VBTA 80 Bélier

VBTA 80 Bélier
VBTA 80 Bélier
	A VBTA 80 Mk 3 of the Montesayettean Army maneuvers during a military exercise in Darbonnay
Type	Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin	Montesayette
Service history
In service	1980–present
Used by	Montesayettean Army
Production history
Designed	1971–1979
Manufacturer	SIDMON
Unit cost	QS₵1,100,000
Produced	1971–Present
No. built	110
Specifications
Mass	13.85 t (15.27 short tons)
Length	6.42 m (21.1 ft)
Width	2.90 m (9.5 ft)
Height	2.20 m (7.2 ft)
Crew	3
Passengers	7
Armor	6–33 mm (0.24–1.30 in)
Main; armament	1 × 25 mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon (340 rounds); 2 × ATGM launchers; Bourdon
Secondary; armament	1 × 7.62 mm MAH M84 coaxial general-purpose machine gun
Engine	SIDMON OM-403 multi-fuel diesel; 240 kW (320 hp)
Power/weight	23 kW/t (28 hp/ST)
Drive	Tracked
Transmission	Manual
Suspension	Torsion bar
Ground clearance	0.37 m (15 in)
Operational; range	500 km (310 mi)
Speed	65 km/h (40 mph) on land; 8 km/h (5.0 mph) in water

The Véhicule Blindé Tracté Amphibie (Jackian: Tracked Amphibious Armored Vehicle), also known as the VBTA 80 Bélier, is a Montesayettean amphibious infantry fighting vehicle designed and manufactured by the Defense Industry Corporation of Montesayette. Developed to meet the Montesayettean Army's requirements, the VBTA 80 is capable of operating in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense scenarios, providing a protected and radiation-shielded interior for infantry to operate in contaminated areas. The vehicle's development began in 1969, with the first prototype testing conducted in 1974 and public presentation in 1975. The VBTA 80 entered service in 1982, following initial production in 1979.

History

Design

Variants

A CAA 08 Tourterelle self-propelled anti-aircraft gun c. 2008

VBTA 80 Mk 1

Initial production model, equipped with a 194 kW (260 hp) engine

VBTA 80 Mk 1/1

Full production model with an upgraded engine producing 239 kW (321 hp)

VBTA 80 Mk 1/2

Improved version featuring a dual 25 mm gun turret system. Prototype model.

VBTA 80 Mk 2

Upgraded version with a new turret housing a single 25 mm gun, fire control system, and 4 smoke grenade dischargers. Enhanced M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon featuring a chrome-lined barrel, improved feeder and receiver. Additional upgrades include quick-detachable link covers, larger breech assembly, high-efficiency muzzle brake, extended recoil, integral round counter, extended life firing pin and spring, and triple-spring drive clutch. Introduced to the Montesayettean Army in 2004.

VBTA 80 Mk 2/1

Further upgraded version. It features a redesigned turret with upgraded electrical wirings, making maintenance and operational readiness more efficient. As part of the upgrade, two additional ATGM launchers were installed on the vehicle's sides to support the deployment of TBA missiles. The modernization program took place between 2006 and 2009.

VBTA 80 Mk 3

Latest upgraded variant introduced in 2017. It undergoes significant upgrades in several areas, including an enhanced armor design that combines high hardness rolled armor, ceramic, and plastic filler. The turret features upgraded gun control equipment, and the vehicle is equipped with an advanced optronics package. Additionally, infrared smoke grenade launchers are installed to enhance its defensive capabilities.

PMAC 06 Lancer

Anti-tank guided missile carrier variant based on the VBTA 80 Mk 1/1. It features a modified turret section with an externally-loaded turret platform, capable of carrying six ATGM launchers for the Bourdon missile.

VBPM 06 Bouclier

Armored minelaying vehicle derived from the VBTA 80 Mk 1/1. Equipped with specialized mine-laying equipment and is capable of carrying and deploying a significant number of anti-tank or anti-personnel mines.

CAA 08 Tourterelle

self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the VBTA Mk 1/1 platform. It features a completely redesigned turret, equipped with either two 35 mm Bushmaster III automatic cannons or a single-gun 50 mm variant, providing an elevation range of -5 to +85 degrees. The gun system incorporates a receiver for radar data gathered from external observation radar sources. The vehicle has a crew of three and can also transport up to four soldiers.