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Subject:
Rafael does it again: first M113s, now FV432s.
doggtag
9/15/2005 9:20:38 AM
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Day 1, pg 2
Rafael shows upgraded FV432
Christopher F Foss
Rafael Armament Development Authority of Israel has extensive experience in the upgrade of a wide range of armoured fighting vehicles. At the show it is exhibiting an upgraded FV432 series armoured personnel carrier (APC). While the BAE Systems Land Systems Warrior infantry fighting vehicle has replaced the FV432 used by the British Army in the troop carrying role, large numbers of FV432 series remain in service for specialised roles such as ambulance, command post, mortar carrier and support vehicle.
It was expected that the out of service date of the FV432 of the British Army would be about 2014, but this has now been extended to beyond 2020, by which time this vehicle will be more than 50 years old.
The British Army is already expected to put an initial batch of up to 500 FV432s through an automotive upgrade and it is understood that a number of survivability enhancements are being considered.
The FV432 being shown by Rafael has been upgraded in two key areas ? armour and firepower. Survivability has been improved by the installation of the latest-generation insensitive reactive armour package on the front and sides. This provides protection against a variety of anti-tank weapons fitted with a high explosive anti-tank warhead, including the widely deployed RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher.
In addition, the new insensitive reactive armour package provides protection against kinetic energy attack, high-speed artillery and roadside bomb fragments.
For improved firepower, the FV432 is provided with the latest-generation Rafael Remote Controlled Weapon Station 30 (RCWS 30) armed with a stabilised US ATK Gun Systems Company 30mm MK 44 cannon. A 7.62mm MG is mounted co-axial, and installed on the left side is a two-round Spike LR missile launcher to engage tanks and other targets at long range.
Development of the RCWS 30 is complete and it has recently been successfully tested in Europe installed on a number of chassis, including a Polish BMP-1 IFV and a Patria Vehicles Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). Later this year, RCWS 30 will be tested in the Czech Republic installed on the Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch Pandur II (8x8) and again on the AMV.
RCWS 30 is the latest in a long line of overhead weapon stations developed by the Rafael Armament Development authority for the home and export markets. These are typically armed with 7.62mm or 12.7mm MG, although versions armed with a 25mm cannon have been produced in large numbers for the export market.
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