# Reconnaissance vehicle

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{{See also|Scout car}}
{{Short description|Military vehicle used for forward reconnaissance}}
[[File:AMZ Bóbr-3 na poligonie Pierwszej Warszawskiej Brygady Pancernej.jpg|thumb|300px|[Polish Army](/source/Polish_Army) [AMZ Bóbr-3](/source/AMZ_B%C3%B3br-3) reconnaissance vehicle]]
[[File:Stryker RV front q.jpg|thumb|300px|[United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) [M1127 reconnaissance vehicle](/source/M1127_reconnaissance_vehicle)]]

A '''reconnaissance vehicle''', also known as a '''scout vehicle''', is a [military vehicle](/source/military_vehicle) used for forward [reconnaissance](/source/reconnaissance). Both tracked and wheeled reconnaissance vehicles are in service. In some nations, [light tank](/source/light_tank)s such as the [M551 Sheridan](/source/M551_Sheridan) and [AMX-13](/source/AMX-13) have also been used by scout [platoon](/source/platoon)s.  Their armament ranges from a medium machine gun to a large cannon. Modern examples are often fitted with [ATGM](/source/ATGM)s and a wide range of sensors.

Reconnaissance vehicles are designed with several philosophies: [scout car](/source/scout_car)s used for passive reconnaissance, with a low profile or small size and are lightly armoured to maximize mobility, relying on speed, stealth and cover to escape detection; [armoured reconnaissance](/source/armoured_reconnaissance) used for active reconnaissance, distinct from ordinary scouts in weight and size of weapons and armor, designed not to break away from attacks, but to force their way through towards their objective.

==Design==
Smaller caliber weapons help reduce the vehicle's profile and noise signatures.<ref>"return fire"</ref> In contrast, French, and British doctrine was to fit reconnaissance vehicles, such as the [AEC](/source/AEC_armoured_car), [EBR](/source/Panhard_EBR) and the [AMX 10 RC](/source/AMX_10_RC), with the heaviest weaponry possible on their light chassis, so as to allow them a further role for defence of the flanks. Some vehicles are designed for special data collection tasks ([Sd.Kfz. 250/12](/source/Sd.Kfz._250)) Thus reconnaissance vehicles can be divided into 3 main categories:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/17-98/ch3.htm|title=FM 17-98 Chapter 3 Reconnaissance|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Chizek|first=Judy G.|date=2003-01-17|title=Military Transformation: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA469293|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601074108/https://apps.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA469293|url-status=live|archive-date=June 1, 2022|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Green|first=Michael|title=Allied Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Second World War|publisher=Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military Press.|year=2017|isbn=978-1473872370}}</ref> 

* '''[Scout cars](/source/Scout_car):''' Their main role is surveying the routes (directions of attack) and monitoring the activities of the enemy. Therefore, their weapons and armor are modest, since they are not designed to fight, but this role requires good observation, high speed and they are typically amphibious.<ref name=":1" /> Typical examples: [Fennek](/source/Fennek), [BRDM](/source/BRDM), [Sd. Kfz. 221](/source/Leichter_Panzersp%C3%A4hwagen), [Dingo](/source/Dingo_(scout_car)), [BA-64](/source/BA-64), [Csaba](/source/39M_Csaba).
* '''[Combat reconnaissance vehicles](/source/Armoured_reconnaissance):''' Heavier wheeled or tracked vehicles armed with autocannons and/or low pressure guns, some with thicker armor (up to 40 mm), for aggressive reconnaissance and to provide fire support for reconnaissance teams. Many are amphibious in order to be able to follow lighter units. Cold war and modern "light tanks" usually fit into this category but they often perform different tasks too.<ref name=":1" /> Typical examples: [Scimitar](/source/FV107_Scimitar) & [Scorpion](/source/FV101_Scorpion), [Saladin](/source/Alvis_Saladin), [Luchs](/source/Sp%C3%A4hpanzer_Luchs), [AML](/source/Panhard_AML), ''[BRM–1](/source/BRM-1)'', [M3](/source/M3_Bradley), [PT-76](/source/PT-76), [AEC](/source/AEC_armoured_car), [BA-3](/source/BA-3%2F6), [Sd. Kfz. 234/2](/source/Schwerer_Panzersp%C3%A4hwagen).
* '''[Intelligence vehicle](/source/Military_intelligence)''': These (usually wheeled) units monitor enemy communications, artillery fire, or movements via electro-optics, [electronic sensors](/source/Signals_intelligence) or [radar](/source/Battlefield_surveillance_radar). They mainly provide information for [strategic level](/source/strategic_level) decision making. At a tactical level, counter-battery operations and some kinds of precision strikes rely on data gathered by such platforms. Typical examples: [Sd.Kfz. 250/12](/source/Sd.Kfz._250), [YPR-765 PRRDR](/source/YPR-765), [1V152](/source/BTR-80), [Infauna](/source/BTR-80), [M1015](/source/Variants_of_the_M113_armored_personnel_carrier), [Przebiśnieg](/source/MT-LB), [Samarkand](/source/Samarkand_electronic_warfare_system). This category may include NBC reconnaissance cars ([BRDM-2RKh](/source/BRDM-2), [TPz 1A3/ABC](/source/TPz_Fuchs)), certain PsyOps vehicles ([ZS-82](/source/BRDM-2)) and electronic recon vehicles of engineer units ([IRM](/source/IRM_engineer_reconnaissance_vehicle)) because of their strategic role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/reconnaissance-vehicles/|title=Reconnaissance vehicles|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defence24.com/electronic-warfare-unwanted-child-of-the-polish-armed-forces|title=Electronic Warfare - Unwanted Child of the Polish Armed Forces - Defence24.com|website=www.defence24.com|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orbat85.nl/reference/unit-organisation-and-equipment.html#batverkpel|title=Unit Organisation and Equipment|website=www.orbat85.nl|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

Recon units sometimes also use other types of vehicles and some are mistakenly classified as recon vehicles. Reconnaissance troops use various all-terrain vehicles ([MB](/source/Willys_MB), [UAZ](/source/UAZ-469), [HMMWV](/source/Humvee)), motorcycles ([Zündapp](/source/Z%C3%BCndapp_KS_750)), [militarized trucks known as "technicals"](/source/Technical_(vehicle)) ([Toyota](/source/Toyota_Hilux)), [APCs](/source/Armoured_personnel_carrier) ([M113](/source/M113_armored_personnel_carrier), [BTR-40](/source/BTR-40), [BTR-80](/source/BTR-80)), [self-propelled artillery](/source/self-propelled_artillery) ([M106](/source/M106_mortar_carrier)), and even [tank destroyers](/source/Tank_destroyer) ([B1](/source/B1_Centauro)) but these are still classified according to their original type and role, not as scout vehicles.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==History==
[[File:M114A1 Armored Cavalry Platoon 2.54th Infantry, 4th AD Grafenwohr.jpg|thumb|right|[M114A1](/source/M114_armored_fighting_vehicle) of the Armored Cavalry Platoon 2/54th Infantry, [4th Armored Division](/source/4th_Armored_Division_(United_States)) takes part in exercises in Grafenwöhr, Germany.]]
During World War II, the British generally used armoured cars for reconnaissance, from the machine gun armed [Humber Light Reconnaissance Car](/source/Humber_Light_Reconnaissance_Car) and [Daimler Dingo](/source/Daimler_Dingo) to the 6-pdr (57&nbsp;mm) gun equipped [AEC armoured car](/source/AEC_armoured_car). Post war the [British Army](/source/British_Army) used the [Ferret](/source/Ferret_armoured_car) and later, [Fox](/source/Fox_armoured_reconnaissance_vehicle) scout cars. In Japan, the [Kurogane Type 95](/source/Kurogane_Type_95) was introduced as a reconnaissance vehicle for operations in China.<ref>{{cite web|title=World's 1st mass-produced compact 4WD fully restored|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610120007.html|website=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>

The U.S. and UK experimented with the [Future Scout and Cavalry System](/source/Future_Scout_and_Cavalry_System%2FTRACER) (FSCS) and Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) programs in the 2000s aimed at creating a [stealth](/source/Stealth_ground_vehicle) reconnaissance vehicle capable of [C-130](/source/Lockheed_C-130_Hercules) airlift.<ref name=SIKA>{{cite book|title=Secret Gadgets and Strange Gizmos: High-Tech (and Low-Tech) Innovations of the U.S. Military|year=2006|publisher=Zenith Imprint|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TbByQl2h0LcC&q=%22reconnaissance+vehicle%22|author=Bill Yenne|access-date=22 May 2011|page=97|isbn=9781610607445}}</ref>

Prior to the [2003 invasion of Iraq](/source/2003_invasion_of_Iraq), the [Iraqi Army](/source/Iraqi_Army) placed an emphasis on the use of light wheeled vehicles for reconnaissance, particularly Soviet-manufactured [BRDM-2](/source/BRDM-2) and French-designed [Panhard AML](/source/Panhard_AML) armoured cars. Each corps had an attached BRDM or AML battalion. These were allocated by division; every brigade headquarters and regular infantry battalion received a platoon of six. The Iraqis did not make competent use of these assets during the [Gulf War](/source/Gulf_War), opting to depend on [signals intelligence](/source/signals_intelligence) against the comparatively sophisticated [Coalition](/source/Coalition_of_the_Gulf_War).<ref name="Bourque">{{cite book | first = Stephen | last = Bourque| title = Jayhawk!: The VII Corps in the Persian Gulf War| date = November 2002|edition= 2003|pages= 136–137 | publisher = Diane Publishing Company| isbn= 978-0756728632}}</ref>

[South Africa](/source/South_Africa)n expeditionary forces in [Angola](/source/Angola) also employed wheeled reconnaissance vehicles for their strategic and tactical mobility, sometimes engaging Angolan units up to brigade strength. Scout cars such as the [Eland Mk7](/source/Eland_Mk7) were used to lure hostile [T-34](/source/T-34)s or [T-54/55](/source/T-54%2F55)s into prepared ambushes, where they were destroyed by heavier vehicles, [ATGM](/source/ATGM)s, and artillery.<ref name="dtic">{{Cite web |url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a262562.pdf |title=Mobile firepower for contingency operations: Emerging concepts for US light armour forces |access-date=2022-06-02 |archive-date=2014-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022030959/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a262562.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Role==
[Reconnaissance by fire](/source/Reconnaissance_by_fire). Reconnaissance of enemy positions can involve firing upon the enemy in hopes of receiving return fire that gives away the enemy's position. This can make the reconnaissance vehicle vulnerable to return fire that may destroy the vehicle before the enemy's position can be relayed.<ref name="return fire">{{cite book|last=Groman|first=Jeff|title=Weapons of war|year=1985|publisher=Multimedia Publications (UK)|isbn=978-1-85106-031-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R7y9k9JfYqoC&q=%22firing+at+the+enemy+position+to+persuade%22|access-date=22 May 2011|page=128}}</ref>

Dismounted operations by armed scouts include [observation post](/source/observation_post) manning, reconnaissance of areas not traversable by vehicle, and marking enemy mine fields.<ref name="LAV-25 reconnaissance">{{cite book|title=Weapons of the Modern Marines|year=2004|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=0-7603-1697-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pb5Y2bnujhwC&q=%22reconnaissance+vehicle%22|author=Michael Green, Greg Stewart|access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref>

[CBRN](/source/Chemical%2C_biological%2C_radiological%2C_and_nuclear) reconnaissance vehicles can also detect [weapons of mass destruction](/source/weapons_of_mass_destruction). They accompany regular reconnaissance vehicles and are fully protected against airborne threats.<ref name="Stryker NBCRV">{{cite web|title=Stryker Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV)|url=http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2010/|access-date=22 May 2011|author=U.S. Army|page=93|date=December 2010}}</ref>
[[File:ParsScout6x6 (1).jpg|thumb|223x223px|[6x6](/source/6x6) wheeled armored Reconnaissance vehicle [Pars](/source/FNSS_Pars) Scout 6x6]]

==List of contemporary reconnaissance vehicles==
[[File:BRDM-2 (1964) owned by James Stewart pic6.JPG|thumb|Variants of the Soviet [BRDM](/source/BRDM) series remain in service with many countries.]]
[[File:Eland 90 (9688620042).jpg|thumb|Zimbabwean [Eland](/source/Eland_Mk7) (South African origin).]]
[[File:YPR-765, A105.jpg|thumb|Netherlands [Lynx](/source/Lynx_reconnaissance_vehicle).]]
[[File:ERC90 IMARA 17may07.JPG|thumb|Argentine [ERC-90](/source/ERC-90) on parade.]][[File:OtokarCobraII.jpg|thumb|Armored wheeled personnel carrier [Otokar Cobra II](/source/Otokar_Cobra_II) of [Otokar](/source/Otokar) with observe camera.]]

* {{flagicon|Poland}} [AMZ Bóbr-3](/source/AMZ_B%C3%B3br-3)
* {{Flagicon|Poland}} [LPU Wirus 4](/source/LPU_Wirus_4)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [Alvis FV601 Saladin](/source/Alvis_Saladin)
* {{flagicon|France}} [AMX-10 RC](/source/AMX-10_RC)
* {{flagicon|Australia}} [ASLAV](/source/ASLAV)
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [BOV M11](/source/BOV_M11)
* {{flagicon|USSR}} [BRDM-1](/source/BRDM-1)
* {{flagicon|USSR}} [BRDM-2](/source/BRDM-2)
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [BPM-97](/source/BPM-97)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [Cadillac Gage Commando Scout](/source/Cadillac_Gage_Commando_Scout)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [M1117 armored security vehicle](/source/M1117_armored_security_vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} [Coyote](/source/Coyote_Reconnaissance_Vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} [Lynx](/source/Lynx_reconnaissance_vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} [TAPV](/source/Textron_Tactical_Armoured_Patrol_Vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Hungary}} [D-442 FÚG](/source/D-442_F%C3%9AG)
* {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [Dozor-B](/source/Dozor-B)
* {{flagicon|France}} [EBRC Jaguar](/source/EBRC_Jaguar)
* {{flagicon|Brazil}} [EE-3 Jararaca](/source/EE-3_Jararaca)
* {{flagicon|Brazil}} [EE-9 Cascavel](/source/EE-9_Cascavel)
* {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} [Eland](/source/Eland_Mk7)
* {{flagicon|Germany}}/{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [Fennek](/source/Fennek)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [FV702 Ferret](/source/Ferret_armoured_car)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [FV722 Fox](/source/Fox_armoured_reconnaissance_vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [Freccia "Esplorante"](/source/Freccia_IFV)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [FV101 Scorpion](/source/FV101_Scorpion)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [FV102 Striker](/source/FV102_Striker)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [FV107 Scimitar](/source/FV107_Scimitar)
* {{flagicon|UK}} [Sabre](/source/Sabre_(tank))
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [Gagamba](/source/MX-7_Gagamba)
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [K151 Raycolt](/source/K151_Raycolt)
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [K808 White Tiger](/source/K808_White_Tiger)
* {{flagicon|Japan}} [Type 87 ARV](/source/Type_87_ARV)
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [LMV](/source/Iveco_LMV)
* {{flagicon|US}} [LAV-25 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle](/source/LAV-25)
* {{flagicon|US}} [M1127](/source/M1127_reconnaissance_vehicle)
* {{flagicon|US}} [M3 cavalry fighting vehicle](/source/M3_Bradley)
* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [Mildef Rentaka](/source/Mildef_Rentaka)
* {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [Mowag Eagle](/source/Mowag_Eagle)
* {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [Mowag Spy](/source/Mowag_Spy)
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [Otokar Akrep](/source/Otokar_Akrep)
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [Otokar Cobra](/source/Otokar_Cobra) I & II
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [Katmerciler Hızır](/source/Katmerciler_H%C4%B1z%C4%B1r) Ateş variant
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [FNSS Pars](/source/FNSS_Pars) [8x8](/source/8_X_8) Scout
* {{flagicon|France}} [Panhard AML](/source/Panhard_AML)
* {{flagicon|France}} [Panhard ERC 90](/source/Panhard_ERC_90)
* {{flagicon|France}} [Panhard VBL](/source/Panhard_VBL)
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [Puma](/source/Puma_(Italian_armoured_fighting_vehicle))
* {{flagicon|Israel}} [RBY MK 1](/source/RBY_MK_1)
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} [RG-35 4x4 RPU](/source/RG-35)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15327:baes-reveals-rg35-rpu-variant&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|title=BAES reveals RG35 RPU variant|date=11 May 2011}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} [Rooikat](/source/Rooikat)
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz](/source/Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer_SPz_11-2_Kurz)
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [Spähpanzer Luchs](/source/Sp%C3%A4hpanzer_Luchs)
* {{flagicon|Greece}} [Namco Tiger](/source/Namco_Tiger_Armored_Vehicle)
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [VEC-M1](/source/VEC-M1)
* {{flagicon|France}} [VBC-90](/source/VBC-90)
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [Wiesel](/source/Wiesel_AWC)
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [XAV](/source/XAV)
* {{Flagicon|China}}[ZLT-11](/source/Type_08)

==See also==
*[Scout car](/source/Scout_car)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}
Category:Reconnaissance vehicles
Vehicles
Category:Military vehicles by type

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Reconnaissance vehicle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconnaissance_vehicle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconnaissance_vehicle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.