Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle
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| Coyote | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Canada |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 14.4 t |
| Length | 6.39 m |
| Width | 2.50 m |
| Height | 2.69 m |
| Crew | 4 (driver, commander, gunner, surveillance suite operator) |
|
|
|
| Primary armament |
M242 "Bushmaster" Chain Gun |
| Secondary armament |
C6 7.62mm Machine Gun, Coaxial C6 7.62mm Machine Gun, Pintle C6 7.62mm Machine Gun, ground-mount Smoke and Fragmentation grenade launchers (2 x Cluster of 4). |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel 6V53T 275hp |
| Suspension | 8x8 wheeled, 4x Drive |
| Operational range |
660 km |
| Speed | 120 km/h |
The Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle is a lightly armoured fighting vehicle built by General Dynamics Canada for the Canadian Forces, for use in the reconnaissance role.[1][2] Its eight-wheeled design is a licensed version of the Swiss Mowag Piranha. In service since 1996, the Coyote is a larger version of the six-wheeled Canadian AVGP, also developed from the Piranha.
Coyotes mount a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun and two 7.62 mm C6 general purpose machine guns.[1] One of the machine guns is in a fixed mount parallel to the main gun while the other is pintle-mounted in front of the gunner's hatch. Most Coyotes have a sophisticated suite of electronic surveillance equipment including radar, video, and infrared surveillance night vision devices. The mast variant has this equipment mounted on a 10m telescoping mast that can peek out from behind a hill or building. The remote variant of the Coyote has its surveillance suite mounted on two short tripods, which soldiers can deploy remotely using a 200 m spool of cable. The less common command variant does not carry the surveillance suite.
Unlike the Bison and AVGP, the Coyote was not equipped with an amphibious propulsion system. The areas where the marine drive propellors would normally be mounted were taken up by external fuel tanks. The Coyote uses a larger wheel than initially used on the Bison and AVGP (these vehicles were later retrofitted with this wheel). Compared to the American Stryker vehicle, the Coyote's hull armour has a greater slope. This gives better protection but at the cost of internal vehicle space.
The Coyote can be transported on a Hercules C-130 transport plane.[3] But their turrets have to be removed first. The relatively less powerful armament of the American Stryker was chosen specifically so they could drive off a C-130 and straight into combat.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Exploring the Coyote", Department of National Defence. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Vetronics Engineering", General Dynamics Canada. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
- ^ Barry Cooper, Mercedes Stephenson, Ray Szeto. "Canada’s Military Posture: An Analysis of Recent Civilian Reports", The Fraser Institute, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
