Bionix
| Bionix 25 | |
|---|---|
Bionix armored personnel carrier |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 3 + 7 infantrymen |
| length | 5.9 m |
| width | 2.7 m |
| height | 2.6 m |
| Dimensions | 21.5 tons (combat weight) |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | modular |
| Main armament | M242 Bushmaster |
| Secondary armament | 2 × 7.62 mm MG (coaxial / dome) |
| agility | |
| drive |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA 475 hp |
| suspension | hydropneumatic |
| Top speed | 70 km / h (road) |
| Power / weight | 20 hp / ton |
| Range | 400 km |
The Bionix ( BX ) are a family of armored tracked vehicles from the Singaporean manufacturer ST Kinetics . They were designed to replace the outdated M113 in the Singapore Army . The vehicle platform has been in use in different versions since 1999.
history
In the mid-1980s, the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) decided to replace the M113 with a more modern vehicle that could be used in combined arms combat with Singapore's AMX-13 tanks .
Various armored personnel carriers were evaluated in a market study, including the British Warrior , the M2 Bradley and the German Marder . Since none of the vehicles met the needs, it was decided to develop its own, also to set up its own arms industry.
Development began in 1988, the first prototypes were built in 1995 and the vehicle was accepted on March 26, 1997. ST Automotive received 2.5 billion Singapore dollars to build several hundred Bionix infantry fighting vehicles for the Singapore Armed Forces. The first vehicles were delivered in July 1999.
The Bionix armored personnel carriers have since been replaced by the Bionix II, which went into service from October 2006.
technology
The main focus was on mobility, small size, light weight and swimming ability. Firepower and protection were accordingly only adequately expanded.
The hull and turret are made of welded armor steel on which the modular composite armor or spaced armor is attached.
The Bionix is powered by a Detroit diesel with 354 kW (475 hp). The engine is connected to the General Dynamics Defense Systems HMPT-500EC gearbox and can be changed within 15 minutes. The engine compartment is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system that can also be triggered manually.
The driver sits in the front left next to the engine. It has three corner mirrors ; for night driving, the middle one can be replaced by a residual light amplifier. The driver has a steering wheel and two pedals (gas / brake) to control it. The tower sits in the middle of the vehicle, behind it is the combat area of the mounted infantry with a rear ramp and a roof hatch.
In the two-man tower are the commander's seats on the left and the shooter on the right; both can operate the weapon system. The turret and the weapon are aimed electrically. The communication equipment is installed in the rear of the tower.
The vehicle has no standard NBC protection equipment and air conditioning , both can be retrofitted if necessary.
Versions
Prototypes
- XV1 / 2/3 - The first prototype XV1 was designed in August 1989 and was rolled out in January 1990. The second prototype XV2 and XV3 as the third test model were completed in December 1990 and March 1991. They were used to test the drive. A total of nine test vehicles had been built by 1997.
- Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) - The ICV version was developed in 2001 to meet the requirements of the US Army for an Interim Armored Vehicle for their Infantry Brigade Combat Teams . The original turret was replaced by a US weapon station, the crew consisted of two men and nine infantrymen in the stern. The total weight dropped to 17 tons, so it was light enough for a C-130 transport aircraft. The Stryker Armored Vehicle won the tender , the version never went into production.
- Bionix Main Battle Tank - To replace the obsolete AMX-13 main battle tank , attempts were made in collaboration with United Defense to add a 120mm cannon from Oto Melara or a 105mm cannon from the M8 Armored Gun System to the vehicle integrate. The attempts with the 120 mm cannon were unsuccessful, so the Leopard 2 A4 was procured.
Series models
- Bionix 25 - First series version. It is armed with a 25mm Bushmaster and two 7.62mm machine guns. The first models were produced from 1997 to 2001. A total of 300 pieces were built for the SAF.
- Bionix 40/50 - version with remote-controlled weapon station that contains a 7.62mm machine gun and a 40mm grenade machine gun or a Browning M2 . It can accommodate eleven soldiers, 300 pieces were made.
- Bionix II - New 30 mm Bushmaster with 50% more penetration power, new armor with 50% more protection. The vehicles are equipped with a digital battlefield management system to exchange information about their own and enemy positions ( network-centric warfare ). A new stabilized weapon optics with improved thermal imaging device and improved target tracking as well as a laser rangefinder with a 3 km range are also part of the equipment.
- Bionix ARV - armored recovery vehicle with 25-ton winch and 30-ton crane.
- Bionix AVLB - bridge -laying tank with a 22-meter MLC30 bridge. Laying time of seven minutes with a two-man crew (commander / driver) from inside the tank.
- Bionix Counter-Mine Vehicle (Trailblazer) - 30-ton mine-clearing vehicle with flails. To mark the cleared lane, the vehicle automatically shoots rods into the ground with a pneumatic system so that vehicles that follow can be followed quickly.
Off-road mobility
- 60% incline
- 30% incline
- 0.8 meter obstacle
- 2 meter trench
- 0–32 km / h in 10 seconds
- oil-cooled multi-disc brake