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Background
— Special Operations Vehicles — SOIQ Summary |
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Special Operations Vehicles – Special Reconnaissance (SR) and Quick Reaction (QR)
Vehicles
DND has released a Notice of Proposed Procurement
for Special Operations Vehicles. There’s almost
no details in the NPP but the SOIQ (Solicitation of Interest and Quali- fications reveals that two distinct
vehicle types – one SR (Special Reconnaissance) and one QR (Quick Reaction). Both vehicle types are
open-topped – in contrast to the in-service G-wagon C&R. Both are also to have a degree of side/belly armour protection unlike the
Humvees used by JTF2. The SOIQ gives a rough sketch of what DND is hunting for. The SR emphasizes “situational
awareness” and firepower. The QR (possibly a totally different ‘platform’) is similar but may be
slightly larger.
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Unlike most existing Special Forces vehicles (left), these SOVs would have NATO Level 1a/b protection against
mine blast and ballistic protection at Level 1 (for the 80 SRs) and Level 2 (for the 20 QRs).
A belly plate would protect from mines, removable panels would provide the sides with ballistic protection (and,
hopefully from some side blast from IEDs). This concept sounds very like the VAP from Panhard (right) but this vehicle
was designed for export only and the SOIQ places graded value on a vehicle being both military
off-the-shelf and already in service with NATO or the Australian military.
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Special Operations Vehicles SOIQ
(Number W6399-09AA24/A) – Requirements Summary
| Crew: |
SR: 4 ( Crew Commander, Driver, Gunner,
Mission Specialist ); QR: 4-to-5 [2] |
Powerplant:
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Multi-fuel engine ( STANAG 4362,
NATO Single Fuel Concept – able to use
contaminated, found-in-the-field, sub-standard fuels;
automatic transmission |
| Operations: |
Extreme terrain, 2700 m+ above sea level,
temperatures from -40°C to +50°C |
| Range: |
Operational range, QR: over 350 km (217
miles), SR: over 400 km (248 miles) |
| Performance: |
Few specifications, speed/acceleration
high as possible, unprepared fording |
| Weights: |
Combined: 6820 kg (GVWR may be
higher), max. ground pressure: 280 kPa |
| Payload: |
Volume: 2.0 cubic metre, QR: 1000 kg
(2200 lbs) or more,
SR: 2000 kg or more |
| Crew: |
Driver, crew commander, gunner, mission specialist
(QR: 2 mission specialists) |
| Protection: |
Ballistic: NATO Level 1, landmine: SR NATO Level
1a/1b, QR: Level
2a/2b [3] |
| Transportable: |
Inside of CC-130 Hercules, slung
from CH-147 Chinook or CH-148 Cyclone |
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There will be four mission variants based on both SR and QR or on a combina- tion of these two SOV
platforms (the exact breakdown has yet to be decided). The variants are: the troop carrier/weapons platform,
the cargo carrier (with an optional tow package and trailer), an ambulance, and a simpler litter carrier for
stretcher cases. The vehicles will be expected to operate in austere conditions for extended periods without
outside support – hence the requirement to run on scrounged, potentially contaminated fuel. Both
driver and crew commander will be able to control arrays of 76mm grenade launchers (for smoke and frag.).
Probable CF SOV candidates are the Supacat
Jackal and Rheinmetall
Wolf.
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[1] The SOIQ places great importance on commonality with current CF equipment including this weapons station. This
seems rather odd. The only remotely similar in-service stations are the G-wagon C&R ring-mounts which had trouble
mounting M2s. Hardly ideal for AGLs.
[2] The ideal SOV crew size has been revised downwards since the SOIQ was first issued. Initially, SR crew sizes
above 5 were to be rated.
[3] DND requirements refer to NATO STANAG 4569 protection levels. Level 1 ballistic protection means proof
against the kinetic energy of 7.62 x 51mm NATO rifle rounds at a velocity of 833 m/s from 30m away.
Level 1 landmine protection means proof against blast effects of anti-personnel mines (10-to-250g explosive).
Level 2 landmine protection means proof against blast effects of anti-tank mines ( 6 kg of explosive).
Level 1a/Level 2a refers to mines exploding beneath a wheel, Level 1b/Level 2b refers to mines exploding
beneath the vehicle.
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The specified armament is a 7.62mm C6 general purpose machinegun on a swing-arm mount beside the driver
and on the main turret-ring mount, a heavier weapon – either the 12.7mm M2HB machinegun or an
automatic grenade launcher. The AGL type has yet to be determined, being dependent on the outcome of the
related CASW project.
Unlike most existing SOV types, the main armament position is to have a gun shield and the turret ring power
assisted. [1]