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Background – Future Combat Systems: Heavy Infantry Assault Vehicle |
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In the recent flurry of new CF armoured vehicle announcements, one type
was
conspicuous by its absense – the Heavy Infantry Assault Vehicle. In
August
2008, the Chief of Land Staff, LGen Andrew Leslie, said that he required a
small
number of these specialized, extremely well-protected assault vehicles. So
what
happened to the HIAV? The Israelis coined the term HIAV
to describe heavy armoured personnel vehicles
converted
from tanks. But it could be argued that this HAPC concept
originated with the
'Kangaroos', WWII carriers created by
pulling turrets from surplus Canadian-built Ram
tanks. So,
did LGen Leslie imagine turretless Leopard 2s as HIAVs ?
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When the Israelis devised their modern HIAV, they converted captured T-55 tanks. This was no small undertaking, the
engine compartment was entirely revised to provide rear egress for dismounts. Israel's next-generation HIAV, the
Namer, is a simpler proposition, based as it is on a front-engined Merkava tank chassis. But Canada
has no such option. Just the Leopard.
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Straightforward Adaptations for Heavy APC Roles?
A simpler international HAPC pattern has emerged – a return to that original 'Kangaroo' concept.
Troops sit in the former turret basket area and dismount from the top. Mechanically, such conversions couldn't
be simpler but there's also a big downside. Dismounting through the top leaves troops exposed to hostile fire 2m above
the ground. Hardly likely to be acceptable.
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Straightforward modern Canadian tank conversions have come up before. In 2005-2006, the idea of turretless
Leopard C2s for engineering work was floated. At the time, the old Leopards were
to be retired without replacements. Surplus hulls fitted with the usual ploughing and mineclearing implements
would suit the Combat Engineers, it was thought. The plan: each CER Field Engineer Squadron would
have 4 permanent plough tanks (along with their 2-each Badger AEV and Beaver AVLB bridgelayers ). That concept failed despite its
simplicity. Perhaps DND should revive and update the plough tank or simplify HIAV.
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