Badger MTV
| Badger Multirole Tactical Vehicle | |
|---|---|
 A Daoan Army Badger 2 MTV with B-suite armor deployed during the Insurgency in M'biruna | |
| Type | Light utility & infantry mobility vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Kayatman Security Association |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1977 - Present |
| Used by | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | United Defense |
| Produced | 1976 - Present |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7,600 kg (16,800 lb) |
| Length | 6.2 m (20 ft) |
| Width | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
| Height | 2.6 m (8.5 ft) |
| Crew | 1 driver + 3 passengers + 1 weapon operator |
| Armor | Depends on variant |
Main armament | 1 x Crewed Weapon Platform OR 1 x RCWS Platform |
| Engine | Turbodiesel 300 metric horsepower (224 kW) |
| Transmission | Automatic (Badger MTV 2 & 3) Manual (Badger MTV 1) |
| Suspension | Independent 4×4 |
| Ground clearance | 0.34 m (1.1 ft) |
Operational range | 450 km (280 mi) |
| Speed | 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) (Maximum, flat) |
The Badger Multirole Tactical Vehicle (MTV) is a 4WD tactical vehiclle developed by Tran Heavy Industries and in service as the standard general purpose light utilty vehicle of member states of the Kayatman Security Association (KSA) as part of the bloc's Common Defense Framework. As its name suggests, the Badger MTV is a highly versatile vehicle that can be used for both combat and non-combat roles with many variants developed throughout its operational history allowing it to adopt more specialized roles such as electronic warfare, medical, command and logistics variants. The Badger MTV has been in service since 1977 and has evolved considerably throughout its service history with the Badger MTV 3 being the most recent development, having entered service in 2018. As a baseline the Badger 3 MTV supports up to 5 persons on board (1 driver, 3 passengers and 1 weapon operator), powered by Turbodiesel engines that provides 300 metric horsepower (224 kW), an operational range of 700 km (430 mi) and can be armed with either a crewed or RCWS platform outfitted with a wide selection of weapons such as a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, anti-tank guided missile and automatic grenade launchers. Additionally each badger is capable of towing a trailer behind it that can carry additional cargo or specialized equipment to enchance its role. To help reduce cost and production time, the Badger 2s and 3s manufacturing processes are based on the fit for but not with (FBNW) armor model based around the Basic (B-suite) and Comprehensive (C-suite) suite modules. In the manufacturing phase the B-suite armor, which covers only a minimum amount of armor, would be installed in difficult-to-access areas of the vehicle and in any other required support structures of the vehicle. The larger remaining bulk of the armor, which is the C-suite, would be installed in the field on an as-required basis. The C-suite itself is comprised of many components which vehicle crew and personnel can choose to install in its entirety or not. Two soldiers can install a full set of C-suite armor in under five hours which can also be removed within the same period of time as well when C-suite armor is not required. The adoptioned of the B-suite and C-suite model means that additional armor is only used when required which helps reduce wear and tear and the whole lifecycle cost of the vehicles. Additionally it provides more flexibility and adaptability for the Badger MTVs. This design principle was taken from lessons learned from the production of the Badger MTV 1 model which was bogged down by high costs and less flexibility.
All vehicles are equipped with an automatic fire-extinguishing system, externally mounted and shielded fuel tanks and, as it was designed to operate in equatorial countries, an air conditioning system that can drop the tempreature from 49 °C (120 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F) within thirty minutes although this can also be switched to a cabin heater that can increase its temperature. The Badger 3 MTVs are also equipped with a built-in diagnostic tool that will notify vehicle operators for any potential or already occurred failures in the vehicle's hardwares and softwares. In its B-suite a crew of six soldiers with fully equipped combat equipoment requires only less than 30 seconds to complete an ingress and takes only 10 seconds to complete an egress. Mobility was one of the key design concerns as the vehicle needed to be capable of traveling in cross-country and offroad conditions. As such it was designed with tactical mobility in mind. For example it is capable of fording 150cm (60 inches) of both fresh and saltwater without a fording kit in forward and reverse while maintaing contact with the ground. It has an acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h within 8.5 seconds on dry, level, hard terrain, and must be able to drive off a vertical step and sustain no mechanical damage. It must be capable to climb a pre-determined angled gradient (baseline is 60 percent) on a hard-surfaced gradient and traverse a 40 percent sideslope with no degredation in driver control. The stringent and at times extreme mobility requirements is largely a result of the difficult operating conditions faced by the challenging geographic condition of KSA member states. The Badger MTV has deployed in both active conflict zones as well as training exercises. One of its most notable deployments was in the M'birunan Insurgency where Badger MTV units were extensively used by international peacekeeping forces to enforce a ceasefire agreement between government and rebel forces. It has been speculated that future versions of the Badger would include either a hybrid or electric versions of the vehicle.
Variants
In production
- Badger 3 MTV-GP
- The standard general purpose version of the Badger. It can support up to six crew (one driver and five passengers) and is provided with either a crewed or remotely controlled 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
- Badger 3 MTV-ATT
- Specialized attack variant of the Badger which can be outfitted with either anti-tank guided missiles, rockets and short range anti-air missiles.
- Badger 3 MTV-LOG
- A logistics-dedicated version of the Badger designed for support roles. It can only carry two crew but has an increased cargo capacity.
- Badger 3 MTV-MED
- Field ambulance version of the Badger.
- Badger 3MTV-MRAP
- A mine-resistant ambush protected version of the Badger that are designed with higher survivability to withstand improvised explosive devices and ambushes.
- Badger 3 MTV-REC
- Reconnaissance and surveillance oriented version of the Badger, equipped with a wide range of remote sensing suite such as cameras and sensors to collect information. This information is that collated and distributed to allied forces in the field.
- Badger 3 MTV-SF
- A lighter version of the Badger used for Special Forces personnel. Doors have been removed for rapid ingress and egress and the cargo bay modified to accomodate up to two additional personnel, allowing it to carry up to seven personnel (including the driver).
- Badger 2 MTV-GP
- The second iteration of the general purpose version of the Badger. It has an automatic transmission but, among other thimgs, lacks the built-in electronic monitoring system that monitors the software and hardware of the vehicle.
Discontinued
- Badger 1 MTV-GP
- The first iteration of the general purpose version of the Badger. It has a manual transmission and has lower tactical mobility compared to the second and third versions of the vehicle.