IFV95
| IFV95 "Aero" | |
|---|---|
| File:NKS-95.png | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Tarsas |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1995-present |
| Used by | see: users |
| Wars | see: |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 16.7 tonnes (22.1 tonnes with applique armour) |
| Length | 6.8 m |
| Width | 3.15 m |
| Height | 2.55 m |
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 8 |
| Armor | Welded steel |
Main armament | Reaper 30mm Autocannon |
Secondary armament | coaxial GMG3, 4 x ATGMs |
| Engine | Pantra S30 V12 Turbodiesel engine 700 hp |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic |
Operational range | 500km |
| Speed | 70km/h on-road 45 km/h off-road 10 km/h water |
The IFV95 Aero is a Tarsan amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle based on the Type 65 General Use Chassis. It was intended to be the mainstay armored vehicle of armored and motorized brigades, being able to both carry soldiers into battle and provide fire support. It saw wide deployment in late 90s and early 2000s in multiple conflicts. It still serves with the Legion
Design
The design of the IFV95 is based on the Type 65 General Use Chassis and shares many similarities with other vehicles. It has a one-manned turret mounted on the frontal area of the roof and possesses an armor package capable of defending against most crew served anti-tank weapons.
Electronics
The IFV95 shares many electronic systems with the T80125 including it's radio communication systems and it's battle space networking electronics and navigation systems. The remote controlled turret contains many electronic systems and sensors. The e gunner has access to a coaxial sight intended for aiming the gun that includes laser range finder and FLIR thermal imaging systems for night and day operations in situations of poor visibility. The entire system is controlled from a seat next to the driver where the gunner sits. The aiming and sighting system is fully electronic and computer assisted. The turret is capable of locking onto and tracking a target utilizing the small radar that the vehicle contains.
Protection
The IFV95 carries armored using welded steel, giving it basic protection against small arms and artillery fragments. It is protected against 15 mm API rounds over the frontal arc and against rifle rounds up to 8 mm caliber to the sides and rear. This can be further increased using applique armor plates made out of hardened spaced steel rubber laminate that increases protection up to 30mm APFSDS rounds over the frontal arc and 15 mm API to the sides, but compromises the amphibious capability. Additionally, reactive armor such as slat armour to counter RPG and anti-tank missiles as well as non-explosive reactive armour can be utilized. As additional protection the vehicle carries VIRSS grenades that can serve a counter measure against visual, radar and IR/EO detection methods. The modernized variant also carries a thermal masking paint layer on the hull that masks infrared missions by 50%, radically reducing its infrared signature. Later models are outfitted with elements from the Fortress Missile Defense system.
Armament
The main armament of the IFV is a 30 mm caliber Reaper autocannon firing the widely used 30x165mm rounds up to 2500 meters effectively against ground targets (3000 m against air targets) and a quadruple missile rack with provisions for short range surface to air missiles or ATGMs of various types. The munition storage for the 30 mm cannon allows room for up to 500 rounds. The dual feed system allows for loading of up to two different types of rounds which usually consists out of 150 AP rounds and 350 HE-I rounds. Additionally it can carry a full reload of missiles (4 missile tubes) which can be reloaded from the outside. The secondary weapon is the GMG3 coaxial machine gun firing the 7.74x54 TE rounds for engaging enemy personnel at up to 1000 meters. The turret can hold up to 2000 rounds. There are four firing ports on each side of the vehicle that allow mounted infantry to fire from inside. In addition, the KNS-95 usually carries a number of disposable or reloadable RPGs and MANPADS for the mounted infantry to use.
Varaints
- IFV95-M1 - Initial production model introduced in 1995. Early models had near constant problems with the remote controlled turret.
- IFV95-M2 - Proposed variant with a manned turret over a robotic one. Only thirty were produced before they were cancelled in favor of the robotic turret. Offered for export instead.
- IFV95-M3 - The M3 was introduced in 2003 and had armor upgrades, a new fire control computer, and an improved robotic turret. Problems with reliability of the turret still arose.
- IFV-95M4S - Modernized variant introduced in 2013. Utilizes an all new turret design, thicker armor, and top of the line electronics. The robotics in the turret were replaced with new advanced robotics technology, finally eliminating the issues of previous generations.
