My frankenstien AAV upgrade...

Upgrade rehash...my updated wish list for AAV upgrades.

You listening BAE????

The MTU powerpack for the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle excels with its outstanding power-to-weight ratio and extremely compact design. Together with the 10V 890 engine, the powerpack includes a Renk 6-speed transmission unit, the starter-generator and the air cooling and filtering plant.

1.  MTU Powerpack....I want something compact and powerful.  If you can give me a diesel engine that puts out 1500 horsepower then we're cooking.  I'll accept a little less if I have to but I want max power in a compact  package.  MTU has the track record of providing this kind of powerplant.  Just to show that I have some international flavor I'll even compromise and take the powerplant from the PUMA IFV..yeah its only a little over 1000 horsepower but I'll take it.  No!  I want it in my redone AAV.

Elbit 30mm RWS (foldable trialed on the AAV)

2.  Firepower.  This one is tricky.  It depends....  Do we want our Track Commanders fighting heads down?  Are we going to designate a crewman as gunner so we can have a RWS...if we stick with the MK44 turret will it take up too much room on the AAV?  Will a RWS be too tall?  Are foldable options good enough?  It really doesn't matter what they decide as long as its 30mm or bigger.  I despise the RAFAEL mount but it does have the option to mount anti-tank missiles along with the gun.  Leaning toward the ELBIT option as its already been trialed on the AAV.

CV-90 Armadillo sporting rubber tracks.

 3.  Tracks.  I don't know how this one is gonna go over.  I believe at one time the tracks were used to help with self righting.  We can find another way to accomplish that mission but its time to switch to rubber tracks.  I admittedly don't know as much about them as I should and this one might be subject to getting dumped from the list...for instance can you shorten the track and run with it if you sustain damage with rubber like you can with steel?  Do they last as long?  Are they cost effective?  If they are then its time to get on the rubber bandwagon.  Besides BAE has already done this the CV90 and SEP.

4.  Trophy or some other anti-missile system.  Detractors like to talk about AAVs never being used in an amphibious assault.  Even if they're not RPG's and Anti-Tank missiles dot the landscape.  How about we build in the latest anti-missile defense onto the vehicle instead of questionable add-on armor that won't do the job against the latest threats and add unnecessary weight?  I have no idea of what works and what doesn't but its a thought.

5.  More to come.  The goal is to upgrade the AAV to such an extent that if Congress goes crazy (and they will) and money dries up, that we can have a vehicle that is good enough to serve another 20 years if need be.  Upgraded power, transmission, suspension, firepower, protection and ride should help get us more than halfway there.  I have no faith that the ACV will be developed on schedule and am beginning to wonder about the Marine Personnel Carrier Program.  The budget crunch is coming and their is no sense of urgency when it comes to programs except for the F-35 and MV-22.  This is unsat.  TIme for the groundside to get what it can while it can.