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Sturgeon's House

SH_MM

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Everything posted by SH_MM

  1. The chamber volume of a 120 x 570 mm smoothbore gun is 10.2 litres. So ASCALON's would be ~20 litre-ish (while basically the whole sabot of APFSDS rounds would be included in that).
  2. It is a screenshot from Nexter's ASCALON testing video (available on YouTube and the earlier posted tweet).
  3. No, the size of both guns is pretty much comparable. Also both of them have the same quoted weight (3,000 kilograms). The breech block of the current ASCALON prototype is bigger than Rheinmetall's, but it is supposedly to be changed in the future. I guess the polygonal shape of the thermal sleeve make the barrel appear thicker, so the gun might seem shorter/smaller in relation to that. However the overall length of the ASCALON gun (including muzzle brake) is greater. Not entirely for scale, just estimated based on the rough figures given for barrel lenght.
  4. They didn't pay any attention to hide the signature of the exhaust? Seriously? Even the original ASCOD has that fixed.
  5. Supposedly the first buyer is Indonesia for the Leopard 2RI.
  6. Rheinmetall is not trying to get the MGCS cancelled. The MGCS means much more money for Rheinmetall (and more capabilities for the German and French Armies) than the Panther. The KF51 has been specifically described as "export tank" by Rheinmetall staff with the goal of maturing new Rheinmetall-made components to gain a competitive advantage over KDNS in the MGCS program. I.e. if the 130 mm L/51 gun already has a number of users, it is more likely to be selected than Nexter's 140 mm ASCALON. The same applies to APS, electronic architecture, control panels, armor package, etc.
  7. Not sure if it was stated here already, but C. G. Haenel's lawsuit was dismissed, thus the planned purchase of the HK416A8 as part of German Army's G36 replacement program can move forward.
  8. I don't think the turret has "chuncked up", that is mostly the Trophy APS. There likely is no wasted space in the hull. The turret seemigly lacks the volume to integrate many components found on the current Leopard 2A7 and Leclerc XLR turrets (air-conditioning unit, comm server, computers, etc.). Furthermore the autoloader holds only 22 rounds of main gun ammunition, which is not sufficient for a modern MBT. As the frontal hull is now fully occupied by the crew (the fourth crew member takes up the space to the left of the driver, i.e. where the hull ammo rack in a Leopard 2 is located), the hull still needs to hold: a rack/container for main gun ammunition secondary ammunition for the coaxial machine gun, the 30 x 103 mm RWS and the normal RWS most likely computer and communication systems an air-conditioning system Granted, the EMBT is a technology demonstrator, so they might have ignored that. The sale has not gone through yet. Only a memorandum of understanding signaling Poland's intention to buy the K2 was signed; the actual contract is still being negotiated. KMW already mentioned last years that they are considering/planning to incorporate various weight reduction measures (including a new, lighter turret and ERA).
  9. The bar code is different (used in the autoloader to determine which round is loaded), the brochure shows the OFL F1B (same bar code).
  10. They apparently built that thing Radar array is now slightly recessed behind the launchers' "muzzles", so it is not as tall as in the renders - but still too tall.
  11. To be fair the Leopard 1 wasn't really designed with modern ergonomics in mind, the Cockerill 3105 should be a massive upgrade over the old 1A5 and they used to offer a 120 mm variant. So the turret is certainly a good choice (though likely rather expensive given the typical Leopard 1A5 operator's budgets), but the integration seems a bit shoddy.
  12. I believe that sabot energy is included, but then again Rheinmetall's 130 mm gun will supposedly deliver 19-20 MJ on target, so mabye it isn't?
  13. Rheinmetall claims the Panther has a new TAPS (top attack protection system). Is it maybe based on micro-UAVs?
  14. Why did they use different scales for the models. Really makes comparing them harder...
  15. It is a technology demonstrator. Four men crew + autoloader. Even though it is fitted with the EuroPowerPack, there likely isn't enough space for ammunition (with only 22 x 120 mm rounds autoloader) given that the it also includes a 30 mm autocannon, a 12.7 mm HMG and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.
  16. KDNS also showing off a new tank at Eurosatory. Some speculate that this is a refined version of the EMBT.
  17. If read on Twitter, that Australia supposedly demands that its next IFV has to be used in the country of origin (i.e. Germany has to buy the KF41 or South Korea has to buy the AS21), so it will be in these countries interests that the vehicle works correctly and is reliable. Is there any Australian source confirming that?
  18. https://below-the-turret-ring.com/history/german-experimental-armor-development-ii-results-of-trial-program-16-21-and-22/
  19. Not really good according to trials conducted in Sweden during the 1950s. The possible weight reduction was judged to be some 25%; up to 50% was achieved in tests with non-practical armor. So a lot of granite is needed to provide protection even against small shaped charges. The performance is worse than that of glass armor.
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