FV603 Saracen

[Ed Storey]

Here is an image of the AN/MPQ 501 and the final mounting configuration with the modifications to the upper hull of the M113A1CDN. This is not the photograph used in my Service Publications WoW book on the M113A1CDN nor my article in IMPS RT but gives a better view of the top hull.

Counter-Mortar Radar AN MPQ-501 mounted on M113A1.jpg

Prior to the introduction of the M113A1CDN by the Canadian military the AN/MPQ 501 was intended to be mounted on the Bobcat and here is a concept photograph of that configuration.

Scale model of AN-MPQ 501 Radar on Bobcat.jpg

COUNTER-MORTAR RADAR AN/MPQ-501

This Counter-Mortar Radar equipment was developed for the Canadian Army by the National Research Council and was production-engineered and produced by Raytheon Canada Limited. The AN/MPQ-501 equipment was a mobile microwave radar for the field forces designed to locate the source of hostile mortars, rockets, and other high-angle artillery. It also had demonstrated an ability to locate field artillery and provide rapid registration of counter gunfire. Designed for mounting on an armoured vehicle of the M113 and other types, the radar had a high degree of mobility, enabling it to move rapidly to site, perform its function, and then quickly move away. The air transportability of this equipment, when mounted on such an armoured vehicle, had been demonstrated by the RCAF when they transported tactical vehicular installations of this radar equipment non-stop to Europe from the RCAF Downsview airport in a C130 Hercules.

The AN/ MPQ-501 would perform the following functions:-
(a) Accurate location of hostile mortars and other high-angle artillery.
(b) Registration and adjustment of divisional artillery.
(c) Location of hostile ballistic rocket positions.
(d) Combat area surveillance.
(e) Survey of own and other positions.

Outstanding features of Radar AN/ MPQ-501
• 5 minutes into action and 2 minutes out of action-day or night.
• One man setup and operation without exposure.
• Fully automatic antenna levelling.
• Automatic loading and stowage.
• Automatic time insertion, beam centering and shifting.
• First round location.
• Simultaneous fire capabilities.
• True presentation of signal pairs to avoid confusion.
• Single beam extrapolation provided.
• Locations in both Cartesian and polar co-ordinates.
• Fall of shot corrections direct on counters.
• Fast automatic computer clearing between rounds.
• No trailer, no field cables-self-contained and powered on single armoured
vehicle allowing maximum mobility.
• Fully air-conditioned including N.B.C. protection.
• Frequency, power, noise figure and tuning monitored.

Raytheon Canada Limited was equipped to design, develop, and manufacture
high quality radar systems such as the AN/ MPQ-501, as well as communications radar equipment for airport and airways surveillance.

[Robin Craig]

This film link was shared by Colin Alford on another vehicle shown in it but inspection shows Saracen 02 BB 40 and some kind of Thornycroft truck on trial at around the 2 minute mark

I wonder where this footage was taken at? The concrete inclines and the Belgian Pave looks familiar doesn't it?

http://images.nfb.ca/images/pages/en...84&docAttId=34

[David Herbert]

My first thought is FVRDE Chertsey in the UK. There must have been similar facilities in Canada but I can't see why a prototype Thornycroft truck would have been shipped over.

The film as offered in the link is an odd mix of short bits of film with no real linkage between them. I think someone just collected clips with "military vehicles" and lumped them together.

David

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Not to mention a Centurion as well.
Rich.

[rob love]

Most likely it is filmed at LETE in Orleans. That was the Cdn test establishment for 50 years. It was closed as a cost cutting measure, and testing would be contracted out after that point.

When Canada would look at replacing a fleet of vehicles, there was quite a variety. Back then, it seemed we stuck to the US based wheeled vehicles, but we still trialed non-North American vehicles too.

[Colin Alford]

Robin,

I spent some time trying to make sense of the two NFB sites. It appears that one (the link on this thread and the Wapiti thread) contains the raw footage whereas the link I posted on your Rat thread is the produced films.

The title "Eye Witness No. 92" appears on both sites. The one we have viewed is certainly raw footage whereas the one on the other site may well be a produced film with commentary. Once your membership to the NFB site is confirmed you may be able to view a produced version of this film that may explain the "what and where".

I did attempt to find raw Rat footage but haven't been successful.

Colin