Vanguard Magazine

14 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 www.vanguardcanada.com Descriptive diagram of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle. Photo by: Textron Systems Canada Inc. t taPvs high blast-survivability Col. Jayne is confident the TAPVs will perform well in combat missions overseas, especially in areas where Canadian soldiers and vehicles are exposed to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ex- plosively-formed projectiles, and anti-armour weapons. "The vehicle's ability to survive explosive devices far exceeds the current requirements for protected vehicles," he says. "They will be mainly used for recon and surveillance, command and control and transport duties." The design of the vehicle is aimed at shielding troops from bal- listics and roadside blasts while providing large power reserves for future electronics enhancements. It has an ergonomically de- signed interior for optimum comfort and payload. The TAPV relies upon composite armour to provide the maxi- mum protection to the vehicle's occupants. The armour is said to be 20 per cent better than the armour on the previous M1117version of the vehicle The TAPV also has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection against mine and IED blasts. The vehicle also has a high ground clearance, which increases protection from mine and IED blasts. It can withstand up to 10 kg of explosive force directly under its hull, and can resist even 12.7 mm armour-piercing rounds. remote weapons station Each of the seats in the vehicle is blast protected, and the vehicle has vented wheel wells to disperse the energy of an explosion out from the vehicle Jayne also noted that the TAPV has a formidable fire power and an "excellent remote firing station." The remote weapons station comes equipped with both a 40- mm automatic grenade launcher and a c6 flex machine gun. The system allows gunners to aim and fire the weapons from the pro- tection of the vehicle's armoured interior. Weighing in at just below 18,597 kilograms, and equipped with a 4X4 suspension, the TAPV is designed to effectively travel long distances on both roads and cross-country terrain. The TAPV is powered by a Cummins QSL diesel engine, which provides 365 horsepower (272 kW), allowing the vehicle a maxi- mum speed of 105 km/h, and a maximum range of 644 km. The vehicle utilizes an independent suspension axle system originally developed by Irish Timoney, and it has a central tire inflation sys- tem to prevent flat tires during combat operations. Four TAPVs can be transported simultaneously by a CC-177 Globemaster III. The TAPV fleet will be the first CA vehicle fleet to have a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). This HUMS includes sensors throughout the vehicle that record key data, and provide information to assist with maintenance and fleet management. The CAF will perform first- and second-line maintenance as on the vehicle, but the TAPV fleet will be largely supported by the contractor, Textron Systems, along with their subcontractor Rhe- inmetall Canada. The TAPV relies upon composite ar- mour to provide the maximum pro- tection to the vehicle's occupants.

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