|
|
A Modest Proposal
– A Way to Get to Heavy Infantry Assault Vehicles? |
|
In covering the proposed Heavy Infantry Assault Vehicle we noted that, as HIAV's main proponent, CLS LGen Andrew Leslie had his work cut out for him. The first problem was optics – how to sell the citizenry on
a tank-like vehicle. Another difficulty was timing. LGen Leslie had to convince Cabinet to approve
multiple armoured vehicle projects just as the economy faltered. Even if approved, HIAV still presented
considerable technical challenges – the Heavy APC is not an off-the-rack purchase.[1]
|
|
|
HIAV – When does the Re-Engineering and Re-Roling of Existing Vehicles Lose its Economy?
Having acquired 100 used Dutch Leopard 2 tanks,
rebuilding some surplus hulls as HIAVs may seem obvious. Commonality with Leopard 2A6M tanks is an advantage but resulting HIAV designs must be either very
compromised or highly complicated conversions. To be truly efficient, the engine must be relocated. There's a
diminishing return on such complex conversions. The Jordanian Temsah is an example. Begun to make use of
surplus tank parts, only prototype Temsahs are conversions. [2] |
|
|
Aside from having incoveniently-placed engines, Leopard armour was also optimized for
engaging other tanks. But HIAVs won't need that frontal protection. They need armour on their sides and
bellies to protect against IED blasts. Rather than converting tanks, perhaps it makes more sense to adapt
front-engined self-propelled howitzers like PzH 2000s. [3] More lightly armoured than tanks, much of an SP's
weight is in that bulky turret and heavy ordnance. The SP's hull itself is quite light.
|
|
|
Starting with a lighter hull allows composite add-on armour panels to be
placed where
they are most needed. In the case of the PzH 2000, the base
hull is protected against small arms
fire (up to 14.5mm ) as well as artillery
splinters. Out of the PzH 2000 transport weight of 49 tons,
the turret and
gun makes up about 12.5 tons. So, once that turret is removed, more than
10
tons of extra armour can be added before affecting hull performance at
all. With surplus PzH 2000s
on offer, it seems like a simple route to HIAVs
but there are drawbacks. The PzH 2000 is closely related
to the Leopard 2
but drivetrain commonality is minimal. [4] Ground clearance is roughly
the
same as a Leopard [5] which is to say poor when facing buried landmines
or IEDs.
That said, adapting PzH 2000 hulls would be simple compared to
converting tanks. Less simple is
providing the citizenry with the rationale
for even a modest-in-numbers HIAV project –
especially if the Canadian
Forces combat operations in Afghanistan are to wind down as scheduled.
|
|
|
[1] The obvious candidate is the Israeli Namer but it is unlikely that Israel will offer this vehicle for
export. Worth noting is that the Namer Merkava family employ a more powerful, V12 version of the PzH
2000's V8 powerpack – a US-assembled General Dynamics / MTU GD833.
[2] The Temsah (Crocodile) heavy APC is based on Jordan's plentiful supply of components for British
Centurion tanks. Devised by the local KADDB aided by US General Dynamics, South African MDB, and others,
prototype AB14 Temsahs were converted from Centurion hulls. The new-build production Temsahs
will accompany Tariq tanks, the upgraded Centurion with which they share many components.
[3] The PzH 2000 hull was developed by MaK (now part of Rheinmetall ) in 1990. Although some Leopard components
were incorporated, the designers focused on commonality with a new IFV. Alas, this Spz Marder 2 was
cancelled late in 1992 leaving the PzH 2000 a 'widow'.
[4] Some PzH 2000 chassis components are used in the Leopard 2 but the MTU powerplant is smaller and of a
later generation. At 736kW, the MT 881 Ka-500 turbo diesel is a third less powerful than the Leopard 2A4's
1100 kW MB 873. The Leopard 2 engine is a V12 while the MT 881 is a V8 but the latter engine also has a
smaller bore and stroke. The related MT 883 Ka-500 EuroPowerPack V12 used in the Namer puts out 1100kW.
The MT 833 has been trialled transversely-mounted in a Leopard but such conversions aren't in the
cards for CF tanks.
[5] Ground clearance for the PzH 2000 is 440mm while clearance for the Leopard 2A6 (without belly
armour ) varies from 537mm to 487mm.
|
|