Military Technology 06/2020

swimming performance, the ACV is armoured to withstand machine gun fire (STANAG 4569 Level 4) and also fitted with a ballistic-steel V-shaped blast-resistant hull and energy-absorbing seats, as protection against mines and IEDs. An automatic fire suppression system is also included. Protection and mobility are interlaced, as the ACV hull houses the unique Iveco H-Drive propulsion arrangement, creating more space inside the ve- hicle and greatly reducing vulnerability: in the event of a catastrophic ex- plosion (from a mine or IED, for example), no axle will penetrate the troop compartment – which has in the past been a major source of casualties. Operations can be sustained even with two wheels destroyed, whereas damage to a track would immobilize any tracked vehicle. This specific H-Drive arrangement offers superior mobility in sand, mud and soft soil, mimicking tracked vehicle capabilities in some manoeuvres, such as skid steering. It transports a crew of three and up to 13 dismounts, complete with three days of supplies. The ACV is one of the few – the very few – US acquisition programmes to be running on time and on budget, meeting and exceeding all the original requirements, as demonstrated by the April 2019 decision to merge the ACV 1.1 and ACV 1.2 programmes into a single vehicle family. The growth capabilities of this capable platform are relevant. During the Modern Day Marine 2018 and 2019 exhibitions, BAE Systems proposed additional ACV versions, including: Reconnaissance and Long-Range Anti-Tank, fitted with mast-mounted sensors; BLACK HORNET micro UAS; a Kongsberg PROTECTOR MCT 30 unmanned turret (Reconnaissance); and launchers for JAVELIN and SPIKE-NLOS missiles (Anti-Tank). Ballistic protection is definitely an issue, especially for hybrid/asym- metric conflicts and urban operations. The Israeli Defence Force, one of the most experienced and capable armies to face these challenges, is now procuring the EITAN, the first Israeli 8x8 AFV. Serial production of the EITAN was launched in February 2020. It will complement the NAMER heavy APC/IFV, replacing the fleet of venerable M113s. EITAN costs ap- proximately half as much as the NAMER and is capable of self-deploying using roads. With a mass of 30-35t, however, it is one of the heaviest wheeled APC/IFV in service, requiring an MTU 750hp engine to ensure adequate mobility. EITAN is protected by combined armor modules, with a shaped surface in the front, providing STANAG 4569 Level 5+ in the Many armies are increasing their inventories and broadening the roles of their wheeled armored fighting vehicles – frequently at the expense of tracked armoured solutions. In some cases, the replace- ment is virtually total – as is the case in both France and Belgium. Many things have changed over recent years: the new generation of 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles looks very different from its predecessors. Current vehicles are much taller, far heavier, better protected and more heavily armed than in the past. Analysis of the so-called ‘Iron Triangle’ – tactical mobility, ballistic pro- tection and firepower (or payload capacity), reveals distinct advantages accruing to today’s operators. In terms of tactical mobility, the contem- porary 8x8 APC and IFV has an off-road mobility comparable to main battle tanks, while offering higher road speeds than any tracked vehicle. In terms of strategic mobility, wheeled vehicles can self-deploy rather than relying on heavy equipment transporters (HET) – an increasingly scarce resource. Being more parsimonious as regards fuel consumption, they require smaller logistic trains. Many of these achievements are due to technology improvements: height-adjustable independent suspensions, central tyre inflation systems and lockable differentials enable high off- road performance. New engines provide the power required to ensure high performances, despite the sharp increases in weight. For instance, the ever-present General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) PIRANHA IIIH originally had a mass of 18t and was powered by a 350hp engine: the latest PIRANHA V has grown to 28t, with an engine delivering 550hp. This increase in weight often has consequences for tactical mobility: many modern wheeled vehicles have lost their original river-crossing ca- pability. However, this is not true for all. The US Marine Corps selected an 8x8 solution for its Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme, for which marine mobility was remarkably important. This massive 32t BAE Systems-Iveco vehicle demonstrated an ability to travel at least 3nmi from ship to shore, negotiate waves up to at least 2ft and plunging surf of up to 9ft, travel at 6kts in open waters and be able to keep up with the M-1A1 ABRAMS tank once ashore. Having to stay afloat, the ACV’s huge size is just a consequence of Archimedes’ Principle. Despite its Massimo Annati Wheels of Fortune: Armoured Vehicle Evolution 6 · MT 6/2020 Topic The BAE Systems Amphibious Combat Vehicle, the first USMC 8x8 vehicle, demonstrated appropriate tactical mobility to operate alongside the M1A1 ABRAMS. (Photo: USMC)