FV101 Scorpion

FV101 Scorpion
Scorpion Reconnaisance Vehicle
Type	Reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1973- (Retired in 1994 by the UK)
Used by	Users
Wars	Falklands war Gulf war
Production history
Manufacturer	Alvis Vehicles Ltd, Telford, England
Variants	Scorpion 90
Specifications
Mass	17,800 lb (8.074 tonnes)
Length	5.288 m (17 ft 4.2 in)
Width	2.134 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height	2.102 m (6 ft 10.8 in)
Crew	3
Armour	12.7 mm welded aluminium
Main armament	ROF 76mm L23A1 gun 90 mm in Scorpion 90
Secondary armament	Coaxial 7.62 mm L43A1 machine gun
Engine	Cummins BTA 5.9 litre (diesel) 190 hp (140 kW)
Power/weight	22.92 hp/tonne
Transmission	David Brown TN15
Suspension	Torsion-bar
Operational range	756 km (470 mi)
Maximum speed	72.5 km/h (45.0 mph)

The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), CVR(T), family of seven armoured vehicles. Manufactured by Alvis it was introduced into service with the British Army in 1973 and served until 1994. More than 3,000 were produced and used as an reconnaissance vehicle or a light tank.

History

The Alvis Scorpion was originally developed to meet a British Army requirement for the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) or CVR(T). In 1967 Alvis were awarded the contract to produce 30 CVR(T) prototypes. Vehicles P1–P17 being the Scorpion prototypes were delivered on time and within the budget. After extensive hot and cold weather trials in Norway, Australia, Abu Dhabi and Canada, the Scorpion was accepted by the British Army in May 1970, with a contract for 275 which later rose to 313 vehicles. The first production vehicles were completed in 1972 and the first British regiment to be equipped with the Scorpion were the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry in 1973. In November 1981, the RAF Regiment Royal Air Force took delivery of its first of 184 Scorpions and other variants of CVR(T).

The Scorpion/Scimitar in the US Army field recognition manual.

Alvis built more than 3,000 Scorpion vehicles for the British Army and Royal Air Force and the export market.

All the CVR(T) vehicles were to be air-portable and two Scorpions could be carried in a C130 Hercules. Another requirement of the CVR(T) project was the low ground pressure - similar to that of a soldier on foot - and this would serve it well in the Falklands War

Armament

The Scorpion was armed with a low velocity 76 mm main armament gun, which could fire high-explosive, HESH, smoke and canister rounds. Stowage was provided for 40 or 42 rounds. A 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun (3,000 rounds carried) and two multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers were also fitted each side of the turret. Main armament elevation is 35 degrees and depression of 10 degrees with a full 360 degree traverse.

Engine

The original engine was the Jaguar J60 4.2 litre petrol engine, which was replaced by a Cummins or Perkins diesel engine. The maximum speed was about 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) and it could accelerate from nought to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) in 16 seconds. The maximum speed on water (with the flotation screen deployed) was 3.6 miles per hour (5.8 km/h).

Other systems

The vehicle was fitted with a nuclear, biological, chemical protection system, image intensification sights for gunner and driver and a floatation screen. A commode was located under the commander's seat, an internal water tank and a boiling vessel for cooking and heating water were also provided.

Scorpion 90

Scorpion 90 or Scorpion 2 was version armed with the long-barrelled Cockerill Mk3 M-A1 90mm gun designed for the export market.

Service history

The Scorpion was used by the armed forces of; Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Chile, Honduras, Iran, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo and the United Arab Emirates. While Canada never operated the Scorpion, a number of Scorpion turrets were used with AVGP hulls to create the Cougar.

The Scorpion was deployed on mainland Britain as part of security measures against expected terrorist action at Heathrow Airport in 1974.

Combat use

Scorpion advancing across the desert during the first Gulf War.

Two troops from B Squadron, Blues and Royals served in the Falkland war. They were the only armoured vehicle used in action by the British Army during the conflict. Scorpions also served in the Gulf war. The 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards a reconnaissance regiment had 32 and the close reconnaissance troops of the armoured regiments each had eight.

Foreign users

Some small armies such as the Botswana Defence Force and the Irish Army, and notably the larger Philippine Army, continue to use the Scorpion, in some cases up-armed with the 90mm Cockerill.

Sabre

The Scorpion has been withdrawn from British Army service and the refurbished hulls have been mated with surplus turrets from the FV 721 Fox CVR(W) wheeled reconnaissance vehicle to form a composite vehicle, to create the Sabre reconnaissance vehicle.

Salamander

A small number of converted Scorpions are in use at British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada as part of OPFOR. With the main armament barrel replaced with a dummy they represent 125mm gun armed T-80-type vehicles.

Users

Scorpion tank and its Scimitar/Sabre/Scorpion-90 variants operators. Current operators are in bright red, former operators are in dark red.

• Belgium
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Chile
• Honduras
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Ireland
• Jordan
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Oman
• Philippines
• Spain
• Thailand
• Tanzania
• Togo
• United Kingdom
• Venezuela

See also

• Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)
• Other CVR(T) vehicles
  • FV102 Striker anti-tank guided weapon carrier
  • FV103 Spartan armoured personnel carrier
  • FV104 Samaritan armoured ambulance
  • FV105 Sultan command post vehicle
  • FV106 Samson armoured recovery vehicle
  • FV107 Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle.
  • Sabre - Scorpion chassis retro-fitted with a turret from the Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
• Alvis Stormer - a larger development of the CVR(T) used in the case of the British Army to carry the Starstreak High Velocity Missile system. and the Shielder minelaying system.
• AVGP Canadian wheeled armoured vehicle fitted with the turret from a Scorpion.
• Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle (MRV) an Australian M113AS1 fitted with the turret from a Scorpion.

References

• Foss, Christopher F; Sarson, Peter (1995). Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle 1972-94. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855323907.