Currently, the UK Department of Defense is preparing to start operating a large number of promising armored vehicles built under the new project. At the moment, the basis of the technology of the British ground forces is the machines of the CVR (T) family, created in the late sixties of the last century. Due to moral and physical obsolescence, such a technique can no longer fully solve the assigned tasks in conditions of modern conflicts. As a result, official London decided to replace the existing armored vehicles. The result of the current work should be the adoption of several types of equipment from the Scout SV family, recently renamed Ajax.
It should be noted that the UK has long been going to modernize the fleet of armored vehicles. The understanding of the need to update it appeared in the eighties. Later, the concepts of updating the ground forces were changed and corrected, but the new technology has not yet reached the troops. After the war for the Falklands and Desert Storm, the first requirements for advanced technology were formed. Taking into account the experience of participation in the Yugoslav NATO operation, the British military changed the requirements. The current program in its present form started precisely in the late nineties.
Ajax machine prototype introduced in 2015. Photo Defense-blog.com
The immediate predecessor of the Scout SV project was the FRES (Future Rapid Effective System) program. Within the framework of this program, it was planned to create a family of modern armored vehicles of various classes for arming motorized infantry, scouts, etc. It was assumed that ground forces would be able to quickly deploy in the theater of operations, including remote ones. It was also proposed to pay special attention to reconnaissance vehicles, the work of which would increase the strike potential of the troops.
Several developments of foreign companies were considered as the basis for the promising technology of the FRES program. So, in the middle of the 2000s, General Dynamics European Land Systems joined the program with its proposal. Work under the FRES program continued until the end of the last decade. Soon after the issuance of updated technical requirements, held at the end of 2008, it was decided to radically change the program. According to the results of the next stage of work, the development of a new project started, which by now has become the basis of the program for updating the material part.
Even during the existence of the FRES program, European companies developing weapons and equipment proposed several existing projects that, if necessary, could be finalized. So, BAE Systems joined the program with the CV90 project, and the European branch of General Dynamics offered the British its new ASCOD 2 armored vehicle. For some time, the customer studied the documentation on the proposals and made a decision.
Three-dimensional image of "Ajax". Figure General Dynamics UK
In 2010, a choice was announced: they decided to build a promising armored vehicle on the basis of the existing ASCOD 2 project. BAE Systems made an attempt to challenge the decision of the military and "push through" its project, but it was unsuccessful. Following the announcement of the selection, a £ 500 million contract was signed, according to which General Dynamics was to finalize the existing ASCOD 2 project in accordance with the requirements, as well as build and test several prototype vehicles.
The ASCOD 2 project, modified in accordance with the requirements of the British Armed Forces, was renamed Scout Specialist Vehicle or Scout SV. Using a ready-made project as a basis for Scout SV allowed to speed up the work on adaptation to requirements. Design work was completed by the end of 2012. A few months later, preliminary tests were completed using a demonstration prototype. After that, the construction of several prototypes with various equipment began, followed by their tests.
The main task of the Scout SV project is the creation and mass construction of several types of armored vehicles designed to solve various problems. The production of this equipment will make it possible to replace outdated existing vehicles, which should have a beneficial effect on the combat capability of the army. In addition, some advantages are expected, directly related to the high degree of unification of all new technology.
Armored vehicle Ares. Figure General Dynamics UK
Initially, as part of the Scout SV project, it was planned to purchase more than 1000 armored vehicles in several configurations. According to the initial plans, the deliveries were to be carried out in two stages: Block 1 and Block 2. The first contract (Block 1) was supposed to include reconnaissance and strike armored vehicles, armored personnel carriers, as well as repair and evacuation equipment. Under the second contract, it was proposed to build command-staff, ambulance and reconnaissance vehicles. Also, the possibility of the appearance of a third series, Block 3, was not ruled out, which was to include a modification of the Scout SV with a large-caliber artillery gun.
In early autumn 2014, the UK Department of Defense adjusted its plans. Due to certain difficulties, it was decided to completely abandon Block 3. In addition, it was noted that there are no exact plans for Block-2 yet. Thus, only the plans for the first series remained relevant. At the same time, however, Block 1 has undergone certain changes. Some of the machines, which were planned to be built within the framework of the second series, were transferred to the first.
In early September 2014, it was announced that a contract was signed for the construction of production vehicles of the Scout SV family. According to the planned agreement, General Dynamics will have to supply 589 armored vehicles worth a total of 3.5 billion pounds. It is assumed that the troops will receive vehicles of nine modifications, built on the basis of three different basic models. The basic machines of the family are as unified as possible, but there are certain differences in their design associated with the tasks set. Specific modifications, in turn, will differ in the composition of special equipment.
Ares prototype. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Initially, promising armored vehicles bore simple names in the form of abbreviations, but in September 2015 they were given their own names. All the techniques of the family were named after ancient Greek deities and heroes. Thus, the basic vehicle with a cannon turret was named Ajax. The same name is now proposed to be used to designate the entire family, which was previously called Scout SV.
Thus, at the moment the Ajax family and plans for its delivery are as follows. Three basic vehicles are proposed: Ajax with cannon armament, an armored personnel carrier PMRS (Protected Mobility Recce Support) and a special version of the PMRS for performing additional tasks. Armored vehicles of the "Ajax" family will be built in the amount of 245 units. 198 will be performed in a reconnaissance and strike configuration. It is also planned to build 23 fire control vehicles and 24 reconnaissance vehicles with surveillance equipment.
The existing order involves the construction of 256 PRMS series combat vehicles: 59 Ares armored personnel carriers, 112 Athena control vehicles, as well as 34 Ares reconnaissance vehicles and 51 Argus engineering reconnaissance vehicles. On the basis of the PRMS platform, it is also proposed to build 88 special auxiliary vehicles. Troops should receive 50 Apollo type repair vehicles and 38 Atlas evacuation vehicles.
Ares machine prototype at the exhibition. Photo by General Dynamics UK
In accordance with existing plans, the first production vehicles of the Ajax family will be handed over to the troops in 2017. The first order will be completed in the middle of the next decade. This summer, the UK Department of Defense announced plans to deploy production. Previously, it was assumed that the assembly of the required equipment would be carried out by the General Dynamics plant in Spain, but now it has been decided to transfer it to British enterprises. In addition to the existing General Dynamics UK facility, there are plans to acquire another plant. The British branch of Thales will be responsible for the supply of electronic systems.
The Scout SV / Ajax project was developed by the English department of General Dynamics European Land Systems. As a basis for it, the ASCOD 2 project was taken, going back to the earlier ASCOD joint Austrian-Spanish development. Several hundred machines of the basic ASCOD family are currently in operation in Austria and Spain. Now, modified versions of this technique should go into service with the British army.
As a direct development of the ASCOD 2 project, Ajax inherits the main features of its concept, and also uses some of the ready-made aggregates. In fact, "British influence" consists in the composition of weapons, on-board equipment and some other components and assemblies associated with the solution of the assigned tasks. Also, it was at the request of the British military on the basis of the existing project that several vehicles for various purposes were developed.
"Ares" on the track of the landfill. Photo by General Dynamics UK
The main element of the Ajax project is a universal tracked chassis with a set of body armor, on which various combat modules, special equipment, etc. can be mounted. Such a chassis is a self-propelled vehicle with a classic layout for modern armored vehicles. In the front of the body there is a power plant with a transmission. In a small compartment to the left of it is the control compartment. The middle and aft parts of the hull are given for the combat and airborne compartment or special equipment.
The power plant should be based on a German-made MTU diesel engine with a capacity of about 600 hp. It is proposed to combine with the engine an automatic transmission Renk 256B, similar to that used on ASCOD / ASCOD 2. The tracked chassis is borrowed from the basic design without changes. It has seven road wheels with torsion bar suspension on each side. It is assumed that the use of a power plant and chassis, similar to those used in the basic design, will keep the mobility of the equipment at the same level. Thus, the maximum speed will reach 65-70 km / h, and the car will retain the ability to overcome various obstacles. The possibility of swimming, as before, is not provided.
It is proposed to equip the hull with combined armor, which provides all-aspect protection against small arms. In addition, like its predecessors, Ajax / Scout SV will receive a set of additional mounted armor modules that provide protection against small-caliber artillery shells. Another additional means of protection should be smoke grenade launchers with the possibility of using fragmentation ammunition.
Athena command vehicle. Figure General Dynamics UK
Inside the hull, it is planned to place space for two or three crew members and several paratroopers or other specialists. Also provided are places for the installation of combat modules of various types, including those equipped with remote control. All machines of the family must receive unified elements of electronic equipment. The equipment is proposed to be built according to an open architecture and equipped with a set of necessary elements. It is assumed that the machines will be able to collect data from various surveillance equipment and sensors, store it, and also transfer it to other crews or the command post.
All vehicles of the new family will have a normal combat weight of 35-38 tons. Due to the use of additional equipment, this parameter can be increased to 40-42 tons.
The set of special equipment and weapons will depend on the type of promising vehicle. So, in the Ajax version, it is proposed to use a two-man turret with cannon armament, developed by the British branch of Lockheed Martin. It is planned to install a promising 40 mm automatic gun with telescopic ammunition in the new turret. Also, the tower will receive a modern fire control system, sighting equipment, equipment for surveillance and reconnaissance, etc. 245 Ajax vehicles will be built in three configurations, differing from each other in the composition of observation and communication equipment.
Argus reconnaissance and engineering vehicle. Figure General Dynamics UK
Vehicles of the PMRS / Ares line are offered as armored personnel carriers and other vehicles with special equipment. They differ from the basic "Ajax" by the absence of a cannon tower and a different composition of equipment. On the roof of "Ares", "Athens", etc. it is planned to install a remote-controlled machine-gun weapon station. A characteristic feature of the Ares machine is the small volume of the aft troop compartment: there are only four places for soldiers with weapons. According to reports, such a configuration of an armored vehicle is not an armored personnel carrier in the full sense of the word and is intended to deliver small groups of "specialists" with the necessary weapons or weapons to the place of mission execution. In particular, "Ares" will be used to transport crews of anti-tank missile systems.
PMRS-based vehicles will differ from each other in the composition of the crew, electronics, etc. For example, the command post "Athena" will receive a crew of six people: a driver, a commander, and four specialists responsible for communications and control. This line will have to solve the problems of searching for targets, processing data and, if necessary, independently fight some targets using built-in or portable weapons.
A curious feature of the Scout SV / Ajax project is the approach to creating repair vehicles. Instead of a single ARRV, the project involves the use of separate repair and recovery vehicles. The first should carry a set of tools for servicing damaged equipment, and the second will receive a crane, pulling and towing systems, as well as other equipment for working with damaged equipment on the battlefield.
Apollo repair vehicle. Figure General Dynamics UK
To date, General Dynamics has built and tested several prototypes of the Ajax family. Last year, a prototype of the PMRS / Ares armored personnel carrier was presented. In the fall of 2015, an experienced "Ajax" was shown in the configuration of a combat vehicle with cannon armament. In the near future, several new prototypes of other equipment of the family should appear, the successful completion of tests of which will allow starting serial construction.
Now the companies involved in the Ajax / Scout SV project are preparing to start mass production of new equipment. The first prototypes of the machines are likely to be built in Spanish factories, after which construction will begin in the UK. According to some reports, the British enterprises will take over 80% of the assembly work, the remaining 20% will be carried out by subcontractors from other countries.
The construction of the first batch of serial armored vehicles of the Ajax family should begin next year. This will allow the first batch to be handed over to the customer during 2017. In a few years, General Dynamics should reach maximum production rates, which will allow to build 589 armored vehicles by the middle of the next decade. The deliveries of new models of armored vehicles will replace the outdated vehicles of the CVR (T) family with a noticeable increase in the combat capability of the units. It should be noted that the current rearmament plans have some interesting features, such as the disproportionately large number of Athena command and staff vehicles (112 out of 589 - 19% of the total order) and the unusually small number of paratroopers at Ares. Nevertheless, the British military ordered exactly such equipment, which, apparently, fully meets the requirements.
Currently, the Ajax family of armored vehicles is the main hope of the British Army. Over the next ten years, it is planned to deliver almost six hundred new machines, which will replace outdated equipment. In the future, a new order of similar equipment is possible. Time will show how successful the planned update of the armored vehicle fleet will be. Ajax will be able to show themselves in full only by the end of this decade.
