Main Battle Tanks | Page 2 | World Defense

Main Battle Tanks

joshua minaya

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With this kind of tankers i don't think anyone should be messing around with Russians . I am really impressed with what they have over there.
 

joshua minaya

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i am really impressed with this battle tanks it will certainly go a long way in helping military combat. I am quite sure of that.
 

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Al Khalid Main Battle Tank


Al-Khalid_IDEAS_2012.jpg




Description

The Al-Khalid is a modern main battle tank developed and manufactured in Pakistan by the local company Heavy Industries Taxila for the Pakistan Army. The Al Khalid tank is based on the Chinese Norinco Type-90-II Main Battle Tank (MBT). The Al Khalid has been developed in association with China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), which is also marketing a similar vehicle on the export market called the Main Battle Tank 2000. At this time, around 300 Al-Khalid tanks are used by the Pakistani army, and in the future 250 more tanks will be added to the Pakistani Armed Forces.



Variants

Al-Khalid II:

new upgrade armour


Armament
Main battle tank Al-Khalid is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore, auto-frettaged and chrome-plated gun barrel which can fire APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS conventional ammunition and the Russian-designed 9M119 Refleks ATGM (AT-11 Sniper, produced in China under licence). The Al-Khalud tank is also armed with a 7.62 mm-coaxial machine gun, a 12.7 mm externally-mounted air-defence machine gun that can be aimed/fired from within the tank and smoke grenade launchers.


Design and protection

The Al Khalid layout is conventional, with the driver’s compartment at the front, turret in the centre and the power pack at the rear. In many respects it appears to be almost identical to the Chinese Norinco Type 90-II MBT. The turret and hull are of all-welded steel armour construction and an additional layer of composite armour has been added over the frontal arc, to which explosive reactive armour can be added if required. Al-Khalid has modular composite armour and explosive reactive armour, nuclear-biological-chemical defences, an effective thermal smoke generator, internal fire extinguisher and explosion-suppression system.

Propulsion

The production model Al-Khalid is powered by a 6TD-2 liquid-cooled diesel engine, designed by the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau (KMDB) of Ukraine. he suspension of each side is composed by six roads wheels with the with the drive sprocket at the rear, the idler at the front and track-return rollers. Wheels and tracks are protected by rubber hull skirts.
Accessories

The standard version of the Al-Khalid is equipped with a snorkel. The snorkel system allows the tank to cross water obstacles up to 5 meters deep, after some preparation by the crew. Navigation is assisted by an inertial navigation system (INS) and a GPS satellite navigation system.

Specifications
Armament
One 125mm gun, one coaxial machine gun 7.62 mm and one anti-aicrfat machine gun 12.7 mm
Country users
Pakistan
Designer Country
China - Pakistan - Ukraine
Accessories
Fire control system, laser warning system, lase range finder, NB protection, night vision.
Crew
3
Armor
All-welded steel armour, reactive and composite armour
Weight
47,000 kg
Speed
72 km/h maximum road speed
Range
450 km

Dimensions
Length, 6.9 m; Width, 3.4 m; Height, 2.3 m

Al-Khalid_main_battle_tank_pakistani_army_Pakistan_line_drawing_blueprint_001.jpg
 

RobertNick

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This is rather scary stuff, but doesn't move very well in water tho. I'd love to see some war footage based on this, showing it off in full action.
 

tournique

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Performance on water could get better but it excels in other areas. Looks pretty scary with all these specs
160584261.jpg
 

fire421

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Great photos. The tank has a very nice lookout and looks awesome.
 

RobertNick

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otvaga2004_t72_gorod_004.jpg


Looks menacing too, just look at it. A tank should always have a strong, powerful look, sometimes you don't even have to fire the cannon if the look alone scares off everyone.
 

Scorpion

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Merkava Main Battle Tank | Israel


Merkava4byMichaedMass.jpg


Merkava Mk. 4 Main Battle Tank, at the The Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun (Yad La-Shiryon).
The Merkava Mk.4 is one of the most advanced tanks in the world. Photo by Michael Mass.

ISRAEL'S MAIN BATTLE TANK: THE MERKAVA (CHARIOT)

HISTORY:

The Sinai Campaign of 1956 was characterized by mobile, armored warfare. Israel deployed 200 tanks in Sinai, versus 150 tanks deployed by the Egyptians.

Since the Sinai Campaign, the land war between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations has become a war of highly mobile and armored formations. A total of 2,500 tanks were deployed during the Six-Day War by Israel and the enemies. 6,200 tanks engaged in combat during the Yom-Kippur war. Since the Sinai Campaign, thousands of tanks have been destroyed in battle.

Today, the tank is central to the art of war, and is considered the primary decisive factor on the modern land battlefield.

Prior to the Sinai Campaign Egypt received, within the framework of the "Czechoslovakian Arms Deal", 300 Soviet tanks and tank destroyers, including the Stalin-3 and T-34 tanks and SU-100 tank destroyers. This was considered an impressive addition to the Egyptian armored fleet, which at that time numbered some 430 western armored vehicles, of various types.

At that time, Israeli weaponry was always inferior in both qualitative and quantitative aspects, consisting mainly of World War Two vintage Shermans, and French AMX-13 tanks. Some years later, Israel managed to acquire some British Centurions and American M48 Patton tanks, and more recently, some American M60 Main Battle Tanks. But the numeric and qualitative inferiority continued, and Israel had no option except to start developing their own armored force, with whatever resources available.

The first step was the modernization of the tanks and armored vehicles they already had. Israel proved, by the means of their ingenuity, to be able to upgrade their available armored force up to a point that they could, by the means of a very well thought concept of combined arms warfare, plus the introduction of new training systems for their troops, to defeat all threats and to advance and occupy part of enemy territory, overcoming the superiority those enemies appeared to have.

In time, the continuity of the ever present possibility of war ensued the decision, by the Israelis, to develop their own Main Battle Tank. The original plan was for the development of a tank to be based primarily on existing systems and components. But, as a result of various know-how restrictions, specific technological reasons and operational requirements, it become clear that if Israel was to develop an entirely new tank, it would necessarily have be based not only on existing systems, but also on entirely new developments and original components.

With the objective of reducing the development time to a minimum, it was adopted a philosophy of "telescopic development" process. This method is characterized by the start of serial production, based on prototypes, before completion of all development and demonstration stages. So, the last development stages were happening as the production process itself was going on.

Merkava Development:

Merk-Mk1.gif

Merkava Mk.1
Merk-Mk2.gif

Merkava Mk.2
Merk-Mk3.gif

Merkava Mk.3
It was also decided to utilize the industrial infrastructures existing within the IDF, the civilian and governmental military industries, expanding the manufacturing potential of existing plants where necessary. The existing IDF basic tank depot was to be utilized as the tank's final assembly plant. In addition, two hundred industrial plants would be upgraded with new technologies and capabilities, as required for the manufacture of the thousands of parts, components and systems, needed for the production of the Merkava MBT. It was decided that any technological knowledge which may be lacking would be acquired in part from abroad, and in part developed within the country's own defense and industrial establishments and by Israeli research institutes.


THE MERKAVA


merkava-mk2.jpg

The Merkava Mk. 2
The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces. The first Merkava Mk 1 tanks were supplied to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 1979. Production of the Mk 1 continued up to 1983, when the IDF began to receive the Merkava Mk 2. The Mk 2 featured improved mobility, fire control system and armour, as well as the inclusion of an internal 60 mm mortar. Production of Mk 2 continued until 1990 when it was superseded by the Mk 3. The Merkava Mk 3 Baz entered service with the IDF at the beginning of 1990. The main features of the Merkava Mk 3 are a new suspension system, a 1200 horsepower engine and new transmission, a higher power main gun, and particularly new armour protection. Ballistic protection is provided by special armour modules, which are attached to the tank by bolts. These are easily replaced whenever better ballistic technology is introduced. About 1200 Merkava Mk 2 and Mk 3 tanks are in service with the IDF.

Merkava-Mk-3-Baz.jpg

The Merkava Mk 3 Baz with 4th generation sloped armour packs, fitted to the turret sides.
The Merkava is the innovative Israeli design of Major General Israel Tal. The primary design criteria was crew survivability. Every part of the overall design is expected to contribute to helping the crew survive. The engine is in the front to provide protection to the crew. There is a special protective umbrella for the tank commander to enable protection from indirect fire with the hatches open. Special "spaced armor" is in use along with protected fuel and ammo compartments. Rear ammunition stowage is combined with a rear entrance and exit. Since the rounds are stowed in containers that can be removed from the vehicle whenever necessary, this space can accommodate tank crewmen who have been forced to abandon their vehicles, or, if thought to be appropriate, even infantrymen. Rear ammunition stowage allows replenishment much more easily than if rounds have to be replaced in a carousel in the hull center, as in typical Russian vehicles. Tank soldiers have long admired Merkava's rear entrance and exit, recognizing that it would allow them to mount and dismount unobserved by the enemy and would provide an excellent alternative escape route. The Merkava can also carry a small Infantry squad internally under complete armored protection.

MerkavaMk3byJodyHarmon.jpg

An Israeli Merkava 3 main battle tank just after firing its 120mm smoothbore gun. Golan Heights, late 1990's.
[URL='http://www.jodyharmon.com/']Art courtesy of Jody Harmon. [/URL]

Merkava Mk-4


Merkava4byMichaedMass2.jpg

Merkava Mk.4 Main Battle Tank. Photo by Michael Mass.
The IDF has begun to equip itself with the Merkava Mk-4 tank, which was completely developed in Israel and is considered one of the best tanks in the world. The new tank, a fourth generation of the Israeli tank, is currently in production, and is expected to enter operational status with a regular tank brigade, replacing older M-60 (Magach) tanks currently in service. It represents a sensible improvement over its three predecessors of the Merkava series, being a more lethal weapon on the one hand, and a safer vehicle for its crew, on the other.

Merkava-Mk-IV-Front.jpg
Merkava-Mk-IV-Back.jpg

The new Merkava Mk. 4: Front view. Back view of the Merkava Mk. 4.
The Merkava Mk-4 includes innovations in all tank quality components - protection and survivability, firepower and mobility.

Protection and survivability

The principles on which the design of the Merkava tank family development was based have been applied again in the Merkava Mk-4. Priority has been given to protection and survivability, utilizing the tank's systems for protecting the crew (the engine is installed in the front of the tank), with storage of ammunition in protected containers, automatic fire suppression system, an overpressure NBC system, and more.

Unique among the main battle tanks of the world, the Merkava design features a front-mounted power pack, which presents a heavy mass in the forward area, protecting the crew from enemy attack. Enemy fire directly striking the front of the tank, the most likely point of attack, is absorbed by the mass of the engine block, protecting the crew. This configuration also cleared room at the rear section for a safe exit and enough space to carry a few fully armed infantrymen, in addition to the crew. The rear access hatch allows for the quick and safe exit of injured crewmen or pickup of wounded soldiers for evacuation.

The Merkava is one of the best protected tanks in the world. Its advanced protective systems provide increased protection against penetration of APFSDS shells and all known ATGM's, and its sensors are capable of detecting the launch of such missiles in advance, including laser-guided missiles. The tank's is fitted with the Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system, with threat warning display installed at the commander's station.

Merkava4byEdBrighton1.jpg

A view of the Merkava Mk.4 top armor. The Merkava Mk.4 is one of the best protected tanks in the world.
Photo by Ed Brighton.
In the Merkava Mk-4, the ballistic protection is modular and provides more effective protection against modern threats, involving both protection efficiency and coverage area. Above all, the ballistic protection includes roof protection, which provides a capability against overhead attacks. The electromagnetic threat identification warning system is an advanced generation of its predecessor in the Mk-3. The turret and the hull are fitted with a modular armour system which can be changed in the field. The forward section of the turret is fitted with additional blocks of armour which provide extra protection against the latest generation of top attack anti-tank missiles. A skirt of chains with ball weights is installed on the lower half of the turret bustle. Incoming HEAT projectiles detonate on impact with the chains instead of penetrating the turret ring. Sprung armour side skirts protect the wheels and tracks.

Firepower

The tank is equipped with a 120-mm gun that is an advanced generation of the type developed for the Merkava Mk-3. Its 120mm gun is also modified to sustain higher pressures, resulting in improved range and penetration performance. The new gun provides for firing of high-power munitions with increased penetrating capabilities. The ready-to-fire ammunition is stored in a protected compartment. The system allows the loader to semi-automatically select the desired ammunition type.

10P Revolving Magazine of the Merkava Mk. 4
Merk-Mk4-Autoloader.jpg


A microprocessor controlled, fully automated, electrically driven, 120 mm rounds magazine. The system is located in an isolated space of the turret and is designed to protect the crew in case of ammunition explosion. The system is easy to operate from the crew compartment. The loader can select proper ammunition out of four different types and 10 rounds total.

The tank's new fire control system includes modern components, whose capabilities are very high in detection range and target acquisition. The night vision system is based on the world's leading thermal technology. The automatic tracking ability has been significantly improved. The systems provide for the implementation of an effective combat doctrine in target acquisition, allocation and destruction by commander and gunner. The tank is equipped with a modern fire control and sighting system which includes computerized ballistic calculations and compensations, a dual axes stabilized gunner sight and a dual axis stabilized commander panoramic sight, both equipped with an advanced FLIR and TV channels for day and night operation. The system is equipped with an improved tracking system which enables tracking of moving targets, such as tanks, helicopters, vehicles or soldiers. It also enables locking the sight and gun on targets when the tank is on the move, utilizing the ultra-fast gun stabilization and electrical turret drive system. Merkava Mk-4 is believed to be protected by a new type of hybrid armour, which can be conformed from modular elements, to match specific threats. The Mk-4 retains the hull design of the previous Merkava versions.

The tank also utilize the Battle Management System (BMS) designed by Elbit Systems' ElOp - the system is providing fast communication networking between the commander and subordinate units, and enables the crew to plan missions, navigate and continuously update their situation awareness. The system also enables recording and debriefing the operation, by utilizing the tank's digital recorder. The Merkava Mk4 is equipped with the new VDS-60 digital data recorder produced by Vectop, it records and restores the sight images and observation data collected during the mission. The capture of such images can also be shared by other elements, which are networked with the BMS, to enable reporting of enemy targets. This concept is rapidly becoming an essential part of the "digitized land forces" integrated battlefield concept, combining tanks, anti-tank and combat helicopters in a combined task force at various levels. Each crew member has an individual flat-panel color displays showing the status of systems each member is responsible for. The gunner and commander can also see the sight images on their individual screens. The commander can use his display for map navigate, orientation and reporting.

For example, the driver can see a rear and side view of the tank from the closed compartment. This capability is derived from a new, and unique system called Tank Sight System, developed by Vectop. The system provides video coverage the tank's surroundings in day and night. It improves safety, especially when traveling backwards and in conditions where the driver's visibility is impaired. Merkava Mk 4 uses four cameras installed in hardened cases embedded outside the tank. These cameras are providing full peripheral view displayed on high resolution monitors installed at the driver's position and in the fighting compartment.

Another feature provided by the "computerization" of the Merkava Mk4 is the introduction of "integrated training capability", providing the crew and unit a sophisticated training environment based on their tanks and readily available in the field. This capability will be integrated with the "virtual scenario" a set of virtual terrain features, friendly and enemy elements, and "intelligent" behaviors based on pre-set maneuvers, doctrinal concepts etc. All will be presented to the tank crew, and unit members, through their observation systems, sights and sensors, to support a comprehensive training scene in the field.

The system which supports the firepower is controlled by displays and advanced operating systems, helping the commander with effective data communication and battle management. The tank carries an ammunition store of 50 rounds of 120 mm ammunition. The tank is also equipped with three 7.62 mm machine guns, two roof mounted and one co-axial with the main gun. The tank carries a store of 10,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.

The 60 millimeter mortar system, which is a large caliber gun with a low muzzle velocity, is capable of firing high explosive rounds and illumination bombs. The crew can load, aim and fire the mortar system from within the turret. The mortar system is developed by Soltam Limited of Haifa.

MerkavaMk3-firing-lahat120.jpg

Merkava Mk.3 firing a LAHAT 120mm missile from a hull-down position.
A series of live firing tests of the LAHAT - Laser Guided anti-tank missile developed by IAI/MBT (Israel Aircraft Industries-MBT Division) included the firing of 120mm missiles, adapted for smooth-bore guns used on Merkava Mk3, Merkava Mk4, Leopard 2A5/6 and M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks. The missile is also designed for employment from launch tubes, where it could be deployed from fixed positions, light vehicles or APC's. The missile’s trajectory can be set to match either tank (top attack) or helicopter (direct attack) engagement. Finally, the missile uses a tandem warhead which can defeat modern armour and reactive panels. The main warhead has a high penetration capability, defeating all known armored vehicles at high impact angles typical of top attack trajectories.

Mobility

The Merkava Mk-4 tank is equipped with a modern engine. This is a 1,500 horse power American-built diesel engine, controlled by a computer connected both to the driver's panel and to the modern automatic transmission system, affording the tank greater power than the previous version, which has a 1,200-horsepower engine. Some of the new models have already covered more than 10,000 kilometers in field tests. The engine and transmission constitute a power pack that is considered a world leader. The great power of the engine, in conjunction with the strong suspension based on that of the Mk-3, provide the tank with high mobility and maneuverability. The installation of the new power pack in the Merkava tank has allowed for a redesign of the hull in a way that has improved frontal protection and the driver's field of view. For improving reverse driving, a camera has been developed which enables the driver to look behind the tank while driving backwards without requiring commander or ground direction.

According to the tank's designers, headed by the progenitor of the Merkava, Maj. Gen. (res.) Israel Tal, the fourth generation represents a quantum leap forward. Part of the revolution lies in the fact that the tank will, for the first time, be equipped with full perimeter defense, both vertical and horizontal. This, combined with an advanced observation and control system, will enable the tank commander to function from the turret with full protection from external threats such as anti-tank missiles.

The engine pack is easily replaced. The tank is powered by the new General Dynamics GD833 1,500-horsepower direct injection, liquid cooled diesel engine, (co-produced in the USA by General Dynamics and MTU). This type is also powering the French Leclerc MBT. This powerful weighs 1.9 tons net, and 4.9 tons with its entire power-pack. This powerful engine affords the tank greater mobility than the previous versions, which had the 900 and 1,200-horsepower engines. The tank utilizes an electric turret and gun control system, designed by Elbit Systems, which comprises two electrical brushless motors, produced by Bental Industries.

The Merkava Mk-4 is expected to be equipped with an active full perimeter defense, which utilizes, among other capabilities, warning against laser-guided threats. The Mk-4 like its predecessors, is also equipped with a central filtering system designed by Kinetics, which maintains positive air pressure at the fighting compartment, for protection in a chemical biological and radiological (CBR) environment. The system also provides air conditioning for individual crew members (micro-cooling) and for the entire cabin, as well as auxiliary power when positioned at “silent watch” for battery recharging.



merkava-twilight.jpg


Merkava Tanks- Comparative of Main Properties
Merkava-Model-Comparative.jpg

Source: Israeli Defense Forces Web Site
 

Rainshield7

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This is a very detailed specs and history of the M1A1 Abrams Tank. I did not think there were previous versions of this awesome tank. I could never know that much about an incredible tank.
 

Gabriel92

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C'mon,no posts about the leclerc ?

The French AMX-56 Leclerc Main Battle Tank


When a country is looking to develop a new tank, it looks at and prioritises three main area’s to determine its battle survivability, lethality, armoured protection or mobility. Though the Leclerc has good armour, its main strengths are mobility and lethality.

The development program for a replacement to Frances AMX-30′s which had been in service since the 1950′s begun in 1977. Originally the Leclerc’s development had been a joint project with West Germany and was known as the EPC (Engin Principal de Combat), but was cancelled in 1982 and the French arms manufacture GIAT took over its development. In 1986 the first EPC prototype was completed and re-named ‘Leclerc’ in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque. The General had been the commander of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division during the Second World War and had led the drive into Paris during its liberation after the Normandy landings.



Mass production of the tank started in 1990. It entered service with the French Army in 1992 and with the United Arab Emirates in 1995. The second series started with batch 6, with an added climate control system, Batch 7 introduced a transmission system to the command vehicle. Batch 8 was a modernisation of the electronic systems, and batch 9 replaced the visor with a SAGEM Iris system with thermal imaging, which allows acquisition of targets at a greater range. All previous batches will be modernised up to the standards of batch 9. The final delivery of batch number 10, the S-XXI series, was made in 2007 to the French Army bringing the final total to 406 Leclerc’s. 320 of them will make up 4 regiments each of them having 80 Leclerc Main Battle Tanks.

5.jpg


The Leclerc (AKA AMX-56) is in the same league as other NATO tanks and is certainly in the top three best modern MBT’s. The French Leclerc is all about speed. Its the lightest modern NATO tank weighting 56tons (some 10+ tons lighter than the M1-A2), as it has a much smaller hull and turret, giving it an added bonus of excellent Strategic mobility. It carries a SACM V8X-1500 4-stroke liquid cooled V8 diesel engine, which generates 1500hp thanks to its Hyperbar process. By using exhaust flow from a gas turbine, it gives extra boost to the engines turbo charger. Added with its computerised EMS500 automatic gearbox and its lightweight, the Leclerc is able to do 0 to 30kph in less than 6 seconds. Its capable of carrying 1300 litres of diesel fuel giving it a 550km fighting range. The Leclerc has a top road speed is 72 km/h and can go up 55 km/h off road thanks to its hydrogas suspension.

The UAE version has been adapted for tropical and desert conditions. It uses the MTU 883 V-12 diesel engine providing 1500hp, coupled with the Renk HSWL295 TM automatic transmission. This has meant the hull has had to be extended at the rear to fit the larger MTU engine, diesel auxiliary power unit and fuel tanks.

The UAE have ordered 390 Leclerc’s and 46 ARV’s. Deliveries of the Leclerc were completed in May 2004, deliveries of the ARV’s should have been completed in 2008. The UAE Leclerc’s were the first to be equipped with a Battle Management System called FINDERS.

10.jpg


The batch 10 S-XXI series for the French Army, are equipped with a Thales SIT and ICONE battle management system and combat net radio. Currently their are 100 Leclerc’s equipped with these new systems and enable it to set its pace to the enemy through the exchange of digitized data including, tactical situational awareness (the positions of allied/hostile forces & designated targets as well as route and mission planning) with the graphic orders displayed on a background map, between the vehicle and higher level command. All other btch’s will be bought up to this grade.

The commander’s sight is the SOIM HL70, which has optic filters and image intensifier for night vision and has the priority control over the gunner’s sight for aiming and firing, giving the tank the ‘hunter killer’ capability.

But it’s not only the tanks speed that is fast, its also it’s firing rate. The Leclerc has an auto loader situated in the turrets bustle, which allows for a smaller crew space in the turret and a lower profile, making it a harder to hit. The auto loader is fed through a two layer magazine which contains 22 rounds and a further 18 rounds are kept in storage and by reading a barcode on the round, it is able to load the type of round the gunner selects. The gunner’s sight is the SAGEM HL60, which has a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging and stabilized aiming unit, which allows it to fire on the move giving it a 95% hit rate. The digital fire control system allows the gunner or commander to select a total of 6 targets in 30seconds. With all these features, it can boast a fire rate of 12 rounds per minute from its main cannon.

The gunner’s station is equipped with gunner’s main sight, three periscopes and a visual display unit. The gunner’s stabilised sight is the SAVAN 20 from Safran, which contains a three-field-of-view thermal imager. The driver has three periscopes, the centre periscope is the OB-60 driver’s sight developed by Thales Optronique (formerly Thomson-CSF), which has day and night capabilities.



The cannon is the French produced CN120-26 120mm smoothbore, which fires APFSDS (1,790 m/s muzzle velocity) and HEAT rounds. The Leclerc enjoyed the title of having the longest cannon in NATO at 52cal Length, until the Challenger 2, with its L30 55cal Length cannon entered the battlefield. But the Leclerc’s cannon is still longer than the smoothbore cannons on the M1-A1/A2, Leopard 2 A4/A5, Merkava, Ariete and various up-graded M60 series, this means it produces higher muzzle velocity, so has more range and greater punch through armour over these tanks. The Leclerc is also the only NATO tank to carry a 12.7 mm coaxial MG. On top of the turret there is also a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft MG in an armoured casing.

The Leclerc is equipped with the Nexter and Lacroix Tous Artifices developed Galix combat vehicle protection system. Nine 80mm launch tubes housing smoke, anti-personnel or infrared decoy grenades are fitted on either side of the turret roof.

Nexter has also developed the KBCM defensive aids suite. Evaluated by the French Army, the system warns of a laser (used by guidance systems of ATM) being pointed at the vehicle, as well as incoming missiles and is also able to jam Infra-Red. It can be integrated in to the FINDERS/ICONE battle management system.

Its armour is and placed directly on to the tank in modules. The original armour system was a perforated steel plates or spaced, inserted in to the modules. On batch 10, the Leclerc retained its modules but instead inserted titanium/tungsten tiles (a basic composite armour to shatter APFSDS). It’s also beleived that NERA is then placed either behind or in front of those tiles in the modules to defeat HEAT. How ever, the light weight of the vehicle would suggest that the titanium/tungsten tiles are not as thick as the armour used on the Challenger 2 or M1-A2.

4.jpg


The Leclerc ARV is the New Generation Recovery Vehicle (NGRV) It’s hull has been lengthened with seven pairs of wheels. It’s equipped with a hydraulic blade at the front to clear battlefield obstacles. The vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic crane rated to lift 30000kg loads and a winch with 180m cable rated at 35000kg. A secondary winch is rated at 1500kg. The crane and winch systems are supplied by Rheinmetall Landsystemes GmbH.

9.jpg


The Leclerc has not seen any serious combat , but 15 were deployed in Kosovo for UN peace-keeping duties as well as South Lebanon.

The French AMX-56 Leclerc Main Battle Tank | TankNutDave

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The Azur Kit

100_1710.jpg



Shells

Munitions.jpg


The leclerc can fire shells while moving at~50km/h

Gunner's position:

http:///attachments/lecler18-jpg.185217/

Commander's position:


http:///attachments/lecler19-jpg.185218/

--

interieur-char-leclec.jpg

1024px-Leclerc-IMG_1717.jpg
 
Last edited:

TommyVercetti

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The leclerc looks like a piece of art and is surely a testament to modern engineering capabilities. I was surprised that the manufacturers were French, I had no idea they were making tanks. It looks as though the leclerc is favored by armies worldwide, from NATO to the UAE to Israel. Very impressive indeed.
 

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The T-84 is a Ukrainian main battle tank, a development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank, designed by KMDB in Kharkiv. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel engine T-80 variant, the T-80UD. Its high-performance opposed-piston engine makes it one of the fastest main battle tanks in the world, with a power-to-weight ratio of about 26 horsepower per tonne (19 kW/t). The T-84 Oplot is an advanced version incorporating an armoured ammunition compartment in a new turret bustle; ten of these entered Ukrainian service in 2001.
Development of the T-84 began in the late 1980s. In the mid 1990s a contract was signed with Ukraine to supply 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan. After collapse of the Soviet Union fulfilling the contract was difficult due to disturbed nature of Soviet military industry. A number of T-80UD parts were produced in Russia and their acquisition was troublesome. Also Russia interfered politically and at the same time competed on international market with their new T-90 MBT. This forced to develop local capabilities in Ukraine, resulting in the T-84. This tank was revealed in 1995.
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Design
the tank has a conventional layout with the driver's compartment at the front, fighting compartment in the middle and engine at the rear, accommodating a crew of three members.

The driver sitting in the center is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right. The commander on the right and the gunner on the left have single-piece hatches.

Tank has a length of 9.7 m (including the forward-facing gun), a width of 3.4 m without removable side skirts, and a height of 2.8 m. The combat weight of the tank is 51 tons.
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Armaments
The Oplot MBT is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore KBA-3 cannon, a KT-7.62 (PKT) Coaxial machine gun and a KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun. The main gun is fed by a loading system equipped with conveyor, automatic loader and control system. The ammunition includes high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot (APFSDS), high explosive anti tank (HEAT) and gun mount (GM) rounds.

The main gun can also fire a laser guided missile against battle tanks, armoured vehicles and hovering helicopters within the range of 5,000m. The missile can be fired on the move against travelling targets. The tandem warhead fitted on the missile can defeat targets equipped with explosive reactive armour and advanced spaced armour.

The Oplot has 46 rounds of ammunition for the main gun, of which 28 rounds are placed in the automatic loader. Other ammunition types carried are 1,250 rounds for KT-7.62 machine gun, 450 rounds for KT-12.7 machine gun and 450 rounds for AKS submachine gun.
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Fire control
The vehicle has three forward-facing periscopes in front of the driver's cupola. The centre periscope can be replaced with a night driving device.

The fire control system includes a gunner's day sight, PNK-6 commander's panoramic sighting system, PTT-2 thermal imaging sight, anti-aircraft sight and anti-aircraft machine gun control system. Detection range of targets for thermal sighting system is up to 8 km.

The tank is also equipped with LIO-V ballistic computer, armament stabiliser and other systems.

The advanced fire-control system enables the gunner or commander to lay and fire the main armament on the move. The stationary and moving targets can be hit with a high first round hit probability.
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Protection
The protection system includes multilayer passive armour, Nozh-2 explosive reactive armour, Zaslon active protection system, Varta optronic countermeasures system and other tank protection means.

Built-in new generation Nozh-2 anti-tandem-warhead explosive reactive armour protects against APFSDS, (HESH) or high-explosive plastic (HEP) and HEAT-type projectiles.

Nozh-2 ensures protection against:

  • hand anti-tank grenades, hand-held and stationary grenade launchers and recoilless guns (including ammunition with tandem warheads)
  • anti-tank missiles of TOW-2, MILAN and Shturm-S type
  • HEAT projectiles fired by 125 mm tank smoothbore guns
  • APFSDS projectiles fire by 125 mm and 120 mm tank guns
Both sides of the driver's compartment are fitted with explosive reactive armour panels for extended protection. The hull sides are hinged with large rubber skirts to withstand the attacks of man-portable anti-tank weapons. The modular explosive reactive armour package can be easily replaced or upgraded according to the future requirements.

Oplot features a Varta optronic countermeasures system for deceiving incoming missiles and anti-tank guided weapons. The system integrates laser warning sensors, infra-red jammer and smoke / aerosol screen laying system. The optronic countermeasure system provides:

  • confusing of the guidance systems of ATGM by putting out laser jamming covering the horizontal plane of ±18° relative to the main gun tube and ±2° in the vertical plane
  • jamming of the ATGM guidance systems that use laser illumination of targets, semi-automatic laser guided homing projectiles as well as artillery systems equipped with laser range-finders by activating the remote fast-deploying aerosol screens in a sector of ±45° relative to the main gun tube
Crew's collective protection system ensures protection of the crew and interior equipment against effects of nuclear explosions, radioactive substances, toxic agents and biological warfare agents, as well as detection and suppression of fires in the crew compartment and power pack compartment.

The Oplot tank can withstand an explosion of up to 10 kg trinitrotoluene (TNT) under the tank track and up to 4 kg TNT under the driver's compartment. The vehicle has overpressure-type NBC protection system and can be fitted with track mine-clearing systems.


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Mobility
BM Oplot is powered by a 6TD-2E 6-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled engine, which delivers 1,200 hp (882 kW). It is improved and more environmentally friendly version of the previous 6TD-2 diesel engine, used on the T-84 MBT. Also tank would be powered by a more powerful 6TD-3 diesel, developing 1,500 hp. Both engines could use diesel, jet engine fuel, petrol or any mixtures of them.

The engine provides a maximum on-road speed of 70 km/h and a range of 500 km with additional fuel tanks. The battle tank is also equipped with a diesel-electric auxiliary power unit (10kW) to supply power to onboard systems when the main engine is turned off.

BM Oplot is equipped with torsion bar type suspension. Either side of the six dual rubber-tyred road wheels are provided with idler at forward, drive sprocket at the rear, and track support rollers.

The first, second and sixth road wheel stations are fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers. The tank can negotiate a gradient of 320 and side slope of 250. Equally, the tank can ford a water depth of 5m using deep water fording equipment.


Oplot is an improved version of the T-84, fitted with new turret. A small number of the T-84 Oplot MBTs is in service with Ukrainian Army;

Yatagan is a prototype main battle tank, intended for export. It is a further development of the Oplot, featuring a 120-mm gun, compatible with the standard NATO tank munitions and special version of the Russian AT-11 Sniper anti-tank guided missiles. It has a new turret with ammunition stored in a separate compartment in the turret bustle with blow-out panels. This model also has a new autoloader;

Oplot-M, fitted with new Duplet (Nozh-2) ERA armor that protects against tandem warheads;

Atlet armored recovery vehicle. It is also referred as the BREM-84;

BMU-84 bridgelayer;

BTMP-84 prototype main battle tank, capable of carrying 5 dismounts



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