FV101 Scorpion

Also known as Alvis Scorpion, Scorpion Light Tank, Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), CVR(T), Scorpion tank, CVR Scorpion

1970s light tank model by Alvis

Key facts

Type: Reconnaissance vehicle , Light tank
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1973–present
Used by: Operators
Wars: Iran–Iraq War , Falklands War , 1989 Philippine coup d'état attempt , Gulf War , Zamboanga City crisis , 2025 Cambodia–Thailand clashes
Manufacturer: Alvis Vehicles , Coventry , England
Number span no built: c. 3,000 (1,500 for UK, c. 1,500 exported)
Variants: Scorpion 90
Mass: 17,800 lb (8.074 tonnes)
Length: 4.79 m (15 ft 9 in) (hull), 5.288 m (17 ft 4.2 in) (inc 90 mm gun)
Width: 2.134 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height

~18 min read

Article

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 Manufactured by Alvis, it was introduced into service with the British Army in 1973 and was withdrawn in 1994.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

It held the Guinness world record for the fastest production tank, recorded doing 82.23 km/h (51.10 mph) at the QinetiQ vehicle test track in Chertsey, Surrey, on 26 January 2002.