| Hunter AFV | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Type | Armoured fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019 – present |
| Used by | Singapore Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | ST Engineering Defence Science and Technology Agency Singapore Army |
| Designed | 2006 |
| Manufacturer | ST Engineering Land Systems |
| Produced | 2019 – present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Combat weight: 29.5 tonnes (32.5 short tons; 29.0 long tons) |
| Length | 6.9 metres (22 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver) plus 8 fully-equipped combat troops |
Main armament | Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm Cannon in Rafael Samson 30 Remote Controlled Weapon Station,Spike (ATGM) |
Secondary armament | 7.62×51mm NATO Coaxial MG, 8 x 76mm smoke grenade launchers. |
| Engine | MTU 8V-199 TE20TurbochargedDiesel 720hp (530kW) |
| Power/weight | 24 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | HMX3000 Hydro-mechanical Infinitely Variable Transmission |
Operational range | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
TheHunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (orHunter AFV in short) is a trackedSingaporeanarmoured fighting vehicle jointly developed byST Engineering,Defence Science and Technology Agency, and theSingapore Army. Intended to replace the Singapore Army's aging UltraM113armoured personnel carriers, it was commissioned in 2019.[1] It is the Singapore Army's and the world's first fully digitalised platform,[2] and is designed to provide armoured forces with enhanced capabilities to operate more effectively and efficiently in various phases of military operations. It was formerly known as ST Kinetics Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV).[3]
Development of the Hunter started in 2006 as a project of theSingaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)'sDefence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
In March 2017, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) announced that its land systems arm, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), had been awarded a contract by MINDEF for the production and supply of the Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV).
The NGAFV would replace the Ultra M113 AFV as a key component of the Singapore Armed Forces’ mechanized forces which has been in service with the Singapore Army since the early 70s. Delivery of the Hunter began in 2019. The vehicle would be delivered in troop carrier, command and recovery variants.[4]
The prototype model was exhibited at the Singapore Airshow in 2018.[5]
In June 2019, the Hunter AFV was commissioned for theSingapore Army,[6] with the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment designated as the inaugural armour battle group operating the new platform.[7] The first armour battle group operating the platform was announced operationally ready by March 2022.[8][9] The Armoured Recovery Vehicle variant of the Hunter platform was unveiled on 18 February 2022.[10]
In September 2022, the Singapore Army successfully concluded the inaugural overseas live-firing for the Hunter AFV inOberlausitz,Germany. During which, the operational live-firing of the vehicle’s SPIKE-LR2 anti-tank guided missile was also successfully conducted.[11]
On 9 November 2022, social media releases from Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) confirmed the unveil and commissioning of the Hunter Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge (HT-AVLB) variant at the 55th anniversary event of theSingapore Combat Engineers. This variant is stated to progressively replace the Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridges based on theSM-1 platform, the only variant of theAMX-13 that is still in service with the Singapore Army.[12]
The vehicle has a tracked chassis[6] and is crewed by a commander, a driver, and a gunner. The vehicle is equipped with an integrated combat cockpit, which allows the commander and gunner to use a common set of controls to operate the Hunter, and adrive by wire capability, which allows the vehicle commander to take over driving functions from the driver. The commander and gunners also have independent sights.[14]
The Hunter has an MTU 8V-199 TE20 720hp (530kW) turbocharged diesel engine, & an HMX3000 Hydro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission.[15]
It has InArm Hydro-pneumatic suspension provided by Horstman of the UK, now a subsidiary of Renk.[15]
The AFV mounts an all-round surveillance system with a 360-degree field of vision, enabling closed-hatch operations, as well as alaser warning system.[14]
The Hunter AFV is equipped with the Army Tactical Engagement and Information System (ARTEMIS), a command and control system that allows the crew to operate the vehicle in a fully digitised environment and enabling the wireless exchange of information between vehicles and formations. This is also integrated with theremote controlled weapon station to enable sharing of target information. It is also equipped with a Health and Utilisation Monitoring System (HUMS) to monitor the vehicle's health and allowpredictive maintenance.[14]
The Hunter AFV has a remotely controlled Samson Mk II turret from Rafael armed with a30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon, with a magazine for 200 30x173mm rounds,[15] two SPIKEanti-tank guided missiles, a7.62 mmcoaxial machine gun, and eight 76 mmsmoke grenade launchers. It has a maximum range of 500 km and speed of 70 km/h.[14]
