IFV-143 Gvira Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle

[Nachmere]

Specifications

General:
Type: Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Country of Origin: The Armed Republic of Nachmere
Manufacturer: Schwerpunkt | AFV Division
Production Status: In Production
Cost per uint: 10,050,000 USD
DPR cost: 10,050,000,000 USD


Dimensions:
Crew: 3+9
Weight: 70 metric tons combat ready
Length: 9.2 meters gun forward
Width: 4.1 meters
Height: 2.58 meters (turret roof)
Ground Clearance: 0.3-0.5 meters

Armament:
Main Gun: 100mm L30 Gun/Missile Launcher
Main Gun ammunition storage: 18 ready to fire, 24 more in hull storage
Primary Coaxial: 30mm/L80 autocannon
Primary Coaxial ammunition storage: 300 ready to fire
Secondary Coaxial:1X 7.62mm machine gun
Commanders Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
Close Range Armament: 2 6-tube 80mm close range grenade launchers
Close Range ammunition storage: 12 ready to fire, 12 more in storage

Protection:
Passive Protection: “Rhinoskin” titanium/DU based composite armor
Reactive Protection: “Umbrella” HERA and “Raincoat” SLERA
Active Protection: “Iron Tide” Hard/Soft Kill APS

Power:
Engine: NMC AVM2300 Horizontally Opposed, Twin Turbocharged V10
Power Output: 2,300HP (~1680kN) at 3,000 RPM
Power to weight ratio: ~32.8hp/ton
Auxiliary Power: 2 under armor 20kW APUs
Batteries: 20 LFP Li-Ion Batteries

Maneuverability:
Suspension: InArm Fluidic Springs
Maximum Road Speed (governed): 75km/h
Trench Crossing: 2.6 meters
Vertical Obstacle Crossing: 1.1 meters
Fording: 2.3 meters
Fuel Capacity: 1500 liters
Operational range: ~500 kilometers


OOC: THIS IS NO LONGER OFFERED BY ME, IT WILL BE REPLACED BY A SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT VEHICLE. i AM KEEPING THIS TOPIC FOR THOSE WHO STILL WISH TO USE IT IN RPs

Background

Even as the MBT-143 was in its early development phases, the idea to develop an infantry fighting vehicle based on it was suggested. The Abir already had a front mounted engine, sufficient space, and a rear facing clamshell door.

At the time, the WUAP IFV was being put into service. Two aspects of the WUAP-IFV were considered unsatisfactory by the Royal Army. Firstly, the WUAP, while protected against smaller caliber autocannons, was highly vulnerable to larger cannons. Secondly, the WUAP IFV, due to the size of the hull and the space taken by its turret basket, could only carry seven infantryman. Previously, Nachmerian tactics had squads of nine or eight men. In some roles, the latter issue was resolved by a change in squad size to seven men. Army officers felt that seven man squads lack the capacity to carry enough support weapons without sacrificing too many rifle barrels.

To correct the issues with the WUAP, a decision was made to couple its turret with the hull of the MBT-143. The turret had to be significantly up armored to be on par with the hull. This was done by making it wider and adding an exterior plate of armor on both the sides and front of the turret. The turret basket remained the same diameter however, and combined with the sizeable hull of the Abir, the resulting vehicle now had a rather spacious rear compartment capable of carrying nine infantrymen.

The IFV-143 Gvira(Lady or Mistress in Hebrew) is a highly protected infantry vehicles, meant to carry and support infantry into combat. With its tank like armor, it provides excellent protection for both its crew and passengers. Its varied armaments allow it to engage and defeat armor and infantry. For forces operating the Abir or Kotesh, the Gvira offers parts communality and easier logistics and training.

General Design

The hull design of the IFV-143 is nearly identical to that of the tank it originated from. The engine and transmission are mounted to the front and right, with the driver to their left. The frontally mounted engine serves to improve crew survivability and allows more space at the rear of the vehicle, needed for the troop compartment and clamshell door.

The turret is located behind the driver, with commander and gunner either side of the gun and coaxial armaments. The troop compartment is to the rear, and has two rows of 4 seats each adjacent to the hull sides, and a ninth seat in the middle, nearest the turret ring. The commander of the infantry squad is usually seated there.

Armament

The IFV-143 is heavily armed. It is equipped with a fully digital fire control system and electric turret traverse and stabilization. The FCS includes a gunners day and night thermal sight, and a commanders independent 360 degrees rotating day and night thermal sight. The system is capable of pixel lock. The sights are capable of displaying BASTION battle management data over the real time image. The commander can "slave" the gun controls, and has full functionality of the FCS from his position.

The main weapon is a 100mm low velocity smooth bore gun capable of firing not only standard HE rounds but also 100mm gun launched missiles such as the Shcwerpunkt "Hunter" GLATGM. The 100mm can be used to engage the full spectrum of ground targets from tanks to infantry at ranges of up to 8,000 meters. Ammunition is loaded by a carousel type autoloader.

Coaxially mounted to the 100mm is a 30mm L80 cannon, firing a mix of AP and HE rounds at a rate of 350 rounds per minute. Firing in short bursts it is lethal to infantry and lightly armored vehicles and saves the 100mm ammunition for harder targets.
Also coaxially mounted is a 7.62 FN-MAG machinegun, used to engage infantry and soft targets up to 1,000 meters away.

The commander has full control over the main and coaxial armaments. In addition, he has two other weapon systems operated solely by him.

A 7.62mm machinegun in a pintle mount near the commander's hatch allows for engagement of infantry at close ranges. The mount is simple and allows for a 270 degree fire arc as well as high elevation for AA fire.

In addition to the machinegun, the commander also controls the 12 tube close range grenade system.

The 80mm grenades launched by this system can engage infantry in close ranges (60 meters) and more importantly screen the vehicle against threats. The grenades are fired from a control panel in the commander’s compartment. Types of ammunition available for this system are White Phosphorus, HE-Fragmentation, IR-screening smoke, IR-Decoy, Less than lethal tear gas and less than lethal “flash-bang”.


Protection

The IFV-143 has a very sharply angled glacis plate and V shaped hull bottom. The turret is similar to that of the WUAP-IFV, a trapezoid shaped design. Unlike WUAP, the Gvira has a wider turret, with added plates of composite and reactive armor. The IFV-143 is protected against high caliber tank guns on the front hull and turret face, and against high caliber automatic cannons on the turret sides and rear.

The basic armor protection of the IFV-143 is a composite armor called “Rhinoskin”.”Rhinoskin” has three layers- The most exterior one is a titanium matrix encasing tiles of silicon carbide. The middle layer is made of two layers of titanium alloy shell encasing a layer of Depleted Uranium mesh. The first and second layers are spaced from each other to increase protection without adding weight. The most inner layer is the back plate to the entire system and is made of un-perforated titanium. “Rhinoskin”, with varying thickness of the matrix layer, protects the entire hull and turret, aside from the turret top. The turret top is protected by spaced titanium armor.

To compliment the passive protection given by “Rhinoskin” the IFV-143 is also protected by Heavy Reactive Armor (HERA). The HERA type named “Umbrella” is a rather conventional system. The blocks of armor are constructed of a 25mm thick back plate, a 30mm layer of semtex explosives, and a 20 mm frontal plate. The HERA not only has a massive effect on HEAT penetrators, but it also has a significant effect on KE penetrators . “Umbrella” covers 55% of the turrets surface as well as the front of the hull.

Some areas of the vehicle cannot be protected by the “Umbrella” HERA. This is due to the explosive nature of HERA, which may at some instances cause fragmentation that may harm personnel and sensors. For areas like the rear hull, side skirts, turret top and rear, a less dangerous protection method was selected. This method is Self Limiting Explosive Reactive Armor (SLERA). IFV-143 uses a SLERA system named “Raincoat”. Each block is constructed of a 20mm thick titanium back plate, a 30mm layer of the “Raincoat” compound, and a 10mm frontal plate. The “Raincoat” compound is made of 55% reduced sensitivity RDX, 25% ATH fire retardant, and 20% PDMS binder. When hit the “Raincoat” compound reacts with a slower rate of burning (compared to HERA), and quickly extinguishes itself. It is more effective than NERA blocks at stopping HEAT rounds but is no more dangerous to personal or equipment.

In addition to the passive and reactive protection suites, the IFV-143 is also protected by the “Iron Tide” APS. “Iron Tide” is modular soft and hard kill system designed to operate with the BASTION battle management system and take full advantage of the systems of each specific vehicle it is mounted on.

System components:
1)Main Processing Unit: a high speed compact processing unit with a 3 GHz clock rate. The processor uses a stripped down fast version of a common commercial operating system. The other software installed on it is the “Iron Tide” system. This allows the tracking, classification and engagement of threats detected by the system sensors. The software can use the data from the radar to identify threats and choose which threats to engage and which threats not to engage. It also chooses what counter measure to use against a threat. The processing unit is linked to the BASTION system, allowing one “Iron Tide” unit to network with others. This allows the systems to “warn” each other of threats, protect vehicles that have no loaded countermeasures, and use group smoke screening to protect the entire unit.
2)F/G band radar. Consisting of up to 5 flat panel antennas around the AFV (one directed upwards to identify top-attack threats), the radar is used to identify incoming threats and classify them. Threats are identified and classified in a 360 degrees arc around the protected vehicle, and the information is sent to the APS computer.
3)4 IR sensors located on sensor mast. This sensor identifies incoming projectiles by the thermal signature of their propulsion systems or the projectile itself. The IR data is sent to the APS computer where it is compared to the radar data. The use of IR sensors lowers the chance of the APS being defeated by jammers and low cross section projectiles.
4) A 360 degrees laser warning system. This comprises of 4-8 laser/active IR sensors, which identify laser designators and range finders targeting the AFV. The data is used to alert the team and give the system a “heads up” on what type of threats are about to engage it.
5) 2 twin-barreled automatically reloading, fully stabilized, 360 rotating launchers. The launchers fire fin stabilized 80mm projectiles. The projectiles are combustible and create almost no shrapnel. Exploding less than 1 meter from the threat, the projectile causes it to destabilize and either fall apart in the air or go off target. This method is effective against both CE threats and KE threats. 12 projectiles are carried in the auto-reload magazines of the system.
6) In turreted vehicles- the “Iron Tide” system is connected to the turret traverse system and can traverse the turret to fire smoke grenades if needed (requiring only a confirmation from the commander).
7) Jammers- the system includes both a radio frequency jammer and a laser/IR jammer. The R/F jammer is a high output unit which is programmed to work on frequencies used by radio guided munitions. As the missile nears the protected vehicle, the jammer out powers the guidance signal severing the tie between the missile and its launcher .The Laser and Infra Red jammer is similar to the similar to the RF jammer, and works either by directing false guidance data at the incoming threat or by blinding it completely. The jammers are located in the sensor mast of the system.
8) Commanders control panel- the entire system is controlled through a LCD panel in the commander’s compartment. This panel allows him to select modes of operation, turn different subsystems on and off, confirm turret rotation and decoy launch etc.

Operation: The fire control radar, located on top of the turret, identifies incoming rockets and missiles. The radar data is transmitted to the processing unit. The processing unit ignores birds, small weapons fire and threats that are not bound for the protected vehicle. When a threat is identified, the possessing unit selects the optimal method of engaging it. The system makes this decision based on the threat itself (guidance type, size, speed, etc.), the vehicles status (amount and type of remaining countermeasures, vehicles motion, etc), and the units status (other vehicles being more vulnerable, infantry being near the vehicle, etc). The system than engages the threat with the chosen countermeasure. The system prefers soft-kill options, but if the threat presists the system automatically uses the hard kill choice.

NBC protection for the IFV-143 is provided by an overpressure system and individual NBC protection for each crew member. The individual protection is in the form of 12 air filtering systems running directly to the masks and NBC overalls of the crew. The air is not only filtered but also cooled. If this system fails the IFV can use the over pressure system along with standard gas masks. The vehicle is buttoned and an overpressure is created by pumping air into the tank through filters. This keeps contaminated air out and when combined with the use of personal masks allows continued operations in contaminated areas.

Crew and vehicle survivability

The IFV-143 has a Kevlar lining in the crew compartments to minimize spalling. The front mounted engine layout of the allows for a rear exit. The rear exit hatch is a clamshell design and can be opened electrically or manually. The crew can use it to dismount while protected by the vehicles mass. It also allows them to mount the IFV without climbing to the turret and exposing themselves.

A fire suppression system is installed in the fighting compartment, crew compartment, engine compartment and ammo storage units. The system has 10 visual and thermal fire detectors and 8 BCF canisters. The canisters are located in the turret (2), troop compartment (2), driver compartment (1) engine compartment (2) and ammo storage units (3). The entire system is controlled from the gunner’s compartment, with the engine canisters also being operated from the driver’s compartment. Diesel fuel for the engine is stored in 5 tanks in the front and back of the IFV, with cutoff valves allowing the use of each tank separately.

A mine-protection plate made of titanium is available for the IFV-143. This plate weighs several tons and reduces the ground clearance to 28cm, but dramatically improves the survivability of the vehicle and crew in case of a large explosion under the hull. The crew and passenger seats are all of the suspended type, to protect the crew from explosions under the hull.

Mobility

The IFV-143 is a heavy vehicle at 70 metric tons, but it uses a powerful engine coupled to an advanced transmission to maintain good performance both on and off road. In fact, due to the lighter turret, the IFV-143 has better performance than the tank that fathered it.

The NMC AVM2300 is a Horizontally Opposed, Twin Turbocharged V10. The injection system is based on pre-combustion chambers, allowing multi-fuel use. Cooling is provided by a pressurized close circuit cooling system. Twin turbochargers are installed to maximize performance. A filtering system is installed to allow operations in fine-dust conditions. The engine has a preheating system for the oil and can operate at temperatures of -46C to +52C. The engine produces 2300 bhp at 3000rpm.

Coupled to the engine is a semi-automatic hydro-mechanical transmission with 5 forward gears, 2 reverse gears, neutral gear and pivot. Mechanical brakes are built on to the output shafts, which are transverse to the input. Propulsion drive is via a torque converter with lock up clutch, shifting and reversing gear to be shifted under load with planetary gear sets, multidisc brakes and clutches. Steering drive is infinitely variable by a hydrostatic-hydrodynamic superimposed steering system. The transmission brake is a combined hydrodynamic-mechanical brake system as service brake, without parking and auxiliary brakes.

The InArm suspension system developed by Horstman incorporates dual piston compressible struts into the suspension arms. The system also has a central control to adjust the amount of fluid in each InArm unit. The hydraulic units act both as springs and dampers, and the system allows the driver to lower and raise the ground clearance given by each arm. In total there are 7 pairs of road wheels on each side of the suspension, with 4 return rollers. The tracks are 670mm wide and do not have rubber soles.

Communications and Networking

The IFV-143 has a standard NPS combined internal/external communications system.

The system comprises of a main control panel and 6 personal control panels (each crewman and three in the rear corridor), as well as 6 headsets integrated into the ballistic helmets of the crew. The main control panel is located in the commander’s compartment and allows him to select listening and broadcasting frequencies for himself and the crew, select which crewmembers can hear him and be heard by him, and which crewmembers can listen and broadcast to external radio. The individual control panels allow each crew member to switch select listening frequencies and select which crew members he can hear. The commander’s panel also allows for remotely changing the frequency in the receivers and transmitters. The PTT integrated into the helmet has three modes- internal, external, and quiet. The system has a separate commander to driver channel using the most protected battery for power to ensure commander-driver communications. The system also has a wireless ability, which switches on automatically when a helmet is disconnected. This prevents crew members from accidently disconnecting and allows for quick dismount.

The Gvira can accommodate 2-3 transmitter-receivers and 2-3 receivers. The antenna bases are integral and allow lowering the antennas forwards and backwards from inside the vehicle. A storage compartment for a man portable radio is located near the rear exit hatch. A radio-silence communications system to replace flags, comprising of two IR and regular lights on each side of the turret, allows for minimum use of radio by lower level commanders. The vehicle equipped with a tank/infantry telephone located at the rear of the vehicle and connected to the commander’s internal communications, as well as external communications to allow infantry to use the vehicle to communicate.

Networking for the Gvira is provided by the BASTION system. BASTION is a battlefield management system for units ranging in size from platoons to brigades.

BASTION mostly relies on the existing sensors a platform already has. This includes laser range finders, RADARs, observation systems, fire control components, meteorological sensors, and other sensors. It also uses GPS (either installed with BASTION or existing). Combining information from these sensors allows the system to display and network accurate real-time information not only of friendly forces, but also of hostile forces, terrain conditions and more.
BASTION can rely on several communication mediums. It can use standard military radio networks, military cellular networks, or satellite communications. It can also combine all three. According to the type of medium used, range varies from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers.

Networking is done by an IP protocol. Each unit sends and receives information to and from all units within reception range and operating on the correct frequencies. This information is than sorted by the system, to prevent flooding the user with un-needed information. This sorting is done by both the sender and recipient, meaning he user can choose who will see his sent data and who’s sent data he receives.

The information gathered by the BASTION main processor is displayed on one or more LCD displays in the vehicle. The LCD screens are mil-spec and have control buttons on the sides. The system has 4 windows used for work before, during, and after operations.

*Battle Planning and orders: Allows for creating, sharing and viewing complete operational plans, with attached maps, orders, and ORBATS. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, lines-of-sight, and radio reception areas.
*Battle Management: This is the main window, which is used during operations. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can see the location of friendly forces and known hostile forces. The user can also update known enemy forces. This is done by taking a range reading to the enemy, and then adding further information manually. Artillery can be laid using a special artillery tab, which sends the artillery request to a predefined user. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, and lines-of-sight. Information added here by the user is automatically shared with other units.
*Information Sharing: This window is used to send specific data that is not automatically sent by the system. This includes text massages, images and videos, and logistic reports. Videos and still images are captured by the AFVs existing systems. Text massaging allows free texting as well as predefined default massages. This system allows upper echelons to view the battle from the perspective of a specific tank, and also reduces the use of radio by lower tactical levels.
*Internal Status: The window is used for updating the status of the specific unit carrying the BASTION. It allows updating ammunition and fuel shortages, mechanical problems, casualties, etc. This information is only sent when the user chooses to (manually or in predefined intervals).

Crew Amenities

The IFV-143 is equipped to support its crew and passengers in long term operations during fighting and when buttoned. A specially designed sun and rain plastic canopy can be raised above the commander hatch to ease waiting periods in harsh weather. An air-conditioning system is connected to the NBC protection system and can flow warm or cool air into the overalls and NBC masks of the crew. For the passengers, an extra A/C system is available when not using the masks(as the passengers rarely wear overalls) Two 75 liter NBC protected water tanks located in the rear hull are connected to a heating/cooling unit and supplies hot or cold water thorough a tap in the troop compartment corridor. Rations are kept in water tight compartments in the fighting compartment itself as well as in the rear corridor. 4 days' worth of rations can be carried in this way. The IFV has a special storage compartment holding an electric cooking pen, an electric cigarette lighter, plates and utensils.


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