Published by

Orbis Publishinq Ltd

@Aerospace Pubiishing Ltd 1983
Editorial OFfices
War Machine
Yolume 2 Issue 19 Aerospace Puc ish rg :to'
i0 Bafev Moi', ):ssaoe
Londor \t.i 4Pi- for WAR

CONTENTS Managing Editor: S::^

Editorial: Trlsna ); -e-
Chris 3lsrc:

Mcdern light Tanks and Chrrs Cranl

Design: Rod Teasdaie
ColourOrigination: magc r-c s- -: -.:
H,econnaissance Vehicles Thame, Oron
Typesetting: SX Compo" "g :ic
S(- 105 Light TaddTank Destroyer 362 Film work: Precise Litho Ltd

:IGESA EE-9 CascavelArmoured Cu 362 Artists:

Fay Hutchins
I'i:o 1 Shendan light tank 363 Swanston Graphics
-rrx ftmmard and Reconnaissance Vehicle 364 124,41
lrrr.ler Fenet Scout Cu 364
Printed in Great Britain by The Artisan Press
-S hght Tank Developments 365 Ltd
i-ru Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle 366
l:.e Ahu Scorpion in Action 367
.I-iu SiadinArmoued0u 372 Distribution and marketing offices:
Orbls Publishing Ltd
.IJ'f,- i3 Light Tank 3t2 Orbrs House
20-22 Bedfordbury
.i'f, -I Vehicle
ORC Reconnaissance 373 London WC2N 4BT
iair\ard ERC Sagaie Armowed Cu 3t4 Telephone: 01-379 6711
Circulation Director: David Breed
?::rard Alvll-90 Armoued Cu 374 Marketing Director: Michael Joyce
3 iJM- I Amplubious Scout Cu 375 WAR MACHINE Note: Binders and Back Numbers ;-:
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Forthcoming issues feature: Modern Attomatic $leapors

Fighter-botnbers of World T[ar II
Fighter Aircraft of lTorld Wu l'',
Canierborne Aircraft

laf-*- r i** ,.FrF

g**=

J
 Lighf Trnks
cndRec
Modetn teconnaissance vehicles no longer have a clea*eut
role to themselves as many of their traditional, cavalry tasks,
especially the gathering of information, are being carried out
by newer means. As a result, differing theories on the
employment of light armow in combat today have led to a
bewildering variety of vehicle types and, armament.
The orrgrnal role of armoured cars in Wortd War I was the gathering of
information on the strength, position and movement of enemy forces, and
in such a role armoured cars would normally act ahead and on the flanks
of the main forces, This was satislactory in a fluid battle situation, but
once the lines of the opposing forces had become established there was
often little the armoured car could do as lt lacked the firepower, armour
protection and mobility of the tank, In the years following World War II
some NATO countries (for example the UK and France) have continued
the development of armoured cars or developed light tracked vehicles
that have much improved off{he-road performance when compared
with their wheeled counterparts (a good example is the Brrtrsh Alvis
Scorpion), while other countries see little need for armoured cars to
t
carry out the reconaissance roie, and so employ tanks for this purpose.
Today there are many other means of carrying out the reconnaissance
role, such as aircraft, helicopters and more recently RPVs, Some of these
can send back reai-time information about the whole battlefield, where-
as ihe armoured car or other surface reconnaissance vehlcle is hmited to
a mere portion cl ihe battlefield.
11 is also apprient that countries often place a different emphasis on
their concept ci reconnaissance vehicles. The West German 8x8
Spdhpanzer j,uchs has excellent cross-country mobility, is fully amphr
brotu, has a high road speed and is possessed ofexceptional operational
rangie, but is armed with only a 20-mm cannon. The French 6x6 AMX-
IORC on ihe other hand is fully amphrbrous, has a good road speed and
ls armed with a 105-mm (4 i3-in) gnrn, There is a school of thought that
believes that to give a reconnaissance vehicle too heavy an armament
may tempt the crew to engage the enemy rather than report the same
enemy's position back to the next link in the chaln of command.
In many African, South American and Far Eastern countries the
armoured car is often the maln offensive flrrce of the army and is also
heavily engaged in internal security operations. For this reason there
has been a trend in recent years to put the heaviest possible gmn onto the
chassis oi the armoured car,
Scorpion reconnaissancevehicle on patrol in the MiddleEast. Over 3000 of
these vehicles and variants have been sold to some I 6 countries. It has
exceptional cross-country mobility and is armed with a potent ROF
Nottingham 76-mm (3-in) gun.
:
f 1s
F+3
*
 AUSTRIA

:
-The
SK-I05 Light TanVTank Destroyer
Jagdparuer SK-I05 was desigrned
oy Steyr rn the mid-1960s to meet an
Ausman army requirement for a hiqhly
ncbile and hard-hitting tank destroyer
sltable for operation in Austria's uni-
:Jrre terrain. The first prototype was
:ompleted in I 967, and production be-
:an Ln the early I970s. BY earlY I9B3
ibout 400 vehicles had been butlt, 150
::r the Austrian army and the remain-
Cer for the export market, in which
sles have been made to Argentlna'
bhvra, Morocco, Nigerta and Tunisla
The engrine, trarsmission, tracks, sus-
cersion and manY other automotive
romponents are identical to those of
-Steyr-Datmler-Puch
lhe famiiy of
:acked vehicles, which have also
been exported in large numbers
The hull of the SK-]OS is of all-
=relded steel armour, with the driver's
romDarfnent at the front, the turret in
-he ientre, and the enqlne and trans-
reission at the rear. Over its frontal arc
fle vehicle has complete protectlon
ftcm attack by a1l weaPons uP to 20-
nm cahbre, protection agairst small
arrns ffe being provided over the re-
rnainder of the velucie.
The turret is a modified version of
'-ne French Fives-Cail-Babcock Fl,-12
as irutaled on the AMX-13 llght tank,
a:rd is of the oscillatinq type, with the
wn fixed to the upper Part, which
pivots on the iower part. The comman-
der is seated on the 1eft and the gnrnner
cn the right, both with a hatch cover Vana:rts of the SK-i05 inciude the The SK- 1 05 light tankl tank destroyer
and observation devices. The main fire-control system includes tele-
scooes for both the commander and Greif armoured recovery vehicle, a climbs an incline, showing the
amament comprises a l05-mm (4,13- pioneer vehicle and a driver training Frenchlaser rangefinder on the
jl) oun frtted v\'lth a thermal sleeve and qunner, with an infra-red./while-light
turretroofat the rear with aninfra'
a rr-uzzle-brake: elevation is + 13" and iearchligtht above thrs. The latter en- vehicle. The Greif is fitted with a 6-
ables tarqets to be engaged at nrght. torure hydraulic crane, a dozerlstabi- redl white light searchlight mounted
:epression -B', and turret traverse ts above. The I 05-mm (4. I 3'in) Wn E
i60". Ammuntion stowage ts provided Mounted-on each side of the turret ls a lizer blade at the ftont of the hull, a
urnch with a capacity of 20 tonnes, and fed by two revolver-type magazines,
rcr totals of 44 105-mm (4.I3-in) main bank of three electrically-operated
firll provision for carrying spare parts each of which hold sk rounds of
armament rounds and 2,000 rounds of smoke-dischargers.
fixed ammunition for readY use.
1.62-mm ammunition for the co-axiai The engrine and transmission are at and tools,
nachrne-gmn. The 105-mm (4 13-in) the rear, the latter beinq a ZF manual
qn:n rs fed by two revolver-type maga- box mth sx forward and one reverse Specification
oears, Srspension is of the torsion-bar Crew:3 dieseldevelopinq32O hP (239 kVD
:hes Ln the h.rret bustle, this enabllng Performance: maximum road sPeed
tlype, and ionsists of five dual rubber- Weight: IT.5tonnes
L1e grur to flre until the amrnumtion is 65 krn/tr(40 mph); maximumrange
ei<.hiusted, One of the crew then has to tvied road wheels with the drive Dimensions: lenqth (includtlg gn:n)
sorocket at the rear, idler at the front 7,763 m (25 ft 57s in); iensth (hul) 520 km(325miles); fording i.00 m(3 ft
loive the vehicle in order to reload the 3 in); gradient 75%; vertical obstacle
utrd three track-relurn rollers Stan- 5.58 m (18 ft373 in);width2,50 m(B ft
naqaztnes. The empty brass cartridge 0.80m(Zft7Ve in); trench2.4I m(7 ft
dard equipment includes an NBC sys- 2 /zn);hetghr2.529 m (B ft 372 in)
lases are ejected from the turret Powerplant: one Steyr 6-cylinder 11in)
':rough a small trap in the bustle The tem and a heater,

E fficnsn EE-g Cascavel Armoured car

l:r manv vears the standard
=-rroured iar of the BraziJran army was
:e US 6x6 MB GreYhound that was
:eveloped in the earlY 1940s and
:ra'red w-tth a 37-mm gun. By the iate
-36Cs spares for the vehicle were be-
::ming difficult to obtain, and its arma-
::-er:t was obviously inadequate. The
Sa: Paulo company ENGESA had
ar-ady converted many trucks, for ex-
:rcle from 6x4 to 6x6 confignlation,
s:'crvinq them an excellent cross-
r:'r1try mobility. ENGESA then went
::- :c develop trivo armorued vehicles
:: ireet the requlrements of the Brazi-
a.rmy: these were the 6x6 EE-9
-=
Cascavei armoured car and the 6x6

The I ates t produ ction EN GESA EE -9

Cascavel atmoured car, showingthe
laser rangefinder mounted
externally over the 90-mm (3.54-in)
qn and 7.6 Z-mm machine-gun
mount€d ex tern ally at the
ocmma-nder3 station. This vehicle
has ben widely used bY the lraqi
atmy during the rxentconflictwith
Iran.
 EIiIGESA EE-g Cascavel Armoured Car (continued)
EE-ll Urutu armowed personnel car-
rier, which shared many common
automotive components although ther
layouts ale quite different. The first
prototype of the EE-9 Cascavel,
named after a Brazilian snake, was
completed in 1970 and was followed
by a batch of pre-production vehicles
before the first production vehicles
were completed at the company's new
facrlity at Sdo Jos6 dos Campos rn 1974.
Since then large numbers have been
built not onlyforthe Brazilian army but
also for many other countries around
the world including Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Cyprus, Gabon, Iraq, l,ibya,
T\:dsia and Urugnray, to name a few.
The Cascavel has been irsed oper-
ationally by the Iraqi army in the re-
cent war with lran.
AJthough some five different marks
of the Cascavel have now been pro-
duced, the layout ofall EE-9s is essen-
tially the same, The armour is of an
€ ilffssr Sheridantisht tank
In the mid-I950s the only mobile
weapons with a direct-fire capability
in the American airborne divisions
were the 76-mm (3-in) M4l light tank
and the 90-mm (3.54-in) M56 self-
propelled anti-tank gun. In 1959 a re-
guirement was issued for a new air-
podable vehicle to replace both the
M4I and M56, and development of
such a vehicle started under the name
Armored Reconnaissance,/Airborne
assault Vehicle (AX/AAV) and the de-
sigmation of the XM55l. The Allison Di-
vision of General Motors was subse-
quently awarded the development
contract, and a total of 12 prototypes
was built. In 1965 a fow-year produc-
tion contract was awarded to the com-
pany, although at that time the vehicle
had not been firlly accepted for ser-
vice. Froduction continued until 1970,
by when a total of 1,700 vehicles had
been built. The XM55l was ofrcially
classified fit for service in 1966 and
called the M55l General Sheridan.
Although it was evaluated by number
a to Vietnant, showing extensive
of countries the type was never sold
overseas, though it was deployed with
the US Army to Europe, South Korea
and Vietnam. In the last theatre the
M551 earned itself a bad reputation,
many faults soon becoming apparent,
especially with the l52-mm (6-in) main
armament, the powerpack and the
very thin belly armour, which pro-
vtded little protectron foom mines, one
of the more common Vietcong
weapons.
In the late I970s the M55I was with-
drawn from most front-line units, and in
early 1983 it remained in service only
with the tank battalion attached to the
B2nd Airbome Division, though a few
were also attached to the Arkansas
National Guard. Large numbers are
also used by the National T?aining
Center at Fort lrwin, California, where
they have been modified to resemble
Soviet vehicles such as the ZSU-23-4
23-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gmn,
BMP-I MICV and the 122-mm (4.8-in)
M- 1973 self-propelled howitzer.
The truI] of the M55I is of welded
aluminium construction, while the tur-
ret is of steel construction, The driver is
seated at the ftont in the centre, the
turret is in the centre of the hull, and
the engrine and transmission are at the
rear. Suspension is of the torsion-bar
F -l
Modern light Tanks and Reconnaissance Vehicles
unusual desigm developed by the com-
pany in conjunctionwith the University
of 56o Paulo, and consists of an outer
layer of hard steel with an rnner layer
of softer steel roll-bonded and heat-
treated to give the maximum possible
protection within the weight limit of the
vehrcle; rncreased protection rs pro-
vided over the foontal arc,
The driver is seated at the front of
the vehicle on the left, with the two-
man h:rret in the centre, and the en-
gdne and transmission at the rear, The
engrine is either a Detroit Diesel or a
Mercedes-Benz diesel, coupled to an
automatic or manual transmission,
Spare parts for both the engdne and
karsmission are available from com-
mercial sowces all over the world. All
six wheels are powered, power-
assisted steering is provided on the
ftont two wheels, The rear suspension
is of the ENGESA-designed Boomer-
ang type that qives excellent cross-
Above : M 5 5 I S heridan, as deployed
external turret stowage and
additional protection for the
commander.
type, and consists of five dual rubber-
tyred road wheels with the drive
sprocket at the rear and idler at the
front; there are no track-rehrn roliers.
A flotation screen is carried collapsed
aroundthe top of the hull andwhen this
has been erected the M55I is flrlly
amphibious, being propelled in the
water by its tracks at a speed of
5.8 kn/h (3.6 mph),
The main armament consists of a
M8I l52-mm (6-in) qun/missile laun-
cher that can fire a Shillelagh missile or
one of four types of combustible-case
conventional ammunition, namely
HEAT-T-MP, WP, TP-T and canister.
The last was of some use in Vietnam for
beating off massed gnrerrilla attack at
close quarters. The mix of convention-
al ammunition and missile depended
on the mission being undertaken, but
was typically 20 conventional rounds
and eight missiles. A 7.62-mm
machine-gmn was mounted co-axial
with the main armament and a 12,7-mm
machine gun, with a shield, was
mounted on top of the commander's
cupola for local and anti-aircraft de-
fence. Space was so cramped inside
country mobility.
The initial Cascavel Mk I had the
'same gnrn as the
M8, but all of these
vehicles have now been rebuilt wtth
the ENGESA turret armed wrth a 90-
mm (3.54-ir) gun. The Cascavel Mk II
was for export only, and has a French
Hispano-Suiza H-90 h:rret armed with
a 90-mm (3.54-in) DEFA qun, The other
models, the Cascavel Mks III, IV and
V, have a two-man ENGESA-designed
turret armed with a 90-mm (3.54-in)
Cockerill Mk III gmn (produced in Bra-
zil by ENGESA), a 7,62-mm machine-
gnm mounted co-axially with the main
armament, and a 12.7-mm or 7.62-mm
machine-gn:n mounted on the roof for
anti-aircraft defence,
As wrth most armoured cars today, a
wlde rangre of optionai equipment can
be fitted to the Cascavel, including a
fire-control system, a laser rangefin-
der mounted extemally over the main
amament, a laser rangefinder operat-
the M55I that much of the machine-
gmn ammudtion was carried external-
ly on the sides of the hrrret.
Specification
Crew:4
Iilleight: I 5. 83 tonnes
Dimensions: length 6,299 m (20 ft B in);
width2.BI9 m(9 ft3 in); heisht
(overall)2.946 m (9 ft B in)
Poweq)lant: one Detroit Diesel 6V-537
G-cyhnder diesel developinq 300 hp
(224 k\ D amphibious; gradient 60%; vertical
Performance: maximum road speed
70 lcn/tr(43 mph); maxrmumrange
ing through the gmnner's slght, day/
rught siqhts for commander and gmn-
ner, an NBC system, and a ventilation
system. All current models have a cen-
tral qte-pressule regrLrlation system to
enable the driver to adjust the ground
pressr[e to suit the terrarn.
Specification
Crew:3
Weight: 12tonnes
Dirnensions: iength (qnm forward)
6.22 mm(20 ftS in); Ienqth(hull)5. 19 m
(U ftOYs 1n); width2.59 m(B ft6 in);
height2,29 m(7 ft6 in)
Powerplant: one Detroit Diesel 6V-53
O-cylinder diesel developrng 2 l2 hp
(158 kW)
Performance: maximum road speed
100 kr/tt (62 mph); maximum range
1000 krn (620 mrles); fording 1.00 m (3 ft
3 in); gradient 60%; vertical obstacle
0.60m(I ft llTsin); trenchnot
apphcable
A standard Sheridan during tests at
Fort Knox. About I 700 o[ these
vehicles were built between I 966
and I 970, but only one battalion now
remains operational, with the 82nd
Airborne Division. O ther vehicles
have been converted to resemble
Sovietvehicles such as theZSU-Z34
and BMP- I for use at the National
Training Centre, Fort Itwin.
600 lan (3]0miles); fording
obstacle 0,838 m (2 ft 9 in); tuench
2,54m(8ft4in)
JbJ
 USA

tyrur Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle

When ihe Ml13 armoured personnel Lynx Command and Reconnaissance vehicle oI the Canadian Armed Forces,
camer entered production at FMC's armedwith a 12.7-mmM2HB machine-gunfotward and a7.62-mm machine-
:acr-Lity at San Jose in 1960, it was reai- gan at the rear. A bankof three electrically-operated smoke dischargers is
zed t}lar rn addition to being used for a mounted either side of the hull front.
1\rce range of roles its automotive
conponent ccuid also be used in other
arr:c.ured vehrcles. At that time the US
Any bad already selected the Ml14
','ehcie to carry out the roie of com-
nand and reconnaissance, but the
M:11 did not prove a successfr:l de-
siqr: and it has long been phased out of
sence, and it was never sold over-
se:s. FMC then Cesigned and built a
:cn:rnand and -reconnaissance vehicle
-isLnet automotive cofrponents of the
desei-powered MI1341, and this was
3ubsequently seiected by Canada,
',r,lirch ordered 174 vehicles under the
:a-rre Lynx, and by the Netherlands,
,r.hrch ordered 250 vehicles, all of
rese were delivered by 196B. The
;eilcle s oiten called the Ml13 and a

-
h comparison with the M1l3 the
lrix has a lower-proflle hull, the
-rc,fferpack repositroned to the rear,
a-rd cne road wheei less on each side.
lae :1u11 rs of all-welded aluminium
lJlsructlon that provides the crew
-,nth compiete protection from smali
alrls fire and shell splinters, The driv-
er s seated at the front of the vehicle,
nih rhe commandet to his rear and
::ghr The radio operator/observer is
seated to the left rear of the comman-
der, The enqlne compartment is at the
:ear of the null on the right side, with
:ccess hatches in the roof and hull
:ear.
Suspenslon is ofthe torsion-bar type,
::d consists of fow dual rubber-tyred
::ad wheels on each side wtth the
i:rve sprocket at the front and the
::'rhe rear; there are no track-return
r:llers. The Lyrx is frri1y amphibrous,
bernq propelled in the water by its
r:cks at a speed of 5.6 lan/h (3.5 mph),
3eiore tle vehicle enters the water a
l:: ?are rs erected at the foont of the
:--il eiectric bilge pumps are swrtch-
and iectangmlar covers erected
=j:n,
r::-lri ihe air inlet and exhaust
-:::-,:es rr: ihe huil top to stop water
::::ruig iire engine compartment, the
-,-e:icle lavingi very limited freeboard.
-,-::iicies such as the Mll3 and the
_.-:rx can cross only calm rivers and
-akes, open-sea landings almost inent-
".-i-i' resultrng in swamping.
Iire commander of the Lyrx has an
l'':6 hand-operated turret, wrth vision
b-:oks for all-round obsewation and
e>iernally-mounted standard 12.7-
-.
:::rr M2HB machine-gun for which
1,155 rounds of ammunition are car-
ried, The radio operator/observer has
a pintle-mounted 7.62-mm machine-'
gun wrth 2,000 rounds. In addition a
bank of three electrically-operated
smoke-drschargers is mounted at the
front of each side of the hull firinq for-
wards.
The Dutch vehicles have a slightlY
diiferent internai layout, and as origi-
idler nal1y suppliedwere slightly lighter.
More recently all of these vehicles
have been fittedwith a Srvrss Oerlikon-
Buhrle GBD-AOA one-man turret
armed with a 25-mm KBA-B cannon,
This has three rates offire: single-shot,
I75 rounds per mlnute and 570 rounds
per minute. T\ro hundred rounds of
ready-use ammunition are carried for
the cannon, ofwhich I20 are high ex-
plosive and the other B0 armour-
piercrng, An added advantage for the Dimensiors: length4.597 m (15 ft 1 tn); AII Dutch vehicles have now been
Dutch rs that this Oerlikon cannon (in a wtdth2.413 m(7ft il in); height frtted with a Swiss Oerlikon-BulTrle
different one-man power-operated (rncludingr arrnament) 2. 17 1 m (7 ft one-man turret armed with a 26-mm
turret) rs also installed in the FMC- IVz n) KBA-B cannon.Thts is alsofittgd to
designed arrnowed infantry fightinq Powerplant: one Detrort Diesel Tlpe the Dutch army's Armoured lfifantry
vehicles of the Dutch army, so assisting 6V53 O-cylmder diesel developing F ighting Vehicles, thus ensuling
in ammunition commonahty, 215 hp (160 kul) ammunitionsupplyonthe I
Performance: ma:cmum road speed battletield
Specification 70.8 lrn/h(44 mph); maximumrange
Crew:3 523 kn (325 miles); fordurg obstacle 0.609 m (2 ft O in); tr$nch
Weight:8,775 tonnes amphibious; qradrent 60% ; vertrcal 1,524m(5ft0in)

>K baimler Ferret Scout Car

::li:inrng the success of the Daimier ery part of the world with the excep-
l:-grc scout car in World War II, the tron of the Americas.
:,''--;h War Office rssued a requue- All versiors of the Ferret have the
:::e:r iol a new scout car tn in 1946 and same basic layout, with the driver at
--:: :cllowing year Daimler Ltd of the front, the commander/gnrnner in
3':';erry was awarded the develop- the centre, and the engine and trans-
:-a:: contract, The ftst prototype was mission at the rear, The all-welded
:::pieted in 1949, and after user trials steel hutl has a maxirnum thickless of
-:: '.-:ircle was accepted for servtce 12 mm (0.47 in) and provides the crew
.: -':e Feret scout car, aithough it was
:: ::e tune to be called the Field A Daimler Ferret Mk I scout car Qett)
Mouse. Production continued at Darm- armed with a Bren light machine-
-:: ::: '-!re home and export markets gttn, and a Ferret Mk 2/3 on the right
--- ll, :ad been built, In I9B3 the
-
;::-:-es
bywhlch trme jLrst over 4,400 armed with a V.62-mm machine-gan.
A total of 4409 vehicles were builtfor
: =:::: ',';,as still being used in some home and export markets by the
:-::i-.els by the Britsh army and by time production was completed in
-r::-: 3l cther countries in almost ev- 197L

::.1
 US tight Tank Developmenfs
The United States is one of the few countries to have continued with the
development of light tanks after World War ll. The M24 Chaff ee remained the
standard light tank of the US Army after the war and saw action in Korea,
Vietnam, Laos and Pakistan. lt was replaced by the M41 light tank armed with a
76-mm (3-in) gun, the vehicle sharing many common automotive components
with the M42 twin 40-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and the M52 105-mm
(a.13-in) and M44 1 55-mm (6.1 -in) self-propelled hor,iitzers. At the same time
the M56 Scorpion 90-mm (3.54-in) self-propelled anti-tank gun was developed
specif ically for use by the B2nd and 101 st Airborne Divisions, which were then
earmarked for rapid deployment by air to any part of the world. The M56 was not
considered a successful design, and has long been phased out of service.
ln the mid-1 950s the Aircraft Armament Corporation built prototypes of a light
tank called the T92: this had a very low profile and was armed with a 76-mm
(3-in) gun in a flat cleft turret, and with a 2.62-mm and a 12J-mm machine-gun
mounted one on each side of the gun in an individual tunet-
ln the 1960s the M41 and the M56 was replaced by the M551 General
Sheridan Armoured Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle (AR/AAV) of
which some'1,700 were built by the Allison Division of the General Motors The High Survivability TestVehicle has a three-man crew, any of whom can
corporation between 1966 and 1970. The M551 was deployed to Vietnam, firethe 7 5 -mm ARES cannon.
where rt fared badly. With hindsight one can see that it was probably the wrong
vehicle to send to that country in the first place.
Wllen the M551 was phased out of service with the armoured and mecha- earlier Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) competition, also a joint US Army/US Marine
nized divisions in the United States, South Korea and Europe it was replaced by project, there has already been some disagreement a3 the US Maiines want a
the M60A2 MBT as it was generally believed that light vehicles would not vehrcle that can be lifted by a Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter while the US Army
survive long against tanks such as a f--12. Ihe 152-mm (6-in) gun/missile- wants something with a bit more armour, which will of course make the vehicle
Iauncher, when being used to launch a Shillelagh missile, had a relatively low heavier.
rate of fire in comparison with that of a standard gun tank: at about the same ln mid-l981 three companies (Alvis, GMC and Cadillac Gage) were awarded
time allthe M60A2s armed with the Shillelagh weapon system were phased out contracts for the hybrid appl'oagh, while seven companies (AAl, Atvis. Chrysler
of sewice and returned to the United States for conversion into other roles. ln (now General Dynamics), FMC, PACCAR, Bell and Teledyne) were awaided
1983 there is just one operational M551 battalion and this is with the B2nd contracls for the conceptual approach.
Airborne Division. lhe-A41 entry will be based on its private-venture Rapid Deployment Force
ln more recent times the United States has formed the Rapid Deployment Light Tank (RDF/LT) which was shoWn in 1980. This wdigns aboLit 14 tonnes,
Force (RDF), which is earmarked for potential trouble spots such as the Middle has a three-man crew and is armed with a 7b-mm (2 95-in) ARES automatic
East. Some of the equipment, especially that for the US Marine Corps, is cannon fed from an automatic magazine holding 60 rounds of ammunition, so
forward-deployed on ships in the Middle East, but much of the equipment for enab_ling a high rate of fire to be achieved. lt'is powered by a GMC 6V537
the US Army will have to come by aircraft such as the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy, 6-cylinder diesel developing 350 hp (261 kW) to prbduce a maximum speed of
despite the fact these are in short supply. Aircraft such as the C-SA can carry 64 km/h (40 mph).
almost every item in the inventory of the US Army, including the M1 MBT, but g70s two experimental vehicles were built as part of the Armored
^ the mid-i
ln
then it was realized that it would be much more economical to carny a number of Comb_at Vehicle Technology Program ro see if a highly m6bile vehicle with a
smaller and lighter vehicles. So the Mobile Protected Gun System (or Mobile raprd-i're cannon could survive the modern battlef ield. These vehicles were the
Protected Weapon System) was born, this being a joint US Army/US Marine High Mobrlity Agility Test Vehicle (or HIMAG), and the High Survivability Test
Corps project. At the time of writing two paths were being considered, one for Vehicle (Lightweight) or HSTV(L), the latter built by AAl. Boih of these tesi beds
the hybrid concept which will probably be based on an existing vehicle, and the have-provided a massjve amount of information foifuture US Army projects, not
other for a conceptual design which may also be based on an existing vehicle or only forlhe MPWS/MPGS but also for the Future Close Combat Vefricie (fCCV)
represent a brand new start. Such is the urgencythat the hybrid vehicle willbe in whicn could replace the M1 MBT and the M2 Bradley IFV in the 1990s.
service first, followed by the conceptual model a few years later. As with the It wouid appear that in the United States, at least, the light tank is not dead.

TheM4I entered servicewith theUS Army in l95l.ltwas replaced by the The M551 Sheridan proved aperaiionally deficient in many respects, a[d the
M55 1 Sheridan but remains in sewice with several armies. combined gan/rocket rnain arzrrament had a low rate of fiie. I

The HIMAG's ARES 75-mm (2.95-in) automatic cannon does away with the The RDF light tank, a private venture designed to provide the RDF with
n*d for a manned turrct. eifective airpartablearmaur. ii looJi desigrned touse theARES 75-mm
(2.95-in) cannon.

365

r-
Daimler Ferret Scout Car (continued)
The Ferret M k 2 / 3 has a on*man
with complete protection from small turret armed with a 7.62 - mm
arms fire and shell splinters, Steering machine-gun. In addition to being
is on the front four wheels but is not used as a scoul car, it is widely used
power assisted. in the internal secarity role.
The Ferret IvIk I has an open top and
is armed simply with a pintle-mounted
7.62-mm. Bren or a Browninq machrne-
gun. the Ferret Mk l/2 has a three-
man crew and a low-profile turret wtth
an externally-mounted machine-gnrn,
The Fenet Mk ?3 has a one-man h:rret
armed with a 7.62-mm machine-gun
with an elevation betvveen -I5o and
+45", turret traverse beinq 360'. This
turret is ahnost the same as that fitted to
the Alvjs Saracen armoured personnel
carrier. The Ferret IVtk ?2 was an in-
teresting model developed locally in
the Far East, and was a Ferret Mk 2
with an extension collar befipeen the
hull.top and turret base to give the
cor'nmander much improved all-round
observation. As far as it is known none
of this particular model remarn tn ser- the vehicle with the aid of a separation
vice, The Ferret lvtk 2i/6 is the Ferret cable and sight. The Ferret Mk 5 was
Mk 2i/3 wrth a Bntish Aircraft Corpora- also armed with a 7.62-mm machine-
tron (now British Aerospace Dyna- gun and, like all Perrets, smoke-
mics) Vigilant ATGW mounted on dischargers. Thrs model is no longer in
each side of the hffet, a further t1,vo service with the Brittsh army and was
missiles being carried in resewe on not exported.
the Ieft side of the hull. The Vigdlant
was a first-qeneration wire-guided Specification
missile and had a maximum range of DaimlerFerretMk 2ll3
1375m (I,500 yards), and could be Crew:2
launched from within the vehicle or Weight:4,395tonnes
away from thevehicle with the aid of a Dimensions: length 3.835 m (i2 ft
separation sight and cable. The Ferret I0 in);width 1.905 m(6 ft3 in); height
lvlk 3 and Ferret Mk 4 were essentially LB79m(6ft2tn)
earlier versions rebuilt to incorporate Powerplant: one Rolls-Royce 6-
stonger suspension units, larger tyres cylinder petrol engine developing
and a flotation screen carried col- I29 hp (96 kW)
lapsed around the top ofthe huil; this Performance: maximum road speed
could be quickly erected by the crew 93 l.rn/h(58 mph); maximumrange
to make the vehicle irlly amphtlcious, 306 kn(l90miles); fordins0,914 m(3 ft
being propelled in the water by its 0 in); gnadient 46%; verticalobstacle
wheels, 0.406 m(l ft4 in); trench I.22 m(4 ft
The Ferret Mk 5 was the final ver- 0 in)withonechannel
sion, and all of these were rebuilds of
earlier vehicles, It has the stronger
suspension, larger tyres, flotation
screen and a twret in each side of
which were tvrro launcher bins for the
Bntsh Aerospce Dynamrcs Swingfire TheFox is a J aguar-pewered
ATGW with a range of 4000 m (4,375 dev elopment of the I a te production
ya-rds). These could knock out the Fenet famibt. C apable ol I 04 lon/ h
heaviest tank, and could be launched (64-6 mph)onroads, theFox isarmed
ftom within the vehicle or away from with the 30-mm Rarden cannon.

ffi Aivrs Scorpron Reconnassance Vehrcie

h the late 1960s the British army de-
ided to build two new reconnass-
ance vehicles, one tracked and the
:ther wheeled, and these became
known as the Combat Vehicle Recon-
naissance (Tracked) or Scorpion and
'le Combat Vehicle Reconnalssance
l'l/heeled), or Fox. in 1967 Alvis was
aw-arded a contract to build 17 Pro-
:otypes of the Scorpion, the first of
i;vbrch was completed in 1969. Ttials
itere so successful that it was
a:cepted for service the following
;ear. Late rn 1970 the ScorPion was
"lso ordered by Beigium and an
assembly line for the vehicie was set
'T, ai Malines in Belgdum. Fust produc-
::n Scorpions were delivered to the
B:rrish army in 1972, ald by 1983 total
:rders had passed the 3,000 mark and
Fr3ciuc[on was continuing. In addition
:: berngi used by the United Kingdom
l::rny and Royal Air Force Regiment)
Ig Belqrum, the Scorpron is also used
t-; Brunei, Eire, Honduras, Iran,
Niqeria, Oman, Tanzania, Philippines
and the United Arab Emirates.
The Scorpion has a hull and hrret of
all-welded aluminium construction.
The driver is seated at the front on the
Ieft, the engine is to his nqht, and the
two-man hlrret is at the rear. Suspen-
sion is ofthe torsion-bar type, ald con-
sists of five road wheels with drive
sprocket at the ftont, idler at the rear;
there are no track-retum rollers. A
flotation screen is carried collapsed
around the top ofthe hull, and once this
has been erected the vehicle is prop-
elled in water by its tacks at a speed
of about 6 hn/h (3.7 mph).
The basic Scorpion has a 76-mm (3-
in) gnrn (a lightened version ofthat car-
ried in the Saladln armowed car) with
an elevation of -I0o to +35o; turret
traverse is 360'. A total of 40 rounds oi
ammunition is carried, and this can be
a mixture of canister, HESH, HE,
smoke (base ejection) and illuminat-
ing. A 7.62-mm machine-gun is
ment, and the machine-Qnrn can be
used as a rangring as well as a secon-
dary weapon; a total of3,000 rounds of
ammunition are carried for this
weapon. The vehicle is also available
with a diesel engine in place of the
standard petrol engine, and this model
has a much increased operatinq, based on the
range.
On the same basic chassis a com-
plete family of light tracked vehicles
has been developed. Striker is the
anti-tank model and has five British
Aerospace Swingfire ATGWs in the
ready-to-Iaunch position. Spadan is
the troop carrier and can carry four
fully equipped troops in addition to its
three-man crew. The ambulance mod-
el, which is unarmed, is called the
Samaritan, while the command model,
which like Samaritan has amuch high-
er rooi is called the Sultan. The recov-
ery model, which uses the same hull ai
the Spartan, is called the Samson and
has winches, spades and other spe-
the mme hull as the Scorpion but has a
two-man turret armed with the same
30-mm Rarden cannon as fitted to the
Fox CVR(W). More recently the Stor-
mer armoured personnel carrier and
the Jr+ea*er-high-mobility load-
B&fier have bee.-n-.developed, both
chassis of theSpartan and
developed wrth company rahe\than
government money.
Specification
Crew:3
Weight: 8,073 tonnes
Dimensioru: lenerth 4.794 m (15 ft 83/e
in);width2.235 m(7 ft4 in); heiqht
2. I02 m (6 ft I@/a in)
Powerplant one Jagnrar 4.2-litre petrol
enginedeveloping 190 hp(142 kVO
Performance: maximum road speed
B0 krn/h (50 mph); maximumrange
644 I'an (400 miles); fording 1.067 m (3 ft
6 in); qadient 60%; vertical obstacle
0, 50 m ( I ft 8 in); trench 2. 057 m (6 ft

K.:rrart. Malaysia, New Zealand, mounted co-anal with the main arma- cialized equipment. the Sclmitar has 9 in)

.a'a
The Alvis Scorpion
inAction
Ilaving frret serlrt actiam in I ranian hands during the Gulf War, tke Srcrpion nade its
B_ritishoptatiornldebut&xinglhecanpaigntorelaketheFalktatzds-Twotcr:lps
kom the Blues & Eryak trck part, providing frrc support fiorfftefinalassa ult on the
hillsafuveStanley.
Sinre 1ry2 rcrre 3,000 units of tbe Soorpiren
Combat Vehicle Recoanaissanre (Ttacked)
hve been produced by Alvis Ltdof Coventry
lcr both the tpme and eport markets in which
fu {Inited Kingdorn and Behftmr trave been
by htlhe large$ custorners. In British army
serviie tbe Smrpbn bm rpt ren cornbal in
Erope" afthouqh it has been used io pafool
airpoffi in the {ftfted KirE&m during times of
pwible trerrorist tbreab, aad lns been de-
ployed io Belire inCentralArnerimto suriter
apossible inraslrnby Gntenal,a" Tfie rype is
blrn lo have been used by lran dudng {h
mrwith haqadfromallarcunh bas giveu
gpod servire. altbuqfu llrere are rc actual
embat reporF crrrently availabtre.
Serpions in tfie Fatklands
FoBcwinqr the ArEeatine innasiren of the Falk-
rand fsrands fur April 19E? a decision rnras taken
by the Briiish governrnent that the isla$ds
would be retaken ftro days after itre inmsioc"
on 4 April i98a the Bhree and Royals medium
reornaissanoe regirnent (statbned at Wind-
sor) was ordered to provide fwo remnaaiss-
ance troolx for deptroymerd with fhe Falkland
Idads ta* torce. Each troop rcnslsted of two
?&mm (}in) Srcrpon ad two 3Grnm Scimitar
vehicles with a sryportingr Sarrrson anrpured
recoveryvehicle" Within 24 bours tbe vehicles
and lheir weapons urere ready for operatircr*q
and were stbge$lentbr embarked on tte MV
trfr (the crews ernbarkinE o* the SS Canberra,
a rquisitioned crutre shie)" For the Falldands
islands operation th troop came undet the
operafional mrarnand of Headqrerters 3rd
Oorrunando Brigade based al Plyffioutta De-
\rot!-
On arrival at Ascension Islarid the vehictres
were offloaded amd the crerlrs $r€re able io
carrjr orrt gnrrinery practie, with no lack of
arnmunition- At the sarne tilre th vehicles
were prepared fior mradinE All mern_bers oi lire
Scorpiron hraily hane a Sotation screen carried
aromd the top of the hull this screen can be
qncky erected by the crewad the vehicle is
[hen propelled in the water by its Eacla at a
ryeedof about 6"5 lsn/h (4 mph); fteboard for-
w"ard with screen erected is 0.965 m {3 ft 2 in)
and rear O.?il m (2ft 4in). Ali Smrpbre can
turd ro a depth of 1.067m {3ft 6in) wilbout
preparation- At.6.wessircn tk two troops of ts'
Sq:adron were handerred to ttre assar:lt ship
HMS Fearless.
The task force itself was orgnnized into a
carrier groep with ttle two aAcraft-carriers, an
arapiliicious urarfare group which included iie
3<d Cornnia:rdo Srigade, ard a trarge logistic
tail At,Affinsion Istrand the vehicleq weapoas
and spplies were redisfibuted so lirat they
would iard in rougfrrty the riqfut order. Gn 26
Aprit are advarced deiachment from tlre task
Ia tle tuitrsh A,rmy t n Sccrpicm k maalcd b tb
Rqral Arlanoured Cozp and @e in klie,th
W arzd inWst Gsnany with the Eritish Anny d
lhe Rhire- It aa b qntcffiy a*liftrd to any ptt of
Ilrc word by RAF Ia*M C- 1 &) Esanb
transports-
flcrce retook South Georgia Island, but no vehi-
ctres took pafi in this opelation as the terrain
v,qas unsrilabie and the opposition lighf
Oa 21 Aday the British nrade their main land-
iag on East Falkland I'lo. 40 Comrnandc and the
kd Battalicn, The Parachute Reqimenl landinqr
in tb areaof San C.arlos, No. 45 Commardo at
Ajax 8ay, aad the 3rd Bat{aliog, the Parachute
Reqdsent al Port San Carlos. As wiih all amphi-
bicw operaiions, thiaqn did not go exactly to
planand ii wasfoundthat the S@rpiors could
rct be hnded on their desigprated beactres
becarre of orerhanging roch, so they had to
be landed on an alterrative beach
The beach-hd'nras secured by the end of
the first day and defensine positions prepared
agafust a possible ounterattaclq at tbe mme
time patrols were sent out and the air defene
prepa.red Tfie Scorpions and Sciraitars were
Itese5cimrllars were dq@d ta rlorray b the
British A,rmy as @d d tt e ACE tgobik. Fore rhi<r.
q des@red {o.be a*liltd to any thteateinerl part ot
NAID s a show d lore- Xq vlaln*abk atrrs are
Norway,Gr*e aadTurkq-
361
 'ir,::::rr;.9 i-aja:t.:.:,.1.::

ffi
.ilboreln adclilim btte,kimirarsandsorf*rc
@tqfedto theFaft&andq meSamsrlf,nrras
a&osnti.if rasalso usdbcarrf carypacrN tie
rygtkrann
teft-$crmftarsand,Sorpixsmceahqgrtheroad
s&. bm Bffi Coye toSfaab- Igone of &es rcti*s
srorm!*edthe Argerannien AMI' Pan}ard(4xo
armoraed@ns-

dug in to stlffen the defences, The Argentinian willoftenrnoveonlyafewinctles,inwhichcas DuIiry lhis action Scorpions of 4 lloop Fo-
-iiiri"" ,""r iuu*h"d dnternined air attacks trr" i."tt"lq"" ls iepeated until ttre boEged lided direct firesppo-rt ftom tbeir TSmm (3
ilA-ih;$ ariacks uehi"te is on iirm srbrurd. in) sttns firins HESII GIi@ fubsi\re squasb
.nq*-Eud ry napier and Biowpipe sur- Brlhe e-n$of MaythetwotroopshdalM Hed)arnmrmltirrn thb-isdesiErcd*finE9t
"'ii,ii,iJiirt""'t.;;;-'h;;,
*1i"
lasJto-ui z.o2 mm *i"-r,ine gl;. u"d co#pleted their rnarctr and were approachiqE rmqwinsttankstoxllisallqdeadllaqaistfeld
G" s*r*"*r i".i
"i"srrei, s""niiu."- ttre siorplons the irigtrer qrollgld west of Fort Stanley" titD fortifrcations and entreucH positbns.- ^ -
used their 7.62-mm coiaxral machine:gunu Rtate.riitrianFanhardernrouredcarshadbeen Byeartyintrtermrqinqof l2lmenllof-fte
while the Scirnitars used their ?.62-mm endounteredasthesecoutdnotoperateouto'f objectivesoftheSrdCommndomi@'-U
#;hid-s"rJ o"o go *m Rarden cannon, In the Port Stqnle: arge oqmqr to the--poor nature been acftieved" and the trext stage was br 3
both these vehlcles turret traverse and weapon oi the teout". The A*ierican-stpplied fiacked Ttoop-to spport tle futd Battalion" Tte Para-
elevation is manual, but one Scimitar clairired LVTPT arnphrbiou,s qg.rogred personnel car- cfiutelqdrnentinitsattackonTtltreless@B
to have hit a McDonn"rr Oougd E-+-Stviruwt iiers used dwingr the initral invasion qf the Falk- and ,lltroop to srplort the hd Battalba Smts
with a 30-inm Rarden ;;fid;i-" iitlq" i*OshuOunfe6nretrirnedtotlrerminlandby GnrdsattackingTtrmbledownlvb-tmtain lte
ioOo * < l,Oss y"rds). seciuse oi trieirrortiqe "t
oi
-utro the time the British returned, s rpne of these Smts Gnrds also cafiied ors a diversbmry-
aI1-terrain vehicles tir" S"oipio"i *ute were encounteled. actbnagEinstanerernybaftaliontothemdhd
Gj i" stores uno oirrei u"pprrus inlino tle Sst part of the Sth Infaratrr the rcaI obiective- Ite s{rong patrol Fs gq
on I June
from the"*t
beach. nrigide ianOed at Sari Carlos, ar$ by 3 Jrme tlre prted by 4 ltoop, ar !d rmtil tlre troop leadels
- G"" the landings had been consolidated wti6te UriqaCe was astpre wrttrsut a slngte $aorpbn dnrck a mine no ontact with fu
td^Sbrry;ns;"ria n. used in their proper casuatrty. Iiwas.then decidd to take the two enemy was made- None of the Saorpion's
troops bt Scornlops.g$-Scirrrilars hom i.uder three-man crers wils badly -iniwed" F" qqgp
ioie, althoush it was geneialiv itiorqlri trratitre
terrain would nrake their d$iov**itt crr the comrnand bf fte 3rd Cornrrando Brigade in leader moving to anothr vehicle to direct fte
"".y
i;t;IG;;;tpi;;totrreritiintirePortstanleythenorthandplacethernwrderthecomnnndsrpportaqBid-tbArgentinianpcitionsrtb
area, where there were-at leist some trackd. otitr.strtgtigddeintheareaofFitaoy,itbeinE
positbnwassrhsequentlybk-enad4ry
S""ip-*-i"n ne carrieo under the Boelng neiievea*raiftesoutlrernposrtionwiirnrccre then resumed its rnain role of plovidiry fue
main attack on Tlmbl*wn
VertoiC.Ftr-47Chinookhelicopt.i, n"ttfrur*i. ounqur unti] the other battalions could be qryort for the
;;;f th" A1i"ii C"",rey& leit only one of broughtupfrornthewest Giventheacuteslror- .&lorml'ain-
these trlelicopters operational, severeiy i.d ir!rro"gt.* ttri* transfer could tgb- MeanwbileSTtoopwasspportingtbhd
of a1l operations, *-*. "f
hamperingr the progress)vauhvPvruravrry ii*u, It vtias estirnated ttni il would6ke Battalion' The Faracftute ReqiillEnt which H
Acrossthetrsrands f:,Xffifft*ffm'ru"*iHffi ffi,iltr"*ffi"ffiffi
to nuroy, nut *-t}re evbrt they too3inst slx toure fire slpport In additbn to proliding fre sp-
On N Ma.y I.{o. 45 Comrnando started
port,theScorFi:'malsosariedoutanewte&
move on port Stanley by the northern route aconsiberatrtefeatformenasdv'ehictesalike"
while the 3rd Battalron,'tr-" pii-.rri,i. n*?i- Til;;&;r"*ancevehiclepr'crewswerewit niquemmnrontyhonsnmzappingl-ITthbt9
ment advancerC via Tea] tniet, inese beinqr su-p- n** l, the attaqk by thg fugentinians on the Saorpbn
would engqgg an ArEentinian pmi
p"i1.c}y s *"c rroops wiih itreir scoipioirs
.a Lqrstic siiip s Sir Galikadapd Srr Frisharm and tion with its ao-axial 7'63-mm machine-(P
and Scimitars. 'Ihe ?nd Battalion The parachute orice agrain enqaged tte httack aircr-dft with {rinE short brus
which often p-rompted Qe
R.fi;;;i ;a;Jced o' cjoo." c...n and Dar- G"it z.6z-.n* riiaiifne-g"qs and 3O*rnrn can- Arqentinians tD open rP on the smrpioq tu
rvrn to the south, but *iiir"t s""rpion" uno non. The tsttsattalion,WelshGuards, $staircd revmled
pition thenleinq slenced by b
Snrnitarsasitwasbeirevedthatthisterrainwas heavy casualties durfug this attack and the TGmm(&m)mainqnmAsimilartechniquewe
rmpassabtre.
The no,rthern terrain was waterlogged, and qarlying survivors froni the beaah to the co-axialnnctrinegmwasdsigpnedasaEn(f

their technrques .rery quickly When the vehr- Tlie Scorpions ttrell rnoved to$tards Fort 83"ffi?o*"#ffi?'ffi5*"ru'#
OiA occastonaiiy necoine bogged they Staniey in the fke suppo'rt role, in which tlrey lier'
"iur tireir kinerrc-enercri;;i;;; ;6-;f *i";ir zufiptcJnrcnteo Qq li+nun {4.5-rn} q -res"ortlry onewirelwRidEetndbentakenbv'\9
,.rsed
rscarriedoneveryvehrcle,,Ihekinetlc-energy niuilt*rf"nr" Ftrarrierqnound-aitJckaircraft 2nd Battalion" Ttre Parachute
ReqdmenL 3
rcpeis]37rn(45 ft)tongand40rnm(l.57in)in *d l05-m* (q, ls-in)-td6trt Gms, which hd Tlmpwasab,letooverlookFortstanley"hll
drameter and works as fcilows: one vellcle t."*i"actionsince"the-frrstdayof ttleland- Junethebattalbnmnedalongthe-dtoh
backs up to tlie vehrcle that rs bogged down lngl - -The &d tsattalion, The Parachute - " Regiment
Shuleyunderaoverofthegnrnsof3Troop;h
and shackies the snatch recovery tow rope
- -- -. vehicles tben ioined the battalirn on tb or+
cntc *Jie towinqr point, t#;#;;i;b bi{ dtfft carriect out an assardt on Mowrt Lo'ngdon and skirts of [be tow'n wtrile the fi.al detai]s of tb
cn the betwee; itru i*o vdhicles; the i"nl"*c ini*at st rprise under the-m,ver oI ,Arqentmian srrender wm completed, and at
Arqentine @-
drrreroftherecoveryvehiclethenacceierates a*m*"r, butsoontlieenernywasawakeand 8l'ff) on the mre day tbe
'round was eircouff6red" took six manderformallysrrrenderedallforcestofu
as fasi as possible, the driver of the bogEed stiif resistance trt
-.-elricle 'rewing, t's end,me"rnt" d'L* ii-tn" hours to take the eastern Frt of hlbtmt [o-ng- mish" Inter the smrpiom and Scimitars d{
r:ce becomes taut. on ttie hiuip"rr-trt u"r".r" don and four tmurs to take tlre westerra half rtoop ftom Fiuroy ioined
up with 3 rtoop at
 Afuie: A kimihrarmed piti.i0-mn cannoq dugr
inafSanGarhs8ry, arafts &eilrgeldinian
lm,fualffi thtnerercame- One af tft em s&ot
d*a an.ilrgen Iire Sfodari* airaaft
XidrA.bfdan ofthe8fircsand.RqyalsatSan
Car&s8rydurn4gr &e aartspart ofFaildands
EntEbn T*atoqEdvehicks mre dqptrqf'ed
aadrydin tne fre-srqqporlrde.
Fort Stanley. rnore casualties on the Br,itistr side. The Scor- airninq the main and secondary arrnarnents at
At a hter date the troops were embarked in pion damaqred by an anti-taak rnine was subse- night, but also as a general survei.llance sigitit,
fre asmult ship Hlv{SFearless'for th }curney quently airlifted out by a Clei.nook trelicoptel Compared wlth Argentrnians the Brilish did rmt
back to th United Xi@orn They ab took and also brouqht back to the {-lnited Kingdorn. take a qreat deal of night-vision equiprnent to
with them trc Fantnrd AMI-90 arrnoured ers Scorpions and Scirn,itars were also engaged the Falkiands, and much of the hardestfighting
ftat tbey hd captured in Port Sltanley. lb by ArEentine ?-ffi*nm and 12.7-mrn machine- was in fact done under the cover ofdarkness,
direct fire engngemenF took place between gnms and ZGrnm liqht anti-aircraft Euns, bert no Since the campaign the British have greatly
fre Sorpbns and tbe Fanhard AML-k with hits on thern srere recorded. The passive gmn- increased their scales of issue of all types o{
fteir 9Gum (354-in) g116, and if ttere had nelssight proved to be rnost usefr,al during the night-vision equiprnent, especially to infantry
been tbre would undoubtedly have been €mpaigr4 not only for its onginal purpose of battalions,

Scorpion Armoutd Gar cutaway drawing key

t Gmboxiprnma&g ?3 fumslde{Slwviw 38 F@Srake
2 R*lrr pqisooee 39 ltrelerattr
3 Afrsrew 24 il{AC(Mrdear" Biobohal {O DriliDgsptodkel
a Sqfttdwa2{trcq{Frc adOHnicdpaEk 41 Slteggfit
5 Aitleas 25 76ffieirlmi6e 42 Tmim$ets
6tvffi shrqE 43 Distrfurtion {rox
7 T6tm(}illmilgu m Firdtill6 {4 +lead&gd![
8 Coohhe*rr* 27 silmtsh€|ffi 45 G€abox
I G.nebrAinm|kd 2A Trctbatts!, 45 Filalddw
rO 7-GafftrdiiFgm 29 Sleatd
rr Pdirel**tstqht 30 Rcbtrydisffib$&mbox
f2 G.ryEdsr*$tsbhtFd 31 urrc-sradlowndlbox
t3 9n*eger*dsdwqq S
14 &ccrfigEld gl 6ogbr6f.6d
t},vw'smslmt@&d
'15 Fiesdedor 3{ Fw;ad,twihs
16 Turcrm*rsttdr :S Steainglwrs
l7 Treixfc&r 36 tlambr*e
rB G.rnet'spaiqesi|lrt 37 Gmrsdffi@d
1!l Gm'sr&mtrolbox
2l! Ccmadu"speiscqe
scr
2| I drl(FPelGr
22 BeeqirlHt
fire Alvis Scorpionin Action

The AlvisSc.orp.ian hx extensive

xternalstawqe and a bankaf
szneke disctnrgers on eiths side af
the tarret frant - Ta the riekt af the
7 &mn (3-in) gun k the pratxtive
avs far the Ra * k dayl *iglht sigtht,
while ta the bft k the 7 -GLmn a-
axial machine-gl.;u:., which an a&la
be useri as arangi*gweapat|.
 '3r
;;ll

-E- -:r*
EKl nruis SaladinArmoured car
Folbwing the sre of the Arc Mk lAeJUvisSaladiln
Itr and Daimler Mk tr armotred cans arurwadcarsfiar-s naarrJr
duing Wodd War II the Britisharmy mEonauho{ire
issued a requirement for a new qqroArif[t[e
anndred car with a Zpdr Eu:n hrt it fuaenfxflFC-Iftr
EiLs $on decided that this weapotr Saladiasraaininsrb
mr:ld be ireffectire agninst tte newer tillfreMishamyin
rcbid€s ewected in tl€ l9$0q ard *, Ct1rtusl
fre Armament Reeaardr ad Devebp
ment Esblislunent then desigued a
new 6um ($in) Enm called the Ll
Ite ctnssis of fire Saladin, or FlI0Ol,
Ls very similar to that of &e FV6m
Saraen armorned pemnrrel carier,
whii wa.s also under devehpnrcnt by
Alvb at ltnt tfuue. Because ofneeds of
&e qruerrila war in ltahya" develop
ment of the Saracen was given prrc'
fu over &at of tbe Sabrrin, aa61
becatrse of dre hid rcd< load at AIvb
&e nrst six prepro<luction Safadins
were built by Grossley Motors at
mAeon in Clrcshire"
Ile br er-
Saladin was awepted
vie rifrtre Wi$amryin f96q ard
p{odtdim shlted tm y€rs hter at
Alvis in Goventry. Pro&rction on
tinlled br fhe hore and eqort mar-
kes until I9??, by wbic} time I,ITI
rehik bad been oomSted h kiF mission are at lte rear of lhe hull fil
ish army servie the SaHin has row six rsteels dlhe Sahdin are prrered
been re$aced by ile Alvb Sm4*rn wilhsileerinqon fte Aont furvrheeh,
arcdwi& a Tte rehide cnn still be driren wifr
u-adced veh*cte, which is
new Yesim of the ?6-mm ($in) grm orerrheelbbrad
calledlhe LA3. A,wnllnnnberofSala- ftem.rm&in)gnmbmntedina
rtim rmin in mrvice in G]rrprs wilh ttmet lbat caD be tlarered tFruql\r
fu kitbh anny, ard the type is abo frrot&h 3ffi fre qm ir$can be ele
med by Bahmin Ghana Indonesia rlatedftm -ltrb +Af. Abbld{A
Iordan. Kenya, Kuwait" Lebanon rqmds of fu ed amrmitbn can be car-
Ia-bya. Omaa Niqenq hrtugalSiierra ded" fre tyFe being lleutkal b lhre
reore. fti f€nkq fudan, llmisia lln. red in fr e L,e| glm of the Smrtftn atrd
ited Arab krira,tes ad both t.*orlhad
South Yemeq allbou$ in some cares I{BPRAQ moke (boilh bas e*?dirn
*ares mu$ be a maiu problern m lte and phocpbonc) and ilhmimtingr A
IJE is no bnger ttandlfuqr qares br ?.@-nm maclinegrm is monted e.
mme ounries as a resrlt of polilical axial Wifr &e nrain amrne-nt a[rd a
coasi.:letatiom" sirnilar reapon b pquted on fte tr-
Ite hull of the Saladin is of all- ret roof br aaGaircmft de&ne. A b{al
wffi $eel armxed cDnsfurctim ofa?50mmdstf?.&l-mmanmmfiorn $eCfcAin lteSaHhnnaraled *i[h a 76-wlm
tbat ydris io thicloess ftom 8mm isaariedlfumtedonea&sideoflhe G€f3 l&&aaed rersiu is
GFin) glra,'a
(0.31 ia} rp b 16 mm (0.63 in) he tr- trret is a bank of six eleclrically- Weifrll$tonn€s &bdintfremaersrSoqda
ret lras a nnximum tblfuess of 3? m operated sm*ellis&rgErs rIEi.E lerylh (irrbdirg$n) andftes lfr esaneraqe dtrred
(I.25 in) at the front and 16 mm (0.tr1 in) There werre wry hw rarianb dlhe S2B4mG?ft4 in) hnsilh(lnilD4Cl m aunuailiu- .|b{rueu I gfi ad tgl?
al &e si(k and rear. Tbe drirter sits at Sefe.fin ore of tle morc intelesfing (f G AZ in} winhZ$t m (8 ft ,t in) nTpb d @tenby tuift II TI Saladias
tbe ftont d the vehirie wilh mellent ones being the amphibiom r&t hnlt*ZClm(9ft7!6in) fu &efmeaadtlelucradre
vLirn to his hont anC sdes. the oilher ltb was fitted with a flohtirn seen krql*reRdFRoyceBfl)& oilennaasnarfu8.
trc crev m€mbes are eated in the aroud lhe @ of fte hril, ad rb cYUnAer PetrU ergine devdoping
tmet wi& the ooumander, wb acb this bad been erected the vehide lrohl{l(utrk{v) h(Z$lm;les) tuding f.0? m(3 t
'|(D
as lhe loader, ontrcridtandtheEnm- mid pro@ ibetron raier wifr ib Eegetmrrwimfln Imdryeed 6in) gFadieda6%: rertlnloMde
ner on tb l€ft The engfuie ad tram- rsheeh ?e hih (45 qh) mvirrnrm tange 0{6 m{l ft 6 in} trendr f .$ mG ft 0 in)

fI ffi-rs
fte fllX-f3Isht bnk wa ghe of fre
Tank
Sadne, rctere prodrctim cnntinxes to
tbree armu-uedrehides {hb day. By eody l(Xl over 3.(mrehi-
France immedbtety after Se ed of des'red been blitr qqd fte ltpe !S
World War IL the olher the rmiminmrvioewithAlgerir,IlWuti-
hnhartlEBRhavy oarand m. Chile, Diborili Eotarhr F?ane, E
&e AlvOGfl) MBf widch dd ret ent€r Salvador. India. Indonesia lvory
srvice aslarEe numbenpf ltltr4?ssoon Qoast, Lebanon" Morocao. Nepal
became amilable the {tnited ad Yeue'
Fertt s{Dganore "11mbb
Sates lte AMX-13 was arela- lte by a
AMX-13 wc ab ted
tbe Ale*brde nmher of otter oormties sd c h
Murlineaux the nrmeral l3 in lhe de- dia, lsrael, the Netherlands and
siqnation being the origiinaly Se Srrimftmd ht ld of ltee hare
cihed desiF Eelqht in tohFes, Ib now been sld The chassis of tbe
fost probtype was mrnpleteil in I9{8
ad pro&aim was wder waf at fte Tter!ru'-I3 rb't' t tan* k frM rift
Anet*r de Consftudirn Roanne (ARB an osci[atiqr aaretfo rrti* ft e g@
by lW" Tbe AMX-13 ontimedin pro- irftiedtn tle qqperpar{, trfr fo [ nn
&rctbn al tbe ARE uatil the lS&, hat$rc{satlebrcr1oartlae
rtenryrewxMferthAMX- gwanfuewltilflslSrmdsd
C) l{Bt and AlvS(-lOP IFV hmt Pro rcaf-useaammailir ate eltau#d,
ddba d the whole e*fX-13 hmW' andeenfuosir-r@daagnrines
inchaing fte lilht tank, w:6trader-
red b G€il$t-Isire at Chabn-srr- oufsiie ftre rahicb by a aeaann-

3n

--I
 Arr-I3 ltf* Ilamk (omimed) Ilfiodern lright Tanlcs and Recoruraissance Vehieles
AMX-13 (slprnivelymoffdinrmnf AUX-B r ft lankM uith a t'L IA
,:)hlreelruedstlehbbr {boffanffiarredwithaT#m
one of fte nost rsnplefie bmilf of (e$$nn)cnu- O6errurs*nsrcrc
rehid* emer deveiloped lhiq incfrdes anedritr fllnm (3-91-is) t I(E
the l0$-mm (4.f3-in) tt 6l self- w(Ll}-in)g =-

prWeUea hwieer, f$6-rm Gf-in)

IL fil setFpropelbd qua Itrf,-I3
IEf,, twin 3Om S*rWdbd ani
air<rafi $n sTstem" f,XXIICI inhrfrf
fisttins vehicle and i6 ounfles
vdir6 AU ItG sgineer rehicle
AMX-13 amred reoorery rehide
atrd $e .[MX-13 amouned bridge-
layer.
Tbe orifml modd d&e AMX-13
re ffted wift lte FI-IO truet amed
with a ?$mn @Sin) gn and a ?-@-
rmpaxeil m&ine-g;rm" rltb tmd
is of fre @lhtinq trce and tbe ?Srm
(zsi-in) quln b ftd bV trc rerolwr-
ttpe mEaair€ eachof di(tbolds
sir romds of amtmitbn 1le hsb
types of anrnnmilim wue fued IIE which
with a [XFmm (3"54-in) gun pefiolAginewihanoperativemqe Dim**ns baglfo {irduding gmi)
ad HEAT- lte her capoble dpenet' muH fre and
cani<gerr, IIE, HEAT of between 3S0 and 400h (220 and 6ffi m(& ft l0Ye in) le*sih {hdt}
ratiry l?Om(67in)of mr" Ttb de 1xoi:c*lee amhugh uDre re- 2$0m-bs), htreoedyGermt-Ioire ,|"ffi m (16 ft 0 in); width 35O m {8 ft
mdeil wc rBgd ip slng mmtnrs foy enilty a.IPFSffi projemle h been lnve reptaed " * wilh an Arrprican 2% in) benght2$ m (? ff 672 m)
dervebped fint cnn penetraie a ti1ile
Isrel rhdng ft e lffi I lfi ddle Eastrar, GM Detoit Desel devdoftnE 280bp, SonerplafroreSOFAMrexbg
tnt its qrn rc hmd b be ineftctive I{AIO tamk tatrqBt at an irci:kne of (2mkw)adftbEivesanqeratbm} trylinder ptrot ryine &velopi4r
agnidtbefuffilanrmrnof,freSrvi:s 6(F darangeof frffim(Zf$yardsl raqeof flIlh(310m-les)ewellas ffihp(rffikw)
T-54/f-55MBf,bsr|@oSriaand lte lGt-rrm (4l3-itr) grurmodelras redrinqlhed*offre Serfumnmgi rnaximum mad spe€d
F4ypf, s it re soom plned ot of deqioed specmrnny fur fte etpofi ffi h/h (3?' mph) maximrxrl range
servioe ffi euding r& in Slng,Epde mdet and H fte kvier FI-UI tr- $e400 kn (22tr250 miles); tordingr
ullepal t rcf ffibabfitbdbfuArcfiian IIX-I3(Hlrm$m) $'60m(l ft llTs in) qrrddientffi;
At a bfier daie all ?$rm (aS$in) SK:IB ngilfr bmlifiark aesnoyer. CL€r3 verticalohstacle0.6$ m(2 ff l7s m);
mdels d&e Ftmi amy rere ftted lte b6b AMX-13 is prered by a Weiftl5bne trench l.S0 m(5 ft3 in)

fH ffix-ronc Remnnaissance Vehicle

me.Aldr-t&tCfdxd)
tmaaigsanaerdkbisffre
qp&rementfr r t&e oldPantrard
EBR-7S (8 x8) arrnmred car-

Since l9$0 the standard heavy

zrrrrxred car of fte Flellct amy h
besfb 8xB Fanbard EBR ffi can
Eaae its develofeat hd. ro the
perid befue Wodd Tlfar tr" h fu
l$(b fte flench amy issred a -''
re-
quirmtforanemerrrsrredcar
rculd hre a mre powerful gm ad a
sophi*icatedftemnmlsfstu, hre
Wod crwomuy mobilfry and be
fuIty amphibbns 'Ihe resrft is the
lt$X-ilnC, tre tu of dre tueb
prctotype was ompbted in l97l-
Foilomrfig tftls wift Ufo nenct amn
the type was aorepted br srvbe ad
Ixoduaim gpt rmderwayatfre Ate-i
lier de Conffitrtim Roanre, sberc\
tu.6MX-I0P MICIF arrl the AMX-30 \
MBt hm-ty are puofred lbe ft$ 4lgnrm (l8l4in} fraayof fu artu
\, A ?-62-mm machine-gnrn is
360", 0f or 150 mm (5,91 rn) of anrctrr at an
Fterch amy uuib were issred wih \live@onem,inddingfuargirc mrmtedcaxirtwi&fteminam inciterceof 6tr" theHEATroundb
tie vehicJe in fSIS. bna nanstnissbn, are ilentical rilh nprtltrtabd40f(Fmm(,LFin)and inefiectile a$inst the new gecera-
ltb AltX- IORC rR mo mFr draw- &reof fuAltflCt0Ptr#MGV; 4tl107.60-mmrqmdsarecarrird-Ih tiomof annorr, however, andf,orthis
bds finsfty" it b morc eryensive''-n ari{hkefreMcVtherrheeledAMX- de(fiicatry-opemd sucire dis]hr- rffiDn atr,qPFEDS proj<-'ctile rs rc'w
re MEIb anrl. edty. it is very l0RGis abo skfotssteered gen are mortred on eaeh sirle of the heing devebpert
sophisticated For '\is reason lhe the'-qehide is fuIly amphibioua trnetrearandftebrwar&.
Flerch amY tnc rrilnmed back its ori- being pli@ in frd ml€tr by tm lte fueonfiol stfsilemb fte mst Secincarcn
gfual rcqrfrcmeffi and b now bokinq waterjs at lhe resr dlhe hn De- sphi{icaHofitsttpeiMtledinany Cf€m4
at rifrenfer alterrntivpc signed in fte UK trut mrmhctned in rehije of ftis clacs and inchdes a We*trl5.8tonm
'Ile hill ad tnet of lhe AMX-IORC FtareuderRrc, lhbgofnh*m k nrgefnder, a oruuter and a Dirm*rcbryeGilmiDrward)
ae of arl}-weilded ehrminium consfuc: flrdres a rmxirrniln waler q:eed d bwjiJtr TV syciemwithaseen frr 9.15m(fi)ftO% inllenqft(hulD6.35 m
tbo" wilh fte eit er sated af fte ftom ?-2 h/h (4.S nWhI Bebre tbe rchicie bolh the commder and &iyer" This (20 ft f0 in) width 2S m (9 ft I tn);
b& ee tmet in eutue ild enabe eutes lhe water a trimvare b erected fte@tml rysfien elnhle4 statiomry heighta6Em(8ft9/z ut)
and aamissirn at lte rer. lte 6xG at lbe ftmt of lhe hll ad fu ttrlge admoving targEtsb be engEgEd by Smerplaffi one &cfDder &esel
qrensbn is rrrnqnl in fut fr e ddretr prntrnare sxidredon &yandnbi* develoftngr 260 bp (f 94 kYf)
can djust its qrord detrane b sdt lbe ommander and qmrer are At prmnt, two types of main- Serbmre: rpxirnun rcad Weed
ee type CIf grcrd being cxosd ard eared on fte riqht on fu tEet, wih armrnenl arnrrumitinn can be frcd" ffi lctrlh (S mph): maximum range
eren tA it ftm slle to s*le- For emm- Ite bader on the left lte min am mnrety HEATad HE lte brer bas 800 h(S00miles) tordiDs
ple" rhen hayefiing on roads the ment comprises a !(Xi-mm (4l3in) a rnde F'ffif of Il2Om q6reD amphibrousg-ddieat6096;verhca]
iFornd c1garance ls S30".r- (fSin} glm with an devatim d +2tl' and a perecondandmlllpeuerate3$rnm obsracle0-?0m(2ft37ctn); Gench
ibile for cros-@rrnhr havet it rs deercssbn of *8t tmet lravem is (lSTSinlofarmwatanircidreof l-lsmt3ft$in)

JlJ

t-
fI Hirr"raeRcsagaieArmouredcar
For rnary yean tlre k*bone of ttre
Panbar<l amoured vehicb pro&retion
tnq been tle 4x 4 AI$IL fufut arnoalred
car, pte Sle 4x4 il1.3 .S,rc wirh whicb
the AMIr stmres olary mrffrrcn c@!t-
poreats. Ilr l9?0 tthe French arrny
issued a requiremenl for a Front
Armoured'!/ehicle (V.6,8), and
Panlsrd aad Renedf huift protofype
vehicles in b0& 4x4 aed 6xd oon-
fgn:rations, ail of them fulty amphi-
bioils, This ooryetitbu wac won by
Remult, ard si@€ fhen large mrnrllers
of 4x4 ffil Sx6 vehicles hase heell
brnlt Usilrg fu {.echro@V qatned in
ftis cospemtton Parehrcl ften shrted
desiqmn wo* o& a rrew ra4te of 6xG
vehicles fhat llroadd inchde bo& an
arrxl.ued car and an ammalrod per-
sonrel carrirer" Tibe frormer'made tih
firs
appearuace iin i9?7 m {he ERG
G"gi{ de temmaisace Cam" or
cannon-armed recornaissance
machine), wfuiie tbe AK is hown aq
the YC*. {V6hicsfe de Gombat ,i
8oes, or wheeled conahat veh,icle)"
Producdbn comrrenced in l97g ard
the ERC,is norr rin selvice rsith or has
beea ordered by .&lgemim gr{arim),
Frare. haq, ftrory Coas( lm*qer ald
llbxico.
The vehicb can be ftffed wif,h a wide
ralge of furre{s on the sarne basic
cbsls The driver is reated at ihe
fron{ tb tirrret rs rn th renfe, aruC tbe
encrine ad eamsnissison are at flp
rear. All six road wkls a:e powered:;
power-assisted S@rinE is prowided
on tlp &onjt hlo wtleels" An armlrsaral
feature of {he ERC is &at the rentoe
pa* of wheels can be rajd offirhe
ground for rmd Favel arr{ burered
aqain fol cross-c€untry travel T&e
basic vehicle is fi.rlly arnphdb:ious,
E HnfiarAAlEt-9(lArmouredCar
Tb F?erch anny used large mmtmm
of Bribsh-bunit 1[x4 Dairntrer Ferret
scout cas in North Aft,ica fo tb l9S&
addeci&dtopiocllre a anti-afoaaft mchim'e€rm The $Gmm
cle bd with a wider m4e
rent instaflatbm, Afrer
prototyp'e vetucbs, ihe
Panhard was selected.
commened in f960 the de-
siqnation AnfiL (Arrlmikafr n6
qtre, or light airnoured afii), $tre
then well over 4,000 have
porl Tbe type m ab built \in Souttr
Africa by Sandoc{<Australfror the Sou&
African_army. which qalis the rype the
Ebrxr The AML which!s tn @rvice
with well oner.S countoieE shal6 S5
per cent oli8 a$torrctive comrpdeg,ts
wrth the Panhard M3 arrmured pei-
sonnel carrrier. aixd rnany cometries
operate fleets of iV[3s ard AMt6 wi&
the obvious fnanaial, toEistical a$d
Aainmq advaniagffi.
The hyout of all yarian{s rs efosihr,
wlth f}€ driver at ttF frord, itre tsro-
mn tsrei in tbe cenfie (witrh an entry
door m each srde of tbe htirll), arsd ltie
eDqdne and transnission at:the rear.
One oithe rnost comrmn rnodeb is
the .A$LC), the hte$ version of this
beinq cailed the Lfs $. Tbis has a
two-rrea turret kigned and burit by
374
being propelled i,n the water at a
speed of 4.Slcmlh (2"Emph) by irs
whels, or by fiwo optbmlwaterjeb at
a ryeed of 9"S lmrh (5"9 mnh). Eeture
the vehictre enters fhe water a trim
$ane is erec{ed a{ the ftomt of fhe turn
ard two schrcrkek are erecitedatlfu
iear"
The basic vehfrcle can be fttted with
a wide range of U$rcb iir&chnding fre
GLtrf T$S0, nlseam-Sula Lyu $"
Htryano fuiza @m Serrnl and EMC
E,l-'rrn mrhr.&lrreb, and a ffiorsari
fiirreltwi{h fwfo 2O-rrnm or ZSrrnm mn-
mn fror use in fu anti-airu-aft rob is
also asailable.
Tte rmodel sleded by fuFkerch
arnoy @r rore by ib rapid interEenfiiron
tore) rs fiitted wish tl€ GItrf TSS t$-
rct and caited fhe EACI$ F4 fuaia
This is amed wrifh tt*e bng-barreH
Smm (3.54-tn) gnm writfo an elemt&on
of +lsPatrl a@r€sbnof -ff" Tb
gm can fire drc folbwiry types offud dert
trfiryono-Su;ja anri armed wifh a GIfff
m-mm (3"5+in) DtrA, qu& a ?"ffi-mm
co-axial mrchiregum ard a ?"@-mm
(3.S*rnm) gnm rnn fire a wide ramqe of
fixed ammumition, furclnding I{EAI"
I{E, snoke ard eniser" The I{HAT
roud will perpfiafie 3?0 mrn (l2S in)
oi'errrrnlr al aur ielcidere of ff or lZ)
rrm (4.72ir$ of aumow at an rinoi&noe
of 65P. Tomls of 2l roam& of Smm
{3.5+fu) ad e0G0 riounds of 7.S2-m
ammunifion are carried- Optional
eryipnent br this furret iffihdes p6s-
sive nigM-visriroar equircnt, powered
coltfrols ard a bser nruefrnder"
The HE 8GZ turret has a Srnrn
breech-haded mrtar and two ?"@-
Itr gt-Ul tlmet
man machine{nms, the
a similar mortar and a 12.7-mrn
fllgl tunet
maahine€tmq arrl the IIE
hs fre 60-m mrear aruC a &rmn
camron. Tbe breech-loaiH mrhr is
tredb@thi$theindirectaflddfoec.tfire
@, arxr !s very useful fur qnresrilla-
type opera{ircms as iil mnbefiredover
lrinq and hdtrdiryE
Ore of lhe rnore reced modeh rs
,E &Zt Ssral ftr:ret w;ith a @mm
long-barrel rcrbr rpunfred ur lfu &r-
ret froili witha &m!x canmn amd ?.S?
rnm rnachine-Enm mouleted e*emafty
at fre turset renr. For firc 4olt mar-
ke{ an anti-aircrafr modei of tt}e AMn
arrununition: caqlstel" HE, IIEAT" The Padhard ERC Sagaie arlmoxned.
moke and APFED$. Tihe lasf ]r** a qr k 6lId vith a GIAT ffi90 tur:ef,"
mewb vebciry of ffiS0 m (44iS ft) per atmed silh a #nm {3.54-in) gua-
semnd a::d sill penetrate 120rmm
(4.?2fo) of amr at an irridenoe of
60". A 7.62-nm machine-gun is
mouded +anal wift tbe rmln am- $ecmcatm
ment, ad tro el€ctrimlly-opefl:ded &€ffi3
,*rnoke<lislnrg€)nr are rrpu!$ed On SeigMT"Stonnes
eeah qtde of the t:ret. TXremfy rorffi Dimioas leryge (irlc}t{sinqq1111)
of Stnnn (354-in) arxi 2,0ffi lour*& of ?.ffi rn (2S fr 2Y* i!l} te$sth (hnllD
?.tr-mm maChme4Un amrm-l'AifiOn are S.ffi tn(16 widrh2"4$ m(E fr
fr E ir4;
carried 2V+iu); heiqftt 2254 m (7 ft 49+ in)
@bral eq*fxrent inchdes an afo- Forerpld one Feqeot \f-6 petrol
conditioning system" additional b
eryinedevelopiry lS5 (l 16 kW)
ennnrmition $ogdEe laer ramEefrn- furmaxilmmrcdWeed
dea pessive nigfu-vishe eqrdement, lOG lmlh (6U mphl rnaximrrnlamqe
t{BC system. anh-aircraft machirrc- Em tm (Sm mrles); fording
qunr, slrl#lml el,evaijion of the Slm arntrrh;hicielsi grad*efit 60%; vertical
(454-in) qm to +3ff" qarfuls types of obffictre 0.S m(2 ft ?Va in); trench
frrecorfiol sy$em and a fand naviga- l"l0m{3fi7%h)
tbn syster4 fte la$ beinq eremttal
wleen {he vehicb is ryemfury in the
wm deveb@ fified wdh a tuoiman tuAML90h6tunedttumct
Sf,tllt S5g' tlrllet aruoed writh Mrr & sla tdtrffiAFI/sinttu1:rr,t-
mm Gilulon, mh wiffi 300 rowds of war ele., with ws 4(m fuiwr hrift in
readtrrre arnmlrnilion Ttrrretft'ayere Fl:ireard'fu$hAfria-Thisnel
ard weapoa eMfolr is powoed m hasa90+alra{3"54'in)gan-
embliry aireafi amd hliepterc {o be
eqqFged qffiFa*dty"
l&re recenlly, mld car wersbm of SeUrulon
fu AML hve been devebped ftat GemS
are ffitted wiih vadol,ls mnnbinatioosof We*#5"5bmnes
7"62-rnrn ard 127-rm mchine{rm Ditnm*ns lengfh (irrchr+irq q6m)
on pintb @unts or ilt ftrrreb" These 5. i 1m (16 ft $Ve in} lenqth (huID gm m
hve a }ower plofile flmn fre 9$flm {12 ftSYa to}width 1.97m(6 ft$16 in}
(3"5+iar) grm dels are iigfuer, mu:h he!@2"07rn(6fr91#tn)
ad weE sdted br ee ngh
cfreaper krr€qtaffi
oile Pamkd a'cylinder
remnnaisrcrole. petrol eryire devebpinqrffi fuql
tb As lmial a wide ramge of ,optioml {67kW)
equipruent ran be fitted. includilaE Mmtaemaxirrmm rmdryeed
passtve riqffivision equiFmenf, ao afo- Slsnrh{56 ryh} maYirmrrn marEe
oomdittilrnimg ryEtem arri a mr|{"}lete ffi krn (375 rnileel frcrding
ISBC sycem- .An aryhfleious kil qra.s amphibioug qxad:ieffi ffi
; venical
deve*op@, trul as fur as fu hown +hiq obffic&e 0,S m (l fr 0 mI {rerch0,S na
ws not prodred rnqentify" {2 fr 746 rin)wi&ore chacnel
---l
 n ii'ionrr-r Amphibious scout Car
ir the period immediately afier World
'rVar lI the
8A-64 light armouied car
ideveloped in 1942) remained the
slandard recoffxaissance vehicle of its
11pe in the Soviet army. From the late
i950s this was rapidly replaced by the
1x4 BRDM-I amphibious scout car,
which was also used by the Warmw
fuct countries and exported to a num-
ber of counfties in AAica and the Md-
Cle East. It was not used by Hungary,
bowever, as that country decided to
bu:ld a similar vehicle called the FIIG
icr 0T-65), which is very similar in
appearance but has the engine at the
tont instead of the rear. The FUG is
a-1so used by Czechoslovakia and Po-
Iard. In most Soviet units the BRDM-I
h:s now been replaced by the much
rmproved BRDM-2 vehicle.
The layout of the BRDM-I is similar
to that of a car with the engine and
transmission at the front, driver and
commander in the centre and a small
ctew comparhnent at the rear, The
only mears of entry are by hatches in
the roof and rear of the crew compad-
ment. Between the front and rear
wheels on each side of the hull are two
belly wheels, which are powered and
lowered to the grround by the driver
when the vehicle is crossing ditches or
rough terrain. The feahrre was also
adopted by the later BRDM-2. A cen-
tral tyre pressure regulation system is
staadard, and this allows the driver to
rrilate or deflate the tyres according to
the conditions: for example, the tyres
are dellated for sand crossings, while
cn roads they are fi:lly inllated. The
BRDM-I is fully amphibious, being
propelled in the water at a speed of
I krn/h (5,6 mph) by a single waterjet
at the rear of the hull. Before the vehi-
cle enters the water, a trim vane is
erected at the front of the hull and the
bilge pumps are sritched on.
The BRDM-I is normallyarmedwith
a single 7.62-mm SGMB machine-gn:n
mounted on the forward part oftbe roof
with a total traverse of90'(45'left and
risht) elevation being from -6' to
+23.5". A total of 1,070 rounds of
LI ii'np#-z Amphibious scout car
The 4x4 BRDM-2 amphibious scout
car was developed 6s the successor to
the earlier BRDM-lr and was first seen
rn public in 1966, dlthousrh it entered
service some years before that date.
The most siqnifcdnt improvements of
the BRDM-2 ovel the earlier vehicle
en be summarizdd as better vision for
the commander and driver, more
powerfr:l armament mounted rn a irlly
enclosed furret, a',more powerfirl en-
qnne that gives higher road and water
speeds, an NBC sybtem, and longer
operational range,
The BRDM-2 has now replaced thg
BRDM-I in most Sovret units, and is
also in sewice with almost 40 counties
all over the world, seeing action ur
such places as Angola, Egrypt, Iraq,
Syria and Vietnam.
The all-welded steel hull of the
BRDM-2 is only 7 mm (0.2?5 in) thick,
apart from the nose plate which is
14 mm (0.55 in) thick, and the under-
side of the belly which is only 2 or
3 mm (0.08 or 0.12 in) thick and makes
the vehicle very vulnerable to mine
explosions. The driver and comman-
der are seated at the ftont of the vehi-
cle. Each has to his front a windscreen
r-
ammunition is carried. Some vehicles
have been observed with a similar
weapon at the rear and a l2.7-mm
DShKM machine-gnrn at the front.
The BRDM-U command vehicle has
additional communications equip-
ment, while the BRDM-rkh radiologic-
aVchemical reconnaissance vehicle is
used to mark lines through contamin-
ated areas. Mouated at the rear of the
hull are two racks that contain the
marking poles and pennants; when re-
quired, these racks wving through 90"
over the rear of the vehicle so allowinqr
the poles with their attached pennants
to be put into the grround.
There are also three versions ofthe
BRDM-I fitted with ATGWs. The first
model has three AT-l 'Snapper'
ATGWs with a range of 2500 (2,735
yards). The missiles on their launcher
arns are carried under armow pro- Above: Soviet BRDM- I (4 x 4) Below: A Soviet BRDM- i with four AT-
tection and raised above the roofofthe amphibious scout cars, with roof 2 'Swatter' ATGWs n the foregiround.
vehicle for launching. The second hatches open, ford a stream. The and a BRDM- 1 with three AT- l
model is similar but has four 'Swatte/ vehicle is propelled in the water by a 'Snappers' in the background. The
missiles with a range of 3000 m (3,280 single waterjet at the rear of the hull, 'Snapper'has amaximum range of
yards); icr some reason this mounting which gives it a maximum speed of 2500 (8202 fA, while the 'Swatter' hx
was not orported outside the Warsaw 9 kn/ h (5.6 mph). When travelling a range of 3000 (9842 ft). Both
Pad. The last model to enter service actoss rough country bellywheels mrsijes ft ave a H EAT (H igh
has six 'Sagere/ ATGWs with a max- are lowered between thefrontand Exp losive Anti-T an k) w ar he a d.
imum range of 3000m (3,280 yards); reataxles.
additional missiles are carried in the
hull. This wue-snrided missile, which
proved to be highly effective in the
1973 Mddle East war, can be laun-
ched from wrthin the vehicle or up to
80 m (8?.5 yards) away from it with the
aid of a separation sight.
Specification
Ctew:5
Weight:5.6 tonnes
Dimensions: length 5.70 m ( lB ft B/z tn);
width2.25 m(7 ft47s in); height 1.90 m
(6 ft23la m)
Powerplanf one G-cylinder petrol
engine developingg0 hp (67 klV)
Performance: maximum road speed
B0 lqn/h (50 mph); maximum range
500 lan (3I0 miles); fording
amphibious; gradient 60%; vedical
obstacle 0. 40 m ( I ft 33/+ in); tlench
I.22m(4ft0in)
that is covered in combat by an
armoured hatch. Over each of their
positions is a sinqle-piece hatch cover
that opens vertically; these are the only
rneans of entry into the vehicle for the
four-man crew. The h-rret, which has
no roof hatch, is the same as that fitted
to the Soviet 8x8 BTR-60P8 and Czech
Bx8 0T-64 Model 2A armoured per-
sonnel carriers, and is armed with a
14.5-mm KPV heaw machine-gun and
a co-axial ?.62-mm PKT machine-gnrn.
The weapons have an elevation of
+30" and a depression of -5o, and tur-
ret traverse is 360". Totals of 500 rounds
of l4.5-mm and 2,000 rouds of 7.62-
mm ammunition are carried. The KPV
is a highly effective weapon and can
fire an API projectile that will pene-
trate 32mm (l.26in) of armour at a
range of 500 m (545 yards).
A BRDM - 2 ATGW carrier, with a
launcher for six AT-3 'Sagger'
ATGWs in the raised position, ready
for firing. This model was used
successfully by the Egyptian army in
the I 97 3 Middle Eas t campaigm. The
mrbsrJes car be launched from or
awayfrom thevehicle.
BRDM-2 Amphibious Scout Car (continued)

The engdne and transmission are at Most BRDM-2 ATGW versions were
the rear ofthe vehicle, Like the earlier armed with 'Sagger', but some
BRDM-l.the BRDM-2 has two belly carried the earlier'Swatter' missile.
wheels that can be iowered to the
eEound on each side of the huli to en-
able ditches and rougrh country to be
crossed with ease, The vehicle also
has a central tyre pressure regnrlation
system, infra-red night-vision equip-
ment, an NBCsystem, radios, a naviga-
tion system and a wrnch mounted in-
ternally at the ftont of the hull.
The basic BRDM-2 chassis has
formed the basis for a whole family of
more specralized vehicles including
the BDRM-2-rkh radiologdcaVchemical
reconnaissance vehrcle and the
BRDM-2U command vehicle, which
does not have a turret.
The first ATGW model was armed
with six 'Sagger' ATGWs with a range
of 3000 m (3,280 yards), and this BTR-
40PB'Sagget' model was wrdely used
by Egypt during the 1973 Middie East
war, A version wrth'Swatter' ATGWs is face{o-air missile aiso uses the BRDM- Lebanon in the summer of 1982, Powerplant: one V-B petroiengine
also ia service, but the latest model is 2 chassis and has four missiles rn the developinsr 140 hp (104 kW)
armed with five 'Spandrel' ATGWs in ready-to-launch position; each Soviet Specification Performance: maxmum road speed
the ready{oJaunch position on the hull armoured and motorued rifle diviston Crew:4 100 hn/h(62 mph); maximumrange
top. These missiles, which operate in a has 16 ofthese systems, The SA-9 has Weight:7 tonnes 750 lsn (465 mrles); fordins
similar manner to the Euromissile also been used in combat in the Mid- Dimensions: lengrth 5,75 m ( 1B ft amphibious; grradient 60%; vertical
HOT, have a range of at least 4000m dle East, most recently with the Syrian I07s in); wrdth2,35 m(7 ftB/z 1n); obstacle 0,40 m (l ft 33l+ in);,trench
(4,375 yards). The SA-9 'Gasl,en' sur- forces durinq the Israeli invasion ofthe height2.3I m(7ft7in) 1.25m(4ft1in)

il iit-zo Amphibious Tank The PT-76 light tank is now being

replaced in many Soviet units by
special models of the BMP- I
( reconnais sance) vehicle.

The Soviet Union developed light

iarks with an amphibious capability in
the 1920s and these were usgd with
varying deeEees of success during
World War IL The PT-76 light ampht-
bious tank was desigmed in the im-
medrate poslwar period by the de-
slcrn team responsible for the IS series
cf heavy tanks. For many years the
PT-76 was the standard reconnarss-
ance vehicle of the Soviet army, and
-,vas used alongside the 4x4 BRDM-I
ald BRDM-2 amphibions scout cars. In
many Soviet units the type has now
ceen replaced by such as the
T-62. T-64 and T-72, produc-
:on of the PT-76 many
Tears aoo. the titanl5/js still used by at
_rears ago,
lea.st 25 countries,/lt has seen action
rath the Indian during the con-
with the Egryptian
:rmy during the Middle East war,
1967
ir,.rth the North army dur-
rg the V war, and more re-
rently with the Angolan army during
:oeranors in Sduth West A-trca.
The chassis of the PT-76 was subse-
q.iently used for a large number of
:ther vehicles inpiuding the BTR-50
arnphrJcious APC dnd the launcher for
.re FROG (Free RoClqet Over Ground)
mrssile system
The hull of the PT-76 is of all-welded
steel construction and provides the
crew with protection from small arms
1e only: any additional armour would
lave increased the type's weight to the
point that it would not have been
anphibious. The driver is seated at the
mm (3-in) D-56T qun with an elevation the waterjets. Maximum waterborne developing 240 hp (179 kW)
of +30'and a depression of -4o, h-rret range 1s about 65 lcn (40 miles), To Performance: maximum road speed
traverse being 360'. A 7.62-mm SGMT enable the driver to see forwards 44 Wnh (27 mph); maximum range
machine-gnrn is mounted co-axial with when alloat his centre penscope can 260 lrn (160miles); fordins
the main armament, and more recently be rarsed above the hatch cover. Stan- amphibious; gradient 60%; vertical
some vehicles have been observed dard equipment includes infra-red obstacle 1, 10 m (3 ft 77s in); trench
f,tted wrth a l2.7-mm DShKM anti- lights, but no NBC system rs hstalled. 2.80m(9ft2in)
aircraft machine-qnrn on the h:rret roof.
Totals of40 rounds of76-mm (3-in) and Specification PT - 7 6 M odel 2 light amp hibiou s
1,000 rounds of 7.62-mm ammunition Crew:3 tanks come ashorefrom landing
are carried. Several types of fixed Weight: 14tonnes craft of the Red Banner Northern
ammunition can be fired, namely AP- Dimensions: lenqth (with armament) Fleet. Note the turret hatch cover
T, API-T, HE-FRAG, HEATandHVAP- 7,625 m (25 ft07q in); lenqth (huli) open and the trimvane at the frontin
T, The HEAT projectile can penetrate 6.91 m (22 ft B in); width3. 14 m (10 ft the raised position. Main armament
120 mm (4.72:rr,) of armour at 0', while 37s in); height 2 .255 m(7 ft43/e rn) comprises a 76-mm (S-in) gun and
the HVAP-T projectile can punch Powerplant: one V-6 6-cylinder diesel 7. 6 2 - mm co- axial machine gan.
through S8mm (2.28in) of armour at
1000 m (1,095 yards) or 92 mm (3,62 rn)
at m (545 yards). The lack of
500
armour penetration against more re-
cent tanks must have been one of the
reasons why the PT-76 has been
phased out ofservice with many Soviet
units,
The most usefirl feahrre ofthe PT-76
is its amphibious capability, which ts

=cnt
h the centre, the two-man turet
'q in the centre of the vehicle, and the
eagnne and transmissron are at the
:ear. The torsion-bar suspension con-
s;sts of six single road wheels, with the
dive sprocket at the rear and the idler
a: tie foont; there are no track-return
r:llers.
The marn armament consists of a 76-
the reason why the type has also been
used by the Polish and Sovret Marlnes.
In the water the tank is powered by
two wateiets at a maximum speed of
l0 lqn/h (6.2 mph), The only prepara-
tion required before entering the wa-
ter is the raising of the trim vane at the
ftont of the hull, the activation of the
bilge pumps and the engagtement of

:-:
Soviet Reconnaissclnce Battalion
In Souiet tactical doctrine, the'Meeting Engagementt between
two fast-moving columns is potentially one of the decisive
combat actions. Where the enemy is fast-moving, a rapid and
accurafe asse ssment of his fighting potential is essential, and
the work of reconnaissance forces in setting up a battle-
winning position becomes of prime importance.
:ach Soviet tank and motorized rifle division has one reconnaissance battalion,
.', nich in recent years has been equipped with MBTs in place of the PT-76 light
tank, and has also received additional communications equipment.
':nphibious
-nei reconnaissance battalion has a strength of 340 officers and men, and is
:rganized into a headquarters and service iompany (70 officers and men)' two
3litP reconnaissance iompanies (each with 55 officers and men), one scout car
ieconnaissance company iBO officers and men) and one radio/radar reconnats-
sance company (80 officers and men).
The batt;liod's full authorized equipment consists of 13 RPG-16 anti-tank
crenade-launchers, 19 5.45-mm RPK-74 light machine-guns, one BRDM-2
Srmoured command vehicle, two BTR-60PA armoured command vehicles,
inree BMP armoured command vehicles, 12 BMP-l armoured infantry combat
,,,ehicles, six T-64 or T-72 tanks (depending on the equipment of the parent
:ivision), 12 BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars. tive 4x4 UM-6914q9 light vehi-
:les, two 4x4 GM-66 truiks, five 6x6 ZIL trucks, four 6x6 Ural-375 trucks, four
3M command vehicles, 13 GAZ vehicles with van type bodies for use in the
'adioiradar reconnaissance role, two 6x6 ZIL maintenance vans, six ZIL vans,
.wo ZlUUral or KrAZ tanker trucks, one ambulance, two POL (petrol, oil and
rbricants) trailers, two trailer generators, one water generator, four kitchen
.i'arlers, four BRDM-2 chemical reconnaissance vehicles, three man-portable
lanlefield surveillance :'adars, nine signals intelligence sets and three direction-
'ndino radars. ln addition there are some 70 radios, one radio-relay set, five
"rarniig receivers, six radio telegraph units and three HFI/HF/UHF radio direc-
: on{inding equipments. When this is compared with the equivalent available.to
:n Americin cjivision, it is quickly apparent ihat the Soviet divisional commander
roes not have any dedicat6d re6onnaissance helicopters within the reconnalss-
:nce battalion. Sbme divisions are now receiving a helicopter squadron that
:cnsists of a squadron headquarters, two Mil Mi-B'Hip' f lights, two Mi-24'Hind'
' qhts, two Mi-2 'Hoplite' flights plus signals. aircraft maintenance and arma-
-6nts sections; the iotal str6ngth of the-helicopter squadron is believed to be
:oout 200 officers and men.
ln addition there are reconnaissance elements available at regirner:a e,:
each motorized rifle regiment and each tank regiment has a reccnna ssa-:=
company with an authorized strength of 55 officers and men. This is organ ie: r
a headquarters company, a BMP scout platoon. a scout car plaioon ai:3
motorcycle section. lts equipment consists of four RPG-'l6 anti-tank gre.aa=
launchers, three 5.45-mm RPK-74 light machineguns, one reconna ss3r::
version of the BMP, three normal BMPs, four BRDM-2s, three motorcycies arc
one man-portable battlefield surveillance radar set plus 12 radios and a s r_r e
warnrng recetver.
The exact role of the reconnaissance battalion depends on the cperat cr
being conducted, but for the purpose of this brief analysis the 'meeting engage.
ment' is described as this has a major role in Soviet tactical doctrine. ard s
regarded by the Soviets as one of the most decisive combat actions.
A meeting engagement is combat between two opposing columns advanc rg
at speed towards each other, and can occur at the outbreak of hostilities wne"
the enemy has been surprised and is attempting to deploy to forward areas as f
for example. the British Army of the Rhine will have to deploy forward in time c'
war); during a breakthrough when the enemy's.tactical reserve is deploying fc':
counterattack or to plug a gap; in the depth of the defence area where ire
enemy is deploying to blocking positions; during an enemy withdrawal when ne
is outflanked; and finally during defensive operations when the enemy axes :'
advance are identified or when a counterattack is launched.
ln most of these situations the Sovlet commander anticipates a meet ng
engagement, and so advances in a predetermined march formation, identif es
the point of contact and issues tentative orders for the engagement. Wherg
possible the Soviets would assault the enemy from the flank while the latte: s
still in march formation or while beginning to deploy into combat formation, sc
causing the maximum possible confusion.
The meeting engagement can be conducted at battalion, regimental or d -
visional level, the Soviet march formation consisting of the advanced detac:-
ments, advance guard, main body and rear security with flank security on eac.
side.
The advance, flank and rear security detachments provide the reconnaissancg
and march security for the main body, and in the first of the two roles are free i:
manoeuvre.
A BRDM-2 (4x4) with five Spandrel ATGWs in the ready-to-launch position on
parade in Red Square, Moscow. ffiese mr'sg7es have a range of 3000 (9842 [t)
and a HEAT warhead.
e.:. j,,.-::. ;...
? :, a:!::;.,e,:-...::a:&.*.::i': a):..
M': :' "' ::: : r. : :. :r::: :..:
Soviet Reconnaissance Battdion
-^ a prrmary tasks of the reconnaissance units are the detection and identif ica-
.:- :'terrain featuresor enemy resistance that may slow or deflect the advance
:' :.a main body, the clearance of the axis of advance, the protection of the
= , - <s and rear, and the assurance of the main body's ability to manoeuvre- The
=':c: composition of these elements must vary according to the threat and
::": r. For example,
-:::rnarssance
if contact with several small enemy units is expected the
elements are augmented by motorized rifle or tank elements.
'.':'= dr,*jicuit terrain would require larger allocations of engineer and trafftc-
::-::o elements, while a nuclear environment would require a chemical-
the
:
=':rce attachment. As has already been noted, some BRDM-2s are held athas
':::nnarssance
battalion, while each tank and motorized rifle division also a
:^:r caliefence battalion that includes decontamination companies and a
:-:r cal reconnaissance platoon. Each division also has an engineer battalion
., :. a f ull range of wet and dry bridging equipment. Moreover, if one particular
-
: - l s th reatdned a f lank secu rity guard equal in strength to the advanced guard
-.:, oe employed.
-rae meeiing engagement is usually conducted in five stages: location of the
lt
=r:my formation as it approaches, identification of the enemy formation-as
::: roaches, decision to initiate a meeting engagement, engagement itself
and
.-- r -cr of actions after the engagement.
::connaissance reports are received f rom higher elements while the division
'=::nnarssance battalion, or elements of the battalion (depending on the mis-
sion) operates in small parties up to 100 km (62 miles) ahead of the ma:n body.
Wherever possible these parties must try to avojd engagement but at the same
time maintain contact and monitor the movement of the enemy forces as they
approach the division. lf the reconnaissance battalion is engaged in a major
confrontation, it is unlikely that they will be reinforced or that air assets such as
ground-attack aircraft will be allocated to its assistance. Regimental reconnais-
sance elements make contact with the enemy up to 50 km (31 miles) ahead of
the main body. The time from initial contact (at a distance of 1000 km/62 miles)
to a decision to initiate a meeting engagement (at 50 km/31 miles) is at least one
hour, assuming that each force is averaging about 25 km/h (15.5 mph).
The decision to initiate a meeting engagement is normally made at one level
and is then confirmed by the commander one rung higher up the command
ladder. The decision itself is made on the march, the Soviets relying on surprise
and speed rather than detailed planning and preparation to provide the required
margin for success.
The point of contact of the meeting engagement is determined by the
closeness of the opposing forces, their respective rates of movement, and the
actual terrain. lf possible suitable defensive ground in the path of the advancing
enemy is selected to draw the attention of the enemy commander. When
possible the assault is often launched from a flank on ground that restricts the
manoeuvring capability of the enemy and facilitates an ambush. lf the opposing
forces are very close then an immediate (often frontal) assault is made to make

-:e scenario below depicts a typical Soviet reconnaissance unit operating ahead of a major armoured thrust. lts role is
:: dentifytheenemy'sdispositionandtoreportbacktotheunitsfollowing.
: econnaissance units are armed to defend themselves, not to seek engagement with the enemy:

1. 1 00 km ahead of the main body oi the Soviet division,

Forward foruard elements of the reconnaissance battalion meet an
1 reconnaissance units
locate and shadow
enemy column. Avoiding engagement, the makeup of the
opposing column is communicated to the divisional
enemy commander.

Flank security force

Advance guard
Souiet reconnaissance patrols arc made up from a
mirture of vehicle Wes with differingcapabilities.
The T-72 tank seen leading the patrol prcuides some
firepower agafutst enemy reconnaissance units. The
two combat vehicles following are a BMD Air
portable carrier and a BMP- I Infan@ conbat
vehicle, capable of carrying eight hfartrymen, ertn
All-round security communications geaL or ertra spares and
provided by equipment. A BRDM-Z Scout car follows, with the
reconnaissance from patrol commander. While the BF,DM is a wheeled
Rear security force flanks vehiele it hx god cross-country capabili$,
enabling it to keep up with its tracked companions.

-r - t;' o:
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- : rnaximum use of surprise, the Soviets having a belief that the decisive edge
.. ',vith the initiator. To prevent enemy counteraction, deployment is made at
. 'naximum possible speed.
-re objqctive is to assault the enemy's main body, to destroy or disorganize
= .lnit, and then to rnop up the pockets of resistance. Like most armies, the
- . et army believes that speed and shock action are of prime importance
, - rg such operations, and that the attacking force does not have to outnumber
, rpponents in order to achieve its objective.
','hen ordered to do so the advance guard will occupy a blocking position and
--inence artillery engagement of the main enemy force. The main body will
- ance. ln each case the location of nuclear delivery systems has the highest
:r
deploy to the selected assault position and strike the enemy main body
- :h is advancing to support its vanguard. lf possible, the distracted enemy
.-',ration is assaulted while advancing in columns or during manoeuvres in
- : Dort of its engaged vanguard. A flank attack is only one of the options open to
Soviet commander as he may also decide to attack f rontally, f rom the rear or
',=-r both flanks at once. ln any case, the Soviets believe that in an engagement
..nich the attacker holds the initiative, he has a decisive advantage.
-re meeting engagement ends when one of the opposing forces adopts a
=
.', tactic such as esiablishing a defensive position or withdrawing, but accord-
-- io the tactical situation the Soviets would probably adopt one of three
,.lns: a deliberate attack, a pursuit or a withdrawal.
- normal offensive operations the mission of Soviet reconnaissance units is
light Tanks and Reconnaissance Vehicles
to obtain detailed information on the enemy by observation, manoeuvre and
limited combat action in order to enable the tactical elements of the command to
launch an attack under the best conditions. They also pinpoint the location of
enemy nuclear weapon systems (for example, Lance and Pershing), strong-
points, areas of defence as well as the location of reserve forces and other uniis
of interest.
ln addition to the reconnaissance battalions and companies mentioned briefly
here, the other main means of reconnaissance are air reconnaissance, elec-
tronic intelligence, artillery observation, and troop observation and reconnaiss-
possible priority, and if any Soviet reconnaissance unit comes into contaciwith
nuclear delivery systems it must attack them regardless of its primary mission.
High priority is also given to the gathering of information on the combat effec-
tiveness of enemy forces, the nature of enemy operations and intentions, and
what protection is available against Soviet NBC attack.
When ordinary ground and air reconnaissance activities do not provide the
information required, then a reconnaissance-in-force operation will be made in
an effort to get the information. The object of the reconnaissance-in-force is to
force the enemy to expose his defence systems, but it is unlikely to be carried
out to a depth of more than 2.5 km (1.55 miles). lf it is believed that the
reconnaissance-in-force will be a major success then it is possible that the
divisional commander will decide to launch a major offensive.

2I / the time reconnaissance units at regimental level (about 50 km in advance of the 3. The oncoming force, having been persuaded by the artillery barrage to expect a
: .ion) make contact, the divisional commanderwill have decided what kind of fronta assault, should be taken by surprise by powerful strikes against {he flanks. The
- reconnalssance forces have meanwhile penetrated deeper into the enemy's terr'tory
;39ement to try for. Using the divisional artillery to hold the forward elements of the
-,llsing Jormation, the division will seek to outf lank the enemy. and con tinue to report on enemy deployment, strongpoints and missile sites.

2 Reconnaissance
continues, to warn
against any Enemy
Reconnaissance
continues, providing
information on
reinforcement to the main fbrce enemy rear areas
enemy

Artillery # Flank security

fo:ce
Enemy
main body
-

Rearguard

\ Advancesuard
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,1'
E! ffieh*wer
l\-nen lhe West German anny was re-
iormed in the 1950s it had imufficient
trme to have equipment designed to
meetf, lts own requirements, and it
'lherefore had to take what was on oller
from the American or European manu-
facturers. To meet its requirement for a
reconnaissance vehicle lt selected the
French Hotchkiss carrier fitted with a
hrret armed with a Hispano-Suiza 20-
mm cannon, this variant being desig-
nated the SPz I l-2. Th:s suffered foom a
nurnber of drawbacks as it was not
amphibious and its petrol engine gave
an operating ranqe of only about
400 kn (250 miles),
In the mid-I960s a complete family
of 4x4, 6x6 and Bx8 trucks, 4x4 and
6x6 (later to become the Transport-
panzer, or Fuchs) armoured amphi-
brous load-carriers, and an BxB
amphibious armoured reconnaissance
-irellcle were developed, all sharing
many common automotive compo-
nents that were in most cases already
in production for a civilian application.
Prototypes of the 8xB amphibious
armoured reconnaissance vehicle
were desigmed and built by Daimler-
Ber:z and a consortium of companies
krown as the Joint Project Office (JPO)
tn 1968, and in 1971 the Daimler-Benz
rnodel was selected for production,
For a variety of reasons production
was undertaken by Thyssen Henschel,
rhich built a total of 408 vehicles cal-
led the Spihparuer 2 Luchs for the
West German army betvyeen i975 and
]978. The Spz 2 was offered on the
export market, but for most countries it
proved too expensive,
The hull of the Luchs is of all-welded
steel construction, with the front part of
the turret and the hull providing pro-
tection aqainst attacks from 20-mm
projectiles and the remainder proof
il FinrType6616ArmouredCar
Durhg World War II the Italian army
t:sed scout cars and armowed cars on
quite a large scale, but il the post-war
period no vehicles of this type were
d.eveloped as the Italian army did not
have an operational requirement for a
';ehicle of this type. Then ur the early
.370s FIAT and OTO-Melara de-
';eloped the lVpe 6616 armoured car
:::d the Type 6614 armoured person-
nel carrier, In both cases FIAT was
lesponsible for the powerpack and
suiomotive components, pius final
assembly, while OTO-Melara sup-
plied the armoured hull and hrret. The
='st prototype of the TYpe 6616 wirs
:cmpleted tn 1972, and 50 vehicles
rere subsequently ordered by the Ita-
lr;rgovernment for the Carabiaieri.
Srce then sales have also been made
:c Peru, Somalia and several other un-
drsclosed countries.
The hull of the Tlpe 6616 is of all-
relded steel construction with a uni-
i,rrrn thlckness of Bmm (0.315in),
soaewhat thin when compared with
:iher vehicles in this class. The driver
rs seated at the front of the vehicle on
t:e left, with vision blocks gdvrng good
i':.lon to the ftont and sides, The two-
r.an turlet is in the centre of the vehi-
:,e. wrth the engnne and tralsmission
a: -&e rear.
The Tlpe 6616 is fLrlly amphibious,
bernq propelled rn the water by its
Freels at a speed of 5 krn/h (3. I mph);
:JJ the preparation that is required be-
.4,-
2 Luchs Reconnaissance Vehicle
against smail arms fire and shell splin-
ters, The drivbr is at the front left, the
two-man hrrret in the centre, the en-
grine at the rear on the right side, and
the co-driver, who also operates the
radio, on the rear on the Ieft side, sea-
ted facing the rear. In an emergency
the rear driver can quickly take con-
trol and drive the vehicle out of trou-
ble, The Luchs has a maximum speed
of 90 lsn/h (56 mph) in both directions.
It also has an exceptionally larete oper-
ating range of 800 hn (500 mrles),
The Rhelnmetali TS-7 turret is
armed with a dual-feed Rheinmetall
MK 20 Rh 202 cannon, for which 375
rounds of ammunition are carned in
the turet. T\:rret traveise and weapon
elevation (ftom -15" to +69) r"s po-
wered, firret traverse beingl 360'. A
7.62-mm MG3 machine-gun is
mounted on the hrret roof for anti-
fore enterlng the water is to switch on
the bilge pumps and pressurize the
submerged mechanical components.
Unlike most other comparable vehi-
cles, the Tlpe 6616 reguires no trim
vane at the front of the huIL
The commander is seated on the left
and gunner on the right of the turet,
each man being provided with an
adjustable seat, observation equip-
ment and a sinqle-piece hatch cover,
The communications equipment is
mounted rn the turet bustle. The main
armament comprises a West German
Rheinmetall 20-mm Mk 20 Rh 202 can-
non with an elevation of +35' and a
depression of -5': turret traverse ls
360', T\uret control is electric, with
traverse at a maximum of40'per seond
andweapon elevation at a maximumof
25o per second. A total of400 rounds of
20-mm ammunition is carried, of which
250 are for ready use and 150 rr re-
serve. A usetil feafure of the weapon,
which is also installed in the West Ger-
man BxB Luchs amphibious recon-
naissance vehicle and the Marder
MICV is that the empty cartridge
cases are-ejected outside the turet
automatically, and therefore do not
clutter up the crew compartment: A
7.62-mm machme-grun is mounted co-
axial with the main armament, and
1,000 rounds are carried for this.
Mounted on each side of the turret is a
bank of three forward-firing electrical-
iy-operated smoke-drscharqers.
The Spdhpanzer Luchs continues the
Germantraditionof 9xB
reconnaissance vehicles with an
exceptional operational range. It has
a four-man crew and is fully
anrphibious.
aucraft defence and 1,000 rounds of and the original range of rnfra-red
ready-use ammunition are provided night-vision equipment is now being
for this weapon. On each side of the replaced by the passive type. Stan-
h.rret is a bank of four electrically- dard equrpment includes a pre-heater
operated smoke-dischargers, all firing for the batteries, engine and trarsmis-
forward. sion oil and coohng liquld, all essential
The driver has powered steering to for winter operations in Germany,
reduce fatigme when driving over long
drstances or across rougrh couatry, and Specification
he can.select either steering on the Crew:4
front fourwheels or on all eight wheels; Weight l9.5tonnes
the latter tuming radius is only i 1.5 m Dimensions: lengrth 7.743 m (25 ft
(37ft 83/a rn) 43/+ rn),vndth2.98 m (9 ft 9tls in); helght
The Luchs is fr:ily amphibious, being (including AA MG) 2.905 m (9 ft 67e in)
propelled in the water at a speed of Powerplant one I O-cyhnder diesel
I km/h (5.6 mph) by two steerable developins 390 hp (291 kW)
propeliers mounted under the huli at Performance: maximum road speed
the rear, one on each side. Before the 90 ladir(56 mph); maxmumrange
vehlcle enters the water the trim vane 800 kn (500 miles); fording
is erected at the front ofthe hull and the amphibious; gradient 60% ; vertical
three bilge pumps are switched on. obstacle 0.60 m (1 ft I ITs in); trench
The Luchs also has an NBC system, 1.90m(6ft3in)
Standard eguipment includes a The FIAT 'lTpe 6616 armoured car is
ftont-mounted winch wrth a capacity of aj oint development between F I AT
4500 ks (9,921 Ib), while optional and OTO M elara, and s hares m any
equipment includes an NBC system, a common components with the Type
full range of passive night-vision 6616APC. Itis, hawever, under-
equipment for commander, gmnner armed, andfor this reason amadel
and driver, and a fire-extinquishinq with a 90-mm (3.54-in) two-man
system. turret has recenUy beenbuilt. This
One of the main drawbacks of this has the Belgian Cockerill grun used in
vehicle on the export market is its manyAFVs.
small-calibre gun. More recently FIAT
has fitted the basic T\rpe 6616 chassrs Dimensions: lenOrth 5.37 m ( I7 ft 7tlz in);
with a new two-man OTO-Melara h:r- width2.50 m(B ft272 in); height
ret armedwith a90-mm (3.54-in) Cock- 2.035m(6ft8in)
erill Mk III gnm and a co-axial7.62-mm Powerplant: one FIAT diesel
machine-gn:n, so giving the vehicle the developing 160 hp (l 19 kW)
capability to enqage much heavier Performance: maromum road speed
vehicles than in the past, I00 lcn/h(62 mph); maxlmumrange
700 lcn (435 miles); fording
Specification amphibious; gradient 60%; verticai
Crew:3 obstacle 0.45 m (l ft 53/q in); trench not
Weight:B tonnes applicable
 rLrmedForcesoftheworld
F
lsrceli Defence Force /Nr
- :-:ctice makes perfect. then the lsraeli Defence
::':s Air Force
Forcfi
(la Tsvah Hagana le lsrael/Heyl
-= :,, r) is an air arm without parallel. The modern
::.:-: of lsrael was born to the accompaniment of
- --' ie in '1948 and since that time has had to fight
-=-: and often against hostile Arab neighbours for
:. ,ery existence. The army and small navy have
-,:^ played their parts, but it has been principally
:--ilgh the effective use of air power that lsrael has
-.,-, ved.
= ghting spirlt alone is insuificient to defeat a well-
.--red and numerically superior enemy, and lsrael
-:s therefore been fortunate in receiving consider-
.: e military aid from the United States with which
:: rry some of the most potent aircraft found in any
: - 3rm. A comparatively small country (the size of
,'.:les if its annexed territories are discounted).
:-ael has a population of some four million, yet in
' 134 will receive $1 .700 million in US military assisr strike-fighters to the IDF/AF in 1990, following the One of eight General Dynamics F- I 68 Fighting
prototype's initial flight in November 1985. Relying Falcon two-seat trainers supplied alongwith 67
and $850 million in economic grants. Only half
'-:eformer
---: sum is to be repaid. technically at least, heavily on bought-in US technology, including its F - I 6As in I sr ael's initial order for the type. Of 9 2
Syrian aircraft destroyed in the Lebanon war , the
':' with rampant inflatlon and a national debt of single Pratt & Whitney PWi 120 turbofan engine, F-I 6A accountedtor 44.
S:3.000 million (and rising), lsrael needs US dollars, the Lavi is an expensive and prestigious combat
aircraft for lsrael. its far-from-secure future depend-
=: 'nuch as its weaponry, to remain in being. ln the fighter-bomber role, the ubiquitous McDo'-
',rrlitary supplies have flowed inegularly to lsrael ing on the availability of funds and continued good
- '3cent years because of actions which have incur- relations with the USA. nell Douglas F4 Phantom continues to serve tn.
-.: US displeasure. Deliveries of an initial batch of Air defence is a prime requirement for lsrael, as IDF/AF well, some 1 20 (plus 1 1 RF-4E tactical recon-
3:reral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons were tem- indicated by the allocation of eight of the 19 combat naissance variants) operating with five squadrors
,,:-arily held up when aircraft of this type were squadrons to this task. Foremost interceptor is the partnered by one squadron of Kfir-C2s. Close sup-
-.rlved in destruction of lraq's nuclear reactor in McDonnell Douglas F-l 5 Eagle and its armoury of port work is entrusted mainly to the McDonne
-:31, and when lsrael annexed the Golan Heights radar-guided Sparrow and lRguided Sidewinder Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, of which there are 95 (incl.,ld-
the year a AAMs, the first of an initial 23 F-l 5As and two F-,] 5B ing 20 two-seat trainers) flying with four squadrois,
=: zed frorn Syria in the 1967 war) later in
trainers entering service with No. 133 Squadron in with a further 60 aircraft in storage. One Kfirt2
=:-:tegic co-operation treaty was cancelled squadron is also assigned to this role f rom some i f 0
r June 1982 lsrael invaded the Lebanon (in the December 1976. Fifteen more of the type arrived in
:':cess shooting-down 85 Syrian aircraft in air com- 1981-2 to permit formation of a second unit, and a in service, plus about 50 to be delivered be'c'e
helicopter
:.:: for the loss of only two fighters and a further 1 1 (probably F-1SCs) are on order. production ends in 1986.
:: ground fire), again provoking a US embargo on More recently, in January 1980, lsrael received Among the principal bases used by these frc-:-
:--chase of more F-16s. As always, the US even- the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon from a line units are the recently completed airfielos :l
:-:lly relented, and the Falcon order was approved contract covering 75, including eight F-1 68 trainers. Ovda and Ramon, in the Negev desert, built rnosii
- 1983. ldeally suited to the close 'dogfighting' battles with US funds as replacements for Eitam and EE o-
-io
the extent which financial constraints will per- which have taken place between the IDF/AF and which were in tenitory handed back to Egypt as pa:
- :, lsrael is producing its own aircraft and weapons Syrian air force, the Falcon currently equips three of the Camp David peace agreement bewveen :l;
,: arm the IDF/AF, self-sufficiency being a way of interceptor squadrons (including No. 117), whilst a two countries. Of modern design, these new bases
:'eventing a recurrence of the serious equipment similar number will convert with the follow-on batch include underground hangars for two squadro-s
:'oblem in the late 1960s when France changed its of 75 F-16C/Ds due in 198G8. giving protection against air attack. Other coc'b.a:
: egiance from lsrael to the Arab world and embar- During the June 1 982 fighting against Syria, F-1 6s bases include Hatzor, where there are two Pna--
tom and two Kfir-C2 units; Eqron with Phantc-:
;:ed delivery of 50 urgently-needed Dassault Mir shot down 44 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s and MiG-
and Skyhawks; Hatzerim; and Ben Gurion,Te: A'" i
:3e SJs. By far the most important local weapon is 23s, and the F-15 accounted for 40 of the same,
-,clear, an lsraeli capability having been claimed in without lsraeli loss in each case. Three squadrons of with Kfir-c2s.
' 37 4 and subsequently verif ied by the ClA. some 90 Kfir-C2s which complete the air defence
Combat aircraft production began for the IDF/AF force were apparently held in reserve and made no To be continued
^ lsrael with the lAl Nesher (an unlicensed copy of claims.
:-e Mirage 5), and when fitted with the US-supplied
-:9 engine this became the Kfir. The Kfir-C2 added
:.anards to the air intakes for enhanced combat man-
:euvrability, whilst production is now turning to the
.,fir-C7 variant with more engine power, advanced
-3v/attack equipment and other new avionics.
IDF/AF weaponry includes the indigenous Shaf rir
: r-to-air missile, which has been renamed Python in
:s Mk 3 form, and an air-launcheC version of the
iabriel anti-ship missile which will shortly enter ser-
, ce (mainly on the Phantom) although it can also be
:oplied to the navy's lAl Sea Scan surveillance air-
:'aft.
The most challenging venture for lsrael Aircraft
rdustries has only recently begun, and is expected
:: result in delivery of the first of 300 or more Lavi

Cf 30CH-53D Stallions supplied tolsrael,25

remain in sewice as heavy assault transport
:elicopters with a high-density capacity of 55 fully-
:aden troops. Note the starboard nose-prohe
'rhich provides an inflight refuelling capability.