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Lynx
United Defense LP Lynx Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle (USA)
KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES
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• 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
Crew: Armament:
Ammunition: Length: Width: Height with armament: Height to hull top: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Weight, unloaded: Power-to-weight ratio: Engine:
Maximum road speed: Maximum water speed: Range (cruising): Fuel capacity: Fording: Vertical obstacle: Trench: Gradient: Side slope: Armour: Armour type: NBC system: Night vision equipment: 3 1 x 25mm cannon, 2 x 3 smoke grenade launchers 200 x 20mm (ready use) 4.597m 2.413m 2.18m 1.651m 0.41m 8,775kg 7,725kg 24.5hp/tonne Detroit Diesel 6V-53, 6-cylinder, water-cooled diesel developing 215hp at 2,800rpm 70.8km/hr 6.6km/hr 523km 303 lit Amphibious 0.609m 1.474m 60% 30% 12-38mm (estimate) Aluminium None Yes (infra-red for driver)
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DEVELOPMENT
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.
VARIANTS
There are no variants in service.
Above: Dutch Army vehicle with 25mm one-man turret (C R Zwart)
STATUS
Production complete. In service only with the Netherlands.
MANUFACTURER
United Defense, LP, San Jose, California, USA.
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