“Warrior” British Infantry

“Warrior” British infantry

After the second world, the British army for some time continued to use light open APC Universal “T.16 and” Oxford “, but these machines are not on the capacity, nor on security will not meet the requirements of modern warfare. Also in 1953 the company “Alves has started production for the armed forces of the family of wheeled (6×6) armored FV 600, which included APC FV 603″ Saracen “with machine-gun armament and combat vehicle FV 601 Saladin” with 76-mm cannon in a rotating turret . In the 1963-m was adopted for all indoor swimming tracked APC FV 432 “Troudzhen, who had a mass of 15.3 tons, capacity 12 people, armor thickness 6-12 mm, multi-fuel diesel engine with 240 horsepower, maximum speed of 52 km / h (afloat 6 km / h), range 580 km and 7.62-mm machine gun in an open setting. “Troudzhen” more in line with the requirements of large-scale war involving weapons of mass destruction and is available in parts of the British Rhine Army, stationed in Germany. In 1993, the British army remained 1000 Troudzhen “and self-propelled mortars at its chassis.

In 1969 – 1971, the Office of research and development of combat vehicles (then-Managing the development of military vehicles) has developed the concept of a new machine to replace the BTR “Troudzhen. Offered on a heavy vehicle, weighing about 30 tons, with a diesel engine of 750 hp, 30-mm cannon and reservations for the scheme “chobhem, but because of the high cost of this idea was rejected even though built and tested the chassis of the machine.

In 1972 he was declared the program PD1 (Project Definition 1) a BMP for the British Army. Elaboration of project lasted until 1979, when the main contractor has been selected firm “GKN Sankey”, and the project received the designation of MCV-80 (Mechanised Combat Vehicle – 80). After the layout is screwed in 1980, built three prototypes – one with 30-mm cannon in a twin tower, one with a machine gun armament, and one as a test chassis. Note that in parallel in 1978-1980 War Department studied the UK experienced American BMP HM2.

Requirements for “mechanized infantry combat vehicle” set out in document 3533, the General Staff of: a) capacity of 10 persons including the driver and gunner’s arms, b) mobility, sufficient for interaction with the main tanks “Challenger”, c) protection from debris artillery shells and small arms fire, d) firepower, sufficient to deal with lightly armored targets, the general support unit and to some extent – the challenges of air defense.

Note the sequence of combat skills – mobility, security, fire-power. In June 1980, the Ministry of Defense has recognized the prototype of MCV-80 matches the requirements put forward by the British army, but bring it to production prototype has been delayed. There remained an open question about the main contractor for the production of machinery – except for GKN, for a contract company claimed “Alvis”, “Royal Ordnans and Vickers Defense Systems.” Originally planned to buy 1,900 infantry fighting vehicles at a cost of entire program of 1.2 billion pounds, but in 1981 the order, in order to reduce costs, was reduced to 1,053 vehicles, among them – only to 602 with 30-mm cannon in the turret.

During pre-production testing 12 BMP were about 200 000 km, were tested, fire, and a copy with a remote control – crackdown on anti-tank mine. Bringing BMP took about 9000 elaborations and re-establishment of 250 components, assemblies and units. Finally, in 1983, two machines were tested in the Middle East, and the fall of 1984, 4 cars took part in the exercises “Layonhert” in Germany.

November 30 MCV-80 was introduced into service the British Army and the Defense Ministry announced its intention to purchase the first batch of 250 vehicles worth 150 million pounds. The following year, BMP has the name “Warrior” (Warrior-”warrior”). In addition, it is awarded the standard for the English armored index FV.510.

The main contractor was the GKN. Series production of “Warrior” began in January 1986 on a specially constructed plant in Telford (Shorpshir), and in December were prepared to 290 vehicles (170 military and 120 linear special). By agreement with the Ministry of Defense GKN chose subcontractors. The montage of shells and chassis manufactured itself, ready towers with weapons supplied “Vickers Defense”, the power block – Perkins Endzhayn “(until 1984, Rolls-Royce”). A significant portion of the order received and “Alves. Special machines family warriors fully made on GKN.

The order for 1,053 machines subsequently reduced by 5, just as planned to deliver 595 linear BMP, 146 commanders, artillery observers, 35 cars, 110 maintenance and 67 repair and recovery (BREM), 95 cars OPV. This amount should be enough to equip 13 infantry battalions, 1, 3 and 4 Armored Division 1 Corps British Army of the Rhine, a technical reserve and training (including facilities of the Center for British ground troops Safild in Alberta, Canada). The total cost was estimated at 725 million pounds. Operation “Warrior” was calculated to 2010.

Layout MCV-80 Warrior made with the location of ITO ahead on the right. The left of MTO on an adjustable seat with movable backrest and head restraint is a driver. His hatch is made in front of the compartment and has a hatch at the back and cover. At the march in a combat zone, it can be fixed in the intermediate horizontal position, shielding the driver from the fragments of air gaps. In the center is a twin tower, a slight shift to the left which was supposed to balance the right location logistics and more evenly distribute the load on the caterpillars. In the tower on the right from the gun is the commander, left – a gunner. They have the same seat with a roller-restraint and hatches in the roof of the tower with a drop-back covers. The tower is equipped with an outboard Policom fence and sliding screen door to the left for passage in the troop compartment holding the stern of the car. Here, along the boards on the folding seats are placed seven troopers – three from the left side and four from the right. Location paratroopers along the sides facing each other due to the lack of pistol ports and the desire to maximize a quick landing. Embarkation and disembarkation is made through a wide stern door, opens to the right and driven hydraulically. Pilot prototype had, like “Troudzhen, double doors, but the results of tests she was found less convenient. Hydraulic drive door is controlled from the place of the driver, but there is a manual switch and under the right seat landing. In addition, the troops can use the upper hatch with folding lid; provided fixing shutters in the open position. It is interesting that the crew and landing places are equipped with elastic belts.

The main armament MCV-80 selected 30-mm automatic gun L21A1 “Rarden, has already been tested by the time at the BRM” Foca “and” Simiter. The gun was developed by RAR-DE (the Royal institution of research and development of weapons) and “Royal Factory, Ordnans. It was supplied by British Menyufekchuring End Risech Company, and since 1992 the production, ownership transferred to Royal Ordnans. The gun has automatic on the basis of recoil with a long way, can fire single shots or bursts of six rounds (more precisely – two turns on three shots in a row). Meals – a cluster of three rounds, firing rate 80 – 90 rds / min. The relatively low rate of fire allowed to increase its accuracy. The same purpose dampers are installed on the end of the trunk and hood extinguishing his hesitation in shooting. Maximum range 4000m. Angles of an elevation from 0 ° to 45 °. Spent cartridges are removed through a hatch outside the tower. Gun is equipped with a conical flash suppressor and handle reloading, its breech inside the tower has a total length of 430 mm. It is not equipped with a stabilizer – in the opinion of the British armored personnel may conduct aimed fire only stops.

In ammunition, located in the tower between the commander and gunner, are unitary ammunition of several types. As first used armor-piercing projectile with the armor penetration of 30 mm at a distance of 1000 m. In 1985 he was adopted by a shot L14A2 weighing 822 g and a length of 285.55 mm kinetic energy ammunition with armor-piercing tracer shells, developed by the Royal Ordnans “and an American firm RATES. Its mass is 300 g, the initial velocity of 1175 m / s and at ranges up to 1500 meters, he breaks the 40-mm steel armor at an angle of meetings up to 45 °. After the departure of the projectile from the barrel bore his pallet is divided into four sectors, and pyrophoric composition in the toe allows you to observe the projectile hit. It was believed that this missile will allow warriors to fight successfully against Soviet BMP-2. Round weight L5A2 with armor-piercing projectile – 904.4 g. Projectile weight 357.4 g, the initial velocity of 1070 m / sec. Shot L13A1 with fragmentation tracer shells – respectively 903.9 g, 356.9 g and 1070 m / sec. Practical shot L12A1 ballistics similar fragmentation. Can be used as ammunition for the gun Swiss 811L “Oerlikon”.

In a single molded mask with a gun to her left installed 7.62-mm machine gun L94A1 (EX-34) system “Chain Gang” with electrical tape automation and power developed by the American firm McDonnell Douglas Helicopter. ” Spent cartridges are removed from the tower, and the belt links are collected in a special removable zvenesbornik.

Electric drive “Holdsvars” turning the turret and the vertical guidance mechanical arms controlled by the gunner or commander. The left of the gunner is also a spare wheel of the mechanical drive rotation of the tower.

Sights to arm BMP delivered by Pilkington PE. The commander and gunner have binocular periscopic combined sight “Raven” from this company with three channels each – day without amplification (for a review of the battle field), eight times daily with a fixed gain amplifier and nocturnal type. Target detection range up to 5000 m the day, the identification of 3000 m, at night – 2500 and 1000 m. The channels switch lever. The image on all channels is fed through the upper swinging mirror allows you to change the direction of the axis of the visual field from -12 ° to 47 °. In the field of view is aiming mark corresponding to the axis of the bore. Sights protected folding broneschitkami.

In developing the MCV-80 conducting commando-fire with the machine is not envisaged, therefore, BMP has no loopholes for weapons infantry, consisting of 5.56-mm assault rifle L85A1 and L86A2 machine gun and 94 mm RPG-LAW-80 (consolidated vertically on the inner wall body to the left of the tower). It should be noted that these samples infantry weapons were taken into virtually the same time as BMP. Laying of ammunition for assault weapons placed under the seats.

Housing MCV-80 is welded from rolled sheets of aluminum-alloy magniytsinkovogo and protects against 14.5-mm bullets and fragments from 155-mm high-explosive shells, and the bottom-of 9-pound anti-tank mines. Front hull plates and the upper part of the board (except the left sponsons) established under the slope. The sides and partially covered with rubber undercarriage protivokumulyativnymi screens. Octagonal tower is welded from rolled steel armor and mounted on roller pursuit. Inner chin hull and turret armor protects from fragments, and somewhat reduces the noise level in habitable volume. The space between the seat backs and sides of the assault case is used for laying of infantrymen spare parts and equipment, which creates additional protection troop compartment. On the sides of the tower “bushes” to 4 reinforced 66-mm smoke grenade launchers, their electrically placed in the workplace gunner. Note that the prototypes were supplied with rocket-propelled grenades in the form of monolithic blocks of replacement.

At BMP installed 8-cylinder four-stroke multi-fuel diesel V-twin engine CV8 TCA “Condor” liquid-cooled, power up to 550 hp It should be noted that the 12-cylinder version of the Condor Perkins Endzhayn “equipped with tanks” Challenger “and tank transporters” Skemmel “, ie the engines tank and infantry combat vehicles included in a meaningful number. In the experimental BMP fuel tanks installed along the sides, and the series “Warrior” stamped polyethylene tank at 772 liters Policom placed under the tower. Partial transparency allows you to visually monitor the tank fuel.

Automatic hydromechanical transmission Х300-4B is designed “Allison Trasmishn (division of General Motors”) and produced “Perkins Endzhayn” on American license. It provides 4 forward and 2 back with a variation of gear ratio due to the hydrostatic transmission, has a drainage capacity of the generator, fans and hydraulic pumps. The neutral position of the hydrostatic transmission provides turn the machine on the spot. Managers and the parking brake, hydraulic. The steering mechanism of double-differential with hydrostatic control. Two-stage cylindrical gear transmission mounted in the side speakers in the front sump. Control of the machine by means of swinging the stick in the form of the beam. To the left of the wheel is the dashboard. The cooling system includes a fan on the left side of the engine and fold-up unit radiators. Exhaust pipe with silencer inserted into the right side and also covered by a grating.

The power plant provides good acceleration BMP – from the place it accelerates to 48 km / h in 13.5 with a forward course and for 24 with the rear.

Chassis for a board consists of six twin rubber road wheels with individual torsion suspension, three support rollers – front and rear single and twin central, front-drive wheel and the idler spitsovannoe. Road wheels have a diameter of 610 mm and stamped from high strength aluminum alloy wheels. The first, second and sixth rollers are equipped with hydraulic blade dampers mounted in the housing with torsion. On the boards buffers strengthened suspension arms. Turn the lever at an angle over 90 ° and the dynamic progress of roller 350 mm give the car the possibility of movement on rough terrain at speeds up to 35 km / h. Melkozvenchataya caterpillar lantern meshing with the rubber hinge equipped with a removable outer rubber cushions for traffic on the highway. Alloy steel tracks have a width of 460 mm and a central crest. Length of bearing surface-3, 82 meters front and rear tracks are covered with stamped metal wings.

The crew and landing BMP provided a good overview. At the top of the driver’s hatch periscope mounted wide-angle observation device, which can be replaced PNV amplifier type. On the march with the open hatch a driver uses folding rear-view mirrors and a removable transparent screen with a “caretaker”. Along the perimeter of the roof of the tower installed 8 prismatic inspection units, giving, combined with combined sight, round view of the commander and gunner. Between the sights mounted on pivots 360 ° retractable periscope device with manual transmission. In the roof of the troop compartment at the two sides mounted retractable rotary prism block, another observation unit is in the rear doors.

In the niche of the tower is installed radio. Conclusions showered its antennas are located in brackets on the sides. For internal communication the crew uses the TPU.

Board network warriors 24 V performed on a single-circuit and protected from the effects of electromagnetic pulse.

ZIP, camouflage kit and equipment of the crew are stacked in baskets on the turret and the hull sides and two feed boxes on the sides of the door.

Set PPO “Chubb Fire Security” double-action includes two containers with fire extinguishing compositions “Helon 1301″ set in front of the case, jets around the perimeter of MTO, sensors. Switches PPO located to the right of the driver, in addition, on the sides of the shell under the fabric flaps are external switches. For a single inclusion of the gas is fed to the ignition for 4 seconds. Inside the car and outside, over the rear door reinforced three hand extinguisher.

In sponson on the left side hull mounted FVU, developed by “Howden Eyrkontrol. It includes a replaceable cartridge filter ensures the supply of purified air through hoses to the places the crew and landing, creating excess pressure inside the machine can be used to maintain the temperature in the habitable volume is controlled from the place of the driver. Luke on the left side of the shell with a forward flip lid allows access to the FVU. The latter, as well as two Electric heaters for food, located in the troop compartment and placed in front of the left seat landing “chemical toilet” (Tank Sanitary device) provides the crew and landing troops stay inside the vehicle within 48 hours.

BMP is able without preparation to overcome a ford deep 1,3 m from the developers refused to buoyancy (Troudzhen “, at least, supplied housing buoyancy and volnootboy-nym shield). Given the fact that the development of BMP priority given to security, and the machine itself was not designed to overcome the water barrier by swimming or rapid transfer of troops by air (in the “rapid reaction force”), limitation of mass warriors to 23,5 t seems strange.

On the basis of infantry fighting vehicles already in the early 80-ies was being developed an extensive family of vehicles, including BRM, self-propelled anti-tank systems, and SAMs, BREM, engineering vehicles, vehicle chassis, the MLRS. Some of these machines was put into service, part of it remained experimental.

Command vehicle warriors had three options – to platoons, companies and battalions – are distinguished additional radio equipment. Installing radio and tablets for the card is ready GKN, but immediately made to the army warehouses before shipping the new machines in part. Externally command vehicle different from the linear additional antennas and double rear doors.

In 1986, GKN has developed two special options – BREM FV513 MRV (R) (Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair) and repair FV512 MCRV. Both were intended primarily to serve BMP warriors. The crew of MRV (R) consists of commander, driver-mechanic and three repairman. On the left side larger corps installed hydraulic crane 6,5 m telescopic boom length up to 4,52 m. The crane is designed to replace the power block “Challenger” or the “Warrior.” aft mounted folding shovel. Main winch cable has a length of 100 m and a pulling force 20 – 38 m, secondary – 200 m and 1,25 tons BREM commander’s turret is equipped with a machine gun L94A1, electro-hydraulic pump-blower for forcing the engine, compressor, FVU, tow chain, a rigid V-shaped coupling. MCRV differs from MRV (R) the lack of winches and shoe, as is intended only for the repair of vehicles on the battlefield.