Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle

The Textron TAPV (Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle) is an armoured car currently in use by the Canadian Army.[2] It is essentially a heavier armoured upgrade of the M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle, developed for use by the military police of the US Armed Forces.[3]

Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle
TypeArmoured Car
Place of originCanada
United States
(design and manufacture)
Service history
In service2016-present[1]
Used byCanada
Production history
DesignerTextron Systems
ManufacturerTextron Marine & Land Systems
Specifications
Mass14,743 kg (32,503 lb) (curb, no armour),
17,743 kg (39,117 lb) (GVW, no armour),
16,435 kg (36,233 lb) (curb, with armour),
18,482 kg (40,746 lb) (GVW, with armour)
Length6.31 m (248 in)
Width2.75 m (108 in)
Height3.225 m (127 in)
Crew3 (commander, driver and gunner),
3 (passengers)
ArmourComposite armour
Main
armament
40 mm HK GMG
Secondary
armament
C6 general purpose machine gun
EngineCummins QSL 365[2]
365 hp (272 kW)
1,113 lb⋅ft (1,509 N⋅m)
TransmissionAllison MD3560 automatic (six forward, one reverse)
Suspension4×4 wheeled, fully independent
Operational
range
654 km (406 mi)
Maximum speed 110 km/h (68 mph)

Operational history

One Textron TAPV demonstration vehicle was built in 2011.[4] They have yet to see combat.[2] Four pre-production vehicles have been delivered to the Canadian Army and have undergone various trials and training exercises with plans for an additional two to be delivered. First production vehicles were scheduled to be delivered in 2014, however deliveries were set back to begin in 2016 and will be completed in around 2018. The new vehicle will gradually replace the RG-31 Nyala MRAP vehicle and Coyote armoured cars, which are currently in service with the Canadian Army.[5][6]

Textron Systems Canada Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced August 19, 2016, the delivery of the first Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to the Canadian Army. The Canadian Army is fielding the first vehicles to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and the 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier.[7]

Textron Systems plans to deliver at least 30 vehicles per month to the Canadian Army with all 500 vehicles scheduled to be delivered by December 2017. If any of the 100 options are converted to orders, their delivery is expected by 2020. The fleet will be distributed across seven bases.[8]

The first operational exposure for the TAPV fleet was in early May 2017 when a task force from 2nd Canadian Division from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier deployed on Operation LENTUS to assist flooded communities in Quebec. The TAPV and LAV VI family of armoured vehicles were featured in the media video coverage. Nearly 2,200 military members, deployed to the areas of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Shawinigan, Laval, Pierrefonds, Rigaud, Oka, and Gatineau in support of civilian authorities when provincial and territorial authorities became overwhelmed by the natural disaster.[9]

Development

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program began in 2009, and in 2012 the contract was awarded to Textron Systems, Inc. On August 16, 2016, Textron systems delivered the first Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to the Canadian Army.[8] An eventual 500 vehicles will be purchased, with the option to order an additional 100.[2]

Engine and suspension

The TAPV is powered by a Cummins QSL diesel engine, which provides 365 horsepower (272 kW), allowing the vehicle a maximum speed of 105 km/h (65 mph), and a maximum range of 644 km (400 miles). The vehicle utilizes an independent suspension axle system originally developed by Irish Timoney, and it has a central tire inflation system to prevent flat tires during combat operations.[2][3]

Armour
Front view of TAPV.

The TAPV relies upon composite armour to provide the maximum protection to the vehicles occupants. The armour is stated as being 20% better than the armour on the M1117. The TAPV also has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection against mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. The vehicle also has a high ground clearance, which increases protection from mine and IED blasts.[3] It can withstand up to 10 kg of explosive force directly under its hull, and can resist even 12.7 mm armour-piercing rounds. Each of the seats in the vehicle are blast protected,[2] and the vehicle has vented wheel wells to disperse the energy of an explosion out from the vehicle.[3]

Armament
View of Protector (RWS).

The TAPV is slated to have a remote weapons system based on the M151 Protector.[3] The weapon system is called the Dual Remote Weapon System, and can mount both a C6 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun and either a HK GMG 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or a M2HB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The vehicle also possesses smoke grenade launchers located on the remote weapon system.[2]

Amphibious

The TAPV can handle water (fording) depth up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) but is not built as fully amphibious vehicle.[10]

Operators

See also

"Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle" with rear engine:

References
  1. "Army to distribute first TAPVs to Gagetown in August but full capability won't happen until 2020". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  2. "Textron TAPV Armoured Personnel Carrier – Military-Today.com". Military-Today.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  3. "CF Armoured Vehicles – TAPV project – Textron Systems". Canadian American Strategic Review. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  4. "Textron Systems, Rheinmetall Canada and Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada announce $100 Million Contract on Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle Program". Rheinmetall Canada. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-07-19.
  5. "Textron Canada has delivered the first four TAPV 4x4 armoured vehicles to Canadian Army". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-10-20.
  6. "Textron Readies More Mobile TAPV for Canada". Defence News. 9 June 2015.
  7. Administrator. "Textron Systems to deliver the first TAPV Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle to Canadian army 12008161 | August 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-08-23.
  8. "Press Releases". Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  9. "Operation LENTUS". 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  10. "Defining the TAPV | Canadian Army Today".
  11. Defence, National (2018-12-13). "Tactical armoured patrol vehicle". aem. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
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