- Yes
- No
Warrior Defence Reconnaissance Variant (DRV)
Vehicle design history:
The Warrior Defence Reconnaissance Variant (DRV) started life as part of a proposal for the Future Family of Light Armoured Vehicles (FFLAV) competition. As a part of this contest, GKN developed the ‘low profile Warrior’, which would then go on to be known as the Warrior Reconnaissance as the project developed further. This proposed vehicle differed from the Warrior then in service by having its hull shortened and lowered, with the removal of one set of road wheels, as GKN intended to develop a smaller warrior, not dissimilar to the 5-road wheeled APC the Spartan that had seen service with the British armed forces for several decades previously. This reduction in size and payload, whilst retaining the same powerplant as the standard warrior increased the power-to-weight ratio significantly, though it was noted that handling was not brilliant, but its capabilities more than made up for this little caveat.
The vehicle they produced would feature the same Delco turret present on the Desert Warrior, which featured a fully stabilized m-242 25mm Bushmaster cannon, carrying 500 rounds of ammunition. This cannon was complimented by a pair of twin Tow ATGW launchers, along with an additional four TOW missiles stowed in the rear compartment. This design proved promising, and was further refined with the addition of new radar-absorbent appliqué panels and the fitting of a large elevating sensor mast, capable of multispectral surveillance utilizing radar, thermal, day/night sights and a laser rangefinder/target designator. This sensor module increased the standard crew of 3 to 4, as a sensor operator was added to the crew in order to operate and monitor the elevating sensor mast.
Unfortunately the DRV would be another failed Warrior project, though features trialed in this design would continue in specifications for the much after ASCOD and CV90 proposals for the FRES/SV.
Vehicle specification:
Vehicle specification:
Length (mm) 6430mm
Width (mm) 3034 and 3660mm (clad)
Height (mm) 2728
Ground clearance (mm) 505mm
Weight (kg) 27000kg (battle weight)
Max. road speed (km/h) 90kph
Gradient (%) 60
Ground clearance (mm) 30
Trench (mm) 2000mm
Vertical obstacle (mm) 750
Max. road range (km) 600
Engine power output (h.p.) 650hp Perkins v8 condor diesel
Power-to-weight ratio (h.p./t) 24
Fuel capacity (l) 770
Crew: 4 (gunner, commander, driver, Sensor operator) -
Main armament 1 x M-242 25mm Bushmaster cannon (500 rounds)
Secondary armament 2 x TOW ATGW launchers (6 missiles carried)
1 x coaxial 7.62 mm L94A1 chain gun
8 x smoke dischargers
Additional photos:
Sources:
- Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle - Think Defence (Info on the warrior family including the DRV)
- x.com (More photos and info)
- Army Guide (Additional info)
