Available to NATO forces, the FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured recon. Its variant is the FV107 Scimitar.
Overview and tactics[]
- Compared to other low-priced reconnaissance vehicles, the Scorpion carries a 76mm low velocity gun, thus giving it decent AP capabilities and a very reasonable range for a scout.
- The Scorpion has enough armor to keep heavy machine guns and autocannons at bay, but one should always keep them away from the main line of fire, as they will still be very easy to take out by any MBT.
- With 70 km/h of speed in terrain, and a fuel economy of 0.56 Liters per kilometer, the Scorpion will have no problem keeping up with the main force.
- The main drawback of the Scorpion is it's size: it is quite large for a scout, thus meaning it cannot get all that close to the enemy.
History[]
FV101 Scorpion entered British service in 1972 and served until 1994. Manufactured by Alvis, it was the lead vehicle of Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), a family of vehicles designed to provide fire support with an anti-armour capability and be light enough to be airportable. Since it is planned to reinforce British overseas commitments with airlifted troops.
To keep the weight down, the FV101 Scorpion uses a aluminium alloy armour. This was another requirement to have low ground pressure which served well in the boggy conditions during the Falklands War.
The Scorpion was armed with the low velocity 76 mm L23A1 gun, which could fire high-explosive, HESH, smoke and canister rounds. L43A1 a L7A1 variant was used as a ranging gun on the Scorpion light tank.
The Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment of the 1980s and 1970 used Scorpions in their line troops being replaced by Scimitars.
In British service, FV101 Scorpion was used in the two troops in B Squadron, Blues and Royals served in the Falklands War. Scorpions also served in the Gulf War. The 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards a reconnaissance regiment had 32 and the close reconnaissance troops of the armoured regiments each had eight. Also used by 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, who were attached to the 1st British Armoured Division.
The Scorpion was or is used by the armed forces of Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Chile, Honduras, Iran, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates.
Weapons[]
European Escalation
Weapons | |||
---|---|---|---|
Type | Main Gun | No Weapon | No Weapon |
Name | L23A1 | ||
Caliber | 76mm | ||
Ammo | x 25 | ||
Range | Ground = 1925 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m |
||
Accuracy | 3 | ||
AP Power | 4 | ||
HE Power | 2 | ||
Rate of fire | 7 r/min |
Airland battle[]
Red Dragon []
Gallery[]
See also[]
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