Armor: April 18, 2000

Archives

Turkey is developing a new armored personnel carrier in cooperation with the US contractor United Defense. Based on the Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (itself a highly modified M113 chassis), the Armored Combat Vehicle New Generation uses six road wheels, and its turret mounts a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon. It is transportable by a C130 and amphibious. Variants are under study that could use other turrets, including small one-man cupolas intended to leave more internal room for dismounted troops. (Versions with a one-man turret can carry ten troops, the version with the 30mm cannon can carry only six.) Armor is proof against 14.5mm rounds from any direction. Other variants under study include 120mm mortars, recon, artillery forward observer, command post, anti-tank missiles, and an ambulance.--Stephen V Cole