ST Kinetics Terrex (AV81)

History

The ST Terrex from Singapore marks a significant shift in the design of armoured vehicles around the world today. Large, heavy and expensive bulky tanks are being phased out in favor of more agile, lighter and more modular wheeled designs. The bridge between Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) is now bridged by Armoured Fighting Vehicles (ACVs), which provide a powerful combination of crew/passenger protection, heavy firepower and useful troop transport capabilities.

Singapore's The ST Terrex reflects this change and adds a modern element to the SAF.

Design work on the Terrex (as a private venture product) began in the late 1990s, with the launch of a pilot vehicle (called "AV81") in 2001. Some design changes were made later, and the vehicle reappeared in more or less final form in 2004.

The design phase was shared between ST Engineering (Singapore) and Timoney Technology Ltd (or Ireland), with ST Engineering and Otokar (Turkey) starting production in 2006. The Terrex is popular in the modern inventory of the active military in Singapore and Turkey (2017), the latter referring to the vehicle as "AV82".

Terrex is 6.10 feet tall, 23 feet long and 8.9 feet wide. Weight is 55,000 lbs. Its dimensions allow the vehicle to fly under the belly of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules or similar fixed-wing transport aircraft. There is a standard operator inside, consisting of two people (driver and vehicle commander), and can accommodate up to twelve combat-ready infantrymen. Armor protection up to small arms fire (typically 7.62mm) and shrapnel, with optional additional armor for added protection.

The smoke grenade launcher has a self-checking capability. Propulsion is provided by a 400-horsepower American Caterpillar C9 inline-six diesel engine, propelling the vehicle to a speed of 70 mph and a range of 500 miles.

The suspension system features a fully hydropneumatic 8x8 double wishbone arrangement for excellent off-road capability, with two front axles steerable. Terrex ICVs are inherently amphibious, allowing them to traverse certain water sources powered by water jets located in the lower rear of the hull.

The main armament consists of a CIS 40 Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) linked to coaxially mounted 7.62mm machine guns - they are linked to a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) controlled from inside the vehicle. An additional pair of machine guns can also be mounted aft of the hull roof for additional defense.

Personal weapons carried by the occupants may also play a role in protecting the vehicle.

Crews have full 360-degree situational awareness thanks to onboard cameras, and the control suite is fully digital and fully integrated with the SAFs existing war room network. A complete NBC (Nuclear Biochemical) suite is standard to protect the crew from various aerial threats.

Externally, the car has a largely conventional appearance, with eight large, well-spaced wheels spread over four axles. The wheels are run-flat, while the chassis gives the Terrex excellent ground clearance thanks to its "V-shaped" hull and blast protection against mines (and other hidden hazards). The armor panels on the front of the truck are nearly vertical to provide basic ballistic protection. The driver's position is front left and the engine is on his right.

This allows the rear of the fuselage to be used for the passenger compartment. A hatch and power tailgate along the fuselage roofline allow the crew and their occupants to enter and exit the vehicle.

In addition to serving in the SAF, the mighty Terrex is operating to meet the requirements of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Corps Personnel Carrier (MPC) program and is also considered a solution developed for the SAF Programme Australian Army's LAND 400 programme. The versatility of the Terrex allows it to be considered for other battlefield roles beyond troop deployment, such as

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

60 x 40mm shells

2,500x7.62mm ammo

12 x Smoke Grenade

Changes