STOUT IFV-SC

The STOUT IFV-SC is a Western reconnaissance vehicle that was in service around 1984. Its cousin was the STOUT IFV-FS.

Background and Features
Being primarily a reconnaissance vehicle, it possesses a 105 mm tank cannon, which while less potent than an actual tank turret is nonetheless capable of packing a punch. It also has lesser defensive capabilities than a tank.

History
The STOUT IFV-SC was in service since at least late 1974, where a few were stationed at the United States Naval Prison Facility in Cuba. At this time, they were colored green.

At least one STOUT IFV-SC was present near the Admin Building when Big Boss, the leader of the Militaires Sans Frontières, had arrived to assassinate the infamous sniper-spotter team Glaz and Palitz.

A STOUT IFV-SC was also responsible for interfering with an attempted extraction of an MSF Intel Team agent by the name of Hideo, forcing the chopper pilot Morpho to ascend before Big Boss could safely get Hideo onboard and forcing Big Boss himself to fight and destroy the IFV.

A STOUT IFV-SC was also present during a mission by MSF to retrieve data on the expansion plans of the Naval Prison Facilities, being dispatched to near the Admin building as part of a trap to draw out Big Boss.

A STOUT IFV-SC was later present during a mission to sabotage anti-air guns, going on patrol due to the base being notified of the MAGTF landing. As a result, due to its gun being capable of shooting down choppers and essentially acting as a mobile anti-air turret, Big Boss was required to destroy it by any means necessary to ensure the MAGTF landed.

Ground Zeroes Incident
On March 16, 1975, a STOUT IFV-SC was stationed near the admin building just as Big Boss was rescuing Paz from the area.

Post-Ground Zeroes Incident
By 1984, these IFVs were later issued to various Western-aligned Private Forces operating in Africa. In addition, their default paint job was changed from green to beige by this time, although they were customized to being green or blue.

Phantom Pain Incident
They would often be seen in various Armored Vehicle Units of various Private Forces operating in Africa when Diamond Dogs operated in Africa in 1984. Diamond Dogs was known to eliminate or capture these types of tanks as side-missions during this time period.

An IFV-SC was part of an escort for a caravan containing materials to be supplied to SANR/Cipher in exchange for Walker Gears, although these ended up disabled by the Armored type of the Skulls after they appeared to attack Snake.

At least one STOUT IFV-SC under the employ of the Contract Forces of Africa were utilized in an armored column during a proxy war against the Soviet-backed MPLA, with Diamond Dogs being charged with neutralizing the armored column, IFVs included.

Behind the Scenes
The STOUT IFV-SC first appeared in several missions in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, although they weren't identified until Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It was also used for the recreated scene of throwing a grenade into a tank in the extra ops mission Déjà Vu, despite not actually being a tank but an IFV.

It has multiple variants, which are more prominent in harder missions. They boast heavier armor, and a more powerful gun, powerful enough to one-shot Snake, even through splash damage. The red variant is the most powerful and sturdy, but the black variants are still just as deadly.