MF-5 "Lỳnx"

The MF-5 Lỳnx is an Oftavian IFV produced by Ifatia Armored Inc. The Lynx is designed to transport infantry or scouts with armor protection, while providing covering fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles. The Lynx holds a crew of three (a commander, a gunner, and a driver) along with six fully equipped soldiers. One of the main requirements for the vehicle was for it to keep up with MBT's.

## Design

The Lynx was developed as a response to the Marnin BTD-80. The Lynx was meant to serve as an armored personnel carrier and as a tank killer.

### Armament

The MF-5's primary armament is a IAHFR-T2A1 30mm autocannon, using either 90 or 440 rounds per minute, accurate to 3,300 meters. It is also equipped with two Téléissile-3 Anti Tank missiles in a launcher on the side of the turret. The missiles can only be fired while the vehicle is stationary. The Lynx also carries a coaxial 7.7mm machine gun.

### Countermeasures

The use of aluminum armor and the storage of large quantities of ammunition in the vehicle initially raised questions about its combat survivability. Spaced laminate belts and high-hardness steel skirts have been added to improve the side protection of later versions, while overall weight was increased to 33 tons. In friendly fire incidents, many crew members survived hits that resulted in total losses for lighter vehicles.

All versions are also equipped with two four-barreled smoke grenade launchers on the front of the turret for creating defensive smoke screens, which can also be loaded with chaff and flares.

### Mobility

The Lynx is highly capable in cross-country open terrain, in accordance with one of the main design objectives of keeping pace with the FCV-84 main battle tank. The Lynx was initially designed to float by deploying a flotation curtain around the vehicle, allowing it to "swim" at a speed of 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h). Later armor upgrades have negated this capability.

## History

### Development

One of the early issues that drove the development of the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was the need to have a vehicle that could serve in a high-intensity conflict in [Insert Continent Name Here], which was feared might include the use of nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) type weapons. To work in such an environment, an IFV would have to have a life-support system that protected from outside contaminants while allowing the soldiers to fight from inside the vehicle. The earliest specification, from 1958, called for a vehicle of no more than 8 tons, mounting a turret with a 20 mm autocannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun, with sealed firing ports for five infantry gunners.

The first O.F.A design was the XV-204, a modified version of the VB-44. A commander's cupola and passenger firing ports were added. The second design was the XV-506 Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle, based on the VB-44A2 chassis. The upper sides of the vehicle were sloped and spaced steel armor plates were added to improve protection. In addition, firing ports for the passengers were added and a ILLFRC-1 20 mm cannon was added to the commander's cupola.

AICV-75 was the new specifications for an IFV for the Oftavian Military. The contract was handed to the Ifatia Armored Inc, which delivered the XV710 prototype in 1965. The prototypes had the following characteristics: weight of 25–27 tons (depending on an aluminum or steel hull); 425 HP diesel engine; a two-man turret with a 20 mm gun & 7.62 mm MG; crew of three plus nine infantry equipped with firing ports; a built-in toilet; armor that was proof against Marnin HMG fire beyond a certain range; a collective and overpressure CBR system; amphibious. The filtration system provided a shirt-sleeve environment until the passengers dismounted, after that they could not repressurize without fear of contamination, but they could plug their suits into the vehicle's filtration system. The vehicle was 9 ft (2.7 m) high, 20 ft (6.1 m) long, and 10 ft (3.0 m) wide. After testing, the vehicle was criticized for its poor mobility and excessive weight and size; it could not be carried aboard any light Oftavian cargo aircraft. New specifications were written in 1965.

In 1967, the public display of the UTP-66 caused additional interest in the AICV-75 program, which concluded its studies in 1968. However, continued disagreements on specifications continued to slow down development.

At this time, the Army looked at two alternate vehicles that could be fielded more quickly. The TMC company had developed an IFV version of the VB-44, which had a one-man turret mounting a 25 mm gun, a sealed environment, and firing ports. The vehicle weight was 15 tons. The OFA rejected it due to limited mobility, which would have prevented it from keeping pace with the new MBT that was being designed. The other alternate vehicle was a Flueian prototype, which mounted a 20 mm autocannon, two 7.62 mm MGs, relatively strong steel armor, and full CBR protection. The Oftavian Army rejected it due to it not being amphibious, too large and heavy for air transport, and too expensive.

The AICV program continued on, and in 1972, a new request for proposals was issued. This was won by IAC, which began construction of the XV732 prototype, which was completed in 1983. The XV732 weighed 21 tons, had spaced aluminum armor proof against HMG fire, had a crew of three plus eight infantry, firing ports for the infantry, and a one-man turret with a 20 mm gun. The commander sat inside the hull. To adapt the XV732 to be usable in a reconnaissance role, as well as an IFV, the turret was replaced in 1985 with a two-man turret mounting a 30 mm Bushmaster cannon and TS-3 missiles. A two-man turret design put the commander in a position with a better view of the battlefield. The TS-3 missiles give the vehicle a strong antiarmor capability. The value of antitank missiles had been well established by this point. After a few more years of development, the vehicle entered production.