Global demand for medium tanks continues to strengthen. At Eurosatory 2014, CMI Defence and BAE Systems Hägglunds present a new medium tank concept. The system integrates the Cockerill XC-8 turret and the CV90 tracked chassis. With a system weight of some 25 tonnes, the concept offers advanced 105mm or 120mm firepower with high operational flexibility and tactical mobility.

The Cockerill XC-8 is a low-weight concept-turret that recognises divergent market requirements; specifically for the broad operational flexibility demanded by the medium-tank requirement, and for the narrower, more specialised anti-armour requirement. Thus one of two low-recoil force guns may be fitted in the XC-8.

The Cockerill 105mm high pressure gun provides crew commanders with a wide choice of ammunition to suit the tactical situation; it fires all NATO-standard 105mm types and the Cockerill Falarick 105 Gun Launched Anti Tank Guided Missile (GLATGM). Elevating to +42° this weapon delivers exceptional engagement capability in complex terrain, an indirect-fire HE capability to beyond 10km range, and the GLATGM permits heavy armour to be engaged at extended ranges.

The Cockerill 120mm high pressure gun provides a strengthened anti-armour capability. This weapon fires all NATO-standard 120mm smoothbore ammunition and the Cockerill Falarick 120 GLATGM, which permits the effective engagement and penetration of heavy armour to beyond 5km range.

Both guns are employed using a common high performance, digital, fully-stabilised, day/night weapon control system. Turret weight is kept low through the use of a bustle-mounted autoloader, which permits a two-person crew. The Cockerill XC-8 concept-turret draws on the proven modular technology of the established Cockerill CT-CV 105HP turret. This latter turret is now entering production and this permits the XC-8 to be realised at low risk.

The CV90 is the most versatile tracked vehicle available today. In-service with six (6) different nations and combat proven by three (3) of these, it is a stunning example of uncompromising combat vehicle design. Wherever CV90 family is deployed, it provides cutting-edge tactical and strategic mobility, anti-armour capability and class-leading levels of survivability.

CV90 is famous as an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) but the CV90 family comprises many other successful variants such as Armoured Recovery Vehicle, Forward Observer Vehicle, Command & Control Vehicle and Anti Aircraft Vehicle. Benefitting from BAE Systems Hägglunds consistent investment in technology and capability development, the latest incarnation of CV90 is the Armadillo. The CV90 Armadillo, combines unprecedented levels of modularity with even greater levels of protection, operational flexibility and payload capacity.

The combination of the Cockerill XC-8 turret with the combat-proven BAE Systems Hägglunds CV90 chassis promises a great advance in terms of medium-weight direct-fire capability. The CV90105 concept offers highly effective and flexible lethality with market-leading strategic mobility, tactical mobility and reliability.

The future is uncertain. CV90105 offers the capability to effectively manage the operational challenges of today, with the operational flexibility and growth potential to do the same into the long-term future.

CMI Defence
16.06.2014