FV101 Scorpion

FV101 Scorpion
Irish Army Scorpion CVR(T)
Type	Reconnaissance vehicle, light tank
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1973–present
Used by	Operators
Wars	Iran–Iraq War[1] Falklands War 1989 Philippine coup d'état attempt Gulf War Zamboanga City crisis
Production history
Manufacturer	Alvis Vehicles, Coventry, England
No. built	c. 3,000 (1,500 for UK, c. 1,500 exported)[2]
Variants	Scorpion 90
Specifications
Mass	17,800 lb (8.074 tonnes)
Length	5.288 m (17 ft 4.2 in)[3]
Width	2.134 m (7 ft 0 in)[3]
Height	2.102 m (6 ft 10.8 in)[3]
Crew	3[3]
Armour	Aluminium armour, Cast and 1318b plate 13 mm (front and sides)[4]
Main armament	ROF 76mm L23A1 gun 90mm Cockerill Mk3 M-A1 gun (in Scorpion 90)[3]
Secondary armament	Coaxial 7.62 mm L43A1 machine gun[3]
Engine	Cummins BTA 5.9-litre (diesel)[3] 190 hp (140 kW)
Power/weight	22.92 hp (17.3 kW) / tonne[3]
Transmission	Self Change Gears TN15X[3]
Suspension	Torsion-bar
Operational range	756 km (470 mi)[3]
Maximum speed	72.5 km/h (45.0 mph)[3]

The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle and light tank. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), CVR(T), family of seven armoured vehicles. Manufactured by Alvis, it was introduced into service with the British Army in 1973 and was withdrawn in 1994.^[5][6] More than 3,000 were produced and used as a reconnaissance vehicle or a light tank.

It held the Guinness world record for the fastest production tank, recorded doing 82.23 km/h (51.10 mph) at the QinetiQ vehicle test track in Chertsey, Surrey, on 26 January 2002.^[7]