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CASR Background pages will
describe and compare military technology which, although not currently in Canadian Forces service, might arise in
discussions of potential procurement. Cancelled DND projects will also be covered.
Where useful, Background will also
cover existing CF military technology more thoroughly than is generally practical in the other pages of our
site. Entries in
the Background section are, however, still intended for a
general, lay audience.
[For indepth coverage, readers are encouraged to explore our In Detail section.]
Background will also act as a repository for 'archived' pages that
cover any CF equipment which has been recently retired from active service but may still be relevant to the
discussion of future defence procurement and planning.
Navigating the Background section. Recent entries are
listed below in chrono- logical order (see the BG
Archives for earlier chronological listings). In the left- hand column will be found links to
sub-indices of Background topics by subject.
Background — Most Recent Titles
CCV Project Candidate: Nexter VBCI 30
Nexter's VBCI was designed to accompany tanks much like Canada's CCV Project. IFV suggests a medium calibre gun and
Nexter has hedged its bets. The VBCI 30 has a 2- man turret armed with 30mm Bushmaster II. The
Italian turret provides better 'situational awareness' and firepower than VBCI 25.
BMT's Aegir 26 R as new JSS AOR?
Having decided on an ACAN order for JSS AOR candidates, our Government is surprise to find that neither
potential supplier is prepared to bid. The RCN is left with one, mysterious 'domestic' offering. Almost
certainly this is from consultant BMT's Aegir AOR family. But which model?
BAE Hägglunds CV9035 Mk III CCV
The CV9035 Mk III is the CV90 variant used by Denmark and the Netherlands. CV9035 is now the only tracked
vehicle being considered for the CCV Project. Other nation's CV9035s have had local turret assembly.
It is not clear whether BAE Systems, if successful in CCV, will be offering full vehicle
assembly in Canada.
BAE Hägglunds Alligator for
TAPV
One of three BAE Systems vehicles to be submitted for TAPV, the Hägglunds Alligator remains
enigmatic. This 6x6 is derived from Sweden's SEP series of hybrid-electric demonstrator vehicles.
Details on this conventionally-driven Alligator are sketchy but it retains the modularilty of
the SEP hybrid vehicles.
CRR – .308" Canadian Ranger Rifle
The Canadian Ranger Rifle (CRR) is a part of DND's Small Arms Replacement Project II. The goal is to replace
the 65- year old Lee-Enfield No4 MkI* with a new bolt-action rifle for the Canadian Rangers.
Textron Systems candidate for TAPV
Textron's Mobile Survivable Vehicle is a development of the M1117 Guardian ASV. By comparison
MSV for TAPV is higher, better protected, and turretless or, rather, to be equipped with a RWS.
Oshkosh M-ATV candidate for TAPV
Oshkosh Defence unveiled its TAPV candidate in Feb 2011. A Canadianised version of the
US military's M-ATV (or MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle), this TAPV entrant seems well-sized for the Recce component.
But as a seven-seat APC?
Force Protection Timberwolf
TAPV
Team Timberwolf is offering a Cougar tailored to the CF's TAPV requirement. This Timberwolf
retains the Cougar's blast-resistant hull but with a shorter crew cab and independent
suspension. The RWS proposed has two weapons.
BAE Systems RG35 RPU for TAPV
Land Systems OMC, the South African vehicle division of BAE Systems built a 6x6 demonstrator. That concept
has been completely redesigned to tailor it to CF needs. The resulting RG35
RPU is one BAE/GDLS-C entrant for TAPV (the second is the Swedish Alligator.)
Distinguishing the Leopard 2A4M
The Leopard 2A4M CAN, recently deployed to Kandahar, is a reworked ex-Dutch Leopard
2A4 refurbished and upgraded with greater mobility and near Leopard 2A6M
protection levels. Five Leopard 2A4M CAN are deployed.
CCV – the Close Combat Vehicle Project
– Redux
Due to this project's many twists and turns, the Close Combat Vehicle Project must be revisited. This Infantry
Fighting Vehicle project has never had the priority of the larger (but muddled) TAPV Project. As a result, the
CCV has stalled repeatedly and candidates (real or potential ) come and go. This is an overview of the CCV
Project.
CCV Project Candidate: Nexter VBCI 25
Against all expectation, a wheeled IFV was the second official CCV candidate. Nexter submitted its 8x8
VBCI 25 – essentially the French Army's VBCI VCI. While a wheeled submission surprised many, so too did the
aluminum armour and a 1-man turret armed with a gun in the same calibre as LAV III.
CCV Candidate – GDLS-C Piranha 5
Piranha 5 is an wnlarged and heavier armoured evolution of the CF LAV III (which also sprang from
Switzerland's Mowag). Piranha 5 for CCV is armed with a Rheinmetall Lance turret as
per erstwhile competitor, the Artec Boxer
With the winnowing of the CCV Project, several major (or expected candidates) have been withdrawl or not submitted.
The pages listed below have now been eliminated.
'IFV Close': IFV/CCV Marder Update
Refurbished ex-German Marders were initially rejected for CCV. Rheinmetall persisted
with its heavily-uparmoured Marder rebuild as IFV/CCV. In the end Rheinmetall Canada did not submit any
CCV candidate chosing instead to become a partner to erstwhile rival GDLS-Canada.
Artec Boxer (KMW & Rheinmetall)
Boxer is a very large wheeled 8x8. As an IFV, Rheinmetall-Canada offered a Lance MTS turret with 30mm
Mauser cannon. That same two-man turret is now offered on GLDS-C's Piranha 5.
CF Electronic Warfare Training
A review of historical CF aerial EW training and
CATS/ ICATS, DND's attempt at one contractor-supplied
alternative and its success with an interim approach (realized in an aerial EW public/private partnership with Top Aces).
Afghan-standard LAVs – LAV III LORIT
LAV III LORIT ( LAV Operational Require- ments Integration Task ) is to combine and rationalize the many
survivability upgrades made to LAV IIIs in Afghanistan since the 2006 re-deployment to Kandahar
Province.
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