Il "Combat Vehicle 90" (CV90; Sw. Stridsfordon 90, Strf90), l'ultima versione CV9035 ed il sistema di difesa attiva APS "IronFist" (in ebraico: חץ דורבן)

Il CV 9035 è un veicolo da combattimento meccanizzato di fanteria di origine svedese. È una moderna variante di esportazione della serie CV 90 di veicoli da combattimento. Il nome deriva dall'armamento principale, che è il potente autocannone Bushmaster III da 35 mm. Il CV 9035 è in uso con Danimarca, Paesi Bassi ed Estonia.

Il CV-90, veicolo da combattimento della fanteria (IFV) svedese, è una macchina moderna, veloce e pesantemente armata. Apparve alla fine degli anni ottanta: il progetto privilegiava la potenza di fuoco e la mobilità, lasciando in secondo piano la protezione pesante. 

L'armamento è costituito, nel modello base, da un cannone Bofors da 40/70 mm automatico, verosimilmente il più potente installato in un veicolo da combattimento per la fanteria occidentale, prodotto in serie.

Di recente il Royal Netherlands Army ha lavorato a stretto contatto con BAE Systems Hägglunds per studiare l'implementazione dell'Iron Fist APS sul CV9035NL. 

"Negli ultimi due anni, abbiamo svolto un lavoro approfondito nello studio dell'integrazione e nella conduzione di test di sistema con il sistema di protezione attiva per la piattaforma CV90", ha dichiarato Joost Vernooij, Project Manager olandese del CV90. "Siamo ora fiduciosi che ci fornirà la capacità di cui abbiamo bisogno, l'APS ci darà un significativo vantaggio in combattimento e migliorerà le operazioni tattiche", ha aggiunto Vernooij.

La prima fase ha valutato la fattibilità di cinque sistemi. La seconda fase si è concentrata sulle prestazioni intrinseche e sull'integrazione di alto livello dell'APS. Con il primo strato di tecnologia soft-kill integrato nella flotta CV9035NL dell'esercito olandese, sono in corso piani per aggiungere l’upgrade finale dell'Iron Fist. L'integrazione dell'APS fa parte del programma Mid-Life Upgrade del CV9035NL, con particolare attenzione all'integrazione, all'interfaccia uomo-macchina e all'ottimizzazione delle prestazioni.

Questo sviluppo è una pietra miliare strategica nell'approccio olistico di sopravvivenza del CV90: completa gli strati già esistenti, stealth- e soft-kill, con ulteriori mezzi per sconfiggere la minaccia in arrivo, rendendo la sopravvivenza ancora più raggiungibile. Oltre alla protezione corazzata, la capacità di sopravvivenza complessiva del CV90 è potenziata da una mobilità superiore, funzioni avanzate di gestione delle firme, facilità d'uso e di manutenzione e un elevato grado di efficienza del design. L'APS aggiunge al veicolo un ulteriore livello di protezione, fornito da contromisure soft e hardkill.

Il Royal Netherlands Army è uno dei sette eserciti europei che operano con il CV90. Attualmente i Paesi Bassi gestiscono 149 veicoli CV9035NL. Tra gli altri operatori vi sono Svezia, Svizzera, Norvegia, Finlandia, Danimarca ed Estonia. Queste nazioni sono tenute a seguire la selezione olandese per estendere la vita dei loro AFV.

Produzione

La consegna del CV-90 iniziò nel 1993 e finora ne sono stati prodotti più di 1000 esemplari.

Varianti:

• CV9040 - Il modello originale, equipaggiato con un cannone automatico Bofors da 40 mm.
• CV9030 - Versione per l'export, con un cannone Bushmaster II da 30 mm. Adottato da Finlandia, Norvegia e Svizzera.
• CV9035 - Armato con un cannone Bushmaster III 35/50. Adottato da Danimarca e Paesi Bassi.
• CV90105 - Equipaggiato con un cannone da 105 mm. Progettato da Hägglunds (BAE Systems) e GIAT (Nexter).
• CV90120-T - Equipaggiato con una torretta da carro armato ed un cannone da 120 mm (cannone a scelta tra Rheinmetall o IWI).
• CV9040 AAV (TriAD) - Veicolo antiaereo, dotato di radar e cannone da 40 mm.
• CV90 - Veicolo comando.
• CV90 - Veicolo da osservazione avanzata.
• CV90 - Mezzo recupero corazzato.
• CV9040B - Versione migliorata del CV90 con cannone stabilizzato automaticamente.
• CV9040C - Versione per le operazioni internazionali, dotato di protezione addizionale un kit per climi tropicali.
• CV9056 - Prototipo equipaggiato con missili anticarro Bofors RB56. Non ne sono stati ordinati.

Il veicolo da osservazione avanzata, quello comando e il mezzo recupero corazzato, sono armati solamente di una mitragliatrice.

Paesi utilizzatori:

• Danimarca: 45 in servizio e altri 45 ordinati per il 2009
• Finlandia: 102
• Norvegia: 104
• Paesi Bassi: ordine iniziale per 184 veicoli, successivamente aumentato a 192
• Svizzera: 186
• Svezia: 509
• Estonia.

Origine del carro - Svezia

• genere - Veicolo da combattimento meccanizzato di fanteria
• In servizio dal 2008
• Stato - In servizio
• Produttore - Svezia - Hägglunds
• Numeri prodotti - 229 CV 9035 veicoli di produzione, oltre a prototipi
• denominazioni - IKK / InfanteriKampKøretøj  - Danese per "veicolo da combattimento di fanteria".

CONTROMISURA APS “IRON FIST” (Pugno di ferro)

Iron Fist (in ebraico: חץ דורבן, Hetz Dorban, lit. Porcupine Arrow) è un sistema di protezione attiva (APS) progettato dalla Israel Military Industries (IMI), con un design modulare che consente l'adattamento a una gamma di piattaforme che vanno dai veicoli utilitari leggeri ai veicoli corazzati da combattimento pesanti. 

Il concetto è stato rivelato da IMI nel 2006 e si prevedeva che entrasse nei test delle forze di difesa israeliane entro la metà del 2007. Il sistema è stato testato con successo contro un'ampia varietà di minacce, tra cui granate a razzo, missili guidati anticarro e munizioni HEAT a serbatoio e penetratori ad energia cinetica.

Il sistema rileva le minacce in arrivo attraverso un sensore radar fisso attivo a scansione elettronica sviluppato dalla RADA Electronic Industries e con un rivelatore passivo ad infrarossi opzionale sviluppato da Elisra di Elbit. Quando una minaccia è imminente, un intercettatore di proiettili esplosivi viene lanciato verso di essa. L'intercettatore esplode molto vicino alla minaccia, distruggendola o deviandola e destabilizzandola con la detonazione della sua testata. Per questo, viene utilizzato solo l'effetto dell'esplosione dell'esplosivo. L'involucro dell'intercettore è fatto di materiali combustibili, in modo da ridurre al minimo la frammentazione nell'esplosione, contribuendo a minimizzare i danni collaterali.

L'acquisizione del sistema di protezione attiva dell'Iron Fist è stata approvata nel giugno 2009. Il sistema doveva essere installato su diverse unità del porta persone corazzato Namer.

Nel novembre 2010, il ministero della difesa israeliano ha annunciato la fine dei finanziamenti per lo sviluppo del sistema.

Nel maggio 2011, il sistema ha intercettato i penetratori di energia cinetica e i missili anticarro Metis durante un test negli Stati Uniti.

All'inizio del 2013, il Ministero della Difesa ha testato sia l'Iron Fist IMI che il Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Trophy in una competizione per selezionare una singola APS di seconda generazione per i veicoli IDF. Entrambi i sistemi erano all'epoca standard di prima generazione. Entrambi i sistemi sono stati finanziati contemporaneamente fino al 2010, quando la partecipazione del ministero al finanziamento dell'Iron Fist è stata sospesa e sono stati avviati gli acquisti limitati del Trofhy. Nel 2012 il ministero ha tentato di combinare i due sistemi in un unico sistema, utilizzando l'intercettore dell'Iron Fist e il sistema radar Elta e C3 del Trophy. Poiché Rafael sarebbe stata scelta come capocommessa invece di essere partner alla pari, la IMI si è rifiutata di collaborare. Dopo le prove del 2013, il completamento di un APS di seconda generazione è stato completato nel giro di pochi anni. La IMI sta anche cercando di commercializzare l'Iron Fist a livello internazionale.

Nel dicembre 2014, è stato rivelato che la Rafael, la Israel Aerospace Industries, e la IMI avevano concordato di sviluppare congiuntamente un sistema di difesa attiva di prossima generazione per veicoli, basato su una combinazione del Rafael/IAI Trophy e dell'Iron Fist IMI. La Rafael agirà come appaltatore principale e sviluppatore e integratore di sistemi, mentre la IAI e la IMI saranno subappaltatori che forniranno rispettivamente il radar e l'intercettore. A differenza del metodo di intercettazione del Trophy, l'intercettore dell'IMI si basa su un missile antimissile. L'interesse per un sistema di difesa APS è cresciuto significativamente in seguito alle prestazioni di successo del Trophy durante l'Operation Protective Edge a metà del 2014, dove i carri armati equipaggiati con il sistema hanno intercettato decine di ATGM e RPG, e non hanno subito lesioni o falsi allarmi. Il Ministero della Difesa aveva spinto le aziende a lavorare insieme e a combinare i loro sistemi.

Nel giugno 2016, l'Esercito degli Stati Uniti ha scelto di testare la configurazione Iron Fist Light per proteggere i propri veicoli corazzati leggeri e medi nell'ambito del programma Modular Active Protection System (MAPS). La decisione di testare l'Iron Fist è stata presa principalmente a causa della leggerezza del sistema. Nel dicembre 2018, l'Esercito ha rivelato che avrebbe installato l'Iron Fist su M2 Bradleys di una brigata corazzata M2 Bradleys come APS a breve termine; una brigata corazzata è composta da oltre 138 Bradleys. A questo punto l'Esercito degli Stati Uniti non ha pubblicato una decisione ufficiale per l'approvvigionamento a seguito di questi test.

Nel dicembre 2016, la BAE Systems ha ricevuto dai Paesi Bassi un contratto per testare l'Iron Fist sui propri veicoli da combattimento di fanteria CV9035. 

Nel maggio 2019 è stato annunciato che l'esercito statunitense e il Ministero della Difesa britannico intendono testare l'Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD), sistema di protezione attiva (APS).

Nell'agosto 2019, Elbit Systems si è aggiudicata un contratto IMOD per l'installazione del sistema di protezione attiva Iron Fist sul nuovo APC Eitan dell'IDF e sui bulldozer blindati D9 dell'IDF. 

ENGLISH

The Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90; Sw. Stridsfordon 90, Strf90) is a family of Swedish tracked combat vehicles designed by Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration (Försvarets Materielverk, FMV), Hägglunds and Bofors during the mid-1980s and early 1990s and entered service in Sweden in the mid-90s. The CV90 platform design has continuously evolved in steps from Mk0 to current MkIV with advances in technology and in response to changing battlefield requirements. The Swedish version of the main infantry fighting vehicle is fitted with a turret from Bofors that is equipped with a 40 mm Bofors autocannon. Export versions are fitted with Hägglunds E-series turrets, armed with either a 30 mm or a 35 mm Bushmaster autocannon. Developed specifically for the Nordic sub-arctic climate, the vehicle has very good mobility in snow and wetlands while carrying and supporting six to eight fully equipped dismount soldiers. Other variants include Forward Observation, Command and control, anti-aircraft, armoured recovery vehicle, electronic warfare and so forth. The CV90 and Hägglunds E-series turrets have been under continuous development with more than 4 million hours invested and are still produced with modern protection, armament and network enabled solutions. Currently, 1,280 vehicles in 15 variants are in service with seven user nations, four of which are NATO members, under BAE Systems Hägglunds AB.

History

During the Cold War, in 1983, the Swedish Army required vehicles with high mobility, air defence and anti-tank capability, high survivability and protection. The "Stridsfordon 90" project group was formed by representatives from the Swedish armed forces (Försvarsmakten), the FMV and Swedish industry, including Hägglunds and Bofors, which in 1985 finalized the design for a "unity-vehicle" that originated from an air force concept. In 1986, the prototypes for Strf 9040 and Strf 9025 were ordered. Five prototypes were constructed but, before delivery in 1988, the 9025-version was discontinued. These prototypes were tested during extensive trials for three years between 1988 and 1991, during which the prototypes for specialized variants (FOV, C&C and ARV) were ordered. The first deliveries started in 1994.

The CV90 has undergone four mark shifts to meet different customer requirements, focused on capability enhancements.

CV90 Mk 0

The first delivered CV90 was for Sweden. It was armed with the Bofors 40/L70 cannon in a 2-man turret. The vehicle had a conventional electrical system and was fitted for but not with appliqué armour systems. The Swedish Army ordered five variants of the CV90. The requirements expressed by the Swedish FMV on signature management were extremely challenging and led to a lot of new design features that have been inherited by all subsequent generations (Mk 0-III). FMV also prioritized the requirements to provide the best possible design to fulfil user needs. Furthermore, the CV90 was also built for high reliability and ease-of-maintenance using only standard on-board tools and conscripts to maintain and operate.

CV90 Mk I

The next variant of CV90 is known as the Mk I and was delivered to Norway. CV90 Mk I won the Norwegian competition for a new IFV against other contemporary IFVs, such as Bradley, Warrior and Pizzaro/ULAN. The Mk I variant of the CV90 had a newly designed 2-man 30 mm turret evolved from the 25 mm turret. CV90 Mk I was the first IFV with a high hit probability performance during suppression fire modes, both while the vehicle is on the move and against air targets. The CV90 Mk I incorporated several improvements compared to the original Swedish CV90. Trials on mobility, reliability, lethality, fightability, ergonomics, durability and survivability were performed during the trials phase for these vehicles with good results for CV90 Mk I.

CV90 Mk II

The CV90 Mk I was the base for the next development step, CV90 Mk II. The CV90 Mk II was produced in three variants, CV9030 CH (Switzerland) IFV & COM, and CV9030 FIN (Finland) IFV. Both contracts were won in competition with other IFVs. The difference between the two variants is mainly the size of the hull. The Swiss variant is 100 mm higher over the front part of the hull and an additional 70 mm over the combat compartment at the rear. The principal difference between the Mk I and Mk II is that the Mk II was partly digitized and provided with built-in Health & Unit Monitoring System (HUMS) together with interactive manuals and instructions. CV90 Mk II standard armament is Mk44 Bushmaster II autocannon.

CV90 Mk III

The Mk III variant of the CV90 is a further development of the CV90 Mk II. The areas that have undergone most development compared to Mk II are lethality, fightability, electronic architecture, survivability and mobility. The weapon system has been upgraded to a 35/50 mm Bushmaster III cannon with an integrated muzzle ammunition programmer and a number of different firing scenarios depending on target setup. The crew station design provides the gunner and commander with a continuous eye-on-target engagement feature (do not need to remove head from eye-piece to see and operate equipment). The electronic architecture has been further upgraded for Mk III to be completely digitized. The mobility improvements, in the field of upgraded suspension and power to weight ratio, was performed to handle the increased gross vehicle weight. The improved survivability was mainly in the areas of mine protection and top attack. The horizontal protection has been designed in similar ways as to the other marks of CV90, i.e. appliqué systems. The first variant of the Mk III, the Mk III a, was delivered to The Netherlands and Denmark. The second, most modern Mk IIIb variant, was delivered to Norway.

CV90 Mk IV

CV90 MkIV is equipped with a new engine, active protection system, augmented reality system iFighting and its weight has increased from 35 to 37 tons, with space for two tons of additional payload.

Design

Various customer requirements have led to several variants of the CV90, where major differences are in survivability and electronic architecture. Higher protection has led to higher kerb weight; the vehicle's combat weight has risen from 23 to 35 tonnes. However, with increasingly more powerful diesel engines, the power-to-weight ratio has remained approximately the same. The track suspension system has seen upgrades in several stages. The Mk III version has a digital electronic architecture with several different CAN-buses and digital networks, and is the first IFV incorporating an automatic Defensive Aid Suite which classifies threats and, in automatic mode, can fire smoke and/or the main gun to eliminate or evade targets, as well as instruct the driver on potential threats. At the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition, a version called Armadillo[7] was presented. The Armadillo shown was an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) version. The basic chassis can be readily converted to ambulance, control vehicle or other turreted versions.

Protection

The CV9040's basic armour provides all-round protection against 14.5 mm armour-piercing rounds. Armour protection over the frontal arc is classified, but all models from CV9040B and later are said to be protected against 30 mm APFSDS. Some variants, including the CV9030N, can be fitted with MEXAS, a ceramic appliqué armor that provides protection against 30 mm APFSDS. This armour kit is intended to provide increased protection against Improvised explosive device, explosively formed penetrator and 30 mm caliber armour piercing rounds. All CV90s are fitted with a Spall liner, which covers the interior spaces and provides protection for the troops inside against shrapnel and anti-personnel artillery munitions.

The CV90 can be also fitted with cage armour, which provides protection against tandem-charge and shaped charge warheads. The CV90 is fitted with a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) filtration system accompanied by a chemical detector and radiation detector systems. The CV90 also uses heat-absorbing filters to provide temporary protection against thermal imaging (TIS), image intensifier and infrared camera (IR). The CV 90 was designed to produce a very low and very compact structure to minimize radar and IR-signatures.

With every generation of CV90 there has been an increase in payload and corresponding protection levels. The inherent mine protection levels have risen substantially to presently defeat the heaviest (10 kg TNT) anti-tank mines.

In December 2016, BAE Systems received a contract from the Netherlands to test the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Iron Fist active protection system on their CV9035 vehicles. Iron Fist employs a multi-sensor early warning system using both infrared and radar sensors to deploy soft- and hard-kill countermeasures against anti-tank rockets and missiles. A decision for integration is to be made by early 2018.

Mobility

The CV90 Mk0 is powered by a DSI14 engine developed by Scania, which provides 550 horse power (HP) and it can reach speeds of 70 kilometres (43 mi) per hour. The basic CV90 has a maximum road range of 320 kilometres (200 mi), but the latest generation can reach up to 600 kilometres (370 mi). The CV90 offers quieter movement for improved stealth, greater speed over good terrain, and higher ground clearance for protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.

BAE Systems is considering upgrading the CV90 with a hybrid-electric propulsion system as armies look to cut fuel expenses, due to environmental issues and fuel economy. A hybrid-electric drive could cut fuel consumption by 10 to 30 percent. The new system would also provide a power boost to move the vehicle. The hybrid-electric combines a standard diesel engine with a battery pack to provide extra power to propel the vehicle or provide additional electricity. BAE Systems Hägglunds uses the knowledge acquired through many years of hybrid-electric drive development for the military SEP vehicles and the ongoing civilian hybrid-electric projects for forest machines, airplane howlers and loaders.

In April 2015, BAE Systems fitted a CV90 with an active damping suspension system derived from Formula One racing cars. This technology calculates the vehicle's speed and anticipates the terrain ahead, then pressurizes the suspension at independent points to lift the chassis and keep the vehicle level. The suspension, which had been modified to suit a 38-ton armored vehicle rather than the 700 kg (1,500 lb) racing car, reportedly increases speed by 30-40 percent on rough terrain, outrunning main battle tanks, decreases vehicle pitch acceleration by 40 percent, gives greater maneuverability and stability for on-the-move gunnery, and reduces crew fatigue and life-cycle costs.

Armament

The basic CV90 is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 40 mm Bofors autocannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The CV90 also carries six 76-mm grenade launchers, which are arranged in two clusters of three launchers; the clusters are positioned on each side of the turret. The grenade launchers are intended for smoke grenades, but can also be loaded with a variety of combat grenades.

The CV90 export variants are fitted with a Hagglunds E-series turret, with more than 600 E30 and E35 turrets delivered. BAE Systems Australia Limited presented an offer for LAND 400 Phase 3 is the CV9035 with an E35 turret. It provides high commonality with BAE Systems’ LAND 400 Phase 2 CRV offer – the AMV35 – through its use of the same E35 turret system.

Sight

The CV90 is equipped with a UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Sight) from Saab. Daytime optical, thermal imaging System (TIS) and Generation III image intensification. The Norwegian IFV, C2, Recce, Mortar and Combat Engineer variants are delivered with the Kongsberg Protector Remote Weapon Station with 360 degrees day and night sights as well as hunter killer capability.

Production

Production of the CV 90 began in 1993, and as of 2014 over 1,200 vehicles had been ordered. In November 2000, Finland ordered 57 CV9030 vehicles. Total cost was €250 million (2008 value), or €4.42 million per vehicle. In June 2004, Finland made another purchase, bringing the overall quantity ordered to 102. This time, the cost was €2.92 million (2008 value) per vehicle. In December 2005, Denmark ordered 45 CV9035 vehicles for a cost of €188 million or €4.18 million per vehicle. The Netherlands ordered 184 combat plus 8 instruction CV9035 vehicles for a cost of €749 million, or €3.9 million per vehicle. Norway initially bought 104 CV90s in the 1990s, buying new vehicles and upgrading the old ones in the 2010s. The Norwegian Army fields 144 CV90s, of which 74 are combat vehicles, 16 engineering vehicles, 16 multi-use vehicles, 21 reconnaissance vehicles, 15 command vehicles, and two instruction vehicles. The upgrade of the Norwegian CV90s was estimated to cost around 10 billion kr.

Research

In 2011, Hägglunds (now BAE Systems AB) demonstrated a version with an infrared camouflage called Adaptiv, consisting of thermoelectric plates capable of posing as many different objects, such as ordinary cars, stones, trees etc. to an enemy IR-viewfinder. It takes 1,500 plates to cover a CV90, at a cost of $100 per plate.

Variants

Domestic

Developed by Hägglund/Bofors in cooperation with FOA and FMV for Försvarsmakten as part of the Stridsfordon 90 (Strf 90)-family. Sweden originally planned for a mix of CV9040 and CV9025, tests of the 25 mm turret being carried out on an Ikv 91 chassis, but finally decided on the 40 mm version, due to the much higher versatility of the larger calibre.

Stridsfordon (Strf) 9040 (SB1A3): The original model carries eight soldiers and is equipped with a 40 mm Bofors autocannon. From November 1997, the gun was gyro-stabilized.

Versions are referred to by the letters A, B or C depending on upgrades. All from A onwards remain in service:

• Strf 9040: Original production version with no gun stabilization and Lyran flare mortar. Incremental improvements during production, all have been upgraded to Strf9040A standard.
• Strf 9040A: Strf 9040 upgraded with extensive chassis modifications and external gun stabilisation on turret front. More storage and better emergency exits reduced the seats to seven in the troop compartment.
• Strf 9040B: 9040A updated with improvements to armament (new fire control software, electric firing pin, fully stabilized gun with internal stabilisation and reserve sight with video camera for the gunner), improved suspension for better accuracy and crew comfort while moving, new instrumentation and new seatbelts.
• Strf 9040B1: Strf9040B modified for international peacekeeping missions, has a 3P ammunition programmer, climate control and Anti-Spall Liner.
• Strf 9040C: Up-graded version for crew training and international operations. As per 9040B1 with additional all-round armour, laser filtering in all periscopes and tropical grade air conditioning. Due to the bulk and weight of the modifications, only six soldiers can be carried.
• Luftvärnskanonvagn (lvkv) 9040: Anti-Air Vehicle, fitted with PS-95 radar from Thomson CSF Harfang (now Thales Group) and a high elevation 40 mm autocannon capable of using programmable ammunition. It is connected to the national air defence net LuLIS. Three have been upgraded to C-standard. There is also a demonstrator, designated Lvkv 90-TD, fitted with infrared video targeting and a fully stabilized gun for firing on the move.

The command, forward observation and recovery vehicles are armed only with a machine gun:

• Stridsledningspansarbandvagn (Stripbv) 90, (Forward Command Vehicle): Used by battalion and brigade commander for command & control. Two were upgraded to C-standard, but have been decommissioned as of 2011.
• Eldledningspansarbandvagn (Epbv) 90, (Forward Observation Vehicle): For directing artillery and mortar fire, more advanced IR sensor fitted; eight have been upgraded to C-standard.
• Bärgningsbandvagn (Bgbv) 90, (Armored Recovery Vehicle). Two 9-tonne winches provides a maximum capacity of 72 tonnes through 4-way pulleys. Three have been upgraded to C-standard. and at least one has been used in Afghanistan.

BAE Systems received a contract in December 2016 to install Mjölner 120 mm mortars on 40 Swedish CV90s to increase the vehicles' indirect fire capability to support mechanized battalions.

The following versions were not taken into Swedish army service.

Störpansarbandvagn (Störpbv) 90, (Electronic Warfare Vehicle): A 9040A had its turret replaced with a fixed housing containing retractable mast and a LEMUR weapons station. Planned in 2002, a single unit was produced before serial production was cancelled for economic reasons and as of 2013 the project is still on hold.

Stridsfordon 9040/56: Prototype version of the CV 9040 equipped with the Bofors RB56 anti-tank missile. Issues with the sight alignment were unsolved and no units ordered.

Granatkastarpansarbandvagn (Grkpbv) 90120:, (Tracked armoured mortar vehicle): A CV 90 fitted with two 120 mm mortar launchers, developed by BAE Systems AB. The first units are scheduled to be delivered in January 2019. The CV 90s for this project had already been purchased by 2003 and were intended to have the Advanced Mortar System from Patria mounted. For economic reasons, the Patria order was cancelled and the vehicles put in storage until the project relaunch. In total, 40 CV 90s will be delivered with this configuration by 2020.

Export versions

The export versions of CV90 is delivered with the combat proven BAE Systems Hägglunds E-series turrets with armament ranging from 30-120mm. The vast majority of the 600 turrets delivered are fitted with 30mm or 35mm guns:

• CV9030 - Export version with a 30 mm Bushmaster II autocannon. Adopted by Norway, Switzerland and Finland. Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, the original version of the Norwegian CV9030N is known as the CV90 MK I. The Finnish CV9030FIN and Swiss CV9030CH vehicles are known as the CV90 MK II. The CV90 MK II is also available as CV9030 COM – Command & Control Vehicle. The recently upgraded CV9030N infantry fighting, command & control and reconnaissance vehicles for Norway are known as CV90 MkIIIb, and this is the most advanced variant currently in service.
• CV9035 - Armed with a Bushmaster III 35/50 cannon. Adopted by the Netherlands as CV9035NL and Denmark as CV9035DK. Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, CV9035 is known as the CV90 MK III.
• CV90105 - Light tank equipped with 105 mm rifled tank gun/turret. Designed by Hägglunds (BAE Systems) and GIAT (Nexter). A newer version features the Cockerill XC-8 turret.
• CV90120-T - Light tank equipped with a tank turret equipped with a smoothbore 120 mm gun. (RUAG 120 mm Compact Tank Gun)
• CV90 CZ - Export variant designed in collaboration with VOP CZ marketed to the Czech Republic, manned turret variant.
• CV90 CZr - Export variant designed in collaboration with VOP CZ marketed to the Czech Republic featuring a Kongsberg MCT-30 unmanned, remote controlled turret, a slightly raised hull and periscope system.
• Armadillo - Armoured personnel carrier version built on a modular CV90 Mk III chassis. The CV90 Armadillo can be modified to become a personnel carrier, an ambulance, a command and control centre, a recovery vehicle and many other non-turreted variants at low cost due up to 80% commonality among variants. Currently, only the APC version has been built, with five delivered to Denmark for trials.
• CV90 STING - Combat engineering variant built on CV90 Mk I chassis. This vehicle can be outfitted with either a mine plow or a mine roller, and it also has a robotic arm. 16 have been ordered by the Norwegian Army.
• CV90RWS Multi BK - Mortar carrier variant built on a CV90 Mk I chassis. This vehicle is armed with a VingPos Mortar Weapon System outfitted with an 81mm L16A2 mortar. 16 have been ordered by the Norwegian Army.
• CV90 MkIV - BAE-developed upgraded variant revealed in January 2018, marketed to the Czech Republic as well as existing customers as an upgrade package. Features include a Scania engine with up to 1000 horsepower, X300 transmission, and an increased payload of 2 tonnes. The system also includes BAE's iFighting computer system, which claims to enhance situational awarenss, aid decision making, improve ergonomics, and enable autonomous support and remote operation.

Combat service

First use was by the Swedish UN-forces in Liberia 2004, where 13 Stridsfordon 9040C were deployed.

Since production began in 1993, the CV90 had remained untested in combat until November 2007, when Norwegian Army CV90s from the 2nd Battalion saw heavy combat during Operation Harekate Yolo in Afghanistan. During the first week of November, Norwegian ISAF forces from the 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen based in Mazar-e-Sharif, responded to a Taliban attack on Afghan National Army forces in the Ghowrmach district. Having been heavily outnumbered by the Taliban forces, the Norwegians used mortars and, in particular, CV90s, to suppress the attack. The operation left an unknown number of Taliban casualties, but Norwegian news sources say as many as 45 to 65 Taliban fighters may have been killed, and many more wounded.

The CV90 was later used extensively by ISAF-forces of the Norwegian Army's Telemark Battalion in May 2008, when the battalion came under heavy machine gun and RPG fire from Taliban fighters during Operation Karez in Badghis Province. The attack left 13 Taliban fighters dead and an unknown number wounded. No allied casualties were reported. In January 2010, a Norwegian soldier was killed when he drove a CV9030 over a large IED in Ghowrmach, Afghanistan.

In February 2010, Denmark sent ten CV9035DKs to Afghanistan in order to bolster their contingent in Helmand Province. The Danish contingent had suffered numerous casualties since they began operations in the province in the autumn of 2006. The vehicles are from the Danish Royal Lifeguard Regiment, based in the Northern part of Seeland. They are working alongside MOWAG Piranha IIIC, MOWAG Eagle IV, M113 G3DK and Leopard 2A5DK vehicles, all contributed by Denmark, in the Helmand Province. By April 2010, two of the ten vehicles had been hit with IEDs, in both cases protecting the crew and passengers from personal injury. The vehicles lost two wheels and tracks, and were sent back to the manufacturer in Sweden for further investigation. On 7 August 2010, a CV9035DK hit an IED in Afghanistan, killing two soldiers and wounding another three. The explosion was so powerful that the vehicle was turned over.

As of the spring of 2011, Sweden operates nine Strf 9040Cs in Afghanistan. Swedish CV90s have seen combat with insurgents on dozens of occasions.

Operators

Current operators

• Denmark: 45 CV9035DK. 10 are upgraded to international operations.
• Estonia: 44 CV9035NL purchased from the Netherlands in December 2014. Now referred as CV9035EE. First delivery took place in 2016. That same year, Estonia struck a deal with Norway to purchase an additional 35 surplus MK I hulls. Deliveries from the Netherlands completed on 1 April 2019.
• Finland: 102 CV9030FIN (57 first batch, 45 second batch).
• Netherlands: 193 CV9035NL (initial order of 184 vehicles raised to 193). Deliveries completed in 2011. In December 2014, 44 CV9035NL were sold to Estonia.
• Norway: 144 (ordered) CV90 (all variants). 104 CV9030Ns were purchased in 1994. 17 of these were later upgraded with air-conditioning, additional mine protection, and rear-view cameras, and were designated CV9030NF1. In April 2012, the Norwegian Government proposed to upgrade all CV90s in the Norwegian Army's inventory, in addition to acquiring more vehicles. In June 2012, a deal was signed with BAE Systems Hägglunds and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the acquisition of 144 new/upgraded vehicles, including 74 infantry fighting, 21 reconnaissance, 15 command, 16 engineering, 16 multi-role and two driver training vehicles.
• Sweden: 549 vehicles, including 42 CV9040C with additional armour.
• Switzerland: 186 CV9030CH.

Potential operators

• Croatia: The Croatian Army is looking to replace 128 M80A IFV in its inventory; CV-90 and Puma are front contenders. The Croatian Army requires 108 Vehicles: 88 Infantry combat vehicles, 4 Driver training vehicles, 8 Armoured Ambulance vehicles and 8 command vehicles. The budget for the vehicles hasn't yet been set; however, €400 million is the projected cost of the vehicles. The Croatian version will also come with 30mm cannon and twin anti-tank launchers. Likely purchase of said vehicles is expected after 2021.
• Czech Republic: The Czech Army is considering the CV90 as an option to replace the BMP-2 vehicle currently in service, but soon to be phased out. BAE Systems and VOP CZ first unveiled two Czech-specific export variants at the International Fair of Defence and Security Technology in Brno on 31 May 2017. In December 2018, the CV90 was shortlisted together with the Puma, ASCOD and Lynx.
• United States: The CV90 is contending for the US Army's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle program.
• Lithuania The CV90 is being considered as one of the possible tracked IFVs for the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Evaluation-only operators

• Canada: 1 CV9035 Mark III A combination of budget cuts and upgrades to the existing fleet of LAV IIIs have led the Canadian Army to cancel the procurement of light combat vehicles, where BAE Systems Hägglunds was offering its CV90.
• Poland CV90120T on trials in 2007, later rebuilt into PL-01
• United Kingdom: competed with Scout SV as part of Future Rapid Effect System.

The Royal Netherlands Army has been working closely with BAE Systems Hägglunds to study the implementation of the Iron Fist APS onto the CV9035NL since 2015. “Over the last couple of years, we have done a thorough job in studying the integration and conducting system tests with the Active Protection System for the CV90 platform,” said Joost Vernooij, Dutch Project Manager for CV90. “We are now confident that it will provide the capability we need, the APS will give us a significant combat advantage and will improve tactical operation,” Vernooij added.

The first phase evaluated the feasibility of five systems. The second phase focused on the inherent performance and high-level integration of the APS. With the first layer of soft-kill technology integrated onto the Dutch Army’s CV9035NL fleet, plans are underway to add the Iron Fist’s final layer. The integration of APS is part of the Mid-Life Upgrade program of the CV9035NL, with focus on integration, Human Machine interfacing and performance optimization.

“This development is a strategic milestone in the CV90’s holistic survivability approach.” Dan Lindell, the CV90 platform manager at BAE Systems Hägglunds explained. “It complements the already existing, stealth- and soft-kill layers with further means to defeat the incoming threat, making survivability even more achievable.” In addition to armored protection, the CV90’s overall survivability is enhanced by superior mobility, advanced signature management features, ease-of-use and maintainability, and a high degree of design efficiency. The APS adds the vehicle another layer of protection, provided by soft- and hard-kill countermeasures.

The Royal Netherlands Army is one of seven European armies operating the CV90. The Netherlands currently operates 149 CV9035NL vehicles. Other operators include Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia. These nations are expected to follow the Dutch selection when extending the life of their AFVs.

Iron Fist (countermeasure)

Iron Fist (Hebrew: חץ דורבן, Hetz Dorban, lit. Porcupine Arrow) is a hard-kill active protection system (APS) designed by Israel Military Industries (IMI), with a modular design allowing adaptation to a range of platforms ranging from light utility vehicles to heavy armoured fighting vehicles. The concept was revealed by IMI in 2006 and was expected to enter Israel Defense Forces tests by mid-2007. The system has been successfully tested against a wide variety of threats including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank guided missiles and tank-fired HEAT ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators.

It senses incoming threats via a fixed active electronically scanned array radar sensor developed by RADA Electronic Industries and an optional passive infrared detector developed by Elbit's Elisra. When a threat is imminent, an explosive projectile interceptor is launched towards it. The interceptor explodes very near the threat, destroying or deflecting and destabilizing it by detonating its warhead. For this, only the blast effect of the explosive is used. The interceptor casing is made of combustible materials so minimal fragmentation is formed in the explosion, helping minimize collateral damage.

Acquisition of the Iron Fist active protection system was approved in June 2009. The system was to be installed on several units of the Namer armoured personnel carrier.

In November 2010, the Israeli ministry of defense announced the end of funding of the system development.

In May 2011, the system intercepted kinetic energy penetrators and Metis anti tank missiles during a test in the U.S.

In early 2013, the MoD tested both the IMI Iron Fist and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Trophy in a competition to select a single second-generation APS for IDF vehicles. Both systems were first-generation standard at the time. Both systems were financed concurrently until 2010, when the ministry's participation in funding the Iron Fist was suspended and limited procurement of the Trophy was initiated. In 2012, the ministry attempted to combine the two systems into one, utilizing the Iron Fist's interceptor and the Trophy's Elta radar and C3 system. Because Rafael would serve as the prime contractor instead of both companies being equal partners, IMI refused to cooperate. After 2013 trials, completion of a second-generation APS would be completed within a few years. IMI is also trying to market the Iron Fist internationally.

In December 2014, it was revealed that Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries, and IMI had agreed to jointly develop a next-generation active defense system for vehicles, based on a combination of the Rafael/IAI Trophy and IMI Iron Fist. Rafael will act as the main contractor and system developer and integrator, and IAI and IMI will be subcontractors providing the radar and interceptor respectively. Unlike the Trophy's interception method, IMI's interceptor is based on an anti-missile missile. Interest for a vehicle APS grew significantly following Trophy's successful performance during Operation Protective Edge in mid-2014, where tanks equipped with the system intercepted dozens of ATGMs and RPGs, and suffered no injuries or false alarms. The Defense Ministry had pushed the companies to work together and combine their systems.

In June 2016, the U.S. Army chose to test the Iron Fist Light configuration to protect its light and medium armored vehicles as part of the Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) program. The decision to test Iron Fist was made mainly because of the system’s light weight. In December 2018, the Army revealed it would be installing Iron Fist on M2 Bradleys of one armored brigade as a near-term APS; an armored brigade consists of over 138 Bradleys. To this point the US Army did not publish an official decision for procurement following these tests.

In December 2016, BAE Systems received a contract from the Netherlands to test the Iron Fist on their CV9035 infantry fighting vehicles. No decision for procurement was made to this day.

In May 2019, it was announced that the US Army and the UK Ministry of Defence plans to test the Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD) active protection system (APS).

In August 2019, Elbit Systems won an IMOD contract to install the Iron Fist active protection system on the IDF's new Eitan APC and the IDF's armored D9 bulldozers. 

(Defensenews, Web, Google, Wikipedia, You Tube)