Combat Vehicle 90

The Stridsfordon 90 (Strf 90) (Eng. Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90)), is a family of Swedish tracked combat vehicles designed by FMV, Hägglunds and Bofors in mid-1980s to early 1990s. The Swedish version of the main infantry fighting vehicle was fitted with a turret from Bofors equipped with a 40 mm autocannon although export versions used 30mm and 35mm autocannons. Developed specifically for the Nordic sub-arctic climate, it has very good mobility in snow and wetlands, while carrying and supporting 8–6 fully equipped soldiers. Other variants includes Forward Observation, Command and Control, Anti-air, Armoured Recovery, Electronic Warfare and so forth. It is still produced and developed further by BAE Systems Hägglunds AB.

History
During the Cold War, in 1983, the Swedish Army desired vehicles with high mobility, air defence and anti-tank capability, high survivability and protection. The project group "Stridsfordon 90" was formed by representatives from Försvarmakten, Försvarets Materielverk and Swedish industry including Hägglunds and Bofors, which in 1985 finalize the draft for a "unity-vehicle" following the concept from the airforce. In 1986 the prototypes for Strf 9040 and Strf 9025 were ordered. Five prototypes were constructed, but before delivery in 1988 the 9025-version was discontinued. These prototypes were tested during extensive trials for three years between 1988 to 1991, during which the prototypes for specialized variants (FOV, C&C and ARV) were ordered. The first deliveries started in 1994, and as of 2002 over 1,000 CV90s have been delivered worldwide.

Design
Various customer requirements have led to several generations of CV90, where the major differences are survivability and the electronic architecture. Higher protection has led to higher kerb weight; the vehicle's combat weight has risen from 23 to 35 tonnes. However, with increasingly more powerful diesel engines, the power-to-weight ratio has remained approximately the same. The track suspension system has seen upgrades in several stages. The Mk III version has a digital electronic architecture with several different CAN-buses and digital networks, and is the first IFV to boast an automatic Defensive Aid Suite (DAS), which classifies threats and, in automatic mode, can fire smoke and/or the main gun in suitable directions as well as instruct the driver. At the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition, a version called Armadillo was presented. The Armadillo shown was an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) version, which shows how flexible the original platform is - with a bolted roof, several other roles (like ambulance, control vehicle or other turreted versions) are easy to create.

Protection
The basic armour of the CV9040 provides all-round protection against 14.5 mm armour-piercing rounds. Armour protection over the frontal arc is classified, but all models from CV9040B and later are said to be protected against 30 mm APFSDS. Some variants, including the CV9030N, can be fitted with MEXAS, a ceramic appliqué armor which provides all-round protection against 30 mm APFSDS. This armour kit is intended to provide increased protection against Improvised explosive device, explosively formed penetrator and 30 mm caliber armour piercing rounds. All CV90s are fitted with a Kevlar spall suppression liner, which covers the interior spaces and provides protection for the troops inside against shrapnel and anti-personnel artillery munition.

The CV90 can be also fitted with cage armour, which provides protection against tandem-charge and shaped charge warheads. The CV90 is fitted with a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) filtration system accompanied with a chemical detector and radiation detector systems. The CV90 also use heat-absorbing filters to provide temporary protection against thermal imaging (TIS), image intensifier and infrared camera (IR). The CV 90 was designed to produce a very low and very compact structure to minimize radar and IR-signatures.

With every generation of CV90 there has been an increase in payload and corresponding protection levels. The inherent mine protection levels have risen substantially to presently defeat the heaviest (10 kg TNT) anti-tank mines.

Mobility
The CV90 Mk0 is powered by a DSI14 engine developed by Scania, which provides 550 horse power (HP) and it can reach speeds of 70 kilometers per hour. The basic CV90 has a maximum road range of 320 kilometers, but the latest generation can reach up to 600 kilometers. The CV90 offers quieter movement for improved stealth, greater speed over good terrain, and higher ground clearance for protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.

BAE Systems is considering upgrading the CV90 with a hybrid-electric propulsion system as armies look to cut fuel expenses, due to environmental issues and fuel economy. A hybrid-electric drive could cut fuel consumption by 10 to 30 percent. The new system would also provide a power boost to move the vehicle. The hybrid-electric combines a standard diesel engine with a battery pack to provide extra power to propel the vehicle or provide additional electricity.

Armament
The basic CV90 is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with a Bofors 40 mm caliber gun and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The CV90 also carries six 76-mm grenade launchers, which are arranged in two clusters of three launchers; the clusters are positioned on each side of the turret. The grenade launchers are intended for smoke grenades, but can also be loaded with a variety of combat grenades.

Sight
The CV90 is equipped with a UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Sight) from Saab. Daytime optical, Thermal Imaging System (TIS) and Generation III Image Intensification (II).

Production
Production of the CV 90 began in 1993, and over 1,000 vehicles have been ordered. In November 2000, Finland ordered 57 CV9030 vehicles. Total cost was €250 million ( in 2008 euros ), or €4.42 million per vehicle. In June 2004, Finland made another purchase, bringing the overall quantity ordered to 102. This time the cost was €2.92 million ( in 2008 euros ) per vehicle. In December 2005, Denmark ordered 45 CV9035 vehicles for a cost of €188 million or €4.18 million per vehicle. The Netherlands ordered 184 combat plus 8 instruction CV9035 vehicles for a cost of €749 million.

Research
Hägglunds (now BAE Systems AB) demonstrated in 2011 a version with an infrared camouflage called Adaptiv consisting of thermoelectric plates, capable of posing as many different objects such as ordinary cars, stones, trees etc. to an enemy IR-viewfinder. It takes 1,500 plates to cover a CV90, at a cost of $100 per plate.

Domestic
Developed by Hägglund/Bofors in cooperation with FOI, FOA and FMV for Försvarsmakten as part of the Stridsfordon 90 (Strf 90)-family. Sweden originally planned for a mix of CV9040 and CV9025, tests of the 25 mm turret being carried out on on an Ikv 91 chassis, but finally decided on the 40 mm version, due to the much higher versatility of the larger calibre.
 * Stridsfordon (Strf) 9040 (SB1A3): The original model carries 8 soldiers and is equipped with a 40 mm Bofors autocannon. From November 1997, the gun was gyro-stabilized.

Depending on received upgrades, the versions are called Adam, Bertil or Caesar. All three remains in service:
 * Strf 9040A: SB1A3 updated with extensive chassis modifications. More stovage and better emergency exits reduces the seats to 7 in the troop compartment.
 * Strf 9040B: 9040A updated with new fire control software, electric firing mechanism and improved suspension for better accuracy while moving. Also sports a reserve sight with video camera for the gunner, new instrumentation and new seatbelts. Still in service.
 * Strf 9040C: Version for crew training and International Operations. As per 9040B with additional all-round armour, laser filtering in all periscopes and tropical grade air conditioning. Due to the bulk and weight of the modifications, only 6 soldiers can be carried.


 * Luftvärnskanonvagn (lvkv) 9040: Anti-Air Vehicle, fitted with PS-95 radar from Thomson CSF Harfang (now Thales Group) and a high elevation 40 mm autocannon capable of using programmable ammunition. Also connected to the national air defence net LuLIS. 3 have been upgraded to Caesar-standard. There is also a demonstrator designated Lvkv 90-TD fitted with infrared video targeting and fully stabilized gun for firing on the move.

The forward observation, command and recovery vehicles are armed only with a machine gun.
 * Stridsledningspansarbandvagn (Stripbv) 90, (Eng. Forward Command Vehicle): Used by battalion- and brigade commander for command&control. 2 upgraded to Caesar-standard, but all have been decommissioned as of 2011.


 * Eldledningspansarbandvagn (Epbv) 90, (Eng. Forward Observation Vehicle): For directing artillery and mortar fire, more advanced IR sensor fitted. 8 have been upgraded to Caesar-standard.


 * Bärgningsbandvagn (Bgbv) 90, (Eng. Armored Recovery Vehicle). Two 9-tonne winches provides a maximum capacity of 72 tonnes through 4-way pulleys. 3 have been upgraded to Caesar-standard.


 * Störpansarbandvagn (Störpbv) 90, (Eng. Electronic Warfare Vehicle). A 9040A had it's turret replaced with a fixed housing containing retractable mast and a LEMUR weapons station. Planned in 2002, a single unit was produced before the poor economy cancelled serial production and as of 2013 the project is still on ice.


 * Stridsfordon 9040/56: Prototype version of the CV 9040 equipped with the Bofors RB56 anti-tank missile. Issues with the sight alignment were unsolved and no units ordered.


 * *Granatkastarpansarbandvagn (Grkpbv) 90120:, (Eng. Tracked armoured mortar vehicle). A CV 90 fitted with the Advanced Mortar System, a project between Hägglunds and Patria. Now cancelled, the mortar system is offered on Patria and Armadillo respectively.

Export versions

 * CV9030: Export version with a 30 mm Bushmaster II autocannon. Adopted by Norway, Switzerland and Finland. Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Norwegian CV9030N are generally known as the CV90 Mk I while the more advanced Finnish CV9030FIN and Swiss CV9030CH vehicles are known as the CV90 MK II. The CV90 MK II is also available as CV9030 COM - Command & Control Vehicle.


 * CV9035: Armed with a Bushmaster III 35/50 cannon. Adopted by the Netherlands as CV9035NL and Denmark as CV9035DK. Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, CV9035 is known as the CV90 MK III.


 * CV90105: Light tank equipped with 105 mm rifled tank gun/turret. Designed by Hägglunds (BAE Systems) and GIAT (Nexter).
 * CV90120-T: Light tank equipped with tank turret and smoothbore 120 mm gun. (RUAG 120 mm Compact Tank Gun)

The CV90 Armadillo can be modified to become a personnel carrier, an ambulance, a command and control centre, a recovery vehicle and many other non-turreted variants at low cost due up to 80% commonality between Variants. Currently, only the APC version has been built, with five units delivered to Denmark for trials.
 * Armadillo: Armoured Personnel Carrier version built on a modular CV90 Mk III chassis

Combat service
First use was by the Swedish UN-forces in Liberia 2004, where 13 Stridsfordon 9040C were deployed.

Since the production begun in 1993, the CV90 had remained untested in live combat until November 2007, when Norwegian Army CV90s from 2nd Battalion saw heavy combat during Operation Harekate Yolo in Afghanistan. During the first week of November, Norwegian ISAF forces from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen based in Mazar-e-Sharif, responded to a Taliban attack on Afghan National Army forces in the Ghowrmach district. Having been heavily outnumbered by the Taliban forces, the Norwegians used mortars and, in particular, CV90s, to effectively beat down the attack. The operation left an unknown number of Taliban casualties, but Norwegian news sources say as many as 45 to 65 Taliban fighters may have been killed, and many more wounded.



The CV90 was later used extensively by ISAF-forces of the Norwegian Army's Telemark Battalion in May 2008, when the battalion came under heavy machine gun and RPG fire from Taliban fighters during Operation Karez in the Badghis Province. The attack left 13 Taliban fighters dead, and unknown number of wounded. No allied casualties were reported. In January 2010, a Norwegian soldier driving a CV9030 was killed when it drove over an IED in Ghowrmach, Afghanistan.

In February 2010, Denmark sent 10 CV9035DK's to Afghanistan in order to bolster their contingent in Helmand Province. The Danish contingent had suffered numerous casualties since they began operations in the province in the autumn of 2006. The vehicles are from the Danish Royal Lifeguard Regiment, based in the Northern part of Seeland. They are working alongside MOWAG Piranha IIIC, MOWAG Eagle IV, M113 G3DK and Leopard 2A5DK vehicles, all contributed by Denmark, in the Helmand Province. By April 2010, two of the ten vehicles had been hit with IEDs, in both cases protecting the crew and passengers from personal injury. The vehicles lost two wheels and tracks, and were sent back to the manufacturer in Sweden for further investigation. On 7 August 2010, a CV9035DK hit an IED in Afghanistan, killing two soldiers and wounding another three. The explosion was so powerful that the vehicle was turned over.

As of the spring of 2011, Sweden operates 9 Strf 9040Cs in Afghanistan. Swedish CV90s have seen combat with insurgents on dozens of occasions.

Operators

 * 45 CV9035DK.
 * 🇫🇮: 102 CV9030FIN (57 first batch, 45 second batch).
 * 🇳🇱: 193 CV9035NL (Initial order of 184 vehicles raised to 193. Deliveries will be completed by 2011.
 * 🇳🇴: 146 CV9030N. 17 of these have been upgraded with air-condition, additional mine protection and rear-view cameras, and are designated CV9030NF1. In April 2012, the Norwegian Government proposed to upgrade all CV90s in the Norwegian Army's inventory, as well as buying further vehicles, bringing the total number in Norwegian service to 146. In June 2012, a deal was signed with BAE Systems Hägglunds and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the acquisition of 43 new CV90s and upgrades to the original 103 vehicles in service.
 * 🇨🇭: 186 CV9030CH
 * 🇸🇪: 509 vehicles, including 42 CV9040C with additional armour.

Evaluation operators

 * 🇨🇦: 1 CV9035 Mark III
 * CV90 Armadillo
 * 🇵🇱 Poland
 * 🇵🇱 Poland