Flashback to the 1980's and its the time of the Rapid Deployment Force. Already their is concern that the Marines will be fighting in the Middle East as a foot mobile force.
No matter how rapidly Marine Forces could deploy to the war zone, they would be disadvantaged in a war against even a moderately competent foe that was mechanized.
That was when the experiment with the LAV-25 came around.
They were first designated as Light Armored Vehicle Battalions....then Light Armored Infantry Battalions...then Light Armored Reconnaissance...
The final designation indicates a realization that although the LAV-25 meets the requirements of being light wt, fast, strategically and tactically mobile and has decent firepower, it failed in the desire of the Marine Corps to have a motorized fist.
Light Armored Recon Battalions have reverted to the typical roles of wheeled vehicles...screening, recon and raids of limited duration.
That is why another wheeled vehicle for our Infantry Battalions just won't do. The Marine Personnel Carrier is not (as currently designed) the vehicle that our forces need.
What is?
I contend that the BVS-10 fits the bill. Its helicopter transportable. Its amphibious. It takes less space aboard ship. Its been redesigned to have IED protection. Its proven and its already in limited service with the Marines already.
Armoured All Terrain Vehicle
I cannot begin to tell you how terrible the ride and crew area is within this vehicle. These were in service in Alaska for several years in the Army before the moved to Stryker. Though they are very reliable, somewhat amphibious (never seen it done) and updated to support modern operations I believe there is no place for them. T
ReplyDeletehe way to go is with the new MPC vehicles. There are several new vehicles out there which can meet the needs of the USMC at a relatively low cost. Ivecco SuperAV, The Nexter (though its French), the Piranha 5 and the Patria AMV.
i've looked at every vehicle you named for the MPC and the only wheeled vehicle that even begins to get my blood pumping is the SEP (now Alligator)...
ReplyDeleteThe Piranha 5 is just plain huge. The Nexter appears to be capable but not a real improvement over the LAV-25..the Ivecco Super AV, i don't know.
what i do know about the BVS-10 is that the Royal Marines like it, its proven in all environments and its light. if we go with a wheeled MPC then we're getting heavier, not lighter.
DID has a good article with pics and embedded videos -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/doublejointed-popular-the-bv-family-of-infantry-support-vehicles-updated-02656/
Btw both BV-206 (which the US called SUSV) and BVS-10 are fully amphibious (ship to shore and canal crossing that is), and it really is an ATV and it truly sucks riding in the back - many get sick due to lack of outside reference, the only window looking aft is often blinded.
Wheels are nice, but the Viking (or similar Bronco/Warthog) would be an excellent MPC choice.
Where is the firepower? While this may be fine for a specialist vehicle, something with some more punch to it would be good. Personally, I think a variant of the Patria AMV would make a fine MPC.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think the lack of firepower is a problem. It doesn't seem like it's armored enough either. The last thing we need running around out there is a vehicle that can't shoot or defend itself very well.
ReplyDelete