FMC's Close Combat Vehicle-Light (CCVL) light tank proposed for the US Army's Armored Gun System (AGS) program during 1980s. Although it was never selected, it led to development of the XM8 AGS by FMC (later United Defense).
At the design stage a number of key goals were drawn up for the CCVL, which included mobility comparable with Abrams, lethality that would defeat threat tanks or BMPs. It should need the minimum of logistic support, be airportable by C-130, be able to use LAPES and be survivable.
BTW the Armored Gun System (AGS) program added a requirement for Low Velocity Air Drop (LVAD) from a C-130 aircraft in 1991, so FMC had to modify its CCVL to meet the latest specification requirements. Modified FMC proposal became later XM8 AGS.
The first prototype of the CCVL was completed in Aug 1985 and following initial mobility and firing trials was airlifted in a civilian C-130 aircraft from Oakland Airfield and flown nonstop to National Airport. It was subsequently shown in public at the AUSA meeting in Oct 1985.
The CCVL has a hull of all-welded aluminium construction with bolton steel to enhance ballistic protection level. If the user required additional protection this could be provided with the aid of add-on armor.
The CCVL is powered by six-cylinder Detroit Diesel 6V92TA developing 550hp on JP8 fuel and 575hp on diesel fuel. This uses 65% common components with 8V92TA installed in HEMTT already in service with US Army. The engine is coupled to a GE HMPT 500-3 hydromechanical transmission.
The air inlet/outlets are in the root of the engine compartment with the exhaust at the left. At the rear of the hull is an access ramp, which provides a platform for the maintenance. The crew can remove the powerpack to the ramp platform.
The turret is of all-welded aluminium with an additional layer of steel armor like the hull, with the automatic loader on the left and commander and gunner on the right. The gunner is seated forward of the commander and has a singlepiece hatch cover that opens forwards.
Well forward of this is the Hughes Aircraft Company's two-axis stabilized day/thermal gunner's sight with laser rangefinder. As a back-up, the gunner also has a fibre-optic auxiliary sight mounted coaxially to the right of the main gun.
In front of the commander hatch is Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) developed by Hughes, providing a hunter/killer with ballistic fire control. This is stabilized with a day/thermal and a panoramic capability. When not being used the CITV retracts within the turret.
Main armament comprises a 105mm M68A1 tank gun with an inverted breech fitted with a low recoil system, gun mount and muzzle brake developed by Rheinmetall.
Mounted in the left side of the turret is an automatic loader designed by FMC which enables a rate of fire of 12 rounds a minute to be achieved. The automatic loader holds 19 rounds stowed vertically base downward; another 24 rounds are stowed in the hull.
The CCVL prototype is fitted with the Advanced Smoke Launcher System developed by Tracor MBA. Either side of the turret is a bank of 16 launcher tubes which can fire L8 visual or M76 infrared obscurants.
The brochure and the specifications.
(Source: Richard S. Eshleman)
Only one survivor is currently placed at the National Museum of Military Vehicles, Dubois, WY.
In a sense, it is the predecessor of current BAE Systems' Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) light tank.
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