| The FV180 CET [Lit; Combat Engineer Tractor] started as an international project between the UK, France and West Germany. Following the withdrawal from the project of the
European partners, the UK continued with the design and the production of two test rigs in 1968. Seven prototypes were completed during the period 1973 -1974. Production
of 141 vehicles for the British Army commenced in 1977 at the ROF Nottingham and they entered service with the British Army during 1978.
The CET has a crew of two, Driver and Commander, both crew members are seated in the cupola area ' back to back' and are able to operate the vehicle using dual controls.
which enable it to be driven and operated in either direction though the bucket end is usually the back. The vehicle is constructed from aluminum Armour, and is proof against
small arms fire and shrapnel, full NBC air filtration is also fitted. The CET is fully amphibious and uses tracks and hydro jets for propulsion, and rigid and inflatable floats for
buoyancy, including extra 'pods' attached to the bucket.
The main feature of the vehicle is the huge excavator bucket at the rear of the vehicle, which can clear obstacles, dig gun pits, prepare barriers and tow other vehicles out of
difficult positions.. A large capacity winch with 100m of cable is fitted for recovery, obstacle climbing and lifting operations. The winch can be used to the front or rear of the
vehicle by using the 'flip-over' pulley system on the hull roof. A lifting jib can be fitted to the excavator bucket and used in conjunction with the main winch for general lifting
duties.
If the vehicle gets into problems getting out of a river the vehicle the Rocket Propelled Anchor can be used. The RPA is stowed on the front of the vehicle, and when assembled
on the roof of the CET, is fitted with one or two rocket motors, depending on distance needed. When fired, the RPA trails a cable behind which is coupled to the main winch,
this enables the vehicle to winch itself out of rivers, and up very steep embankments.
The vehicle is also able to tow a trailer carrying fascines, trackway, and the GIAT Viper minefield breaching system. Curiously the towing eye is on, what is normally, the front
and the vehicle is driven in reverse when it is used.
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VARIANTS OF THE SERIES
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GENERAL RECOGNITION POINTS
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- Four roadwheels with trailing idler and slack track.
- Sprocket at bucket end.
- Large excavator bucket.
- Long sloping engine deck with raisable flotation aid/splashboard.
- Vertical side to the vehicle.
- Access panels on crew compartment side.
- Vents on engine side.
- Two back-back cupolas on roof.
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WEBSITES
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DOCUMENTS
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FORUMS |
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