FV107 Scimitar

The FV107 Scimitar is an armoured tracked military reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes classed as a light tank) formerly used by the British Army, until it was retired from active service in April 2023.[2] It was manufactured by Alvis in Coventry. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion, but mounts a high-velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a low-velocity 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments in the reconnaissance role. Each regiment originally had a close reconnaissance squadron of five troops, each containing eight FV107 Scimitars. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also employed eight Scimitars in the close reconnaissance role.

Development

The FV107 Scimitar is one of the CVR(T) series of vehicles. The first prototype was completed in 1971. After being accepted for service in 1973, deliveries to Belgium and the UK commenced in 1974.

Initially, the engine was the Jaguar J60 4.2-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, the same as used by several Jaguar cars. This was replaced by a Cummins

Scimitar Mk II

Following a risk mitigation programme, in December 2010 a contract was awarded for the development, testing and management of an upgraded Scimitar.[8] This was undertaken by the Vehicles Military & Technical Services team, BAE Systems Telford, which co-ordinated the build of 50 vehicles at the nearby DSG (Defence Support Group), Donnington, to be completed in early 2012. The Scimitar Mark 2 combat vehicle is one of five enhanced CVR(T) types.[9] It was created in early 2010, and continues in service.[10]

The Scimitar Mk II was: The resulting vehicles have since been re-engined with a Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel engine and David Brown TN15E+ automatic gearbox.[11] In addition to providing power for an air conditioning system, the new more fuel-efficient engine extends the vehicle's operational range, while the re-designed internal layout allows better-protected fuel tanks to be repositioned for reduced vulnerability to blast and ballistic threats.

The new engine and transmission package promised straightforward servicing and support for the Mk II during its in-service life, refurbished dampers simultaneously improving crew comfort - and hence reducing fatigue - while extending the life of vehicle components and maintaining the tactical mobility of the original vehicle despite an increase to an operation weight of c12,000 kg.

BAE Systems have proposed improved road wheels, new conventional metal tracks with guaranteed mileage (which could reduce the vehicle's running costs) and continuous 'rubber' band tracks, which significantly decrease both vibration and noise, allowing crew to operate more effectively and for longer, even in the harshest environments, while reducing the vehicle's acoustic signature.

Rehulled to give better mine-blast protection for troops

Improved armour fitted to enhance resistance to blasts and ballistic threats

Provide mine-protected (suspended and piston-mounted) seating in every crew position

Improve available space and improve crew conditions

Mitigate repairs while reducing maintenance and life-cycle costs, and extend in-service life.

Combat use

Two troops from B Squadron, Blues and Royals served in the Falklands War. One troop was equipped with four Scorpions, the other with four Scimitars. These CVR(T)s were the only armoured vehicles used in action by the British Army during the conflict. At least one Scimitar was seriously damaged by an Argentinian landmine, but the crew were unscathed, and the vehicle was salvaged by a Chinook HC.1 helicopter[12] and soon brought back into service by the attached REME section. Scorpions and Scimitars also provided air defence support; one Scimitar claimed to have shot down an Argentinian Skyhawk fighter-bomber with its 30 mm cannon.[13]

The 1st (British) Armoured Division, the British component of the coalition's ground forces in the First Gulf War, included a medium reconnaissance regiment that used Scimitars and other CVR(T) vehicles. This regiment initially was composed of the three constituent squadrons of 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers (16/5L), reinforced by a fourth squadron from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG). On 26 February 1991, the regiment fought direct-fire engagements with Iraqi units while calling in air and artillery strikes to support an attack by the division's 7th Armoured Brigade.[13] A troop of Scimitars engaged and knocked out Iraqi T-62s, penetrating their frontal armour with sabot rounds. One Scimitar was engaged and hit by an Iraqi T-55 and the penetrating round passed through the thin aluminium armour without injuring the crew.[14]

Scimitars of C Squadron, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, were used in the Battle of Al Faw in the opening days of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Plans for an amphibious landing by Scimitars were abandoned due to extensive mining of the beaches; instead, they crossed into Iraq by land.

In Afghanistan, during Operation Herrick, Scimitars were deployed either in standard troop organisations or as part of Jackal composite troops, in which role they provided additional firepower to complement the Jackal's high mobility.

origin	United Kingdom
type	Reconnaissance vehicle
is vehicle	yes
is uk	yes
weight	7.8 tonnes
length	4.9 m
width	2.2 m
height	2.1 m
crew	3
manufacturer	Alvis / BAE Systems Land & Armaments
number	over 600 (for UK)‡R1R‡
wars	* Falklands War * Gulf War * Bosnian War * Kosovo War * Iraq War * War in Afghanistan * Russian invasion of Ukraine
armour	aluminium armour
primary armament	30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon A.P.D.S. (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot). H.E. (High Explosive). D.S.R.R. (Discarding Sabot Reduced Range) (training) Prac. (H.E. Practice) (training)
secondary armament	Coaxial 7.62 mm L37A1 MG
engine	Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel
engine power	190 hp (142 kW)
suspension	Torsion bar
vehicle range	450 km
speed	50 mph (80.5 km/h)
drive	tracked, with 14 lb/in2 ground pressure

Development

Scimitar Mk II

Combat use

Additional specifications

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

See also

Further reading

References