Irish defense force Scorpion light tank in the field.
Source: Irish Defence Forces -
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The Scorpion is a late Cold War era light tank of UK origin. It was the main vehicle of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) program and was accepted for service in 1973. In British service the Scorpion was called the FV101.
The Scorpion has a similar layout to other CVR(T) vehicles. The crew of three consists of a commander, driver and gunner. The driver is seated on the left with the engine to his right. The other crewmembers are seated in the turret which is mounted at the rear of the vehicle.
The Scorpion is fitted with the low velocity 76mm Royal Ordnance L23A1 cannon. A total of 40 rounds are carried. An L43A1 version of the MAG medium machine gun is fitted as a coaxial weapon. The Scorpion 90 was designed for export sales and is fitted with a 90mm Cockerill cannon.
The aluminum armor provides protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. Over the frontal arc it protects against 14.5mm rounds. A total of six smoke grenade launchers are fitted. The small silhouette of the Scorpion makes it more difficult to detect and a smaller target.
The Scorpion is a very mobile vehicle. Due to its light weight it has a very high road speed for a tracked vehicle. A Cummins 190hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The Scorpion is amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks.
The main user of the Scorpion was the UK. In British service the Scorpion was used as a reconnaissance and fire support vehicle. The Scorpion has been exported to more than a dozen nations with well over 1.200 Scorpions having been produced.
In UK military service the Scorpion replaced the older Saladin reconnaissance vehicle. This 6x6 vehicle was also armed with a 76mm cannon.
For export sales the improved Scorpion 90 was developed. This features a 90mm Cockerill gun, improved fire control system and more fuel economic diesel engine.
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