Tank Designs

[madmusti]

 

[Penguin]

Now available with (German) broomstick.

 

[metronome]

Now avalable with (German) broomstick.

 

[IrbiS]

When it came from Denmark, it was naked. Now it's dressed so it can roam Afghanistan hoping Taliban wouldn't execute him in the playground

Btw, I think Leopard is the most beautiful tank ever

 

[NarThoD]

Indonesian newly-arrived Leopard 2A4's

 

[Manticore]

 

[Quasar]

Altay

M60T Sabra

Turkish Leopard 2A4 Modernization

 

[Davos]

G'day

Aussie M1A1 MBT

Survivability


The Abrams tank is fitted with advanced composite armour, which provides substantial defence against enemy fire and Improvised Explosive Devices. Fuel and ammunition reside in separate compartments to protect the crew from the risk of the tank's own ammunition exploding if the tank is damaged.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has also purchased the Tank Urban Survivability Kit which greatly enhances the Abram's survivability in complex terrain.

Firepower

The Abrams is fitted with an onboard digital fire control computer which enables the gunner to 'point and shoot' to engage targets. This capability coupled with an advanced sensor suite, allows the Abrams to engage targets at extended ranges, day or night, even in adverse weather conditions.

Support vehicles

To support the Abrams, the ADF has produced seven M88A2 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) armoured recovery vehicles. The HERCULES is a fully-tracked heavy armoured vehicle which performs hoisting, winching and towing as part of recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other combat vehicles.

The Abrams is also supported by Heavy Tank Transporters to fulfil its logistics requirements while on operations. A range of simulators have also been procured to assist in training and crew preparedness.

Purchasing and support

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) is responsible for purchasing and supporting the Abrams Main Battle Tank, HERCULES, Heavy Tank Transporters and Simulation Systems, under Project LAND 907.

General characteristics

Weight: 62,000 kilograms
Length: 9.83 metres
Width: 3.65 metres
Height: 2.89 metres
Crew: Four - Commander, Gunner, Loader and Driver

Overall performance Power plant: Gas Turbine Engine 1119 kilowatts
Speed: More than 60 kilometres per hour; Cross-Country more than 40 kilometres per hour
Operational range: More than 400 kilometres
Smoke Grenade System: 66 millimetre Launcher Grenade M250
Aramment: 120 millimetre M256 Smooth Bore Cannon, 12.7 millimetre M2HB QCB Machine Gun, 2 x 7.62 millimetre MAG58 Machine Gun

 

[Penguin]

For Leo1, this line from Panther needs to merge in a second line, namely M26/M46/47/48 (not just Panther) and from Panther and the US tanks comes another family line, namely the Frence AMX 30 > AMX 32 > AMX40 > LeClerc. Of course, Italians did their Leo1 version, OF-40, and from there Ariete.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

@Manticore - are experimental designs accepted, or just production models?

EE-T1 Osório Main Battle Tank

Introduction

Engesa was formed as a private firm in 1963. Initially, it was involved in renovating World War II-vintage tanks. Engesa built wheeled APC's, such as the EE-11 Urutu amphibious APC, the EE-9 Cascavel armored reconnaissance vehicle, the EE-17 Sucuri tank destroyer, and the EE-3 Jararaca scout car, in addition to a wide range of other products. The EE-11 Urutu armored troop carrier is an amphibian that can also be used by naval forces. It is still used by the Brazilian Army. It made a success in the international sales market, and is in service ia at least six Armies worldwide, in addition to the Brazilian Army. In terms of product development, all of Engesa’s armored fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers shared the same characteristics: simple and flexible design concepts, low cost, good performance and reliability, ease of use, and simple maintenance. These characteristics were the major selling points of Engesa’s products to its customers in the developing countries.

Engesa's APC's were all based on a new proprietary suspension system, called "Engesa Boomerang". This ingenious suspension system, along with many other modifications, expanded the life span of many otherwise obsolescent World War II-vintage vehicles. Engesa's weapons were exported almost exclusively to the developing world, especially to countries in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. By the mid-1980s, Engesa had expanded to a group of twelve subsidiaries and employed more than 5,000 people.

Chronology of Main Battle Tank development in Brazil:

1982: conceptual development of a new light MBT (the MB-3 Tamoyo)
1985: construction of first prototype with 105mm gun.
1986: delivery of a second prototype with 120mm gun.
1990: agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a local armament plant for the assembly of Osório MBT.

Brazil emerged in the mid-1980s as the leading arms producer and exporter among the defense industrializing countries, and the sixth largest arms exporter in the world. Although there were over 500 manufacturers of defense-related equipment in Brazil, three firms have been largely responsible for Brazilian defense exports: in aircraft, Embraer; in armored fighting vehicles, Engesa; and in missiles, Avibras.

Engesa was well positioned to take advantage of Brazil’s nonaligned position in the international system and its affinity with other developing nations. The company has exported its armored and reconnaissance vehicles to over 20 countries in the Middle East and Africa. Annual export earnings amounted to over US$53 millon for the 1977-82 period and US$122 million for the 1983-88 period. The largest regional market was the Middle East, to which Brazil sold roughly half of its arms from 1977 through 1988, with nearly half of all Brazilian arms transfers from 1985 to 1989 going to Iraq. A related factor was Engesa's well-known after-sales support in terms of guaranteed access to spare parts, training for system operators, and maintenance (including front-line repair during the Iran-Iraq war).

However, with the end of the Iran-Iraq war and the decline in state support, the Brazilian arms industry collapsed in the late 1980s, and by the mid-1990s had virtually disappeared. In early 1990, Brazil's two major manufacturers, Engesa and Avibras, filed for bankruptcy. Engesa has been dismembered, with some of its companies sold to private interests, and ordnance-related firms taken over by the state and integrated with the Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (IMBEL - Brazil's Industry of War Weapons and Equipments).

Development and Production History.

In the early 80's, Saudi Arabia began searching for a new main battle tank (MBT), with the objective of replacement for their AMX-30 MBT's. At first, they wanted the Leopard 2, which had just began to be received by the Bundeswehr, as the Saudis were impressed with the success of the Leopard 1 both in Germany and in other European countries as well. However, the German government refused to sell weapons to countries that were not NATO's members. This way, a new market was opened, and Engesa decided to go for it.

At first, Engesa searched for a partner for the project's development, and contacted Tyssen-Henschel in Germany, but the conversations came to nothing. Then, Porsche showed interest in participating in the Brazilian MBT project. However, the German government once again intervened and the German-Brazilian cooperation project was cancelled.

That being the situation, Engesa decided to go on with the project by itself, a decision that would prove later to be too risky. In face of the way the Brazilian state participated in the Brazilian armament industry at that time, some restrictions imposed by the Brazilian Army had to be considered. The first one stated that the new MBT should weigh no more than 36 tons, which was a technical impossibility, as it would set the Brazilian MBT outside of the first class MBT's weight, which was between 44.5 tons (T-72) and 62 tons (Challenger), at that time. The second Brazilian Army's restriction was that the maximum width of the new MBT could not be larger that 3.20 meters, a limit imposed by the Brazilian railway structure.

Engesa's engineers accepted the second restriction, but rejected the first, and the target weight was stipulated as 42 tons, on grounds that most of the transportation would be realized by roads, anyway. Another important decision was that the development would consist of a basic chassis and two different types of turret, allowing the possibility of two different main gun possibilities: the 105 mm and the 120 mm. Engesa was determined that the first prototype had to be ready in one year, so the company decided that it would develop the project of the chassis, and the projects of the two turrets were to be realized by Vickers Defence Systems, Great Britain.

The first turret, the "default", was designed to accommodate the British 105mm L7 series gun, which was NATO's main battle tank gun specification, until the 120 mm L/44 Rheinmetall gun was adopted, but that was still to happen in the future. The British 105 mm L7 series gun was an excellent option, because it was used by many countries, was a tried and proven weapon, its cost was reasonable, and there were many types of ammunition available for its use. The fire control system for this turret, fully computerized, consisted of a laser range finder and a LRS-5DNLC Olp Belgian periscope, and the commander had an LRS-5DN periscope. This fire control system and the main gun were fully stabilized.

The second turret was developed for being used by the Saudi Arabia's Army. This turret would receive the French smooth-bore 120mm GIAT G1 gun, because tests proved that the British rifled 120mm L11 gun had stronger recoil forces, that a 42 ton MBT would not support. The German Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44 smooth-bore gun was not tested because of the weapons selling politics of the German government at that time.

As a result of all that, the tank was either armed with an L7 105mm gun with 45 rounds stowage or a GIAT 120mm gun with 40 rounds. One 7.62 mm MG was mounted coaxial, another one (or 12,7mm) was used as ADMG (5000 rounds / 3000 7.62mm 900 12,7mm).

The 105 mm rifled gun was the well proven British L 7 series, with a fume extractor, and a thermal sleeve. Various kinds of ammunition were used with this gun including: APDS, APDSFS, HEAT, HESH, and Smoke. The 120 mm was a French GIAT smooth bore gun, firing APDSFS-T and HEAT-MP ammunition. Both the guns with their respective ammunition were to be produced under license in Brazil, by Engesa.

The computerized fire control system, by Marconi Command and Control Systems, used a SFIM stabilized periscope with laser range finder for the gunner and another one for the commander. A Philips/TRT stabilized thermal periscope was linked to both sights. This fire control system was state-of-the-art and assured a very high first round hit probability.

Initially, Engesa wanted to use an MTU engine, since they were used with great success with the Leopard 1 and 2, and also because MTU already was operating in Brazil. But its price was way too high, and the MWM 1,000 hp diesel TBD 234 turbo charged diesel engine was selected, coupled to a ZF LSG 3000 transmission. Both companies, MWM and ZF, were already operating in Brazil. This engine was tested for over 3,000 km in Saudi Arabia, and proved to be most efficient and easy to maintain. The suspension was of hydro pneumatic type (like the one used by the British Challenger) and designed by Dunlop. The Osório MBT was provided by an auxiliary power unit in the left hull rear. Fuel capacity was of 1354 liters.

The EE-T1 Osório armor was entirely developed by Engesa and was a combination of aluminum/steel and carbon fibers and ceramics (bimetal+composite/laminate armor). This armor was said to provide complete protection against all HEAT threats existent at that time.

The Twilight of the EE-T1 Osório Main Battle Tank Project.

The Osorio MBT exemplifies the way Engesa approached development of new weapon systems.

First, following the Saudi Arabian requirements for a light main battle tank, the company conducted a market feasibility study of other developing countries, where bridges and roads could not support MBTs within the 60 ton class such as the U.S. M1A1 Abrams, the German Leopard 2, or the British Challenger. Second, Engesa searched for the best available armor, engines, suspension system, electronics, and gears. In keeping with its strategy of finding suppliers who would share the development costs, Engesa succeeded in attracting many international defense equipment suppliers because the Osorio MBT program represented the only new tank development project in the 1980s and 1990s. For example, Dunlop, supplier to the British Challenger MBT, was willing to provide the Osorio’s hydropneumatic suspension system (which keeps the tank lower on the ground than the more conventional torsion bar suspension). Within Brazil, Engesa could rely once more on the transnational automotive industry, particularly West German companies, to supply the diesel engine and the gear box.

The development of this MBT also reflects the inherent difficulties facing a company based in the developing world in moving up the high-technology ladder to the production of more advanced weapon systems. First, the financial resources required are enormous. Since Saudi Arabia gave the go-ahead for prototype production of the Osorio in 1985, Engesa proceeded to spend US$100 million in R&D and prototype development. This design of the Brazilian armaments industry was sophisticated, and demanded a high investment in technology. It was equipped with computers and endowed with a modern weapons system. The EE-T1 Osório Main Battle Tank was an advanced design in all aspects of tank development (Firepower, Protection and Mobility), which resulted in high standards within its weight category.

However, by the mid-1980s, Engesa was unable to find a buyer for it. Despite an announcement in August 1989 by the Saudi Government that they were going to buy 318 Osorios (renamed Al Fahd, the Lion Of The Desert), the contract (worth US$7.2 billion) was never signed. In April 1990, after laying off 3,000 workers, Engesa filed for bankruptcy protection.

Even though in 1990 Engesa had won the evaluation process by the Saudis, the Osório project came to an abrupt end with Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. After Desert Storm, Brazil was no match for United States competition, given the close ties that developed between Saudi Arabia and the United States and, last but not least, the outstanding performance of the M1A1 Abrams during the war with Iraq.

SÓRIO EE-T1 (120mm GIAT gun version) SPECIFICATIONS:

Type: MBT
Crew: 4
Dimensions:
Length (Hull) (mm) 7,130
Length (Gun Forward) (mm) 10,100
Width (Maximum) (mm) 3,260
Width (without Track Skirts) (mm) 3,200
Height (Maximum) (mm) 2,890 (2,680 according to the used AAMG)
Height (Turret Roof) (mm) 2,370
Ground Clearance (mm) 460
Weight:
Empty (kg) N/A
Combat (kg) 43,700
Weapons:
Cannon - Type/Caliber GIAT 120 mm smooth-bore gun.
- Ammunition 40(APDSFS-T and HEAT-MP)
- Stabilizer yes
- Traverse (º) 360
- Elevation (º) -10 to 20
- Max. Slew Rate (Elevation) (º/s) 11 - 15
Machine guns - Coaxial - Type/Caliber Hughes X34/7.62
- Range (meters) 1,000 N/A
- Antiaircraft - Type/Caliber M2HB/12.7
- Range (meters) over 1,500
- Ammunition 7.62 mm 5,000
- Ammunition 12.7 mm 600
Smoke Grenade Launchers 2x4
Suspension: Hydro pneumatic
Tracks - Manufacturer/Width (mm) Diehl/570
- Length of Track on Ground (mm) 4,490
Drive and Performances:
Engine - Type MWM TBD 234-V12
- Performance (kW)/at rpm 746/2300
Transmission - Type ZF LSG300 Automatic
- Gears - Forward/Reverse 4/2
Fuel/Fuel Capacity (liters) Diesel/1,354
Power-to-Weight Ratio (kW/t) 17.5 (17.3)
Ground Pressure (kg/cm.2) 0.85 (0.80)
Max. Road Speed (km/h) 70
Acceleration (0 to 32 km/h (20 mil/h) (in seconds) 6
Range (on Road) (km) 550
Gradient (%) 60
Side Slope (%) 40
Trench Crossing (meters) 3,0
Vertical Obstacle (meters) 1,15
Fording without Preparation (meters) 1,2
- with Preparation (meters) 2
Deep Fording (meters) no
Protection:
Fire Suppression System yes - Automatic
NBC System yes
Armour:
Hull - Front Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal + Composite/Laminate N/A
- Sides Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal + Track Skirts /N/A
- Rear Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Steel /N/A
- Bottom Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Steel /N/A
Turret - Front Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal + Composite/Laminate /N/A
- Sides Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal + Composite /N/A
- Rear Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal N/A
- Top Type/Max. Thickness (mm) Bimetal N/A
Fire Command System:
Ballistic Computer yes - Digital
Sights Stabilized by SFIM
Rangefinder Type Laser
Driver Periscope Optical or Passive Thermal Imaging
Other Information:
Manufacturer ENGESA Engenheiros Especializados SA, Brazil
Development (from Year) 1982
Prototypes 1985 (with 105 mm L 7 series gun); 1986 (with 120 mm GIAT smooth-bore gun).

 

[Penguin]

Macro-political events (including the Gulf War) and North American political pressure led to the Osorio's demise.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

The anti-crisis model of "Almaty was"

Draft new generation tank could not resist saving mode budget


In Alabino began training parade calculations, which will be held on Red Square on May 9. Among the military-technical innovations the most anticipated - a new generation tank T-14 "Armata", the characteristics of which, as well as appearance, still secret. However, before the advent of a dozen T-14 to the public, there is information about the upcoming simplification of certain systems of the tank. So, at the end of February, the Vice Chairman of the board of the Military-Industrial Commission Oleg Bochkarev in a media interview said: - We will go towards simplifying some systems.

Characteristics that we have provided - a very expensive solution.Simplifying some things we do not lose the properties of the machine, but will save a lot in price. However, Bochkarev emphasized that in an experimental batch, which will appear on the pavement, then the test will be sent to the troops (mass production of T-14 is scheduled for 2016 -2017 years - "JV"), the machine will be carried out with maximum opportunities, and that the military demanded from the developer: "All that we have invented, all that was ready to our industry ... All done on request. And when will begin operation and it becomes clear that a parameter is not enough demand, so it can be waived. " Add that in November 2014 Bochkarev noted the extremely high cost of new cars.

According to him, the contract with NPK "Uralvagonzavod" (DC) producing these tanks, signed for three years. Price combat vehicles, which should go into service next year, has been determined. - But then it will be necessary to work, we criticize the high cost of UVZ - said then Bochkarev. About the excessive cost of the tank have been saying for years. Also the first year there are disputes between Uralvagonzavod and the Ministry of Defense. According to some information on the development of "Almaty was" the creation and production line has been allocated 54 billion. Rubles., Of which 15 billion. Has already been spent. Sound different valuation serial tank - from 200 million. Rubles to 400 million. Per unit.

For comparison, a former Deputy Chief Armored Directorate of the Ministry of Defence (Bolshoi) Lieutenant General Yury Kovalenko reserve estimates the cost of the T-90A about 70 mln. Rubles. per unit, American Abrams - 217 mln. rubles., French Leclerc - in 255 million., German Leopard-2 - 167 million. And Ukrainian T-80 - 120 mln. rubles. Recall closed demonstration of "Almaty was" held in September 2013 in Nizhny Tagil. Then senior Russian officials showed three samples of military equipment based on the new unified heavy tracked platform "Armata": main battle tanks, heavy armored infantry Armoured recovery vehicle.

Here are the expected features of the T-14: - "uninhabited tower" that is, The crew is located in an isolated bronekapsuly in front of the body, protecting people in the event of defeat armored vehicles, weapons control is performed remotely; - front projection has a multilayer combined armor protection, and can withstand a direct hit by any type of existing shells today - piercing and cumulative; - active protection of the tank ( Complex "Afgane ') located around the perimeter of the tower at different levels, providing a guaranteed protection of the most important elements of the machine, including air, -

T-14 should be equipped with a unique radar capable of simultaneously monitor up to 40 terrestrial and aerial targets 25 a radius of 100 kilometers; - information about a combat situation displayed on the monitor tank with laser, television and thermal imaging sensors, and a panoramic view allows the commander and gunner to view the battlefield as much as 360 degrees; T-14 is able to "engage in dialogue" - to communicate with other armored vehicles and command post; - Modular machines: weapons and equipment can be replaced depending on the tasks; - the main armament of the T-14 - 125 mm smoothbore gun 2A82 with ammunition of various types and destination, in addition - the modernized Kalashnikov machine gun 7.62 and robotic heavy machine gun "Kord". It should be noted that the replacement of the original T-72 was developed another car - under the code "Object 195" (T-95 "Black Eagle" OCD "Improvement-88") with a gun, 152 mm in the "uninhabited tower." Tank even managed to pass the test, but in a series he did not go, its development stopped in the 2010th.

And as a result of "Object 195" in the new program replaced the unified heavy weapons platform "Armata". That is why many experts are inclined to believe that the T-14 - a lightweight version of the T-95. Thus, the former chief of Armored Directorate of Defense of the Russian Federation, led the development of the T-95, Colonel-General Sergei Maiev in 2013 gave an interview to the media about the T -14, which essentially boils down to two theses: exaggerate the importance of "Almaty was" not worth it, because this project will be worse "Improvement-88" and 125-mm gun makes "Armata" uncompetitive on the battlefield under any circumstances. " - C "Armata" thorough missed at a price in the planning state armaments program (SAP), - says one of the leading experts in the field of armored equipment, a member of the Public Council of the MIC, colonel Viktor Murakhovski . -

This wine, in particular, and the economic block of the Russian government, which laid the absolutely unreal rate of annual GDP deflator. And since the price of materials and components increased significantly (if not at times).Accordingly, the cost and R & D, and serial machines is significantly higher than was foreseen in the SAP. The second question - technical. According to some structural elements (not venture to call specific) requires substantial effort from the Russian co-operation of enterprises to enter the advanced level. And here is really possible option - to take "Armata" in a somewhat simplified form on the technological level, which today reached. In the future - to raise the technological level in the tank upgrade. There are also very expensive components required only in wartime. For example, active protection systems (KAZ). You can also go to this path: do not start until KAZ in packaging production vehicles. "SP": - Do you agree with the view of Sergei Maeva about the T-14? -

I think that, first of all, he meant caliber gun 152 mm, which was on the "Object 195", which showed the highest specifications for armor penetration Kinetic energy penetrator. Caliber 152 mm allows you to run through the barrel of a guided missile with a much higher performance than it can be done on a 125-mm caliber. "SP": - Among some experts have opinions about what the weight of Russian tanks, including T 14, it is necessary to increase ... - It's a dead end road. There are two examples in the history of tank development. In the First World War, the Germans created a K-Wagen - the project was limited to only one tank. And later developed Panzerkampfwagen VIII «Maus», which was released just two units, combat weight of each component - 180 tons. Thus, in order not to wake up on a dead-end path of development, is to be found the optimal combination of parameters: weight, dimensions, booking, weapons, mobility. For a promising platform "Armata" parameters are defined: maximum mass for weapons systems, which will be based on this platform - I mean self-propelled artillery - 65 tons.

The mass of the tank will be even less - within 50-55 tonnes complete with full dynamic protection, etc. As a result, our cars will weigh 10-15 tons lighter average weight of foreign tanks of Merkava, Challenger 2, Abrams M1A2 SEP. In this case, we are still better than in the West, we are able to fit into these parameters. It is said that the level of our tank-building is actually much higher than the world. Let me remind you that classic layout that was born in 1917 in the light tank Renault FT-17, is used in almost all samples of armored vehicles in the world. T-14 - tank is completely different layout, which will bring the number of parameters to a higher level of the world. The picture in the article oktrytie: fighting vehicle based on a unified platform track "Armata" / Photo: rostec.ru

 

[IrbiS]

Swedish Turret-less S-Tank

 

[Penguin]

Swedish Turret-less S-TankView attachment 202526

Mind you, at around 40 ton still amphibilious with screen!
Handy feature for Sweden, with its lakes.

 

[IrbiS]

Mind you, at around 40 ton still amphibilious with screen!
Handy feature for Sweden, with its lakes.

Also notice the the unusual removable plastic Jerry can skirts introduced on the Strv-103C with
the duel function of carrying extra diesel fuel and acting as spaced armour to protect the running gear.