Raccoon (armoured vehicle)
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| Raccoon | |
|---|---|
 Tracked Raccoon variant | |
| Type | Armoured fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Banbha |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2014–present |
| Wars | Invasion of Vyzhva (2019) Invasion of Era (2021) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1994-2009 |
| Manufacturer | Byrne Heavy Industries |
| Produced | 2009 onwards, production as-required |
| No. built | >1,250 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Empty: 11.6 tonnes Payload: 18.4 tonnes GVW: 30 tonnes |
| Length | 6m - baseline |
| Width | 2.82m - baseline |
| Height | 1.9m - baseline |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, driver, gunner) - baseline |
| Armor | Composite armour; including titanium and ceramics upon a CFRP base. |
| Engine | 2x Inline 4-cylinder 4-stroke multi-fuel engines 600 to 800kW (805 - 1,072hp) |
| Power/weight | 26.6kW/Tonne |
| Suspension | In-arm active electro-hydro-pneumatic |
| Ground clearance | 450mm |
| Fuel capacity | 1,040 litres |
Operational range | ~>600km On-road |
| Speed | >120 km/h (75 mph) On-road |
The FAT.14 Racoon (Banbhan: Feithicil armúrtha troda 14 Racún) is the designation for a family of armoured fighting vehicles manufactured by Byrne Heavy Industries (BHI) as a replacement for several legacy platforms operated by the Banbhan Defence Force.
Development
The Raccoon is a hybrid diesel-electric powered vehicle, the first demonstration models of which were produced in 2000 (tracked) and 2003 (wheeled). It was came about by a request from the Banbhan Ministry of Defence for a modular and future proof vehicle to replace a variety of legacy platforms, including: Marten IFV in some roles, Otter, tracked APC and its derivatives Weasel, reconnaissance vehicle family Badger 6x6 platform and Condor 4x4 APC.
The hybrid electric drivetrains (HED) for both the wheeled and two tracked vehicles were designed and manufactured by McGrath Automotive and Magnetic Systems Technologies (MASTEC)). The wheeled vehicles were equipped with in-wheel HMED (Hub-Mounted Electric Drive) units, each rated at over 100 kW and producing 20,000Nm at each wheel in low range. This performance gave the vehicle individual wheel speed, position and torque control, providing electronic limited-slip differential, torque-vectoring, and importantly on-demand skid-steering (fully laden on dry tarmac), enhanced packaging and protection, and greatly improved suspension travel.
The tracked vehicles were also technologically advanced being equipped with a novel 'cross-drive' power-pack incorporating concentric twin-traction and twin-steer motors, giving fully electric 'drive by light' steering via the outboard gearboxes. In both variants, two diesel generator sets were installed, providing redundancy against damage or equipment failure and further protecting driver and co-driver /commander by acting as auxiliary armour.
Load scheduling of the type more usually found in marine applications and operating points for the generator sets meant that fuel usage could be optimised and performance enhanced, thus reducing the requirement to refuel in the field. The advanced design of these electric drivetrains in both vehicle variants permitted a novel vehicle architecture whilst optimising crew and payload packaging and capacity, without compromising on suspension or transmission design or lowering performance.
Both vehicle variants were put through an extensive and prolonged testing regime measuring and testing performance, durability, mobility, emissions etcetera. These were done in such a way that allowed straightforward scaling-up to volume production should they prove successful.
In a bid to lower individual development costs, the goverments of Crainn and Fóla were invited to join the programme, the former joining in 2001 and the latter in 2005 allowing for distributed development toward a common goal.
Design
The basic design of the base platform like the rest of the vehicle is quite novel. Instead of being constructed as a welded steel shell it is constructed as a carbon-fibre reinforced polymer monocoque allowing for a reduction in weight of some 30% over a comparable steel-bodied vehicle. In addition, it allows for a layer of radar-absorbent material to be incorporated into the base structure to lower the vehicle's EM signature.
Raccoon consists of two primary elements, the base platform / drivetrain and the removable mission module. Iterative designations applied to the vehicle are specific to the base platform with 0 being pre-production vehicles and then 1 onwards being in-service variants.
The base platform consists of the crew module, two power modules and the running gear. The crew module comprises of one or two seats, side-by side with five primary touchscreen displays and two secondary displays. On the right hand side is the driver's position which depending on the mode of locomotion features either a twin joystick setup or a steering wheel. To the left of the driver is the co-driver or vehicle commander position when utilised. This seat can also be used for a gunner if required depending on the vehicle variant.
To the sides of the crew compartment are the engine modules, each module houses a complete propulsion system consisting of a four-cylinder inline engine fuel cell, coolant and power generation gear. Depending on the vehicle the generators can be derated to an appropriate power level, the transmissions being capable of handling the full power output regardless.
The mission module is other key component and feature of the Raccoon. Mission modules are interchangeable pod-like structures that are fitted to base platforms to form a complete missionised vehicle. Mission modules are attached at four points of contact plus a services connection and can be swapped within an hour under field conditions. The driver and any other front-seated personnel can access their compartment through the mission module if required or in an emergency via the large single-piece power-operated hatches above their positions.
Another aspect of modularity in the design of the Raccoon is that not just the modularity afforded the mission modules but by a modular base platform. Core components of the base platform such as the forward crew module and engines can be swapped around vehicles as required.
At the basic level, all variants of the Raccoon are proof from the factory against 14.5mm AP threats through 360-degrees whilst with appliqué kits the level of protection can be increased to protect against 30x173mm APFSDS over a 30 degree frontal arc and 25x137mm APFSDS over the sides.
Service History
Variants
Operators
Current Operators
• Banbha - The Banbhan Army operates...