The Scorpion was originally fitted with the petrol Jaguar J60 6-cylinder engine, however most of these were replaced with the current Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel engine, providing a top road speed of 80Km/h. It is also equipped with a coaxial 7.62mm MG and two sets of four smoke grenade dischargers. The Scorpion is mounted with the British Aerospace Defence L23A1 76mm main gun, which can fire HESH & high explosive rounds. It was designed to be light, fast and agile so that it could speed in & out of enemy territory to gather information such as enemy strength, weapons and also other physical barriers such as terrain and report this back to the main offensive force. The Scorpion is not a true offensive vehicle or effective tank killer, as its armourments are more for self-defence. After successful field trials production began, with first deliveries being made in 1972 and was accepted into service with the British Army in 1973. The first prototypes were completed in 1969. It was part of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) program AKA CVR(T). The FV101 Scorpion was designed and produced as a replacement to the Saladin armoured car, as an air-portable armoured reconnaissance vehicle, by the British firm Alvis Vickers. It saw action with the British Armies Blue & Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) in the 1982 Falklands War and still holds the world record as the fastest tank in the world. Despite not being a Tank, the Scorpion was a successful indigenous as well as export vehicle.
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