FV103 Spartan
FV103 Spartan | |
---|---|
![]() |
|
Type | Armoured personnel carrier |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Specifications | |
Weight | 10,670 kilograms (23,520 lb) 9 ton 55 lbs Battle weight |
Length | 5.16 metres (16.9 ft) |
Width | 2.48 metres (8 ft 2 in) |
Height | 2.63 metres (8 ft 8 in) |
Crew | 3, with 4 passengers |
|
|
Main
armament |
1 x 7.62 mm GPMG |
Engine | Jaguar J60 4.2 litre DOHC inline six petrol 252 lbs/ft @ 3000rpm 190 hp @ 4500rpm(142 kw) Current vehicles are fitted with Cummins 6BT diesel |
Power/weight | 17.9 hp/t |
Suspension | Torsion bar |
Operational
range |
510 kilometres (320 mi) |
Speed | 96 kilometres per hour (60 mph) |
FV103 Spartan is a tracked armoured personnel carrier of the British Army. It was developed as the APC variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family. The vehicle can carry up to 7 personnel, including 3 crew members. Armed with a single machine gun, it is almost indistinguishable from the FV102 Striker in external appearance. Rather than a general personnel carrier for infantry, the Spartan has been used for moving specialist teams, such as anti-aircraft missile teams. An anti-tank variant of the Spartan has been produced, named FV120 Spartan MCT; this is armed with MILAN anti-tank missiles. Nearly 500 Spartans have served with the British armed forces since entering service in 1978; they are now being replaced by newer vehicles.
Contents
Design and features
The FV103 Spartan was developed during the 1970s as the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) version of the British Army's Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) family of armoured fighting vehicles, designed by Alvis plc.[1] The vehicle entered service with the British military in 1978.[2] The Spartan is similar in appearance to the FV102 Striker, except for the missile launcher on the Striker.[3]
The Spartan was powered by a 4.2 xk jaguar petrol engine The vehicle is 5.16 metres (16.9 ft) in length and 2.48 metres (8 ft 2 in) in width. With a ground clearance of 0.33 metres (1 ft 1 in), it has a height of 2.63 metres (8 ft 8 in).[4] As the APC variant of the CVR(T) family, the FV103 has been used by small specialized groups such as mortar fire controller teams, anti aircraft teams and also reconnaissance teams.[4][5] The vehicle can carry 7 personnel, as a combination of 3 crew members and 4 passengers or 2 crew members and 5 passengers.[6] It is armed with one 7.62 mm L37A1 machine gun, and can have four smoke dischargers on each side. In addition to the APC role, it has also been used as a resupply vehicle for the FV102 Striker, carrying extra Swingfire missiles.[2] The FV103 has combat weight of 10,670 kilograms (23,520 lb). It can achieve a maximum speed of 96 kilometres per hour (60 mph) and has a range of 510 kilometres (320 mi).[4] It is capable of negotiating up to 60% gradients.[2]
Variants and service
An anti-tank variant of the FV103 was produced, named FV120 Spartan MCT (Spartan with MILAN Compact Turret). The FV120 has a two-man turret, and is equipped with two MILAN Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missiles in launch positions, while 11 more can be carried internally.[6]
It was reported to the House of Commons in 2006 that 478 FV103 vehicles were in service with the armed forces of the United Kingdom in April of that year, with 452 of them in deployable state.[7] By 2007, 495 FV103 Spartans were in the service of the United Kingdom.[8] However, these were being replaced by mid-2009 with Panther Command and Liaison Vehicles.[9]
Belgium began using Spartans, along with other CVR(T) vehicles, in their cavalry units from 1975.[10]
Operators
Current operators
Belgium
Botswana
Iraq 100 vehicles
Jordan
Nigeria Unknown number of vehicles
Oman
United Kingdom Army and R.A.F
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Further reading
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.. |
- Howard, Les. Winter Warriors - Across Bosnia with the PBI 1995/1996. The Book Guild, 2006, ISBN 1-84624-077-8