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 |
|
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |