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An iconic British APC upgunned with a 30mm Remote Control Weapons Station (RCWS) and Spikes
Introduction
The FV432 was/is a key vehicle in the British Army’s FV430 series, originally produced by GKN, with over 3,000 units built by 1971. It primarily served as an armoured personnel carrier (APC) but has been adapted for various roles such as command posts, mortar carriers, ambulances and wombat carrying.
Despite being largely replaced in its original role by more modern and better-protected infantry vehicles, the FV432 has remained in service, largely due to its versatility. However, by the early 2000s, the vehicle’s performance and reliability had begun to decline, prompting a major upgrade program. Having been designed in the 50s and constructed in the 60s, the FV432 was never intended to see service well into the 20th century. But with the UK being involved in numerous deployments across Europe and the Middle East in the 90s and early 2000s, the fleet of APCs and IFVs was being stretched thin, and it became necessary to look to some older vehicles to fill gaps in the inventory.
In 2004/2005, the DLO (Defence Logistic Organisation) announced a contract of £80 million to update 500 vehicles of the existing fleet. This contract aimed to upgrade the engine to a 250hp Cummins diesel, the transmission to a Allison X200-4C, and generally overhaul the electrics, braking, and cooling. To nobodies suprise, BAE Systems won the contract, and pre-production vehicles were complete in 2005 and underwent extensive testing.
In a parallel development to these upgrades (not on top of them), during DSEi 2005 (a military exhibition in London), a significantly upgraded FV432 was displayed, outfitted with a Rafael 30mm Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS), twin Spike launcher, and Rafaels ‘insensitive ERA’. The demonstrator represented a combination of cutting edge weapons stations and protection on a frankly archaic hull. This demonstrator was moderately successful, with the final upgrade of the FV432 ‘Bulldog’ (that remains in service today) featuring a cut-down 12.7mm RCWS and ERA, but the development of the 30mm system on the FV432 was not taken any further.
Specifications
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Chassis - FV432
The above specifications are for the base FV432. The FV432 30 will be significantly heavier (+1500kg for the turret and an unknown amount for the ERA) and have 1 or 2 more crew (operator and maybe loader for the RCWS.
With an already fairly underpowered engine, this means the FV432 30 will be lacklustre in the mobility department, to put it nicely.
RCWS - Samson 30
Images
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Sources
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Samson 30mm RCWS Export Brochure (available here)
JIDR 2005-11 p.19 (available here)
JIDR 2006-02 p.24 (available here)
Ministry of Defence | Defence News | More upgraded Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Army