Disclaimer: Credit for this entire suggestion, texts, source finding, etc. goes to @nxdefiant001 – previously, this suggestion was made on old forums but I could not find it anywhere here. This is an edited repost.
Hello all, this is my first post on here and I wanted to make a suggestion for something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a while. To make my start, the Crotale NG is already present in-game as seen with the ItO 90M. The original post was made (2021) to offer France several options which use the VT1 that could potentially be added. However, this was the Finnish version of the vehicle which is present in France and Sweden. This new suggestion is to offer a relative native choice that could be a potential alternative to introduce into the game at a later date.
History
First developed for foreign use, the early Crotale system (initially named Cactus), where it proved to be a notable system and quickly picked up the interest of the French Navy & Air Force. During its time, it would see deployment on ships and temporarily on air bases in foreign territory in Daguet & Desert Storm. The Crotale system became the initial choice for La Fayette-class frigates in the French Navy until they were replaced as of the 2020’s on select ships. The Crotale was operated by multiple nations through its life span.
With the introduction of production for the VT-1 in 1989, the main focus was to create a mobile and semi-mobile platform by integrating the system onto one overall shelter. This new system that was called the Crotale NG, intended for short-range ground-to-air defense. It was eventually ordered by the French government in a sheltered form that could be air transportable but not on a mobile platform – the proposed export mounting seen on the FVS 987 or MOWAG Piranha 10x10 did not see success as a French prototype. Buyers of the Crotale NG include Finland, Greece, Netherlands, Oman and South Korea which which would mount them on their respective chassis/systems.
The Crotale NG was made as a response to combat advancing threats due to new avionics allowing aircraft to perform all weather, any time of day, based attacks from both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Thomson-CSF wanted to fill a gap with their advanced Crotale NG system and further that with adding it to a mobile or semi-mobile platform.
The main difference of this proposal is the chassis the Crotale NG systems are mounted on. The M987 Fighting Vehicle System was a support vehicle made to supply and reinforce the M1 Abrams and M2/M3 Bradley series. The M987 would use common components from M2/M3 series of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to reduce costs and simplify maintenance. Common components include the power train and suspension system. The cabin holds up to 3 occupants, a driver and two passengers. The aluminum armor of it is enough to protect from various small calibers with window shields for additional cover. The vehicle itself was able to be configured for a large variety of functions which include things such as logistics, maintenance, artillery, firefighting, medical, electronic, and more.
The particular model of focus is the FVS 987 Crotale NG, a demontrator with limited testing. This proposal was one introduced by Thomson-CSF to showcase both the system and flexibility to mount it on different platforms. The rear was modified to hold a gunner and electronics needed to control the radar and more. Beyond this, there is little information on how far development went into this version but it was displayed at EuroSatory 1996. More information on the system would be greatly appreciated to expand on this if any is found.
Specifications
Weight: 26.4 t
Crew: 4-5
Length: 7.2 m
Width: 3 m
Height: 2.68 - 3 m?
Armament: 8 x Vought/Thomson-CSF (Thales) VT1 Low Altitude Anti-Air missile
Maximum Speed: 70 km/h
Engine: 500 hp Cummins VTA-903 turbo diesel engine
Sources
- Original Post: Crotale NG - (multiple chassis)
- Army Guide - M987, Tracked armoured personnel carrier
- Janes International Defense Review (1996)
- Anti-aircraft missile system Crotale-NG | Missilery.info
- Crotale NG: Best in class Short-Range Air Defense System - Thales
The in-game representation would offer an improvement over the ItO 90M. The vehicle performance allows faster redeployment and movement on the battlefield. The horsepower upgrade over the ItO would be noticeable as well as the change from a wheel platform to tracks. The main staple is to offer a unique, while supposedly being one of a kind, vehicle produced by France to supplement or replace what is currently occupying the spot. If any information is incorrect or missing, feel free to comment!
- Yes!
- No!
- Yes!
- No!
- Commented an alternative suggestion/choice!