TAPV- The Future of Canada's Reconnaissance Procurement

TAPV- The Future of Canada's Reconnaissance Procurement

In World War II shortly after the Battle of Normandy, Canadian light-infantry units coming from Juno Beach and pushing into Holland/Belgium engaged and destroyed elite mechanized units of Hitler's elite Waffen SS.  This storied feat was accomplished with a mixture of superior information sharing, logistics, communication, infantry doctrine and superior period anti-armour equipment.  Since that time, Logistics, Light infantry, RSTA (Reconnaissance, Signals, Target Acquisition) units and RSTA technologies have become the mainstay of Canada's contribution to many international efforts ranging from the Koreas to Afghanistan.  Canada has in many cases sent small observer forces, logistical support or peacekeeping missions where a low profile and effectiveness buoyed by information analysis is always necessary.  Advances in reconnaissance doctrine and technology have made Canada's ability to detect, identify and observe the enemy almost unparalleled on (or under) land, sea and air.

Canadian Forces Coyote participating in security exercises under UN mandate in Eritrea.  The Coyote RV has been in use since 1996 in United Nations/ NATO missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and in Kosovo. Canadian deployments include Kananaskis for the 28th G8 summit, Huntsville for the 36th G8 summit and the G-20 Toronto summit. The Coyote reconnaissance vehicle currently serves in Afghanistan.

Currently the RV (reconnaissance vehicle) used by the Canadian Forces is the Coyote.  The Coyote RV features a troop-transport cabin that can move a reconnaissance or C4 (Command, Control, Communications, Computers) team.  While strong overall as a tactical platform, the Coyote suffers from key weaknesses:  First and foremost is the age of the vehicle.  At 15 tonnes and built on the ubiquitous 8x8 MOWAG PIRANHA  chassis of the LAV-25 used by the USMC (United States Marine Corps) as an IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) the Coyote is heavy and difficult to transport.  The large turret is challenging to remove/replace quickly when moved by C-130 Hercules.  The Coyote  is wheeled making it a good choice for OOTW (Operations Other Than War) particularly where preservation of local infrastructure for peacemaking or nation building is desirable. 

Because of the age of the vehicle, the light armoring on its chassis requires constant field-upgrading. There were serious high-level discussions within the DND about replacing the platform.  When exposed to roadside bombs, improvised munitions and landmines (which inflicted the proportionally highest rate of casualties during the Afghanistan mission) the Coyote did not prove itself and underscored the importance of a new reconnaissance vehicle with casualty-prevention features as well as tactical versatility.

HMMWV in Iraq

The US Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Command have been using a variety of vehicles in the reconnaissance role.  Armoured reconnaissance is conducted using tracked M3A1 Bradley IFVs or wheeled LAV-25's.  Infantry reconnaissance is conducted with the lightly armoured HMMWV, or the wheeled Stryker RV (incidentally built on the LAVIII chassis manufactured by Canada's General Dynamics Land Systems).  In 2008 the American DOD (Department of Defence) initiated the second phase of a procurement contest seeking a replacement for its aging HMMWV fleet with an emphasis on reconnaissance/communication capabilities.  

The JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) program was commissioned to find a suitable replacement to the HMMWV.  As a stopgap measure, the HMMWV and in many cases-- heavier combat vehicles were replaced with the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle of which there are numerous competing models, making standardization of doctrine or equipment between joint or international forces particularly difficult.

RG-31 Nyala in Afghanistan

Bogged down by complex requirements, politics and contract lobbying, the JLTV program has yet to produce a tangible replacement meeting all the needs of the US Army, USMC and USSOCOM.  Canada in the meantime has forged ahead with design, testing and procurement.  Canada bought 75 of the RG-31 Nyala an MRAP produced in South Africa.  While robust and versatile, the Nyala suffers from low survivability in IED attacks and are more expensive to maintain than an indigenous vehicle.

Enter the TAPV. On June 8, 2012 the Department of National Defence announced a winner in its performance trials for a Coyote successor.  The Textron TAPV (Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle) was hands down a winner.  An almost $1bn contract was established by the DND to ensure procurement and delivery of these vehicles by 2014.The TAPV incorporates numerous new features into its design.   

Coming back to design and history, the vehicle is significant because it is based on a German design.  Our light combat car is the Mercedes G-Wagen, produced initially for the Bundeswehr.  Our main battle tank is a semi-indigenous adaptation of the German Leopard 2A4 with a few top-tier Leopard 2A6M tanks on loan from the Netherlands.  Even the vehicle's name is a triumph of marketing.  TAPV is pronounced as 'TAP-VEE'.  A light-armoured vehicle in use as troop-transport and reconnaissance platform by the Bundeswehr is the TPz Fuchs, commonly referred to as a 'TAP-ZEE' which shares a similar profile and role to the TAPV.  Given the integration of German-developed weapons systems into the Canadian Forces it is safe to say that the similar vehicle nicknames are probably not coincidental.

 The TAPV is developed by Textron Systems Canada a subsidiary of the American company Textron.  An office in Ottawa, Ontario is responsible for overseeing the project to completion.  The preliminary order (due at the latest in 2016) is for 500 vehicles, 200 in reconnaissance pattern and 300 equipped for infantry transport.  Though the design is sourced internationally, as are specific components the vehicles will be produced in Canada at Textron's fabrication plants.

TAPV manufacturer Textron Systems Canada currently employs 2,200 Canadians in manufacturing at its plants which also produce the Cessna model small airplane.

Textron Systems President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Strader was quoted on the company's website as saying: “ “We are honoured that the Department of National Defence and Public Works and Government Services found our team and vehicle best suited to their needs for this important program... ...The Textron TAPV will provide the men and women of the Canadian Army a fully supportable tactical armoured vehicle platform that delivers outstanding performance in the world’s most challenging environments.”

Meanwhile a quote taken from the DND website regarding the TAPV says: "TAPV is a component of the Land Forces Combat Vehicle program which is focused on the renewal of the Army's core equipment platforms as stated in the Canada First Defence Strategy. The TAPV project will deliver a wheeled combat vehicle that will fulfill a wide variety of roles domestically and on the battlefield, including but not limited to reconnaissance and surveillance, security, command and control, cargo, and armoured personnel carrier. It will have a high degree of tactical mobility and provide a very high degree of survivability to its crew."  

As an indigenous weapons system, the TAPV offers independence to Canadian interests around the world in that we are not reliant on overseas import (as in the case of the RG-31 and the G-Wagen) for parts or technical support.  As a high-tech vehicle, the TAPV is capable of supporting the advanced satellite communications, optical surveillance and C4 equipment necessary to fight a fourth or fifth generation conflict.  High survivability, excellent tactical mobility, variety of standardized weapon options for the integrated CROWS (Crew Remote Operated Weapon System).    

The design has already been battle proven. To be precise, the TAPV is a Canadian-built version of the M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle which was adopted by US Army Military Police for force protection/convoy/escort duty.  The Canadian designed TAPV and the current ASV differ in several ways.  The ASV has a one-man turret mounted on the hull while the TAPV's gunner is internal and the weapon system controlled remotely via an electronic interface.  The ASV is also configured to carry a maximum of four personnel while the TAPV has two variants, a reconnaissance variant carrying four and a transport variant carrying 10 (3 crew + 7 passengers).

In his book, "A Soldier First" General(ret.) Rick Hillier (former CDS and Operational Commander for Canadian Forces in Afghanistan talks about the dangers of adapting foreign-built weapons systems for use in Canada. In particular he relates an anecdote about a tank-gunnery competition in Germany where insulated wiring (intended to protect delicate instruments from harsh Canadian winters) were overheated due to a design flaw by the hot German sun.  This in turn threw off the accuracy of the tank's main gun leading to the disqualification of the Canadian team.  Hillier cautions against the 'Canadianization' of platforms and espouses either indigenous development or 'as-is' purchase from foreign suppliers, ideally supported by a maintenance contract.  

In terms of cost, at $500m(CAD) for 500 vehicles and a further $180m(CAD) for ongoing support the TAPV is an excellent choice.  The procurement will stimulate the Canadian economy while also improving Canada's ability to contribute internationally.  This in turn should raise our standing in terms of our international obligations.  Improved international standing of course has its own hidden economic benefits.  Whether or not this will improve Canada's ability to contribute to the UN and improve our standing to the point of regaining a seat as a security-council member, remains to be seen.  Overall this is a good example of the ongoing 're-modernization' of the post-Afghan War Canadian Forces in order to build a stronger, safer society.

Now some critical questions for those of you with experience in these matters:

1) The ASV-M117 currently in use by  American military police is not NBC rated.  Is the Canadian variant going to be fitted with NBC protection?

2) How does the four wheeler design stack up in terms of mobility, stability and reliability against the TpZ Fuchs' six wheels or the LAV III's eight?

3)  How will the side-door access change existing Canadian Forces doctrine for a TIC debus?  Is there an internal ramp to ease the exit with full combat load or are the awkward videos of soldiers getting in and out of the half-gull doors pretty much par for the course as to what our personnel can expect?