Dragoon IFV
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| Dragoon IFV/Dragún FTA | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
| Place of origin | Faneria, Yonderre |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Peninsular War, Final War of the Deluge |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2000-2014/ongoing |
| Produced | 2008-present |
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, gunner, driver) |
The Dragoon IFV, or Dragún Type-2008/2014 FTA, is a series of military vehicles jointly developed by Faneria and Yonderre as a type of modern Infantry Fighting Vehicle from 2000-2008. It first entered service in August 2009 in the Yonderian Defence Force, followed closely by the National Army Land Forces in January 2010. The chassis has since become the basis for several widespread IFV, APC, and other combat vehicle variants used by over a dozen countries worldwide. It was built to replace older APCs and early IFVs in an infantry support role.
Designers and Production
In Faneria, the Dragoon is designated as a Feithicil Troda Armúrtha (Armored Fighting Vehicle); in Fhainnin military nomenclature, this designation includes both traditional IFVs and any APCs armed with autocannon or other weapons heavier than antipersonnel-grade.
The Dragoon was a critical upgrade for both the YDF and the IFN of Yonderre and Faneria, respectively, which had relied on older APCs such as the Bataís throughout much of the late 2000s. After the reinvigoration of the Fhainnin arms industry in the 1980s, a plan was put forward to begin joint development of military equipment with other Vandarch-bound powers. This would lead to the creation of the Dragoon as a joint project between Yonderre and Faneria, with a long period of upgrades and variants. In 2014, Yonderre and Faneria reviewed the design of the Dragoon, integrating newer technologies and creating the Project 2014 Dragoon (colloquially the 'Dragon' as a play on its Fhasen spelling).
Originally, Fhainnin manufacturers had pushed for the introduction of the contemporary, locally-designed Capall FTA instead of joint production, but were turned down for political reasons. The Capall was accepted in limited numbers along armored formations in a narrow armored scouts role. Its successor, the Kelpie IFV, is a planned partial replacement for the Dragoon, though the Dragoon will remain in service in the armies of Faneria and Yonderre until the 2040s in its variant roles and as a reserve vehicle according to current defense program statements.
Manufacturers
The Dragoon is built in several locations worldwide, including Faneria, Yonderre, and under license in limited numbers in other nations (names).
Variants
Joint Development Program and Native Variants
- Dragoon Type '08/ Dragún FTA-2008a - Original variant with 35 mm autocannon.
- Dragoon 'Major' Type '08/Dragún FTA-2008b - Command and Control variant with room for five carried personnel.
- 'Lance Dragoon' Type '09/AMY-09 - Equipped with a MAS-12 launcher system, cage armor, and arm. Built specifically for the YDF.
- Dragún FTA-2008c - 2009 Fhainnin variant with additional counterspall lining, additional winterization, and 1.5" (38.1 mm) stabilized autocannon built for the IFN. Optional MAS-12 mount; most variants opt for antipersonnel weapon.
- Dragún FTA-2008d - 2010 Fhainnin variant of the 'Major' C&C variant, with winterization and counterspall lining.
- Dragoon 'Arquebus' - 120 mm howitzer variant with variable chambering; operator required to supply howitzer cannon due to issues with caliber standardization. Primarily an export variant from Yonderre.
- Dragoon Type '12 - Yonderrine production with gun stabilization, as well as reduced seating to seven in exchange for additional storage space.
- Dragoon Project 2014/Dragún II FTA-2014a - Comprehensive rework of original Dragoon chassis. Reduced overall troop carrying capacity to seven plus crew, improved armor and computer systems, stabilized autocannons (35 mm or 1.5"), optional MAS-12/Lightning mount, reworked chaff and flare systems, added attachment points for further variants.
- Dragoon 'Battery' Type '14/Dragún II FTA-2014c - Project 2014 anti-aircraft variant equipped with target tracking radar with anti-air armament.
- Dragoon 'Porcupine' Type '14/Dragún II FTA-2014b - Project 2014 command variant. Carries four personnel plus crew.
- Dragoon 'Vintner' Type '14/Dragún II FAC-2014d - Project 2014 howitzer variant with 120 mm mortar. Fhainnin variant uses 4.75" (120.65 mm) howitzer.
- Dragoon 'Runner' Type '14/Dragún II FAC-2014e - APC variant designed for conversion with medivac, recovery vehicle, or RADAR/command modules.
License Production Variants
- Eldmetall IKaF Bluthund - Eldmoran local production variant.
