Terrex infantry fighting vehicle
In recent years, the US Marine Corps is engaged in several programs whose purpose is to equip units with new armored vehicles. Armored personnel carriers and amphibious vehicles in the ILC are already outdated and do not meet a number of recent requirements, which is why a new vehicle is needed. A few years ago, the prospective EFV project was closed, and the liberated forces and resources were directed to carrying out the programs MPC (Marine Personal Carrier - “Marine Corps Armored Vehicle”) and ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle - “Amphibious Combat Vehicle”). In the framework of the first of these, comparative tests of several finished machines proposed by a number of defense organizations are underway. So, two Singaporean and one Irish companies offered their joint development to the American Marine Corps - Terrex BMP.
The development of the project Terrex was attended by Singaporean organizations ST Engineering and ST Kinetics, as well as Irish company Timoney Technology. The result of this cooperation was a promising wheeled infantry fighting vehicle that meets a number of modern requirements for this class of equipment. It is noteworthy that the Terrex project, which started in the late nineties, initially pursued the goal of creating a combat vehicle for delivery to third countries. Initially, only Singapore and Irish specialists participated in the project, but later the Turkish company Otokar joined the production of new equipment.
The prototype of the new armored vehicle, designated as Terrex AV81, was first shown to the public in 2001 at the British exhibition DSEi. This prototype was built in accordance with the earlier version of the project. Subsequently, a number of features of the technical appearance of the new infantry fighting vehicle underwent significant changes. Adjustments were made both in the hull structure and in various parts of the machine, for example, in the undercarriage. The prototype AV81 was used in tests conducted by the project developers. In addition, the prototype machines of the first version were demonstrated to potential customers.
In the middle of the two thousandth's, a new version of the project and a prototype of AV82 appeared. The new experienced BMP differed from the previous car by a different undercarriage design, a hydropneumatic suspension instead of a spring one, a different body shape and a number of less significant changes. In this form, a promising infantry fighting vehicle Terrex was tested and interested in the military of several countries. The armed forces of Singapore intend to receive a total of 135 BMP Terrex to replace outdated equipment. The Turkish company Otokar has acquired a license to manufacture new armored vehicles for the needs of the Turkish armed forces. BMP Terrex AV82 adopted by the Turkish army called Yavuz. Indonesia intends to purchase more Terrex 400 machines.
Since 2012, the Terrex infantry fighting vehicle has been participating in the MPC program. The program carries out various tests, the purpose of which is to determine a prospective BMP that most fully meets the requirements of the United States Marine Corps. It should be noted that in order to participate in the MPC program, companies from Singapore and Ireland had to conclude an agreement with the American company SAIC. The latter, being registered in the United States, plays the role of the main contractor under the ILC program.
Since then, the prototype of the Terrex infantry fighting vehicle has passed several tests, during which it showed its capabilities. The last two-week test phase ended in February of this year. The further fate of the MPC project and, as a result, of the cars participating in the competition is being determined. According to reports, the BMP Terrex has a fairly high chance of winning. During all the tests, the Singapore-Irish design has repeatedly demonstrated its high performance and capabilities.
The Terrex project was created with the latest trends in wheeled armored vehicles. In the design of a four-axle combat vehicle, modular systems are widely used to change the characteristics of a specific infantry fighting vehicle in accordance with the wishes of the customer or the tactical situation.
The frontal armor of the vehicle is able to protect the crew and internal units from 12,7-mm armor-piercing bullets, while the sides of the stern and roof provide protection against the rifle-caliber armor-piercing bullets. At the same time, there are units on the body for fastening the modules for additional booking. When installing all available modules, the Terrex’s BMP is protected from 14,5 mm armor-piercing bullets from all angles. The V-shaped hull bottom protects the crew from blowing up mines with a charge of up to 12 kg of TNT. Declared the possibility of continuing the movement after such an explosion.
BMP Terrex has a standard for modern machines in its class layout of internal hull volumes. The engine and part of the transmission units are located in the front of the hull with a shift to the starboard. To the left of the engine compartment is the workplace of the driver. Behind them there is a place for the installation of the combat module, and the middle and aft parts of the corps are given under the troop compartment with seats for 12 people.
The car’s own crew consists of two people - the driver and the commander. It is noted that the size of the troop compartment allows you to place not only the fighters with weapons, but also all the stocks needed for a three-day operation, and in the available volumes there is free space for additional cargo. The driver and commander have their own hatches in the roof of the hull. The landing party should get into the car and leave it through the folding ramp at the stern. An additional door is provided in the ramp.
The Caterpillar C9 diesel engine with 400 hp power is installed in front of the body of the Terrex BMP. The eight-wheeled chassis of the armored vehicle was developed by the Irish company Timoney based on its experience in creating such a vehicle. The wheels have an individual suspension with hydro-pneumatic shock absorbers and a centralized tire inflation system. For movement on water in the stern of the machine there are two jet propulsion units.
Crew Terrex BMP has a complex of electronic equipment that allows you to maintain communication with other units of the unit and command, as well as receive tactical information. The complex of electronics is made according to the modular principle and due to this it can be completed in accordance with the wishes of a specific customer.
The maximum combat weight of the Terrex vehicle with all additional booking modules does not exceed 25 tons. The total length of 7 meters, width 2,7 m and height 2,1 m (excluding the combat module). Thus, infantry fighting vehicles with dismantled modules of additional booking can be transported by Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft or their equivalents. In this case, however, there is a need for the transportation of mounted armor by other vehicles.
On tests, the BMP Terrex showed fairly high performance. Depending on the set of used additional booking modules, the maximum speed of the car on the highway can reach 110 km / h. Cruising range for fuel - 800 kilometers.
On the roof of the Terrex BMP, at the request of the customer, one of the proposed combat modules with remote control can be installed. In the configuration, the Terrex infantry fighting vehicle can carry an 40-mm automatic grenade launcher, a complex of 7,62-mm and large-caliber machine guns or an automatic 25 or 30 caliber cannon. For example, BMPs supplied to the armed forces of Singapore are armed with an 7,62 mm machine gun and an automatic grenade launcher or heavy machine gun. If necessary, a combat vehicle based on the Terrex platform can carry guided anti-tank missiles or even a turret with a caliber of up to 105 mm.
The modular architecture of equipment and weapons allowed the developers of the Terrex project to create several modifications of the new armored vehicle. The Singapore military is already operating BMPs, command and control, sanitary, reconnaissance and other vehicles based on a single chassis.
In case of winning the MPC program, the Terrex infantry combat vehicle will replenish the fleet of vehicles of the US Marine Corps. It is assumed that the winner of the competition for the first few years will be used in parallel with the AAV7 amphibians available in the marines. In the future, it is supposed to completely replace the old equipment with a new one, for the selection of which the MPC and ACV programs are intended.
Currently, companies participating in the MPC program are awaiting a decision by the US Congress and the commission responsible for conducting the tests. If the congressmen do not have any serious requirements for the new program, its results can be announced within the next few months. According to the latest plans, the result of the MPC program should be the purchase of at least 550-570 armored vehicles, which will reach initial operational readiness in 2018 year. The Terrex infantry fighting vehicle, submitted to the competition by SAIC, ST Engineering, ST Kinetics and Timoney Technology, has every chance of winning.
On the materials of the sites:
http://arms-expo.ru/
http://militarytimes.com/
http://one35th.com/
http://janes.com/
http://army-guide.com/
http://army-technology.com/
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