The Perennial Problem nf MTBF, Power-To-Weight Ratios and Mobility vs. Protection return to Haunt APC Manufacturers

摘要

In 2010 BATTLESPACE published a feature on Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier Designs along with an interview with BAE Systems. We said that that, in our view, the current design for APCs had reached its zenith. What was required was new processes to allow for better protection and better mobility to combat the new range of overmatched lEDs and other weapons. If mobility is limited, the troops have to keep to the zones and roads where the IED threat is greatest. Thus, protection levels have to be increased to keep troops safe from IED and other attacks. What does that do? It increases weight and thus brings down the Mean Time Between Failure Rates to unacceptable levels below which troops cannot operate in Fast Pursuit Operations, particularly under the new UK Strike Brigade Concept.