Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) vs Škoda Scala

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Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) — licensed reference photograph

AArmoured vehicles

Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles)

Infantry fighting vehicle

Credit

Jonathan G. Seow H. C. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

BArmoured vehicles

Škoda Scala

Credit

Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles)Length

5.9 m

Length source ↗

Škoda ScalaLength

4.362 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles)larger figure on 3 of 3

Measured figures

Head to head

5 of 36 rows sourced on both sides

5.9m

4.36m

Length+35%

All recorded figures & sources

5.9 m

Length

Single source

5.9 metres (19 ft 4 in)^[source]

4.362 m

Length

Configuration

Details

Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) and Škoda Scala configuration
Specification	Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles)	Škoda Scala
Type	Infantry fighting vehicle^[source]	—
Place of origin	Singapore^[source]	—
In service	1997 – present^[source]	—
Used by	Singapore Army^[source]	—
Designer	Defence Material Organisation of the Ministry of Defence (Singapore) Singapore Technologies Automotive^[source]

Designed	1988^[source]	—

Manufacturer	Singapore Technologies Automotive (formerly) ST Kinetics (formerly) ST Engineering^[source]	Škoda Auto^[source]

Produced	1996 – present^[source]	—

No. built	800^[source]	—

Variants	See variants^[source]	—

Armor	MEXAS-M^[source]	—

Main armament	Bionix 25: M242 Bushmaster 25 mm Cannon Bionix II: Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm Cannon^[source]	—

Secondary armament	7.62×51mm NATO Commander's MG 7.62×51mm NATO Coaxial MG 7.62×51mm NATO Trooper Compartment Side Mounted GMPG^[source]	—

Power/weight	20 hp/tonne^[source]	—

Suspension	Hydropneumatic suspension^[source]	—

Source measurement	The Bionix ( BX ) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles jointly developed by the former Defence Material Organisation of the Ministry of Defence of Singapore (now Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) ), and the former Singapore Technologies Automotive (STA) (now ST Engineering ). Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers , it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia. The Bionix has been operational with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) since 1999 in a wide variety of adaptations including the Bionix II, Bionix 25 and Bionix 40/50 variants.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Bionix is a compact design produced to meet the conditions of Pacific rim countries where small size is a great asset when it comes to travelling among rubber plantations and over roads and bridges not designed for heavy vehicles. The power provided by the 475 hp (354 kW) Detroit Diesel engine to drive its 23 tonnes, ensures the Bionix is able to overcome the most difficult terrain. Future upgrades in power ratings can be developed according to needs.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The integrated power pack is mounted to the right of the vehicle and can be removed from the Bionix as a complete unit in under 15 minutes. The engine is coupled to the L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems HMPT-500EC fully hydro mechanical transmission, with the final drives being provided by David Brown Defence Systems . The engine compartment is also fitted with an automatic fire detection and dry-powder fire suppression system with a supplementary manual back up.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In the turret, the gunner's station is on the right and the commander's station is on the left, each with a single hatch cover. The turret traverses through 360°. Traverse and weapon elevation is by all-electric digital control. Both the gunner and commander have a turret stop button and are able to lay and fire the weapons. The gunner has the turret control box mounted to the right of his position and both turret-crew members have an adjustable seat. The communications equipment is installed in the turret bustle.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The gunner has a twin-control handles and a day/thermal sight, with a magnification of x8 and two fields of view (high and low), with stadias for the 25mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The commander has an optical relay from the gunner's sight and a single control handle. The vehicle commander has a further five day periscopes to give observation to the turret front, left side and rear; the gunner has three periscopes (1 x M17 and 2 x L794D) to give observation to the right and rear.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Interim Armored Vehicle - The variant was designed as an entry for the US Army's requirements for its Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) concept in 2000. The original turret was replaced with a US-designed and built Recon/Optical stabilised remote weapon station armed with either a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun , a 7.62mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The replacement of the original turret decreased the overall weight to 17 tonnes, light enough to be air-lifted by a C-130 Hercules plane. It eventually lost the competition to the LAV III Stryker proposed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and GM Defense .^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Prototypes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix Light Tank - Stemming from a need to replace/augment the current fleet of AMX-13 SM1 light tanks, MINDEF and United Defense conducted a series of studies to mount the Thunderbolt Armoured Gun System's 120 mm cannon turret (and alternatively, 105mm) on a variety of chassis, namely an extended Bionix chassis, the Universal Combat Vehicle Platform (which the SSPH Primus was based on) and a variant of the Thunderbolt's chassis. Early extensive attempts to mount an Oto Melara 120 mm turret on the Bionix have been unsuccessful. Singapore has since procured refurbished Leopard 2A4 MBTs.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Prototypes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix 25 - First production model. Armed with 25mm Bushmaster cannon turret and 2 x 7.62mm GPMG. The first Bionix 25 production vehicles were completed in September 1997 and, under the Phase I production contract awarded to Singapore Technologies Automotive. Production continued until 2001. A total of 300 were built for the SAF.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix 40/50 - Variant with Cupola mounted 40mm AGL / 0.5-inch HMG twin weapon station and 7.62mm GPMG. Can accommodate up to 11 troops. Approx. 300 were built.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The main turret was upgraded to the 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and armour was improved.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Bionix II has an improved day / night thermal sighting system (DNTSS) with a dual-axis stabilisation system for enhanced target tracking, and an integrated eye-safe laser rangefinder has a range of up to 3 km.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Upgrades also include minefield protection and enhancements to the 30mm cannon.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage About 200 were built for the SAF, mostly were upgraded from existing 25mm variants.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix ARV - Armoured Recovery Vehicle variant equipped with a 25 tonne winch and a 30 tonne crane.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix AVLB - Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge variant fitted with an MLC30 bridge that can be launched within 7 minutes by a crew of two (commander and driver) from the internal armoured compartment or via remote control panel. When extended the bridge can be used to span a gap of up to 22 metres.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bionix Counter-Mine Vehicle (Trailblazer) - The SAF has inducted a 30-ton class Counter-Mine Vehicle (CMV) built on the Bionix chassis called the Trailblazer, which uses a mine flail system. In addition to mine-clearing, the Trailblazer is able to mark its trails using a lane marking system with pneumatically fired rods, enabling vehicles to quickly travel behind the Trailblazer safely without losing momentum.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

The Bionix ( BX ) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles jointly developed by the former Defence Material Organisation of the Ministry of Defence of Singapore (now Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) ), and the former Singapore Technologies Automotive (STA) (now ST Engineering ). Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers , it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia. The Bionix has been operational with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) since 1999 in a wide variety of adaptations including the Bionix II, Bionix 25 and Bionix 40/50 variants.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Bionix is a compact design produced to meet the conditions of Pacific rim countries where small size is a great asset when it comes to travelling among rubber plantations and over roads and bridges not designed for heavy vehicles. The power provided by the 475 hp (354 kW) Detroit Diesel engine to drive its 23 tonnes, ensures the Bionix is able to overcome the most difficult terrain. Future upgrades in power ratings can be developed according to needs.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The integrated power pack is mounted to the right of the vehicle and can be removed from the Bionix as a complete unit in under 15 minutes. The engine is coupled to the L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems HMPT-500EC fully hydro mechanical transmission, with the final drives being provided by David Brown Defence Systems . The engine compartment is also fitted with an automatic fire detection and dry-powder fire suppression system with a supplementary manual back up.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In the turret, the gunner's station is on the right and the commander's station is on the left, each with a single hatch cover. The turret traverses through 360°. Traverse and weapon elevation is by all-electric digital control. Both the gunner and commander have a turret stop button and are able to lay and fire the weapons. The gunner has the turret control box mounted to the right of his position and both turret-crew members have an adjustable seat. The communications equipment is installed in the turret bustle.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The gunner has a twin-control handles and a day/thermal sight, with a magnification of x8 and two fields of view (high and low), with stadias for the 25mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The commander has an optical relay from the gunner's sight and a single control handle. The vehicle commander has a further five day periscopes to give observation to the turret front, left side and rear; the gunner has three periscopes (1 x M17 and 2 x L794D) to give observation to the right and rear.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Interim Armored Vehicle - The variant was designed as an entry for the US Army's requirements for its Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) concept in 2000. The original turret was replaced with a US-designed and built Recon/Optical stabilised remote weapon station armed with either a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun , a 7.62mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The replacement of the original turret decreased the overall weight to 17 tonnes, light enough to be air-lifted by a C-130 Hercules plane. It eventually lost the competition to the LAV III Stryker proposed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and GM Defense .^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Prototypes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix Light Tank - Stemming from a need to replace/augment the current fleet of AMX-13 SM1 light tanks, MINDEF and United Defense conducted a series of studies to mount the Thunderbolt Armoured Gun System's 120 mm cannon turret (and alternatively, 105mm) on a variety of chassis, namely an extended Bionix chassis, the Universal Combat Vehicle Platform (which the SSPH Primus was based on) and a variant of the Thunderbolt's chassis. Early extensive attempts to mount an Oto Melara 120 mm turret on the Bionix have been unsuccessful. Singapore has since procured refurbished Leopard 2A4 MBTs.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Prototypes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix 25 - First production model. Armed with 25mm Bushmaster cannon turret and 2 x 7.62mm GPMG. The first Bionix 25 production vehicles were completed in September 1997 and, under the Phase I production contract awarded to Singapore Technologies Automotive. Production continued until 2001. A total of 300 were built for the SAF.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix 40/50 - Variant with Cupola mounted 40mm AGL / 0.5-inch HMG twin weapon station and 7.62mm GPMG. Can accommodate up to 11 troops. Approx. 300 were built.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The main turret was upgraded to the 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and armour was improved.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Bionix II has an improved day / night thermal sighting system (DNTSS) with a dual-axis stabilisation system for enhanced target tracking, and an integrated eye-safe laser rangefinder has a range of up to 3 km.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Upgrades also include minefield protection and enhancements to the 30mm cannon.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

About 200 were built for the SAF, mostly were upgraded from existing 25mm variants.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix ARV - Armoured Recovery Vehicle variant equipped with a 25 tonne winch and a 30 tonne crane.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix AVLB - Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge variant fitted with an MLC30 bridge that can be launched within 7 minutes by a crew of two (commander and driver) from the internal armoured compartment or via remote control panel. When extended the bridge can be used to span a gap of up to 22 metres.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Bionix Counter-Mine Vehicle (Trailblazer) - The SAF has inducted a 30-ton class Counter-Mine Vehicle (CMV) built on the Bionix chassis called the Trailblazer, which uses a mine flail system. In addition to mine-clearing, the Trailblazer is able to mark its trails using a lane marking system with pneumatically fired rods, enabling vehicles to quickly travel behind the Trailblazer safely without losing momentum.^[source]Bionix (family of armoured fighting vehicles) · Variants / Production models; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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