GENERAL DYNAMICS Land Systems presentó un prototipo de su nuevo Blindado Liviano a oruga para el Ejército de EUA. Este sistema, denominado GRIFFIN, tiene como característica principal, reunir en una sola plataforma, la potencia de fuego de los cañones de 120mm que equipan a la torreta de tanque M1 ABRAMS, con el escaso peso y movilidad de los blindados de exploración SV-AJAX, de uso en el Ejército Británico. El objetivo es disponer de un vehículo de rápido despliegue,que signifique una relativamente baja carga logística, pero manteniendo suficiente protección y la potencia de fuego de las Unidades Blindadas, lo que garantizará libertad de acción a las Brigadas de Combate de Infantería, normalmente desplegadas con mínimo preaviso en los más alejados escenarios de conflicto.
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) on 3 October unveiled a medium-weight tracked vehicle demonstrator called the Griffin that meshes elements of the turret and 120 mm cannon from the company’s M1A1/M1A2 Abrams main battle tank with its Ajax Scout Specialist Vehicle.
GDLS’ Griffin technology demonstrator vehicle was unveiled on 3 October. (IHS/Dan Wasserbly)
In fiscal year 2017 (FY 2017) the army requested USD9.678 million to begin a new-start programme called Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF): a vehicle meant to quickly deploy with relatively low logistics demand, but enough protection and firepower to help ensure an infantry brigade combat team’s freedom of action.
The Griffin is meant as a «conversation starter with the army», which could then come back to GDLS with suggestions for changes, Mike Peck, GDLS’ head of business development, told IHS Jane’s at the annual Association of the US Army (AUSA) symposium.
The Abrams uses a unique variant of Rheinmetall’s L44 smoothbore gun, designated the M256 and manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal, but the Griffin demonstrator is fitted with the 120 mm XM360 gun that was developed for the erstwhile Future Combat Systems programme, Dave Crocker, GDLS’ vice-president for engineering and development, told IHS Jane’s . It can also integrate a 105 mm M58 gun.
Griffin’s turret is based on the Abrams SEPV2 turret, but is lighter weight and uses aluminium construction. It is mated to the Ajax steel chassis and the demonstrator uses the Ajax powerpack and overall components, which are manufactured in Spain, but GDLS would seek US production if it was chosen to build something based on Griffin for the US Army.
Peck said the company could respond to army feedback with a revised platform within about 9-12 months.
GDLS representatives said the Griffin configuration at AUSA weighs about 28 tonnes – two could fit on a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III – but explosive reactive armour or active protection systems could be added for a few extra tonnes.
Fuente: http://www.janes.com
