A new version of the ACV-300 infantry combat vehicle (ICV) of the Malaysian Army, featuring a Spy Ball optical unit, aimed at enhancing the army’s reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, was unveiled Monday during the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.
The ICV was developed jointly with Turkish land vehicle manufacturing giant FNSS and Malaysia’s DefTech. The integration of the Spy Ball optronic payload on the vehicle was accomplished in collaboration with Thales and is part of the Life Extension Program (LEP).
This particular vehicle is based on the ACV-15, an amphibious armored combat vehicle. Malaysia initially ordered 267 units of the ACV-15 in various configurations starting in 2000, all of which have been delivered since then.
The Spy Ball boasts an array of advanced sensors, including high-definition and multi-spectral ones, tailored for intelligence and surveillance missions in diverse environments.
Equipped with both an uncooled infrared thermal camera and a high-definition day camera, the Spy Ball provides continuous surveillance day and night. Its optical zoom ensures clear identification of distant objects, while the integrated laser enables precise target designation up to 2 kilometers away, enhancing the vehicle's targeting capabilities. The Spy Ball XR version extends its operational range further. With enhanced day and infrared channels, it enables target detection up to 7 kilometers, offering increased discretion in areas requiring heightened sensitivity.
The ACV-300 operates on a 300-horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine, delivering commendable performance with a top road speed of 65 km/h in forward motion and 11 km/h when reversing. With a fuel capacity of 416 liters, it boasts substantial range and maneuverability on the battlefield. Its filtered transmission system guarantees efficient functionality across varied terrains.
The existing ACV-300 provides protection against 14.5 mm caliber armor-piercing rounds. However, it offers enhancement possibilities such as supplementary armor kits and internal spall liners, which elevate its defense capabilities against 30 mm caliber rounds and rocket-propelled grenades such as the RPG-7 armed with anti-armor explosive-shaped charges.
A standout attribute of the ACV-300 is its Sharpshooter turret, engineered for single-operator use and outfitted with a 25 mm automatic cannon. This stabilized turret enables the integration of diverse weapon systems, such as a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon, a 40 mm grenade launcher, or a 12.7 mm machine gun, alongside a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Equipped with a day/night aiming system for the gunner, comprising a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder, the turret facilitates firing while on the move owing to its electric drive system.
