FV107 Scimitar
 |
| FV107 Scimitar | |
|---|---|
 Scimitar performing a firepower demonstration on Salisbury Plain | |
| Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Alvis/BAE Systems Land & Armaments |
| No.built | over 600 (for UK)[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.8tonnes |
| Length | 4.9 m |
| Width | 2.2 m |
| Height | 2.1 m |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armour | aluminium armour |
Main armament | 30 mm L21RARDENcannon A.P.D.S. (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot). H.E. (High Explosive). D.S.R.R. (Discarding Sabot Reduced Range) (training) Prac. (H.E. Practice) (training) |
Secondary armament | Coaxial7.62 mmL37A1 MG |
| Engine | CumminsBTA 5.9 diesel 190 hp (142 kW) |
| Drive | tracked, with 14 lbf/in2(0.98 kg/cm2)ground pressure |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
Operational range | 450 km |
| Maximum speed | 50 mph (80.5 km/h) |
TheFV107 Scimitaris an armouredtrackedmilitaryreconnaissance vehicle(sometimes classed as alight tank) formerly used by theBritish Army,until it was retired from active service in April 2023.[2]It was manufactured byAlvisinCoventry.It is very similar to theFV101 Scorpion,but mounts a high-velocity 30 mm L21RARDENcannoninstead of a low-velocity 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments in the reconnaissance role. Each regiment originally had a close reconnaissance squadron of five troops, each containing eight FV107 Scimitars. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also employed eight Scimitars in the close reconnaissance role.
Development
[edit]The FV107 Scimitar is one of theCVR(T)series of vehicles. The first prototype was completed in 1971.[3]After being accepted for service in 1973, deliveries to Belgium and the UK commenced in 1974.[3]
Initially, the engine was theJaguar J60 4.2-litre6-cylinderpetrolengine, the same as used by severalJaguar cars.This was replaced by aCumminsBTA 5.9diesel enginein British Army Scimitars under the CVR(T) Life Extension Program (LEP).
The UK initiated theTactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement(TRACER) to replace theSabreand Scimitar.[4]In 1996 the U.S. joined in on the project.[5]In 2001, both the UK and U.S. dropped out of the joint programme.[6]
As of 2023, the Scimitar's intended replacement in British service is a variant of theAjaxfitted with aCT40cannon.[7]The Scimitar was retired from British service in 2023. TheWarrioris being used as a temporary stop-gap, until Ajax reaches initial operating capability.[2][8]
Scimitar Mk II
[edit]Following a risk mitigation programme, in December 2010 a contract was awarded for the development, testing and management of an upgraded Scimitar.[9]This was undertaken by the Vehicles Military & Technical Services team, BAE Systems Telford, which co-ordinated the build of 50 vehicles at the nearby DSG (Defence Support Group), Donnington, to be completed in early 2012. The Scimitar Mark 2 combat vehicle is one of five enhanced CVR(T) types.[10]It was created in early 2010, and continues in service.[11]
The Scimitar Mk II was:
- Rehulled to give better mine-blast protection for troops
- Improved armour fitted to enhance resistance to blasts and ballistic threats
- Provide mine-protected (suspended and piston-mounted) seating in every crew position
- Improve available space and improve crew conditions
- Mitigate repairs while reducing maintenance and life-cycle costs, and extend in-service life.
The resulting vehicles have since been re-engined with a Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel engine and David Brown TN15E+ automatic gearbox.[12]In addition to providing power for an air conditioning system, the new more fuel-efficient engine extends the vehicle's operational range, while the re-designed internal layout allows better-protected fuel tanks to be repositioned for reduced vulnerability to blast and ballistic threats.
The new engine and transmission package promised straightforward servicing and support for the Mk II during its in-service life, refurbished dampers simultaneously improving crew comfort - and hence reducing fatigue - while extending the life of vehicle components and maintaining the tactical mobility of the original vehicle despite an increase to an operation weight of c12,000 kg.
BAE Systems have proposed improved road wheels, new conventional metal tracks with guaranteed mileage (which could reduce the vehicle's running costs) and continuous 'rubber' band tracks, which significantly decrease both vibration and noise, allowing crew to operate more effectively and for longer, even in the harshest environments, while reducing the vehicle's acoustic signature.
Combat use
[edit]
Two troops from B Squadron,Blues and Royalsserved in theFalklands War.One troop was equipped with four Scorpions, the other with four Scimitars. TheseCVR(T)swere the only armoured vehicles used in action by the British Army during the conflict. At least one Scimitar was seriously damaged by an Argentinian landmine, but the crew were unscathed, and the vehicle was salvaged by aChinook HC.1helicopter[13]and soon brought back into service by the attachedREMEsection. Scorpions and Scimitars also provided air defence support; one Scimitar claimed to have shot down an ArgentinianSkyhawkfighter-bomber with its 30 mm cannon.[14]
The 1st (British) Armoured Division, the British component of the coalition's ground forces in theFirst Gulf War,included a medium reconnaissance regiment that used Scimitars and other CVR(T) vehicles. This regiment initially was composed of the three constituent squadrons of 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers (16/5L), reinforced by a fourth squadron from1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards(QDG). On 26 February 1991, the regiment foughtdirect-fireengagements with Iraqi units while calling in air and artillery strikes to support an attack by the division's 7th Armoured Brigade.[14]A troop of Scimitars engaged and knocked out IraqiT-62s,penetrating their frontal armour withsabot rounds.One Scimitar was engaged and hit by an Iraqi T-55 and the penetrating round passed through the thin aluminium armour without injuring the crew.[15]
Scimitars of C Squadron, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, were used in theBattle of Al Fawin the opening days of the2003 invasion of Iraq.Plans for an amphibious landing by Scimitars were abandoned due to extensiveminingof the beaches; instead, they crossed into Iraq by land.
In Afghanistan, duringOperation Herrick,Scimitars were deployed either in standard troop organisations or as part ofJackalcomposite troops, in which role they provided additional firepower to complement the Jackal's high mobility.[citation needed]
Additional specifications
[edit]
- Ground clearance: 0.35 m
- Main armament: 30 mmL21 RARDENcannon. (Fires at up to 90 rounds per minute)
- Ammunition types:
- High Explosive Incendiary(HEI)
- High Explosive(HE)
- Armour Piercing(AP)
- APSE (Armour Piercing Secondary Effects)
- Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer(APDS-T)
- Additional defence: 2 × 4-barrel smoke launchers.
- Ammunition stores:
- As with all British armoured vehicles, Scimitar is equipped with a forced air system, so the crew could lock down in aCBRNenvironment. For this reason, the vehicle is equipped with a boiling vessel (or "BV" ), to cook and make hot drinks.[16]
Operators
[edit]Current operators
[edit]
Latvia– 123 units
In September 2014,Latviasigned a contract with Great Britain for the purchase of 123 Scimitars as part of theLatvian National Armed Forcesinfantry brigade mechanization program.[17]
Ukraine– 23 units
In August 2023, 23 Scimitar MK IIs were delivered to Ukraine by Great Britain to repel theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[18]
Former operators
[edit]
United Kingdom– 325 units[21]
The Scimitar was used by the threeformation reconnaissance regimentsof theBritish Army.After theStrategic Defence and Security Review in 2010,some regiments' Challenger 2 tanks were replaced with CVR(T) Scimitars.[22]The Scimitar was retired from active service in April 2023.[2]
See also
[edit]- CVR(T)– Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of vehicles.
- M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle– similar role
Notes
[edit]- ^The two regiments "reduced" from armoured regiments to armoured cavalry are the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
References
[edit]- ^Staff Writer,"Alvis FV107 Scimitar: Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle (1971)",Military Factory,retrieved11 October2021
- ^abcGoldthorpe, Sarah, ed. (April 2023)."SCIMITAR BOWS OUT".Soldier Magazine.UK Ministry of Defence.p. 13.Retrieved15 July2023.
- ^abcFoss, Christopher F,ed. (2011). "Armoured Fighting Vehicle Families".Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011–2012(32nd ed.). Surrey: Janes Information Group. p. 764.ISBN978-0-71062-960-9.
- ^Baumgardner, Neil (8 June 2001)."Britain Seeking Information On Off-The-Shelf Vehicles For FRES Program".Defense Daily International.ProQuest217294908.Retrieved17 February2022.
- ^"U.S., U.K. Sign Letter of Intent for Work on Future Scout Vehicle".Inside the Army.Vol. 8, no. 42. Inside Washington Publishers. 21 October 1996. p. 5.JSTOR43979553.Retrieved8 February2022.
- ^Winograd, Erin Q. (22 October 2001)."But Technology Will Not Be Abandoned: British, U.S. Officials Announce an End to Joint Future Scout Program".Inside the Army.Vol. 13, no. 42. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 9–11.JSTOR24819092.Retrieved8 February2022.
- ^Tong, Michael (6 September 2019)."British Army vehicle procurement: headlights at the end of the tunnel?".International Institute for Strategic Studies.Retrieved16 July2023.
- ^Allison, George (21 March 2023)."Troubled Ajax payments resume, gets new in-service date".Retrieved16 July2023.
- ^Foss, Christopher (2015)."On the mend: British Army looks to refreshed AFVs"(PDF).Jane's International Defence Review.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Up-armoured vehicles begin Afghanistan operations"(Press release).UK Ministry of Defence.15 September 2011.Retrieved13 July2024.
- ^"CVRT Scimitar Mk 2 Mark 2 Light reconnaissance armoured vehicle".www.armyrecognition.com.Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2016.Retrieved21 March2016.
- ^Gelley, David (21 March 2016)."Whitham Specialist Vehicles Limited".www.mod-sales.com.Whitham Specialist Vehicles Limited.Retrieved21 March2016.
- ^Andrew Jones, "British Armor in the Falklands",ARMOR,March 1983 pp. 26–27
- ^abFoss, Christopher; Dunstan, Simon; Sarson, Peter (1995). "The CVR(T) in British Service".Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle 1972–1994.Osprey Publishing Ltd. pp. 19–24.ISBN1-85532-390-7.
- ^"The Scimitar CVR(T)".Lancashire's Own Cavalry Regiment.11 February 2015.Retrieved15 August2024.
- ^"Doug's 'HEAVY METAL' GALLERY".Archived fromthe originalon 26 December 2008.
- ^"Latvian army purchases UK armoured combat vehicles"(Press release).UK Ministry of Defence.4 September 2014.Retrieved13 July2024.
- ^Oryx."A Cuppa For Conquest: UK Military Aid To Ukraine".Oryx.Retrieved1 September2023.
- ^Kinnan, Colonel Christopher J.; Gordon, Colonel Daniel B.; Delong, Colonel Mark D.; Jaquish, Colonel Douglas W.; McAllum, Colonel Robert S. (February 2011). "Appendix C: Nigerian Military Forces".Failed State: Nigeria-A Case Study(PDF)(Technical report). Center for Strategy and Technology atUSAF Air War College.p. 119.ISBN978-1-58566-203-6.Occasional Paper No. 67.Retrieved11 May2024.
- ^abLionel, Ekene (12 July 2022)."Nigerian Army acquires ex-Jordanian FV-107 Scimitars".Military Africa.Retrieved11 May2024.
- ^"UK Defence: British Army estimated operational armoured vehicle fleet".european-defence.co.uk. January 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2013.Retrieved9 January2008.
- ^British Army(July 2013).Transforming the British Army: An Update - July 2013(PDF)(Report).UK Ministry of Defence.p. 24. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 3 December 2013.Retrieved12 July2024.
In the Reaction Force, Challenger 2 will deliver the armoured capability, with Armoured Cavalry Regiments continuing with Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) until the delivery of Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV).
[a] - ^Ondrejka, Jan; Stojar, Richard (2004)."Belgian armed forces: trends in development"(PDF).Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 27 December 2004.Retrieved9 January2008.
- ^"La Défense au rapport".page 55(in French). Belgian Ministry of Defence. January 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 31 July 2013.Retrieved9 January2008.
Further reading
[edit]
