Main battle tank challenge (August 2019)

[KonPtol]

What is the main armament of the Type 77M1 tank?

[Thesketchydude13]

What is the main armament of the Type 77M1 tank?

A 105mm L7

[Cascadia]

I really like the FA.90 Liopard, allthough not every single version of it, but the majority.
I just try to figure out, if it has more of a Leopard 2 or a Type 90. Or maybe it's the child of both.

[Blackbuck]

Thank you! Very much the latter. Smaller than the Leopard 2, larger than the Type 90 and combining features of both.

[Nestin]

BT-58/61 series tanks - Yugoslavia
During the middle 1950's the Military technical institute has began development of new main combat tank for replacement of outdated T-34/85 and M4 Sherman tanks in Yugoslav People's Army inventory. After several prototypes the serial production of BT-58 (borbeni tenk - combat tank) began in 1958 at Niš heavy machine industries. Design was inspired by Soviet tanks, but with FAMOS 480 hp engine of Western origin and reverse engineered copy of 90mm M36 gun already used by Yugoslav People's Army with M-47 Patton tanks and M36 tank destroyers. It was presented to public on 1959 May day parade with 1st tank brigade. Until 1960 two brigades (1st tank brigade with three tank battalions and 1st guards motorized brigade with two tank battalions) were equipped with 150 produced tanks.



In 1960 the turret was redesigned and equipped with new Zastava 12.7 mm M-59 heavy machine gun. This version was designated as BT-58A. The number of 180 tanks was produced from 1961 until 1962.



In 1962 the new 500hp engine was introduced with FAMOS, so the new version of tank equipped with it was designated as BT-59B. It was produced in two series of 180 tanks from 1962 to 1963.



Influenced by M-60 Patton and T-54/55 tanks, the new turret was developed in 1961. The model with new turret was designated as BT-61, with new more powerful 105mm gun, NBC protection, new laser rangefinder and night sight. 240 tanks were produced from 1961 until 1965.



Modernization pack for BT-59B known as BT-59BM, with new 105mm gun developed for BT-61, NBC protection and night sight was introduced in 1963. Rubber skirt on sides of tracks was also added. 50 BT-59B tanks were modernized in 1963-1964, and another 50 in 1972.



In 1964 the new modernized version of BT-61 with rubber skirt and smoke grenade launchers on turret was introduced as BT-61M, both as modernization pack for existing BT-61 tanks, and also in production as new. New 100 tanks were produced from 1964 until 1966, and 150 existing BT-61 tanks were modernized.



With introduction of new ATGM "Koplje" (spear) the version of BT-61 tank armed with four ATGM's known under designation BT-61M-R was developed in 1967 and introduced two battalions (60 tanks) with one tank brigade for testing. After 1968 Prague spring in fear from Soviet invasion the Yugoslav People's Army has ordered 100 more new produced BT-61M-R tanks and modernization of existing 90 BT-61 tanks that were not modernized on BT-61M standard. The modernization was completed from 1969 until 1971.



Due the rising tensions with Albania in 1961, the General staff requested an combat vehicle capable to destroy lines of Albanian concrete bunkers on it borders. In 1962 the new vehicle based on BT-58M was presented. It had dozzer blade from BTKI-59M, 122mm gun-howitzer, smoke grenade launchers on turret and rubber skirts on sides of tracks. It was designated as BTI-58BM (borbeni tenk inžinjerijski - combat engineers tank) From 1962 until 1964 100 BT-58 tanks were converted in to BTI-58M.



The BVT-60A (borbeno vozilo transporter - combat vehicle transporter) heavy armored personal carrier based on BT-58 was introduced in 1960. About 200 were produced in standard APC version, and additional 40 in 120mm mortar carrier version BVT-60A-M version.



The tank hunter version, inspired by Soviet SU-100 SPG was developed in 1960, designated as LT-60 (lovac tenkova - tank hunter). 80 were produced until 1963.



The LT-60A version, produced from 1963 until 1964 was equipped with new 100 mm AT gun and Zastava 12.7 mm M-59 heavy machine gun and new 500hp engine, same as BT-59B. 120 new SPG's were introduced in that period.



The LT-60A-R armed with more powerfull 122mm gun-howitzer and six "Koplje" ATGM's was introduced in prototype series of 20 vehicles in 1964. The serial production began in 1965, and until 1970 the 200 missile-armed self-propelled gun-howitzers were produced.



The BVT-60 chassis was used for SPAR-64 self-propelled surface-to-air missile system, developed in 1963 and introduced in service in 1966. One SAM battery had one SRR-64 mobile radar and command vehicle and two launch vehicles armed with four R-35 Lava missiles. Two air defense regiment of ground troops were equipped with 12 batteries.



SPT-59 self-propelled anti-aircraft twin 37mm gun was introduced in 1959. Each tank and motorized brigade had one battery. It is based on BT-58 hull and two 61-K Soviet AAG's.



The series of combat support armored vehicles was developed on BT-58-fammilly base:
TMP-59 (tenk mostopolagač) bridge laying tank
TTI-59M (tehnički tenk za izvlačenje) armored recovery vehicle
BTRK-59M (borbeni tenk rovokopač - combat tank excavator) combat engineering vehicle.



The BT-58 tanks remain in service with Yugoslav People's Army until 1975, while BT-61 remain in service until 1989 when they were replaced with M-84A main battle tanks. LT-60A and LT-60A-R tank hunters and BTI-58M combat engineer tanks saw action during 1990's Yugoslav wars. BVT-60A APC's were all converted in to mortar carriers in 1970's. SPT-59 was replaced in 1980's with BOV-30/2 and SPAT-30/2, and SPAR-64 SAM with Sava-10J. Engineer versions remain in service with armies of former Yugoslav republics even today.

[reytuerto]

Good afternoon, guys.

Here is my MBT, Char de Bataille Model 49, a.k.a. "Durandal" (Roland's sword, that was able to pierce rocks).


Soon after the end of WWII in Europe, the non belligerant Respublica Christiana ad Orientem begun to search for a suitable tank. Large ammounts of surpluss tanks were cheaply adquired, specially Shermans, together with some wrecked Tigers, but also with T-34/85, JS-II, Churchills and artillery.

The ordnance corps was impressed with the simplicity and reliablity of the Horstman suspension of the british tank, and also by the engine and armor of the soviet heavy tank. But they choose a modified version of the 88 mm PaK 43 (but in 89 mm caliber, mainly because there was machinery to bore and rifle the barrels at that caliber: the main pre WWI era field gun was a QF 89 mm and 16 pounder gun) as the main armament. The cast armour was considered too complicated, so the turret was made with a rolled steel plate shaped by a very powerful hydraulic press, and complementary welded plates.

While the Sherman was used to "make numbers", the crack armoured formations were equiped with a brand new indigenous tank, with a new concept: Char de Bataille Universal or Universal Battle Tank. The first unit, 1st. Armoured Brigade at the coastal plateau, was fielded in 1951 and the production of the Modele 49 A was until 1959.

In 1963 a new model Char 49B was introduced, using the recently introduced L7 british rifled gun as main armament. The new model was also equiped with a Ma Deuce heavy MG over the barrel of the gun, mainly as a training device, but also an important aid for the suppression of hostile infantry. An active IR searchlight was in the left side of the turret roof and a new comunications gear, better optics, plus several minor improvements completes the new modele. Some of the A models were converted to an armoured engineer variant, G. The turret was removed and a 165 mm demolition howitzer was introduced in a heavily armoured casemate, together with a special plastic demolition shaped charge round. It can be equipped either with a dozer blade, or with a mine plow. With obsolete Churchill Crocodrile trailers a special breaching system was also introduced: Vipère Géante, which was a long explosive hose married to a propulsive rocket that is aimed toward the minefield.

Specifications Char 49A

Weight: 48 metrical tons.
Hull length: 7.8 m
Length overall: 10.3 m (gun forward)
Width: 3.6 m
Height: 2.8 m (top of the cupola)
Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armour: 180-150 mm in the mantelet, 120-80 mm in the turret sides, 50 mm in the turret rear, 120-30 mm in the hull.
Main armament: QF rifled tank gun de 89 x 70 mm, Modele 1948 (-8.5° to 15°).
Secondary armament: 2 (coaxial and anti-aircraft) x 7.62 x 63 Browning machine gun
Engine: V-2 diesel, 700 HP, with 5-speed forward, 1-reverse synchronic gearbox.
Suspension: Horstmann suspension
Road speed: 42 km/h
Operational range: 200 kms.

Credits: Thanks to Darth Panda and Glorfindel, several parts and ideas are in these drawings. Thanks to Char for the corrections, to Blackbuck for the breaching lessons, and to Golly for saying the importance of the tracks in the quality of a drawing. Cheers.

[Albert1099]

Shir 2

-Development-


The Shir 2(orignialy intended to become the Challenger 1) is a planned replacement of the Chieftain for both the British and Iranian armies. British designers where mostly in control and both governments where disputing which country is in control of this project, until on June 6, 1978, the Imperial Iranian Army and Iranian Designers and Researchers of this project went nationalize the project itself, forcing the British to develop on their own, which lead to the Challenger MBTs.

Meanwhile, the Iranians altered the original design itself, mostly redoing the suspension similar to the M60A1's with the idler copied from the Chieftain since the Army had familiarized the M60A1's suspension when in maintenance, some changes in the hull to fit the Leopard 2's V8 diesel engine, and a complete redesign of the turret.

The first prototype was completed in August 30, 1979. It was first fitted with a 105mm gun from the M60 as a temporary main weapon since it was originally be fitted with the 120mm L/44 to be licensed and locally produced. It was accepted in mass-production during December 20, 1979.

-In Service-


It's first public appearance was on a national army parade in 1980. In 1982, the first Shir 2 to be fitted with the L/44(Shir 2L1) was put in service, and it's strengths where to be proven at the battle of Kohsan in Afghanistan during September 17, 1989. Though the offensive to Kohsan was bogged down due to how opposing insurgents used the town and their numbers to full capacity, and the risks of civilian casualties, the Shir 2L1 did it's job at supporting Imperial troops and Shiite Insurgents.

It's full potential was unleashed in 1999, where Iraq launched 190 SCUD missiles at Kuwait, and nearby Iranian and Saudi cities near the Iraqi border due to a failed border war with Syria in 1983, causing severe economic recessions. The Iraqi Ba'ath party's desperate solution for this is to hold the middle east's largest oil-producing countries ransom. When the Iraqi Offensive of Iran began, the Shir 2L1's, along with M60A3s still in used, and their prepared crews successfully repelled Tank Offensives even though some land(mostly in the southern regions) where overrun by larger skilled T-72 regiments with Republican Guard Infantry support. And when more US troops started entering Iran and Saudi Arabia, a two-pronged counter-offensive into Iraq was enacted which resulted in many infamous tank battles. Western and allied middle eastern tanks had an advantage due to Iraq's army being starved of all supply and morale, some battles even resulted into entire divisions surrendering. Around 290 Shir 2L1s where Produced used during this war. And during in the final 2 weeks in the war, the Shir 2L2 was put into service. It was on-par with the M1A2, Challenger 2, and advanced locally upgraded T-72s from Egypt. During the end of the war, it proved itself to be an excellent tank that proved itself during many tank battles,

Despite of this, it still suffered technical problems with it's suspension in frequent severe malfunctions when hit by enemy shells and AT mines, this was fixed after the war. The engine, though good for the Leopard 2, it had problems dealing with the unusual sandy environment it had itself in. It usually malfunctions when too much dust and sand entered the engine bay during sandstorms. This was also fixed mid war through adding a filter behind the engine.

-Other Versions-


The ADEV was used as a demolition and engineer support tank, this was made due to the Imperial Iranian army's need of a demolition AFV for destroying structures that prevented the entrance of it's troops in a highly populated area. Like the ones they had faced and fought in Iraq. It entered service in 2000, given to engineer battalions of tank and infantry divisions

The Ajedha AAAIFV was a prototype in an attempt to make a multirole AFV mounting a modified version of the OTO Melara 76mm. It was planned to be Anti-Air, Long-Range Anti-Infantry/infantry support, and even a possible replacement for Mortars, since it can use it's radar and HESH/HE shells for precise artillery. Due to the complexity of the design of it's turret and it's unnecessity, it was canceled.

The Peshta APC was the result of the under protected APCs and it's flaws that they had at the time. The project was started in 2003 and it was meant to have it's own unique hull design, but due to costs and unavailability of viable designs, they decided to use the Shir 2's hull as a basis for it's design. Still, due to problems with armor complexity, the struggle to find the placement for the engine, and some cost and design constraints, it delayed in full production several times, until in 2017, a viable version was designed and tested as a prototype. It entered mass production in 2018, and a contract was made in 2019 to build 150 units until 2023.

-In Foreign Service-


The Shir 2E was an experiment into the military export industry, later on, it was in service on Two Countries: Iraq and Yemen.

The New Iraqi Army's Shir 2Es where in service in 2007, due to a need of replacing of their Outdated T-72s. They where in use during the siege of Mosul, it suffered to ATGM attacks and the lack of infantry support it had. Though in proper use, was able to retake the city in the final days of the siege.

Another foreign user was Yemen in 2008, which it was used to attack in terrorist hideouts and sieged towns. It was even sent to Eritrea as an intervention force, and had the same enemies it faced in Yemen.

-Modernization-


Though the Shir 2 proved itself in battle, it is slowly getting outdated as advanced protection systems and more effective munitions where introduced. It's first attempt at modernization was in 2009, when they develop the IRM112 APFSDS, locally designed and produced. Another attempt of modernization is the adaption of a tank-launched ATGM, the IDM228 "Rasteji". Then, on 2017, they revealed the Shir 2M "Mareza". A planned uparmored upgrade to their outdated Shir 2L2. About 250 where planned to be upgraded in this standard by 2025, and currently, about 9 where upgraded.

The final plan of modernization was through a joint-research program with Jordan. The ADWMBT(Advanced Desert Warfare Main Battle Tank) was created, firstly as a demonstrator model. It is to be fitted with an indigenous 140mm MA406 Gun. And as an addition to it's potential, the IDM406 "Arakh" was to be fired with this gun. The ADWMBT is currently under development as of this day.

-Bonus: Interior Layout Chart-


-Creator's Note-

I'll be doing a full-detailed AU on Operation Desert Sword soon, since this will be a part of my Kurdistan AU. I'm currently having a break from my Philippines AU. Cheers.

[ashebourton]

AU, M5-Block 1 Mattis Main Battle Tank


HISTORY: Owing to the experience of it's calvary units during the Invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq, the United States became surprisingly aware that it's current Main Battle Tank, the M1A2 Abrams was ill-equipped for the riggers of modern urban combat. With Israel's success in the Gaza War with their Merkava tank, the governments of Israel and the United States collaborated to develop a tank with better mobility and size for use on the modern battlefield. The turret and main gun is set further back to better gun clearance and facilitates better mobility in a MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) environment. The M5 bears the name of the 26th US Secretary of Defense and retired US Marine Corps General, James Norman Mattis.

ARMOR: The M5 Mattis shares similarities with the armor on the M1A2 Abrams consisting of depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor. This armor is capable of withstanding various tank shells used by multiple other nations. The low profile of the chassis provides adequate concealment when in a dug-in-emplacement. Reactive armor plating can easily be implemented onto the chassis and turret providing additional protection from kinetic and shape charged penetrators. Angled armor on the forward portion of the turret is able to deflect rounds and chafe/flare/smoke dispensers are also available. Exhaust deflectors and IR suppression technology is also employed on the back end of the chassis to mask 80% of the exhaust heat signature.

ARMAMENT: The main gun is a 120 mm MG253 smoothbore gun, the same used on the Merkava Mk4. The M5 has a round capacity of 45 rounds. standoff weaponry includes a forward M2 BMG with a capacity of 1,800 rounds mounted above the gunners hatch and a m249B machine gun with a capacity of 2,800 rounds for use by the tank commander.

[pegasus206]

ROCHFORT MBT HELLCAT 2

The Hellcat 2 is a main battle tank used by The Kingdomof Rochfort. The tank began development in 1969 and entered official service in 1979
DEVELOPMENT
In 1969 the Lynx Mbt was in service in the Rochfort Armed Forces, And the Army askt to look if it could be updated with a 120mm gun .But soon it was decided to build a new tank ,and a team was formed to design a new tank. They did look at the problems there were with the old tank , and to lessons learnd by the Israeli army in there tank wars. Witch lead to Design criteria 1971 and from this a prototype was build and afther a lot of problems with the engine and gearbox production started in 1979.
Design criteria include rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located closer to the rear than in most main battle tanks. With the engine in front, this layout is intended to grant additional protection against a frontal attack, so as to absorb some of the force of incoming shells especially for the personnel in the main hull, such as the driver. It also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity and a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. This allows the tank to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command and control station, and an infantry fighting vehicle. The rear entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel.





All Hellcat tanks can be fitted with a remote-controlled M2 Browning .50 heavy machine gun, aligned with the main gun and controlled from within the turret. The .50 machine gun has proven to be useful and effective in asymmetric warfare
The Hellcat 2 can drive through water 4 meters (13 ft) deep using a snorkel or 1.2 meters (3 ft 11 in) without any preparation. It can climb vertical obstacles over one metre high.
The side and the rear of the tank protect against heavy machine guns, medium caliber rounds and older types of tank ammunition. The side of the hull is covered by armour skirts to increase protection against projectiles and RPGs. The hull sides is covered by heavy ballistic skirts. For increased protection against mines, the sides of the hull floor are sloped by 45° and the floor is reinforced with corrugations.
The Hellcat 2's design follows the concept of compartmentation; possible sources of fire or explosions have been moved away from the crew. In the turret, the ammunition and the hydraulics are located in compartments separated from the crew. In case of a detonation, the blow-off panels on the compartment roofs will direct the explosion and fire away from the crew. The crew is also protected against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats, as the Hellcat 2 is equipped with a Dräger NBC overpressurization system, which provides up to 4 millibars (4.0 hPa) over-pressure inside the vehicle.
Two groups of four Wegmann 76 mm smoke mortars are mounted on either side of the turret and can be electrically fired either as single rounds or in salvos of four.

Specifications – HELLCAT 2A1
Type: Third-generation Main-Battle-Tank
Origin: Rochfort
Manufacturer: Tawue Military Vehicles/DeGreaff Heavy Industries
In Service: 1979 -onwards
No. Built: >3500 Hellcats
Weight: 63,74 tonnes
Length: 9.14m
Width: 3.66m
Height: 2.98m (commander's panoramic sight)
Crew: 4+ 4 troops
Armour: Chobham (classified)
Main Armament:
-1x 120mm RDI smootbore gun with 50 rounds stored in the hull And all hellcats can fire LAHAD missiles
Secondary Armament:
-1x 7,65mm Coaxial machine gun (4,200rds)
-1x 7,65mm MG-6 machine gun(1800rds)
-1x 12,7mm Heavy machine gun (1800rds)
Powerplant: MTU 1,200hp Twelve-cylinder turbo charged liquid cooled multi-fuel engine
Transmission: Renk/Swartz HSWL355 fully atomatic gearbox
Suspension: Torsion bar spring mounted support roller drive with hydraulic dampers
Ground clearance: Nominally 0.40m
Operational Range: 400km
Speed:
>65km/h On-road
>42km/h Off-road


HELLCAT 2A2
The Hellcat 2A2 had a increased fuel storage for increased range was installed on all further Hellcat 2A2. Many minor improvements were made to the fire-control system. Updated meteorological sensors, crosswind analyzers, and thermographic optics and image intensifiers gave greater visibility and battlefield awareness.

HELLCAT 2A3
With thermal optics and unspecified updates to the fire control system.and with more armor on the top of the turret to improve protection against attack from the air. External two-way telephone for secure communications between the tank crew and dismounted infantry,
Upgraded ammunition storage containers to minimize ammunition cook-off,
Addition of laser designators,

LCAT 2A4
New MTU V12 Turbocharged multi fuel engine 1300hp
New 120mm smoothbore gun
External two-way telephone for secure communications between the tank crew and dismounted infantry,
Addition of laser designators,


HELLCAT 2A5
Improved turred design
Upgraded fire-control system components, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit, provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move (an automatic target tracker),
Upgraded NBC protection systems,
Locally developed central air-conditioning system

HELLCAT 2A6
New turred design and new Armour : Chobham / Dorchester Level 2 (classified)
New MTU 1500hp v12 dubble turbo watercooled multi fuel engine
Upgraded and strengthened track
When ammunition is unloaded the tank can carry up to 8 dismounted soldiers or 3 stretchers. Troops enter and leave the vehicle through the rear hatch.

HELLCAT 2A7
Impoved turred
The model has a new fire-control system, the El-Op Knight Mark 4. The computer-controlled fire control system can acquire and lock onto moving targets, even airborne helicopters, while the tank itself is on the move. It includes line-of-sight stabilisation in two axes, a second-generation television sight and automatic thermal target tracker, a laser range finder, an improved thermal night vision system and a dynamic cant angle indicator. An Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning receiver notifies the crew of threats like laser-guided anti-tank missiles,which can fire smoke grenade launchers to obscure the tank from the laser beam. Electromagnetic warning against radar illumination is also installed.

HELLCAT 2A8
Add on pantser on the hull
equipped with the Trophy active protection system (APS), The Trophy APS successfully intercepted rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles, including 9M133 Kornets


HELLCAT 2A9
Are planned to begin trials and testing sometime in 2020. The new tank will use advanced artificial intelligence capability to reduce the team members’ workload and help them more accurately locate and strike targets. "The tank’s sensors, along with a 360-degree camera fitted outside the tank, will allow troops to remain in the tank at all times". A new smart helmet, similar to the one Elbit Systems’ has developed for the F-35, will allow the commander of the tank to see exactly what happens outside the tank.The task computer of the Hellcat 2A9 will present all informationll to crew members, and to the other tanks and vehicles present in the field, and provide more precise and rapid fire closure, which will allow the new tank to eliminate the target before it disappears.



Bison 1 AEV vehicle : 165 mm Gun.
Rhino 1 en 2 155mm sp how: Rhino 1 range 18 km RAP 30km Rhino 2 range 35km max range 56 km depending from used Ammo

Cheetah 1: 4x Roland AA missiles + inhul 6 extra missiles
Cheetha 2: 2 x 35 mm Oerlikon guns + 8 starstreak missiles


Hellcats in foreign sercive

[madmike]

A great and complete work... leave only a 'Namer Style' APC.