Rame

First though I would like to thank the Major for the recent version upgrade. But I did notice so far an error regarding the OPFOR BOVM APC. Its main weapon is listed as a - ATGM AT5i Spandrel Range 4000 with 1000 rds of ammo. I believe it should be corrected to say : 1-7.62mm PKT MG with Range 2000 and 1000 rounds of ammo. If this has been mentioned already please disregard.

Tried, Tested and True – Aussie HMEV becomes Yank IHMEE The HMEV was well-received by the CF engineers in East Timor. But, despite its success, no further HMEV orders came from the CF. The US Army had watched these trials with interest and was quick to pick up on their significance. The HMEV’s high speed and optional armour made it a natural fit with the fast-moving US Army Stryker Brigades. After a trial period, the US Army placed orders* for the vehicle as the Interim High-Mobility Engineering Excavator (IHMEE or HMEE) in late 2002. In US service, IHMEE will replace the SEE** (Small Emplacement Excavator). Since US Stryker Brigade concepts and the CF’s Equipment Rationalization Plan are based on the LAV III , the lack of CF interest in the HMEV is hard to explain. * The US Army ordered 40 IHMEE in October 2002 with options on a further 80 — final numbers now seems to have settled at 63 vehicles. ** The SEE consists of a Case 580e backhoe/front-end loader set mounted on a 4x4 Mercedes Unimog. Although the Unimog chassis has many advantages over a conventional backhoe, the SEE is top-heavy and incapable of keeping pace with a Stryker column on the move. [ May 19, 2004, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Rame ]

Mobile Artillery Vehicle System For decades, Canadian artillery has been towed by either the MLVW or armoured Grizzly gun tractors. But, as part of its ‘transformation of the artillery’, DND proposes to field a truck-mounted self-propelled gun – the Mobile Artillery Vehicle System consisting of the 105mm C3 howitzer pedestal- mounted on the bed of a medium truck. But, that truck may not be the MLVW. MAVS Meaning MOBAT Maybe? The most probable candidate* for MAVS is RDM’s MOBAT (which employs the same 33 calibre barrel used to update the CF’s 105mm C1 guns). This has all the advantages of commonality but , since MAVS is ultimately a replacement for the CF’s tracked 155mm M109 as well, gunners would be restricted to the smaller calibre. MAVS relies upon ‘shoot-and-scoot’ tactics for survival but range and shell-weight also matter.** MAVS – Part of a ‘System of Systems’ The MAVS concept is a response to the threat of counter-battery fire. It is hoped that net-centric communications will allow MAVS batteries to be dispersed but still able to concentrate their own fire. This, of course, assumes assymetrical warfare – if the opposing forces is likewise ‘digitized’, the advantage disappears and the MAVS battery is as vulnerable as any other.*** * The Dutch MOBAT was officially offered to Canada to fulfill MAVS late in 2003, having been demonstrated in Manitoba that summer. MOBAT is a modular system which can be mounted on any medium truck. The CF wants MAVS to be mounted on a MLVW replacement. ** Under ideal conditions, MOBAT can stop and fire its first round within 90 seconds of receiving orders and then be moving again in a further 30 seconds. The current maximum range (with C132 HEER rounds) is 19.2km. But DND anticipates future ranges of 30km (or even 40km) presumably by using a rocket-assisted shell. MOBAT carries 40 ready rounds. *** Being quite high off the ground and unarmoured, MAVS would be more vulnerable under fire than a well-emplaced towed gun. The point of MAVS, of course, is to be moving again before your previous position has been identified. It is questionble whether the weight of fire which can be brought to bear on a target is worth the effort expended. Available truck-mounted 155mm howitzers are much heavier and exacerbate ammunition-handling and supply problems. However, unlike the 105mm howitzer, few field guns can out-range the 155mm.

Here is the article from the Internet: Performance, protection & comfort—Bushmaster The ADI Bushmaster is a mean machine by anyone’s standards. This Australian-designed and built infantry mobility vehicle cruises at 110km/hr (68mph) with ease. It has an extended range of over 1000 km (620 miles) and accommodates nine fully equipped military personnel in air-conditioned comfort. ADI Limited will supply 341 Bushmasters to the Australian Army in a contract worth A$200million (US$130m). The Bushmaster is the first Australian-designed and developed armoured combat vehicle to be introduced into service by the Australian Army since World War II. The supply contract was hotly contested and is testimony to ADI’s ability to design, develop, test and build vehicles meeting the Army’s very high performance requirements. The vehicle is manufactured from specially developed Australian steel and built using ADI’s specialist welding techniques. The monocoque shell is designed to deflect anti-vehicle mine blasts equivalent to 9.5kg of high explosive detonated under the vehicle or under any wheel. It also provides protection against mortar blasts and NATO 5.62mm and 7.62mm ball ammunition. Upgrades are available to add protection against armour-piercing ammunition. The Bushmaster’s Caterpillar engine is one of a range proven in the field through the United States Army‘s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) program. The six cylinder turbocharged diesel develops 224kW (300bhp) at 2400 rpm providing exceptional power and low end torque. An Allison 7-speed adaptive shifting auto transmission, Rockwell all-wheel drive, independent suspension and big 395/85 R20 tyres complete the drivetrain. To describe the Bushmaster as robust seems something of a ridiculous understatement. The ADI Bushmaster provides unrivalled performance, outstanding protection and ultimate comfort. The cabin volume is a massive 10.6 cubic metres (374 cubic feet) and amply accommodates a full load of 95th percentile males (big guys). There is refrigerated drinking water on tap and climate controlled interior to counter the harshest external conditions. Ergonomically designed, wide-pitched seating also ensures that troops travel in ultimate comfort and arrive ready to operate at peak capacity, even after long journeys over rough terrain. Advanced seating and harness arrangements protect the occupants against spinal injuries in the event of mine blast or collision. The design and development of the Bushmaster has focused on outstanding levels of protection for the driver and crew. The cockpit includes night vision compatible instrumentation, developed for the FMTV, which provides the driver with a comprehensive picture of the vehicle condition. A push-button central tyre inflation system allows the driver to adjust tyre pressures on the move for all terrains including highway, sand, mud, snow and under severe emergency conditions. The Bushmaster driving position. Externally the Bushmaster provides capacious lockers for kit and equipment. Water and fuel tanks are located such as to enhance crew safety. All windows and openings are ballistically protected. A weapon mount provision at the Commander’s roof hatch transforms the Bushmaster into an armoured personnel carrier or scout car. A unique combination of proven componentry and innovative design has created an exceptional vehicle, designed and built specifically for Australia’s demanding conditions, but equally suitable for operations anywhere in the world. The ADI Bushmaster is a high performance vehicle that demands uncompromising design. It is built of expensive materials using sophisticated processes for the use of combat personnel in high risk situations. PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER design software is a key design tool at ADI. Complex experimental designs are modeled in 3D and tried in virtual assemblies with Pro/ENGINEER quickly and with high precision. Reliable results and speed to create, try and visualize, combined with reliable results has dramatically reduced the time from concept to manufacture. Conceptual designs can be efficiently modeled prior to submitting tenders to verify that design requirements can be met. ADI uses PTC’s finite element analysis (FEA) application Pro/MECHANICA inside Pro/ENGINEER. Integrated FEA eliminates the data loss and misinterpretation that can occur using external FEA packages. There is no room for "ifs" or "maybes" in the business of designing and supplying sophisticated equipment like the Bushmaster. Designing such a machine requires a delicate balance of strength and mass optimized with high tech materials and construction processes. The designer’s ability to fuse the many components together into a total solution is at the core of a successful result. Accuracy of data and confidence in the design information from its engineering software tools contribute strongly to ADI’s business advantage—before tender submission and certainly in its capacity to deliver finished product on time and on budget when contracts are won. The Bushmaster is an outstanding vehicle in every way. Commercial success of the project is also assured as the Bushmaster attracts growing international interest—to the benefit of those who will use the vehicle and to the pride of those who have created it.

Seeing as Canada is trying to find ways to upgrade their ground forces with budgets in mind, a couple of proposals have come out in response to the proposed extinction of all Leopard C1 & C2 MBT's in the Army's inventory. The possible need for heavy units in combat situations involving urban areas was the main factor for these proposals. The unit would be called the Leopard CAT (combat assault tank). One CAT proposal, which would cost some extra dollars, is keeping 12 to 14 Leopard C2's and re-equip them with dozer blade, a 120mm mortar in place of the 105mm gun, a coaxial 40mm grenade launcher mounted beside the mortar, 2 PWS .50 cal HMG's mounted on the turret plus the addition of slat and ball & chain armour all around the tank for additional protection against hollow charge weapons. The changes to the turret would be the main expense. The other more cheaper CAT proposal would still involve keeping 12 to 14 Leopard C2's. Re-equip them with a dozer blade, the short 105mm L7 gun instead of the regular 105mm gun, keep the 7.62mm coaxial MG, add 2 PWS - 1 40mm grenade launcher & 1 .50cal HMG mounted on the turret plus the addition of slat and ball & chain armour all around the tank for additional protection against hollow charge weapons.

Chinese SPAAG/SAM Battery (1995+) 6 Type 95 SP ADS 1 Battery Command Vehicle 3 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (6x6 Trucks) 1 Battery Testing Vehicle (6x6 Truck) 1 Power Supply Vehicle (6x6 Truck) Vehicle Specifications: Type 95 SPAAG/SAM System (uses the PLZ-45 SPG chassis) Crew: 3 Combat Weight: 22.5 tons Lenght: 6.71m Width: 3.2m Height: (with radar up) 4.82m Max. Road Speed: 53km/h Range: 450km Armament: 4 - Type 87 25mm Cannon's (turret mounted) 4 - QW-2 Infrared SAM's (turret mounted) 2 x 4 smoke grenade launchers (turret mounted) Electronics: 1 - CLC-1 Doppler Surveillance Radar (turret mounted) Max. Range: 11km 1 - TV Tracking Camera (turret mounted) Max. Range: 6000m 1 - Infrared Tracking Camera (turret mounted) Max. Range: 5000m 1 - Laser Range Finder (turret mounted) Range: 500m - 5500m Command Vehicle (no turret & uses the PLZ-45 SPG chassis) Crew: 5 Combat Weight: 22.5 tons Lenght: 6.8m Width: 3.2m Height: (with radar up) 4.58m Max. Road Speed: 53km/h Range: 450km Armament: 1 - Type 85 12.7mm HMG 2 x 4 smoke grenade launchers Electronics: 1 - CLC-2 Doppler Surveillance Radar Max. Range: 45km

The concept of putting together an AD system of combined AAA and missles has been looked at by a few countries. The US has the LAV-25 Blazer, the Ukraine 2S6M1 Tunguska, China TYPE 95 SPAAG-SAM ADS. The cannon would be a back-up of sorts, but in my opinion because the SAM missles are usually the infra-red guided type and therefore can be hindered by several counter-measures, the cannon would be used more often to saturate the airspace with lethal rounds or shrapnel.

Air Defence Company TOE for the 21st Century proposed for the Canadian DOD -1st Platoon 4 Grizzly (VSHORAD) -2nd Platoon 4 Grizzly (VSHORAD) -3rd Platoon 4 Grizzly (VSHORAD) -4th Platoon 4 ADATS Systems 3 35mm Oerlikon cannons c/w Skyguard Fire Control Radar -5th Platoon 4 ADATS Systems 3 35mm Oerlikon cannons c/w Skyguard Fire Control Radar The Grizzly (VSHORAD) is equipped with a turret mounted 25mm GAU-12 Gatling Gun and 8 Stinger SAM missles. The ADATS Systems could be mounted on M113 chassis or Grizzly chassis. No information currently available for the Company HQ.

The Javelin missles will be the SAM type. As for the Company HQ's, this TOE was gathered from a document that did not specify those in detail. I could only surmise that they would be mobile riding inside 1 or 2 LAV III TCP type vehicles as well. If I can find out I will pass it along.

Mechanized Infantry Battalion TOE for the 21st Century proposed for the Canadian DOD. Headquarters Company 3 Mechanized Infantry Companies 1 Direct Fire Support Company (1) HQ Company - Assault Pioneer Platoon 3 LAV III (ESV) 1 LAV III (TCP) - Recce Platoon 4 LAV-25 Coyote Reece - Mortar Platoon (120mm self-propelled) 6 LAV II "Wolf" Bison (MCV) (81mm mortars upgraded to 120mm) - Signals Platoon a) EW Section 2 LAV II "Bison" EWV (ARIES/TRILS) Forward Observation Section 2 LAV III (FOO) (3) Mechanised Infantry Company - 1st Platoon 1 LAV III (TCP) 3 LAV III (IFV) 1 60mm Mortar 1 84mm Carl Gustav 1 Eryx Missle Launcher 1 Javelin Missle Launcher (optional) - 2nd Platoon 1 LAV III (TCP) 3 LAV III (IFV) 1 60mm Mortar 1 84mm Carl Gustav 1 Eryx Missle Launcher 1 Javelin Missle Launcher (optional) - 3rd Platoon 1 LAV III (TCP) 3 LAV III (IFV) 1 60mm Mortar 1 84mm Carl Gustav 1 Eryx Missle Launcher 1 Javelin Missle Launcher (optional) - 4th Platoon 1 LAV III (TCP) 3 LAV III (IFV) 1 60mm Mortar 1 84mm Carl Gustav 1 Eryx Missle Launcher 1 Javelin Missle Launcher (optional) - 5th Platoon 1 LAV III (TCP) 3 LAV III (IFV) 1 60mm Mortar 1 84mm Carl Gustav 1 Eryx Missle Launcher 1 Javelin Missle Launcher (optional) (1) Direct Fire Support Company - 1st Platoon 6 LAV III 105mm (MGS) - 2nd Platoon 6 LAV III 105mm (MGS) - 3rd Platoon 6 LAV III TOW Under Armour (TUA) - 4th Platoon 4 LAV III Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle (MMEV) (ADATS mounted on LAV III chassis)

The King George V was equipped with 14" guns and the Bismark had 15" guns. Not 16" guns on either ship.

Here is some Australian equipment I know of: AN-TPQ-36 Firefinder Radar (use US) ASLAV 120mm SP Gun/Mortar (not in TACOPS) ASLAV-25 IFV (use US LAV25 IFV) ASLAV-A (Ambulance) (use Can Ambulance Bison) ASLAV-C (Command Vehicle) (use US LAV25 C&C or Can Bison Command Post) ASLAV-F (Repair Vehicle) (use US LAV25 AMRV)) ASLAV-PC (APC) (use CAN Bison) ASLAV-S (Surveillance) (not in TACOPS) ASLAV-TOW (TOW armed IFV) (not in TACOPS) AW50F .50cal Anti-Material Rifle (not in TACOPS yet?) Black Hawk S70A-9 Helo (use US UH-60 Blackhawk) Chinook CH-47D Helo (use US Helo,CH47) L119 105mm FG (use CAN Howizter, Towed 105mm LG1) Landrover 110 FFR Radio Vehicle) (use any LUV,LR 4X4) Leopard AS1 MBT LRPV 6X6 (Long Range Patrol Vehicle) (use AU/NZ LUV,LR 6X6 w/LMG,HMG) M198 155mm Towed Howitzer (use US Howitzer,Towed 155mm M198) Mack Gun Tractor (for towing M198) (use US Truck, Cargo 5t?) Mack Wrecker (use ?) Rapier FSC Air Defence System (not in TACOPS) RBS-70 Man Portable SAM (not in TACOPS) Unimog Truck (use similar CAN Truck,Cargo LSVW)

This is fairly close as to the actual structure. The main grey areas are the company's longer ranged anti-tank abilities, if any, and the number of 60mm mortars, if any? I added a balance of both of these items but in the real world, situations may dictate different weapons to be used. The IBCT is still evolving but I do here that sometime this fall the first IBCT from Fort Lewis will be going into Iraq. IBCT Mech Infantry Company APC, XIAV C2/TOC................ 2 LUV, HMMWV...................... 2 Inf, HQ Command [-]............. 6 Inf, Sniper Team................ 1 Gun, XIAV Mobile Gun System..... 3 Mortar, Carrier 120mm XIAV...... 2 APC, Ambulance XIAV............. 1 Inf, Corpsman................... 2 APC, XIAV ICV HMG............... 9 Inf, Medic...................... 3 Inf, MG 7.62mm Team............. 3 Mortar, 60mm.................... 2 FSCV, XIAV FSV.................. 1 APC, XIAV ICV AGL............... 3 Inf, Squad...................... 9 ATGM, Javelin Team.............. 3

Even though TACOPS 4 does not have most of the following mentioned equipment, I just thought this TOE would be good for those detail hounds out there. IBCT Engineer Company Objective TOE Company HQ - 1 x M998A1 Humvee Cargo/Personnel - 1 x M1028A1 Humvee Shelter Carrier - 1 x M1097A2 Humvee Maintenance - 1 x M1083 5 ton Truck c/w 2 ton Cargo Trailer or M149 1-1/2 ton Water Tank Trailer Combat Mobility Platoon 1 - 2 x M998A1 Humvee Cargo/Personnel c/w 1-1/2 ton Cargo Trailers - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & M139 Volcano Mine Dispencer Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Roller & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 3 x Engineer Squads Combat Mobility Platoon 2 - 2 x M998A1 Humvee Cargo/Personnel c/w 1-1/2 ton Cargo Trailers - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & M139 Volcano Mine Dispencer Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Roller & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 3 x Engineer Squads Combat Mobility Platoon 3 - 2 x M998A1 Humvee Cargo/Personnel c/w 1-1/2 ton Cargo Trailers - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & M139 Volcano Mine Dispencer Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Plow & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 1 x Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle) c/w Mine Roller & Mk 155 MICLIC Trailer - 3 x Engineer Squads Mobility Support Platoon Platoon HQ - 1 x M998A1 Humvee Cargo/Personnel c/w 1-1/2 ton Cargo Trailer - 1 x M1977(mod. M977 HEMTT) CBT (Common Bridge Transporter) c/w IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) MLC 70 --Mobility Section 1 - 1 x M1977(mod. M977 HEMTT) CBT (Common Bridge Transporter) c/w IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) MLC 70 - 2 x SEE's (Small Emplacement Excavators) - 2 x DEUCE's (Deployable Universal Combat Earthmovers) --Mobility Section 2 - 1 x M1977(mod. M977 HEMTT) CBT (Common Bridge Transporter) c/w IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) MLC 70 - 2 x SEE's (Small Emplacement Excavators) - 2 x DEUCE's (Deployable Universal Combat Earthmovers) --Mobility Section 3 - 1 x M1977(mod. M977 HEMTT) CBT (Common Bridge Transporter) c/w IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) MLC 70 - 2 x SEE's (Small Emplacement Excavators) - 2 x DEUCE's (Deployable Universal Combat Earthmovers) *NOTE - The CBT's will be replaced by REBS (Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System) in the near future.

[url=http://www.foster-miller.com/OFWcontract.htm