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Future Rapid Effect System (FRES): Replacing CVR (T) Variants
The UK and Germany had intended to design the MRAV but it was surrounded by controversy.
Peter Padley, HMForces.co.uk
July 06, 2010
The initial BvS10 was produced by Hägglund as a special order for the exclusive use of the Royal Marines on Northern Flank exercises in Norway during the Cold War period. The vehicle gained an excellent record as an outstanding ‘over-snow’ and fully amphibious tracked vehicle and was designed along the familiar twin cab and articulated steering system typical of the Hägglund range of all-terrain vehicles. The vehicles designation has been affectionately shortened by those who use it to ‘The Bv’.
Bv stands for Bandvagen which in Swedish means that the vehicle is driven by rubber tracks and in the case of these vehicles the tracks are made of moulded rubber with cord and are 0.6 metres (approx 2 feet) wide. This track width distributes the weight of the vehicle over a larger area thus giving it better traction and greater survivability when operating in areas where there is a possibility of mines having been laid. The track design also makes it possible for the vehicle to climb steep gradients, ‘cling’ to severe slopes and cross trenches.
Although initially purchased as an ‘over-snow’ vehicle the Royal Marines could see a use for these vehicles on operations in Afghanistan where the vehicles inherent protection and mobility attributes would far exceed those afforded by the Pinzgauer, Vector and WMIK Land Rovers. With this in mind BvS10 was deployed to Afghanistan with 3 Commando Brigade in 2006 as part of Op Herrick 5. The vehicle was so successful during the Herrick 5 deployment that it has been retained ‘in-country’ since 2006 and subsequently led to the formation of the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group (RMASG) in late 2007.
Because of the specialist knowledge required to operate the BvS10 the RMASG found themselves deploying to Afghanistan for extended periods of time, sometimes on ‘back to back’ tours, to keep the vehicles available for use while the Army introduced training packages for personnel on the use and maintenance of the vehicle. It was while the Royal Marines were responsible for sole operation of the vehicle in Afghanistan that a list of improvements were drawn up, in conjunction with BAE Systems, to improve vehicle survivability and ‘on board’ weapon systems and communications. These improvements led to the introduction of the Viking BvS10 MkII.
Viking BvS10 MkII All Terrain Vehicle (Protected) [ATV]
As mentioned above the BvS10 MkII is a much improved model of the initial Bv. Because the vehicle has been ‘up-armoured’ and fitted with Anti-RPG bar armour a more powerful engine has been fitted. The new Cummins 6.7 litre diesel engine, coupled to the drive train by a 6 speed automatic gearbox, allows the vehicle to achieve a top road speed of 65 km/h (40mph) and a swimming speed of 5 km/h (3mph).
The ‘up-armouring’ of the Bv has included the fitment of a ‘V’ shaped hull that will deflect land mine blasts outwards – and although not capable of deflecting the total energy of the blast it has undoubtedly given the occupants a greater chance of survival when attacked. The vehicle has also had a universal weapon mount turret fitted on top of the front module. Named the ‘Platt’ mount, after the Australian who designed it, the mount can be fitted with the 0.5 Cannon, Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) or General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). It is the GPMG that can normally be found fitted to the gun mount as it is the favoured weapon of the Royal Marines!
There are three variants of Viking in use by the British military:
- Armoured Personnel Carrier.
The APC has a crew of two and can carry up to 10 passengers and equipment.
– Command & Control Variant.
The C2 variant has a crew of 2 and can carry up to 8 passengers and equipment. The rear cab is fitted with digital communications equipment enabling commanders at all levels to be able to ‘fight’ the battle from within the vehicle.
– Repair and Recovery Variant.
With a crew of 2 the RRC carries a crew of 4 Royal Marine technical specialists. The rear cab is fitted with a HIAB crane, full mobile workshop and capstan winch which, in conjunction with the hydraulic anchors, can be used to carry out recovery operations.
All Viking variants are airportable and can be carried either internally by the C130 Hercules transport aircraft or carried as an underslung load by the twin rotor Chinook helicopter.
1. Viking BvS 10 All Terrain Vehicle (Protected) [ATP]
2. Troop Carrying Variant (TCV)
3. Command Variant (CV)
4. Repair and Recovery Variant (RRC)
5. Warthog All Terrain Vehicle (Protected) [ATV]
