Armoured personnel carrier

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An American M113 M113.jpg
An American M113
The ARTEC Boxer of the German Army GTK Boxer Fuehrungsfahrzeug front.jpg
The ARTEC Boxer of the German Army

An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is a broad type of armoured military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. Since World War I, APCs have become a very common piece of military equipment around the world.

Contents

According to the definition in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, an APC is "an armoured combat vehicle which is designed and equipped to transport a combat infantry squad and which, as a rule, is armed with an integral or organic weapon of less than 20 millimetres calibre." [1] Compared to infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which are also used to carry infantry into battle, APCs have less armament and are not designed to provide direct fire support in battle. Infantry units that travel in APCs are known as mechanized infantry. Some militaries also make a distinction between infantry units that use APCs and infantry units that use IFVs, with the latter being known as armoured infantry.

History

The British Mark IX tank British Mark IX Armoured Personnel Carrier.jpg
The British Mark IX tank
German half-tracked armoured personnel carrier Sd.Kfz. 251, WWII. Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-801-0664-37, Berlin, Unter den Linden, Schutzenpanzer.jpg
German half-tracked armoured personnel carrier Sd.Kfz. 251, WWII.

One of the first armored vehicles to be used in combat was the Spanish Schneider-Brillié, which saw action in Morocco. It was built from the chassis of a Schneider P2-4000 bus and could carry 12 passengers. [2]

The genesis of the armoured personnel carrier was on the Western Front of World War I. In the later stage of the war, Allied tanks could break through enemy trenches, but the infantry following—who were needed to consolidate the territory acquired—still faced small arms and artillery fire. Without infantry support, the tanks were isolated and more easily destroyed. In response, the British experimented with carrying machine-gun crews in the Mark V* tank, but it was found that the conditions inside the tanks rendered the men unfit for combat.[ citation needed ]

During World War II, half-tracks like the American M3 and German Sd.Kfz. 251 played a role similar to post-war APCs. British Commonwealth forces relied on the full-tracked Universal Carrier. Over the course of the war, APCs evolved from simple armoured cars with transport capacity to purpose-built vehicles. Obsolete armoured vehicles were also repurposed as APCs, such as the various "Kangaroos" converted from M7 Priest self-propelled guns and from Churchill, M3 Stuart and Ram tanks.

During the Cold War, more specialized APCs were developed. The United States introduced a series of them, including successors to the wartime Landing Vehicle Tracked. The most numerous was the M113 armored personnel carrier, of which more than 80,000 were produced. [3] Western nations have since retired most M113s, replacing them with newer APCs, many of these wheeled. A cold war example of a "Kangaroo" is the heavily armoured Israeli Achzarit, converted from captured T-55s tanks, the concept culminating in the Namer.

Meanwhile, the Warsaw Pact developed their own versions of the APC. The Soviet Union termed theirs the Bronetransporter (Russian : бронетранспортер), better known as the BTR series. It comprised the BTR-40, BTR-152, BTR-60, BTR-70, BTR-80, and the BTR-90, which as a whole were produced in large numbers.[ vague ] Czechoslovakia and Poland together developed the universal amphibious OT-64 SKOT. The BMP series is termed as infantry fighting vehicles, but it has a designed role of carrying troops to the battlefield. The BMP-1, 2, and 3 all possess the ability to transport troops.

Design

By convention, armoured personnel carriers are not intended to take part in direct-fire battle, but are armed for self-defence and armoured to provide protection from shrapnel and small arms fire.

Mobility

Czechoslovak and Polish OT-64 SKOT SKOT 2A TBiU9 3.jpg
Czechoslovak and Polish OT-64 SKOT

An APC is either wheeled or tracked, or occasionally a combination of the two, as in a half-track.

Wheeled vehicles are typically faster on road and less expensive, however have higher ground pressure which decreases mobility offroad and makes them more likely to become stuck in soft terrains such as mud, snow or sand. [4]

Tracked vehicles typically have lower ground pressure and more maneuverability off-road. Due to the limited service life of their treads, and the wear they cause on roads, tracked vehicles are typically transported over long distances by rail or trucks. [4]

Many APCs are amphibious, meaning they are able to traverse bodies of water. To move in water they will often have propellers or water jets, be propelled by their tracks, or driving on the river bed. Preparing the APC to operate amphibiously usually comprises checking the integrity of the hull and folding down a trim vane in front. Water traverse speed varies greatly between vehicles and is much less than ground speed. The maximum swim speed of the M113 is 3.6 mph (5.8 km/h), [5] about 10% its road speed, and the AAVP-7 can swim at 8.2 mph (13.2 km/h).

Protection

LVTP-5 amphibious armoured fighting vehicles, 1966 LVTP5-vietnam.gif
LVTP-5 amphibious armoured fighting vehicles, 1966

Armoured personnel carriers are typically designed to protect against small arms and artillery fire. Some designs have more protection; the Israeli IDF Namer has as much armour as Merkava main battle tank. Armour is usually composed of steel or aluminium. They will also use ballistic glass.

Many APCs are equipped with CBRN protection, which is intended to provide protection from weapons of mass destruction like poison gas and radioactive/nuclear weapons.

Generally APCs will be lighter and less armoured than tanks or IFVs, often being open topped and featuring doors and windows, as seen in the French VAB.

Weaponry

BTR-80 of the Bangladesh Army armed with general-purpose machine gun Bangladesh Army BTR-80 APC. (33590091571).jpg
BTR-80 of the Bangladesh Army armed with general-purpose machine gun

Armoured personnel carriers are designed primarily for transport and are lightly armed. They may be unarmed, or armed with some combination of light, general-purpose, heavy machine guns, or automatic grenade launchers.

In Western nations, APCs are frequently armed with the .50 calibre M2 Browning machine gun, 7.62mm FN MAG, or 40mm Mk 19 grenade launcher. In former Eastern bloc nations, the KPV, PKT and NSV machine guns are common options.

In "open top" mounts the gunner sticks out of the vehicle and operates a gun on a pintle or ring mount. Ring mounts allow the gun to traverse 360 degrees, a pintle mount has a limited field of fire. It can be preferable to an enclosed gunner because it allows a greater field of view and communication using shouts and hand signals. However, the gunner is poorly protected and at risk of injury in the event of vehicle rollover. During the Vietnam War, M113 gunners often suffered heavy casualties.

Enclosed vehicles are equipped with turrets that allow the crew to operate the weapons system while protected by the vehicle's armour. The Soviet BTR-60 has an enclosed turret mounted with a KPV heavy machine gun with a PKT coaxial machine gun. The U.S. Assault Amphibious Vehicle, Personnel (AAVP7's) machine guns (an M2, .50 caliber MG and a Mk 19 grenade launcher) are in fully enclosed turrets (turrets typically have optics which make them more accurate).

More recently, APCs have been equipped with remote weapon systems. The baseline Stryker carries an M2 on a Protector remote weapons system.

Medical use

French medical VAB French medical VAB dsc06842.jpg
French medical VAB

APCs may be used as armoured ambulances, to conduct evacuations of wounded personnel. These vehicles are equipped with stretchers and medical supplies.

According to article 19 of the Geneva Conventions, [6] "mobile medical units of the Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict". Although article 22 allows them to carry defensive weaponry, they are typically unarmed. Under Article 39, the emblem of the medical service "shall be displayed ... on all equipment employed in the Medical Service." As such, armoured ambulances are marked with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recognized symbols.

Variants

Infantry fighting vehicle

A South African Badger IFV, a type of wheeled IFV Badger-infanteriegevegsvoertuig, c, Waterkloof Lugmagbasis.jpg
A South African Badger IFV, a type of wheeled IFV

The infantry fighting vehicle is a derivative of the APC. Various classes of infantry fighting vehicles may be deployed alongside tanks and APCs, in armoured and mechanized forces. The fundamental difference between an APC and IFV is the role they are designed for. The CFE treaty stipulates an infantry fighting vehicle is an APC with a cannon in excess of 20 mm, and with this additional firepower the vehicle is more involved in combat, providing fire support to dismounted infantry.

Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle

Iranian Toofan mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle Eghtedar exercise of Kerman police (08).jpg
Iranian Toofan mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAPV), also known as MRAP Vehicle, is a type of armoured personnel carrier that are designed specifically to withstand land mines, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes to save troops' lives. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Infantry mobility vehicle

Austrian ATF Dingo 2 ATF-Dingo 7484.JPG
Austrian ATF Dingo 2

"Infantry mobility vehicle" (IMV) is a new name[ vague ] for the old concept of an armoured car, with an emphasis on mine resistance. They are primarily used to protect passengers in unconventional warfare.

The South African Casspir was first built in the late 1970s. In the 21st century, they gained favour in the post-Cold-War geopolitical climate. Identical to earlier High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) in design and function, the uparmoured M1114 HMMWV is a clear example of this. The addition of armour provides protection to passengers. M1114s have been largely replaced by purpose-built Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

IMVs generally feature a v-shaped underbelly designed to deflect mine blasts outwards, with additional crew protection features such as four-point seat belts, and seats suspended from the roof or sides of the vehicle. Many feature a remote weapon system. Usually four-wheel drive, these IMVs are distinct from 8-, 6-, and 4-wheeled APCs (such as the VAB), being closer in appearance to civilian armoured money and gold transporters.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armoured fighting vehicle</span> Combat vehicle with both armament and armour

An armoured fighting vehicle or armored fighting vehicle (AFV) is an armed combat vehicle protected by armour, generally combining operational mobility with offensive and defensive capabilities. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked. Examples of AFVs are tanks, armoured cars, assault guns, self-propelled artilleries, infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), and armoured personnel carriers (APC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry fighting vehicle</span> Type of armored personnel carrier with direct-fire support

An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle (MICV), is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct-fire support. The 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe defines an infantry fighting vehicle as "an armoured combat vehicle which is designed and equipped primarily to transport a combat infantry squad, and which is armed with an integral or organic cannon of at least 20 millimeters calibre and sometimes an antitank missile launcher". IFVs often serve both as the principal weapons system and as the mode of transport for a mechanized infantry unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechanized infantry</span> Units with transport and combat vehicles

Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Achzarit</span> Israeli armoured personnel carrier

The Achzarit is a heavily armored personnel carrier manufactured by the Israeli Defence Forces Corps of Ordnance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RG-31 Nyala</span> Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, located in Benoni, South Africa and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.

<i>Panzergrenadier</i> German mechanized infantry

Panzergrenadier, abbreviated as PzG (WWII) or PzGren (modern), meaning "Armour"-ed fighting vehicle "Grenadier", is the German term for the military doctrine of mechanized infantry units in armoured forces who specialize in fighting from and in conjunction with infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) – that is, armoured troop carriers designed to carry a mechanized squad of six to eight soldiers into, during and out of combat while providing direct fire support for those troops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-4</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The BTR-4 "Bucephalus" is an amphibious 8×8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-T</span> Russian heavy armored personnel carrier

The BTR-T was a Russian heavy APC, designed by the Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (Omsktransmash) state-run production association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry mobility vehicle</span> Wheeled armored personnel carrier

An infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) is a four-wheel drive armored personnel carrier (APC) serving as an armed military transport, military patrol, reconnaissance or security vehicle. Those IMVs are distinct from 8-, 6-, and 4-wheeled APCs, being closer in appearance to civilian vehicles. The physical appearance of the Infantry mobility vehicles are generally similar to the SUV, covered Pickup truck or Box truck. Examples include the ATF Dingo, Otokar Cobra II, Iveco LMV, AMZ Dzik, AMZ Tur, Mungo ESK, and Bushmaster. Most modern infantry mobility vehicles have certain level of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle</span> Armoured vehicle designed to survive IED explosion

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAPV), also known as MRAP Vehicle, is a type of armoured personnel carrier that are designed specifically to withstand land mines, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes to save troops' lives. Most modern Infantry mobility vehicle also have certain level of MRAP capabilities.

MICV-65, short for Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, 1965, was a US Army project that studied a number of armored fighting vehicles that would replace the M113 and M114 as well as take on a variety of new roles. A number of designs were studied as part of the MICV project, but none of them entered service for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, experience gained in the MICV project eventually led to the M2 Bradley, which incorporates many of the MICV concepts.

The Bullet Troop-Carrying Vehicle (TCV) is a light 4x4 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by Rhodesia in the late 1970s based on the body of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog light truck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otokar Tulpar</span> Turkish infantry fighting vehicle

Tulpar is a Turkish heavy infantry fighting vehicle designed by the Sakarya-based automotive manufacturer Otokar. It is named after the Tulpar, a winged horse in Turkic mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VPK-7829 Bumerang</span> Russian amphibious armoured personnel carrier

The VPK-7829 Bumerang is a modular amphibious wheeled infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier being developed by Russian Military Industrial Company (MIC) for the Russian army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon (armored fighting vehicles family)</span> Russian family of MRAP armored fighting vehicles

Typhoon is a Russian family of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) in service since 2014. Around 120 Russian companies including KamAZ, Gaz-Group, and Bauman University, etc. are taking part in Typhoon program. The main aim of the program is to design a unified platform for all Russian armored wheeled vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SBA-60K2 Bulat</span> Armored personnel carrier

The SBA-60K2 Bulat armored personnel carrier (APC) was developed jointly by Kamaz and Zaschita corporation as a private venture. Development of this vehicle commenced in 2010 and was completed by 2013. It is a further 6x6 development of the earlier BPM-97 4x4 wheeled mine-resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle. Russia currently employs 15 Bulat vehicles received in late 2014, and ordered a new batch of further 50 vehicles from the Russian manufacturer Zashcita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CS/VP3 MRAP</span> Chinese MRAP

The CS/VP3 MRAP also known as the CS/VP3 Bigfoot is a MRAP developed by Poly Technologies and manufactured by Changan Automobile in China. It was unveiled in China at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2012 in Zhuhai, China, and overseas at the 2012 DSA defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

References

  1. Treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  2. Montes, Gareth Lynn (2018-12-20). "Blindado Schneider-Brillié". Tank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  3. "M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier". Federation of American Scientists. 5 February 2000. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  4. 1 2 Skaarup, Harold A. "Ironsides: Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle Museums and Monuments." Google Books. N.p., 2011. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. page 140
  5. "M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier". Army Technology. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  6. "THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 12 AUGUST 1949" (PDF). Icrc.org. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  7. Pike, John. "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  8. "Turkey Quietly Sent 50 Mine-Resistant Armored Vehicles to the Ukrainian Military". Autoevolution. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  9. "Rosoboronexport launches import-substituted Typhoon-K MRAP vehicle in foreign markets". Rosoboronexport. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  10. "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Vehicle Management Codes" (PDF). DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE.

Bibliography