Lynx reconnaissance vehicle
Encyclopedia
The Lynx reconnaissance vehicle (manufacturer's name: M113½ Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle, abbr. M113 C&R) is a United States
-built tracked armoured fighting vehicle
, which was employed by the armed forces of the Netherlands
and Canada
.
The Lynx is a smaller command and reconnaissance
vehicle built as a private venture in 1963 by FMC Corp.
, the manufacturer of the M113
armoured personnel carrier. The Lynx uses M113A1 components, including aluminum armour, but with only four road wheels on each side and engine in the rear instead of the front. The U.S. Army adopted the M114 in favour of the M113½, but it was employed in the reconnaissance role by the Netherlands and Canada (where it was officially designated the Lynx).
The Lynx is amphibious
, propelled in the water by its tracks. Before swimming, a trim vane is erected at front, bilge pumps started, and covers mounted on the air intake and exhaust. In practice, crews would close hatches and ford shallow streams at high speed.
accepted 250 vehicles, beginning in 1966. The Dutch version of the Lynx has the driver front-left, radio operator/7.62mm machine gunner front-right, and a .50-calibre machine gun cupola centre. In the 1970s, the heavy machine gun was replaced by an Oerlikon-Bührle GBD-ADA turret mounting a 25mm KBA cannon.
The Canadian Forces
accepted 174 vehicles from 1968, replacing the Ferret armoured car
. Lynxes were issued to the reconnaissance squadron of an armoured
regiment (D Sqn). The squadron consisted of three troops, each equipped with seven Lynxes—three two-vehicle patrols plus the troop leader's vehicle (Militia [reserve] armoured reconnaissance units trained for the role with Jeep
s or Iltis 4×4 trucks). Nine Lynxes also equipped the reconnaissance platoon of an infantry battalion's combat support company.
In the Canadian Lynx, the crew commander's cupola
is located middle-right, observer's hatch rear-left. The commander operates the manually traversed M26 heavy machine gun cupola from inside the vehicle, but reloads it with hatch open. The rear-facing observer operates the radio and fires the pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun.
The Canadian Lynx was withdrawn from service in 1993, and replaced by 203 Coyote
eight-wheeled reconnaissance vehicles by the end of 1996.
Running Lynxes
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-built tracked armoured fighting vehicle
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
, which was employed by the armed forces of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Lynx is a smaller command and reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
vehicle built as a private venture in 1963 by FMC Corp.
FMC Corp.
FMC Corporation is a chemical manufacturing company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. FMC employs over 4,800 people world wide, and had gross revenues of US$3.115 billion in 2008.-The Bean Spray Pump Company:...
, the manufacturer of the M113
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
armoured personnel carrier. The Lynx uses M113A1 components, including aluminum armour, but with only four road wheels on each side and engine in the rear instead of the front. The U.S. Army adopted the M114 in favour of the M113½, but it was employed in the reconnaissance role by the Netherlands and Canada (where it was officially designated the Lynx).
The Lynx is amphibious
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
, propelled in the water by its tracks. Before swimming, a trim vane is erected at front, bilge pumps started, and covers mounted on the air intake and exhaust. In practice, crews would close hatches and ford shallow streams at high speed.
Service history
The Royal Netherlands ArmyRoyal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
accepted 250 vehicles, beginning in 1966. The Dutch version of the Lynx has the driver front-left, radio operator/7.62mm machine gunner front-right, and a .50-calibre machine gun cupola centre. In the 1970s, the heavy machine gun was replaced by an Oerlikon-Bührle GBD-ADA turret mounting a 25mm KBA cannon.
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
accepted 174 vehicles from 1968, replacing the Ferret armoured car
Ferret armoured car
The Ferret armoured car, also commonly called the Ferret Scout car, is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by the UK company, Daimler...
. Lynxes were issued to the reconnaissance squadron of an armoured
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
regiment (D Sqn). The squadron consisted of three troops, each equipped with seven Lynxes—three two-vehicle patrols plus the troop leader's vehicle (Militia [reserve] armoured reconnaissance units trained for the role with Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
s or Iltis 4×4 trucks). Nine Lynxes also equipped the reconnaissance platoon of an infantry battalion's combat support company.
In the Canadian Lynx, the crew commander's cupola
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
is located middle-right, observer's hatch rear-left. The commander operates the manually traversed M26 heavy machine gun cupola from inside the vehicle, but reloads it with hatch open. The rear-facing observer operates the radio and fires the pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun.
The Canadian Lynx was withdrawn from service in 1993, and replaced by 203 Coyote
Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle
The Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle is a lightly armoured fighting vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the Canadian Forces, for use in the reconnaissance role....
eight-wheeled reconnaissance vehicles by the end of 1996.
Existing Lynxes
Existing Lynxes include several monuments and museum pieces, and a few running vehicles.- Base Borden Military MuseumBase Borden Military MuseumBase Borden Military Museum is a military museum located on the grounds of CFB Borden, in Borden, Ontario, Canada. Combining four separate museums, it has numerous items, equipment and vehicles from all eras of Canadian military history, including a large number of historic armored vehicles and...
, Borden, Ontario - Canadian Forces CollegeCanadian Forces CollegeThe Canadian Forces College is a military school for senior and general officers of the Canadian Forces. The college provides military education courses meant to enable officers to effectively provide leadership within the Canadian Forces. Additionally, the Non-Commissioned Members Profession...
, Toronto, Canada - CFB GagetownCFB GagetownCanadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
Military Museum, Oromocto, New Brunswick http://www.rogerkenner.ca/Bike/St_John02_lite/Vdt_Wit02_StJohn_lite.html - Côte-des-Neiges Armoury, Montreal, Quebec (Royal Canadian Hussars)
- LCol D.V. Currie VC Armoury, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan DragoonsSaskatchewan DragoonsThe Saskatchewan Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. The unit is based in Moose Jaw. Their primary job is to assist the Regular Force in meeting Canada's military commitments. Their training and equipment closely follow that of the Regular Force, which the...
), has two Lynxes, in camouflage and UN peacekeeping colours - Overloon War MuseumOverloon War MuseumThe National War and Resistance Museum of the Netherlands is located at Overloon, municipality Boxmeer....
, Overloon, the Netherlands http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewie1980/3712348143/ - McGregor Armoury, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Fort Garry Horse)
- Military Museums, Calgary, Alberta
- Fort Petrie Military Museum, New Victoria, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
- Royal Canadian Legion, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
- Musée des BlindésMusée des BlindésThe Musée des Blindés or Musée Général Estienne is a tank museum located in the Loire Valley of France, in the city of Saumur. It is one of the world's largest tank museums....
, Saumur, France - Salaberry ArmourySalaberry ArmouryThe Salaberry Armoury , is an historic armoury in Gatineau, Quebec, that is home to the armoured Régiment de Hull. The armoury was built in 1938, and was named after Colonel Charles de Salaberry, a hero of the War of 1812. It was one of a series of armouries built across Canada during the 1930s...
, Gatineau, Quebec (Régiment de Hull) - Wolseley Barracks, London, Ontario
- The Prince Edward Island Regiment has two on display in SummersideSummerside-Geographic locations:Canada* Summerside, Newfoundland and Labrador* Summerside, Prince Edward Island* Summerside, AlbertaUnited States* Summerside, Ohio...
and CharlottetownCharlottetownCharlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885... - Gallipoli Armory, Corner Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Running Lynxes
- The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), Vancouver, BC, has one operational Lynx.
- Ontario RegimentThe Ontario Regiment (RCAC)The Ontario Regiment is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command. The unit is based in downtown Oshawa, Ontario...
museum in Oshawa, Ontario, maintains four fully operational Lynxes in its collection. Two are painted CF o/d green, one UN white, the other in CF winter camouflage. - Lincoln & WellandThe Lincoln and Welland RegimentThe Lincoln and Welland Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based in St Catharines and Welland, Ontario.The Regimental Colonel-in-Chief is The Countess of Wessex and...
Regimental Museum, St Catharines, Ontario, has one operational Lynx - Bovington Tank MuseumBovington Tank MuseumThe Tank Museum is a collection of armoured fighting vehicles in the United Kingdom that traces the history of the tank. With almost 300 vehicles on exhibition from 26 countries it is the second-largest collection of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles in the world.The Musée des Blindés in France...
, Dorset, England, has shown an operating Lynx - Lord Strathcona's Horse, Edmonton, Alberta, has a running Lynx in their Historical Vehicle Troop.
- The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, has a running Lynx.