Villkatt (AFV)

Stormpanserfordon Villkatt
A Villkatt in the CRV/PsRF configuration with 40mm CTA Turret
Place of origin	Ringerike Sannlibo
Service history
In service	2014-Present
Used by	Ringerike Sannlibo
Production history
Designer	Stålgilde Heavy Industries Sannsystems AB — S²Armours
Designed	2005 - 2012
Manufacturer	Stålgilde Heavy Industries Sannsystems AB — S²Armours
Produced	2012 - Present
Specifications (Stormpanserfordon Villkatt)
Weight	Up to 42,000 kg
Length	7.62 m (25 ft 0 in)
Width	3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Height	3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (baseline vehicle)
Crew	2-3 (commander, driver, optional gunner)
Passengers	Up to 8 (Maximum)
Main armament	Various
Engine	Hyger RV/K600D8 diesel engine 600kw (805hp)
Transmission	Hyger DWL18
Operational range	550 km
Speed	70 km/h

The Villkatt AFV is a tracked multi-role armoured fighting vehicle, developed by a joint ringeriker-sannlig consortium of Stålgilde Heavy Industries and Sannsystems AB, to replace older vehicles of the armies of Ringerike and Sannlibo.

The Villkatt is designed as a modular vehicle family and reuses many components of the Stridsvagn Løve, while the engine and the transmission are taken from the Villhund.

Development

The Villkatt AFV (Sannligs/Norsk: Stormpanservogn/Stormpanserfordon Villkatt) was developed by a ringeriker-sannlig joint venture of Stålgilde Heavy Industries and Sannsystems AB. It was intended to mostly replace the Stormpanservogn m/79 of the ringeriker and sannlig forces.

In 2000 the sannlig government was eager to introduce a new modernization plan for its land forces, which included a refit of the Stridsvagn Løve as well as a tracked and an 8x8 platform to replace the aging Panter IFVs as well as the Villhund III AFVs. In 2002 Stålgilde Armor Works and Sannsystems AB's S²Amours began to design heavily upgraded variants of said vehicles, while Stålgilde Kinetics began to develop a new weapon system to be potentially operated on the next vehicle generation.

Based on the upgraded variants, which were designed previously, Stålgilde and Sannsystems build upgraded variants of the SPsV m/79 as well as the Villhunds. For the m/79, the belly was fitted with improvements, coming from the Løve MBT. Both designs were fitted with a stronger armour, including under-belly protection against mines and IEDs, as well as add-on side armour. By that time Stålgilde Kinetics has finished the first example of the new 40mm CTA main weapon, fitted into a new clean-sheet designed turret. The vehicles with their new main weapons were first unveiled and presented in 2004.

While the sannlig government was satisfied with the results of the Villhund III Upgrade (later called Villhund XP³), the upgrades of the SPsV m/79 weren't satisfying both governments. In 2005 Stålgilde and Sannsystems were officially contracted with developing a new combat platforms by the ringeriker and sannlig governments. The contract also demanded the construction of a technology demonstrator and prototype in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The demonstrator was unveiled in late 2007, the prototype finished development in early 2008. This was followed by an intensive testing phase, which has been concducted until 2011. In early 2010 both governemnts contracted Stålgilde and Sannsystems to deliver the Villkatt. In late 2010 the first pre-serial examples were built and and later delivered to ringeriker and sannlig forces for further testing, but as well for exercising and training. Serial production was then began in 2012, with the first deliveries taking place in January 2013. The Villkatt was introduced into service of both armies by mid-2014.

Variants

The Stormpanserfordon Villkatt is the baseline variant of the Villkatt. It features several subvariants, being fitted for a wide variety of tasks. Stormpanserbil is also the sannlig translation for "Armoured Fighting Vehicle", Villkatt means "Wildcat".

The following variants have been introduced or are in development:

Sannlig Variants

PsIF X²/V:

• The Panserinfanteriebil Villhund is one of the primary versions of the Villhund being in Service with the sannlig land forces. It regularly features a 40mm autocannon in an unmanned turret as armament.

PsLF X²/V:

• The Panserledningsbil Villhund is a forward command post variant of the PsIB, armed with a manned 40mm turret. It has a crew of six, with a vehicle commander, gunner and a driver as vehicle crew and three radio operators for the command post duties.

PsRF X²/V:

• The Panserrekonbil Villhund is a reconnaissance and observation variant of the PsIB, armed with a manned 40mm turret, additionally a remote weapon system with a 20mm autocannon is fitted on its top. It has a crew of three, and can carry a 4-man scout or forward observer squad for dismounted use.

Ringeriker Variants

Ringeriker variants are split between two main forms, standard and high roofed, with variants of each depending on function, such as SHORAD, IFV and Ambulance variants as well as a number of other roles.

Export Variants

Following variants are in development for export customers:

A Villkatt S during a parade

Villkatt S:

• The Villkatt S is less a variant and more a catch-all term for a variety of options to be integrated onto the Shenewan vehicles. The most notable feature is the armour package which is less comprehensive than on Sannlig and Ringeriker versions, bringing the vehicle's weight down to 32 tons. In addition, Villkatt S mostly use 25mm autocannons rather than the 40mm more common on Ringeriker and Sannlig versions.

Derivatives

Variants under development include a recovery vehicle, bridgelayer and other engineering types.

Operators

Sannlibo:

• Sannlig Land Forces - 620 Units have been ordered and delivered to the Sannlig Forces. Introduction into service between 2014 and 2020. The vehicles are to be used in the Land Forces' and will be used along the Stridsvagn Løve in the heavy brigades.

Ringerike

• In service with the Ringerike Army (Ringerike Hær).

Shenewa

• 1,250 planned to be in service with Imperial Army by 2030.