@RKR
Development of the Bv 206 all-terrain articulated tracked carrier began in 1974. Three batches of trial vehicles were delivered between 1976 and 1978 and the first production examples were were delivered to the Swedish Defense Administration in 1980. Since then the Bandvagn 206 has been produced in thousands by Hagglunds and is in service all around the world. It is a family of multi-purpose amphibious tracked vehicles. The Bv 206 is widely used, especially by the Swedish armed forces, the US Army (who have developed a desert version), the British Armed Forces, and the German Army (who use only diesel-engined versions). The type has been license-produced in Chile.
The Bv 206 in its basic carrier form is a twin-unit articulated tracked vehicle that can carry up to 17 troops or 2 250 kg of supplies (6 troops or 630 kg in the front unit, 11 troops or 1 620 kg in the rear unit). Normally both front and rear units are fully enclosed but for some applications the rear unit can vary considerably and in some cases is left fully opened, such as the mortar carrier or can accommodate a variety of bodies. From the earliest stage the Bv 206 was designed to be versatile and it has been proven so in service
The engine originally a Ford V6 petrol unit but later a Mercedes-Benz diesel, is in the front unit together with the automatic transmission. Connection to the rear unit is made via an articulated joint which is also used for steering. It gives great flexibility in all axles and extremely good maneuverability. The simplicity in the handling of the vehicle involves a minimum of driver training. Most bodies make extensive use of light plastic-based materials but the chassis uses light alloys
Power is driving on all four of the tracks, which exert a ground pressure of less than half of the man's foot. The Bv 206 can negotiate such obstacles as soft snow, drifting sand and marshlands. It can climb considerable gradients, swim without preparation and and work in arctic cold or in tropical heath. The vehicle can be airdropped and transported by a variety of aircraft and helicopters
<TABLE id=table52 borderColor=#cccccc cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Entered service</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>1980</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=12>Configuration</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=12>tracked</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Cab seating</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>?</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Troops</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>17 men</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="100%" bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2 height=13>Dimensions and weight</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Weight (empty)</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>6.3 t</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Maximum load</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>2.25 t</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Length</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>6.9 m</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Width</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>1.87 m</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Height</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>2.3 m</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="100%" bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2 height=13>Mobility</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Engine</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>Mercedes-Benz OM 603.950 diesel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Engine power</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>136 hp</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Maximum road speed</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>52 km/h</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Range</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>330 km</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="100%" bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2 height=13>Maneuverability</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Gradient</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>60%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Side slope</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>?</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Vertical step</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>?</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Trench</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>?</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#cccccc height=13>Fording</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff height=13>Amphibious</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
