IA-17 Sionnach
| Sionnach | |
|---|---|
 Ossorian IA-17C Sionnach | |
| Type | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Place of origin |  Ossoria |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004-Present |
| Used by | Ossoria |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Monarcha Ríoga Tanc Landrut AB |
| Designed | 1996-2003 |
| Manufacturer | Monarcha Ríoga Tanc Landrut AB |
| Produced | 2004-present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 22 tonnes (standard) |
| Length | 7.75 m |
| Width | 2.83 m |
| Height | 2.35 m |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) |
| Passengers | 8 soldiers |
| Armor | Modular ballistic protection |
Main armament | Variable |
| Engine | 6-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine 400 kW (540 hp) |
| Power/weight | 15+ kW/t (max weight) |
| Suspension | 8×8 wheeled |
Operational range | 800 km |
| Speed | 100+ km/h on land up to 10 km/h in water |
The IA-17 Sionnach (English: Fox) is the Ossorian variant of a wheeled armored personnel carrier developed by Monarcha Ríoga Tanc in the early 2000s in cooperation with Acrea’s Landrut AB. The Sionnach is a modular platform capable of being outfitted in a number of configurations including but not limited to a fire support vehicle equipped with a 105 mm gun, mortar carrier, command and control vehicle, and ambulance. The Sionnach's official designation is the Iompar Armúrtha 17 (Armored Carriage 17). It entered production and service in 2004 and currently sees service with the Royal Ossorian Army and Ossorian Royal Guard.
History
Development
Design
Armament
The Sionnach is capable of mounting a variety of armaments across its standard variants, with the standard personnel carrier version being equipped with a turret armed with a 30 mm autocannon and a coaxial 6.5 mm machine gun.
Protection
The Sionnach consists of modular sections of composite armor applied to a steel base armor, providing the ability to mount varying degrees of protection depending on the mission profile and weight requirements. Vehicle weight is 16 tonnes in the base configuration, 22 tonnes in the standard configuration, and 26 tonnes in its maximally equipped configuration. The hull is able to withstand explosions of up to 10 kg of TNT and the heavist armor kit provides protection up to 30 mm APFSDS, and cage armor may be afixed to the vehicle for additional protection against rocket attacks. Finally, NBC protection and fire suppression systems are fitted as standard across all platforms.
Mobility
The Sionnach is powered by a 6-cylinder four-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 540 hp (400 kW), providing approximately 15 hp/tonne at maximum load. The hydropneumatic suspension units are mounted on each of the road wheels, which can be adjusted on-the-fly to deal with uneven terrain. The maximum quoted road speed of the vehicle is in excess of 100 km/h and it is capable amphibious operations and can travel up to 10 km/h with its water jets.
Accommodation
Similar to every Ossorian tank and armored vehicle built since 1946, the Sionnach comes equipped with a boiling vessel for heating water for use preparing and heating food and drink.
Other features
The Sionnach is able to be equipped with a C4I system that can be incorporated into an encrypted network to enable real-time data sharing between other vehicles within the formation, supporting infantry, as well as with rear-area commanders. Alongside the FCS, the system affords the vehicle's crew the following functions:
- The search range for each vehicle can be specified from the platoon leader's vehicle.
- The detected target is collated with the database and automatically identified, and the distance, position, type, etc. are automatically shared within the platoon.
- It is possible to instruct each vehicle from the platoon leader's vehicle. It is possible to coordinate both concentrated shooting and shooting at individual targets.
- The platoon leader's vehicle automatically knows where and when the vehicle under their command is aiming.
- When aiming, FCS collates with the database and automatically aims at weak points.
- When landing, FCS will judge the effect from the landing position and enemy vehicle type, and if uncertain, it will recommend a re-attack.
- Automatically track multiple detected targets, determine the threat level, and recommend to occupants.
- Day/night sights mounted around the turret which provide full 360° coverage as well as input to the C4I system.
Additionally, the Sionnach is outfitted with an active hydropneumatic suspension which allows it to adjust its stance and absorbs recoil when firing.
Variants and upgrades
- IA-17 - Baseline version, can be equipped with an open turret armed with either a 6.5 mm light machine gun, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
- IA-17C - (Coisithe – lit. "infantry") Infantry fighting vehicle variant equipped with a gun turret armed with a 30 mm autocannon, a coaxial 6.5 mm machine gun, and two anti-tank guided missiles. Either a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher can be mounted on a mounting point on top of the turret. The turret is also outfitted with a C4I system, fire control system, thermal sights, laser warning system, and six smoke grenade launchers.
- IA-17C1 - Upgraded variant with an unmanned turret.
- IA-17FA - (Frith-Aerárthaí – lit. "Anti-Aircraft") Air defense variant armed with a rotary autocannon and four infrared surface-to-air missiles.
- IA-17TL - (Tacaíocht Lámhach – lit. "Fire Support") Light tank variant equipped with a turret armed with a 105 mm tank gun.
- IA-17IM - (Iompróir Moirtéal – lit. "Mortar Carrier") Mortar carrier equipped with a turret armed with a 120 mm mortar.
- IA-17FT - (Feithicil Taiscéalaíochta – lit. "Reconnaissance Vehicle")
- IA-17FC - (Feithicil Ceannais – lit. "Command Vehicle")
- IA-17FAL - (Feithicil Aslonnaithe Leighis – lit. "Medical Evacuation Vehicle")
- IA-17FIC - (Feithicil Innealtóireachta Comhraic – lit. "Combat Engineering Vehicle")
Operators
Current Operators
- Royal Ossorian Army
- Ossorian Royal Guard