BAE Systems Australia, Patria Land Systems of Finland and BAE Systems Hägglunds of Sweden, are offering the AMV35 – a highly versatile Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle – for Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s LAND 400 program. LAND 400 Phase 2 will replace Army’s existing Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV).
The AMV35’s constrained Gross Vehicle Mass makes it easy to deploy into operational areas and very manoeuvrable on the ground. This exceptional strategic and tactical mobility, together with the vehicle’s other balanced capabilities, delivers a CRV platform that is uniquely suited to the diverse range of operational tasks that have confronted ASLAV over its service life.
Over 1200 Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMVs) are in-service with seven countries. The AMV has earned an outstanding combat reputation in Afghanistan, where Poland’s Rosomak AMVs were feared for their speed and tactical manoeuvrability.
The AMV35 also delivers blast and kinetic protection levels that are designed to exceed Army’s STANAG 4569 Level 4/4a/4b requirements. This is possible in a 30 tonne vehicle because the AMV35’s blast hull rides on top of a separate sub-frame, meaning that its stand-off distance against underbody IED threats is considerably greater than a traditional 8×8 design. Because blast pressure dissipates dramatically with distance, this additional underbody stand-off delivers a design efficiency that can be measured in tonnes.
Survivability is also enhanced by the vehicle’s agility. Weighing in at around 30 tonnes, the AMV35 has an excellent power-to-weight ratio. And with three steering axles, AMV crews have the freedom to manoeuvre using ground of tactical advantage.
The AMV35 has three steering axles (1st, 2nd and 4th). This enables it to negotiate tight turns which, combined with its constrained external dimensions, delivers outstanding manoeuvrability in complex terrain.
Modern combat vehicles generate survivability through the complementary action of layered systems. This begins with the battlespace awareness delivered by networked battle management systems. The AMV35 is a digitised platform that uses open architectures to simplify the delivery of a common operating picture to the crew.
Another layer is provided by the 35mm cannon. The ability to engage threats with direct fire at ranges out beyond 4000 metres offers the opportunity to end the fight before the opposing force can even attempt an engagement. The AMV35 offers the only mature 35mm cannon system available today for armoured vehicles.
The turret system used on the AMV35 has an equally strong pedigree. Over 600 BAE Systems Hägglunds turrets with Bushmaster cannons are in-service with six countries. The Danish Army, in particular, has found the 35mm turret very effective during close combat in Afghanistan.
The AMV35’s 35mm has demonstrated precision fire out beyond 4000 metres. This will give an Australian AMV35 crew a significant tactical advantage over threat reconnaissance elements that can only engage over shorter ranges.
E35 turret live fireThe AMV35’s turret system uses a conventional layout where the breech of the cannon sits between the commander and gunner. This means that the weapon’s trunnion – its balance point – is centralised inside the AMV’s broad turret ring, delivering a balanced and highly accurate firing platform.
Signature management is another consideration. The physical dimensions of the AMV35 are constrained, making it a difficult target to detect and engage. Its thermal signature can be further mitigated using the Saab Barracuda mobile camouflage system.
