTOW II ATGM, 2000x7.62N

 

Cobra

     Country of Origin: Belgium

     Notes: This small tracked APC was not adopted by any country, but I included it here as a “what-if.”  It is similar in concept to carriers such as the M-113, being a “bare box” sort of APC.  It does have some interesting features, such as the positions for two drivers in the front hull to help relieve driver fatigue.  They both have a bow-mounted machinegun to fire when they are not driving.  In addition, there are three launchers on each side of the glacis for Mecar rifle grenades; these are not usable for direct fire, but may be launched in the indirect fire mode.  The vehicle has a small turret on top mounting an M-2HB machinegun and twin 101mm rocket launchers.  There is a hatch in the roof to the rear of the turret for reloading the rocket launchers.  The interior is very cramped, especially when carrying a full complement of infantrymen.  The infantrymen enter through a door in the rear of the hull. 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$132,270

D, A

800 kg

6.5 tons

3+9

4

Passive IR

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

153/107

36/25/4

260

48

CiH

T2

HF3  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

None

M-2HB, 2x101mm Rocket Launchers, 6xRifle Grenade Launchers (Bow), 2xMAG (Bow)

500x.50, 4x101mm Rockets, 12xMecar Rifle Grenades, 500x7.62mm

 

Experimental Bradleys

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: Almost on the heels of the introduction of the Bradley, studies began to upgrade the firepower of the Bradley.  These studies were based on what the perceived opposition on the European battlefield would be at the time – and the belief that the BMP series was more heavily protected than was actually true.  (It turned out that the 25mm M-242 ChainGun, especially with advancements in ammunition technology in the intervening years, would prove to be much more effective than thought – Desert Storm and Iraq have showed that the M-242 is actually a pretty effective weapon, even against some tanks and fortifications.) 

     One of the first of these experimental up-gunned vehicles was based on the M-2 Bradley, under the CVAST (Combat Vehicle Armament System Technology) program.  A 35mm ARES Talon autocannon (originally designed for the Eagle air defense system, but with new ammunition, adapted for armored vehicles) was installed in a new cleft turret; this essentially split the turret into two parts, with the commander on the left side and the gunner on the right.  The cleft turret was used to get around what would otherwise be an unacceptable rise in the height of the already-tall Bradley profile.  The cleft turret also allowed the M-2 CVAST to lower the height of the vehicle by over half a meter, making it short enough to be air-transported in a C-130 aircraft.  The cleft turret was additionally better-protected than a standard Bradley turret, and had wedge-shaped sides all around the turret.  The interior was designed to minimize the vulnerability of the turret crew (in particular, in the case of a turret penetration on one side of the turret).  The TOW box was modified to allow it to be used with the wedge-shaped side; it was in the same position as a standard Bradley, on the right side, but it did not pivot up and down except for loading (and pivoted only 45 degreed for loading).  The fire control systems were essentially the same as those on a standard M-2 Bradley, but better-stabilized.  The hull of the M-2 CVAST was essentially unchanged, except for minimal modifications necessary to mount the new turret.  The M-2 CVAST proved to be an excellent vehicle that the testing crews raved about, but Pentagon interest had already moved on to a new autocannon using newly-developed CTA (Case-Telescoped Ammunition) under the COMVAT program (see below).

     The COMVAT (Combat Vehicle Armament Technology) program was also based primarily on the chassis of the M-2 (though a few used the M-2A1 chassis), but unlike the CVAST turret, the COMVAT turret was a partially-modified version of the standard Bradley turret instead of a new turret.  The COMVAT turret modifications centered around the new main gun, which used new CTA (Case-Telescoped Ammunition).  The COMVAT’s CTA (developed by ARES) uses a payload assembly that is seated entirely within the cartridge case; when the round is fired, a small booster charge is first ignited to propel the payload assembly a short ways into the gun barrel, at which point a combustible-case main propellant charge did the main work of sending the round to the target.  A CTA cartridge is therefore lighter and more compact than standard ammunition, allowing a vehicle to carry more rounds for its main gun.  The gun, also designed by ARES, uses a rotating breech, simplifies the gun’s mechanism, making it more reliable and increasing the cyclic rate of fire (though not enough to increase the ROF by the Twilight 2000 v2.2 rules; the ROF would end up to be about 6).  The initial CTA gun used 30mm ammunition, but this was quickly up-gunned to 45mm, and later a gun that could be switched between 45mm and 60mm with a barrel change and the change of a few other parts.  A few versions of Bradley COMVATs were also tested with casemate turrets, with the commander and gunner seated inside the vehicle behind the gunner.  In the end, the primary stumbling block seem to have been the lack of desire on the part of the Army’s supply system to introduce a new family of ammunition, and the Pentagon’s lack of desire to pay for it.  However, rumors are that the gun is still being experimented with.

     Some less drastic firepower upgrades were also proposed, using larger versions of the M-242 Bushmaster ChainGun already used on the Bradley.  Most of the experiments with these up-gunned Bradleys were based on the M-2A2 chassis and turret.  The 30mm Bushmaster II weighs little more than the M-242 and can be installed in a Bradley turret with almost no modification.  Though not tested, the 35mm Bushmaster III, the 40mm Bushmaster IV, and the 50mm Bushmaster SuperShot were also proposed for the Bradley.  All but the 30mm gun would have required a great degree of turret and vehicle modifications – not because of the gun itself, but to with the increased need for ammunition stowage and the increased weight of this stowage and the ammunition itself.  The proposals for up-gunning the Bradley using these ChainGuns were rejected not only on a cost basis, but due to experience in Desert Storm and Iraq that showed the M-242 was more effective than previously thought.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-2 CVAST

$283,093

D, A

1.7 tons

23.7 tons

3+6

8

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

M-2 COMVAT 1

$282,366

D, A

1.7 tons

23.3 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

M-2 COMVAT 2

$287,760

D, A

1.6 tons

26.2 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

M-2 CVAST

130/97

27/22/3

746

134

Trtd

T4

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF8  HS4Sp  HR4

M-2 COMVAT 1

131/98

28/22/3

746

132

Trtd

T4

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF8  HS4Sp  HR4

M-2 COMVAT 2

124/93

26/21/3

746

139

Trtd

T4

TF6  TS6  TR4  HF8  HS4Sp  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-2 CVAST

+1

Fair

35mm ARES CTA, M-240C, 2xTOW II Launchers, 6xM-231 PFW

700x35mm, 2200x7.62mm, 7xTOW II, 3070x5.56mm

M-2 COMVAT 1

+2

Fair

30mm ARES CTA, M-240C, 2xTOW II Launchers, 2xM-231 PFW

825x30mm, 2200x7.62mm, 7xTOW II, 3070x5.56mm

M-2 COMVAT 2

+2

Fair

45mm ARES CTA, M-240C, 2xTOW II Launchers, 2xM-231 PFW

550x45mm, 2200x7.62mm, 7xTOW II, 3070x5.56mm

*Floor armor for these vehicles is 5.

 

Landmaster

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes:  This is the vehicle featured in the movie Damnation Alley, but there is no real vehicle except for Hollywood wizardry.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Designed for survival in the most hostile of elements, the Landmaster was a limited-production vehicle designed by USAF Missile Command in late 1998 using locally available components.  The base chassis is a heavy truck, and the Landmaster uses a unique "trinary" wheel suspension.  Each of the axles is connected to a pair of three roadwheel sets, with two of the set touching the ground.  As the front-most wheel of the set contacts an insurmountable obstacle, it flips to the rear and over the obstacle, therefore bypassing it.  This leads to high off-road speeds for a vehicle of its size, and the ability to overcome a vertical obstacle of over 1 meter in size.

     The Landmaster is equipped with a dual control system, much like an airplane cabin.  Control of the vehicle may be made by one or both of these controls, depending on the requirements of the terrain and weather.  The vehicle is equipped with at least three military and one civilian "CB" radio.  The vehicle is equipped with night vision for the forward cabin and the gunner's position.  The Landmaster is equipped with both ground surveillance and ground-to-air radar.  There is an external video camera and a shotgun microphone, as well as a PA system.  The video equipment can use the night vision gear.  The vehicle has a complete navigation suite, from simple downloadable computerized maps to inertial navigation and GPS.  There are bunks for half the crew to sleep in at once, a small galley, a large refrigerator and freezer, an internal latrine, and a shower, fed by a 400-liter water tank.  Also included are a water filtration system for decontaminating and desalinating local water, the equivalent of three doctor's medical bags, and a complete set of tools, including an air compressor and a welding and cutting set.  

     The Landmaster has a large hatch in the front and rear deck, hatches on either side of the forward cabin, and a large hatch in the rear.  The rockets used in the forward rocket launchers are the same as used in the M-67 recoilless rifle, but the rocket launchers are magazine-fed.  The weapons can be controlled either from a gunner's position or from the forward cabin.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$635,813

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

42 tons

2+8

13

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification, Radar, Sonar

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

154/92

35/25/4

900

240

CiH

W(8)

TF3  TS3  TR3  HF12Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+4

Good

2x7-round Hydra-70 launchers, 2xM-67 recoilless rifles (F), MAG (F), 2xMAG (S), MAG (R)

14xHydra-70 rockets, 16x90mm rockets, 6000x7.62mm

 

M-2A3 Bradley III

     Country of Origin: United States                                                                          

     Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life. There is in fact going to be (or already is by now) a version of the Bradley known as the M-2A3, but this is not it.  This version was made up by the Twilight 2000 designers at GDW, though I have come up with more back story.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: In late 1995, as existing M-2 and M-2A1 Bradleys in US service began to be gathered and replaced by M-2A2s, TACOM fitted the older Bradleys with a new turret and appliqué armor.  Fire control was also improved. In many cases, components designed for the M-2A2 were actually retrofitted to the M-2A3.  Lugs were added for reactive armor to the HS and F faces of the vehicle.

     These modified Bradleys were designated M-2A3, and were then reissued to replace battle losses in Europe, the Middle East, and Korea.  However, the lion's share of these new variants were issued to units fighting the Mexicans and Russians in the American Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska, due to problems with transporting them to farther locales.  In the M-2A3, the standard turret is replaced with one mounting twin Hellfire ATGMs instead of the standard TOW II launchers, one launcher on each side of the turret.  Three subtypes of the M-2A3 were built:  The M-2A3E1, with a standard 25mm ChainGun; the M-2A3E2, with a 30mm ChainGun, and the M-2A3E3, armed with a 35mm ChainGun. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist in the Merc 2000 timeline.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$372,268

D, A

1.5 tons

36.89 tons

3+7

12

Passive IR, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

121/84

25/20/2

662

174

Trtd

T4

TF11Sp  TS11Sp  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+4

Good

25mm, 30mm, or 35mm ChainGun, MAG, 2xHellfire ATGM Launchers, 2xM-231

900x25mm or 750x30mm or 640x35mm, 2200x7.62N, 5xHellfire ATGM, 5040x5.56N

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-2A3E1

$414,018

D, A

1.5 tons

33.42 tons

3+7

14

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

M-2A3E2

$436,082

D, A

1.5 tons

33.49 tons

3+7

15

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

M-2A3E2

$457,626

D, A

1.5 tons

33.56 tons

3+7

16

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G+C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

M-2A3E1

116/87

25/19

662

149

Trtd

T4

TF11Sp  TS11Sp  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6

M-2A3E2

116/87

25/19

662

149

Trtd

T4

TF11Sp  TS11Sp  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6

M-2A3E3

116/87

25/19

662

149

Trtd

T4

TF11Sp  TS11Sp  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-2A3E1

+4

Good

25mm ChainGun, M-240C, 2xHellfire ATGM Launchers, 2xM-231

900x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 5xHellfire ATGM, 1025x5.56mm

M-2A3E2

+4

Good

30mm ChainGun, M-240C, 2xHellfire ATGM Launchers, 2xM-231

750x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 5xHellfire ATGM, 1025x5.56mm

M-2A3E3

+4

Good

35mm ChainGun, M-240C, 2xHellfire ATGM Launchers, 2xM-231

640x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 5xHellfire ATGM, 1025x5.56mm

*Floor armor for the M-2A3 Bradley III is 7.

 

M-113: US Experimental Variants

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes: These are experimental APC versions of the M-113 built by the US.  Some existed only on the drawing board, some were built only as prototypes or demonstrators, and some almost made it into production, only to be cut at the last moment or be overtaken by new technology.

 

Stretched M-113A1

     Based on the M-113A1, the Stretched M-113A1 was designed primarily as a combat resupply vehicle, with the increased interior room to be used for cargo.  However, lengthened versions of the standard passenger seats were installed down the sides, and another secondary consideration was to use the Stretched M-113A1 as a forward command post vehicle or as a prime mover for towed artillery pieces.  The Stretched M-113A1 was extended in length over half a meter, adding some 2 cubic meters of cargo space.  In addition, the suspension was beefed up, nearly doubling the cargo capacity, and the Stretched M-113A1 had seven roadwheels on each side.  The rear deck cargo hatch was also enlarged and turned into a two-piece unit; these hatches hinge upwards in the middle, and include overhead cover supported by poles to form overhead cover/sunshade.  The rear hatch was also slightly enlarged.  The Stretched M-113A1 did not go into production, but the concept would appear again in the early 1990s as the MTVL (based on the M-113A3), and several prototypes were built for evaluation. 

 

XM-734 MICV

     Also known as the MICV-65, the XM-734 was one of the first steps on the road to the M-2/M-3 Bradley.  The XM-734, though visibly based on the M-113A1, was also visibly quite different.  The first step was to allow the infantrymen to fight from inside armor protection.  Four sets of firing ports were installed on the right side, and three on the left (due to the fuel tank positioning); two more were installed in the rear ramp, one of which was in the door.  Firing ports could accept standard M-16A1s, M-1911 pistols, or the M-3A1 submachinegun. Armor protection was increased somewhat with sheet steel appliqué.  A more powerful 260-horsepower was installed, along with a matching transmission.  The conventional commander's station was replaced with a small turret; several armament configurations were tried, but the last and most heavily-armed variant used an M-139 20mm autocannon with an M-219 7.62mm machinegun as a coaxial weapon.  A very few XM-734s were combat-tested in Vietnam. The XM-734 could still carry 11 troops, but it was a tight squeeze (it could even carry 12 with an even tighter squeeze, but it was not recommended).  The XM-734 was thought to be promising, but not promising enough, and research continued.

 

XM-765

     The XM-765 began development in 1967, and several variants were built (differing mostly in armament and cupolas) into several forms before finally being canceled in 1970 in favor of a further modified version called the M-113A1PI.  The program came to an end in the US in the early 1970s, but by then several European countries had taken an interest in the M-113A1PI design, and it became the AIFV (covered in other sections).

     The XM-765 retained the power pack, suspension, and tracks of the M-113A1, but the hull was heavily modified.  The passenger compartment took on a radically different form, with the upper hull sides being sloped at an angle of about 30 degrees and fitted with four firing ports on each side, along with two in the rear ramp.  The firing ports could accept any M-16 rifle or the M-3A1 submachinegun.  The front and side armor was increased in effectiveness by incorporating spaced armor.  A 379-liter fuel tank was installed under the floor of the passenger compartment, replacing the fuel tanks in the M-113A1's walls.  A new commander's cupola was installed, armed with a 20mm M-139 autocannon that could be aimed and fired (but not reloaded) from under armor.

     Some of the biggest strikes against the XM-765 were inadequate power and range for the increased weight.  This caused an ill-advised reduction in armor protection, especially the spaced armor.  The cupola and the weapon mount were retained, but the weapon was replaced with an M-2HB machinegun.  The bench seats running down the center of the passenger compartment were replaced by rotating individual seats, with two being added for the ramp gunners.  Two additional ventilation fans were also added for the passenger compartment.

 

PI M-113A1

     The PI (Product-Improved) M-113A1 was a test vehicle built in 1970 aimed at increasing the M-113A1’s firepower and survivability.  The survivability improvements consisted of bolt-on spaced laminate steel armor, with the spaces between the armor panels being filled with polyurethane foam to allow the M-113A1 to retain its amphibious capability; a high-displacement trim vane also assisted with this.  The fuel tanks were moved to the rear of the vehicle, and protected on the outer sides by the new spaced armor; the rest of the tanks were also protected by increased steel armor.

     The sides of the hull were heavily-modified based on experience with the XM-765, with three vision blocks on each side of the hull in a sloping armor section.  Experience with the XM-765 showed that only two troops could properly fire through firing ports on each side of the vehicle, so the third man on each side had only a vision block, without a firing port.  In the rear ramp was another firing port with a vision block. Seats were provided for ten passengers, one of which was the commander. The commander had his own cupola behind that of the gunner's station; this cupola was unarmed, but had a 6x binocular scope along with seven vision blocks.  There was no rear deck roof hatch. 

     The cupola was replaced with one that had a lower silhouette; this cupola could be armed with the M-139 autocannon or an M-2HB, both of which could be fired (but not reloaded) from under armor.  The primary armament version tested was the M-139 autocannon.  The gunner also had a 6x periscope sight along with seven other standard vision blocks.

     The PI M-113A1 used a more powerful 260-horsepower engine, and the suspension beefed up to handle additional weight and improve cross-country performance. 

     The US Army decided not to develop the PI M-113A1 or the XM-765 further, but the Dutch saw promise in them, and ordered several PI M-113A1s in 1974 for extensive testing.  These Dutch test vehicles evolved into the AIFV.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Stretched M-113A1

$74,004

D, A

3.04 tons

16.17 tons

2+15

5

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

XM-734

$139,376

D, A

800 kg

13.69 tons

2+9

6

Passive IR (G+D)

Shielded

XM-765 (v1)

$148,092

D, A

800 kg

13.54 tons

3+9

8

Passive IR (G+D)

Shielded

XM-765 (v2)

$150,852

D, A

1 ton

12.04 tons

2+10

6

Passive IR (C+D)

Shielded

PI M-113A1

$252,819

D, A

1 ton

12.23 tons

2+10

7

Passive IR (G+D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Stretched M-113A1

114/80

25/15/3

360

148

Stnd

T3

HF6  HS4  HR4

XM-734

121/85

26/15/3

416

155

Stnd

T2

TF4  TS3  TR2  HF7  HS5  HR4

XM-765 (v1)

122/85

26/15

379

155

CiH

T2

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF7Sp  HS5Sp  HR4

XM-765 (v2)

129/90

28/16/3

379

147

CiH

T2

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF6  HS5  HR4

PI M-113A1

131/91

27/16/3

416

143

CiH

T2

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF8Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Stretched M-113A1

None

None

M-2HB (C)

2000x.50

XM-734

+1

Basic

20mm M-139, M-219

400x20mm, 1840x7.62mm

XM-765 (v1)

+1

Fair

20mm M-139

500x20mm

XM-765 (v2)

+1

Fair

M-2HB

1500x.50

PI M-113A1

None

None

20mm M-139

400x20mm

 

M-113A1 With LAV-25 Turret

     Country of Origin: Canada

     Notes:  The M-113A1 was upgraded in such a manner at the request of the Canadian Army, but it was decided to not go ahead with upgrading the entire M-113A1 fleet.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: As an experiment, some Canadian M-113A1s were fitted with the same turret as the LAV-25.  When the Twilight War broke out, the prototypes were taken into service as the CM-113A1, and series production was begun.  These vehicles were primarily retained in the home defense role, and most were sent to the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Yukon, as well as the Northwest Territories to counter the Russian invasion.  These vehicles, like most Canadian LAV-25s, add a MAG for antiaircraft and anti-troop use by the commander's hatch.  Since these are modifications of older M-113s, most do not have a wear value of better than 4.  The layout is generally similar to the standard M-113, but the large hatch on the rear deck is eliminated, as with the turret mounted, there is no room for it. 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$214,890

D, A

1 ton

15.35 tons

3+6

7

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

152/107

35/25/3

360

112

Trtd

T2

TF6  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

25mm ChainGun, MAG

630x25mm, 1620x7.62N

 

M-113 Model 607

     Country of Origin: Germany

     Notes:  This is a German variant of the M-113A1, with a KUKA 607 turret mounting an M-2HB machinegun, a new engine, and a fully automatic transmission and steering yoke.  This is an upgrade proposed by FFG in 1997, but few if any of these conversions have been done for operational vehicles. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: About 150 of these vehicles were available for the Twilight War.

     Merc 2000 Notes: The conversion program was never carried out.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$29,783

D, A

1 ton

15 tons

2+10

6

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

137/96

30/20/4

360

109

Trtd

T2

TF3  TS3  TR3  HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

M-2HB

2000x.50

 

M-115A1 ACCV

     Country of Origin: United States

     Notes:  This vehicle does not exist in real life; it is an invention of the designers at GDW.  I have come up with a little more back story. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This Armored Cavalry Combat Vehicle is originally a Canadian idea.  In the late 1980s, they began, first as an experiment, and then operationally, topping some of their M-113A2s with the same turrets used on LAV-25 wheeled armored personnel carriers.  The US Army, especially National Guard formations, borrowed this idea during the Twilight War, using them in place of the shorter-supplied M-3 Bradley Cavalry Vehicles.  The turret almost completely takes up the deck of the vehicle.
     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$214,890

D, A

1 ton

15.35 tons

3+6

7

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

152/107

35/25/3

360

112

Trtd

T2

TF6  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

25mm ChainGun, MAG

630x25mm, 1620x7.62N

 

M-119A1

     Country of Origin: Israel

     Notes:  The M-119A1 was originally an Israeli improved version of the M-113 ACCV, and during the war several M-113s were converted to this designation.  The vehicle’s turret mounts a 60mm HVMS autocannon to be used in bunker busting and general infantry support operations.  The M-119A1 comes standard with an improved RAPI armor system that increases its survivability against heavy machineguns and RPGs.  The vehicle became popular with American troops who liked the increased armor and heavier caliber support weapon.  The M-119A1 is often fitted with reactive armor (TF, TS, HF), and may use the M-113s appliqué hull armor.  Though technically an APC, it stretches that definition.

     The M-119A1 models deployed to the Middle Eastern theater have earned the nickname “Combat Taxis” by the troops and crews.  Some test models have been sent back to the US for analysis.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$243,929

D, A

1 ton

14 tons

3+6

7

Active/Passive IR

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

100/70

20/15/2

360

109

Trtd

T2

TF10  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

60mm HVMS, MAG; MAG, M-2HB, or Mk19 (C)

80x60mm; 4000x7.62mm, or 2000x7.62mm and 2000x.50, or 2000x7.62mm and 500x40mm grenade

 

Marder 1A3/40mm

     Country of Origin: Germany

     Notes: Developed as an experiment from the standard Marder 1A3, the Marder 1A3/40mm has not been adopted by the Bundeswehr, and probably never will be due to budgetary reasons.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Just before the commencement of the Twilight War, the Germans (amongst may other countries) realized that the rather light autocannons arming most of their IFVs simply weren't going to cut the mustard.  The Germans decided to solve this problem while spending as little as possible -- they up-gunned the standard Marder 1A3 with Bofors 40mm L/70 autocannons traded and bought from the Swedes, and while they were at it, improved the night vision suite.  The result was the Marder 1A3/40mm, (sometimes referred to as the Marder 1A4, though this was a non-official appellation).  The Germans did not have time to bring the new gun's mounting and stabilization up to Marder 1A3 standards, and had to enlarge the turret to fit the Bofors gun, making the 1A3/40mm easily identifiable.  In addition, the extra weight of the new turret and gun do take away from the cargo-carrying capabilities of the vehicle, as well as making the interior a bit more cramped.  The Marder 1A3/40mm was adopted in small numbers, but never enough to satisfy the Bundeswehr, for they were quite effective at protecting their troops and dispensing with most enemy APCs.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$424,010

D, A

800 kg

34.8 tons

3+5

17

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

104/73

30/20

652

176

Trtd

T4

TF12  TS7  TR7  HF27  HS12  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

40mm Bofors L/70, MG-3, Milan II Launcher

700x40mm, 5000x7.62mm, 5xMilan II

 

MOWAG Improved Tornado

     Country of Origin: Switzerland

     Notes: This is an upgrade of the first Tornado.  It features an overhead mount for an autocannon, coaxial machinegun, and missile launcher.  The driver is in the front left of the hull with an overhead hatch; the commander has a small hatch in the remote turret.  The rear of the hull has a ramp.  There are two firing ports in each side of the hull and two in the rear; in addition, there are two remote machineguns on the hull deck at the rear.  This vehicle was not adopted by any country, but is still being offered by MOWAG.  It is interesting for its heavy armament, and is presented here as a “what-if.”

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

35mm

$133,899

D, A

1.75 tons

22.3 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR, Image Intensification

Shielded

25mm

$112,208

D, A

1.75 tons

22.3 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

(Both)

135/94

31/22/3

500

136

CiH

T4

TF6  TS5  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR3

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

35mm

+3

Fair

35mm KDA Autocannon, MAG, 2xTOW II Launchers, 2xMAG (Rear)

500x35mm, 3500x7.62mm, 5xTOW II ATGM

25mm

+3

Fair

25mm KBA Autocannon, MAG, Milan Launcher, 2xMAG (Rear)

700x25mm, 3500x7.62mm, 7xMilan ATGM

 

MOWAG Trojan

     Country of Origin: Switzerland

     Notes:  This is a tracked armored personnel carrier first produced for the requirements of the Swiss Army.  The Swiss eventually went with the CV-9030 (see Swedish APCs), but in 1992 the Finnish company Patria Vehicles bought the design and manufacturing rights, calling the vehicle the TC-500, and modified it for use in extreme temperatures (especially cold) and deep snow and ice.  The vehicle was designed to be modular for easy upgrading and easy servicing.  Add-on extra armor can be added; this weighs 4.5 tons, slows the vehicle by 10%, and costs $15,000; it adds 4 points of armor to all faces.  The vehicles were designed to use three different autocannons, and any of these may be installed in the vehicle with minimal modification in 1 hour.  The driver's hatch is on the front left, and, unlike most armored vehicles, the driver has periscopes that allow him to see over the engine on the front right when buttoned up.  There are two hatches on the turret deck for the commander and gunner, and a large drop ramp on the rear face for the passengers.  The troops have no firing ports, but there is a machinegun cupola with a periscope for suppressive fire. 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Trojan (25mm Autocannon)

$325,015

D, A

1.5 tons

24.65 tons

3+7

14

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Shielded

Trojan (30mm Autocannon)

$357,159

D, A

1.5 tons

27 tons

3+7

14

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Shielded

Trojan (40mm Autocannon)

$412,412

D, A

1.5 tons

29 tons

3+7

15

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Trojan (25mm Autocannon)

165/115

35/25/4

450

200

Trtd

T3

TF8  TS7  TR4  HF10  HS6  HR6

Trojan (30mm Autocannon)

154/108

35/25/3

450

200

Trtd

T3

TF8  TS7  TR4  HF10  HS6  HR6

Trojan (40mm Autocannon)

147/103

30/20/3

450

200

Trtd

T3

TF8  TS7  TR4  HF10  HS6  HR6

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Trojan (25mm Autocannon)

+3

Fair

25mm KBA,MAG, MAG (Rear)

600x25mm, 1500x7.62N

Trojan (30mm Autocannon)

+3

Fair

30mm Mauser Mk 30, MAG, MAG (Rear)

500x30mm, 1500x7.62mm

Trojan (40mm Autocannon)

+3

Fair

40mm Bofors L/70, MAG, MAG (Rear)

400x40mm, 1500x7.62mm

 

Panhard VCR-2

     Country of Origin: France

     Notes: This medium wheeled APC has only been developed to the prototype stage as of yet.  It is a stretched VCR TT 2, with 8 roadwheels and about 25% larger than that vehicle.  It is being developed for the requirements of the Polish Army for a new wheeled armored personnel carrier with good cross-country performance, high road speed, and decent firepower.  Four turret choices are available, with the 25mm-armed version being the most likely to be adopted.  The VCR-2 may also be fitted with a pintle-mounted machinegun.  The layout is similar to the standard VCR TT 2, with a door in the center of the hull on each side, a hatch on the front center deck for the driver, and a large door in the rear of the vehicle for the troops.  The turret is normally a small turret with no hatch; however, the version with a pintle-mounted machinegun has a hatch in the center top deck, and the 90mm version has a hatch on the turret roof for the commander and gunner.  There are three firing ports on each side of the troop compartment.

     Twilight/Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Pintle MG

$38,420

D, A

2 tons

14.8 tons

2+10

5

Passive IR

Shielded

MG Turret

$126,410

D, A

2 tons

15 tons

3+9

5

Image Intensification, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

20mm Turret

$131,130

D, A

2 tons

15 tons

3+9

5

Image Intensification, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

25mm Turret

$134,283

D, A

2 tons

15 tons

3+9

5

Image Intensification, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

90mm Turret

$220,189

D, A

1.5 tons

15.8 tons

3+5

5

Image Intensification, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Pintle MG

162/66

41/17/4

350

97

Stnd

W(6)

HF12  HS6  HR4

MG/20/25mm Turret

160/64

40/16/4

350

97

CiH

W(6)

TF5  TS4  TR3  HF12  HS6  HR4

90mm Turret

156/62

39/16/4

350

97

Trtd

W(6)

TF5  TS4  TR3  HF12  HS6  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Pintle MG

None

None

M-2HB

2000x.50

MG Turret

+3

Fair

M-2HB, AAT-F1

1500x.50, 2200x7.62mm

20mm Turret

+3

Fair

20mm M621 Autocannon, AAT-F1

1000x20mm, 2200x7.62mm

25mm Turret

+3

Fair

25mm M811 Autocannon, AAT-F1

800x25mm, 2200x7.62mm

90mm Turret

+3

Fair

90mm French Gun, AAT-F1

22x90mm, 2200x7.62mm

 

Pbv-402

     Country of Origin: Sweden Notes: As a test, the complete turret of a CV-9040 was mounted on an MT-LB. This was done to quickly and cheaply mechanize infantry units that were foot-mobile or mounted only in trucks or light vehicles. Though the experiment was deemed substantially a success, It was deemed even cheaper to simply place those troops in overhauled MT-LBs for the time being. The Pbv-402 project was therefore put on indefinite hold, and few if any were actually fielded. (I'm not sure if "Pbv-402" is an official designation for this design; I believe that this designation was made up by Antti Hentuu, a person well known to the online Twilight 2000 community as Antenna.)   

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was in limited production before the Twilight War, but was not adopted as a standard until 1999.  It is produced by placing the turret of a CV-90 on the hull of an MT-LB APC; often, these turrets were taken from battle-damaged CV-90s with still-functioning turrets.  Still more were purposed modified into this standard.  The vehicles were used to replace battle losses, but the real CV-90 or even the Pbv-502 was preferred over this vehicle.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist in the Merc 2000 timeline.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$424,037

D, A

1.2 tons

13 tons

3+6

6

Passive IR, Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

70/49

15/10/2

450

103

Trtd

T4

TF14  TS8  TR6  HF4  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+3

Good

40mm Bofors L/70 Autocannon, Ksp m/39, 2x71mm Lyran launchers

240x40mm, 3800x7.62mm, 8x71mm ILLUM Shells

 

Pbv-502

     Country of Origin: Sweden

     Notes:  The story behind this unusual modification is similar to that of the Pbv-402.      

     Twilight 2000 Notes: In 1997, Sweden bought 350 ex-East German BMP-1 IFVs from Germany.  These vehicles were modified and upgraded; the most dramatic of these upgrades was the replacement of the 73mm cannon turret with a turret from the CV-90 IFV.  These vehicles were used to mechanize most of the remainder of Sweden's infantry forces.  The upgraded vehicles, called Pbv-502s, are similar in appearance to the Polish BMP-40, and also have new engines and transmissions installed to replace the aging power train in the BMP-1s.  Though the CV-90 was the preferred vehicle, the Pbv-502 was better than no vehicle at all.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$416,282

D, A

1 ton

18.4 tons

3+8

8

Thermal Imaging, Passive IR, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

72/50

15/10/2

460

128

Trtd

T2

TF14  TS8  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+3

Good

40mm L/70 autocannon, Ksp m/39, 2x71mm Lyran launchers

238x40mm, 3000x7.62N, 8x71mm ILLUM Shells

 

TAB-90

     Country of Origin: Romania

     Notes:  This vehicle does not exist; it is the invention of the original designers of the Twilight 2000 game at GDW.  I have elaborated on the back story considerably, however.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This is the result of Romanian experiments in designing a light APC for scout teams.  The TAB-90 is a small vehicle; barely large enough for its crew, and normally less than a full complement of passengers were carried in order to carry more supplies, especially on extended reconnaissance missions.  The TAB-90 has an unusually quiet engine, and enemy troops often found the TAB-90 much closer to their positions than they expected it to be, without warning.  The exhaust is also filtered so the normal heavy plume of smoke given off by diesel engines is more subdued in the TAB-90.  The main fault of the TAB-90, other than its light construction, is its high profile, nearly three meters high; this not only made it easy to spot against the horizon, but also made it vulnerable to tipping on uneven ground.  It was, however, a good observation platform.  The TAB-90 has a hatch on the front left deck for the driver, two hatches on the turret deck for the gunner and commander, and a door in the rear of the hull for the passengers.  In addition, there is a firing port on each side of the hull, and one in the rear door.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$199,162

D, A

1 ton

10 tons

3+6

6

Passive IR, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

189/132

40/30/5

500

107

Trtd

T2

TF5  TS3  TR2  HF4  HS3  HR3

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

23mm Autocannon, PKT

200x23mm, 1500x7.62mm

 

TH-495

    Country of Origin: Germany

    Notes:  This vehicle exists in prototype form only.

    Twilight 2000 Notes: This infantry fighting vehicle was designed in the mid-1990s in Germany to replace the Marder.  Production began in 1996, but all three production lines were destroyed by late 1997 and as a result the TH-495 did not make much headway in replacing the Marder, equipping only a few front-line battalions.  Those that made it to service gave a good accounting of themselves in combat, their heavy caliber autocannons able to destroy and out-range opposing vehicles, and their missiles (usually TOW IIIs) able to take out even main battle tanks.  The vehicle is state of the art, able to fire at full speed and with targeting systems normally found on advanced tanks.  A few were produced in a shorter version with only 5 roadwheels; however, they were produced only as prototypes, and were sent to combat units only as an emergency measure.  Most have 6 roadwheels, and this is the version presented below.  A few of these vehicles, perhaps 25 in all, wereproduced for Malaysia and sent there before ship traffic became scarce.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$428,967

D, G, AvG, A

1.2 tons

25.9 tons

3+7

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

146/102

30/20/3

700

126

Trtd

T4

TF21Sp  TS11Sp  HR9  HF26Sp  HS8Sp  HR6

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+4

Good

30mm Bushmaster II, MG-3, 2xTOW II/III launchers

820x30mm, 4500x7.62mm, 6xTOW II/III ATGM

 

Vextra 25

     Country of Origin: France

     Notes: The APC version of the Vextra is topped with an upgraded Dragar turret armed with a 25mm autocannon. The driver is on the front left, the one-man turret has a hatch on the roof, and there are four hatches on the rear deck. There is a power ramp in the rear hull for passenger access. A sore point among troops using this vehicle is the lack of firing ports, forcing infantrymen to expose themselves to fire through the deck hatches to return fire.  Though the Vextra 25 is in an advanced testing phase as of 2006, it is already being marketed, but has no buyers as of yet.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This new French APC began production for the French and German armies just prior to the Twilight War. Designed to replace the AMX-10P and VAB in the French Army and the Fuchs and M-113 series in the German Army, fewer than 100 of these vehicles made it to each army before production stopped for the German Army and focused on the French Army. Many of these vehicles were sent to the Middle East, where their ability to keep up with Leclerc and AMX-40 tanks made them valuable.

Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle got lost in the budget shuffle and was never put into production.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$220,022

D, A

1.64 tons

25.7 tons

2+9

7

Passive IR, Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

160/91

35/20

580

154

Trtd

W(6)

TF5 TS5 TR4 HF10Sp HS6Sp HR5

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+3

Good

25mm KBA autocannon, AAT-F1

1200x25mm, 2800x7.62mm

 

Ze'ev IFV

     Country of Origin: Israel

     Notes:  This vehicle does not exist in real life; it was made up by Frank Frey of GDW.  (I asked Frank about the Ze'ev IFV once, and he told me that in his mind, the turret sort of looks like a Bradley turret without the TOW launcher box, atop a hull that looks sort of like that of the Marder.)

     Twilight 2000 Notes: An Israeli built tracked, IFV variant of the Ze'ev Mobile Armored Gun System. The IFV has a remote turret mounted on the center top deck. The commander, driver, and gunner ride in the chassis along with 6 infantrymen. There are two firing ports on each side of the vehicle. There are separate hatches for the commander, driver and gunner on the top deck. There is a powered ramp door with two additional firing ports in the rear door of the vehicle.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$300,501

D, A

500 kg

22.56 tons

3+6

8

Passive IR, Thermal Imaging

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

129/91

30/20

650

153

CiH

T4

TF12  TS10  TR5  HF16Sp  HS12Sp  HR6

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+3

Good

35mm Bushmaster III autocannon, Mk19

300x35mm, 100x40mm grenades