It was the Soviet Union that first introduced the large-scale concept of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) to the world with its line of BMP vehicles beginning with the BMP-1 of 1966 and evolving into the modern BMP-3 of 1987. The world took notice and developed their own counters in the American M2/M3 Bradley, the British Warrior and the German Marder among others. The IFV brought about a combination of light tank firepower with troop-carrying capabilities of an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), able to transport combat-ready infantry in relative safety, disembarking them and remaining to support the offensive through cannon, machine gun and anti-tank missile weaponry. Sweden, with its long-running (and successful) history of indigenous solutions, took the evolution in stride and developed their excellent "Combat Vehicle 90" ("Stridsfordon 90") Infantry Fighting Vehicle to keep pace.
Origins of the CV90 began in the early 1980s to which, in 1984, the Swedish Army required a modern, tracked IFV with exceptional mobility, troop-hauling capability under protection and considerable baseline firepower. Bofors Defence and Hagglunds & Soner formed HB Utveckling in 1985 as a holding company for design, development and joint production of the new vehicle under the charge of the Swedish Defence Material Administration. Several vehicle testbeds were ironed out as were different turret fittings. The initial commission called for five pilot vehicles and these were delivered in 1988 for formal evaluation. In 1991, having passed the requisite trials, the vehicle was ordered for serial production under the designation of "Stridsfordon 90", or "Combat Vehicle 90", abbreviated to "CV90". Production would begin at Hagglund facilities to which running gear, powerpack and chassis would be mated to the hull. From there, the systems would be sent to Bofors to receive their turrets and armament and undergo finalization before being delivered to the Swedish Army. Production began in 1993 and is currently (2013) ongoing, with over 1,125 vehicles having been produced. The CV90 is now a product of BAe Systems AB.
Outwardly, the CV90 sports an appearance consistent with Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the period. The internal configuration consists of the driver and engine in the front of the hull with the turret at center and fighting compartment to the rear. Its tracked design allows for relatively unimpeded cross-country travel as well as on roads. The glacis plate is well-sloped to the roof line and provides a shallow profile along the horizon. A large door is fitted to the rear of the vehicle and hull sides are vertical while protected in thin armor skirts with a slight saw-tooth design apparent. The turret itself is well-sloped along all sides for minimal ballistics protection. Due to the difference in available armament fittings in the CV90 vehicle line, the series can displace anywhere between 25 tons (short) to 39 tons (short). The vehicle is protected from 30mm APFSDS (Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot) projectiles, artillery spray and small arms fire. Additional armor blocks can be affixed for improved protection in frontline urban environments and the like. The vehicle also sports an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection kit and automatic fire suppression device as well as night vision for the three crew. Its inherent design shape also provides a low profile which makes for a more difficult target to successfully engage at range.
The standard operating crew includes the driver, commander and gunner. The driver maintains a front-left hull position under an armored hatch complete with large vision blocks to which the powerpack is seated to his right, opening the middle and rear of the hull for the turret and passenger cabin. The turret houses the commander and the gunner in traditional fashion. Passengers (up to eight combat infantry) are seated along two benches facing centerline with entry-exit provided via a powered door at the rear of the hull. The cabin also allows several infantry to emerge through the hull roof by way of hatches and provide some point fire support through their personal weapons. Unlike some other vehicles of this class, there are no firing ports installed for the passenger cabin.
Power for the CV90 is served through a Scania DSI Model 14 or Model 16 series V8 diesel-fueled engine outputting between 550 and 810 horsepower depending on engine fitting. This is coupled to an automatic transmission and torsion bar suspension system which allows for a top speed of 44 miles per hour with an operational road range of approximately 200 miles. Running gear consists of seven double-tired road wheels to a track side with the drive sprocket at front and track idler at rear.
While the CV90 is traditionally armed with a turreted 40mm Bofors autocannon for local Swedish Army usage and a 30mm Bushmaster II / 35mm Bushmaster III autocannon for export. The turret allows for full 360-degree powered traversal which allows engagement of ground targets at any angle. Should power be cut off to the turret, the crew can operate it through manual means. It is noteworthy that the turret is not truly centered along the hull roof line, instead offset slightly to the left side due to the engine's side installation. Self-defense is by way of a coaxial 7.62mm Browning machine gun. The vehicle also sports 6 x electrically launched smoke grenade dischargers for screening initiatives on-the-fly.
Original CV90 production models of 1993 were designated "CV9040" for the Swedish Army inventory. These were followed into service by the improved CV9040A with gyro-stabilized main gun system and the CV9040B with a fully-stabilized main gun. The CV9040C became a Swedish Army overseas variant for UN missions and came with increased armor protection and an optional hot climate kit. The export version of the CV90 became the CV9030 and these fielded the 30mm "Bushmaster II" autocannon. A follow-up mark was the CV9035 with its 35mm "Bushmaster III" autocannon. The CV90 was also branched into a Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) vehicle with special navigational aids and increased communications equipment, a Forward Observation Vehicle (FOV) with increased sensors and an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) variant - all three outfitted with defensive machine guns. The Grkpbv 90120 ("Granatkastarpansarbandvagn") was developed as a self-propelled mortar fitting a 120mm field mortar for the fire support role. The "Armadillo" was evolved into a dedicated Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). The CV90105 designation marked a line of light tank incorporating a full-sized turret armed with a 105mm rifle main gun. The CV90120-T was nothing more than a 120mm-armed main gun variant light tank.
The CV90 had to wait until late 2007 to receive its combat debut (in Norwegian hands), this as part of the UN coalition in Afghanistan following the American-led invasion of 2001. The primary enemy were Taliban forces utilizing their unique blend of guerilla tactics in a rugged environment. Additionally, there proved the very real threat of mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the field. The CV90 gave a good account of itself in the hot, dry climate, engaging targets at all ranges with good results even proving effective against various-sized IEDs over their tenure there - though some instances have claimed the lives of occupants. The Afghanistan contingent included Swedish and Danish Army CV90s.
While the CV90 has been evaluated by the United States, Canada, Britain, Poland and Indonesia, official operators remain Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden (essentially all of Scandinavia). Of these, Sweden is, by far, the largest quantitative operator of the type with 551 vehicles in service. Switzerland manages 186 systems while Norway fields 146 examples. Finland follows with 102 and Denmark with 45 units. All numbers are of April 2013.
October 2018 - The Swedish CV90 Mark IV is in contention to become the U.S. Army's replacement for its aging M2 Bradley vehicle line (by way of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle program).The Mark IV entry represents a more powerful variant offering improved performance specs. The mark carries the D-series turret which can be replaced with an optional unmanned form. Electronics are 4th Gen rated and active dampening technology improves offroad speeds and performance.
January 2020 - BAe Systems reported on January 7th, 2020 that it had successfully fired the Israeli-made Spike-LR Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) at a target 6,560 feet away, marking a first for the Spike-LR project.
January 2023 - Sweden has announced the CV90 IFV as part of the latest Ukrainian military support package.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Light Tank.
1 x Scania DSI Model 14 OR DSI Model 16 8-cylinder diesel engine developing 550- to 810-horsepower. Installed Power
43 mph 70 kph Road Speed
199 miles 320 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Light Tank.
3 (MANNED) Crew
21.5 ft 6.55 meters O/A Length
10.2 ft 3.1 meters O/A Width
8.9 ft 2.7 meters O/A Height
59,525 lb 27,000 kg | 29.8 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Light Tank.
1 x 40mm Bofors autocannon (Swedish Army) OR 1 x 30mm Bushmaster II cannon OR 1 x 35mm/50 Bushmaster III cannon (Export).
1 x 7.62mm Browning coaxial machine gun.
2 x 3 Smoke Grenade Dischargers.
AMMUNITION: 350 x 40mm projectiles (estimated).
1,200 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated).
6 x Smoke Grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90 family line.
CV90 - Base Series Designation
CV9040 - Original Series Vehicles of the Swedish Army; fitted with 40mm Bofors autocannon.
CV9040A - Updated CV9040 vehicles of the Swedish Army; gyro-stabilized main gun.
CV9040B - Modernized CV9040 vehicles of the Swedish Army; fully-stabilized main gun.
CV9040C - Swiss Army specialized overseas variant; increased armor protection; optional cooling equipment.
CV9030 (CV90 Mk II) - Export Model; fitted with 30mm Bushmaster II cannon.
CV9030N (CV90 Mk I) - Norwegian Army designation of CV9030.
CV9030FIN (CV90 Mk II) - Finnish Army designation of CV9030.
CV9030CH (CV90 Mk II) - Swiss Army designation of CV9030.
CV9035 (CV90 Mk III) - Export Model; fitted with 35mm Bushmaster III cannon.
CV90 Mk IV - More powerful model with increased performance; optional unmanned turret; active damping suspension; D-series turret as standard; 4th Generation electronics.
CV9035NL - Netherlands Army designation of CV9035
CV9035DK - Denmark Army designation of CV9035
CV90105 - Light Tank; fitted with 105mm rifled main gun.
CV90120-T - Light Tank; fitted with 120mm rifled main gun.
CV9040 (TriAD) - Tracked, self-propelled, Air-Defense vehicle; fitted with 40mm autocannon coupled to radar suite.
CV90 FCV - Forward Command Vehicle; additional navigation and communications equipment.
CV90 FOV - Foward Observation Vehicle; additional sensors and equipment.
CV90 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle; defensed by machine gun.
BgBv90 - Swedish Army Designation of CV90 ARV
CV9056 - Anti-Tank Missile Carrier; prototype
CV90 APC "Armadillo" - Dedicated Armored Personnel Carrier development.
Grkpbv 90120 ("Granatkastarpansarbandvagn") - Self-Propelled Mortar Vehicle; fitting 120mm field mortar for fire support role.
CV 90 "AMOS" - Prototype 120mm twin-mortar vehicle
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 1,200 Units Contractor(s): Hagglunds / BAe Systems Hagglunds - Sweden
[ Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Netherlands; Norway; Switzerland; Sweden ]
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS image database.
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Released to Public Domain via Wikipedia via user Sandstein, 2006; Spz 2000
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Released to Public Domain via Wikipedia via user Ekeb; Finnish CV9030FIN
Going Further... The Combat Vehicle 90 / Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / Light Tank appears in the following collections:
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