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Background — Close Combat Vehicle — BAE
Systems CV90 Series |
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The CV90 series originated with Hägglunds (now a part of BAE) as an IFV for Sweden. [1] The original
vehicles were armed with Bofors 40mm main guns. This 40mm L/70 gun, an AFV version of the Bofors AA gun of
WWII, was of little interest to foreign armies so that original CV9040A was re-gunned for greater
export potential. The original Swedish plan was for a mix of CV9040s and CV9025s but this fell
through. The latter was armed with the same 25 mm Bushmaster gun as on CF LAVs.[2] Due to
lack of interest, the CV9025 has since been abandoned.
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Swedish Quality – "... Not for the rich but for the wise"
The CV9040 is an impressive, well-engineered vehicle now proven in service. But potential export customers
rejected the "dated" 40mmL/70 gun. Instead, the faster-firing 30mm was chosen by Norway, Finland, and
Switzerland, while a 35mm gun arms Dutch and Danish CV9035s. The 35/50mm gun can be converted to fire a 50mm
round [3] and a 40mm CTWS telescoped-cased gun has been proposed for FRES Scout Vehicle, the UK's IFV contest. So, the
Swedes might have been right about calibre. DND must choose well here.
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Improving the CV90 Breed with Composite Armour Kits – Ingenting är
omöjligt
IBD Deisenroth and Rafael produce add- on armour kits for the CV90 series (which are now options on
production vehicles. The Norwegian CV9030 NO, for example, features permanent IBD MEXAS ceramic armour [4] but
IBD offered its AMAP-SC panels for CV90s in 2004 and AMAP-M now protects the CV9030S from
mines.[5]
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BAE Systems (Hägglunds)
CV9030 CCV Candidate Specifications
| Crew: |
3 (driver, gunner, vehicle cdr.) plus 8
dismounts |
Armament:
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main gun: 30mm Bushmaster II cannon
(for CV9030
NO, other CV9030s have 30mm/40mm Bushmaster II
Mk 44, Bofors 40mm L/70, etc.),
1 x coaxial 7.62 mm) |
| Size: |
Length 6.55m, width 3.2m, height 2.8 m
(varies) |
| Weight: |
Max weight: 28,000 kg, minimum weight: 24,000 kg |
| Powerplant: |
446 kW Scania DS14 diesel, Perkins X 300-5N
auto |
| Performance: |
Forward: 70km/h, reverse: 43 km/h, range
600 km |
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The CV90 has spawned a family of specialist variants. Although not part of the CCV requirement,
the CV90 family includes an anti-aircraft system, an twin 120mm AMOS mortar carrier, and two different big-gun
"light tanks"[6] – the CV90105 with 105mm Giat gun and the CV90120 with RUAG's high-velocity 120CTG L/50
gun. Together with the usual range of FOV, CP, ARV, and other specialty models, existing CV90 speciality types
would at least provide a basis for any vehicle desired. The question is how much DND values a proven
type.
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[1] In Swedish service, these vehicles are designated Strf 9040 (Stridsfordon 9040). Other Swedish variants
are Stripbv 90 (Stridslednings- pansarbandvagn 90), a CP with a dummy main gun, Epbv 90
(Eldledningspansarbandvagn 90 ) fire control vehicle, Bgbv 90 (Bärgnings- bandvagn 90)
recovery vehicle, and Lvkv 90 (Luftvärnskanonvagn 9040), an air defence vehicle with 40mm, Thales radar,
and fire control.
[2] M242s arm both LAV III and Coyotes. Alternative armament for the CV9025 was the Mauser E
firing the same 25x137 mm ammunition.
[3] Previously, we erroneously reported the Bushmaster III to be a dual-feed gun. In fact, it requires a new
barrel and other reworkings to fire the 50x330mm Supershot round. ATK marketers tried to link the 35mm gun's
barrel length (1.75m) in calibre in artillery parlance, taking advantage of the coincidental 50mm measurement of
both barrel length and the calibre (automatic weapon sense) of the alternative round.
[4] IBD Deisenroth Engineering's MEXAS add-on panels were much like the panels on uparmoured CF Leopard
C2s and deployed LAVs.
[5] AMAP (Advanced Modular Armour Protection) panels are tailored for specific threats. AMAP-SC is specifically
meant for projectiles, AMAP-M defeats mine blast by absorbing much of the explosion energy. As its name suggests,
AMAP consists of replaceable modules.
[6] Since such a vehicle can't really be employed like a main battle tank, the term "light tank" has become
rather meaningless. Instead, the CV90120 and CV90105 should be regarded as IFV-based fire support vehicles.
Then the true value of their potential role can be assessed.
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