18 January 2001

Alvis Vehicles in the 1970s built the original Stormer armoured personnel carrier (APC), then known as the FV4333, using components of its Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) range. Production of the Stormer began in 1982: three for the USA to evaluate and 25 for Malaysia to use in an APC role.

The British Army, which selected Stormer in 1986 to carry the SMS Starstreak High-Velocity Missile (HVM) system, uses three versions of the vehicle: as a platform for the HVM system; a reconnaissance vehicle for HVM units; and a flatbed fitted with the Alliant Techsystems Volcano anti-tank mine-scattering system.

Stormer can use various weapon systems, such as a two-person turret armed with a 25mm cannon. There is a wide range of optional equipment, including a nuclear-biological-chemical protection system; an amphibious kit; passive night-vision equipment; and an air-conditioning system.

Indonesia is the newest Stormer customer. It has received a number of variants, including the armoured personnel carrier, command post vehicle, ambulance, recovery, bridge layers and logistics vehicle.

Specifications

Crew: 3 + 8*

Armament: 1 x 7.62mm machine gun*

Combat weight: 12,700kg*

Power-to-weight ratio: 19.68bhp/t*

Power pack: Perkins Engines Company T6.3544 six-cylinder diesel developing 250bhp coupled to a David Brown Defence Equipment T300 transmission (Cummins diesel also offered)

Length: 5.27m

Width: 2.4m

Height: 2.27m

Max speed: 80km/h

Range: 650km

Airportable: C-130 Hercules

* depends on weapon system fitted

Status

Production as needed. In service with Indonesia (estimated 50); Malaysia (25); Oman (4); and the UK (170 plus still on delivery). The only APC users are Indonesia and Malaysia.

Variants

Air defence (with guns or missiles); engineer vehicle; recovery vehicle; ambulance; minelayer; 81mm or 120mm mortar carrier; command and control vehicle; bridgelayer; and a logistics vehicle.

Manufacturer

Alvis Vehicles Ltd, Telford, England

Stormer armoured personnel carrier (APC) (Source: Alvis Vehicles 0073359)