Scorpion FV101 CVRT

Light reconnaissance 76mm cannon tracked armored vehicle - United Kingdom

The FV101 Scorpion is a British light tank and reconnaissance vehicle that played a significant role in the history of armored warfare. Its development began in the late 1960s, and it entered service in the mid-1970s. The Scorpion was designed to fulfill a need for a fast and mobile reconnaissance vehicle with sufficient firepower to engage and destroy lightly armored enemy vehicles. The FV101 Scorpion is part of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) or CVR(T) family, which is a series of light armored reconnaissance vehicles designed and built by Alvis Vehicles Ltd (now BAE Systems) in the United Kingdom. The CVR(T) family was developed in the late 1960s and 1970s and was designed to be lightweight, air-transportable, and versatile to meet the diverse requirements of the British Army. The development of the FV101 Scorpion can be traced back to the 1960s when the British Army identified a need for a new, fast reconnaissance vehicle capable of operating in various terrain conditions. The project was initiated by the British Ministry of Defence, which commissioned the Alvis Vehicles Ltd. (formerly Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd) to design and develop the new vehicle. The first prototype of the FV101 Scorpion was completed in 1969, and extensive trials were conducted to test its capabilities. It officially entered service with the British Army in 1973. The Scorpion was used by various countries, including Belgium, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, Oman, the Philippines, Spain, and Venezuela. Throughout its service life, the FV101 Scorpion saw action in several conflicts, such as the Falklands War (1982) and the Gulf War (1991). The British Army retired the Scorpion in 1994, although it continued to serve in some foreign armies well into the 21st century. The Scorpion's legacy endures, as it set the standard for light tanks and reconnaissance vehicles in the modern era.

Scorpion FV101 CVRT variants:

- Scorpion 90: This variant of the Scorpion FV101 was upgraded with a new 90mm main gun, replacing the original 76mm gun.
- Scorpion 2: This variant was an upgraded version of the Scorpion FV101, which included improved armor protection, a new engine, and new communications equipment.
- Scorpion 3: This variant was a further development of the Scorpion 2, with upgraded night vision equipment, improved fire control systems, and enhanced mobility.
- Scorpion 4: This variant was a proposed upgrade to the Scorpion FV101, which would have included a new engine, improved armor protection, and enhanced sensors and communications equipment. However, this upgrade was never implemented.