Bv 206 Swedish Articulated All-Terrain Tracked Carrier

Development of the Bv 206 articulated all-terrain tracked carrier began in 1974. Three batches of trial vehicles were delivered between 1976 and 1978 and the first production examples were delivered to the Swedish Defense Administration in 1980. Since then the Bandvagn 206 has been produced in thousands by Hagglunds and is in service all around the world. It is a family of multi-purpose amphibious tracked vehicles. The Bv 206 is widely used, especially by the Swedish armed forces, the US Army (who have developed a desert version), the British Armed Forces, and the German Army (who use only diesel-engined versions). The type has been license-produced in Chile. The Bv 206 in its basic carrier form is a twin-unit articulated tracked vehicle that can carry up to 17 troops or 2 250 kg of supplies (6 troops or 630 kg in the front unit, 11 troops, or 1 620 kg in the rear unit). Normally both front and rear units are fully enclosed but for some applications, the rear unit can vary considerably and in some cases is left fully opened, such as the mortar carrier, or can accommodate a variety of bodies. From the earliest stage the Bv 206 was designed to be versatile and it has been proven so in service. The engine originally a Ford V6 petrol unit but later a Mercedes-Benz diesel is in the front unit together with the automatic transmission. Connection to the rear unit is made via an articulated joint which is also used for steering. It gives great flexibility in all axles and extremely good maneuverability. The simplicity in the handling of the vehicle involves a minimum of driver training. Most bodies make extensive use of light plastic-based materials but the chassis uses light alloys. Power is driving on all four of the tracks, which exerts a ground pressure of less than half of the man's foot. The Bv 206 can negotiate such obstacles as soft snow, drifting sand, and marshlands. It can climb considerable gradients, swim without preparation, and work in arctic cold or in tropical heath. The vehicle can be airdropped and transported by a variety of aircraft and helicopters. Variants of the basic Bv 206 abound. It is used as an alight artillery tractor, an ambulance, a communication or command post, to carry various anti-tank weapons such as the Bofors BILL or TOW, for ground-to-air missile systems such as Bofors RBS 90, and even to carry radar systems. An armored variant of the Bv 206 is the Bv 206S. It has modified cabs and armor plating on all its bodywork. A recent member of the Bv 206 family is the BvS 10 improved armored version. It is a new larger vehicle, with improved load capacity. The BvS 10 has the same superior mobility in difficult terrain, combined with the same speed on road. In 2015 BAE Systems Hagglunds revealed a new BvS 10 Beowulf. It is proposed as a replacement of the Bv 206. The new vehicle can carry more than 3 times more payload.