The FV438 Swingfire was an armoured anti-tank vehicle derived from the FV 430 series, a conversion of the FV 432 armoured personal carrier to accommodate a twin Swingfire anti-tank guided missiles launcher, with its reload system and 12 more missiles thanks to its two firing bins. It was introduced in the early 1970 in the British Infantry Regiments and Royal Armoured Corps, then after the 1977 reform to the Royal Artillery, then passed onto ATGM troops in Armoured regiments in the earmy 1980s before being phased out for the FV 102 Striker armed with the Javelin instead. The FV 438 never saw action (but the missile was) and was phased out in 1985.

Development History

The development of the vehicle was linked with the FV 432 and itself derived from the idea of a universal chassis, that can be used for many variants proposed by the main contractor at the time in 1960, GKN Sankey and Alvis. This was a long derived idea also pioneered in germany with the waffentrager concept in 1943 and declined in the 1950s Britain as a modern universal tracked platform with always the same engine and drivetrain. In total this platform was produced over 3000, including 2500 FV 432 APCs leaving about 500 specialized vehicles. From there and given the numbers of vehicles deployed, total production was about 200 vehicles.

Design

The FV 430 universal chassis serie originally designed in the 50s/early 60s was cost-effective platform also adapted to a Self-propelled gun, Light ARV, Communications vehicle, Command vehicle, and others. The widespread FV432 was basically a British equivalent to the M113 a boxy and rudimentary vehicle offering basic fire protection to 10 troopers plus two crew and a light machine gun. Only the front was protected against 14.5mm rounds at certain ranges. Unlike its US counterpart the hull was all-steel.

General Layout

The vehicle is basically an FV 432 armoured personal carrier on which the rear compartment was completely transformed. Its dimensions were 5,105 mm in lenght, 2,641mm in width and with a roof height of 1,879mm, but the launcher made its higher. Its ground clearance was of 406mm. Weight was heavier at 16.5 tonnes.

Protection

Tghe passie protection comprised the steel RHA hull, with flat sides and a sloped nose: Its Upper frontal plate was 12.5mm (at 42 degrees) so to protect against 14.5 mm AP rounds, with a ower frontal plate of 16mm at 35 degrees, upper sides of 16mm, lower sides of 12.5mm, a rear plate of 16mm, 9mm on the roof, 6mm on the bottom. No protection against mines. The active part comprised a set of two three tubes smoke protectors on the nose. The rest of equipments (lights, batteries, etc) is shared with the FV 432.

Mobility

Unchange compared to the Fv 432, the FV 438 is powered by a 240hp 6.57 liter 6-cylinder opposed piston Rolls-Royce K60 placed in the forward right compartment. It is a multi-fuel engine, coupled with a GM Allison TX200 gearbox. Top speed is 52 km/h. Laden weight 14.54 tons and power-to-weight ratio 16.5 hp/t. It seems the FV 438 preserie vehicles had the earlier Rolls-Royce B81 220hp 6.5 liter petrol engine.

Armament

Inside the former troop compartment were located all fourteen missiles separated in their own bins, one for each launcher arm, and thus reloaded from inside the vehicle, in a semi-automatic way. The Swingfire missiles were also deployed on the contemporary wheeled Daimler Ferret, but in turreted canisters. In that case, the launcher is located in the rear part of the compartment inside a fixed turret like top,with an optical mast for the SACLOS operator. The reload system and spare missiles were located aft, and the operators (Commander and assistant operator) were seated forward of it. The SCLOS operator is seated inside the "turret" when in use, between the launcher arms.

By default therse is an Hensoldt 1x & 10x Military Periscope Monocular Guided Missile Sight, but in addition for remote firing a separated "Barr & stroud" thermal imaging sight and control unit were provided to fire in ambush a target 75-100 metres away, 15m above or below the vehicle. The rmote use allowed the vehicle to remain behind and well camouflaged in dead ground. The Swingfire was capable of a 90° turn after firing after staying in the operator line of sight.

The Swingfire missile was developed from 1963 onwards, in service from 1969, with large quantities delivered and it was retired in 2005. 37.3cm diameter and weighting 37kg it had a top range of 4km. Warhead penetration had various claims, it is estimated capable to defeat between 600mm and 800mm RHA equivalent, so well enough to defeat a T-54/55, T-62 and T-72 of the early Dolly Parton type. Otherwise, there was a refensive armarment, an optional GMPG mounted on a pintle close to the commander's hatch, and personal firearms.

Deployment

FV 102 Striker, also using the Swingfire

The FV 438 entered service in 1973-74, operated first by specialised anti-tank units organic to British Infantry units as well as the Royal Armoured Corps. In 1977 as the anti-tank role was transferred to the Royal Artillery for budgetary measures, FV 438s were mustered into four independent Royal Horse Artillery batteries, one organic to each Armoured Division and only deployed with the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). In 1984, the Royal Artillery renounced the anti-tank role so the FV 438s were assigned to "guided-weapon troops" of 9 vehicles each organic to each Armoured Regiment. The FV 438 was retired from 1986. It's only in 2005 that the British Army retired all tracked tank hunters, and that included the FV 102 Striker as the FGM-148 Javelin replaced the swingfire anti-tank missile.

FV specifications
Dimensions	5.1 x 3 x 2.7 (16 ft 9 in x 9 ft 10 in x 8 ft 10 in)
Total weight	16.2 t
Crew	3: Driver, commander, operator
Propulsion	Rolls-Royce K60 multi-fuel, 240 hp (180 kW) 15.7 hp/tonne
Maximum speed	32 mph (52 km/h)
Transmission	GM Allison TX200 gearbox
Suspension	Torsion-bar, 5 road wheel
Range	300 mi (480 km)
Armament	Two Swingfire launchers, 16 missiles +7.62 mm L7 GPMG
Protection	0.5 inches or 12.7 mm max +smoke dischargers
Total production	c800

Links

Watson, Graham E.; Rinaldi, Richard A. (2005). The British Army in Germany: An Organizational History 1947-2004.
3rd Regiment RHA. The British Army. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
3rd Regiment RHA. British Army Units and Locations from 1945
Nigel F. Evans. "ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY". BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2
Outline of the British Army at the end of the Cold War
Video

Gallery

FV 438 of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) 1979.

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Vehicle of the 4th RTR

A group of FV 432s

FV 437 ARV; Note: These photos are from Pinterest

Video