VBM

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VBM
File:Vbm2.png
A VCI fitted with MAP III
TypeInfantry Fighting Vehicle
Place of originSieuxerr
Service history
In service2003
Used bySieuxerrian Armed Forces
Production history
ManufacturerGiat Industrie
Renault VI
Unit cost3,250,000USD
Produced2001
No. built2,000+
Specifications
Weight30.5 t w/ MAP-III
Length6.79 m
Width2.85 m
Height2.8 m
Crew3 (Commander, gunner, driver) + 7 dismounts

Armour25mm API frontal arc, 14.5mm API sides/rear
Main
armament
M816, 30x173mm, 600 rounds
MILAN-ER launcher, 4 reloads
Secondary
armament
FN MAG, 7.62x54mm, 2,000 rounds
EngineRenault Diesel V12
600hp
Power/weight19.5 hp/t
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
400 km
Speed65 km (road)
40 km (off-road)

The VBM (Véhicule Blindé Modulaire — Modular Armoured Vehicle) is a family of armored fighting vehicles designed replace a number of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles. It has two main branches, a family of IFVs known as VCIs and a family of all-purpose, tracked utility vehicles known as VCU.

Design

Armament

Protection

Countermeasures

Variants

  • VCI: Literal definition of Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Véhicule de combat d'infanterie), armed with a 30mm autocannon, 7.62 machine gun and ATGMs, main IFV of the Sieuxerrian Army.
  • VCI-VC: Command variant, armed with same weaponry but has more powerful radio equipment.
  • VCU: Literally translated as a Tracked Utility Vehicle (véhicule utilitaire à chenilles). VCU is a catch all term for the larger family of vehicles. There are over a dozen VCU variants in service. They are all shorter than a standard VCI, being 6 meters long.
  • VCU-TC: Infantry carrying variant, able to carry a 9 man squad. Armed with a dual 40mm/7.62 machine gun or a single 12.7mm machine gun RWS mount.
  • VCU-AMT: Self-propelled mortar carrier, armed with an automatic 120mm mortar system.
  • VCU-MT: Vehicle used to tow or to carry 120mm or 81mm mortars for dismounted use. Can also be used to tow light howitzers.
  • VCU-DAA: Short-range anti-aircraft system, has 8 Crotale or SMUG-AA surface to air missiles.
  • VCU-155: A replacement for the GCT-155 vehicle, the VCU-155 has the same L/52 gun in an unmanned turret.
  • VCU-FVA: Modular rocket artillery vehicle to replace older M270 chassis while retaining similar ammunition and components for the launchers.