Hagglunds Bplpbv-3023 Fire Direction Center Vehicle

     Notes:  The Bplpbv-3023 is a version of the Pbv-302 modified and kited out to serve as an FDC vehicle to direct artillery, mortar, or MRL batteries.  When the Bplpbv-3023 came into service in the early 1960s, the idea of a dedicated and specially-equipped FDC vehicle (as opposed to a bunch of guys in the back of somewhat-modified APC with some plotting boards and pocket calculators) was relatively new, and the Swedes were one of the first to put such a vehicle into service.  The concept has proven successful and Bplpbv-3023s remain in service, after several upgrades, to this day.  To simplify matters of simulating upgrades, I will use the tack I took for the Epbv-3022 (below), and lump them into sets of upgrades.  Note that the Bplpbv-3023 works primarily with Bandkanon batteries.

     The Bplpbv-3023 is similar in concept to the US M-577 series in that the base chassis and drive train remain virtually identical to that of the base Pbv-302, but the rear section of the vehicle has the roofline raised nearly a meter.  On the Bplpbv-3023, however, the raised area is not merely a place allowing the crew to stand inside the vehicle; instead, the raised area is sort of an equipment storage area/equipment bay to hold additional equipment and some of the specialist FDC equipment.  In the initial Bplpbv-3023 iterations, a collection of two long-range radios, one medium-range radio, and one short-range radio is carried, as well as a radio teletype.  Though manual plotting boards, equipment, calculators, and maps are carried, the primary tool of the FDC crew is what was for the time a rather sophisticated computer for calculating fire solutions, helping to lay gun or mortar firing positions, and coordinating fire support requests.  Like the Epbv-3022, the Bplpbv-3023 has primitive inertial navigation gear (sort of a gyroscopic system with computer assistance). The Bplpbv-3023 also carries eight field telephones and 200 meters of commo wire to connect it to the firing batteries. Like the Epbv-3022, the Bplpbv-3023 is a little more bulbous and rounded due to the insertion of additional flotation aids inside an outer metal skin to retain the amphibious capability of the Pbv-302 series.  This version is listed below as the “Early” version.

Mid-Life Overhauls and Upgrades

     The “Mid” version has automotive, electrical, and suspension overhauls to keep the vehicle functioning despite the fact that the base chassis was aging.  Internally, the Bplpbv-3023 has a more capable and nimble fire computer, similar in capabilities to the US TACFIRE artillery fire direction system of the period.  This computer can calculate fire solutions for up to half a battery at a time, or an entire battery if the positions of the guns, mortars, or MRLs is known.  The “Mid” iteration of the Bplpbv-3023 has some firing position surveying equipment to help accurately place firing positions for its guns, mortars, or MRLs.  Like the “Early” version, it can coordinate with other FDCs (whether they are in Bplpbv-3023s or other similarly-equipped units), to help allow for maximum effectiveness of the fire from multiple batteries of support fire weapons, though it can accomplish this task more quickly and more accurately.  It can also communicate and receive data directly from other similarly-equipped FDCs and FIST-type and other units able to transmit data digitally.  This version of the Bplpbv-3023 has a full inertial navigation setup, with the system having a minor computerized relay to feed information to the fire control computer.  The radio teletype has been removed, and in its place a data-capable long-range radio has been installed.  One of the other long-range radios is also data capable.  A third long-range (non-data-capable) radio is carried, along with a medium range and a short-range radio; the field telephones and commo wire are still carried, though the field telephones carried are normally more advanced digital telephones.

Late-Life Overhauls and Upgrades

     The “Late” version upgrades consisted primarily of more overhauls, but also gave the Bplpbv-3023 an even more advanced fire control computer setup.  The equipment requires less crewmembers to operate.  The “Late” version of the Bplpbv-3023 is also equipped with GPS, though it retains its inertial navigation gear as a backup, as well as the link to the fire control computer.

     Hull armor is of steel; it is a bit on the thin side, and an appliqué armor kit was quickly devised as a result. The engine and transmission are combined in a unitary powerpack, something which was unusual at the time of its development.  The engine used is a Volvo-Penta THD-100B diesel with an output of an amazing 280 horsepower. The engine is coupled to a manual transmission which is also designed by Volvo.  The suspension uses conventional torsion bars with shock absorbers on the first and last set of roadwheels, so it may be surmised that the ride can be a bit rough sometimes. Tracks are wide and help the Bplpbv-3023 stay mobile in snowy or swampy terrain.  The Bplpbv-3023 is amphibious; preparation consists only of switching on bilge pumps and extending a trim vane, requiring only 4 minutes. The double-skinned nature of the lower hull above the tracks aids in floatation, as does the additional flotation aids built into to the sides, front, and rear faces. It should be noted that the raised rear section of the Bplpbv-3023 limited the traverse of the autocannon turret to 90 degrees right and 135 degrees left.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The “Late” modifications would have been only starting and most Bplpbv-3023s would not have them.  In particular, GPS would not be installed on them in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*With the appliqué armor kit, the Bplpbv-3023 has a hull deck, turret deck, and hull floor AV of 3.

Hagglunds EpBv-90

     Notes:  This vehicle is the FISTV version of the CV-9040.  In this role, the turret is replaced with one mounting advanced electronics. 4 extra radios are added, making for a long-range radio, two data-capable long-range radios, a medium-range radio, and two short-range radios. A laser designator is added to the turret, along with a long-range laser rangefinder (2x range) and computers for fire solutions are inside the vehicle.  The EpBv-90 can spot for artillery even while moving, and can instantly relay fire solutions to linked artillery and mortar units.  The thermal imaging on this vehicle is 2^nd generation, 150% normal range.  Map and plotting boards complete the package, along with hand calculators and computers for use if manual fire solutions have to be calculated.  Long-range day observation gear is also provided, including an image intensifier. The EpBv-90 has an inertial navigation system; later improvements include a GPS system with the inertial navigation being retained as a backup along with a gyroscope, along with improved computers.

     The EpBv-90 includes the Defensive Aids Suite, a system normally mounted on tanks.  This includes a laser warning system, along with a radar warner and missile approach sensors.  The system includes 10 smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret; this smoke obscures into the IR spectrum.  The entire vehicle has a IR-absorbent feature, especially the engine, electronics, and exhaust (IR systems observe at one level more difficult, and IR and laser-guided munitions are -3 to hit). The EpBv-90 also has a minor stealth shape (especially in the turret); radar systems observe at one level more difficult, and radar-guided munitions are at -2 to hit).  The EpBv-90 has a full NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup. The turret is armed only with a single machinegun, though this is linked to a ballistic computer and laser rangefinder of its own.

     The hull of the EpBv-90 is similar to that of the CV-9040, though it is more rounded in appearance.  It has the same high level of base armor protection as the CV-9040, including the turret (except across the frontal arc). The Lyran mortar system is not fitted to the EpBv-90. The EpBv-90 has the same Scania DSI 14 550-horsepower engine of the CV-9040. Upgrades started in 2001 gave the EpBv-90 a Scania DI-16 600-horsepower engine and matching transmission, general suspension and drive train improvements, and electrical system updates.  As noted above, a GPS system was added as well as improved artillery computers.  Upgrades were made to both the day and night vision suite. The EpBv-90 was given the ability to take add-on appliqué armor as well as a bar/slat cage (not normally mounted, and not noted below). Armor improvements included hull floor, hull deck, and turret deck armor. I have not been able to discover whether such upgraded versions have an official designation, so I have simply called the two versions below “Early” and “Late.”

     Twilight 2000 Notes: the EpBv-90C is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*Hull deck, turret deck, and hull floor armor on this version is AV 3.

Hagglunds Epbv-3022 Armored Observation Post Vehicle

     Notes:  The Epbv-3022 is a version of the Pbv-302 APC modified to serve as a FIST vehicle.  Though the Epbv-3022 was to have been eventually totally replaced by the CV-90E, budgetary problems mean that it may be a very long time before total replacement occurs; in the meantime, the Epbv-3022 will continue to soldier on, probably with periodic upgrades and improvements. (Several have already taken place, though I have lumped them together somewhat below.)  The Epbv-3022 was one of the first such specific FISTVs built, with service beginning shortly after the Pbv-302 APC came into service in 1966.

     For the most part, the Epbv-3022 externally looks the same as the Pbv-302.  It’s most telling recognition feature is the extra cupola on the opposite side of the hull roof from the gun turret (which is retained).  On the original Epbv-3022, this cupola houses an image intensifier, additional day vision equipment, a laser designator, and electronics to overlay reticules on the user’s sights to help them accurately determine the positions of targets and thus help give the artillery or mortar batteries accurate information.  Unlike the gun turret, this cupola rotates manually instead of electrically.  The Epbv-3022 is also a little more bulbous and rounded, due to the inclusion of extra floatation aids under a layer of thin metal on the exterior to allow the Epbv-3022 to remain amphibious despite the added weight. Inside the hull, the interior is greatly rearranged, with primitive inertial navigation gear (sort of a gyroscopic system with computer assistance), manual plotting gear, hand-held calculators and maps, and a primitive computer which can store small amounts of information and help perform some calculations to determine fire coordinates.  This original Epbv-3022 is equipped with one long-range radio, one medium-range radio, and one short-range radio, along with a compact radio teletype.  This leads to another recognition feature: three radio antennas on the roof of the Epbv-3022.  (This version has been designated “Early” below.)

Mid-Life Overhauls and Upgrades

     In the late 1970s to mid-1980s, several improvements were made to the Epbv-3022.  Some consisted of general drive train, electrical, and suspension overhauls, just to keep the Epbv-3022s in service and to prevent breakdowns that would have inevitably occurred without such overhauls.  However, the FIST-specific cupola was also augmented with an IR viewer, more robust day optics, a more compact laser designator, and a laser rangefinder.  The cupola’s rotation and the aiming of its optics was still manual, but was given more fine control.   Inside the Epbv-3022, the computer was given more power, with the ability to more quickly and accurately process targeting information, as well as a limited capability to produce its own fire solutions if necessary.  The computer was also given a datalink (though a data-capable radio) to allow it to directly transmit its information to FDCs in the rear.  This meant that the radio teletype was no longer necessary.  Radios had also since become more compact. Radio complement became two data-capable long-range radios, two medium-range radios, and one short-range radio. This upgrade gave the Epbv-3022 true inertial navigation gear, and a limited-capability computer allowed the inertial navigation unit to communicate and combine its information with the fire control computer. This version of the Epbv-3022 is able to take a thin appliqué armor kit to supplement its base armor. (This version has been designated “Mid” below.) 

Late-Life Overhauls and Upgrades

     From the mid-1990s to early 2000s, more overhauls were made to continue the Epbv-3022s ability to remain in service.  However most of the improvements were in the form of FISTV-specific equipment, such as a thermal imager mounted on a rotatable head behind the FIST cupola (though downlinked into the operator inside the cupola).  The cupola controls are also now electric instead of manual.  The computer is also a bit more capable; it can function as an ad hoc FDC, though it cannot come up with fire solutions as quickly or through as many channels as a dedicated FDC. This version of the Epbv-3022 is equipped with a GPS receiver linked by computer to the fire control computer of the rest of the Epbv-3022. Crew requirements have been decreased. (This version is designated “Late” below.)

     Hull armor is of steel; it is a bit on the thin side, and an appliqué armor kit was quickly devised as a result. The engine and transmission are combined in a unitary powerpack, something which was unusual at the time of its development.  The engine used is a Volvo-Penta THD-100B diesel with an output of an amazing 280 horsepower. The engine is coupled to a manual transmission which is also designed by Volvo.  The suspension uses conventional torsion bars with shock absorbers on the first and last set of roadwheels, so it may be surmised that the ride can be a bit rough sometimes. Tracks are wide and help the Epbv-3022 stay mobile in snowy or swampy terrain.  The Epbv-3022 is amphibious; preparation consists only of switching on bilge pumps and extending a trim vane, requiring only 4 minutes. The double-skinned nature of the lower hull above the tracks aids in floatation, as does the additional flotation aids built into to the sides, front, and rear faces.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The “Late” modifications would have been only starting and most Epbv-3022s would not have them.  In particular, GPS would not be installed on them in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*The Epbv-3022 has sort of a “double Crew-in-Hull” configuration, in that if a turret hit is indicated from the front or rear, it is 50% likely that the gun turret or the FIST turret will be hit.  From the left side, 75% of turret hits will be on the FIST turret, and 25% on the gun turret; from the right side, 90% of all turret hits will be on the gun turret, and 10% on the FIST turret.  Other odd angles can be extrapolated from this.

**With the appliqué armor kit, the Epbv-3022 has a hull deck, turret deck, and hull floor AV of 3.