Scout car
A scout car is a wheeled light armored vehicle utilized for passive reconnaissance.[1] Scout cars are either unarmed or lightly armed for self-defense and do not carry large caliber weapons systems.[1] This differentiates them from armored cars carrying heavier armament or wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, both of which may also be used in the reconnaissance role.[note 1]
History
The British developed a number of scout cars by adding armoured bodies to existing chassis - such as the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car - or the purpose-built Daimler Dingo. In comparison to British armoured cars, they carried no more armament than a single light machine gun and were generally turretless. Their duties were fast reconnaissance and liaison work. The Dingo remained in use until replaced by the Ferret, also by Daimler, in the 1950s.
Due to scout cars' heavier protection and armament compared to lighter reconnaissance vehicles, crews often attempted to emulate tanks during World War II. In violation of doctrinal principles, the vehicles attacked hostile positions rather than merely reconnoitering them - a practice that resulted in heavy losses and interfered with the parent unit's ability to observe the battlefield. On some examples, such as the American M3, it was even proposed that armour levels be reduced to resist the temptation of using them as fighting vehicles.[3]
Examples
See also
Notes and references
Annotations
- ^ Advances in recoil technology have permitted many modern wheeled reconnaissance vehicles to carry large caliber weapons systems, such as the AMX-10RC and the EE-9 Cascavel.[2] In the traditional definition of the word, these vehicles would not be considered scout cars.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Green, Michael (2017). Allied Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Second World War. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-1473872370.
- ^ Dougherty, Martin J. Modern Weapons: Compared and Contrasted: Armored Fighting Vehicles (2012 ed.). Rosen Central. pp. 34–36. ISBN 978-1448892440.
- ^ To fight or not to fight? Organizational and Doctrinal Trends in Mounted Maneuver Reconnaissance from the Interwar Years to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
External links
- M3A1 Scout Car USA
- BRDM-1 USSR
- BRDM-1 USSR
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