Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0


The FV103 Spartan was developed during the 1970s as the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) version of the British Army's Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) family of armored fighting vehicles, designed by Alvis plc.[2] The vehicle entered service with the British military in 1978.[3] The Spartan is similar in appearance to the FV102 Striker, except for the missile launcher on the Striker.[4]

The Spartan was powered by a 4.2l XK Jaguar petrol engine. The vehicle is 5.16 meters (16.9 ft) in length and 2.48 meters (8 ft 2 in) in width. With a ground clearance of 0.33 meters (1 ft 1 in), it has a height of 2.63 meters (8 ft 8 in).[5] As the APC variant of the CVR(T) family, the FV103 has been used by small specialized groups such as mortar fire controller teams, anti-aircraft teams, and also reconnaissance teams.[4]

The vehicle can carry seven personnel, in a combination of three crew members and four passengers or two crew members and five passengers.[6] It is armed with one 7.62 mm L37A1 machine gun and can have four smoke dischargers on each side. In addition to the APC role, it has been used as a resupply vehicle for the FV102 Striker, carrying extra Swingfire missiles.[3]

The FV103 has a combat weight of 10,670 kilograms (23,520 lb). It has a maximum speed of 96 kilometers per hour (60 mph) and a range of 510 kilometers (320 mi).[5] It is capable of negotiating up to 60% gradients.[3]

An anti-tank variant of the FV103 was produced, named the FV120 Spartan MCT (Spartan with MILAN Compact Turret). The FV120 has a two-man turret, and carries thirteen MILAN Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missiles, with two in launch positions.[6]

A 'stretched Spartan' design with an extra road wheel was considered as a future replacement for the FV430, able to carry three more dismounted personnel (7+3 crew), and replacing the Jaguar petrol engine with a Perkins diesel offering greater range.[7] CVR(T) prototype number 11 (a Scorpion) was cut and extended to demonstrate the basic hull could be used as a ten-man Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), and a diesel engine fitted. After tests confirmed the stretched version retained the mobility of the basic CVR(T), MVEE built another prototype from scratch with a wider hull [8] called the FV4333. Alvis later purchased the design rights, renamed the vehicle the Alvis Stormer, and developed it further.

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

MANOEUVRE ELEMENT CWBR-13
Light Air Defense Battery (a)

Transport
x6 1-Ton Land Rover Light Truck

Command
x1 Commander
Transport
x1 Land Rover (no MG)

Command
x1 Commander
Transport
x1 Land Rover (no MG) (b)

x18 Blowpipe SAM Team (cde)
Transport
x18 CVR(T) Spartan APC (de)

(a) May deploy as individual unit attachments to other units in the
BG, or x3 Troop-sized MEs, each of x6 SAM teams.
Designate one SAM unit as the Troop Commander.

(b) In regular Army units from 1984, replace the Commander’s transport
with:
Saxon Armored Personnel Carrier

(c) From late 1984 in Regular units or 1988 in TA units: Upgrade
Blowpipe SAMs to:
Javelin SAM

(d) In TA units and Royal Marines, change unit strength to:
x8 Blowpipe SAM Team (ce)
x8 Land Rover (no MG) (e)
(organized as two Troops of x4 SAM teams).
(e) SAMs may NOT be fired while mounted in their carrier vehicles.

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0


LOG OF GAME M1A1 MODELING CHANGES

BONUSES:

Turret. Fire Control and Armament:
The gun. its sighting and control equipment modified.
Hydraulic gun control equipment which is easy to start. quick and very responsive, as well as being fast.
Stabilized sight.
Visibility through the gunner’s graticule is clear, good with simple muzzle reference, and simple and easy-to-use sight. with easy-to-operate fire control
Good Firepower - 120-mm smooth-bore; 2x7.62mm, 1x.50 cal.
Fixed ammunition; rapid loading drills.
Ammunition stowage in the turret with built-in “blow-out” panels to vent any explosion out of the tank rather than into the crew compartment.


Power Plant and Suspension
Remarkably quiet engine, with rapid acceleration, and is easy to operate.
Hydraulic hand brake is quick and easy.
Very responsive steering.
Multi-fuel capability.
Easy maintenance. Rapid engine repair and change. Batteries stored, all together,
under armor, adjacent to the engine, therefore easy to change and service.
Clear plastic oil reservoirs for easy level checks, etc., even on the road wheel hubs.
Hydraulic track adjusters.

Communications and Crew Arrangements:
Secure communications to Well-laid-out crew stations, especially the drivers. Platoon/troop level.
The internal lights are blue, thus there is no loss of night vision.
Excellent crew seats.
Excellent crewmen’s helmets,
The very effective heater is very comfortable.

General
Smooth. wide, warm back decks Small. low profile. and good to sleep on!

PENALTIES:

Turret, Fire Control, and Armament:
The commander (apparently) cannot lay gunner sight onto the target.
No wiper on the gunner’s sight.
Thermal imaging equipment is poor in comparison to TOGS.
(TOGS is the British thermal sighting system.)
It takes three hours to remove the Thermal Imaging Unit.
High profile, exposed gunner’s sight with large, vulnerable glass area.
The commander has only limited control and checks over the gun and turret. Prone to electrical unreliability, especially in the turret.
Very limited gun control backup system, should the main system
fail, but very good emergency firing gear.
The stub cases left once a round has been fired tend to jam in the breech.
The gun safety shield is not permanently fitted but must be assembled before firing. Short barrel life.

Power Plant and Suspension:
The hand throttle is in the driver’s compartment. inferior to foot-operated controls.
Over-sensitive computer to control the engine. Brakes are, if anything, TOO responsive!
Poor suspension when compared to the excellent system on Challenger.
Very, very thirsty. The ready reckoner used was 2-1/2 gallons to one mile.
No generator engine, short track life.
The rear skirting plate allows mud to build up around the sprocket, thus encouraging a thrown track.

Communications and Crew Arrangements:
Antiquated radio equipment, with old audio gear and only one radio per tank, as a standard kit.
Limited storage space, all exposed to the elements.
No provision to enable the crew to live on the vehicle.
No internal water tank for the crew or boiling vessel.
The heater is located next to the driver - it burns his left arm!

General
Bad thermal signature.
Chobham is strong Armor.

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0


British Scenario Hold the Line operation reorganized as a British armored squadron.

Squadron HQ
2 x Challengers HQ
2 X Panther
1 x FV 432
2 x FV 432 Ambulance

Tank Troop x 4
3 x Challengers

Light Aid Detachment
1 x FV 432
2 x Warrior Repair/Recovery
2 x CRARRV
1 x FV 434

Echelon
3 x Panther (LMV with RWS)
4 x MAN KAT1
2 x MAN UST Tanker

At the time of Desert Storm (1990-91) a regiment (Type 57) had 57 tanks and 670 personnel. A variant was the Type 43 with 43 tanks. (At least initially, the Type 57 had Chieftain tanks and the Type 43 the newer Challenger 1.

2 The nominal increase in tank strength would have added 32 personnel. However, as noted, the peacetime establishment of 30 is even below the strength of the former Type 38 regiment.

3 Conversion to Challenger 1 began 1983-84, with one brigade at a time in BAOR converting. Five regiments converted by 1989; the other five kept Chieftains until the consolidations in 1992-93, and the last regiment in the UK converted 1993-94. By that point, of course, Options had reduced the number of RAC and Household Cavalry regiments.

7th Armoured Brigade - Soltau, FRG:
a) The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards: 57 Challenger, 4 Sultan, 8 Scorpion, 10 FV432, 8 Ferret
(from 1st Bde, 11/88)
b) 2nd Royal Tank Regiment: 57 Challenger, 4 Sultan, 8 Scorpion, 10 FV432, 8 Ferret
c) 1st Bn, The Staffordshire Regt: 45 Warrior, 4 Sultan, 8 Scimitar, 26 FV432, 7 Ferret, 8
81mm Mtr, 24 Milan

Game Version = 141935
Mod Version = 0