Thursday, September 08, 2016

Infantry Fighting Vehicle weight penalty for amphibious capability.

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!


via Shepard Media.
The Terrex 1 is not only seen by ST Kinetics as a combat IFV but a vehicle to share information with other platforms such as UAVs.
‘When we developed it, [the Terrex 1] was not meant to be just a fighting platform. It was meant to be a mothership for the fighting soldier,’ said Toh.
Toh explained further that one of the capabilities of the IFV was to allow soldiers to talk with other vehicles and share information on the enemy’s location, data that can be transmitted through the battlefield management system.
The Terrex 2 is an amphibious IFV which has the capacity to go 111km/h in water. However, the vehicle can be non-amphibious with the removal of the swimming kit – saving up to 1.5t.
Further to the Terrex 1, a new design for the hull was developed to withstand mine blasts.
‘We designed a new hull...a V-shaped hull, and we added another V below the protected driveline,’ explained Toh.
I don't know if this is common, but if it is then IFV/APC pay a huge price to be amphibious.  Interesting.

NOTE:  For all you guys saying 1.5 tons is no big deal, I tell you you're wrong (in my opinion).  We're not talking about tracked but wheeled vehicles.  We're talking about suspension systems, wheels, etc.  Any weight savings will translate to increased mobility and flotation over broken ground.  It matter for vehicles in general and it might be dinosaur thinking but I believe it counts double for wheeled vehicles.

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