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 HISAR
– The ACV equipped with the HISAR SAM system.
ACV-AD – a
baseline armored chassis for air defense platforms. It has a more
powerful engine and improved suspension comparing to the ACV-19. As
a result it can carry greater payloads. The ACV-AD was used a base
for the
Korkut self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It is armed with twin 35 mm cannons
was designed for short-range air
defense. It was adopted by the Turkish military. Deliveries began in
2019.
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.
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Article by
MIGUEL MIRANDA
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