Armoured personnel carrier: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[Image:British Mark IX |
[[Image:British Mark IX Armoured Personnel Carrier.jpg|thumb|left|The British [[Mark IX tank]] was the world's first specialised armoured personnel carrier.]] |
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[[Image:M113.jpg|thumb|The [[M113]], one of the most common tracked APCs, on duty during the [[Vietnam War]].]] |
[[Image:M113.jpg|thumb|The [[M113]], one of the most common tracked APCs, on duty during the [[Vietnam War]].]] |
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[[Image:Bt7 6.jpg|thumb|Some forces practiced very dangerous [[tank desant]] tactics before the widespread adoption of APCs]] |
[[Image:Bt7 6.jpg|thumb|Some forces practiced very dangerous [[tank desant]] tactics before the widespread adoption of APCs]] |
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During [[World War I]], when the [[tank]] was developed, the British [[Mark I (tank)|Mark V*]] tank was designed with a small passenger compartment to carry troops. By some definitions this can be considered the first |
During [[World War I]], when the [[tank]] was developed, the British [[Mark I (tank)|Mark V*]] tank was designed with a small passenger compartment to carry troops. By some definitions this can be considered the first armoured personnel carrier. The first specialised APC was the [[Mark IX tank|Mark IX]] of 1918. |
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During World War II, [[half-track]]s such as the American [[M3 Half-track|M3]] and the German [[SdKfz 251]] played a role similar to the |
During World War II, [[half-track]]s such as the American [[M3 Half-track|M3]] and the German [[SdKfz 251]] played a role similar to the armoured personnel carriers that were developed later on. Another forerunner to the APC during this time was the British [[Universal Carrier]] also known as the Bren Carrier for the weapon it was designed to carry. Often, APCs were simply [[armored car (military)|armoured car]]s with the capacity for carrying troops, but they evolved into purpose-built vehicles to suit the demands of motorised warfare from [[World War II]] |
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In 1944, the commander of [[II Canadian Corps]], General [[Guy Simonds]], ordered the conversion of 72 [[United States|US]]-produced [[M7 Priest]] self-propelled [[howitzer]]s to personnel carriers. They were, at the time, being replaced by the British [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]], and no future plans had been drawn up for them. The howitzer was removed, and the resulting hole was plugged with whatever steel was available. The vehicle was called [[Kangaroo ( |
In 1944, the commander of [[II Canadian Corps]], General [[Guy Simonds]], ordered the conversion of 72 [[United States|US]]-produced [[M7 Priest]] self-propelled [[howitzer]]s to personnel carriers. They were, at the time, being replaced by the British [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]], and no future plans had been drawn up for them. The howitzer was removed, and the resulting hole was plugged with whatever steel was available. The vehicle was called [[Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier)|Kangaroo]], after the workshop which did the conversion, which was codenamed Kangaroo. Later in the war Canadian-built [[Ram tank|Ram]] tanks were used as a basis for the majority of conversions, as they were replaced by US Sherman tanks, and the original Kangaroos were converted back to self-propelled howitzers and returned to American forces. |
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After the war, different |
After the war, different specialised APCs were developed. The United States developed a series of tracked vehicles, culminating in the [[M113]] "box on tracks", of which 80,000 were made. The [[Soviet Union]] developed the [[Cold War|wartime]] [[BTR-40]], [[BTR-152]], [[BTR-60]], [[BTR-70]] and [[BTR-80]] into a series of 8-wheeled APC. |
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At the end of the 1980s, [[Israel]] converted captured [[T-55]] tanks to APCs, reminiscent of WWII conversions. The result is one of the best protected APCs in the world, called [[IDF Achzarit]]. |
At the end of the 1980s, [[Israel]] converted captured [[T-55]] tanks to APCs, reminiscent of WWII conversions. The result is one of the best protected APCs in the world, called [[IDF Achzarit]]. |
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The [[infantry fighting vehicle]] is a development of the |
The [[infantry fighting vehicle]] is a development of the armoured personnel carrier concept. |
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Currently Israel has bought and is manufacturing over 150 new [[Wolf |
Currently Israel has bought and is manufacturing over 150 new [[Wolf Armoured Vehicle|Wolf's]]. |
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==Technology== |
==Technology== |
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Revision as of 23:44, 21 January 2009
Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) are armoured fighting vehicles developed to transport infantry on the battlefield. They usually have only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), or mortars. They are not really designed to take part in a direct-fire battle, but to carry the troops to the battlefield safe from shrapnel and ambush. They may have wheels or tracks. Examples include the American M113 (tracked), the British FV 432 (tracked), the French VAB (wheeled), the Dutch/German GTK Boxer (wheeled) and the Soviet BTR (wheeled). More heavily armed and armoured are Infantry fighting vehicles, which are designed for direct combat.
History
During World War I, when the tank was developed, the British Mark V* tank was designed with a small passenger compartment to carry troops. By some definitions this can be considered the first armoured personnel carrier. The first specialised APC was the Mark IX of 1918.
During World War II, half-tracks such as the American M3 and the German SdKfz 251 played a role similar to the armoured personnel carriers that were developed later on. Another forerunner to the APC during this time was the British Universal Carrier also known as the Bren Carrier for the weapon it was designed to carry. Often, APCs were simply armoured cars with the capacity for carrying troops, but they evolved into purpose-built vehicles to suit the demands of motorised warfare from World War II
In 1944, the commander of II Canadian Corps, General Guy Simonds, ordered the conversion of 72 US-produced M7 Priest self-propelled howitzers to personnel carriers. They were, at the time, being replaced by the British Ordnance QF 25 pounder, and no future plans had been drawn up for them. The howitzer was removed, and the resulting hole was plugged with whatever steel was available. The vehicle was called Kangaroo, after the workshop which did the conversion, which was codenamed Kangaroo. Later in the war Canadian-built Ram tanks were used as a basis for the majority of conversions, as they were replaced by US Sherman tanks, and the original Kangaroos were converted back to self-propelled howitzers and returned to American forces.
After the war, different specialised APCs were developed. The United States developed a series of tracked vehicles, culminating in the M113 "box on tracks", of which 80,000 were made. The Soviet Union developed the wartime BTR-40, BTR-152, BTR-60, BTR-70 and BTR-80 into a series of 8-wheeled APC.
At the end of the 1980s, Israel converted captured T-55 tanks to APCs, reminiscent of WWII conversions. The result is one of the best protected APCs in the world, called IDF Achzarit.
The infantry fighting vehicle is a development of the armoured personnel carrier concept.
Currently Israel has bought and is manufacturing over 150 new Wolf's.
Technology
Most armoured personnel carriers use a diesel engine comparable to that used in a large truck or in a typical city bus (APCs are often known to troops as 'Battle Taxis' or 'Battle Buses'). The M113 for instance used the same engine as the standard General Motors urban bus.
Many APCs are amphibious. Usually tracked APCs are powered by their tracks in the water, and wheeled APCs have propellors or water jets. Preparations for amphibious operations usually comprises checking the integrity of the hull and folding down a trim vane in front. Swimming required fairly still waters, and good entry and exit points. Speed in water is typically 3-6 km/h.
Armour on APCs are usually composed of simple steel or aluminium, sufficient for protection against small arms fire and most shell fragments. Just about any type of anti-tank weapon can defeat the armour of an APC.
The usual armament for an APC is a 12.7 (.50") or 14.5 mm heavy machine gun. This is mounted on top of the vehicle, either on a simple pintle mount, sometimes with a gun shield, or a small turret. Sometimes an automatic grenade launcher is used instead.
Gallery
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GTK Boxer German/Dutch APC (here: a German Army model) -
A French VAB, one of the most common wheeled APCs
See also
References
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