Warrior Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

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SKB
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Warrior Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

Post by SKB »

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^ Warrior FV510

Introduction:
The Warrior tracked vehicle family is a series of British armoured vehicles, originally developed to replace the older FV430 series of armoured vehicles. The Warrior started life as the MCV-80 project that was first broached in the 1970s, GKN Sankey/Defence winning the production contract in 1980. GKN Defence was subsequently purchased by BAE Systems (via Alvis plc). A total of 789 FV510 and variants were manufactured for the British Army, and 254 of a modified version (Desert Warrior) were produced for the Kuwaiti Army.

Description
The Warrior incorporates several design features in keeping with UK battlefield experience. In particular, there are no firing ports in the hull, in line with British thinking that the role of the armoured personnel carrier/infantry fighting vehicle (APC/IFV) is to carry troops under protection to the objective and then give firepower support when they have disembarked. The absence of firing ports also allows additional applique armour to be fitted to the sides of the vehicle, which is invariably applied to Warriors involved in active operations. The cage armour used at one stage was replaced in 2007 by "Wrap Two" applique armour. The basic armour provides all-around protection against 14.5 mm armour-piercing ammunition.

The crew of a Warrior are the driver, seated in the front hull, and the gunner and commander, who are seated in the turret. The embarked infantry section can number up to seven soldiers, who are seated facing each other in the rear hull compartment. Passenger access is through a single electric ram powered door at the rear of the hull, rather than a drop-down ramp as in the American M113 APC and M2 Bradley IFV. Warrior Section Vehicles are able to carry and support seven fully equipped soldiers together with supplies and weapons, including a number of anti-tank weapons, for a 48-hour battlefield day in nuclear/biological/chemical conditions.

The Warrior is driven by a Perkins-Rolls-Royce V8 Condor engine through a four-speed automatic gearbox. It is capable of a road speed of 46 miles per hour (74 km/h). The Warrior has the speed and performance to keep up with a Challenger 2 main battle tank over the most difficult terrain.

The vehicle is fitted with a two-man GKN Sankey turret, armed with a non-stabilized L21A1 30 mm RARDEN cannon capable of destroying most modern APCs at a maximum range of 1,500 metres (1,600 yd), and an L94A1 EX-34 7.62 mm Hughes Helicopters coaxial chain gun. It is fitted with two clusters of four defensive grenade launchers (usually used with Visual and Infrared Screening Smoke – VIRSS).

All Warrior Infantry Section Vehicles are now equipped with Bowman radios, which replace the earlier Clansman radios, for enhanced communications, command and control. When first introduced, the vehicles were fitted with passive Image intensifier night vision sights. These have since been progressively replaced with Thales Optronics Battle Group Thermal Imaging (BGTI) sights to upgrade night fighting capabilities, with 8x magnification.[2] As of 2007, 350 vehicles were fitted with BGTI.

Combat history
Operation Granby (Gulf War)
United Nations duties in Bosnia with the UNPROFOR
Operation Telic (2003 invasion of Iraq)
Operation Herrick (Afghanistan with ISAF)

The protection against small arms, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank mines was shown during the UN operations in Bosnia. Two Warriors were destroyed during the First Gulf War, with nine soldiers killed, in a friendly fire incident when hit by an AGM-65 Maverick launched in error by an American A-10 Thunderbolt II.

As of 17 November 2008, 22 soldiers had been killed while travelling in Warrior IFVs in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On 7 March 2012, six British soldiers were killed in an explosion that hit a Warrior IFV in Helmand


Variants
FV510 - Infantry Section Vehicle. This is the principal version operated by the British Army, as described above. 489 were produced (including 105 as platforms for the mobility of ATGW teams, originally equipped with MILAN and later with Javelin).

FV511 - Infantry Command Vehicle. 84 of these were produced.

FV512 - Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle

FV512 - Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle. Operated by REME detachments in Armoured Infantry battalions. It is equipped with a 6.5 tonne crane plus power tools and is able to tow a trailer carrying two Warrior power packs or one Challenger power pack. 105 of these were produced.

FV513 - Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair). Also operated by REME detachments in Armoured Infantry battalions. It is equipped with a 20 tonne winch and 6.5 tonne crane plus power tools and (like the FV512) is able to tow a trailer carrying two Warrior power packs or one Challenger power pack. 39 of these were produced.

FV 514 - Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicle. This is operated by the Royal Artillery as an Artillery Observation Post Vehicle (OPV) and is fitted with mast-mounted Man-packable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR) and Position and Azimuth Determining System (PADS), with Image Intensifying and Infra Red equipment. The only armament is the 7.62 mm machine gun, as the 30 mm Rarden cannon is replaced by a dummy weapon. This allows space for the targeting and surveillance equipment while still keeping largely the same outward appearance of a standard Warrior in order to avoid becoming a priority target. 52 of these were produced.

FV 515 - Battery Command Vehicle. This is operated by the Royal Artillery. 19 of these were produced.

Desert Warrior - This was an export version adapted for operations in hostile desert conditions. It was fitted with the Delco turret as used on the LAV-25 wheeled IFV, mounting a stabilised M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun with coaxial 7.62 mm chain gun and 2 x Hughes TOW ATGM launchers (one mounted on each side). In 1993, Kuwait purchased 254 Desert Warrior vehicles.

Warrior 2000 - This was a new version developed for the Swiss Army. It did not enter production. It featured an all-welded aluminium hull, increased armour, digital fire control system and more powerful engine. It was fitted with the Delco turret, or a Land Systems Hagglunds E30 turret with Alliant Techsystems Bushmaster II Mk 44 30 mm cannon.


Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme
The British Army intends upgrading its Warriors to extend their service life to 2025. The Warrior Capability Sustainment Program (WCSP) will involve upgrading 643 of its Warriors with the Warrior Modular Protection System (WMPS) and Warrior Enhanced Electronic Architecture (WEEA). Within that group, 449 vehicles will also be fitted with a new turret and weapon system under the Warrior Fightability Lethality Improvement Program (WFLIP). The remainder, which will be designated as Armoured Battlefield Support Vehicles (ABSV), will lack turrets and carry out field repair and recovery roles using winch and crane attachments.

Under the WFLI program, the present turret mounting the RARDEN cannon, which lacks stabilisation and is manually loaded with three-round clips, will be replaced by a turret that will mount a stabilised 40 mm weapon developed by the Anglo-French firm CTA International and firing Cased telescoped ammunition. This weapon will also equip the Scout SV reconnaissance vehicle which is being developed.

BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin competed for the WCSP contracts. Lockheed Martin's WFLIP upgrade was based on the existing Warrior turret. BAE Systems designed a new turret. In March 2011, it was announced that Lockheed Martin had effectively won the competition to develop both the WFLIP and FRES turrets. Severe budgetary pressures made it uncertain whether these defence projects were to be delayed or curtailed, but it was announced in October 2011 that the Warrior upgrades would proceed at a cost of one billion pounds, extending the service life of the Warrior to 2040 and beyond. The scheduled in-service date for upgraded Warriors is 2018. SciSys will provide Lockheed Martin UK with platform management software to control systems to improve operational effectiveness. It was reported in January 2015 that a whole new turret would have to be built for the WCSP

Warrior FV510 Specifications

Type: Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1988–present
Designer: GKN Sankey / GKN Defence
Manufacturer: GKN Sankey/BAe Systems
Number built: 1,000+
Weight: 25.4 tonnes
Length: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Width: 3.03 m (9 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Crew: 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 7 troops
Armour: Aluminium and Appliqué
Main armament:
30 mm L21A1 RARDEN cannon (current)
40 mm CTA International CT40 cannon (future upgrade)
Secondary armament:
L94A1 coaxial 7.62 mm chain gun
7.62 mm machine gun
Engine: Perkins V-8 Condor Diesel 550 hp (410 kW)
Power/weight: 23.5 hp/t
Suspension: torsion bar
Operational range: 410 miles (660 km)
Speed: 46 mph (75 km/h) on road, 31 mph (50 km/h) off road

Image
^ Warrior FV512 Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle

Image
^ Warrior FV513 Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair)

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SKB
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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by SKB »



BAE Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP)

Ninetyfifth
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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by Ninetyfifth »

I once got clocked and done for speeding xcountry in my 511 in BATUS. I can tell you we were doing more than 47 MPH! :shock:

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

what is happening to those Warriors that aren't being modernised?

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by 90inFIRST »

Just what I was about to ask is the less then 400 being modernised it? Does anyone know how the rifles got on in france in the 8x8 VBCI and is there any chance of us ordering any?

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

looking at the list of scout vehicles there still isn't a replacement for the 432/81 mm mortar carrier or armoured ambulance

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by RetroSicotte »

marktigger wrote:looking at the list of scout vehicles there still isn't a replacement for the 432/81 mm mortar carrier or armoured ambulance
Armoured Ambulance would be incredibly wasteful to use a 40 ton vehicle on. We're better off waiting for UV to have that on the cheaper.

Mortar Carriers meanwhile, I think we're likely to see some of the non-turreted Warriors become that. Behold!

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

really so recovering casualties isn't a priority?
Medics don't need a dedicated protected vehicle?

Have you ever been on a stretcher in a 432 ambi or tried working on a casualty in one?

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by mr.fred »

It would make sense to make all the vehicles in a unit similar to simplify logistics, maintenance and mobility. So Warrior-based units have Warrior or warrior-based vehicles for all roles, including mortar carriers, ambulances and the like.
AFV-based ambulances are only to get the injured out of the immediate danger to a point where he can be transferred to more capable transport/medical facilities.
I don't think that the SV chassis has an immediate requirement for a mortar vehicle as the predecessor family (CVR(T)) didn't have one. Armoured Infantry units do, in a FV430-based vehicle, so they need a replacement.
The CVR(T) family did have an ambulance (Samaritan) so SV probably needs one too - the PMRS might serve, but the headroom is a little restricted and the floor is high, both of which would be a pain for an ambulance. Anyone know if there is a command variant? Increased headroom and some mechanical handling device might sort it.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by RetroSicotte »

marktigger wrote:really so recovering casualties isn't a priority?
Medics don't need a dedicated protected vehicle?

Have you ever been on a stretcher in a 432 ambi or tried working on a casualty in one?
Please, don't try to put words in my mouth and strawman me by massively exaggerating what I said.

Of course they do. But SV sure as hell isn't the vehicle to do it. Something like a Warrior ABSV or the future UV to replace ones we have makes far more sense. The SV is just shy of what some countries call a tank, and the less instances we can get of 40 ton vehicles being required to do basic "needed in every theatre" tasks such as casualty evac the better. It's not only far too heavy for logistical support to such a persistant task, it's also potentially far too large to even access every area that maybe needs done.

A wheeled vehicle like UV is by far the preferred option for this. Not only does it likely carry more (We still haven't seen an SV variant that can carry more than 4 men + crew, while VTT can carry 11 men + crew), it also moves faster, has a longer range, can access more areas and has more than enough protection based on the current ones being considered for it.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

I'm well aware the prefered option is wheeled due to higher road speeds. But If you are taking troops in needing the protection of Warrior/Scout you need their medic support to have that same protection and the capacity to carry the kit required and provide an enviroment to work in something 432 struggles with.

This is always something that is never thought through at inception its always an after thought.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

mr.fred wrote:It would make sense to make all the vehicles in a unit similar to simplify logistics, maintenance and mobility. So Warrior-based units have Warrior or warrior-based vehicles for all roles, including mortar carriers, ambulances and the like.
AFV-based ambulances are only to get the injured out of the immediate danger to a point where he can be transferred to more capable transport/medical facilities.
I don't think that the SV chassis has an immediate requirement for a mortar vehicle as the predecessor family (CVR(T)) didn't have one. Armoured Infantry units do, in a FV430-based vehicle, so they need a replacement.
The CVR(T) family did have an ambulance (Samaritan) so SV probably needs one too - the PMRS might serve, but the headroom is a little restricted and the floor is high, both of which would be a pain for an ambulance. Anyone know if there is a command variant? Increased headroom and some mechanical handling device might sort it.
the discussions in the 80's were along this line that battle groups were slowed down by the number of 432 variants still in service. there was debate in 00's about buying back samaritans from countries retiring their cvrt fleets. But totalyy agree for logistics it makes sense to have common vehicle chasis.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by RetroSicotte »

Of course, it must be remembered that the whole delay to having one stems from the absolutely mind boggling inability to have just bought Boxer as soon as we could. We even helped pay for its development.

Had we done that back when it originated, we'd have had it by now, FV432 would have been replaced and we wouldn't have had to buy all those Mastiffs, more than likely.

On top of that, we'd have had a protected ambulance already.

So the real crime of not having one is down to that.

FOr the topic, I honestly think the Warrior ABSV is a great slot in for it. There's about to be a ton of spare chassis soon and the Warrior is going to be around a long time to retain commonality. Short of waiting for the UV, this is the best option to get them out there and in a well protected vehicle too thats already set up to carry more men than SV.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

How many mortar carriers are needed?
If you only equip armoured inf and Armoured regts with Ambulance variants how many do you need?

the Armoured Field Ambulances of the AMS would be better being like the Renault wheeled and armoured.

Agree'd about the Boxer the dutch Ambi version looks impressive

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by RetroSicotte »

There were about 110 FV432's with 81mm mortars at last known numbers, so who knows now for Warrior.

The real answer is likely "whatever's left from the upgrades we couldn't afford."

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

if sdsr15 cuts back any more there might be enough warriors to get a new mortar carrier


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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

marktigger wrote:How many mortar carriers are needed?
If you only equip armoured inf and Armoured regts with Ambulance variants how many do you need?

the Armoured Field Ambulances of the AMS would be better being like the Renault wheeled and armoured.

Agree'd about the Boxer the dutch Ambi version looks impressive
Funnily enough, the very first Boxer that got delivered to the Cloggies was for a medical unit. Size (and height) matters...
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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by abc123 »

What happened with excess Warriors? Stored somewhere or?
Fortune favors brave sir, said Carrot cheerfully.
What's her position about heavily armed, well prepared and overmanned armies?
Oh, noone's ever heard of Fortune favoring them, sir.
According to General Tacticus, it's because they favor themselves…

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by mr.fred »

abc123 wrote:What happened with excess Warriors? Stored somewhere or?
Excess to what, old bean?

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by abc123 »

mr.fred wrote:
abc123 wrote:What happened with excess Warriors? Stored somewhere or?
Excess to what, old bean?
Well, if I recall correctly, BA had about 800 such vehicles, but Army 2020 will leave about 650 in service...
Fortune favors brave sir, said Carrot cheerfully.
What's her position about heavily armed, well prepared and overmanned armies?
Oh, noone's ever heard of Fortune favoring them, sir.
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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by shark bait »

Once upon a time the left overs where slated to go to the ABSV program, but them things split off so I'm not sure where they stand now. I would guess recycled to save costs.
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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by marktigger »

could the spike ER systems be moved into some of them? or will they go from M113 to scout

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by Gabriele »

marktigger wrote:could the spike ER systems be moved into some of them? or will they go from M113 to scout
The SPIKE NLOS / Exactor is no longer vehicle mounted in british use. It is mounted on a tiny wheeled trailer, easy to move (including by helicopter) and to conceal.

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Re: Warrior Armoured Vehicle Variants (Army)

Post by shark bait »

marktigger wrote:could the spike ER systems be moved into some of them? or will they go from M113 to scout

Do you mean spike NLOS, the current though is it might be heading onto the warthog platform which has been taken in by the royal artillery
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