FV103 Spartan

FV103 Spartan
A Spartan APC conducting an amphibious capability demonstration
Type	Armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Production history
Produced	1978
No. built	967[1]
Specifications
Mass	10,670 kg (10.50 long tons) 9 ton 55 lbs Battle weight
Length	5.16 metres (16.9 ft)
Width	2.48 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Height	2.63 metres (8 ft 8 in)
Crew	3, with 4 passengers
Main armament	1 x 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun
Engine	Jaguar J60 4.2 litre DOHC inline six-cylinder petrol engine 252 lbs/ft at 3,000 rpm replaced with Cummins 5.9 turbo diesel 190 hp (140 kW) at 4,500 rpm
Power/weight	17.9 hp/t
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	320 mi (510 km)
Maximum speed	60 mph (96 km/h)

FV103 Spartan is a tracked armoured personnel carrier. It was developed for the British Army as the APC variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family. The vehicle can carry up to seven personnel, including three crew members. Armed with a single machine gun, it is almost indistinguishable from the FV102 Striker in external appearance.

Rather than a general personnel carrier for infantry, the Spartan had been used for moving specialist teams, such as anti-aircraft missile teams. An anti-tank variant of the Spartan armed with MILAN anti-tank missiles was produced, named the FV120 Spartan MCT. Nearly 500 Spartans served with the British armed forces since entering service in 1978. Replacement by newer vehicles started in 2009. The vehicle is now out of British service.