Terrex

Infobox Weapon
name=AV-81 Terrex


caption=AV-81 Terrex APC
origin=flagcountry|Singapore
type=
designer=Timoney Technology Ltd., and ST Engineering
design_date=2004
manufacturer=Timoney Technology Ltd., and ST Engineering
production_date=2006
used_by=Singapore, Turkey
is_vehicle=yes
length=7 m
width=2.7 m
height=2.1 m
weight=25 tonnes
suspension=Hydropneumatic
speed=110 km/h
vehicle_range= 800 km
primary_armament=CIS 40 AGL with 60 rounds
secondary_armament=7.62 mm Co-axial with 250 rounds,
CIS SGL with 5 rounds
armour=
engine=Caterpillar Inc. C-9
crew=2 (Commander, Driver)
+ 12 troops
engine_power=400 hp (at 2200 rpm)
pw_ratio=16 hp/tonne

The Terrex AV-81 is an armoured fighting vehicle co-developed between an Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd., and ST Engineering. Its Turkish variant, the Yavuz, is built by Turkish automaker Otokar together with ST Kinetics (a subset of ST Engineering). It weighs an estimated 25 to 30 tonnes with an 8x8 wheeled chassis with modern armour. Multiple weapon platforms are supported, including both the remote and overhead weapons stations.

Production History and Development

The Terrex started off as a private venture between Singapore Technologies Engineering and Timoney Technology, intended for export sales.

In mid-2004, one prototype and one pre-production model had been built and was evaluated throughout Asia and Europe, where the vehicle was offered for a number of emerging wheeled armoured vehicle requirements. This was further influenced by the emerging United States' Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) concept, which calls for the need of wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) as opposed to tracked AFVs.

As of 2006, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has decided to purchase 300 units to replace their ageing V-200 armoured vehicles. The Indonesian Army has plans to purchase 420 units and has also expressed intention to locally produce the Terrex under license. Turkish automaker Otokar has also joined with ST Kinetics to produce the Terrex (renamed Yavuz) for the Turkish Armed Forces. [ [http://jczs.sina.com.cn/2006-03-20/0942358456.html 新加坡研制“特拉克斯”AV81装甲步战车(附图)] ]

Design

As with a number of other recent wheeled armoured vehicles, the AV-81 Terrex is of modular design with various levels of armour protection and weapon systems being marketed up to a gross vehicle weight of 24,000kg. Along with its size, the Terrex is air portable by C-130s or other similar cargo aircraft.

The AV-81 Terrex's layout is conventional: the driver sits front left and the power pack is to the right. This leaves the rest of the vehicle clear for the troop compartment, which is provided with a power-operated ramp and roof hatches.

Various weapon systems can be fitted on the roof, including a remote weapon station armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun or a complete stabilized turret armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. Additional 7.62mm machine guns can be mounted over the rear troop compartment. In addition, the vehicle can be configured to carry varying combat payloads - from turreted weapon stations (including 105 mm tank guns) to rocket launchers. The modular top deck allows for quick configuration change.

The Terrex AV-81 uses a patented independent double wishbone suspension, which greatly improves ground mobility and ride comfort over the roughest terrain. The use of automatic traction control and the capacity for large footprint off-road tyres enables it to traverse at unprecedented speeds in soft ground conditions.

The vehicle has a double hull with an external V-hull that improves mine blast survivability. Add-on armour provides further protection for troops. It is also capable of providing full Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection in extreme operational conditions.

Standard equipment includes powered steering on the front four wheels, central tyre-pressure inflation system, anti-lock braking system and nuclear, biological and chemical defensive system, but there are numerous other options.

In its baseline configuration, the AV-81 Terrex is fully amphibious: two water jets mounted on either side at the back of the hull propel the vehicle through water at 10km/h.

Variants

* Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)
* Mortar Variant
* Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
* Armoured Ambulance / Medical Evacuation Variant

ee also

*CM-32 Armoured Vehicle designed by Timoney Technology
*ST Kinetics

References

* 罗, 山爱. (2006). [http://jczs.sina.com.cn/2006-03-20/0942358456.html "新加坡研制“特拉克斯”AV81装甲步战车" (Singapore develops "Terrex" AV81 Armoured Fighting Vehicle)] . Accessed on 20 March 2006.
* [http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=4251&PHPSESSID=6329b7c60255e60718e9511a4f3cb63b "Singapore, Turkish firms in vehicle project"] . Accessed on 1 October 2003.

External links

;Company Catalogues
* [http://www.stengg.com/CoyCapPro/detail.aspx?pdid=126 Singapore Technologies Terrex AV-81]
* [http://www.otokar.com/en/products/product_detail.aspx?urun=45 Otokar Yavuz] ;Others
* [http://www.stengg.com Singapore Technologies Engineering]
* [http://www.timoneygroup.com Timoney Technology]
* [http://www.one35th.com/terrex/terrex_index.html Modelling website with specifications]
*YouTube|GrSrMCiT9hQ|Terrex AV81 Infantry Fighting Vehicle video clip