United Defense LP Lynx Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle (USA) KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES • Low profile hull with well sloped glacis plate leading up to horizontal roof, turret mounted in centre of roof with externally mounted 25mm cannon vertical hull sides and rear, access door in hull rear opens to left • Four road wheels each side, drive sprocket front, idler rear, no track-return rollers, upper part of track covered by rubber side skirts. • Driver seated front left with radio operator to his right, both with a roof hatch
SPECIFICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
3 1 x 25mm cannon, 2 x 3 smoke grenade launchers Ammunition: 200 x 20mm (ready use) 4.597m Length: Width: 2.413m Height with armament: 2.18m Height to hull top: 1.651m 0.41m Ground clearance: 8,775kg Weight, combat: Weight, unloaded: 7,725kg Power-to-weight ratio: 24.5hp/tonne Detroit Diesel 6V-53, 6-cylinder, Engine: water-cooled diesel developing 215hp at 2,800rpm Maximum road speed: 70.8km/hr Maximum water speed: 6.6km/hr 523km Range (cruising): Fuel capacity: 303 lit Fording: Amphibious Vertical obstacle: 0.609m 1.474m Trench: Gradient: 60% Side slope: 30% Armour: 12-38mm (estimate) Armour type: Aluminium NBC system: None Night vision equipment: Yes (infra-red for driver)
The command and reconnaissance vehicle was developed as a private venture by FMC corporation (now United Defense, LP) and uses automotive components of Mil 3 APC built by the same company. First prototype was completed in 1963 but it was not adopted by the US Army. The Canadian Armed Forces purchased 174, which they call Lynx, the first production vehicles being completed in 1968. The Netherlands ordered 250, the first of these completed in 1966. The vehicles used by the Canadian armed forces have been phased out of service. The vehicle remains in service with the Royal Netherlands Army although these are expected to be replaced by the Fenneck (qv). The Royal Netherlands Army vehicles are fitted with an Oerlikon-Contraves GBD-AOA turret armed with an externally mounted 25mm cannon. Turret traverse is manual through 360 degrees with weapon elevation from- 12 to +52 degrees. The 25mm cannon is dual feed. The vehicle, which is sometimes called in Lynx in Canadian service, is fully amphibious being propelled in the water by its tracks. Before entering the water a trim vane is erected at the front of the vehicle, bilge pumps are switched on and a set of rectangular covers are erected round the air inlet and exhaust outlets on the top of the hull. A wide range of optional equipment was offered for the vehicle including NBC detection and alarm system, different armament installations, windscreen and a capstan winch.
Crew: Armament:
VARIANTS There are no variants in service.
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