FV107 Scimitar
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FV107 Scimitar | |
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General characteristics | |
Crew | 3 |
Length | 4.9 m |
Width | 2.2 m |
Height | 2.1 m |
Weight | 7.8 tonnes |
Armour and armament | |
Armour | |
Main armament | 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon |
Secondary armament | Coaxial 7.62 mm L37A1 MG |
Mobility | |
Power plant | Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel 190 hp (142 kW) |
Suspension | torsion bar |
Road speed | 80 KM/H or 50mph |
Power/weight | |
Range | 644 km |
- This refers to the armoured vehicle, for other uses see Scimitar (disambiguation)
FV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle, although sometimes classed as a light tank used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm cannon.
Contents |
[edit] History
The FV107 Scimitar is one of the CVR(T) series of vehicles and entered service in 1971.
Initially the engine was the Jaguar J60 4.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol engine the same as used by several Jaguar cars. This has now been replaced by a Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel engine in British army Scimitars, under the CVR(T) Life Extension Program (LEP).
As with the FV101 Scorpion, the Scimitar saw active service with the Blues and Royals in the Falklands War of 1982.
[edit] Additional Specification
- Ground clearance: 0.35 m
- Main armament: 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon. (Fires at up to 90 rounds per minute)
- Ammunition types:
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- High Explosive Incendiary (HEI)
- High Explosive (HE)
- Armour Piercing (AP)
- APSE(Armour Piercing Secondary Effects)
- Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APDS-T)
- Additional defence: 2 x 4 barrel smoke launchers.
- Ammunition stores:
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- 30 mm — 160 rounds
- 7.62 mm — 3,000 rounds.
[edit] Operators
The Scimitar is used by the five formation reconnaissance regiments of the British Army. Also used by the Royal Air Force, in the Bomb Disposal role, giving protection to crews clearing unexploded ordnance. The 30mm Rarden gun is used for "projectile attack" (shooting at unexploded bombs to destroy them).
[edit] Trivia
- The Scimitar, as with all tracked wehicles in the British Army, has the ability to make tea for its crewmembers.
[edit] See also
- CVR(T) (combat vehicle reconnaissance - tracked) family of vehicles.
[edit] External links
Modern (post WW2) UK armoured fighting vehicles |
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Wheeled vehicles |
Ferret Scout Car | Fox Reconnaissance Vehicle | Saladin Armoured Car | Saracen APC |
FV1611 "Pig" | Saxon | Mastiff PPV |
Armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles |
FV432 | Warrior | FV103 Spartan | Stormer | FV104 Samaritan | FV105 Sultan |
Light tanks and anti-tank vehicles |
FV101 Scorpion | FV107 Scimitar | Sabre | FV102 Striker | FV438 Swingfire |
Self-propelled artillery |
FV433 Abbot | AS-90 |
Main battle tanks |
Centurion | Conqueror | Chieftain | Challenger 1 | Challenger 2 |
UK unarmoured or non-fighting vehicles |