V-200 Commando
Overview
V-200 Commando
Former Singaporean V-200 armored car with 20mm Oerlikon autocannon on public display at the Singapore army museum.
Source: Katangais -
© CC BY 2.5
Description
Introduction
The V-200 is mid Cold War era armored car of US origin. It was developed in the late 1960's as a larger and more flexible vehicle than the V-100.
Design
The V-200 is an enlarged version of the V-100. It was developed at the request of Singapore. The V-200 is longer, has a more powerful engine and uses strengthened automotive parts that are also used on US Army 5-ton trucks. Advantages over the V-100 are increased reliability, increased internal space and much improved cargo capacity.
Firepower
The V-200 is the first in the Commando line of vehicles that introduced heavy weapons in production vehicles. Singapore ordered versions with a 20mm Oerlikon KAA autocannon and a 90mm Mecar gun. The turrets have powered traverse and elevation, but the armament is not stabilized. Other variants include an 81mm and 120mm mortar carrier. Singapore has reused some V-200 as chassis for the RBS-70 surface to air missile.
Protection
The steel hull protects the crew from regular small arms fire and shell splinters. The armor is not rated against .30 caliber AP ammunition and heavy machine gun fire. The tires are of the run flat type. Depending on the type of turret fitted there are smoke grenade dischargers.
Mobility
The V-200 retains the four wheel setup of the V-100. A more powerful 275 hp Chrysler petrol engine is used to compensate the weight increase. A more powerful recovery winch is fitted as well. The armored personnel carrier version is still able to reach 100 km/h on roads. Variants with a heavy turret are only slightly slower. The V-200 is amphibious and is propelled in the water by its wheels.
Users
The V-200 was developed at the request of Singapore, which acquired several variants of the V-200. When the V-200 entered production the V-150 was already in development, being a hybrid of the V-100 and V-200. All subsequent sales were of the V-150 type.
Variants
V-200 Commando with RBS-70
Singapore air force V-200 Commando with RBS-70 surface to air missile, photographed in 2013.
Source: Alert5 -
© CC BY-SA 4.0
List of V-200 variants
Details
Media
V-200 Commando
Former Singaporean V-200 armored car with 20mm Oerlikon autocannon on public display at the Singapore army museum.
Source: Katangais
Copyright: CC BY 2.5
V-200 Commando with RBS-70
Singapore air force V-200 Commando with RBS-70 surface to air missile, photographed in 2013.
Source: Alert5
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Related articles
V-100 Commando
The V-200 is an enlarged version of the earlier V-100, allowing it to carry more troops and making it a more suitable platform for weapons carriers.
V-150 Commando
The V-150 was developed as the V-200 entered production. It combines the V-200's improved suspension and axles with the V-100 size hull.