Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle

Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle
Type Armoured Car
Place of origin Canada
United States
(design and manufacture)
Service history
In service 2016- [1]
Used by Canada
Wars None
Production history
Manufacturer Textron Marine & Land Systems
Specifications
Weight 14,742 kg (32,501 lb) (curb),
17,237 kg (38,001 lb) (GVM)
Length 6.63 m (22 ft)
Width 2.74 m (9 ft)
Height 3.02 m (10 ft)
Crew 3 (commander, driver and gunner),
4 (passengers)

Armour Composite armour
Main
armament
40 mm HK GMG
Secondary
armament
C6 general purpose machine gun
Engine Cummins QSL 365[2]
365 hp (272 kW)
1,113 lb·ft (1,509 N·m)
Transmission Allison MD3560 automatic (six forward, one reverse)
Suspension 4×4 wheeled, fully independent
Operational
range
644 km (400 mi)
Speed 105 km/h (65 mph)

The Textron TAPV (Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle) is an armoured car currently in use by the Canadian Army.[2] It is based on the M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle, developed for use by the military police of the US Armed Forces.[3]

Development

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program began in 2009, and in 2012 the contract was awarded to Textron Systems, Inc. The first production vehicles are slated to enter service in 2016. An eventual 500 vehicles will be purchased, with the option to order an addition 100.[2] On August 16th 2016, Textron systems delivered the first Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to the Canadian Army.[4]

Engine and suspension

The TAPV is powered by a Cummins QSL diesel engine, which provides 365 horsepower (272 kW), allowing the vehicle a maximum speed of 105 km/h (65 mph), and a maximum range of 644 km (400 miles). The vehicle utilizes an independent suspension axle system originally developed by Irish Timoney, and it has a central tire inflation system to prevent flat tires during combat operations.[2][3]

Armour

Front view of TAPV.

The TAPV relies upon composite armour to provide the maximum protection to the vehicles occupants. The armour is slated as being 20% better than the armour on the M1117. The TAPV also has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection against mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. The vehicle also has a high ground clearance, which increases protection from mine and IED blasts.[3] It can withstand up to 10 kg of explosive force directly under its hull, and can resist even 12.7 mm armour-piercing rounds. Each of the seats in the vehicle are blast protected,[2] and the vehicle has vented wheel wells to disperse the energy of an explosion out from the vehicle.[3]

Armament

The TAPV is slated to have a remote weapons system based on the M151 Protector.[3] The weapon system is called the Dual Remote Weapon System, and can mount both a C6 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun and either a HK GMG 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or a M2HB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The vehicle also possesses numerous smoke grenade launchers located throughout the hull.[2]

Operational history

One Textron TAPV demonstration vehicle was built in 2011.[5] They have yet to see combat.[2] Four pre-production vehicles have been delivered to the Canadian Army and have undergone various trials and training exercises with plans for an additional two to be delivered. First production vehicles were scheduled to be delivered in 2014, however deliveries were set back to begin in 2016 and will be completed in around 2018. The new vehicle will gradually replace the RG-31 Nyala MRAP vehicle and Coyote armoured cars, which are currently in service with the Canadian Army. [6] [7]

Textron Systems Canada Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced August 19, 2016, the delivery of the first Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to the Canadian Army. The Canadian Army is fielding the first vehicles to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and the 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier. [8]

Textron Systems plans to deliver at least 30 vehicles per month to the Canadian Army with all 500 vehicles scheduled to be delivered by December 2017. If any of the 100 options are converted to orders, their delivery is expected by 2020. The fleet will be distributed across seven bases. [9]

Current operators

References

  1. "Army to distribute first TAPVs to Gagetown in August but full capability won't happen until 2020". Ottawa Citizen.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Textron TAPV Armoured Personnel Carrier – Military-Today.com". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "CF Armoured Vehicles – TAPV project – Textron Systems". Canadian American Strategic Review. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  4. http://www.textronsystems.com/newsroom/press-release?ReleaseID=288297b1-4837-4f5a-a1b2-3e3861ecc432
  5. "Textron Systems, Rheinmetall Canada and Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada announce $100 Million Contract on Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle Program". Rheinmetall Canada.
  6. "Textron Canada has delivered the first four TAPV 4x4 armoured vehicles to Canadian Army.". Army Recognition.
  7. "Textron Readies More Mobile TAPV for Canada". Defence News.
  8. Administrator. "Textron Systems to deliver the first TAPV Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle to Canadian army 12008161 | August 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2016-08-23.
  9. http://www.textronsystems.com/newsroom/press-release?ReleaseID=288297b1-4837-4f5a-a1b2-3e3861ecc432

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.