FV101 Scorpion

The FV101 Scorpion is a British armored reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), CVR-(T), family of seven armored vehicles. Manufactured by Alvis it was introduced into service with the British Army in 1973 and served until 1994.  More than 3,000 were produced and used as an reconnaissance vehicle or a light tank.

The Alvis Scorpion was originally developed to meet a British Army requirement for the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) or CVR (T). In 1967 Alvis were awarded the contract to produce 30 CVR-(T) prototypes. Vehicles P1–P17 being the Scorpion prototypes was delivered on time and within the budget.  After extensive hot and cold weather trials in Norway, Australia, Abu Dhabi and Canada, the Scorpion was accepted by the British Army in May 1970, with a contract for 275 which later rose to 313 vehicles.  The first production vehicles were completed in 1972 and the first British regiment to be equipped with the Scorpion was the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry in 1973. In November 1981, the RAF Regiment took delivery of its first of 184 Scorpions and other variants of CVR-(T).

Alvis built more than 3,000 Scorpion vehicles for the British Army and Royal Air Force and the export market.

All the CVR-(T) vehicles were to be air-portable and two Scorpions could be carried in a C130 Hercules. Another requirement of the CVR-(T) project was the low ground pressure - similar to that of a soldier on foot - and this would serve it well in the Falklands War.