Canada's tanks

[Colin Parkinson]

M10 Booker found a buyer?
I mean it's GDLS right

and a orphaned fleet, exactly what Canada wants in a program.

 

[FJAG]

Isn't Ajax like the M2 Bradley a recce vehicle with minimal dismounts?

Ajax very definitely is. The Ares version, however, has no turret, just an RWS and more interior space and is classified as the series APC version. It's tough finding info on its pax capacity although I have found its complement to be a crew of two and room for up to seven dismounts.

I haven't seen anything specific on how the Brits are doing the new version of cavalry and have been looking at it as an analogue to how they used Scimitar, Spartan and Stryker. I see Ajax as the Scimitar recce/surveillance replacement and Ares as the Spartan infantry carrier replacement. Since there is no specific Stryker ATGM replacement, I think they are using Ares with dismountable ATGMs. A recce sqn used to have three recce troops, one ATGM troop and one support (infantry) troop.

 

[Kirkhill]

Ajax very definitely is. The Ares version, however, has no turret, just an RWS and more interior space and is classified as the series APC version. It's tough finding info on its pax capacity although I have found its complement to be a crew of two and room for up to seven dismounts.

I haven't seen anything specific on how the Brits are doing the new version of cavalry and have been looking at it as an analogue to how they used Scimitar, Spartan and Stryker. I see Ajax as the Scimitar recce/surveillance replacement and Ares as the Spartan infantry carrier replacement. Since there is no specific Stryker ATGM replacement, I think they are using Ares with dismountable ATGMs. A recce sqn used to have three recce troops, one ATGM troop and one support (infantry) troop.

It looks as if the Striker/Swingfire overwatch role is, as you say to be done with an Ares variant armed with Brimstones.

I doubt if that will be doing any dismount work. Perhaps the dismounts in the Assault Troop Ares will be equipped with Javelin.

 

[FJAG]

Just did a little surfing and came across a forum discussing AJAX. That included a 2022 post as to how the Royal Dragoon Guards were reorganizing:

So basically, it will move from 4 recce squadrons and HQ squadrons, to 4 squadron structure

• HQ Squadron
• The Green Horse Squadron - recce squadron
• The Black Horse Squadron - anti-tank squadron
• The Blue Horse Squadron - fire support squadron

I doubt if this was, or is, the last word.

 

[Kirkhill]

You pays yer money and you takes yer chances.

Tanks or drones? German defence giants clash over how to rebuild military

Helsing and Rheinmetall fight for the lion’s share of Merz’s war chest – but Berlin must rearm quickly

www.telegraph.co.uk

It is comforting to know everybody is having the same debate and nobody knows the answer.

I stand by staying light on our feet and figuring out how to react and adapt in a hurry.

 

[Kirkhill]

Ajax still has problems.

1.5 hrs inside for the crew. Max.
And armour is too heavy and unbalanced.

42 tonnes vs 28 tonnes for the parent ASCOD.

Soldiers injured in latest mishap with Ajax armoured vehicles

‘World-beating’ fleet of tanks has been plagued by litany of problems with several troops needing hospital treatment over hearing loss

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[daftandbarmy]

Ajax still has problems.

1.5 hrs inside for the crew. Max.
And armour is too heavy and unbalanced.

42 tonnes vs 28 tonnes for the parent ASCOD.

Soldiers injured in latest mishap with Ajax armoured vehicles

‘World-beating’ fleet of tanks has been plagued by litany of problems with several troops needing hospital treatment over hearing loss

www.telegraph.co.uk

And it's twice as big as its predecessor...

 

[CBH99]

And it's twice as big as its predecessor...

View attachment 96678

Holy moses!! Tell me your not a recce vehicle without telling me yo...ah, nevermind...

 

[Maxman1]

Does it carry twice as many troops?

 

[HavokFour]

Ukraine has tapped the Lynx going forward as it's future IFV, and with local production there will be lots of hulls to mount Skyranger's which I assume plays a part in this decision.

KF41 Lynx: Ukraine Chooses IFV for Local Production - Militarnyi

Ukraine has chosen its main infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) for domestic production — the KF41 Lynx from the German defense company Rheinmetall

militarnyi.com

 

[FJAG]

Does it carry twice as many troops?

Almost - Spartan: crew 3, pax 4; Ares: crew 2, pax 7.

 

[FJAG]

Ukraine has tapped the Lynx going forward as it's future IFV, and with local production there will be lots of hulls to mount Skyranger's which I assume plays a part in this decision.

KF41 Lynx: Ukraine Chooses IFV for Local Production - Militarnyi

Ukraine has chosen its main infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) for domestic production — the KF41 Lynx from the German defense company Rheinmetall

militarnyi.com

I've been resistant to the modularity, offered by Boxer, as more of a fad than a practical solution. With Lynx also being modular, I've now come to the conclusion that a tracked chassis and a wheeled chassis (regardless of chassis manufacturer) which accept common modules, would be an extremely significant advantage to the manufacturing, fielding and training cycle.

I'm a firm believer in tracked IFVs in armoured forces, but am not against wheeled armoured vehicles. Each has its place and many of the mission modules ought to be identical.

Betcha we don't have RFP asking for that.

 

[Kirkhill]

I've been resistant to the modularity, offered by Boxer, as more of a fad than a practical solution. With Lynx also being modular, I've now come to the conclusion that a tracked chassis and a wheeled chassis (regardless of chassis manufacturer) which accept common modules, would be an extremely significant advantage to the manufacturing, fielding and training cycle.

I'm a firm believer in tracked IFVs in armoured forces, but am not against wheeled armoured vehicles. Each has its place and many of the mission modules ought to be identical.

Betcha we don't have RFP asking for that.

Use the MSVS project as a model.

Two vehicles (MilCOTS and SMP vs Wheels and Tracks) with common fleet of modules.

My problem with your suggestion is that you are likely to get two ridiculously expensive 40 tonne vehicles being used to carry 50 tonnes.

I'd prefer to keep the heavy fleet (greater than 40 tonnes, slow, ponderous and strategically problematic) separate from the light/medium fleet.

I would like that fleet on wheels and light enough that a useful force can be deployed rapidly with the lift actually available to us.

In my view that means keeping dry weights under 15 tonnes and arming them for long range engagements, not for the close fight.

And then ensure we send the right team to the right fight.