- Yes, as a tech tree vehicle
- Yes, as a premium vehicle
- Yes, as an event vehicle
- Yes, as a squadron vehicle
- No, I would not like to see the AMV35 in game.
TL;DR
- Wheeled CRV created for Australia based on the popular AMV platform
- Specially modified hull with an additional steering axle
- Powerful 35mm Bushmaster autocannon
- Very good mobility and decent protection
Why it should be in the game: The AMV35 would provide for a very capable wheeled scout vehicle at 9.3/9.7. Lacking missiles, it would rely on its 35mm Bushmaster III, which would be more than enough to go toe-to-toe with light/medium armored vehicles if the other 35mm autocannons in game are anything to go by. Where the vehicle should be placed is a different question. To be clear, I am suggesting this vehicle for Australia, as it was created for them, but as a failed export bid and a combination of a Finnish hull with a Swedish turret, Sweden would be a good home for this vehicle. Regardless, whichever nation(s) are given this vehicle will acquire a powerful asset in battle.
History
This picture shows the one of the AMV35 pilot vehicles undergoing trials/demonstrations in what is presumably either Finland or Sweden. Of note is the (as far as I can tell) unique rear wheel steering axle. Typically the AMV’s steering relies on the front two axles exclusively.
Australia had long operated the ASLAV armored fighting vehicle (unsurprisingly based on the LAV) and were searching for a replacement for the aging platform. Particularly, the ASLAV’s poor protection was an issue for modern operational requirements. As such, the Australian government gave a First Pass Approval of Phase 2 of the Land 400 program in February 2015. The Land 400 program was conceived as a multi-phase procurement effort to replace the ASLAV and M113, and with approval, defense firms could answer Australia’s request for tender. However, it was earlier in September 2014 when BAE Systems and Patria partnered up to announce their intent to submit the popular Patria AMV platform for Land 400, whatever the requirements ended up being. Among other things, Land 400 placed an emphasis on local Australian production capability. Hence, BAE Australia would serve as an inroads for Patria’s offer. BAE Systems Hägglunds and Patria collaborated to create the AMV35, a new variant of the Patria platform, and offered it to the Australian army in September 2015. It mated the popular Patria AMV hull with the CV90 family turret, specifically the CV9035. The E35 turret was known for its advanced fire control and potent 35mm cannon. With both the hull and the turret being off-the-shelf, it likely took very little time for the vehicle to work up at Patria/BAE Hägglunds’s home offices before it was ready to head to Australia for trials.
AMV35 Pilot 1 on trials in Australia. From this angle it’s evident how it was designed for mine protection. Additional armor was proposed, but as the AMV35 was not selected for Land 400, the armor kit was not integrated.
The AMV35 was shortlisted in July 2016 along with the Boxer CRV, beating out an entry from GDLS working with Thales Australia, and two pilot vehicles were delivered to Australia. The two vehicles compared to each other favorably and underwent trials for 12 months for risk mitigation. Each option had their own pros and cons. The Boxer demonstrated mature integration of the Iron Fist APS system and featured an unmanned turret, enhancing survivability compared to the AMV35’s manned turret. However, the AMV35 was lighter with a more powerful cannon. In addition, BAE touted the CV90 for Land 400 Phase 3, whose parts commonality with the AMV35 would have been a boon if both BAE entries were chosen. Both vehicles demonstrated potential for integration of the SPIKE-LR anti-tank missile, advanced digital systems, mine protection, and armor protection packages, as well as touting potential for local industrial involvement. In the end, the Boxer CRV was selected for Land 400. It’s believed the Boxer’s survivability won the day, but regardless, the result is the same. The AMV35 is not known to have been offered to any other customer after the fact, at least not publicly, making it a one-off experiment of BAE and Patria.
The AMV35 (right) faces off against its competitor, the Boxer CRV. Both are in standard Australian camouflage. While it was a strong contender, the Boxer had key advantages which ultimately led to Australia selecting the latter.
Specifications
AMV35
Dimensions:
- Length: 25 ft 3 in (7.7 m)
- Width: 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m)
- Height: ~10 ft 1 in (~3.07 m)
Weight:
- 66,139 lb (30,000 kg) maximum
Propulsion:
- Scania DI 12 engine (480 hp)
- ZF Ecomat 7HP902 automatic transmission (7 forward speeds, 1 reverse speed)
Maximum speed:
- 62 mph (100 km/h)
Armament:
- 1 x 1 35mm Bushmaster III dual-feed autocannon (210 rounds total)
- Left feed: 35 rounds
- Right feed: 35 rounds
- Stowed: 140 rounds
- 1 x 1 7.62 mm coaxial GPMG (MAG 58? Unknown capacity)
Armor: (based on in-game values for CV9035DK and CT-CV 105 HP, respectively)
- Hull:
- Upper front plate: 10 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 74 degrees
- Lower front plate: 10 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 46 degrees
- Sides: 10 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 10 degrees
- Rear: 10 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 8 degrees
- Roof: 10 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor
- Turret:
- Face: 20 mm RHA + 20 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 41 degrees
- Sides: 20 mm RHA + 10 mm high hardness rolled armor @ 8 degrees
- Rear: 20 mm RHA @ 10 degrees
- Roof: 20 mm RHA + 20 mm MEXAS 2
Crew: 3 (Driver, gunner, commander)
- Provision for 6 dismounts
Additional equipment:
- Two-plane gun stabilizer
- Laser rangefinder
- Laser warning system
- Thermal imaging sight (gunner, commander)
- Commander override
- Smoke grenades
- Automatic gun laying (target tracking)
- Airburst fusing (AHEAD)
Gallery
Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3McENzCzFKY
- Ready set go: Australia’s Land 400 programme - Army Technology
- BAE Systems Australia to test its AMV35 mounted combat vehicule for the Australian Army 30902161
- Australia: technology transfer for AMV35 8x8 armored vehicle
- https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/inventions/bae-systems-australia-showcase-amv35-in-5-billion-land-400-defence-contract-bid/news-story/0c294b0690f57e54bdb7306cc1984afe
- First two Armoured Modular Vehicles has arrived in Australia
- Combat vehicles: AMV35 - Candidate for Australia | SPARTANAT