M67 Reconnaissance Vehicle (FRAUT)

The M67 Scimitar is a FRAUT, designed by Federal Defence. The vehicle was designed beginning in 1990, and entered service the the Federal Republic Land Force Command in 1997. Production of the M90 entered full rate in 1995 and 2,500 vehicles were produced. The vehicle has not seen any conflicts yet. In 2013 development of the Scimitar Mark 2 began, and in 2015 full rate production began of the Scimitar Mark 2, with a total of 497 being constructed so far.

History
Prior to the development of the M67 Scimitar, reconnaissance vehicles were not a distinct category of vehicle in the Land Force Command. Doctrine 1968 dictated that reconnaissance was conducted by vanguard units with main battle tanks and dismounted soldiers. These vehicles did not have any specific modifications, and were primarily designed to work with massed forces to fight for information. When doctrine evolved to small unit tactics, heavy reconnaissance would no longer be a viable means of information collection. The new doctrine demanded the development of a small, agile reconnaissance vehicle with integrated battlefield networking abilities. The vehicle also required advanced optics for long range surveillance operations.

In June of 1991, the Command Administration Group contacted the Republican Cavalry Corps to gain input on a new specialized reconnaissance vehicle. It was determined the vehicle needed advanced optics, small size, moderate firepower, and excellent mobility. With these criteria established, a defence research contact was awarded to Federal Defence in 1992. Federal Defence submitted their first prototype after 2 years of development in April of 1992. The vehicle passed initial testing and six prototypes were commissioned for further testing in June of 1993. The vehicles passed, and the final vehicles went on to final testing until 1994. Full rate production was authorized January 10th, 1995 and production began immediately. The first M67 Scimitar left the South Grozny plant on January 26th, 1995.

Production of the Scimitar continued until 2003 when a total of 2,500 units had been manufactured. The vehicle served with reconnaissance regiments throughout the early 2000s. By 2010, it was determined that the vehicle lacked protection for the crew, and the electronic fire control systems were out dated. It was determined that a modification package would not be realistic, so the development of a new vehicle was authorized. In February of 2011, an evolution-development contact was awarded. Development continued until 2015, when the newly designated "M67 Scimitar Mark 2" was submitted for final testing. The vehicle completed testing and full rate production of the Mark 2 was authorized in March of 2016. To date, 497 vehicles have been produced, with plans to produce 3,000 vehicles total.

Design
Both the Mark 1 and 2 Scimitar are designed with similar principles. Firstly, the vehicles are designed to be exceptionally light to enable the vehicle to traverse the most varied terrain possible. The Mk 1 weighs 18 tonnes, and the Mk 2 weighs 25 tonnes, making the vehicle able to cross bridges that would normally stop heavier tanks and armored fighting vehicles. Both vehicles incorporate the M3090 30mm autocannon, albeit with different fire control systems. The auto cannon allows the vehicle to fight for information as well as defend itself, while remaining low profile.

The M67 Scimitar was also designed to be a low profile vehicle. Utilizing tracks to remain low to the ground, the vehicle was still highly mobile. The vehicle utilizes a tight track design with torsion suspension to allow for excellent ground dispersion pressure.

Gun
The M67 Scimitar is equipped with the M3090 30mm auto cannon. The M3090 when fitted to the M67 Scimitar carries 500 rounds of ammunition in two locations. A primary ammunition bay holds 350 rounds, usually of high explosive ammunition. The secondary ammunition bay holds 150 rounds, usually of armored piercing ammunition. The gun is a chain driven, belt fed weapon that can be uploaded and downloaded from inside the vehicle. The M3090 can fire the following ammunition:
 * M30S21 Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot, Tungsten Core (FSDS)
 * M30H542 High Explosive, Dual Purpose, Cannon (HEDPC)

Protection
The M67 Scimitar Mark 1 is primarily rolled homogeneous armor with spaced components with rubber and spall liner. This allows for protection from small arms and many types of high explosive weapons. The M67 Scimitar Mark 2 features some rolled homogeneous armor, although to maintain a light vehicle with improved protection, a composite armor package is used throughout. The vehicle still retains its spaced properties, with spall lining.

Mobility
The M67 Scimitar is powered by the FD 60501 V8 Turbo Diesel engine. The Eight cylinder engine has a single, large twin scroll turbocharger, which is connected to an advanced electronic management unit. This enables boost by gear, variable boost and dynamic fuel ratios. The engine is rated at 650BHp. The engine is mated to a 10 speed semi automatic transmission, enabling pivot steer and neutral steer. The transmission has eight forward gears and 2 reverse gears, and uses a hydraulic-electric clutch, requiring the operator to only move the gear selector; the clutch is automatic.

Electronics
The most important change between the M67 Scimitar and older vehicles is the advanced fire control system. The FCS not only enables stabilized fire on the move, but also incorporates thermal optics which allow for over 3,000m of engagement range at night while moving. The FCS also allows for long range observation with the use of high intensification optics.

Variants
The M67 Scimitar has two distinct versions, the Mark 1 and Mark 2.

M67 "Scimitar" Mark 1
The original M67 Scimitar Mk 1 was introduced in 1997 with the Number Four Lancers of Lacinya, with Number 10 Squadron (Reconnaissance). The Mark 1 features a tight track design with the drive sprocket front, and ilder rear. It is powered by the original V8 Turbo Diesel. The vehicle uses the E217821 Fire Control System, which allows for stabilized fire up to 3km Range, day or night. The vehicle has a crew of three, and the engine is mounted in the front of the vehicle. The Mark 1 is significantly shorter than the Mk 2, with a height of just 1.91 meters. The Mark 1 does not have independent commander's sights. Therefore, the commander must scan with the gunners sights or use external spotting devices, before slewing the gun onto target. The M67 Scimitar Mk 1 was retired from service in the Land Force Command in 2016, and will be fully replaced by the Mark 2.

M67 "Scimitar" Mark 2
The Mark 2 of the M67 Scimitar, while remaining visually similar is a different vehicle than the Mark 1. When it was deemed that the current vehicle could not be further upgraded, the Mk 2 was based on a new chassis. The same turret was redesigned to incorporate a new Fire Control System allowing for more accurate fire on the move, better thermal imaging, better night vision capabilities, and independent commander's sights. The independent commander's sights allows for hunter-killer operations allowing the vehicle to rapidly engage and destroy targets. The hull of the vehicle is also a completely original design, except for the running gear, which was carried over from the Mark 1. The Mark 2's hull is significantly taller, but also integrates composite armor allowing for a much higher level of protection. The overall height of the vehicle changes to 2.5 meters, about 50cm more than the old vehicle. The commander's M450 Crew Served Weapon is retained, although it is now reserved for anti-aircraft purposes, as the commander usually fights the Mark 2 hatches down thanks to the new hunter-killer sights. The Mark 2 in Land Force Command service is painted with the Adaptive Woodland Camouflage pattern, which makes the vehicle more difficult to detect with night vision, Infra-red or thermal imaging tools. It also makes the vehicle more resistant to adherence by chemical weapons, making decontamination easier.