With the US Army about to trial turrets for its Stryker ICV, the Marine Corps has an opportunity to "piggy back" on that purchase and upgrade several of our vehicles. Assuming that they go with a RWS and not a manned turret, we could see our ground combat vehicles gain much needed punch. If we're actually going to be stuck with the AAV upgrade, till money is freed up for the MPC, then we should go for more extensive fit. They have to choose a RWS or we lose dismounts but its seems doable. Plus we get to plug into the Army's supply chain. Marine Corps win. Additionally if we decide to retrofit LAV-25A2's with the RWS then we're even looking at a modest upgrade in firepower in our LAV Battalions.
Two words BADD A*S !
ReplyDeleteand it doesn't eat the internal space because it doesn't penetrate the roof. Awesome
totally agree.
DeleteWow, a Stryker with snow chains.
ReplyDeleteI guess there is a reason why I have never seen a snow groomer with wheels.
Another unmanned turret with a 30 mm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxvVaUk0FE8
hmmm not sure what you mean about the Stryker, but you're right the Puma turret system is lower profile
DeleteI have seen and heard the original MOWAGs
Deletehttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOWAG_Piranha_4x4_IB
weight: 6.6 tonnes
speed: 60 mph on streets and 6 mph at water
range: 370 mi
Riding on bike these days I can tell you the MOWAG 4x4 was quiter than a tractor.
Another one: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOWAG_Piranha_6x6_IB
Both were designed for Swiss Army's hit and run tactics within Switzerland. Switzerland means good roads nearly to every hovel and a narrow net of forest roads where standard tractors have no problem. Not more than 3 tonnes per axle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOWAG_Piranha (8x8)
The Stryker is close to 5 tonnes per axle and additional 2 tonnes for the 30 mm no way in winter! Snow chains are laughable at these weights.
You need tracks: http://youtu.be/KNkcHAzAbeY
Fun with tracks: http://youtu.be/D4OTszqbWtQ
not necessarily and i guess its all about the type of warfare you're going to be engaged in. Krulak believed that future wars would be urban affairs, in that scenario wheels makes sense. if you're thinking out in the boonies then i agree. but one thing has me thinking that city fighting is the wave of the future. except for the oil fields of the middle east, everywhere else warfare is a human activity that takes place in population centers.
Deletei like the vehicle you showed but its way too small AND its not effective against mines so its almost an automatic nonstarter for US forces. additionally we could always use the M113 if we want to go super light weight again.
The aim of the Wiesel is quick deployability by Helicopter or aircraft.
Delete“Krulak believed that future wars would be urban affairs, in that scenario wheels makes sense.”
Yes, you may find some gas stations there to refill the tires. You may encounter barricades made up by cars. The Stryker just can climb over 15 inch obstacles. Even the small Wiesel can climb better. Tracks also move heavy obstacle far better than a wheeled vehicle. Wheeled vehicles have a minimum turning radius. A tracked vehicle can pivot. Outside of the US you will encounter cities with narrow streets and hairpin bends.
“i like the vehicle you showed but its way too small AND its not effective against mines so its almost an automatic nonstarter for US forces.” Is an M113, Stryker or Bradley protected against anti tank mines or IEDs? What about RPG? Try to hit a Wiesel with a RPG. Side surface is more than two times less compared to M113 and more than 3 times less compared to Stryker.
“we could always use the M113 if we want to go super light weight again.”
The M113 is more than 4 times as heavy as a Wiesel. The M113 is designed as an APC. The Wiesel is an AWC - Armoured Weapons Carrier. You can fit just one M113 in a C-130H or 3 Wiesel. A CH-53K could carry two Wiesel 2 and zero M113.
Back to 30 mm
Well, we already had a Wiesel with a 30 mm cannon: http://www.panzerbaer.de/types/bw_watr_wiesel_1_bmk_30mm-a.htm
Doesn't look very impressiv compared to Stryker ICV but the RMK 30 is not a toy weapon. With up to 300 rounds per Minute it got about the same muzzle energy like a GAU Avenger.
www.whq-forum.de/cms/246.0.html
I wonder if the Army is looking at the Israeli Samson turret. Under armor reloading, anything from 20-40mm cannon, and the ability to have the vehicle commander to poke his head out of it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.armada.ch/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Rafael_Samson_Mk2_03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.armada.ch/turrets-on-a-leash/&h=680&w=1021&sz=106&tbnid=1fJQvMolLUhjIM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=138&zoom=1&usg=__Qg2q154_lUvgSRLBkeuqhId5PCI=&docid=joJzlf887W_uRM&sa=X&ei=2b5mUor7Lsb72QWIioCYDw&ved=0CC0Q9QEwAQ
http://www.armyrecognition.com/eurosatory_2012_show_daily_news_pictures_video/israeli_company_rafaels_presents_for_the_first_time_its_new_samson_mk2_remote_weapon_turret_1306128.html
Jesus, that puma has enough weapons! Chain gun, a 7.62 coax, plus the RWS 40mm?!?? WOW
ReplyDelete