The Viking BVS10 All Terrain Vehicle
(Protected) ATV(P) is the third generation of articulated
vehicles produced by BAE Systems Hagglunds of Sweden.
The Viking is a follow-on from the BV202 and the BV206. BV
stands for 'Bandvagen' in Swedish which means that it is driven
via rubber tracks.
Viking (BvS10) is a fully amphibious
armoured all-terrain vehicle, which consists of two tracked
vehicle units linked by a steering mechanism. The UK Ministry of
Defence initially ordered 108 Vikings from BAE Systems, Land
Systems Hagglunds (formerly Alvis Hagglunds), in three variants
– Troop Carrier (TCV), Command Vehicle (CV) and repair Recovery
Vehicle (RCV). In 2007 and 2008 additional orders were made for
21 and 14 vehicles respectively.
The UK currently operates three
variants of the vehicle: The Troop Carrying Variant (TCV)
capable of carrying 2 crew plus 10 passengers; the Command
Variant (CV), which carries 2 crew plus up to 8 passengers with
the rear cab being designed as an enhanced digital
communications platform and the Repair and Recovery Variant (RRV),
carrying 4 specialist maintenance vehicle mechanic crewmen. The
rear cab of the RRV carries a HIAB crane, a full mobile
workshop, an air compressor and a 9 tonne capacity capstan
winch, together with hydraulic anchors. All three variants are
fully air-portable under a Chinook helicopter, either complete
or in two separate front and rear component parts and are able
to carried by a C-130.
