ACV-19

   The ACV-19 (or Armored Combat Vehicle) is a private venture by the Turkish vehicle manufacturer FNSS. Soon after it was founded in 1988 the company was tasked by the Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM in Turkish) to commence production of the ACV-300, later renamed the ACV-15, an improved derivative of the prolific M113, which was the Turkish Army’s armored personnel carrier of choice since the 1960s.

   The local success of the original ACV-300/15 combined with its solid track record among global customers—a total of 211 were delivered to Malaysia in the 2000s, with smaller batches for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—led to a new effort for an even better armored personnel carrier. The emphasis this time was on internal volume, modular features, and mobility.

   Beginning in the 2000s FNSS developed what turned out to be a successful clone of the M2 Bradley. Or the M2 Bradley’s hull, at least.

   Originally designated the Advanced Combat Vehicle-Stretched, the ACV-S’ uncanny resemblance to a distant cousin is best explained by FNSS’ corporate structure at the time. Ownership of the company was shared with United Defense LP, a stake that gave FNSS access to NATO-standard parts, engines, and transmission systems. At present FNSS is jointly owned by the Turkish conglomerate Nurol Holdings and BAE Systems, who subsequently acquired United Defense LP.

   The ACV-19 can transport an infantry squad of 8 soldiers, who enter and exit from a power ramp in the rear, and enjoy protection levels that make the vehicle impervious to most small arms. The frontal armor of the ACV, which encases the driver’s compartment and engine, is resistant to 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Add-on armor is available, of course, to give it protection against 30 mm rounds and a better change against anti-tank guided weapons, such as RPG-7 rockets.

   On paper, the ACV-19’s appeal is its reputation as an artisinal armoured vehicle. More than just a battle taxi, it’s able to perform whatever role its customer needs. To name a handful of examples, the ACV-19 can serve as a owing vehicle, an ambulance, a mortar carrier, a tank destroyer and an anti-aircraft gun.

   This build-your-own-device approach to a tracked armoured vehicle extends to its bells and whistles. The ACV-19 is amphibious (fording depth is 1.1. meter) should the customer ask for it. It can have NBC/CBRNe protection should the customer ask for it. It’s weapons may include an M2 Browning, anti-tank missiles, or a 90 mm gun…should the customer ask for it.

   For some inexplicable reason, despite being marketed for years at arms shows, the ACV-19 hasn’t found any customers. Even the Turkish Army hasn’t weaned itself off an aging fleet of M113’s and ACV-300/15’s. The ACV-19 is the best stand-in for a Bradley but it seems everyone else want their next APC to have wheels.

   FNSS has since developed a new vehicular family with their next-generation Kaplan, which looks like an edgier version of the ACV-19.

Variants

   ACV-SW – Prototype that was fitted with a Russian BMP-3 turret. Never entered production.

   ACV-19 IFV25 – The basic configuration of the ACV mounting a manned turret armed with a 25 mm cannon and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

   ACV-19 APC – The ACV as a pure troop carrier. It can transport an infantry squad of 10 soldiers. Its armament is reduced to a single M2 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine gun.

   ACV-19 IFV RCT – Equipped with a Remotely Control Turret (RCT) carrying a 25 mm cannon.

   ACV-19 CFV/ATGM – Equipped with a two-man turret and armed with a 25 mm gun. An anti-tank missile module is optional.

   ACV-19 DFS90 – The ACV configured as a fire support vehicle with a 90 mm gun.

   ACV-19 DFS105 – The ACV configured as a tank destroyer / medium tank with a 105 mm gun.

   ACV-19 SPM120 – The ACV equipped with a 120 mm mortar.

   ACV-19 LGM-V – The laser guided missile carrier vehicle (LGM-V) is a tank destroyer armed with two modules of Cirit guided missiles.

   ACV-19 CPV – The Command Post Variant (CPV) is armed with a single M2 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine gun in an armoured cupola.

   ACV-19 TLC – The ACV configured as a logistics transport. A hydraulic crane is installed in its troop compartment.

   ACV-19 AMEV – The ACV is stripped of weapons and configured to transport injured soldiers as a tracked battlefield ambulance.

   ACV-30 AD/SPAAG Korkut – The ACV armed with twin 35 mm cannons for short-range air defense.

   ACV-30 HISAR – The ACV equipped with the HISAR SAM system.

   Kaplan – A next-generation infantry fighting vehicle for the Turkish army. Uses the same chassis and hull as the ACV but is armed with an unmanned turret. The Kaplan forms a separate vehicular family.

Article by MIGUEL MIRANDA    Want to publish your own articles? Visit our guidelines for more information.