cool vehicles that armies use

The Dardo Hitfist Infantry Fighting Vehicle, in production for the Italian Army, is designed and manufactured by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara based in Rome. The tracked vehicle has a 25mm gun turret, but can also be fitted with a 30 or 60mm gun turret. It is intended to be the basic model of a family of vehicles to include 120mm mortar carrier, command (C3I) vehicle, ambulance and light tank with 105mm gun turret.

The first production order for 200 vehicles for the Italian Army was placed in 1998 and the first was delivered in May 2002. Deliveries are to be completed in 2005. Total requirement was expected to be 500 vehicles, but further acquisition has been postponed under the 2005 Italian Defence budget.

The weight of the Dardo in combat order is 23t and the vehicle carries a crew of nine - driver, commander, gunner and six troops


weight in combat order 23 tons (basic version)
height to top of chassis 1750 mm
height to top of turret 2640 mm
Length 6705 mm
Width 3000 mm
ground clearance 400 mm
Crew 9 (driver, commander, gunner and six troops)
Performance
maximum speed more than 70 km/hour
Gradient more than 60%
fording depth 1.5 metres without preparation
Weapons
main gun 25 mm oerlikon kba automatic stabilised cannon
Ammunition 200 rounds ready to fire
machine guns 2 x 7.62 mm NATO
antitank guided weapon launchers 2 xtow optional
smoke grenade launchers 8x80 mm
rifle ports 5, two on each side plus one in the rear ramp
fire control system
Commander 6 episcopes providing 360 degree, 1 x, direct view optional
panoramic stabilised sights, monitor of gunner's thermal sight
Gunner stabilised sight with laser range finder, thermal sight
Powerpack
diesel engine iveco 6v, (382 kW, 1865 N), Turbo-charged after cooled
automatic transmission 4 forward and 2 reverse gears, incorporating steering system and hydraulic retarder
final drives epicyclic final drives
running gear and suspension six dual rubber lined road wheels,and three return rollers on each side
Tracks connector type tracks
Suspension torsion bar, bumper and hydraulic shock absorber on each suspension arm
Brakes disc type brakes, on each of the final drives, integrated by the transmission retarder
Steering one stepless range of radii per gear plus pivot
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Wow that is so awesome! I never knew that Oto Melara made vehicles, gonna have to check out their website!

Saracen was pretty cool, I don't know if anyone uses them anymore, though.

Can someone find and post a picture of 22ASAS' six-wheel Land Rover Perenties, they are seriously cool.

Personally, I can't go passed the NSU Kettenrad. I realise no army uses it now, but come on, a half-track motorcycle, how cool is that?

My personal favorites are the dune buggies the spec ops guys use with the US Army. Wickedly fast, carry usually a SAW in the passenger position and either a Ma Duece or a MK-19 up in the top gunner position. Absolutely no protection, but speed, but man they look like fun.

The Australian designed and built Bushranger is a new generation in Amored Personnel carying. A good personnel carier for small countries such as Australia, good fuel economy, and carys a very good pay load and is very duable from testing in the Australian Outback.

And best of all it's got aircon!!!!!!

Here ares some pics of the fast attack vehicle,









Sorry I couldn't find more.

GIAT demonstrated the latest VBCI prototype at Eurosatory 2004. The 8x8 VBCI infantry combat vehicle developed by GIAT will replace the AMX-10P in French Army service and will operate as part of the medium weight force with other wheeled vehicles, such as the VBL and AMX-10RC. The VBCI will equip heavy forces, accompanying the Leclerc tanks. Orders for 65 vehicles, including 54 VCI infantry fighting vehicles and 11 VPC command vehicles are scheduled for delivery by 2008-9. Two versions of the vehicle are currently under production – the VCI Infantry Fighting vehicle, equipped with a manned turret The VCI is equipped with a GIAT 25mm M811 dual feed cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
source

Hmm looks like an interesting design, I think it will be a good export vehicle which is suprising because its made by the French, lol.

[edit on 23-9-2005 by blue cell]

[edit on 23-9-2005 by blue cell]

Here are some pics

I don't know what this thing is called and was hoping someone would. The drive system that looks like 2 giant drills is pretty cool IMO which is why I posted it.

legion.wplus.net...

If for some reason you can't watch the video of it in action here is a pic of it.



Do you think this thing drive over rocky terrain or a paved road?

Neither, its for snow. Or slushy mud...


edit: Oh, look. The video is working after all. And it's on snow! If you get the two "corkscrews" going in the same direction it will work on a paved road, seriously uncomfortable though, I would think, but I can't see this working on rocky ground...You'd destroy the "screws".

[edit on 28-9-2005 by HowlrunnerIV]

General Info


FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS, based in Ankara, Turkey, has completed the development of a new tracked armoured combat vehicle, Armoured Combat Vehicle - Stretched (ACV-S), under a private venture funding program. ACV-S was previously called ACV New Generation (ACV-NG). FNSS is jointly owned by United Defense of the USA (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments) and the Nurol Group of Turkey.

ACV-S is a stretched version of the FNSS ACV which is in service with the Turkish Land Forces, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia and has been ordered by Jordan. The ACV has been deployed in Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo with Turkish Land Forces in support of UN peacekeeping operations. Over 2,500 ACV vehicles have been ordered.

ACV-S features an extra roadwheel per side, which provides a longer and wider hull that allows the mounting of a two-man turret and also provides increased armour protection, mobility and payload capability.

The first two prototype vehicles were completed in 1998 and 2000. The vehicle is suitable for fast deployment by rapid reaction forces, requires no special permit for road transportation and is air transportable on a C-130 Hercules, C-141, C-17 and C-5 transport aircraft. The vehicle also provides amphibious operation, a high horsepower to weight ratio, high road speed and with the overall mobility to match modern main battle tanks.

The design of the vehicle is a derivative of the ACV-300 vehicle which itself was derived from one of the world's most widely deployed combat vehicles, the USA M113. The ACV-S has high commonality of components with the ACV-300 and the M113, which gives the advantage of reduced logistic requirements in spares inventories, training, reliability and maintainability.



Protection
The armour gives protection against 14.5mm armour piercing rounds. Optional add on armour kits and internal spall liners provide protection against 30mm ballistic rounds and rocket propelled grenades such the RPG-7 armed with high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds.

For protection against mines the vehicle is fitted with a floor spall liner and 18mm armour plate in the floor. The vehicle is fitted with collapsible shock absorbing seats. The sponsons have additional armour which provides increased protection to the driver.


Weapons
There are several roof hatch and turret options available which conform to the vehicle's maximum combat weight of 20t. The options include: one man and two men turrets with 25mm and 30mm cannon, a Stinger Air Defence Turret, TOW missile launcher turret, Ground Launched Hellfire turret, 90mm direct fire weapon, and a 150mm breech and muzzle loading mortar.

The ACV-S vehicle can be fitted with a one-man Sharpshooter turret developed by FNSS and United Defense. This is a variant of the two-person Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle turret designed by United Defense. The turret is fitted with an ATK Gun Company 25mm M242 cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. A prototype vehicle has also been built with a Thales AFV Systems SWARM turret, with an ATK Gun Systems Company 12.7mm gun.

The ACV-S Eryx Squad Vehicle carries a fully equipped squad of soldiers and is armed with the Eryx anti-armour-missile system.

The ACV-S has also been fitted with the turret of a BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle, produced by Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) of Tula, Russia. The system is called ACV-SW. The BMP-3 turret is armed with a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic rifled gun/missile launcher, which can fire either HE-FRAG (High Explosive-Fragmentation) rounds or the 9M117 laser beamriding anti-tank missile.

source




Could not find any pics to post, sorry just visit the link.


Looks like a pretty succesfull vehicle, good armarment, okay protection. Basically a troop carrier vehicle, with a punch.

The Spider LSV is differentiated from its predecessor by its six-seater capacity which gives potential users greater flexibility to deploy the vehicle for a wider range of operations. The new and improved design also offers a collapsible roll cage frame that readily allows two vehicles to be stacked for rapid air deployment, enhancing the efficiency of air transportability by allowing more LSVs to be transported in a single go. With this feature, it is now possible to accommodate six Spiders comfortably in a C130 aircraft.

Mobile
With a new 130-hp engine, ST Kinetics' Spider moves faster and performs better in a variety of terrain conditions. It is designed for unmatched performance in off-road conditions such as mountainous, cross-country or desert terrain. The Spider LSV has a four-wheel drive design with improved, independent suspensions for better shock absorption and crew comfort. It scales inclines of up to 60%, traverse side slopes of up to 50% and manoeuvre through dense vegetation with ease. Its low centre of gravity and top speed of 120 km/h makes it ideal in providing close fire support for infantry troops and special operations forces. As an added advantage, the Spider's environmentally friendly engine is certified up to Euro III emission standard.

Deployable
ST Kinetics' Spider has a light weight space frame that greatly improves its air portability. Its patented space frame allows for the vehicle to be internally carried by transport aircraft, while its versatile layout allows for a crew configuration that can accommodate up to 6 men. Its centre-drive design translates into more efficient utilisation of space and manpower on board, compared to conventional left or right hand drive models. Coupled with commonality in its "family of vehicles" concept, the Spider is an ideal basic building block for an air mechanized force of the future.

source


Reminds me a little of that vehicle the US is working on I think its JP8? Intresting design, and nice seating capacity, I think its even better than the fast attack vehicle.

[edit on 28-10-2005 by blue cell]

Originally posted by Perverbial Eye In The Sky
The Australian designed and built Bushranger is a new generation in Amored Personnel carying. A good personnel carier for small countries such as Australia, good fuel economy, and carys a very good pay load and is very duable from testing in the Australian Outback.

And best of all it's got aircon!!!!!!

and iced water!!!!!!!!!!!
www.adi-limited.com...

[edit on 28-10-2005 by Jezza]

Originally posted by Jezza

Originally posted by Perverbial Eye In The Sky
The Australian designed and built Bushranger is a new generation in Amored Personnel carying. A good personnel carier for small countries such as Australia, good fuel economy, and carys a very good pay load and is very duable from testing in the Australian Outback.

And best of all it's got aircon!!!!!!

and iced water!!!!!!!!!!!

we need to get some of those for the troops no doubt about dat. while our own defense industries are coming up with a new vehicle to replace the Hummer, we can buy a couple of already made vehicles like the Bushranger dat would provide better protection and make our soldiers more comfortable.

Here's an article that i found a while back...

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

Oshkosh Truck markets ADI Bushmaster

SHAUN CONNORS JDW Editor, Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics
London

* The marketing agreement for the Bushmaster primarily covers North America and countries covered by Foreign Military Sales

* Oshkosh has also produced prototypes for a new tactical truck range

Oshkosh Truck of the US recently disclosed to JDW that the company is marketing the ADI Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicle.

In a separate announcement the company also disclosed that it has produced a number of prototypes of a new tactical truck range: the Medium Tactical Truck (MTT).

The Bushmaster was purpose-designed for mine- and blast- resistance and throughout its design process considerable attention was paid to high levels of troop safety and operational comfort in hot/tropical climates. These and other factors, including the well-thought out ergonomics of the base vehicle design, contribute to the suitability of the Bushmaster for a considerable number of the protected troop transport/convoy escort-type requirements being generated by the situation in Iraq.

The Bushmaster is in volume production for the Australian Army and has been deployed operationally to East Timor and Iraq, with Oshkosh Truck offering logistic support for those Bushmasters deployed to Iraq.

The marketing agreement between Oshkosh Truck and ADI for the Bushmaster primarily covers North America and those countries covered by Foreign Military Sales. Volume dependant, Bushmaster could be manufactured by Oshkosh in the US and - to reduce procurement costs, increase local content and provide greater fleet commonality - could utilise Oshkosh-produced components such as the TAK-4 independent suspension and/or locally sourced driveline components such as an Allison automatic transmission.

Offering a variant of ADI's High Mobility Engineering Vehicle (HMEV), Oshkosh teamed with ADI to bid for the US Army's estimated, 500-vehicle High Mobility Engineering Excavator (HMEE) requirement, a contract award for which is anticipated by the end of 2005. In conjunction with ADI, Oshkosh is one of nine contractors shortlisted for Project Overlander (Land 121), Australia's light vehicle, truck and trailer replacement programme.

Following discussions with a number of established customers Oshkosh Truck commenced development earlier in 2005 of the MTT range. Designed for tactical roles, the range covers 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 chassis and combines components of Oshkosh's heavy-duty construction trucks (cab and suspension being examples) and purpose-designed severe-duty military trucks (chassis, body and cooling package being examples) such as the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT), with readily available commercial driveline components supplied by the likes of Allison, Caterpillar, Cummins and Eaton. The result, according to the company, is a truck with levels of mobility, performance and durability close to those of a purpose-designed military truck but at a price closer to that of a militarised commercial truck.

Established Oshkosh truck users in a number of countries are evaluating the prototype MTTs.

Oshkosh Truck is producing the MTVR for the US marines and navy. Around 6,000 examples have been manufactured to date and under current contracts production will continue will continue until Fiscal Year 2010. Under the US Army's Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles contract awarded in 2001, Oshkosh is delivering new-build M977 series HEMTTs and M1075 PLS (Palletised Load System) trucks and M1076 PLS trailers, is remanufacturing service-worn HEMTTs and is refurbishing service-worn PLS trucks and trailers and M1070 HETs.

The FHTV contract is worth in excess of USD1 billion and if all options are exercised calls for approximately 5,398 new trucks, 1,100 new trailers and the continued remanufacture/refurbishment of trucks and trailers under an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

Additionally, Oshkosh Truck is one of two bidders (the other being American Truck Company) competing to replace the US marines' Oshkosh-supplied MK-48 Logistic Vehicle System. Each company supplied three prototype vehicles earlier in 2005; a contract award is due mid-2006.
JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - SEPTEMBER 14, 2005

You may get them or a version of.

Basic Info

The ASCOD (Austrian-Spanish Co-operative Development) family of fighting vehicles is marketed by ASCOD A.I.E. with headquarters based in Madrid, Spain. ASCOD is a jointly owned company set up by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG of Vienna, Austria and General Dynamics, Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDSBS) of Madrid, Spain. In November 2003, General Dynamics took over Steyr-Daimler-Puch; both companies now form General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (ELCS), along with MOWAG of Switzerland.

As well as the infantry fighting vehicle, the ASCOD family includes: LT 105 light tank, anti-aircraft missile carrier, anti-aircraft gun system, anti-tank guided missile carrier, mortar carrier, repair and recovery vehicle, logistics carrier, command and communication carrier, artillery observation post and ambulance.

Turret control is electro-mechanical and the turret is fitted with a turret drive stabilization system from Curtiss-Wright Controls of Gastonia, North Carolina. The weapon system is stabilised in two axes, which allows the vehicle to engage targets stationary or on the move. Elevation is from -10 to +50° with a 360° traverse.

The vehicle's main armament is a 30mm dual feed, gas-operated Mauser MK 30-2 automatic cannon with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 30mm gun has a rate of fire of 800 rounds/minute and can fire a range of ammunition including APFSDS rounds. The vehicle carries 200 rounds of 30mm and 700 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition ready to fire, and a store of up to 205 rounds of 30mm and up to 2,200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

SELF-PROTECTION

The hull and turret are constructed from all-welded steel armour, which provides protection against 14.5mm armour piercing incendiary rounds over the forward 60° arc and all round protection against 7.62mm weapon attack. Additional ballistic protection is available against up to 30mm APFDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot) rounds fired from a 1,000m range over the forward 60° arc, and all round protection against 14.5mm armour piercing incendiary (API) rounds from a range of 500m.

Two sets of three smoke grenade launchers are installed on each side of the turret. ASCOD fighting vehicles can be fitted with laser warning system and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) detection system


combat weight 25,200 kg (basic protection level)
Crew 11 (3+8)
maximum road speed 70 km/hour
average cruising speed 50 km/hour on roads
maximum reverse speed 35 km/hour
acceleration 0 to 50 km/h approximately 14 seconds
cruising range 500 km on roads
ratio power/combat weight 175 kW/tonne
Spec. ground pressure 62 kPa
mean maximum pressure 150 kPa
smallest turning diameter 7,900 mm
steering ratio 1.67
Dimensions
overall height 2653 mm
height to hull roof 1775 mm
height main gun 2091 mm
overall width 3150 mm
overall length 6836 mm
length of track on ground 3990 mm
turret and weapons
main armament mauser mk 30 30 mm x 173 automatic cannon with dual feeder
coaxial machine gun 7.62 mm
smoke discharger system 76 mm, 4 x 3
ready to fire ammunition 30 mm 200 rounds
ready to fire ammunition 7.62 mm 700 rounds
smoke grenades ready to fire 12 grenades
stowed ammunition 30 mm up to 205 rounds
stowed ammunition 7.62 mm up to 2200 rounds
smoke grenades stowed up to 24 grenades
Gunner's day night range sight (DNRS) Magnifications
day sight x 8
thermal imager x 2.8, x 8.4
observation device x 1
field of view (FOV) day sight 8 deg
narrow fov thermal imager 1. 1 x 2.2 deg
wide fov thermal imager 3.4 x 6.8 deg
observation device 23 x 36 deg
type of reticle computerized
Commander's sighting equipment
periscope day sight with integrated episcope
magnification of day sight x 8
magnification of integrated episcope x 1
field of view (FOV) day sight 9 degrees circular
field of view (FOV) integrated episcope 10 x 26 degrees
fire control system (FCS)
Type digital FCS
processed ammunition types 6(5 for 30mm ammunition, 1 for 7.62mm ammunition)
turret vision and observation system
Commander 6 episcopes
Gunner 2 episcopes
turret and weapon control system
control system electromechanical with manual back up
Stabilization 2 axis
elevation range -10 to +50 degrees
traverse range 360 deg
maximum vertical velocity 0.7 radians per second
minimum vertical velocity 0.3 mradians per second
maximum traverse velocity 0.8 radians per second
minimum traverse velocity 0.3 mradians per second
power pack
pizarro engine diesel engine mtu SV-183 TE22 8-V90, 441 kw (600 HP) at 2,300 rpm
ulan engine mtu 8v 1999, 530 kw at 2,300 rpm
Transmission renk hswl 106c hydro-mechanical transmission with integrated reversing and steering gear, automatic 6-gear transmission with lock up clutch, hydrostatic superimposition steering gear and integrated brake system
Suspension torsion bar and trailing arm for each road wheel, rotary dampers for 1st and 6th road wheel
track type end connector type with rubberbushed track pins and 2 replaceable rubber paddings for each track shoe
track width 500 mm
track pitch 152.4 mm
electrical system
Voltage 24 v DC
Generator 3 phase, 28 V, 180 A
Batteries 6/24 V, 300 Ah

combat weight 28,500 kg
lt 105 light TANK
Crew 4 (3+1)
maximum road speed 70 km/hour
maximum reverse speed 33 km/hour
acceleration 0 to 50 km/h 16 seconds
cruising range 500 km on roads
ratio power/combat weight 15.48 kW/tonne
Spec. ground pressure 65.7 kPa
mean maximum pressure 158.7 kPa
time for pivoting through 360 deg 11 seconds
angle of approach 65 deg
departure angle 60 deg
Dimensions
overall height 3030 mm
height to chassis roof 1775 mm
height to turret top 2760 mm
overall width 3150 mm
overall length including main gun 7630 mm
overall length vehicle 6161 mm
length of track on ground 3990 mm
turret and weapons
main armament 105 mm x 617 semi-automatic low recoil tank gun
coaxial machine gun 7.62 mm
smoke discharger system 81 mm, 2 x 4
ready to fire ammunition, 105 mm 16 rounds
ready to fire ammunition, 7.62 mm 2,800 rounds
smoke grenades, ready to fire 8 grenades
stowed ammunition, 105 mm 24 rounds
stowed ammunition, 7.62 mm 1,800 rounds
smoke grenades, stowed 8 grenades
Gunner's Sight
magnification day sight x 8
magnification observation device x 1
field of view (FOV) day sight 8 x 5.4 degrees
narrow fov thermal imager 3.3 x 2.3 degrees
wide fov thermal imager 8.3 x 5.7 degrees
observation device FOV 40 x 32 degrees
type of reticle electronically synchronised, automatic offset implementation
Commander's sighting equipment
magnification of day sight x 10 narrow field of view, x 3 wide field of view
narrow field of view (NFOV) 5 degrees
wide field of view (WFOV) 16 degrees
night vision monitor of gunner's night vision
turret and weapon control system
control system electromechanical with manual back up
Stabilization 2 axis
elevation range -8 to +17 degrees
traverse range n x 360 deg
maximum vertical velocity 300 mradians per second
minimum vertical velocity 0.25 mradians per second
maximum traverse velocity 550 radians per second
minimum traverse velocity 0.25 mradians per second
power pack
diesel engine mtu SV-183 TE22 8-V90
power rating 441 kw (600 HP) at 2,300 rpm
Transmission renk hswl 106c hydro-mechanical transmission

source



With the number of variants produced it reminds me of the Stryker, but it looks like the Bradly Fighting Vehicle in design. Intresting also to note Australia and Spain's defense cooperation. I never knew they had a defense relationship. Something to research.

Was this what you were looking for HowlrunnerIV


AUSSIE SAS LRPV

Iranian versian of hummer for army.

Thanks Jezza, perfect. Love that six-wheel "quad"bike in the foreground!

I dunno, NR, looks more like a Jeep A2 to me, than a Humvee.

You've got to remember that a Humvee is BIG. It's the exact opposite of the Jeeps, which were small. Humvees are way bigger than most other light-duty military vehicles, such as the Landrover. And they're about as poorly armoured, too, from reports coming from Iraq. So where did all that weight go, then? Is the question I ask. What was the point of making it that big if armour wasn't going to be standard?

My faveroute....the good old british land rover defenders...

www.army.mod.uk...

Typically the vehicle will carry one 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun and a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun

Now thats ^ the kinda firepower you want out of a land rover...

All hail the LRDG and their belief in firepower!

I kinda liked the Aussie Perentie I saw a picture of which had a single FN MAG in front of the driver as well as a twin-mount for the passenger AND a .50cal up on the roll-cage.

Don't the British army do a quadbike with a pole mount for a HMG or launcher?