Double-Jointed & Popular: The Bv Family of Infantry Support Vehicles (updated)
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Asia - Central, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, Europe - France, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Field Reports, Forces - Marines, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Project Successes, Tanks & Mechanized, Transformation
(click to view full)
The BvS-10 is the successor to the wildly popular Bv206, 11,000 of which have been sold to 40 countries around the world – including the USA (M978). It is in use in both Britain and the Netherlands as a key armored vehicle for their respective Marines, and is under evaluation elsewhere. Singapore has developed and manufactured an improved variant of its own called the Bronco ATTC, and Finland and Norway also have their own local Bv-206 variants.
What makes this unusual-looking vehicle family so popular? They aren’t like Humvees or similar wheeled mainstays. They aren’t full armored personnel carriers, either – they’re armored, but Bv family vehicles can’t take the kind of punishment that a Bradley or LAV can absorb. Instead, the secret to their success lies in a remarkable all-terrain capability, and their ability to fill a rare and critical role: air-portable and amphibious infantry enhancement.
These success factors are discussed below, along with contracts and key developments related to this vehicle family. The latest development involves a contract to BAE Systems to supply 53 BvS10 Mark II vehicles to the French Armament Procurement Agency; the contract has a potential value of $317 million…
- The Bv Family of Vehicles (i.e. Continue reading…)
- Bv Family: Why So Popular?
- Bv Family: Performance in Afghanistan
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings & Sources
(click to view full)
Hagglunds Bv family vehicles are really two separate chassis working together. Hydraulic cylinders that push or pull one chassis segment relative to the other do all the steering. The central articulation point also allows the two segments to twist and turn in different planes, accommodating the most difficult terrain from high slopes to winding forest trails.
Wide band tracks, meanwhile, ensure good traction with a low “footprint” pressure that lets these vehicles move across all terrains, and can even avoid tripping anti-tank mines. Amphibious conversion is quick.
The Bv206S is a slightly larger (10-tonne/ 11 ton full combat weight), armored version of the Bv206 that retains helicopter air-portability inside a CH-47 Chinook, or can have its 2 sections airlifted separately by a pair of medium utility helicopters like Britain’s EH101 Merlins.
Finnish firm Patria Vehicles’ NA-140 and its variants are very similar to the Swedish Bv-206, and more than 300 have been manufactured since 1985 to equip the armies of China, Turkey and Finland. After 20 years of using the Bv206, Norway is also introducing up to 1,000 units of the Natech (Narvik Technology AS) P6 in P6-300M and other variants, as part of Project 5085; it is also reported to be very similar to the Bv-206S.
(click to view full)
BAE Haaglunds’ new BvS-10 differs from its Bv-206 predecessors by adding a bit more weight at 7.6t/ 16,300 pounds empty, with a maximum designed weight of 10.6t/ 23,350 pounds. Fortunately, a more powerful Cummins 5.9 litre diesel engine gives it 80 kph/50 mph performance on class A roads, and a 300 km/ 180 miles range. The improved ground clearance and newly developed chassis, power train and steering units give the vehicle considerably enhanced speed and comfort, as well as greater load carrying capability (up to 5 tons for some variants), and the ability to add various modular sub-systems such as add-on armor, weapon-mounts, a load-changer, and cargo platforms. The Viking can operate in temperatures from -46C/-51F to 49C/120F, can ford through water up to a depth of 1.5 m/ 5 feet without preparation, and is fully amphibious with 5kph/ 3mph water speed on a full load after less than 2 minutes’ preparation by the crew. BAE data places the existing Viking’s reliability in theater at 88%.
BvS10s have been performing well, but various up-armoring additions mean that they have also been working beyond their maximum designed weight for months. Hence BAE Hagglunds’ BvS10 MkII, whose maximum designed weight is 14.2t/ 31,300 pounds, with a payload of 6t/ 13,250 pounds. It can carry up to 12 crew and passengers, and incorporates a larger and more powerful engine, a bigger alternator which gives more electrical power, an improved steering unit, uprated suspension and brakes, and the ability to carry more armor.
(click to view larger)
A larger vehicle is currently in service with Singapore as ST Kinetics’ Bronco ATTC, and as the Warthog in Britain. Gross Vehicle Weight is 18t/ 40,000 pounds, including a 6.8t/ 15,00 pound total payload or space for up to 16 troops. Its Caterpillar C7 engine delivers up to 350 bhp, driving it up to 65 km/h on smooth surfaces, or allowing it to handle 60% gradients and 30% side slopes in all conditions and terrains.
The Bronco’s versatility and amphibious capabilities have made it very useful in post-tsunami relief efforts. It has also been selected by the British Army as the replacement for borrowed Royal Marines’ BvS10s in Afghanistan, with the BvS10s returning to the Marines for future use.
(click to view full)
The BvS vehicle family’s popularity boils down to:
Key Virtue #1: Outstanding air transportability. These vehicles can be carried in many tactical and even light air transports, carried inside a CH-47 Chinook, or slung underneath other medium-heavy helicopters. The ATTC Bronco is an exception, but all of these vehicles can also be broken into their 2 component sections to be loaded into or slung beneath many helicopter types due to their low height, width, and weight.
Key Virtue #2: True all-terrain capability. These vehicles are designed to operate in conditions ranging from the heat and humidity of the jungle to dry desert and the frozen Arctic, and have done so. Their low weight and extra-wide tracked distribution make even snow and marshy ground passable, and even confers benefits against anti-tank mines because of their low ground pressure. They can quickly be made fully amphibious.
mortar carrier, Norway
(click to view full)
Key Virtue #3: Specialized variants. This family of vehicles also has variants with cranes for load handling and recovery, ammunition resupply, ambulance functions, deployable command posts, mortar carrier versions, and even artillery hunting radar (the Bv206 ARTHUR). In addition, several countries are developing their own indigenous variants.
The result: Infantry enhancement. This family of vehicles offers instant air-portable infantry mobility with small arms protection (Bv206S and later); additional carrying capacity over all terrains to reduce soldiers’ burdens; and firepower overmatch via extra weapons inside (ammunition, anti-armor missiles, et. al.), via its weapon mount (medium-heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-armor missiles, mortars, et. al.), and via its towing capabilities (mortars, howitzers et. al.). They are not designed for major combat, and are not a substitute for full-size armored personnel carriers (APCs). What they can do is bring a combination of APC and Jeep benefits in a more mobile, all-terrain platform capable of 3rd-dimension envelopment and rapid ground response into the most difficult terrain.
Bv Vehicles: Performance in Afghanistan
(click to view full)
Canadian Bv206s performed well with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group during Afghanistan’s Operation Anaconda. Attached to the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division as part of a joint force, they were airlifted inside US Army CH-47D Chinooks to an objective called “The Whaleback” as part of the subsidiary Operation Harpoon.
Senior Analyst Mordica’s “High Altitude Operations” report from the US Center for Army Lessons Learned (no longer publicly available) noted:
“DISCUSSION: The Canadian Army air assaulted small unit support vehicles (SUSV) into the mountains during offensive operations against the al-Qaida and Taliban fighters. The vehicles were used to move distances over the rough terrain at high altitudes, allowing the infantry to ride or transport their loads into battle. These vehicles allowed the infantry some small arms protection and helped them beat the fatigue associated with mountain operations. The SUSV is helicopter transportable and provides all-terrain mobility. The vehicle performed well in combat.”
StrategyPage has a more publicly accessible March 19, 2002 follow-up, with an interesting twist:
“Major Chuck Jarnot, 101st Airborne Division Liaison Officer in Afghanistan, noted that the greatest risk to vehicle movement in Afghanistan is not Taliban/Al-Quedas Rocket Propelled Grenades, but rather the millions of land mines laid throughout the country. The Canadian BV-206 AMV used in Anaconda mitigates this risk by virtue of the very light weight and tracked suspension that results in extremely light ground pressure.
This not only contributes to its excellent terrain agility, but makes anti-tank mine detonation a very small probability since the BV-206 ground pressure is far below the minimum necessary to set off a typical anti-tank mine.”
The BvS-10 recently entered the Afghan theater of operations as a key vehicle for the British Royal Marines, complete with anti-RPG slat/’birdcage’ armor. See our coverage below for more.
Afghanistan
(click to view full)
Feb 13/08: Nothing subtle about this UK MoD article: “Marines back in the Vikings – “They are phenomenal”.” One expects that sort of tone from a Ministry of Defence. The key is how well they back that tone up with examples from the field, and whether offsetting problems have surfaced. To date, DID is not aware of performance below expectations in any respect. On to more thoughts from the front lines:
”...due to their popularity the demand for their use is high amongst all troops patrolling and conducting operations in Helmand. Consequently, the demand on the Marines trained to drive them is high too. To help alleviate the pressure… a third unit, from the Queen’s Royal Lancers A Squadron, has been trained and recently deployed to Helmand. They are the first Army unit to operate the Viking on their own.”
Growing demand across service boundaries is always a positive sign. Major Jez Stemp, the Officer Commanding the Royal Marines’ Armoured Support Company:
“Their greatest asset is their all terrain mobility. The Taliban tend to mine known routes, but the Vikings can manoeuvre around them and go off road.”
Royal Marine Tom Aylett, back in Afghanistan for the second time:
“We put the lads in the back of the wagon, drop them off to do operations and attacks with the Vikings. I drive it and man the gun on top…. They provide us with a lot of protection and allow us to get closer to the enemy. It’s very reliable, can go up a hill and never gets bogged down like other vehicles.”
Royal Marine Lance Corporal Dean Walker concurs:
“The Viking opens up a lot more operations. We can move where, with and who we want.”
Jan 28/08: The UK MoD’s “Keeping the Vikings on the move (VIDEO)” is focused on the soldiers who maintain its BvS10 vehicles, but it also offers some observations from tactical experience. Corporal Kev Walker of 1 Battalion Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers works with Vikings in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan:
“The Royal Welsh got contacted by an anti aircraft gun. My troop went in with the Vikings to create a screen, allowing them to get out. We put down heavy fire from the Viking’s General Purpose Machine Gun (It is also fitted with .50 calibre guns), and before we left, having taken no casualties, it looked like all the Taliban had left. If we didn’t have something like the Viking it wouldn’t have been such a happy ending. It was pretty heavy terrain too and I’m not sure any other vehicle could have got in there. We know the Taliban don’t like them…”
Staff Sergeant Chris Hanks of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers adds:
“They can cope with the terrain because they have track mobility, which is much better than wheeled vehicles and gets bogged down less. “
Sept 12/07: “Viking vehicles prove their worth in volatile Helmand” contains quotes from Maj. Jez Hermer of the Royal Marines’ Armoured Support Company at Bovington, Dorset:
“Since the beginning of the Afghan conflict everyone has woken up to the success of Viking. It is now very important to Operation HERRICK. It has opened up Helmand province and given commanders a broader range of options than they would have had available to them…. I see it remaining in Afghanistan and I don’t see it coming back until the end of the commitment.”
“The forces’ inventory of armoured vehicles has come under serious examination in Afghanistan and Iraq. With excellent protection, an ability to operate in all weathers across all terrain, including to ‘swim’ in water, and to withstand a range of threats, Viking has performed well…”
The British Army, meanwhile, is using tracked Spartan vehicles to similar effect.
Jan 23/07: Some of the lads in theater seem to like the new Platt MR550 weapon mounts and gunshields. This was forwarded to us [name and profanities redacted]:
“been busy but got time to tell your mount is f** brilliant, the lads love it. been out and about and without a doubt it has stopped some lads becoming casualties. its stable as hell and the lads are big fans of the extended ranges we reach when firing. had a few problems with little bits but got them sorted in no time at all…. say a big thankyou to all your staff for getting them out here as they have been a life safer in some of the s** situation we have found ourselfs in. well mate got to go and get ready for anthor trip out.”
Other comments from Royal Marines about their new gunshield:
‘’Took hits with no worries!’’.... ‘’RPG hit the vehicle and we moved on’’.... ‘’On the Platt we were shooting out to 2300m on GPMG and tracer burned out..continual shooting on same target watching the splash’‘
note anti-RPG ‘cage armor’
(click to view full)
Jan 10-11/07: A pair of releases from the UK MoD covering operations in Afghanistan speak very highly of the BvS10 Vikings’ performance, noting their battle-ready helicopter transportability and their success in combat against small-arms fire, mortars, and even single-warhead RPGs thanks to their slat armor. The vehicles are already credited with saving a number of lives; one expects to hear this from official sources, but the level of enthusiasm from front-line soldiers without an investment in the vehicle program is a very positive sign.
Oct 31/06: The first ever operation involving the new BvS-10 Viking armored vehicle is successfully completed by Royal Marine Commandos in the rugged terrain of southern Afghanistan. Operation Zina saw 33 Vikings complete a 10-hour combat move into Helmand province from their base in Kandahar airfield, moving through notorious areas of Kandahar City and Gereshk. During the journey Royal Navy Harriers provided force protection and helped clear the route ahead of the convoy, which was also supported by armored fighting vehicles from Denmark and Estonia. Despite some heavy surveillance from suspected Taliban, the journey was completed without incident. See video [Windows Media, 1.87 MB].
The UK MoD release notes that “Being able to operate over deep sand and boulder fields, the Vikings have the mobility to operate anywhere in Helmand province and carry a section of Marines into battle…. The Vikings are now patrolling throughout Helmand province and their ability to go anywhere at speed will be a tremendous asset to the Royal Marines.”
(click to view full)
At present, the BvS-10 is in operation with the British Royal Marines, has begun delivery to the Dutch Royal Marines, and is under trial and evaluation in France and Finland (who already operate Bv206 variants).
Dec 22/09: BAE Systems announces that it won the VHM contract from France’s DGA procurement agency to supply 53 BvS10 Mark II vehicles (q.v. Sept 30/09 entry). If all options are exercised, BAE says that the total value of the contract could reach EUR 220 million ($317 million) for 129 vehicles.
vFrance already operates their Bv-206 predecessors, and this contract covers 3 vehicle variants (troop carrier, command post and logistic vehicle), as well as a comprehensive support package. The vehicles will be produced in cooperation with BAE’s French partners, including Panhard and EADS. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010.
Nov 19/09: The British Army announces that the first ST Kinetics Warthog has been manufactured and shipped to the UK. It will be fitted with electronics and armaments , and must then be fully tested and certified as safe to use. Steps after that are its issue to troops for pre-deployment training, and then deployment.
Sept 30/09: BAE Systems announces a GBP 24 million (currently $38.2 million) British contract for 24 BvS10 Viking Mark II vehicles: 22 standard troop carriers and 2 command variants. They will be delivered to the UK MoD in early 2010, so that they can be deployed to Afghanistan with the Royal Marines in the spring of 2010.
To this point, BAE says that the UK MoD has bought 166 Vikings, adding that the BvS10 Mark II is also in contention for the 124 vehicle French VHM competition. BAE Systems release.
Feb 16/09: BAE Systems announces a British order for 9 more BvS10 vikings, in order to maintain their operational capability in Afghanistan while the Army waits for the new ATTC Warthogs. See Dec 2/08 entry.
The latest vehicles will include 7 infantry carriers and 2 mobile command and control vehicles, and will be built to the Mk.I configuration standard, which includes new mine protection kits. The current fleet will also receive Mk.I retrofits, under a December 2008 contract. The first vehicle in the new-build contract is anticipated to be delivered directly from stock in February 2009, and the whole contract is expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2009. The mine protection upgrades will be fitted after the base vehicles have been manufactured.
(click to view full)
Dec 18/08: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announces a GBP 150 million (about S$ 330 million/ $230 million) from the UK Ministry of Defence, to supply 100 of its 20-ton Bronco ATTCs for use as “Warthog” APCs in Afghanistan. Warthog vehicles will be supplied to the British Army’s Royal Armoured Corps, as opposed to the Royal Navy/Marines’ who own the BvS10s.
A total of 4 Warthog variants will be built under the contract – APC/Troop Carrier, Ambulance, Command, and Repair & Recovery. Vehicle deliveries will commence in Q3 2009, with the majority to be delivered in 2010. UK MoD Programme Manager Simon Cox had this to say:
“We appreciate the close, flexible and constructive working relationship with ST Kinetics. They are a great company to work with and the Bronco has exceeded our expectations in terms of quality, capability and performance. We are delighted with their product, attitude and the progress jointly made in a very short time indeed.”
The BvS10s currently in use will remain in service with the Royal Marines, and will be rotated back to Britain once they are replaced in theater. See: UK MoD | ST Kinetics | Defense News.
Dec 2/08: Defense News reports that the UK MoD has ordered 22 more Vikings this year, bringing the total number of BvS10s they’ve bought to almost 150 vehicles. It adds that a number of these have been destroyed in combat, and the UK MoD has said that they are in negotiations with BAE for a mine blast protection kit. Delivery is expected to be complete by mid-2009.
Over the longer term, however, a larger vehicle may be necessary. BvS10s have been performing well, but various up-armoring additions mean that they have also been working beyond their maximum designed weight for months. Candidates for the folow-on “Warthog” buy of up to 100 vehicles reportedly include the BvS10 Mk II, and Singapore’s Bronco ATTC.
Oct 29/08: UK Defence Secretary John Hutton announces a package worth GBP 700 million (then $1.56 billion equivalent, but only $1.05 billion by late November), which will pay for over 700 new armored vehicles for use in Afghanistan. They include over 100 brand-new “Warthog” cross-country vehicles, which will have greater protection levels.
March 30/08: In “Marine heeft nu al pech met Vikings”, De Telegraaf reports that Dutch Marines have been working for weeks install new drive shafts in their 74 BvS10 Viking vehicles (see June 1/05 entry), after problems were discovered during exercises in England and Norway. 10 Vikings required for operation in Chad have been repaired.
On April 24/08, the Dutch MvD answered questions regarding the vehicles [Dutch, PDF], stemming from the De Telegraaf article.
(click to view full)
August 2007: A second order of 26 MR555 weapon ring mounts with accompanying gunshield protection is shipped from Australia’s Plattmounts to the UK, for installation on BvS10 Viking vehicles. These mounts also equip British FV432 Mk 3 Bulldog tracked APCs, as well as many of the USA’s RG-31 Charger mine-resistant patrol vehicles.
May 2/07: New role for the Viking. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems Hagglunds a contract for another 21 BvS10 Viking armoured all-terrain vehicles. This order is in addition to an earlier batch of 108 that began delivery to the UK’s Royal Marine Commandos in July 2003.
The armored all-terrain vehicles will be used as an equipment transporter for the UK’s new Mk450 Watchkeeper UAV system. Prototype vehicles are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2007, with production deliveries to commence in the second half of 2008.
by Torbjorn Kjosvold
(click to view full)
June 12/06: BAE Systems Hagglunds AB announces a SKr 260 million ($35 million) rush order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 52 additional Bv206S vehicles, with an option for more. The order amounts to 52 vehicles with an option to acquire additional vehicles, bringing the Swedish Armed Forces up to a total of 93 Bv206S. With this order, 479 of BAE Hagglunds’ Bv206S vehicles have now been sold to Sweden, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
The goal driving the FMV is the coming activation of the EU’s Nordic Battle Groupas of January 1st 2008, and led by Sweden. The FMV release notes that ”...Bv206S can be transported by air with several of the smaller airplanes and helicopter models, which makes it a very suitable vehicle alternative for rapid forces with high demands on tactical and strategical mobility and troop transport under protection.”
Nov-Dec 2006: The initial order of 43 MR555 weapon ring mounts with accompanying gunshield protection is shipped from Australia’s Plattmounts to the UK, for installation on BvS10 Viking vehicles.
(click to view full)
Jan 26/06: Just 8 months after the contract was signed, BAE Systems Hagglunds has delivered the first of 74 armored BvS-10 Viking armored all terrain vehicles to the Dutch Army. The purchasing process was accomplished in less than 3 months, and the lead-time between contract and serial delivery has been only 8 months. Brig. Gen. Paul Opgenort:
“We are very content with Hagglunds and the company’s ability to keep to the time agreed for the first delivery. A key to the success has been the unconventional but flexible way of working, regarding the processes of development, purchase and production.”
June 1/05: Like the British Royal Marines (who bought 108), the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation went directly to the source and signed a contract for 74 BvS10 “Viking” All Terrain Vehicles with BAE Systems Land Systems Hagglunds, in a June 2005 deal valued at approximately SEK 570 million (approximately EUR 57.9 million, or $71.3 million). The DMO will purchase four variants of the BvS10: 46 troop carriers, 20 commander vehicles, 4 recovery vehicles and 4 ambulance vehicles; with deliveries to take place from January 2006 – April 2007.
These Viking armored vehicles will supplement earlier Bv-206 vehicles in service with the Dutch Royal Marines since the early 1990s. In parallel with the BvS10 order, BAE Hagglunds continues to produce heavy CV90-35 Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Netherlands, which will be delivered from 2007-2010.
Additional Readings and Sources
- Thanks to Benelux subscriber David Vandenberghe for his tips and translation assistance.
- UK Army Kit! Magazine (Winter 2007) – The Striking Viking. Cover article for that issue. PDF format.
- Defense Talk (Jan 26/06) – First BvS10 Armoured all Terrain Vehicle for Dutch Army
- BAE Systems (June 1/05) – Holland Orders 74 BvS10 All Terrain Vehicles From BAE Systems
- Army Technology – Viking (BvS10) Amphibious Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle, United Kingdom
- One35th.com – DSTA/ ST Kinetics Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier. See also ST Kinetics home page.
- UK Ministry of Defence (Oct 31/06) – Vikings complete first convoy mission in Afghanistan (incl. VIDEO)
- The Adventures of Chester (Jan 5/05) – Singapore Military Tsumani Relief
- Defense Week (April 8/02) – Canadians Put An Unusual Vehicle to the Test. Re: Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.
- StrategyPage: Armor – March 19, 2002. Operation Anaconda…
- Canadian Department of National Defense (March 13/02) – Deputy-Chief of Defence Staff Vice-Admiral Greg Maddison Provides a Briefing on Operations of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. includes details re: Operation Harpoon.
- Army Technology – Bv206S Armoured, Articulated All-Terrain Vehicle, Sweden
- BAE Systems Press Kit – Bv206S/BvS10
- One35th.com – ARTHUR – Artillery Hunting Radar on BV206
- One35th.com – Related Bv206-2. Includes information re: other countries’ local variants.
- Finnish Forsvarsmakten – Bandvagn SISU NA-140 BT
