FV107 Scimitar

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FV107 Scimitar
Scimitar Light Tank MOD 45149231.jpg
Scimitar performing a firepower demonstration on Salisbury Plain
Type Reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
Wars
Production history
Manufacturer Alvis / BAE Systems Land & Armaments
No. builtover 600 (for UK) [1]
Specifications
Mass7.8 tonnes
Length4.9 m
Width2.2 m
Height2.1 m
Crew3

Armour aluminium armour
Main
armament
30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon
A.P.D.S. (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot). H.E. (High Explosive). D.S.R.R. (Discarding Sabot Reduced Range) (training) Prac. (H.E. Practice) (training)
Secondary
armament
Coaxial 7.62 mm L37A1 MG
Engine Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel
190 hp (142 kW)
Drivetracked, with 14 lbf/in2 (0.98 kg/cm2) ground pressure
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
450 km
Maximum speed 50 mph (80.5 km/h)

The FV107 Scimitar is an armoured tracked military reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes classed as a light tank) formerly used by the British Army, until it was retired from active service in April 2023. [2] It was manufactured by Alvis in Coventry. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion, but mounts a high-velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments in the reconnaissance role. Each regiment originally had a close reconnaissance squadron of five troops, each containing eight FV107 Scimitars. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also employed eight Scimitars in the close reconnaissance role.

Contents

Development

The FV107 Scimitar is one of the CVR(T) series of vehicles. It 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 was replaced by a Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel engine in British Army Scimitars under the CVR(T) Life Extension Program (LEP).

The UK initiated the Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) to replace the Sabre and Scimitar. [3] In 1996 the U.S. joined in on the project. [4] In 2001, both the UK and U.S. dropped out of the joint programme. [5]

As of 2023, the Scimitar's intended replacement in British service is a variant of the Ajax fitted with a CT40 cannon. [6] The Scimitar was retired from British service in 2023. The Warrior is being used as a temporary stop-gap, until Ajax reaches initial operating capability. [2] [7]

Scimitar Mk II

Following a risk mitigation programme, in December 2010 a contract was awarded for the development, testing and management of an upgraded Scimitar. [8] This was undertaken by the Vehicles Military & Technical Services team, BAE Systems Telford, which co-ordinated the build of 50 vehicles at the nearby DSG (Defence Support Group), Donnington, to be completed in early 2012. The Scimitar Mark 2 combat vehicle is one of five enhanced CVR(T) types. [9] It was created in early 2010, and continues in service. [10]

The Scimitar Mk II was:

The resulting vehicles have since been re-engined with a Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel engine and David Brown TN15E+ automatic gearbox. [11] In addition to providing power for an air conditioning system, the new more fuel-efficient engine extends the vehicle's operational range, while the re-designed internal layout allows better-protected fuel tanks to be repositioned for reduced vulnerability to blast and ballistic threats.

The new engine and transmission package promised straightforward servicing and support for the Mk II during its in-service life, refurbished dampers simultaneously improving crew comfort - and hence reducing fatigue - while extending the life of vehicle components and maintaining the tactical mobility of the original vehicle despite an increase to an operation weight of c12,000 kg.

BAE Systems have proposed improved road wheels, new conventional metal tracks with guaranteed mileage (which could reduce the vehicle's running costs) and continuous 'rubber' band tracks, which significantly decrease both vibration and noise, allowing crew to operate more effectively and for longer, even in the harshest environments, while reducing the vehicle's acoustic signature.

Combat use

Two troops from B Squadron, Blues and Royals served in the Falklands War. One troop was equipped with four Scorpions, the other with four Scimitars. These CVR(T)s were the only armoured vehicles used in action by the British Army during the conflict. [12]

Overturned CVR(T) on Murrell Bridge in Falklands.jpg

At least one Scimitar was seriously damaged by an Argentinian landmine, but the crew were unscathed, and the vehicle was salvaged by a Chinook HC.1 helicopter [13] and soon brought back into service by the attached REME section. Scorpions and Scimitars also provided air defence support with machine guns and 30 mm guns; on 23 May 1982, a Scimitar claimed a 30 mm hit on a Skyhawk at 1,000 m. [14]

First Gulf War, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, with attached reinforcements, fought as a regiment during this war and was equipped with Scimitar. A troop of Scimitars engaged and knocked out Iraqi T-62s, penetrating their frontal armour with sabot rounds. One Scimitar was engaged and hit by an Iraqi T-55 and the penetrating round passed through the thin aluminium armour without injuring the crew.[ citation needed ]

Scimitars of C Squadron were used in the Battle of Al Faw in the opening days of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Plans for an amphibious landing by Scimitars were abandoned due to extensive mining of the beaches; instead, they crossed into Iraq by land.

In Afghanistan, during Operation Herrick, Scimitars were deployed either in standard troop organisations or as part of Jackal composite troops, in which role they provided additional firepower to complement the Jackal's high mobility.[ citation needed ]

Additional specifications

The Scimitar in arctic conditions in 1987. FV107 Scimitar COLD WINTER '87.JPEG
The Scimitar in arctic conditions in 1987.

Operators

Current operators

FV107 Scimitar in desert camouflage FV107 CVR(T) Scimitar.png
FV107 Scimitar in desert camouflage

In September 2014, Latvia signed a contract with Great Britain for the purchase of 123 Scimitars as part of the Latvian National Armed Forces infantry brigade mechanization program. [16]

In August 2023, 23 Scimitar MK IIs were delivered to Ukraine by Great Britain to repel the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [17]

Former operators

The Scimitar was used by the three formation reconnaissance regiments of the British Army.

After the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010, some regiments' Challenger 2 tanks were replaced with CVR(T) Scimitars. [19]

The Scimitar was retired from active service in April 2023. [2]

See also

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References

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Further reading