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Spartan MCT


FV120


Overview

Spartan MCT

Spartan with Milan Compact Turret.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Tank destroyer
Entered service
1980's
Status
Limited service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
United Kingdom - Alvis
Production
1980's
Producer
United Kingdom - Alvis
Number produced
Limited numbers
Designations
MCT / Milan Compact Turret
FV120
Notable users
United Kingdom

Description

Introduction

The Spartan MCT is a tank destroyer of UK origin. In UK military service it is known as the FV120. The main role of the Spartan MCT was to provide increased mobility and protection for Milan anti-tank teams based in West Germany during the Cold War. Being based on the CVR(T) chassis it shares a lot of automotive components with the better known Scimitar and Scorpion.

Design

The Spartan MCT is a variant of the Spartan tracked armored personnel carrier. The MCT is fitted with the Milan Compact Turret. This does increase the silhouette of the Spartan. However, it still remains a remarkably small vehicle for a tracked combat vehicle.

Firepower

The MCT has two Milan anti-tank guided weapons ready to fire. A single target can be engaged at a time. Up to 11 additional missiles can be carried inside the vehicle. The Milan is a SACLOS guided anti-tank missile with a 2.5 km range.

Protection

The Spartan MCT has aluminum armor which provides all-around protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The sloped frontal armor provides some degree of protection against heavy machine gun fire over a longer distance. The MCT fires its Milan missiles from under armor protection, whereas many vehicles with Milan missile require the operator to be exposed.

Mobility

The tracked chassis and limited weight provide the Spartan MCT with good mobility on road and off road. At first the Spartan family of combat vehicles was fitted with a Jaguar patrol engine, later replaced by Cummins turbo diesel. Maximum speed is a staggering 96 km/h on road.

Users

The MCT variant of the Spartan was acquired only by the United Kingdom. Many variants of the Spartan have been replaced by the Panther, which could also be the case for the Spartan MCT.

Media