The capabilities in returning battle winning assets to the fight is a key consideration for any conventional land force. Space occupied in the battle picture my small/medium sized tracked armoured fighting vehicles increasingly being filled by wheeled vehicles.

This shift in doctrine pushes the parameters of requirements asked from current in service recovery vehicles.

Current Landscape

The war in Ukraine has underscored the critical need for robust and adaptable military logistics. The conflict has highlighted the importance of rapid, flexible recovery systems capable of handling both tracked and wheeled vehicles across diverse and often challenging terrain. With heavier and more complex vehicles deployed on the front lines, European militaries are recognising the necessity for more powerful and versatile recovery solutions. These evolving requirements are shaping the development of future recovery platforms across Europe, demanding more resilient and adaptable recovery capabilities.

Growing Vehicle Size and Weight

The development of modern military vehicles, such as the Boxer, TYRO and Archer, brings greater weight and complexity. Recovery operations involving winching, towing, and lifting are now pushing the SV(R) to its limits in terms of weight capacity. This increases the need for more powerful recovery solutions to accommodate these heavier vehicles, ensuring recovery effectiveness in various terrains and conditions.

Issues

Winching capability

This is the least affected recovery discipline. A winch does not particularly care if the vehicle it is recovering is wheeled or tracked, or to some extent, it does not care about the weight of the vehicle. What it is concerned with is the estimated pull, of which the weight of the casualty vehicle is a factor, but there are other factors that complete this formular, such as ground conditions, gradients and damage.

If a greater pull is required than that generated by the recovery vehicle and this cannot be overcome by the training, skill and nous of the recovery mechanic (of which the British soldiers lead the way with) a second recovery assert can be employed to assist.

Towing

This discipline is more affected by the weight of the casualty vehicle. However there should also be a distinction made between what the recovery vehicle is capable of and what current regulations dictate. UK STGO Regulations surrounding recovery is a topic we will offer commentary about at a later date.

The SV(R) has a lift capability of 14 tonnes, so in theory, if it can lift it, it can tow it. This may be true on training areas and operation theatres, however it could fall foul of UK regulations for road transport,.

Backloading by trailer

The SV(R)’s recovery trailer has a maximum authorised mass of 30 tonnes. This provides limited capability in terms of armoured vehicles it can recover.

Solutions using current equipment

Originally designated as a “Heavy” recovery vehicle, the SV(R) is now viewed as having “Medium” capabilities, further underscoring its limitations in handling modern vehicle recovery demands.

Towing/Backloading

It would be valid to say that the Boxer’s role overlaps with that of obsolete tracked vehicles. These tracked vehicles would traditionally be backloaded on a Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), so these assets could be relied upon more to fill this gap for backloading and road transport.

Upgrading the SV(R)

Upgrading the existing SV(R) fleet offers a practical and cost-effective solution to immediate recovery challenges. Enhancements such as more capable winch system (e.g., the Rotzler APEX system), real-time feedback systems, and better ancillary systems such as the air system would significantly improve the SV(R)’s capabilities, enabling it to handle heavier, more complex recoveries without the need for a completely new fleet.

High Mobility Recovery Trailer

The High Mobility Recovery Trailer system is designed to enhance the capability of a recovery vehicle, rather than act as a standalone solution. It specifically meets the need to recover vehicles with catastrophic damage or those unsuitable for suspend towing. A key component of this system is the slide back trailer, which can be towed behind a recovery vehicle using its existing recovery equipment. This trailer would be designed to transport heavy loads, making it suitable for platforms such as the Boxer. With its high ground clearance and low centre of gravity, it is ideal for recovering vehicles without rolling wheel stations, as the trailer bed tilts to the ground, allowing the casualty vehicle to be winched on using the recovery vehicle’s main winch.

Solutions with New Equipment

Single, Heavier Recovery Vehicle

A single recovery vehicle equipped with enhanced winches, cranes, and towing systems could handle the needs of modern military recovery. The “Swiss Army knife” concept of a single, multi-purpose recovery vehicle, while versatile in theory, is not well-suited to meet the MOD’s current recovery needs. As vehicles grow larger and more complex, the demands of modern recovery operations require specialised capabilities that a single, all-in-one vehicle cannot effectively provide. A recovery vehicle designed to handle every task becomes too heavy, cumbersome, and less manoeuvrable, particularly in off-road or confined environments. Instead, a divided capability model, with tailored vehicles for specific tasks like towing, winching, or lifting, offers greater flexibility, efficiency, and effectiveness in addressing the diverse challenges of modern military recovery operations.

Divided Capability: A Flexible Approach

A more balanced solution would involve adopting a divided capability model, using different types of vehicles tailored for specific recovery tasks. This model ensures that the appropriate tools are deployed for each scenario, improving operational efficiency.

• High-Mobility Off-Road Recovery Vehicles: Upgraded versions of the SV(R) could specialise in off-road recovery tasks, with enhanced winching capability and control systems to handle heavier vehicles like the Boxer and TYRO.

• Road-Based Towing Vehicles: Lighter, road-optimised vehicles could take over towing responsibilities once a casualty vehicle is extracted to a metalled road.

• Forward Repair Operations: Specialised repair vehicles carrying cranes and tools could assist with field repairs, allowing for faster recoveries without overburdening recovery vehicles.

Chassis Selection and Market Considerations

The Daimler AROCS platform is considered the best choice for future recovery vehicles due to its high Gross Train Weight (GTW) capacity and Daimler UK’s strong relationship with the military vehicle market. However, competition in the heavy recovery vehicle market is fierce, with established players forming partnerships with recovery equipment manufacturers, which may present challenges for introducing new systems.

Conclusion

As vehicles in the British Army’s fleet grow larger and heavier, recovery capabilities must evolve accordingly. The future of recovery systems must address the challenges posed by heavier platforms and adapt to emerging technologies such as electric and hybrid drivetrains.

A divided capability model offers greater flexibility and efficiency than a single, comprehensive recovery vehicle. By upgrading the existing SV(R) fleet and adopting a modular approach to recovery operations, the Army can meet both current and future challenges without overburdening any single system.

By fostering partnerships with key industry players and incorporating advanced recovery technologies, the MOD can ensure its recovery systems remain robust, adaptable, and ready for future operations. The use of suspend tow systems, in particular, stands out as a highly effective solution due to their proven adaptability, flexibility, and NATO interoperability, ensuring their relevance in both peacetime and combat operations.