Thread by @Danny_elMayor

Czech CV-90 Master THREAD

CV-90mk.IV and why is it the ideal IFV for Czech Armed Forces, its demands, situation and national specifics. Lets look at this IFV more closely, since it is the new generation of IFV that will stay with us for decades to come.

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Even though the CV-90 was born in the 90´s, the Mk.IV (being its latest version), actually offers a decent hardware and software solutions package, that arguably still puts it in the tier one of the current IFV design.

Lets start with mobility.

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Mark IV is powered by customized civilian Scania DP V8 16l engine with power of 1010 HP. To some extent, it can be serviced and repaired by every authorized service station of Scania. This powerpack in combination with Perkins X300 transmission and surprisingly low weight

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is the reason for one of the most agile vehicles on the market in its class. About weight in more detail. Basic combat weight of Mk.IV is 30 tons, the exact weight of CV9030CZ is not known, but doing some quick math with few bits here and there and

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acknowledging that Mk.III has little under 32 tons, we can expect that Czech Mk.IV will have around 34 tons combat weight.

he current total gross weight is 38 tons (3 more tons than Mk.III), project is underway to increase it to 40 tons. Back to mobility.

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It seems that rubber tracks (fully composite track system) are a common standard for Mk.IV (Czech ones included). It brings several benefits, like lower weight, higher maximum speed, better cornering, movement in terrain (snow included thanks to addon solution) and

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up to 30% less fuel consumption.

This in the end allows for 70 km/h road speed (40 km/h in terrain), and what deserves a recognition, range (autonomy) of 900 km on paved roads and about 500 km in offroad conditions. One last cherry on top is its chassis,

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that utilizes active damping suspension, which is technology taken from F1 racing cars. This solution improves the vehicles behaviour in rough terrain, allows for higher offroad speeds and more effective on-the-move shooting, makes the ride more comfortable for the crew,

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and also lowers the strain on all parts of the vehicle, hence increasing its lifespan.

PROTECTION

While looking at weight one could say that vehicle wont be well protected, it isnt the case.

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Mk.IV in maximal protection configuration offers ballistic protection that exceeds NATO Stanag 4569 lvl 6 and blast protection that exceeds lvl 4a/4b. So in line with current newer designs. How is that possible with such low weight? (6-10t lighter than other vehicles)

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Simple answer is size. CV-90 keeps lower profile, both when it comes to length, width and height. And it does that while keeping sufficient inner space for 8-member mechanized infantry dismount. Important part of CV-90mk.IV survivability is DAS (Defensive Aid Suite)

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DAS integrates all defensive solutions of the vehicle into one interconnected system, is automatically classifying targets, providing warning to the commander, maneuver solutions to the driver, and engages countermeasures. CV-90mk.IV is equipped with 360 coverage of LWS,

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smoke dischargers and active protection system Iron Fist. On top of that Czech CV-90 will utilize EW systems. Specifically we are talking about radio-initiated explosives jammers and UAS jammers made by Czech company URC Systems,

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likely similar type that is being used with Titus 6x6. While this solution isnt the "high-end" like STARKOM, it still provides protection from cheaper drones like FPV

When we look at Ukraine and what Ukrainian crews are saying about CV-90, they praise the protection level

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(among other things, like optics, mobility, easy repairs and crew comfort), stating that they have survived FPV, Lancets, RPG and russian 30mm cannon hits. There were also some claims that they took hits from MBT and ATGMs,

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but lets say, we can be sceptical about that. Still, thats pretty good and they are using "only" CV9040C, which while being the most advanced version in arsennal of swedish military, still, its the Mk.O, meaning technically four generations back from Mk.IV.

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(Practically, "C" is modernized Mk.0 - 9040, that gained 5,7 tons in weight in comparison to basic 9040, mostly in protection, still, its not nearly as advanced as Mk.IV) . CV9040C has combat weight of 28,5 ton, CV9030CZ as we have said already will have about 34 tons.

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Some of weight difference might be taken by notably stronger engine, rear roof of the Mk.IV (same like with Mk.III) is heightened a bit for more comfort of the infantry dismount, and turret might be a bit heavier, but the decent part is further increased passive protection

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ELECTRONICS/OPTICAL SUITE

The CV-90mk.IV have 20 or so cameras for 360 situational awareness. For even better orientation of vehicle surroundings, Battleview 360 system can be used, that is basically working on same basis like Iron Vision,

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plus utilizes enhanced VR with augmented reality, friend/foe system and can be integrated with drone footage. Mk.IV is fully digitalized and uses advanced 4th gen electronic architecture, complete vehicle diagnostical system, complex C4ISTAR solution, plus is in accordance

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with NATO GVA (general vehicle architecture Stanag 4754), meaning that it is compatible and ready to integrate the newest solutions in the alliance. When it comes to optics, both gunner and commander are equipped with capable 3rd gen high resolution thermovision sights.

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OFFENSIVE CAPABILITIES

CV9030CZ will be armed with Mk.44 Bushmaster II 30mm autocannon, coaxial 7,62x51 machine gun and 2x Spike ATGM. All this weaponry is integrated into brand new D-series manned turret

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(unmanned turret was offered as well, but Czech Army demanded manned one, since according to them, its more effective solution for heavy tracked IFV). Mk.IV utilizes Man-Machine Interface, hunter-killer and its pride is its advanced fire control system. UTAAS

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Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft System. As the name suggests, thanks to it the CV-90 can attack not only ground, but aerial targets as well. In combination with integrated use of smart ABM, every CV-90mk.IV is an C-UAS asset. This is critical capability.

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Detection is made easier thanks to extendable mast with optical sensors, that can automatically (artificial intelligence) scan the area arround vehicle and detect, identificate and track targets. If the aerial target is spotted, but the vehicle is incapable of firing,

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target solution can be sent to another vehicle, that will perform the killshot. Thanks to new D-series turret and how the main gun is set up in there, elevation of the 30/35mm autocannon is increased to -10° +45°, which is making C-UAS role more capable.

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VISIBILITY/FOOTPRINT

IR footprint of the vehicle is pointed to the back, not to the front nor the sides, so the enemy has a harder time locating the CV-90 through his thermovision. This is made possible thanks to specific solutions of exhaust itself,

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of which end is located in the back, air intake that is cooling the right side of the vehicle (where exhaust goes through and where engine is near) as well as engine hatch and lastly, the front drive of the CV-90 is actively cooled as well,

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so no extra heat signature can be seen from sides or the front. In general, CV-90 is substantially (about 20% in comparison to KF41 Lynx) more low profile thanks to its proportions in comparison to other new vehicles. Now this aspect not only helps during combat,

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when the vehicle is harder to spot/target, but also during movement in more forested/urban area. The size of the vehicle also must be taken into account during transport, either by railway (Czech railway cargo wagons have certain dimensions), or transporter trucks.

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Another interesting thing. Sound trace. The exhaust system is designed in a way, that it reduces noise and directs it to 6th o´clock of the vehicle. In combination with rubber tracks, the vehicle is surprisingly silent, while moving towards you.

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Czech CV-90 will be ("surprise") equiped with our domestic multispectral camouflage nets, in woodland, winter and desert variants. Further decreasing its trace both in visible and IR spectrum.

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PROVEN PARTNER

CV-90 fleet of over 1300 vehicles, used by 7 users (plus Ukraine, and soon to be 10 with Slovakia and Czechia), already traveled more than 8 000 000 km and spend 70 000 days in combat operations and that was before Ukraine.

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While at first this might seem like an empty marketing data, its actually quite telling. Improvements of CV-90 arent done only on "Mk" basis, but there are thousands and thousands of R&D hours on continual actualizations development that are being integrated as they come.

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The knowledge is shared with the whole CV-90 user group. All this experience and knowledge doesnt only goes into the vehicle itself and its improvements, but also to its service and spare parts chain. Thanks to the decades of information.

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BAE Hagglunds know what parts are more needed than others, they optimized the service, spare parts supply and of course, they got rid of all initial issues that new complex vehicle such as IFV usually has. And, the operating costs are known for our MoD.

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Given the fact that the CV-90 is the most used IFV in Europe, BAE Hagglunds is currently working on Mk.V and new solutions are being constantly integrated (like recently the Akeron MP ATGM)

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INDUSTRY

Over 40% domestic defense industry industrial participation. More than 200 from 246 vehicles will be made/completed in Czechia, the whole D-series turrets will be made here, UTAAS made here, advanced simulators developed and made here, cabling made here,

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development and training center build in Czechia and more. In total about 30 Czech companies will participate on the project. Some of the components made in Czechia will be used by the rest of the CV-90 users. What I think deserves to be highlighted,

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is that 2 out of 7 versions specific for Czech Armed will be developed and made domestically. We are talking about ambulance and Forward artillery observer versions. The interesting part. They dont have to be only for Czech Army,

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and should other CV-90 users want such versions (especially ambulance on IFVs are now getting more popular), they can use the Czech developed and made solution (owned by our VOP company). To support the readiness of 246 CV-90mk.IV,

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Czech defense indsutry will also provide 29 mobile workshops on 8x8 chassis. So likely something similar to Tatra 815-7 D 8x8.

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ENDNOTES

As we are closing to finish. There is a lot of smart solutions applied, that comes only with experience. Its the small things often, like multiple gear boxes around the vehicle, so the infantry element doesnt have to take all the extra gear inside,

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but at the same time its protected. The users of CV-90 sing praise about the vehicle resilience, reliability and easy repairs. The actual deployability (operational readiness) of the fleet is important factor in the end. And the CV-90 helps with that.

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The fact that vehicle is proven, issues solved and so much improved from its initial version, is a good thing for Czech Armed Forces. Our BVP-2 (BMP-2) fleet is obsolete, mechanical failures are frequent, which is no surprise since the vehicles are over 35 years old,

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and no improvements (MLU) were done. And it is a soviet design, not supposed to last so long... Hence, we need replacements, we need it fast, and we need it to work when it arrives. We dont have time to wait 5, 10 or 15 years for OMFV, we dont have time

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(nor we want to spend the extra money) to solve "baby issues" with some newest so-called "cutting edge" design - that in reality doesnt really offer nothing extra in comparison to Mk.IV.

First Czech CV-90mk.IV will arrive into Czech Republic in beginning of 2026

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(first testing preproduction model will be ready by this summer), first mechanized battalion is expected to be rearmed fully in 2027. Whole delivery of 246 CV-90 and 29 8x8 mobile repair workshops will be finished in 2030.

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About structure. The current mechanized battalion has 3 professional mechanized companies and 1 active reserves company, given the number of vehicles bought, it looks like the battalion structure will stay the same, but with CV-90,

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there will be transition to western company structure (so from 10 vehicles per company to 14 vehicles per company). 7th mechanized brigade consists of 71st, 72nd, 74th mechanized battalions and 73rd tank battalion

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(in case of this unit, it is possible that it will end up on 4 professional tank companies - Leo2A8 - and 2 active reserves tank companies - Leo2A4 -, plus it has one mechanized company). In the end. Each mechanized battalion will likely have about 48-50 IFV vehicles,

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plus more in APC configuration. In total, 7th mechanized brigade will likely end up on 4-6 tank companies (+ 1 company worth of reserve vehicles and more than 2 companies worth of reserve vehicles in deep reserves),

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10 mechanized companies (more than 1 company worth of reserve vehicles), 3 infantry companies, plus every mech. btn will have its own 12 Self-propelled mortars in its mortar battery, so thats 3 of them.

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New generation IFV is one of the important modernization projects of Czech Armed Forces, and we can be glad that it is CV-90mk.IV

Good job if you made it down here and thank youfor reading it.

END

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