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Alvis Scorpion 90 - Malaysia’s stabbing Light Tank
Hi and welcome to my 69th suggestion, which is about the Malaysian Scorpion 90, hope you like it.
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Basic Background
Initially, the “armored reconnaissance vehicle” was designed to carry both artillery and anti-tank missiles, but it was not possible to design an air-launched vehicle to that specification. Due to size and weight limitations, an aluminum alloy was used for the hull and a car engine was used for propulsion. Anti-tank capabilities were given to the dedicated vehicle Stryker, but later Scorpion in the role of fire support it was planned to use a 76 mm gun.
In 1967, Alvis received a contract to produce 30 of his CVR(T) prototypes. Scorpion prototype vehicles P1-P17 were delivered on time and within budget. After extensive hot and cold testing in Norway, Australia, Abu Dhabi and Canada, the Scorpion was accepted into the British Army in May 1970 and a contract was awarded for 275 vehicles, which was later increased to 313 vehicles, with the first production samples completed in 1972. Alvis built over 3,000 Scorpion vehicles for the British Army, Royal Air Force regiments, and the export market.
The Irish company IED also proposed equipping the Scorpion fleet with a more powerful Steyr M16 TCA HD engine. The armament was upgraded to a 90 mm cannon, which led to the designation Alvis Scorpion 90. The longer Cockerill Mk.3 M-A1 90mm version was intended primarily for the export market and was used to keep the Alvis production lines running after the British orders had been completed.
The Scorpion 90 Overall
The main armament consists of a Cockerill Mk.3 90mm. The ammunition selection includes HEAT-T, HE-T, HEP-T and smoke grenades; a total of 33 rounds can be carried. In addition, there is a coaxial 7.62mm MAG machine gun, as well as a roof-mounted FN MAG.
The tank is powered by a Perkins 6-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 200 hp at 2,700 rpm. Power is transmitted via a TN15 gearbox with seven forward and seven reverse gears. The maximum speed is 73 km/h.
The aluminum armor is 12.7 mm thick and sloped outwards, giving an average effective thickness of 25 mm. The FV101 provides all-round protection from shrapnel and 7.62 mm bullets, while the heavily sloped front area is resistant to 14.5 mm bullets from 200 m away. However, the initial manufacture of aluminum armor resulted in failure over time due to “stress corrosion cracking” (SCC), which seriously affected all early models.
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
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Sources:
Links
Scorpions To Be Retired - Malaysian Defence
Scorpion 90 | Weaponsystems.net
Alvis FV101 Scorpion Light Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle
Fv 101 Scorpion light tank (1972)
DEFENSE STUDIES: Malaysia to Upgrade Armoured Vehicles
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region