In recent years the British Army has been involved in a
number of major operations as a Force for Good in the world. It has helped
to build a safer world in the Balkans, the Gulf and East Timor. In fact,
it has been busier than at any time in the past 40 years. It works closely
with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as a team. Northern Ireland
remains the largest operational commitment, with significant numbers of
troops also deployed as part of the multi-national forces in Bosnia and
Kosovo, and a contingent in Cyprus with the UN. The Army has garrison
forces in Brunei, Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands. The Gulf
Conflict and recent crises in the Balkans and Afghanistan demonstrate that Britain still
needs forces which can operate effectively on the ground, whether to
enforce and keep the peace or to take and hold territory. This combined arms force opens a new chapter
in Britain’s joint air maneuver capability.
Also, the Army is
increasing in size - 3,300 Regular troops are being added to the Army’s
numbers, particularly to enhance those trades, such as signals, engineer,
medical and logistic troops which are most heavily committed on
operations, and the Territorial Army is being modernised. The British army
is to receive new equipment over the next decade worth in excess of £15
billion to equip it for rapid deployment missions around the world. Attack
helicopters, armoured vehicles, engineering support, anti-tank missiles,
battlefield surveillance and digital communications systems top the
British army's shopping list.
Some Key British Army Projects are :
UK attack helicopter, which is being developed from the Boeing
AH-64D Apache for use with 16 Air Assault Brigade. It's called the WAH-64 Longbow Apache,
the WAH-64 incorporates a series of enhancements that make it more
effective in combat, and more survivable, deployable and maintainable in
the field.
BattleGroup thermal imaging (BGTI) is a programme to fit thermal
imaging (TI) sights to Warrior and close reconnaissance (CR) Scimitar
vehicles.
Future Ground Based Air Defence (FGBAD), Phase 1 is intended to
update the current Rapier and HVM systems and integrate them with an
overarching ADC4I capability.The Phase 2 programme will provide
defence against complex future threats from 2015.
The future command and liaison vehicle (FCLV) project will enable
the army to undertake general command, liaison and reconnaissance
tasks, which were originally performed by the Ferret scout car.
The British army asked industry for information on proposals to meet
its £3 billion future rapid effects system (FRES) requirement. This
programme has the potential to recast the UK's armoured vehicle
procurement plans, supplement or even supercede the MRAV, FCLV and
armoured battlefield support vehicle (ABSV) projects
The Lynx light utility helicopter (LLUH) programme embodies the
requirement to convert up to 78 Lynx Mk7 and 24 Mk9 aircraft to a
common operational standard with various equipment changes. The need
is also driven by the introduction into service of the WAH-64 attack
helicopter. The WAH-64 will take on the Lynx role of anti-armour; the
Lynx role changes to providing support to 16 Air Assault Brigade and
the field army.
The UK Defence Procurement Agency has selected Sweden's Saab Bofors
Dynamics to provide the British Army's Next-Generation Light Anti-Armour
Weapon (NLAW).
British Army Equipment :
Armoured Vehicles :
- Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank
Challenger 2 is an advanced main battle tank built by the UK
company, Vickers Defence Systems Ltd. The UK placed orders for 127
Challenger 2 tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994.Challenger 2
entered service with the British Army in June 1998 and the last of the 386
tanks was delivered in April 2002. Challenger 2 is equipped with an L30,
120 mm rifled tank gun from the Royal Ordnance division of BAE SYSTEMS.
There is capacity for 50 120 mm projectiles, including armour piercing
fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS), high explosive squash head (HESH)
or smoke rounds.
The commander has a panoramic VS 580-10 gyrostabilised sight from SAGEM
(formerly SFIM Industries). A laser rangefinder is incorporated into an
intermediate assembly. The commander's station is equipped with eight
periscopes which provide 360° vision. The Thermal Observation and Gunnery
Sight II (TOGS II), from Thales (formerly Pilkington) Optronics, provides
night vision. The Challenger 2 has a twelve-cylinder 1200hp Perkins
Caterpillar CV12 diesel engines. The conversion from Challenger1 to
Challenger 2 Regiments is being assisted by a comprehensive suite of
training aids, ranging from simple wall charts to highly sophisticated,
computer-based gunnery simulators. The hull and automotive parts of the
Challenger 2 are based upon its predecessor Challenger 1, but Challenger 2
incorporates over 150 improvements aimed at increasing reliability and
maintainability.
- Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank
The Challenger 1 was developed from the Shir 2 MBT which was
originally developed for Iran, but later cancelled due to conflicts in
Iran. Production of the Challenger 1 was undertaken at the Royal Ordnance
Factory Leeds (now owned by Vickers Defense Systems), with a total of 420
vehicles being delivered to the British Army between 1983 and 1990. The
120mm rifled tank gun is the same as that installed on the Chieftain MBT,
and the computerised fire control system, which includes a laser
range-finder, is also similar.
Standard equipment includes day/thermal sights for commander and
gunner, a stabilisation system for the 120mm gun, a NBC system, as well as
mounting points for additional fuel drums at the rear and mounting points
for a Combat Dozer Blade at the front of the hull. For operations in the
Middle East, such as Operation Desert Storm, the Challenger 1 was upgraded
in a number of key areas including the installation of explosive reactive
armour at the front of the hull and passive Chobham armour skirts.
Variants of the Challenger 1 include, CR ARRV - Challenger Armoured Repair
and Recovery Vehicle and CTT - Challenger Training Tank. The Challenger is
being replaced by the more capable Challenger 2.
- FV 101 CVR(T) Scorpion
Scimitar
Striker
Spartan
The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) familiy of
vehicles was developed by Alvis for the British Army. First prototypes
were completed in 1969, with first production vehicles following in 1972.
By 1995 over 3,500 had been built for the home and export market. The
basic Scorpion is armed with a 76mm gun, although this version has been
phased out of service with the British Army. Scorpion is fully amphibious,
propelled in the water by it's tracks at a speed of 6.5km/h.Scimitar is an
almost identical vehicle, but it mounts the RARDEN 30 mm cannon which
meets the British requirement of defeating existing and future enemy
reconnaissance vehicles and APC's. The Army’s main Medium and Close
Reconnaissance capability is provided by CVR(T) SCIMITAR and SABRE
equipped with the Rarden 30mm cannon. CVR(T) STRIKER, fitted with
Swingfire anti-tank missile system, is found in Medium Reconnaissance
Regiments.
The same hull shape provides enough space to carry a British Assault
Section with all their equipment. The APC of the family, named SPARTAN, is
capable of carrying 7 or 8 men. The remainder of the CVR(T) fleet includes
SULTAN (Command), SAMSON (Repair/Recovery) and SAMARITAN (Ambulance).
The LASS IPT is keen to lead upgrade programmes across its
range of vehicles. The most significant current project is the £75
million CVR(T) Life Extension Programme providing two main capability
enhancements. They are: The replacement of the J60 petrol engine with a
Cummins B6 diesel engine due to completed by Mar 02. The procurement
and installation of the Avimo ESPIRE Thermal Imaging sight into CVR(T)
SCIMITAR by the end of 2000.
- Saxon APC
The Saxon 4x4 armoured personnel carrier was developed as a
private venture and, wherever possible, uses standard commercial
components. The first prototype was completed in 1975 and the first
production models in 1976. By early 1995 well over 700 had been built.
Standard equipment includes power-assisted steering. Optional equipment
includes firing ports/vision devices, air conditioning , barricade remover
, searchlight , grenade launchers and run-flat tyres. Armament includes a
7.62mm Machine Gun.
-FV 432 APC
The FV432 series of full tracked APCs was developed for the
British Army by the now GKN Defence. Over 3,000 vehicles were built
between 1963 and 1971. In the basic APC role it has been replaced by the
Warrior IFV, but it is still used for support roles by almost every arm of
the British Army. The Standard FV432 has a one man manually operated
turret armed with a 7.62mm Machine Gun, but these used in the support role
are normally armed with a pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun. Passive night
vision equipment is fitted as standard, as is an NBC system. The FV432 is
very similar in appearance to the US United Defense M113 series, which has
a hull of all-welded aluminium armour and is fully amphibious. The FV432
has en all welded steel hull, but is not amphibious. Variants include :
Ambulance, Command post vehicle, 81mm mortar vehicle and engineer vehicle.
-Warrior Mechanised Combat Vehicle
The Warrior family of tracked armoured vehicles developed by
Alvis Vehicles (formerly GKN Defence) has been proved in action with the
British Army in operations in the Middle East and on United Nations duties
in Bosnia. The Desert Warrior family of vehicles has been adapted for
operations in hostile desert conditions. Between 1987 and 1995, 789
Warriors were produced for the British Army.Warrior Section Vehicles carry
driver, commander, gunner and 7 fully equipped soldiers together with
supplies and weapons for a 48 hour battlefield day in NBC conditions. The
Warrior adapts to a range of roles with weapon fits ranging from machine
pistols to 90 mm guns, mortars and missile systems.
The British Army has plans to upgrade its Warriors to extend their
service life to 2025. As well as the addition of a night fighting
capability in the form of the Thales Optronics Battle Group Thermal
Imaging (BGTI) programme and the Bowman Communications System, the upgrade
is expected to include the fitting a new stabilised cannon which would
allow firing on the move. The turret is fitted with a Boeing M242 chain
gun on a stabilised mount which allows the gun to be used while the
vehicle is in motion. The turret also has an M240 7.62mm machine gun. TOW
missile launchers are mounted on each side of the turret.
- MRAV (Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle)
The Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) is an armoured 8x8
wheeled vehicle which combines the most modern armour technology,
particularly against mines and direct fire, with high mobility and
considerable capacity. In its Amoured Personnel Carrier version MRAV can
carry up to eight fully-equipped soldiers in addition to the two-man
vehicle crew. These characteristics and capabilities make the new vehicle
suitable for a wide range of operational tasks, including crisis reaction
and international peacekeeping operations.
The new vehicle replaces utility CVR(T), SAXON GWR and FV430 family
vehicles. Initially, the design will provide the Armoured Personnel
Carrier and Command Vehicle versions for UK and Germany. The Development
contract, which contained an option for the joint production of the
initial production batch of 600 vehicles, was signed on 5 November 1999
with ARTEC GmbH. A contract amendment incorporating the Netherlands
requirement was signed on 5 February 2001. Quantity: The UK is expected
eventually to procure more than 1,000 vehicles.
- FCLV ( Future Command and Liaison Vehicle )
Vickers Defence Systems :
RG-32M
Alvis Vehicles/IVECO :
ScarabMLV
Insys :
Acmat
The future command and liaison vehicle (FCLV) project will enable the
army to undertake general command, liaison and reconnaissance tasks,
which were originally performed by the Ferret scout car. Since this left
service the roles have been performed by vehicles from the Scimitar
family, FV430, Saxon and Land Rover, which are not fully suited to these
roles. The current assumption is that FCLV will be procured
conventionally and in service by 2006 under a public-private
partnership. The total requirement is likely to be for 420 plus vehicles
at a value of £370m, with the production contract awarded in March
2004.
FCLV should be capable of carrying a heavy machine gun on a pintle
mounting for self-defence, be equipped with the Thales BGTI thermal
imaging (TI) systems and have transportability in a C-130 class
airlifter. For communications, FCLV must be Bowman-compatible and have
links to the Battle Group Battle Management System. Contenders are Alvis
Vehicles/IVECO, Insys and Vickers Defence Systems.
Alvis is offering two purpose-built vehicles. Scarab, which is a fully
armoured vehicle offering high levels of protection for the whole
vehicle, and MLV Multi-role Light Vehicle (following an agreement
between Alvis Vehicles and Iveco Defence Vehicles). Vickers is bidding
the RG-31M (4 x 4) and RG-32M (4 x 4) vehicles developed by the
subsidiary Vickers OMC in South Africa.
Artillery :
-105mm Light Gun
The 105mm Lt gun is a versatile, airportable and airmobile
artillery piece which can be carried around the battle field underslung
from a Puma or Chinook. Used by the Parachute and Commando Field Artillery
Regiments of the British Army. In service since 1975 it has replaced the
105mm Pack Howitzer. Robust and reliable, the gun proved its worth in the
Falklands, firing up to 400 rounds per day.
-AS90 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer
The AS90 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer which entered
service with the British Army in 1992. 179 have been built for the British
Army.BAE SYSTEMS has been awarded a contract to upgrade 96 of the British
Army AS90's with a 155mm/52 calibre Extended Range Ordnance/Modular Charge
System (ERO/MCS). The Royal Ordnance division of BAE SYSTEMS will
manufacture the new 52 calibre barrel which will give an increased range
of 40km,
The upgraded AS90's are expected to enter service in 2003. The AS90 is
fitted with a 155mm, 39 or 52 calibre gun barrel. The range is 24.7km
using conventional ammunition. The AS90 also fires assisted rounds which
provide an extended range to 30km. Fitting a 52 calibre barrel instead of
the standard 39 calibre extends the range beyond 40km. An automated
ammunition handling system is included in the current upgrade
programme.The vehicle is of all-welded steel armour construction, which is
rated to withstand impact by 7.62mm and 14.5mm armour piercing shells and
152mm shell fragments.
- MLRS
The British Army has purchased
MLRS to replace the M107 SP Guns that were previously deployed with Corps
Artillery Heavy Regiment. The MLRS is based on the US M2 Bradley chassis
and the system is self-loaded with two rocket pod containers, each
containing six rockets. A single round 'Fire for Effect' (12 rockets)
delivers 7,728 bomblets and the coverage achieved is considered sufficient
to neutralise a 500m x 500m target. The weapon system is
range-dependent and therefore more rounds will be required to guarantee
the effect as the range to the target increases.
Remotely piloted vehicles can be used to
acquire targets, real time TV and data links are used to move information
from target areas to formation commanders and onward to the firing
positions. The British Army is currently looking at extremely long-range,
terminally-guided sub-munitions (TGSMs) to be delivered by MLRS.
Army Air Corps
Helicopters :
-Gazelle AH Mk.1
The Gazelle, was produced as part of an Anglo-French venture
between Westland and Aerospatiale in1968. The prototype flew for the first
time on 7 April 1967. It served with all four branches of the British
armed forces - RAF, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Marines - filling a variety
of roles. Four versions of the Gazelle were used by the British
Forces.
The SA 341B was equipped to a specification for the Army Air Corps.
Designated Gazelle AH Mk 1, the first aircraft entered service in 1973.
Since that time it has been used with major success in every theatre in
which the British Army has served, from it's amphibious role in the
battle for the Falkland Islands to deserts of Kuwait and Iraq
to the mountains of the more recent Kosovo campaign.This year marks the
Gazelle's 28th year of continuous British Army service.
-Lynx Mk.7/Mk.9 Utility Helicopter
Originally, 113 Lynx AH Mk 1s were supplied to the Army Air
Corps as a multi role helicopter. During the ‘cold war’ it’s primary
job was in the anti-tank role, it’s ability to carry 8 TOW anti-tank
missiles plus a further 8 in the cabin as a reload gave military
commanders a major improvement in capability over the Scout AH1 that it
replaced. In 1985, an engine and transmission upgrade programme began.
These modifications, incorporated the now trademark BERP rotor system and
resulted in the Lynx AH 7, eleven new build Mk 7s were delivered by July
1987. The Mk 7 was a response to General Staff Requirement 3947 and was
specifically configured to improve extended duration hover performance,
vital to the Lynx's primary anti-tank role. Aside from the eleven new
aircraft, work began on converting existing Mk 1 aircraft to this
standard.
The latest Lynx in UK Army Air Corps service is the AH Mk 9, easily
identifiable by its tricycle undercarriage, this version is designed as a
Light Battlefield Helicopter and is an integral part of the hard hitting
new 16th Air Assault Brigade. Thales Avionics and
Westland Helicopters have signed a collaboration agreement to address the
UK Ministry of Defence’s “Future Lynx” program. The “Future
Lynx” program is also known as the battlefield light utility helicopter
(BLUH) and the surface combatant maritime rotorcraft (SCMR). The British
Army's entire fleet of Lynx Mk9 helicopters is undergoing a navigation and
GPS system enhancement program, under Thales Avionics Limited contract to
supply its AMS 2000 Control Display Navigation Units (CDNUs) with embedded
P(Y) code GPS module and associated equipment.
- WAH-64 Longbow Apache
The British Army will be the first defense force to field an
all Longbow equipped Apache fleet, and the first to field Apaches powered
by Rolls-Royce-Turbomeca RTM322 engines. Assembly of the WAH-64 Longbow
Apache is being carried out in the UK by AgustaWestland. The first 24 have
been delivered and the helicopter entered service in January 2001
designated as the AH Mk 1. A total of 67 are on order for the British
Army.
The WAH-64 Apache is a derivative of the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache
Longbow, the next-generation version of the combat-proven AH-64A Apache.
The WAH-64 incorporates a series of enhancements that make it more
effective in combat, and more survivable, deployable and maintainable in
the field. The WAH-64’s fire control radar and advanced avionics suite
give combat pilots the ability to rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and
engage stationary or moving enemy targets at standoff ranges in nearly all
weather environments.
The WAH-64’s ability to communicate digitally with other aircraft and
ground forces, and to share that information almost instantly, also gives
it a significant warfighting advantage over current combat helicopters.
British Army Longbow Apaches are equipped with CRV7 70mm rocket systems
and Martin/Boeing AGM-114D Longbow Hellfire air-to-surface missiles,
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