AIFV

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A Dutch AIFV (YPR-765) fitted with 12.7 mm cuppola
AIFV Dutch variant
General characteristics
Crew 3+7
Length 5.26 m
Width 2.82 m
Height 2.62 m (to turret roof)
Weight 13.6 metric tons (combat load)
Armour and armament
Armour Aluminium hull with spaced laminate steel applique armor on the front and sides
Main armament 25 mm KBA-B02 cannon
180 rounds ready
144 in reserve
Secondary armament 7.62 mm machine gun
230 rounds ready
1,610 in reserve
Mobility
Power plant Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T coupled to Allison automatic TX-100-1A automatic transmission with three forward gears and one reverse.
267 hp at 2,800 rpm
Suspension Torsion bar in tube
Road speed 61 km/h
Power/weight 19.29 hp/t
Range 490 km

The AIFV (Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is a tracked light armoured vehicle which serves as an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in the armies of several countries. It is a development of the M-113A1 armoured personnel carrier.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1967, funded by the U.S. army, the FMC corporation produced two prototype vehicles designated as XM765, based on their experiences earlier XM701 vehicle, developed for MICV 65. The XM765 was based on the M113, upgraded with an enclosed turret and firing ports, so that the infantry could fight from within the vehicle. FMC continued development as a private venture resulting in the Product improved M113A1.

The PI M113A1 had the driver and engine at the front, with an enclosed weapon station in the centre of the hull and the commander seated at the rear. This arrangement meant that the commander had a very poor forward view. FMC went back to the drawing board and came up with a new design, that had the driver on the front left of the hull, with the commander seated behind him. To the right of the commander was a one man turret. The vehicle would later be designated the AIFV.

The U.S. army evaluated the vehicle, but decided that they wanted a better protected and more mobile vehicle[1], selecting instead the M2 Bradley.

However a number of other governments were interested in the vehicle, which was simpler, lighter, and cheaper than the M2 Bradley. After a series of demonstrations, the Netherlands government placed an order for 880 of the vehicles in 1975, which were designated YPR765 when they entered service. In total the Netherlands ordered 2,079 of which 815 were produced locally under license. The Philippines also received 45 vehicles in 1979, these were intended to take 25 mm cannons, although were later modified to fit 12.7 mm machine guns. In 1979 Belgium placed an order for 514 to be produced locally along with 525 M113A-B (similar to the M113A2).

Turkey selected the AIFV in 1989 after a competition involving the Alvis Vickers Warrior IFV and United Defense LP Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The total value of the contract for 1,698 vehicles was US$1.076 billion. The first 285 hulls were produced in Belgium, the remaining vehicles were produced entirely in Turkey. A little way into the production run, with around 200 vehicles completed the Turkish AIFV specification was updated to include a more powerful power pack developing 300 horsepower, an Allison X-200-4 transmission and hydrostatic steering from the M113A2. During the production run a number of changes were made to the armament of the vehicle including different turret packages, and power packs.

[edit] Description (per Dutch variant)

The hull of the vehicle is made of welded aluminium with spaced steel laminate armour bolted onto the side and front. The voids of the armour are filled with polyurethane foam, which gives the vehicle extra buoyancy when travelling in the water.

The engine sits on the front right of the hull, behind a hatch which can used to remove the complete powerpack. The powerpack is similar to the M113A1, except for a larger radiator capacity and turbocharger. The transmission is also fitted with heavy duty components from the M548 tracked cargo carrier. Immediately to the left of the engine is the driver, above whom is a hatch that opens to the right. The driver has four M27 day periscopes. The drivers center periscope can be replaced by a passive infra-red periscope for night driving. The commander sits immediately behind the driver, and has a cupola which can be completely traversed. The cupola has five periscopes, four of which are M17 day periscopes, the fifth is a variable magnification from 1x to 6x.

The turret is fitted on the right side of the hull behind the engine. The turret has electro-hydraulic traverse and can elevate from -10 to +50° and can traverse and elevate at a speed of 60°/sec. The turret mounts a Oerlikon Contraves 25 mm KBA-B02 cannon with a dual ammunition feed, mounted to the left is a 7.62 mm machine gun. 180 rounds of 25 mm are ready to use, with another 144 rounds stored in the hull. The coxial gun has 230 rounds ready with a further 1,610 stored in the hull.

The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull, a large power operated ramp allows access through the rear of the vehicle, a door is also provided in the ramp. Additionally a single piece hatch covers the top of the troop compartment. The compartment contains seven troops in the Dutch variant with six sitting back to back facing outwards, and a single troop sitting between the command and the turret facing backwards. There are two firing ports in each side of the hull and a single firing port in the rear. The side firing ports are provided with M17 periscopes, the rear one is fitted with a M27 periscope.

[edit] Variants

[edit] Belgian service variants

  • AIFV-B - As per Dutch variant, but fitted with the same suspension as the M113A1-B (similar to the M113A2) and NBC system and Halon fire suppression system. Entered service in September 1985.
    • AIFV-B-C25 with 25 mm KBA-B02 cannon - with smoke grenade launchers fitted on the side of the turret
    • AIFV-B-.50 with 12.7 mm cuppola, 2 Lyran mortars and pintle mount for Milan missile launcher.
    • AIFV-B-CP - A command post vehicle.
    • AIFV-B-TRG - A driver training vehicle.

[edit] Dutch variants

  • YPR 765 PRI - basic IFV vehicle with 25 mm KBA-B02 cannon
    • YPR 765 PRCO-B - command vehicle with a crew of nine.
    • YPR 765 PRCO-C1 - Battalion commanders vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRCO-C2 - Battalion gunnery centre vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRCO-C3 - Mortar fire control vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRCO-C4 - Anti-aircraft command vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRCO-C5 - Observation vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRRDR - Radar vehicle fitted with a UK ZB 298 battlefield radar
    • YPR 765 PRRDR-C - Radar command vehicle
    • YPR 765 PRGWT - Ambulance
    • YPR 765 PRI/I - APC with cupola mounted 12.7 mm M2 machine gun.
    • YPR 765 PRMR - Mortar tractor with cupola mounted 12.7 mm M2 machine gun.
    • YPR 765 PRVR-A and B - Cargo vehicle with cupola mounted 12.7 mm M2 machine gun.
    • YPR 765 PRAT - Fitted with a TOW missile launcher as M901 ITV, entered service in 1982.
    • YPR 806 PRBRG - Armoured recovery vehicle.

[edit] Turkish service variants

  • AAPC (Advanced armoured personnel carrier) - with one man turret with 12.7 mm machine gun and 7.62 mm machine gun and 13 troops carried.
  • AIFV
    • AIFV DAF Special Products turret with a 25 mm Oerlikon Contraves 25 mm cannon and co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun
    • AIFV Giat Dragar turret with 25 mm M811 cannon and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun
  • ATV - Armoured Tow Vehicle. Fitted with a Norwegian one man turret with two BGM-71 TOW missiles in a ready to launch position, and four troops carried.
  • AMV - Armoured Mortar Vehicle. Fitted with a 81 mm mortar and a 7.62 mm machine gun.

[edit] Turkish private variants

  • 120 mm AMV - A private venture, armed with a TDA 120 mm recoiling mortar in the rear of the vehicle. Not in service.
  • AIFV with stabilised M242 25 mm turret - this variant is now being exported to Malaysia.
  • ACV with Hellfire - armed with four Hellfire missiles in the ready to fire position.
  • ACV-300 - Fitted with a 300 hp powerpack as per M113A2
  • ACV-350 - Fitted with a 350 hp powerpack.
  • ACVS - A stretched version of AIFV with an additional road wheel and extra armour giving resistance to 14.5 mm AP projectiles, with an upgraded 350 or 400 hp powerpack. Weight is 18,000 kg. A variety of turrets including 12.7 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm are available as well as an Eryx missile launcher and 120 mm mortar turret.

[edit] UAE variants

  • Armoured recovery vehicle
  • Armoured Engineering vehicle
  • Armoured Artillery FO vehicle

Note: all ACV-350, fitted with air-conditioning and an over-pressure NBC system.

[edit] Malaysian variants

  • ACV armed with 25 mm Sharpshooter turret
  • ACV armed with Thales turret mounting either a 40 mm AGL or 12.7 mm gun with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun
  • Armoured anti-armour vehicle armed with Baktar Shikan missile
  • Armoured mortar vehicle
  • Armoured fitters vehicle
  • Armoured command post vehicle
  • Armoured ambulance
  • Armoured recovery vehicle
  • Armoured signals vehicle

[edit] Operators

[edit] References

  1. ^ GlobalSecurity.org. XM765 Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV). Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  2. ^ Defensie krant. CV-90 voor bereid op de toekomst (Dutch) 10-11. Directie Voorlichting Ministerie van Defensie. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  3. ^ Federal Research Division, United States Library of Congress. Country Studies - Area Handbook Series: Philippines. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  4. ^ Armed Forces of the Philippines. AFP ACQUIRES ARMORED RECOVERY VEHICLE (ARV). Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  • Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/i/f/AIFV_8b7f.html"