Quite true, VCBI is a bit of a beast too - perhaps even more so than it would seem the LAV 6 is. One potential thing that the VCBI has over the LAV 6 in both the capability and profile stakes is the existing integration effort vis a vis the CTA 40 concept,; achieved either through the manned turret or through 'TOUTATIS'.RetroSicotte wrote:Bear in mind scale is always extremely difficult to judge with military vehicles from pictures. It astonished me to learn how big the VBCI was, for example, when its sharp lines normally imply it's quite small.
How it looks might not always be exactly true.
Personally, I wouldn't mind ones that are compatible with developments on the Stryker variants of the chassis. Being able to hop on board with such developments would be very useful. Perhaps even those 105mm's now that the Challengers are getting gutted. (Again)
If the UK were to follow the US' lead and endeavour to provide punch to our MIV's then TOUTATIS would be the way to go - minimal profile (it's certainly no bigger than the Kongsberg 30mm that is intended for the US' Strykers and has been demonstrated on the LAV 6), remotely operated CTA 40. Aside from the additional costs involved, there is very little downside to such a system from my POV and its integration has been both proven on, and is intended for, the VCBI. Match made in heaven.
My personal favourites for the MIV tender are either the VCBI (in spite of its considerable size for the reasons mentioned above) or the Piranha V once again.