The FV1600 Truck, Armoured, 4x4, was better known as the Humber Pig. Developed in 1952, it entered service while Alvis Saracen 6x6 production ramped-up. Ideal for urban COIN ops, the Pig outlived Saracen with 1,700 produced. Every modern MRAP uses the same basic configuration.
The Humber Pig’s protection lags by today’s standards. But with a V hull and composite armour, it would offer similar protection to today’s Foxhound. The Humber Pig Mk 2 weighed 6 tonnes while Foxhound tips the scales at 7.5 tonnes.
The Thales Bushmaster is also very similar in concept to the Humber Pig. Like Foxhound, Bushmaster has a V hull, but is a larger vehicle, weighing around 15 tonnes. It can accommodate a full section of 10 soldiers.
Another (non-UK) 4x4 APC that deserves mention is France’s VAB. Entering service in the mid-1970s over 5,000 were built with a large number exported. Similar to Bushmaster in its ability to transport an entire section, VAB weighed around 14 tonnes.
All of these vehicles offer the same 5 benefits:
- Protected mobility for infantry
- Ability to self-deploy over long distances
- Lower cost relative to tracked equivalents
- Reliability & ease of support
- Flexibility to perform a wide range of other roles, e.g. C2, Ambulance.
The UK’s MRVP programme seeks to acquire a modern version of the Humber Pig. 10 years later, no vehicle had entered service. Foxhound fits the bill, but we have less than 400. Bushmaster is in service with SF, but we only have 24. @gduknews Eagle is available in 4x4 and 6x6.
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