SUBMISSIONS for Steel Chariot of The Prairie: The Lone Free State's First Battle Tank (2247)

Sturgeon · June 11, 2021

detailed below is the expected format of the final submission.
The date is set as Saturday the 24th of July at 23:59 CST.

Again, incomplete designs may be submitted as they are and will be judged as seen fit.

PLEASE REMEMBER ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN USC ONLY

FINAL SUBMISSION:
Vehicle Designation and name

[insert 3-projection (front, top, side) and isometric render of vehicle here]

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat (armor)
Length, combat (transport)
Width, combat (transport)
Height, combat (transport)
Ground Pressure, zero penetration
Estimated Speed
Estimated range
Crew, number (roles)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)

Vehicle designer’s notes: explain the thought process behind the design of the vehicle, ideas, and the development process from the designer’s point of view.

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Engine- type, displacement, rated power, cooling, neat features.

3. Transmission - type, arrangement, neat features.

4. Fuel - Type, volume available, stowage location, estimated range, neat features.

5. Other neat features in the engine bay.

6. Suspension - Type, Travel, ground clearance, neat features.

Survivability:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Link to Appendix 2 - armor array details.

3. Non-specified survivability features and other neat tricks - low profile, gun depression, instant smoke, cunning internal arrangement, and the like.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Main Weapon-

a. Type

b. Caliber

c. ammunition types and performance (short)

d. Ammo stowage arrangement- numbers ready and total, features.

e. FCS - relevant systems, relevant sights for operating the weapon and so on.

f. Neat features.

3. Secondary weapon - Similar format to primary. Tertiary and further weapons- likewise.

4. Link to Appendix 3 - Weapon system magic. This is where you explain how all the special tricks related to the armament that aren’t obviously available using 1960s tech work, and expand to your heart’s content on estimated performance and how these estimates were reached.

B. Optics:

1. Primary gunsight - type, associated trickery.

2. Likewise for any and all other optics systems installed, in no particular order.

C. FCS:

1. List of component systems, their purpose and the basic system architecture.

2. Link to Appendix 3 - weapon system magic, if you have long explanations about the workings of the system.

Fightability:

1. List vehicle features which improve its fightability and useability.

Additonal Features:

Feel free to list more features as you see fit, in more categories.

Free expression zone: Let out a big yeehaw to impress the world with your design swagger! Kindly spoiler this section if it’s very long.

Example for filling in Appendix 1
Example for filling in Appendix 2

Example for filling in Appendix 3

GOOD LUCK!

Sturgeon · June 12, 2021

FINAL SUBMISSION:
XG-48E3 Comanche Battle-cruiser

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat (armor)	124,450 lbs (59,950 lbs armor)
Length, combat (transport)	31.7 ft (25.6 ft)
Width, combat (transport)	12.1 ft (12.0 ft)
Height, combat (transport)	8.8 ft (8.3 ft)
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	1,795 psf
Estimated Speed	50 mph
Estimated range	500 mi
Crew, number (roles)	4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	40 rds 5in/24 (33 in turret bustle rack, 7 in ready rack)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	1,200 rds .50 caliber, 10,000 rds .30 caliber, 3,000 rds .40 cal ammunition

Vehicle designer's notes:

The XG-48E3 Comanche is a Battle-cruiser-class heavy tracked truck ("tank") with powerful armament, resilient armor, and a high degree of mobility and range. Comanche was designed around a "fightability philosophy" in which tanks are seen as an extension of the fighting man and must permit as much as possible the operators to conduct their mission without interference. Comanche sports a powerful 5in-24 XG-47E5 cannon firing armor-piercing flechette (APF), high explosive anti-truck (HEAT), and high explosive (HE) rounds. Comanche's armor is resistant to next-generation flechette rounds likely under development by near-peer adversary states like California and Cascadia. Comanche is provided with a generous 1,200 horsepower motor which gives it a power to weight ratio of 19.4 hp/t, well in excess of requirements. Comanche is built to be upgraded, and can be augmented with a variety of improved armor, gun, engine, and fire control packages as needed.

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Engine- Carrolton AER V-12 diesel, 2,850 cu in, 1,200 hp, liquid cooled. (Comparable to MB MTU 873)

3. Transmission - Hydromechanical power shift, reversing and steering fully and semiautomatic transmission with four forward and four reverse gears, mounted directly to the engine via integral torque converter. (Comparable to HSWL 354)

4. Fuel - Diesel, 482 gallons in two tanks alongside driver in front, 145 gallons in two tanks below engine in rear; 683 miles range.

5. Sand scrubbers, filters, cleaners, blowers, etc. Powerpack can be removed from rear with crane.

6. Suspension - Independent externally dual-coil sprung single-wheel bogies, 7 per side, 14 inches wheel travel from neutral, 8 inches extension (22 inches total travel), 18.2 inches ground clearance.

Survivability:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Link to Appendix 2 - armor array details.

3. Protection for Comanche is rated for 13 inches (3BM6+) throughout the +20/-20 degree frontal arc with very minimal weakspots (slits, etc) only. At any place on the tank 90 degrees to the side, it will repel the Mormon 6" HEAT weapon. Coincidentally, as a byproduct of a weight-saving and turret-balancing measure, the turret will also repel the 6" HEAT weapon from the rear. Roof is rated for plunging fire. Bottom armor is rated at 1.25" RHAe vs mines and blast. As qualified tankers are in short supply in the Lone Free State, great consideration was given to crew safety, and the ability for crew to swiftly evacuate a damaged tank if necessary. Ammunition is stored in a separate compartment in the turret, and if hit, two large blowoff panels will vent the pressure from that compartment before that pressure can damage the firewall to the crew compartment. Two large hatches are provided for the commander, gunner, and loader (the commander and gunner share a hatch), both of which are fully spring-assisted and easy to open. The driver is provided with a generous hatch which is heavily armored, and is also considerably spring assisted. It tilts, and then rotates away for easy egress. The driver can egress the vehicle with the turret in any position. The driver is also protected by two large tanks of diesel fuel with a capacity of 241 gallons each. These tanks cover the entirety of the driver to each side, giving him considerable additional protection.

Image of the XG-48E3 Comanche with the outer armor panels made transparent, showing the sophisticated NERA arrays.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Main Weapon-

a. XG-47E5 autofrettaged smoothbore load-assisted cannon with horizontally-sliding breech

b. 5in/24 L/45

c. XG-147J 15:1 L:D Armor Piercing Flechette, 530mm+ RHA penetration at 2,000 yd, XG-147H High Explosive Anti-Truck,

d. 40 rds (33 in turret bustle rack, 7 in ready rack)

e. FCS - relevant systems, relevant sights for operating the weapon and so on.

f. Neat features.

3. Coaxial armament consists of 1x .30 caliber G-17A5T machine gun and 1x .50 caliber G-19A2T machine gun, which are slaved to the main gun. Independent armament consists of 1 additional G-17A5 and 1 additional G-19A2 machine gun, and 2 dual close-in .40 caliber G-346E1 machine guns. Ammunition stowage is 1,200 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition, 10,000 rounds of .30 caliber ammunition, and 6,000 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

4. Link to Appendix 3

B. Optics:

1. The gunner is provided with a fully stabilized 2.5-21x disturbed reticle main gunsight equipped with a laser range-finder and engageable night vision system. A simple lens with a stadia reticle is provided, which can be engaged if other systems fail. The reticle on the primary optic automatically adjusts for the selected ammunition type, and for expected wind drift and drop at range. No further sight adjustment is required once the gunner has lased the target, he simply puts the dot on the target and fires.

2. Due to the advanced nature of the laser range-finding system, a backup optical range-finder system is provided mounted to the roof of the XG-47E3's turret. This system triangulates the distance from the target in a manner similar to human depth perception, but many times more precise. It is also fully stabilized.

C. FCS:

1. The commander is provided with a 360-degree vision cupola with eight all around periscopes which allow him to detect targets at any angle from the vehicle. These periscopes are also night-vision compatible. He is also provided with his Commander's Independent Gun Sight (CIGS) which is a 360-degree rotatable gun-sight that allows him to lase and engage targets at any distance. He is provided with the capability to automatically slave the rest of the turret to the target lased with the CIGSs, which gives the Comanche the ability to rapidly engage targets even in different locations requiring considerable rotation of the turret.

2. Link to Appendix 3

Fightability:

1. According to the "fightability philosophy", Comanche's fighting space was developed first, before any armor arrays were laid out or any turret weldment drawings created. Instead, the Ordnance Authority's 5in-24 gun, ammunition, ammo rack, and all the internal systems, controls, and all other things in the turret were mocked up out of cardboard, toilet paper tubes, and paper mache, and placed around a working test crew of G-12 drivers from Albuquerque. Special care was taken to listen to this crew and to incorporate this feedback into the layout and design of the tank. For instance, although Comanche is designed to operate normally with a loader, the loader's job is so reduced (at their request!) that it is entirely possible for the tank commander to perform all loading functions with minimal distraction and reduction in rate of fire. This is possible because all ammunition selection and ramming functions are automated, and because all of the loader's controls are placed within easy reach of both him and the commander. More details on this arrangement are given in Appendix 3. This arrangement was used to perform fightability experiments and once these were complete and conclusions about control and equipment placement were drawn, a cardboard shell was constructed around the compartment and fightability validation tests carried out. This resulted in an internal "shell" onto which outer armor arrays were built up.

Additional Features:

Automatic fire suppression system, individual wet ammunition storage, a water cooler, ramen boiler, it slices, it dices, it pulverizes! Other buzzwords!

Free expression zone:

Spoiler

HEAD DESIGNER'S LOG, SEGUIN STEEL AND INDUSTRIAL:

5/18/2247

Mastodon is bullshit. What a piece of crap. I put so much work into it, and now the engineers are telling me it's going to have to weigh 80 tons. 80 TONS!!! It was going to be so beautiful. My magnum opus, it was- Hold on, someone's coming.

5/22/2247

The past few days here have been... Interesting. Apparently, the old head designer was "reassigned" to a maintenance outpost in Amarillo, for... "Ridiculous and porschean sabotage of Texas national security". I don't even know what that word means. Anyway, he kept picking fights with the overseer here so it's not really a surprise, but that means yours truly is "head designer" now and hopefully not the next "head" to roll...

5/23/2247

They've instructed me to throw out everything Juan Taylor had made for his super-heavy truck "Mastodon", except the basic components like roadwheels, periscopes, etc. Apparently they were very unhappy with the idea of doing multiple-void castings with cast-in composite armor arrays. I wonder why. My prime directives are to produce a "tank" (that's what they're calling these caterpillar trucks, I guess) that's substantially lighter than Mastodon was supposed to be (Taylor gave a weight of 66 tons estimated, but the automotive department insisted it would actually have to be 80, clearly there was trouble in paradise.), and much, much cheaper. This has all-but restricted me to the use of weldments of rolled homogeneous armor, but that's fine, we can make plenty of that for prototypes. I've been given a target weight of 62 tons, but nobody really knows how heavy this thing will be in the end, so I'll just have to do my best to save weight where I can. First, I have to hit this stack of dusty old books I found in the corner of Taylor's office...

6/2/2247

Taylor's prewar print-out of Technology of Tanks is rapidly disintegrating. I've asked the city library to transcribe it on their typewriters, so I don't have access to it now. But what I've read so far is very helpful. Apparently, "tank" is a prewar word, that's good to know, and also apparently they made quite a lot of these things. It's hard to imagine ten thousand tracked trucks with four inch guns rolling around, but it must have been possible. Taylor's copy of Abrams is bound and in substantially better shape; it looks like he hardly touched it. It looks like the first "Abrams" tanks manufactured were under the weight limit command is looking for, and had protection versus "115mm" guns whatever that means. (margin note: apparently a "millimeter" is about a 25th of an inch, what a strange unit. But that's 4.6 inches, or about the size of the test guns we're being asked to protect against.) I also received a packet today from Austin, will have to open it later.

6/4/2247

HOLY SHIT this is gold. These are figures on something called "non explosive reactive armor arrays", and apparently they're ridiculously good armor. There's a bit more math than I'm used to but based on these calculations we should be able to protect against guns the Ordnance Authority hasn't even developed yet...

In loving memory of former Head Designer Juan Taylor:

He's not dead, he's just really unhappy.

Toxn · June 12, 2021

Main Battle Tank, 2247, project names "Derebus" and "Derebus-M"

Manufacturer: Manufactuer: Paramount-Allen-Fullerton (Para-allful) Conglomerated

Table of basic statistics:

Note: all statistics provided are for Derebus unless otherwise noted.

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat	Armour mass: (1-2" (25-50mm) RHA base plus ERA, composites, side skirts and engine bay liner): 20.6t (18.5mt) 43.1t (39.1mt) modelled, 43.4t (39.4mt) calculated
Length, combat (transport)	246" (6.25m) hull, 379" (9.63m) total
Width, combat (transport)	150" (3.8m) with skirt
Height, combat (transport)	95" (2.41m) to top of commander's hatch, 109" (2.77m) total
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	Ground pressure (calculated MMP): 29.4 PSI (203 KPa). Nominal ground pressure (based on calculated weight): 10.3 PSI (70.77 KPa)
Estimated Speed	37 mph (60km/h)
Estimated range	490 mi at 30 mph
Crew, number (roles)	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	5-inch 55 calibre (127mm L/55) high/low pressure gun, (19 charges, 9 active projectiles, 10 inert projectiles in turret/ 16 charges, 8 active projectiles, 8 inert projectiles in hull)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	3 x .30 cal MG (600 rnd belted each ready/ 1200 rnd belted each stowed)

Vehicle designer’s notes:

The Derebus family of vehicles (provisionally named Derebus and Derebus-M) are intended to fulfil a procurement strategy emphasizing mobility (tactical, operational and strategic), reliability and superb value for money, achieved using a lightweight vehicle design, proven automotive components and a high/low capability mix. Derebus sports a state-of-the-art fire control system allied to a powerful 5" gun, while Derebus-M provides supporting firepower and a larger ammunition load thanks to it's 4" gun. Both vehicles provide superb protection across their frontal arcs, with the Derebus making use of cutting-edge composites to save weight. Both Derebus and Derebus M are immediately available to fulfil all of your defense needs.

Vehicle feature list:

Mobility:

1. Link to Appendix 1

2. Engine- V-12 Diesel (Kharkiv V-2-55 derivative), 2441 ci (40l) displacement, 600HP (448kW), liquid-cooled.

Note: alternate engine and transmission arrangements are provided for in Appendix 3

3. Transmission - hydraulic torque converter feeding into Merritt-Brown-style double differential system, 7 forward/1 reverse gears.

4. Fuel - diesel, ~2400lb total (639lb/290kg in tanks flanking the driver, 1764lb/800kg in rear sponson tanks, estimated range of 490mi at 30mph.

5. Engine, transmission and cooling are arranged in removable aluminium tub housed in engine bay. The tub is removable by sliding out the rear of the bay.

6. Suspension - torsion bar, variable travel (presently 11.8" (30cm)), 20" (0.5m) ground clearance, geared torsion bar suspension, each axle pair in detachable units shrouded by aluminium housings. Wheels are 23.6" (0.6m) in diameter, with a track width of 27.6" (0.7m) and a pitch of 7.7" (0.195m).

Survivability:

1. Link to Appendix 1

2. Link to Appendix 2

3. Non-specified survivability features and other neat tricks - highly sloped turret and hull front (75 degrees), charges and active ammunition (HEAT-FS and HE) arranged in sealed tubes leading to a blast chimney that outlets to blow-off panels in the turret roof, turret sides, hull roof and hull sides.

A. Weapons:

1. Link to Appendix 1

2. Main Weapon-

a. Type: smoothbore, vertically trainable +15/-10 degrees

b. Caliber: 5"/127mm

c. ammunition types and performance:

Note: the armour used for the target has the same hardness (360BRN) as the armour used in the vehicle. The target was at 0 degree obliquity for calculation purposes.

HEAT-FS (low-pressure setting): 46lb (20.85kg), penetration of around 21" (535mm), 3074fps (937m/s).
HE (low-pressure setting): 46lb (23.2kg), 201oz (5.7kg) fill, estimated blast penetration of ~55mm RHA, 2910fps (887m/s)
APFSDS (high-pressure setting): 15:1 LD, 550BHN monosteel body, tungsten insert, 115mm cap, ring sabot, 1800m/s, 15.7/13.8" (400/350mm) penetration at 100/2000y (lower estimate, 17.1" (435mm) at 2000y upper estimate).

d. Ammo stowage arrangement - 19 charges, 9 active projectiles, 10 inert projectiles in turret; 16 charges, 8 active projectiles, 8 inert projectiles in hull.

e. FCS:

Duel axis stabilized main gun
Semi-autoloader: the loader places the charge and warhead on trays in the bustle. these are then fed into the gun using an automatic mechanism (horizontal rammer, pivoting loading tray and rigid chain actuator to ram the warhead and charge home). The gun automatically returns to the loading position after each shot. A short spring at the end of the actuator helps to smooth out the loading impulse.

f. Neat features:

Gun has a high-pressure and low-pressure recoil option, selectable on the slide – this doesn’t affect the recoil mechanism, it just changes where the trip key is to unlock the breech (warning: don’t fire high-pressure ammo with the low-pressure setting selected!)
Gun uses a separate 6.9x27" (175x685mm) charge: 44lb/20kg mass, semi-combustible case built along the lines of the 4Zh-40 charge used with the historical 125mm 2A26 gun), matching the length of the HEAT-FS round.
The charge gives space to produce a more powerful round to match higher future barrel higher pressures (when using a secondary charge with the APFSDS projectile itself). 74000 PSI (510 MPa) gives a potential power of 15MJ. 94000PSI (650 MPa) gives a potential power of 19MJ.
Final penetration potential of the gun with early monobloc DU projectiles is something in the region of 22" (550mm) at 2000y (putting it on par with Mango and Vant). Being able to store and handle a longer projectile (ie: above 27") would probably allow something a bit better than Snivets.
Low-pressure charges are shortened (17.1" / 435mm) and come with an ejection spring to work with the same storage tubes as the high-pressure charges.

3. Secondary weapons - 3 x .30 cal MG, 1 coaxial, 2 in mountings attached to the commander and loader's turret hatch

4. Link to Appendix 3.

B. Optics:

1. Primary gunsight: single axis stabilized gunner’s sight

2. Secondary gunsight: vertical coincidence rangefinder (stadiametric, 39.4" (1m) base), doubles as a redundant back-up sight.

3. Miscellaneous optics:

Commander and loader's rotating hatches, including vertically trainable (+/- 15 degrees) periscope in front of hatch, degree markings on hatch ring to allow rough direction of gunner to target.
Driver's periscope, vertically trainable +/- 15 degrees

C. FCS:

1. List of component systems, their purpose and the basic system architecture:

Simple electronic gun-follows sight fire control system (encoder connected to sight mirror feeds elevation data into a transistor-based PID controller, which tries to match position on a similar encoder connected to the gun. When gun position and sight position align, the firing mechanism is electronically triggered).
LRF mounted above barrel, solid-state components, maximum operating range of 5km in clear conditions, average estimation error of 1%. Uses flashlamp-pumped ruby laser, optical sensor, quartz timing circuit and the sequential event time sampling approach (with post-sampling amplification) to allow time-of-flight rangefinding using a lower timebase and bandwidth compatible with current electronics.

2. Link to Appendix 3.

Fightability:

1. List vehicle features which improve its fightability and useability:

Engine bay approach simplifies engine and transmission replacement via rear bay doors.
Generous rear hull roof hatches simplify servicing and maintenance.
Bolt-on suspension units simplify field replacement and repair.
Commander and loader's hatch design improves buttoned-up visibility

Additonal Features:

See Appendix 3

Free expression zone:

"...bellicis"

Fareastmenace · July 3, 2021

Brownsville Armour Engineering Systems FV601 “Cossack” for Main Battle Tank 2247 [FINAL]

Isometric, left side, front and top view of the FV601. On the right is the base configuration, on the left the FIBUA configuration

3D model freely available at

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/9907c803-fb6e-434f-be49-4eb79f7b9c6b/FV601-Cossack

Parameter	Base configuration	FIBUA configuration
Mass, combat	126600 lbs	143000 lbs
Mass, armour	53200 lbs (42 %)	70500 lbs (49.5%)
Length, combat	38’1”	31’7”
Length, transport	32’3”	26’6”
Length, hull	22’6” (without drop tank) 24’8” (with drop tanks)	24’11”
Width	12’2”	13’5”
Height (at minimum ride height)	7’8” (turret roof) 8’3” (top of periscope) 9’7” (top of machine gun)
Ground clearance	Adjustable between 18” and 22”
Ground pressure (psf)	1746 NGP, 4295 MMP	1972 NGP, 4834 MMP
Speed	45 mph on road 30 mph off road
Range	558 mi on internal fuel 658 mi with drop tanks	558 mi on internal fuel
Crew	4: commander, gunner, driver, radio operator
Main armament	5” L/55 smoothbore gun, 5x24” unitary cartridge 16 rounds autoloader + 16 rounds stowed	5” L/40 smoothbore gun, 5x24” unitary cartridge 16 rounds autoloader + 16 rounds stowed
Secondary armament	(1) coaxial 0.30cal Medium machine gun (900 rounds) (1) 0.30cal Medium machine gun (450 rounds) on gunner’s skate mount (1) 0.50cal Heavy machine gun (100 rounds) + (1) 0.30cal Medium machine gun (450 rounds) on commander’s ring mount (1) 0.50cal Heavy machine gun (100 rounds) on auxiliary mount (900) 0.50 rounds stowed (8100) 0.30 rounds stowed

BAE Systems’ FV601 “Cossack” is a fighting vehicle intended to not only meet all the requirement, but also exceed them, especially mobility requirements. The design also emphasises ease of maintenance and upgradability, making it the ideal vehicle for the current as well as the next fight.

The FV601 is offered in two configurations: a base configuration, which was designed to achieve every requirement and counter the current threats of the battlefield while offering ample room for upgrades; an add-on FIBUA (Fighting In Built Up Areas) kit, to be installed on vehicles deployed in an area of operation where heavy urban fighting is to be expected. The FIBUA kit can be added to any base configuration “Cossack” in the field in a few hours, not requiring more than hand tools (except the installations of the barrel, requiring light engineering support).

I Mobility

1) Link appendix 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gc4sadYGZEAemXzOxyERPgLGvRF2rgSr/view?usp=sharing

Spoiler

View of the mobility elements: tracks, suspensions, powerpack and fuel tanks

2) Engine : V-12 diesel, 2904 ci displacement, liquid cooled (MTU MB-873), with air filters and sand scrubbers for operations in desert environment. Because it is an early development engine, it was downrated to 1400hp to provide better reliability.

3) Transmission : Hydromechanical powershift, steering and reversing, 4 forward and 2 reverse, transmission to rear sprocket (RENK HSWL 354)

4) Fuel : diesel fuel, 5110 lbs in sponsons, possibility to add (2) 55-gallons fuel droppable. 558 mi range on internal fuel, 658 mi with drop tanks

5) 10 kW diesel auxiliary power unit and (8) NATO 6T batteries, to power electrical systems with engine off

6) (7) 26” roadwheels each side, independent hydro-pneumatic suspensions, with centralised tank and control station; adjustable ride height and stiffness, as well as the possibility to tilt the tank for additional 7° elevation/depression, and (1) idler on each side mounted on swing arm with hydraulic piston to allow easy track tensionning

7) Ground clearance adjustable from 18” (as depicted in model) to 22” on the move, down to 12” at a stop for minimal profile

Spoiler

View of the FV601 at several ground clearance: 12" (lowest possible at a stop), 18" (lowest ride height),, 22" (highest ride height)Vie

8) 18” total travel, 6” compression 12” rebound

9) 29” double pin, double body, rubber padded tracks (widened Diehl 570P)

10) Engine, transmission and ancillary equipment packed together in a powerpack, for easy (30 minutes) change in the field

11) Low width (146” with base skirts) and weight (MLC 70 for all configuration) allows easy crossing of bridge and transportation by truck.

II Survivability

1) Link appendix 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gc4sadYGZEAemXzOxyERPgLGvRF2rgSr/view?usp=sharing

2) Link appendix 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wSJriDjGY9EeamhG7TuZ2EJRvt5aVtg9/view?usp=sharing

Summary table:

Unless specified otherwise, protection angles are given in degrees from centerline

“elev” = elevation

		Base configuration		FIBUA configuration
Threat	Estimated penetration	Turret	Hull	Turret	Hull
6in HEAT projector	8”	180°, 10° elev	90°, 10° elev	180°, 10° elev	180°, 10° elev
4in/54 HVAP	12” @1200yd	50°	47°	61°	62°
4in/54 HVAP	8” @2000yd	63.75°	57°	79°	80°
3.6in RPG	14.4”	60°, 45° at 10° elev	40°, up to 10° elev	90°, up to 10° elev	90°, up to 10° elev
4in/54 APFSDS (*)	12” @ 2000yd	34°	32°	50°	53°
5in APFSDS (*)	20” @ 1000 yd	23°	N/A	30°	33°
5in APFSDS (*)	18” @ 2000 yd	26°	23°	33°	36°
2in/4in tandem RPG	10”/20”	N/A	N/A	25°	41°
NUB tandem missile (*)	10.8”/26.4”	N/A	N/A	16°	N/A

(*) estimated future threats

Spoiler

ViVd

View of survivability elements: armour (grey and tan: steel, black: NERA), smoke system

3) Ammunition separation (in bustle and rear hull), stored under blow out panels

4) Separated hydraulics in bustle (under autoloader), with automatic cut-off

5) Fuel stored on the outside of the main hull, to prevent fuel drippage inside crew compartment in case of penetration

6) Automatic fire suppressions system in crew compartment, engine compartment and all (3) ammunition compartments

7) Low profile and 10° gun depression, allows low probability of hit especially in hull down position

8) (16) fixed, smoke grenade launchers, in addition to radar- (based on (6) AN/APS-13 radar) and laser warning receiver-cued rotating grenade launcher ( (2) launchers, (3) ready rounds + (18) reloads each) allows to avoid hit by ATGM as well as avoid detection

9) Complete duplication of crew stations: commander and gunner, and driver and radio operator can accomplish each other’s role while staying at their station, allowing the crew to maintain combat readiness even after suffering casualty, down to only (2) crew members

10) Each crewmember has his own hatch and handrails for easier egress in case of emergency. Turret crew's hatches are always usable, while hull crew's hatches are usable when turret is turned less than 105° to either side. In addition, when the turret is turned more than 60° to either side, hull crew members can egress through the turret basket

11) Added protected weapon station in FIBUA configuration, allowing the commander to remain protected from small arms (up to .50cal) while standing out of his hatch for better situational awareness in tight environments

(*) estimated future threat

III Firepower

View of firepower elements: main gun, autoloader, optics, fire control systems, secondary weapon stations, ammunition storage

1) Link appendix 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gc4sadYGZEAemXzOxyERPgLGvRF2rgSr/view?usp=sharing

2) Main weapon: L1 Gun (L1A1 Gun for FIBUA configuration)

Spoiler

a. Smoothbore gun, vertical sliding breach, 10° depression/20° elevation

b. 5” calibre, L/55 (L/40 for L1A1)

c. Rounds (unitary stub-cased rounds):

i. L3 APFSDS: main anti-armour round, 1.25” diameter rods, 7.5” tungsten precursor rod + 11.25” steel rod, 17” flat penetration at 1 mile

ii. L4 HEAT-FS: secondary anti-armour/anti-materiel round, based on soviet 3BK14, 20” flat penetration

iii. L5 HE-FS: main anti-personnel round, based on soviet 3OF19, 106 ounces HE

iv. L6 Canister: secondary anti-personnel round, for close-quarter environment

d. (16) rounds in belt conveyor bustle autoloader, (16) in hull ammunition compartment ( (8) on each side), separated from crew compartment and under blow-out panels for safety

e. 2-plane electro-hydraulically stabilised, independent, gun-follow sight, hunter-killer fire control system. (3) main sighting systems, each operatable from both gunner and commander:

i. Main gunner’s sight

ii. Secondary gunner’s sight

iii. Commander’s

f. Hydraulic recoil absorber and recuperator, 15” travel

g. Muzzle reference system

3) Secondary weapons:

Spoiler

a. .30cal coaxial machine gun

i. (900) ready rounds

ii. slaved to main gun

b. .30cal gunner’s machine gun

i. (450) ready round

ii. Mounted on skate mount

iii. Can be stabilised and slaved to any main sighting system, secondary sighting system or manually operated

c. .50cal Heavy machine gun + .30cal Medium machine gun:

i. (100) .50cal ready rounds + (450) .30cal ready rounds

ii. Mounted on commander’s ring mount with video camera

iii. Can be stabilised and slaved to any main sighting system, secondary sighting system, aimed through own video camera or manually operated

d. .50cal auxiliary machine gun

i. (100) ready rounds

ii. Mounted on pintle mount with video camera

iii. Can be stabilised and slaved to any main sighting system, secondary sighting system or aimed through own video camera

e. (900) .50cal and (8100) .30cal stowed rounds

4) Optics and fire control system

Spoiler

a. Gunner’s primary sight

i. 2-axis independently electrically stabilised periscopic mirror head

ii. 10° traverse each side, 10° depression, 20° elevation

iii. Operatable by both gunner and commander

iv. Laser rangefinder and video camera

v. Image intensifier for night operations

vi. x1 eyepiece, and x3-15 eyepiece

vii. In conjunction gunner’s secondary sight, can act as third backup rangefinder

viii. Ballistic window rated against small arms, ballistic shutters to protect against 20mm autocannon when not in use

b. Gunner’s secondary sight

i. 1-axis independently electrically stabilised periscopic mirror head

ii. 10° depression, 20° elevation

iii. Operatable by both gunner and commander

iv. Image intensifier for night operations

v. x1 eyepiece, and x3-15 eyepiece

vi. In conjunction gunner’s primary sight, can act as third backup rangefinder

vii. Ballistic window rated against small arms, ballistic shutters to protect against 20mm autocannon when not in use

c. Commander’s main periscope

i. 2-axis independently electrically stabilised periscopic mirror head

ii. 360° traverse, 10° depression, 40° elevation

iii. Operatable by both gunner and commander

iv. Laser rangefinder and video camera

v. Image intensifier for night operations

vi. x1 eyepiece, and x3-15 eyepiece

vii. In conjunction gunner’s secondary sight, can act as third backup rangefinder

viii. Ballistic window rated against small arms, ballistic cover rated against .50cal

d. Auxiliary rangefinder

i. View slaved to gunner's sight (shares the mirror head with Gunner's secondary sight on the right, and it's own mirror on the left)

ii. Operatable by both turret crewman

iii. large 4' base width, for better long range accuracy

e. Auxiliary sights

i. Each crewman has a periscope with (3) 45° horizontal field of view, 5° down and 10° up

ii. (1) camera is mounted on the commander’s weapon station and auxiliary machine gun mount

iii. Image intensifier equipment can be mounted on central window of hull crew’s periscope for night driving

f. Fire control computer

i. Capable of independently handling all sights and weapons

ii. Gun-follow sight

iii. Each machine gun can be slaved to any sight

iv. Each crewman (turret and hull) equipped with a video display and controller, allowing him to control weapons equipped only with a video camera

v. Normal fire control procedure for main gun:

1. Commander spots target and slew main gun to cue

2. Gunner ranges target with LRF

3. Sight sets optical rangefinder (either the independent rangefinder, or combination of primary and secondary sight) to range, and gunner checks range

4. Gunner aims and fire

Because backup are provided for each element, the procedure can be kept even in case of battle damage

vi. Elevation, cant temperature and wind sensors for better long range accuracy

5) Link to appendix 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_t4XFbeko5CRqf4QwJDEQIdXiBQM3sMh/view?usp=sharing

IV Fightability

1) Ergonomics

a. Comfortable and adjustable crew seats

b. Every tasks can be accomplished seating

c. Fume extractor

2) Communications

Spoiler

View of communications elements: radio, radio direction finder, antennas, back-up battery

a. AN/VRC-47 radio

i. (1) transmitter receiver and (1) auxiliary receiver to monitor second channel

ii. 30 to 79.95 MHz in 50kHz step

iii. Around 30 miles range

iv. (2) 3-ft whip antenna and (2) 10-ft whip antenna

b. AN/PRD-1 radio direction finder

i. 100 kHz to 30 MHz

ii. Used to spot enemy communications

iii. (1) diamond antenna

3) Crew sustainment

Spoiler

View of crew sustainment elements: crew stations, drinking water tank, air conditionning unit, boiling vessel

a. Air conditioning unit (cooling and heating) for better operation in hot environment, as well as better durability of electronics. NRBC filters are integrated

b. 12.54 cu-ft drinking water tank for operations up to 20 days in hot environment

c. Electric boiling vessel, to be able to eat without exiting the vehicle

d. Ample storage space for crew equipment in hull front and turret storage bin in the rear

4) Other

a. Self-recovery kit with tow bar and tools

b. Frontally removable gun for easy maintenance, as well as easily removeable powerpack

c. Possibility to fix a dozer blade for clearing operations or self-entrenching

d. Infantry telephone for better coordination in combined arms operations

e. White light and IR headlight for night driving + possibility to mount IR spotlight over barrel

f. Ammunition loading hatch in turret rear to ease reloading the autoloader from the outside, in addition to the ability to reload the autoloader from the inside through the reloading hatch by elevating the barrel

g. (4) crew members for easier maintenance and day-to-day operations

V Upgradability

Spoiler

1) Chassis has ample weight allowance due to overbuilt suspensions and engine: 19 000 lbs can still be added before reaching the ground pressure limit, and power to weight ratio would still be 19hp/st

2) Engine can still be uprated to 1500hp as originally designed

3) Ample engine compartment volume for future upgrade engine

4) Armour elements are bolted to the hull and turret structure, allowing for easy future upgrades

5) Ample volume in hull front and turret for additional equipment

6) Bustle can easily be lengthened for future rounds

7) All electronics are mounted in shock-proof racks or bolted, so can be easily swapped

8) Main gun is removable from the front, for both easier maintenance and upgrade

9) Plans in preparation for additional variants based on chassis:

a. Armoured engineering vehicle

b. Armoured recovery vehicle

c. Self-propelled air-defence gun

d. Self-propelled artillery

e. Driver-training vehicle

f. Bridge-layer

delete013 · July 5, 2021

VK-55.01 - Versuchsträger NK

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat	~64,700 kg
Length, combat (transport)	10.25m (7.3m hull)
Width, combat (transport)	4.9m with heavy skirts, 4.08 m without (3.8m without suspension frames)
Height, combat (transport)	2.5m turret roof edge (2.05 m without suspension frames)
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	1967 psf
Estimated Speed	38 mph
Estimated range	465 mi (at 38 mph on the road)
Crew, number (roles)	3 (driver, gunner, commander) or 4 (+loader)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	120 mm smoothbore cannon (Rh-120 featured), 33 shells ready in turret bustle, 16 stowed in the rear of the hull
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	20 mm auto-cannon (Rh202 featured) 3 or 4 machine guns calibre 7.62mm

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Engine - transversely mounted 1500 HP (1100 kW) V-12, turbocharged, liquid-cooled diesel engine. 4 cooling units. Cold air infusion at exhaust. Torque converter. 23.15 hp/t

3. Transmission - preferable Renk HSWL 354 level transmission adjusted for transverse mounting or similar, 4 forward and 4 rearward gears.

4. Fuel – diesel, 2930lbs in main hull tank, 720lbs in reserve rear hull tank, 2x 370lbs in sponsons, 465 mi at 38mph on roads

5. Engine bay has 3 m³ volume. Transverse mounting is envisioned but a traditional position, to the right of the driver, is feasible.

6. Suspension – (featured) coil spring around telescopic leads on individual road wheels with 480mm travel. 10 Overlapping road wheels with 3 return rollers per side and forward sprockets are mounted in an individual frame, attached to the hull. 400-780mm ground clearance depending on the suspension frame mounting.

Torsion bars, more complex hydropneumatics or single line wheels possible. Torsion bars consume 30mm of ground clearance and fit between the bottom plate and mine protection.

7. Tracks are modern version of Tiger 1 tracks with 740mm width. Ground contact length 4.85m

Survivability:

Two stages of protection. Mission survivability in 20 degree frontal radius to each side for the listed ammunition and ranges. Crew survivability in 100 degrees to each side for the listed ammunition and ranges. 360 degree protection from 6 in HEAT projector. Values are valid for 20 degree vertical inclination, for munition other than auto-cannon and lower.

1. Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Appendix 2 - armor array details.

3. The concept of citadel. Separation of the crew from ammunition, fuel and hidraulics with armoured walls.

4. Turret crew sits in a widened turret basket (1.87m diameter) with only 550 mm height in the turret itself (autoloader version).

5. Doubled, spaced walls all around the crew compartment

6. Crew has a main rear exit door, additional cupola hatches and an emergency bottom opening under the driver’s seat

7. Ammunition in the turret and in the rear hull feature blow-out panels.

8. Autoloader is separated from the crew with metal plates and incorporates roof blow-out panel.

9. Spall liner on all interior walls.

10. Automatic fire extinguisher.

11. Roof armour can trigger and survive HE artillery hit and anti-tank bomblets.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Main Weapon:

a. High pressure smoothbore cannon, min -8/+20 deg inclination with double joint mount.

b. 120mm L55 13 or 17 MJ bore energy with two breech sizes and corresponding ammunition. Also tested with Soviet 125mm, 105 L7 and the both experimental Rheinmetal 130mm and NpzK-140 140mm cannon for up to 20MJ bore energy.

c. APFSDS steel arrow with tungsten core, HEAT-FS, HE, APFSDSPC (Armour piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot with propelled core) with thickened hollow arrow and an explosive propelled tungsten core inside (if physics have nothing against).

d. 33 shells in turret bustle within a rotating frame. 16 vertically stowed in the hull rear also within a rotating frame and an integrated crane.

e. under FCS section

f. Two stage autoloader

first stage (as semi-autoloader) delivery of shell into the turret

second stage – elevation and insertion into the breech

manual reloading or semi-autoloading possible (gunner shifts in front of the commander, loader in his place)

g. Three shell drum for quick following shot and alternative shell type. Feldjustierspiegel (collimator).

Thermal sleeve with barrel protection and flash suppressor.

3. Secondary weapon:

20mm autocannon in an extendable tower behind the commander.

Tertiary weapons:

three 7.62mm MGs, one coaxial with the main cannon, one coaxial with the auto-cannon and another stored in the back with a slit for rear mounting (not displayed in the images). Additional gunner/loaders mg, as an improved Hetzer's remote mounting.

4. Appendix 3

B. Optics:

1. Leopard 1 level optics with additional independent stabilisation (if technology permits, alternative there is a dampening switch).

Auxillary gunner’s optics.

2. Rotating periscopes for driver and gunner/loader.

3. Scissor periscope for the commander in the auto-cannon tower. Alternative aiming device in the tower for the commander.

4. IR-based night vision and light amplifier for gunner and commander (the lamp not visualised).

5. Side vision slits for the driver.

6. 2 all around cupolas for gunner/loader and commander.

7. Gunners and commanders reticule with ranging triangles (Zeiss optics from ww2)

C. FCS:

1. 2-axis stabilisation, stereoscopic rangefinder (or laser), mechanical ballistic computer. Weapon slaved to the optics (if technology permits). Limited duplicate aiming handles for commander with an override. Mechanical target marking board in the commander's cupola.

2. Main cannon and auto-cannon can be interchangeably slaved to one another end correspondingly to gunners and commanders controls. Sharing one stabilisation engine (without mutual optics).

3. Appendix 3

Fightability:

1. Heavy tracks for anti-mine protection with integrated anti-mine armour in the hull floor.

2. Ventilation for crew compartment and engine bay with air conditioning (if technology permits)

3. Smoke dispensers and mortars in the side containers of the turret bustle

4. A radio with a reserve and dynamo reserve engine.

5. Food, water and personal item storage in the three containers in the rear of the hull.

6. Parallel manual controls through simple mechanical transmissions and levers.

7. Auxiliary diesel engine, attached to reserve fuel tank and hydraulic pump, as a limited backup power source (with the exception of mobility).

Additonal Features:

1. Available add-on armour for pre-war near-peer protection level without exceeding 70 tonnes.

2. White colour bucket and brush.

3. In the appendices.

Sten · July 9, 2021

Persson Engineering Solutions and Brewing, Main Battle Tank, MBT-01, "Gigan"

FINAL

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat	82 tonnes/180779 lbs
Length, combat (transport)	Hull 26.25 ft. Total 37.15 ft (to gun crown at 0°)
Width, combat (transport)	13.091 ft
Height, combat (transport)	Turret Roof 7.111 ft. Maximum permanent height 7.718 ft (to highest permanently fixed feature.) Total height 10.281 ft (to top removable feature)
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	1967 psf
Estimated Speed	40-43 mph
Estimated range	470 miles (38 mph on road)
Crew, number (roles)	3 (driver, gunner, commander)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	5" L50 rifled gun. 42 rounds total (18 in autoloader, 24 in 4x6 hull storage bins)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	5 machine-guns, 4 being independently moved: 2X.50" HMG (1 coaxial, 1 for commander.) 3X.30" GPMG (1 on commander's periscope, 1 for gunner, 1 on the bustle for dismount troops.) 1000 rounds for each HMG, 2000 rounds for each GPMG

Vehicle designer’s notes: explain the thought process behind the design of the vehicle, ideas, and the development process from the designer’s point of view.

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Engine: Turbo Diesel V12, 2904 cu in, similar to the old MB 873 found in the archives of the pre-happening world. Rated for 1500 to 1800 HP. Longitudinally mounted on the rear. Liquid cooled, heat exchangers located under the engine bay cover.

3. Transmission: Double differential, 10 speeds (5 forward, 5 in reverse), neutral steering capable. Similar to the RENK HSWL 295TM found on the archives of the pre-happening world. Transversely mounted on the rear.

4. Fuel: Diesel, or kerosene, jet-fuel or bio sourced analogue, or any high cetane number fuel given correct tuning and adequate lubrication properties. 680.50721 US and A imperial Gallons, in 4 internal tanks. Provision for extra fuel tanks inside the bottom double hull at the user's discretion (normally no installed.)

5. Other neat features in the engine bay.

6. Suspension: "Dumb" hydro-pneumatic suspension, suspension elements located on housing units bolted externally to the sides of the hulls and connected to the suspension arms via a gearing system, this is done in order to reduce the unsprung mass of the suspension as well as to reduce the size of the arms, keep the hydro-pneumatic elements further away from obstacles while still keeping replacement and field service easy. 14 sprung road wheels, 2 idler/track tensioner wheels on the front, 2 driving sprockets on the rear, 14 return rollers.

Survivability:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Link to Appendix 2 - armor array details.

3. Non-specified survivability:

a. The rear hull ammo stowage units are located in water tanks, containing 56.5 gallons of water each, those can double as energy replenishment for the heat exchanger of the engine, or for emergency drinking water for the crew.

b. The backup shared optical range finder allows for the commander to fire the gun in case the gunner is unable to do so

c. Turret features a large cargo rack that allows for more than enough capacity for pioneering equipment, camping equipment, crew belonging, extra equipment like smoke grenade launchers, add-on/ad-hoc spaced armor, spare parts, or a place for dismounted troops to do things.

d. Tank is equipped with two long range radios and two large antennas, guaranteeing redundancy and simultaneous communication with other tanks and a base for example.

e. The crew compartment in the turret is set up as low as possible in the hull, with the commander and gunner siting in a semi-reclined position.

f. Turret crew compartment is separated on the middle by the gun compartment, with armored bulkheads on both side, with a interconnected part on the front of the compartment. This allows for redundancy of the crew and the change that a side penetration will not kill/incapacitate the whole turret crew.

g. The diver is surrounded by large fuel tanks on both sides, adding an extra layer of protection.

h. The turret is a combination of the "cleft" and "wedge" concepts, it offer a very low silhouette in normal conditions and the angled roof further reduces the silhouette in a hull down position with the front raised. Due to the aforementioned separated gun compartment a dead-on penetration of the mantle, while obviously a mission-kill event, will probably not affect the crew.

I. The turret can be rotated electrically or manually by all 3 crew members. This is to extend the fighting endurance in case of the loss of crew and systems, and to allow the possibility of the driver to escape from his main hatch.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Main Weapon: 1X Modified Co-Developed G46 gun

a. Type: Rifled, L51 automatic loading.

b. Caliber: 5"x33" Texan (127x840mm), unitary, steel non combustible case. Provision for future semi combustible unitary cases.

c. ammunition types and performance: APDS (24" of RHA penetration at muzzle), HE (175.45 oz of composition B explosive), HEAT (15.75" of RHA penetration), experimental APFSDS.

Above, ballistic data for the APDS round.

Above: Detail of the APDS, it's a capped DU penetrator with a ballistic cap and wobble cap (also DU), in an aluminum sabot.

Above: Penetration data for the APDS

Above: Detail of the HEAT, high pressure.

Above, detail of the HE munition.

d. Ammo stowage arrangement: 42 rounds total. Primary/ready stowage, 18 rounds in belt type auto-loader on bustle, selectable ammo and capable of changing/unloading rounds, capable of being internally re-stocked from both the commander and gunner postions. Secondary stowage, 24 rounds in 4X6 sealed bins, two in front and to the sides of the turret basket inside the fuel tanks, two on the sides and rear of the turret basket inside water tanks. Primary stowage has blow-off panels on the roof and blast door separation it from the crew compartment. Secondary stowage is in individualized sealed bins surrounded by fluid.

e. FCS: Primary FCS: Ballistic computer connected to active 2 axis stabilizer, laser range finder, day gunner sight and IR gunner sight, automatically adjust elevation and point of impact after a range measure is "locked". Secondary FCS: Gun Slaved to backup optical range finder

f. Neat features: Muzzle Brake, provision for extra coaxial MG, or optic sight, insulation thermal sleeve, growth potential.

3. Secondary weapon: 3x GPMG, .30 caliber, one on the gunner's cupola track, one in a the rear bustle for dismounted troops, one remote controlled on commander's periscope/panoramic sight. 2x HMG, .50 caliber, one coaxial on the main gun mantled, one on the commander's cupola track. Exact gun type and total number installed varies and is up to the user. This is more to exemplify the total installation points.

a. Type: HMG DShk or M2 or similar. GPMG M240 or similar type.

b. Caliber: HMG .50 BMG or similar. GPMG .308/7.62x51mm NATO or similar.

c. AP, API, tracer, etc...

d. Ammo is stored internally from a single stowage of 1000 rounds belt for the coaxial gun and 2000 rounds belt for the panoramic sight gun. Other guns are fed from externally mounted boxes/pouches contained belts of 100 to 200 rounds. Other boxes/pouches stored internally on the crew compartment on the turret next to the blast wall.

e. Coaxial gun is slaved to the main gun and its FCS. Commander's periscope/panoramic-sight gun is remote controlled and stabilized on 2 axis. Other guns are manually controlled and non stabilized. Possible provisions for remote control weapon stations are possible in the future.

f. Dismounted troops have access to their own gun on the bustle. Commander has two gun options, one allowing him to fire from a closed hatch. HMG coaxial offers better anti material capability than the usual .30 coaxial on most tanks. Has grow potential for more remote controlled weapon stations an extra coaxial if so desired.

4. Link to Appendix 3 - Weapon system magic. This is where you explain how all the special tricks related to the armament that aren’t obviously available using 1960s tech work, and expand to your heart’s content on estimated performance and how these estimates were reached.

B. Optics:

1. Primary gunsight: Gunner has access to a daytime stabilized optic with a 0-10 magnification, a stabilized IR night sight with IR floodlight (located on top of the mantled) with a 0-10 magnification, a laser range finder and a back-up optical rangefinder located on the rear of the turret and shared with the commander. Commander has access to it's own panoramic sight/periscope with day time and IR modes, 0-8 magnification, and the shared backup range finder.

2. Other optics: Gunner and Commander have access to an array of fixed periscopes on their hatches giving a 360° field of view (not counting obstacles.) Driver has access to 3 periscopes giving a wide field of view.

C. FCS:

1. List of component systems, their purpose and the basic system architecture.

a. Gunner primary sight, located on the left side of the turret rooftop, enters the crew compartment via a hole behind the armor modules. Daytime optic, connected to ballistic computer, laser range finder and backup optic rangefinder. Stabilized on 1 axis

b. Gunner secondary sight, located on the same housing as "a", IR, same functions.

c. Commander panoramic sight. Optic and IR combo on same rotating and extensible housing, on the same location as the gunner's sights, but on the right side. Not connected to the FCS per-se, but it's able to "lock" a direction and then command the turret to rotate to that position. Stabilized 2 axis

d. Laser range finder and IR illumination unit, located above the mantle, parallel to the gun bore. IR and Visible laser receptors/emitters, 2 IR floodlight on the sides. Permanently fixed to mantle and passively stabilized vs the gun stabilization.

e. Backup optical rangefinder. Mounted on the back of the crew compartment, above the blast door and extending to the sides of the turret, outside. Slaved to the gun and its stabilizer.

f. Ballistic computer. Based on the electronics of the flight computer of the new crop of guided missiles. Provides adjustment and coordination of the above components, depending on vehicle speed, distance, ballistic behavior of ammo type, vehicle inclination, activelly tries to compensate or dampen vehicle movement, updates reticle for adequate POI and adjust gun and turret position for a "point and shoot". Can be manually overridden. Currently the R&D department is investigating the feasibility of accounting wind and thermal mirages. Computer is located under the gun compartment in the front of the turret basket.

2. Link to Appendix 3 - weapon system magic, if you have long explanations about the workings of the system.

Fightability:

1. Very low profile, smaller target, less change of not only hitting the vehicle but also hitting a vital component.

2. Even lower profile in a hull-down, inclined position with basically no vital components exposed.

3. Great ride quality, guarantees crew comfort, less stress on sensible equipment, less work of the stabilizers and better control of the vehicle in rough terrain.

4. Hunter-Killer capability allows for more efficiency of the crew, better situational awareness and quicker reaction times.

5. Good crew survivability, guarantees the safety of investment in terms of money and money spent on training a professional crew as well as safeguarding the data they collected even in the case of a defeat.

6. Good offensive capability and flexibility when dealing with multiple unarmored targets.

7. Good serviceability/repairability on the shop or on the field. Even complex to repair or single-use systems can be replaced on the field as a "Plug and play" affair.

8. Great endurance in terms of crew livability and ammo/fuel/supplies. Guarantees longer top-performance period for the crew as well as increased survival changes in case of being removed from the logistical supply chain.

9. Multi fuel capability in a known and well understood engine format, features that facilitate logistics and possibly foraging.

10. While not a currently widespread threat, laser guided ATM are a possibility and the design team considered prudent to not just rely on passive defenses but take a more pro-active aproach and include a IR dazzle feature in the two IR flood lights.

11. The auto-loader design allows for the replenishment of the ammo supply from an external source without the need for the crew to leave the interior of the vehicle. While not ideal, and somewhat cumbersome it offers the possibility to do so while the crew remains in a near-ready condition.

Additional Features:

1. As previously mentioned the modular nature of the composite armor modules allow not only for easier repairs and potentially avoiding the need to refurbish a whole macro component (turret and hull), but also allows to tailor the protection to the needs faced on the theater of operation. For example the arrays can be changed from light NERA to heavy NERA, a combination of both, or a combination with ERA. This also means that long range transport can be facilitated as the tank can be broken down into the tank proper and some armor modules in case there is a weight limitation.

2. The vehicle has growth potential as one of its mission goals. The modular armor, the multi-fuel system, the large caliber gun, etc. There have been some interesting researches into smooth bores and APFSDS, semi combustible cases, higher operating pressures and exotic materials, and while the design team felt those new technologies aren't mature enough to be incorporated into the current entry, nothing stops the user to request a upgrade of the weapon's system's in the future, without major changes to the rest of the vehicle. The same goes for the

Free expression zone:

This project is dedicated to one of our best engineers that passed away recently due to "circumstances".

The project is also dedicated to our chief engineers Dr. Eneas

PS: If necessary the blueprints for the vehicle or any component can be provided to the competition judges.

Lord_James · July 10, 2021

Tracked Combat Vehicle 2247 (TCV-47) "Brahman"

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat (armor)	110 tons (59.1 tons)
Length, combat (transport)	10.4 yards
Width, combat (transport)	4.6 yards (4.5 yards)
Height, combat (transport)	4.4 yards
Ground Pressure, zero penetration
Estimated Speed
Estimated range
Crew, number (roles)	4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	6.1 inch L/34 (36 in mechanized turret bustle / 36 protected hull rack)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	20mm coaxial, 4x .30 cal GPMG (100x 20mm ready + 800 stored / 1300x .30 cal ready + 1200 stored*)

* 2 of the .30 MGs are placed in the hull sponsons as "Docings" (Driver Operated Close IN Gun System), with 500 rounds each.

Vehicle designer’s notes: explain the thought process behind the design of the vehicle, ideas, and the development process from the designer’s point of view.

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Engine- V-12 diesel (based on MB 838), displacement, 1100 hp, liquid cooling, forced air over the cooling surface

3. Transmission - 5-speed automatic, arrangement, "flip gear" allows for using all 5 gears in forward or reverse

4. Fuel - diesel, volume available, stored in engine bay (2 tanks) and hull sponsons (2 tanks) , estimated range, neat features.

5. Upper front plate flips up (via hydraulic pistons) to provide normal access to the engine and transmission. Entire upper plate can be lifted off the tank (7+ ton crane required) to lift engine and transmission out of the engine bay.

6. Suspension - Torsion bar, Travel, ground clearance, neat features.

Survivability:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Link to Appendix 2 - Turret front: 72.9 inches LoS (66.6 inches at 66*)

Upper front plate: 49.1 inches LoS (8.9 inches at 10.44*)

Lower front plate: 28 inches LoS (25.4 inches at 65*)

3. Non-specified survivability features and other neat tricks - low profile, gun depression, instant smoke, cunning internal arrangement, and the like.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Link to Appendix 1 - RFP spreadsheet, colored to reflect achieved performance.

2. Main Weapon-

a. Type

b. Caliber

c. ammunition types and performance (short)

d. Ammo stowage arrangement- numbers ready and total, features.

e. FCS - relevant systems, relevant sights for operating the weapon and so on.

f. Neat features.

3. Secondary weapon - Similar format to primary. Tertiary and further weapons- likewise.

4. Link to Appendix 3 - Weapon system magic. This is where you explain how all the special tricks related to the armament that aren’t obviously available using 1960s tech work, and expand to your heart’s content on estimated performance and how these estimates were reached.

B. Optics:

1. Primary gunsight - type, associated trickery.

2. Likewise for any and all other optics systems installed, in no particular order.

C. FCS:

1. List of component systems, their purpose and the basic system architecture.

2. Link to Appendix 3 - weapon system magic, if you have long explanations about the workings of the system.

Fightability:

1. List vehicle features which improve its fightability and useability.

Additonal Features:

Feel free to list more features as you see fit, in more categories.

Free expression zone: Let out a big yeehaw to impress the world with your design swagger! Kindly spoiler this section if it’s very long.

Work in progress

Dominus Dolorem · July 24, 2021

East Oil Company MBT-1 Monolith

Final

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat (armor)	110.3 (52.9)
Length, combat (transport)	27.9' (without gun) 51.2' (with gun)
Width, combat (transport)	17.6' (13.9' transport )
Height, combat (transport)	10.1'
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	1918psf
Estimated Speed	37.2mph
Estimated range	444 miles
Crew, number (roles)	3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	7 ³/₃₂" L/60 (24 rounds)
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	2x 3¹⁵/₆₄" automatic mortars (copy of Vasilek) (42 rounds)

Vehicle feature list:
Mobility:

1. Link to appendix 1

2. Engine: Object-770 engine

3. Transmission: Object-770 transmission

4. Fuel - Type: Diesel

5. The radiators are deep inside the engine bay with air supplied to them via two ducts mounted along the sides of the engine bay.

6. Suspension: The suspension is derived from that of the T-10M.

Survivability:

1. Link to appendix 1

2. Link to appendix 2

3. The Monolith has a gun a vertical travel of -12 to +15 degrees. For enhancing its survival in an ambus situation it is equipped with 8 MON-90 anti personnel mines to protect against and deter infantrymen and 2 2B9 Vasilek 3¹⁵/₆₄" automatic mortars with 21 bombs each to bombard ATGM positions. Furthermore the tank is equipped with two large IR dazzlers.

Firepower:

A. Weapons: 1x 7 ³/₃₂" L/60 (24 rounds), 2x 3¹⁵/₆₄" automatic mortars (copy of Vasilek) (42 rounds), 3x .50cal HMG (copy of KORD) (1200 rounds)

1. Link to appendix 1

2. Main Weapon: 1x 7 ³/₃₂" L/60

a. Type: Smoothbore high velocity gun.

b. Caliber: 7 ³/₃₂"

c. ammunition types and performance: APFS, AFSDS(steel), APFSDS(segmented DU core), HEATFS(normal),HEATFS(tandem), HEFS (AIX-2)

d. Ammo stowage: 24 round belt tpe autoloader with chan rammer.

3. Secondary weapon 2x 3¹⁵/₆₄" automatic mortars (copy of Vasilek)

b. 3¹⁵/₆₄"

c. The full range of the Vasilek's ammunition.

d. 21x2 (42)

e. Slaved to the gunner's main sight, two plane stabilised.

f. Both can be set to fire at once or separately allowing for two different types of ammunition to be loaded.

4. Link to appendix 3

Spoiler

Mk1 APHEFS

MK1 APFSDS

MK2 APFSDS

B. Optics:

1. Two plane stabilised 1.5-30x main sight with built in laser rangefinder and image intenisfier.

2. Two plane stabilised 4-8x backup sight with built in image intensifier, 3 plane stabilised 1.5-30x commanders sight with built in image intensifier.

C. FCS:

1. The commander can mark the azimuth of targets and their priority on the gunner view (achieved through a rotating wheel with lights on it) or alternatively rotate the turret to face what he is looking at, in the event of the gunner being incapacitated the commander can override his controls and slave the turret to the commanders sight.

2. Link to appendix 3

Fightability:

1. The vehicle includes an airconditioning system (below the gunners seat) allowing for the crew to remain at a comfortable temperature

2. The autoloader can be reloaded by two people at once allowing for more rapid reloading and cranes for handling the ammunition are built into the tank (not depicted)

3. The crew are completely isolated from the ammunition and outside environment.

4. The Monolith has been designed so that with relatively minor modernisation it cab even match tanks such as the pre war T-14 Armata, to this end it has massive armor cavities and it's autoloader can accomadate very long projectiles.

Additonal Features:

5. Multiple variants are planned including an APC, IFV and combat engineering vehicle.

6. Its APHEFS shell will cause extreme amounts of damage to lesser armored tanks such as the Californian and earlier Cascadian tanks aswell as light/medium armored vehicles.

The centre of the turret bustle, containing the ammunition belt of the aoutolaoder can be entirely removed to allow for rapid reloading if the appropriate equipment is present, if it is not there are two hatches in the rear of the turret bustle to allow for reloading in field conditions. The crew are provided with two light cranes fixed to the turret rear (not shown on the model) to assist in reloading.

Link to appendix 1

Link to appendix 2

Link to appendix 3

@ Judges, if you have any question please feel free to ask.

Sturgeon · July 25, 2021

Submissions are now CLOSED.

N-L-M · September 17, 2021

FROM THE FILES OF LFS ORDNANCE DEPT.
- Lone Free State proprietary information -
9.18.2247

To: LFS central command
CC: relevant industrial concerns

@Sturgeon

@Toxn

@Fareastmenace
@delete013

@Sten
@Dominus Dolorem

SUBJ: RE: candidate heavy armored truck designs

Kind sirs,
we apologize for the delay in responding to the technical request in your last communication on this topic. As you are no doubt aware, the LFS Ordnance dept. was set up only recently, and administrative affairs have delayed the trials and testing of the proposed vehicle designs.

With the above said, enclosed are our recommendations for the selection of a new heavy armored truck for the newly formed 1st Heavy Ranger Brigade.

FIRST PLACE:
Brownsville Armour Engineering Systems FV601 “Cossack”

LFS Ordnance was very impressed with this design, featuring a very good blend of features both for the current threat environment and for future threat environments.

Congratulations, @Fareastmenace!

SECOND PLACE:
Persson Engineering Solutions and Brewing, Main Battle Tank, MBT-01, "Gigan"

Another very impressive beast, again featuring a design focused not only on the current threat environment but on the future as well.

@Sten, very well done.

THIRD PLACE:
East Oil Company MBT-1 Monolith

An extremely large, extremely powerful beast, which while perhaps somewhat poorly tailored to the requirements of the LFS nevertheless would offer substantial performance in service.

@Dominus Dolorem, good show.

Detailed opinions on all designs to follow shortly.

Sturgeon · September 17, 2021

YET ANOTHER VICTORY FOR GOOGLE SKETCHUP!

Congratulations, seriously impressive stuff @Fareastmenace!

LoooSeR · September 18, 2021

So, as results are published, i wanted to make notes about each submission i reviewed.

First is @Sturgeon

Overal impression of "Comanche".

Generic and somewhat mediocre design, but mostly gets job done. One of more realistical submissions of this competition.

Spoiler

Positives:

Meets almost all requirements
Isn't overcomplicated or overenginered with exception of commander's sight
Looks to be actually manufacturable at acceptable price
Acceptable weight, although that wasn't in directly in competition requirements.
Attempts to increase safety of ammorack if hit
Attention given to some of elements of crew ergonomics and ability to partially take role of the loader compared to some of other submissions
Good firepower and appropriate FCS for the most part.
Size of suspension units that save space inside of the hull, easily replacable.
Good power output of the engine, automatic transmission.

Negatives:

Front turret armor array looks to have gaps in coverage if tank is used in hulldown and tank is tilted up by few degrees (firing from backhills and alike).
Turret roof with weak-ish protection is visible from the front.
Commander sight looks like to be overcomplicated for the job. Commander is located on other side of the turret from the actual sight. Not good for efficiency of design of the turret space and sight itself.
Way too powerful APU, 150 hp APU will require plenty of space, service, fuel and puts out way too much energy for just an APU. Those things are usually like 10 times less powerfull.
No ERA was used to supplement protection and save some weight
Side skirts are pretty weak
UFP is not exactly that good either if hit from elevated position, or by a shell coming down
Driver position in relation to turret frontal section and his path out of the tank is not so clear.
Muzzle brake use isn't big minus, but it would be better to design a gun without it

Next is @Toxn

Overal impression of "Derebus" and "Derebus-M":

More interesting submission and, as soviets would call it, a "duplex" of tanks was suggested. Sadly didn't reached all required perfomance, "unreliable" perfomance of armor. Derebus-M looks like a vehicle for more mass use and/or tight budget. Derebus is a bit too specialised.

Spoiler

Positives:

Big gun make big boom
Relatively good protection from the front on high-end model.
Low-height turret
Use of ERA for better efficiency on whole duplex
Armored fuel tanks
Fuel tanks used as additional protection feature in frontal section of the tank, protection of the driver
Use of blow-out panels and isolated ammunition
Attempts to make torsion bar suspension easier to repair/replace
Torsion bars units as additional protection measure against mine blasts

Negatives:

Effective armor depends heavily on angles, which was one of the reasons to not get required protection perfomance in wide arc.
3 layered ERA sound like Kharkovite plot, possible chain detonations/fires, needs a bit more complicated and heavier mounting solution, needs some sort of solution to prevent premature detonations of 2nd and 3rd ERA layers, if they are placed in separated containers
Big box on top of the Derebus created a weakspot in area of a gunbreach. Section of roof of that box also looks like it is unprotected.
Laser rangefinder located separately from gunner sight is an issue, attaching it to a gun mantler makes it less practical. Insuring zero of the LRF to gunner sight is a big problem for this design, gunner lacks ability to lase targets that gun can't aim at (for example, gunner sight on T-90 can depress down by 15 degrees, while gun depression is nowhere close to that number).
High pressure and low pressure recoil option for me sounds like a build-in trouble maker when loader will forget to change it back.
Vertical sight/rangefinder is neat, but can have a problem with catching tree branches, and some crap in cities/small towns like hanging wires.
Turret hatchs "bubbles" are visible from the front, can be hit.
Turret on Derebus looks to be front-heavy
Crew vision to the opposite side on Derebus is blocked by gun breach housing.
Engine power output is not great

@Fareastmenace's Cossack. Would like to note a very good submission itself that showed plenty of details of proposed design.

Overal impressions:

Very good vehicle overal with very few bad or strange decisions. 2 configs were noted and i like both.

Spoiler

Positives:

Meets all requirements
Good protection even against future threats
Urban fighting kit
Use of autoloader
Use of sponsons for fuel tanks
Good range on normal model, above required and desired
Good firepower and selection of shells
Relatively good FCS
Use of laser detection sensors
Use of active measures to increase chances of vehicle to not get hit
Crew ergonomics features
Good engine power output

Negatives:

Crew of 4 on a tank with autoloader is inefficiency.
Use of radio operator is strange
ERA not used on base confifuration
Not much ammo in autoloader itself
Multiply ammoracks in a tank, increased chance of one of them getting hit
Some of FCS features sound expansive/unnecessary to be used on a big fleet of tanks, like several remote controlled MGs with cameras that can be used by any crewmember.
Active hydropneumatical suspension not very good for survivability and damage control. Would be pretty expansive for level of tech avaliable.
Radio detection equipment is not that usefull for tanks in general, better given to proper recon forces.
Hull crew escape route on Urban kit equipped tanks is not very good

@Sten

My overal impressions about Gigan:

We are getting into memezone. Huge, heavy, pancakes, overarmored.

Spoiler

Positives:

Meets requirements
Muh armor strong
Good gun, overal
Good engine output, even a bit too much
Use of autoloader
Use of soft kill APS for future upgrades
Use of wet ammoracks
Use of ERA
Use of spall liner
Measures to protect crew from penetrating hits and attempts to prevent mission kills
Crew ergonomics features

Negatives:

Armor is some places is way too thick to unresonable degrees
Very hard to manufacture turret NERA plates because of the shape
Use of titanium
Not much ammo in autoloader itself
4 ammoracks all over the tank, high chance of one of them getting hit
Complicated shape of the turret structure
Thin-ish UFP
Not sure why bother with rifled gun design
Laser rangefinder stuck to a turret separatly from gunner sight. Same problems as i mentioned in notes for Toxn's Derebus.
NotShtora isn't going to work against types of missiles mentioned in submissions. Laser beam riders don't care about your IR d a z z l i n g action.
IR floodlights are going to be a problem in night fighting, they attract fire.
Not sure why you need visible laser emitter
Muzzle brake isn't big minus, but it would be better to have a pew-pew stick without it

@Dominus Dolorem's Memelith

Overal impressions:

Insane, huge, overarmed, meme on tracks.

Spoiler

Positives:

Meets requirements, and some of the future threats
Well armored even from the side
BIG gun makes big boom
Selection of ammunition
Secondary firepower options
Use of autoloader
Ok amount of shells in autoloader
Use of IR dazzlers/softkill
Ammo isolated from the crew
Quick reload options for autoloader
Ok FCS
Crew of 3
Airconditioning for crew

Negatives:

Turret is very likely to be very front heavy
2 Vasilyok automatic mortars copy is very strange choice for secondary weapon type, as it is not exactly designed to be remotely operated and reloaded
Driver is in pretty bad place
Shape of the hull limits avaliable space
IR floodlights are going to be a problem in night fighting, they attract fire.
"Hump" on turret is a problem for crew visibility
Stereorangefinder could have had bigger base
Huge tracks is going to be a pain to repair
This thing is also going to create problems with logistics, although in context of competition those are bridges that would suffer.

N-L-M · September 18, 2021

judge's opinions:

For the sake of convenience, these are posted in order of posting in the submission thread.

XG-48E3 Comanche Battle-cruiser

Spoiler

This tank was an interesting combination of features which were very sensible and some which left us scratching our heads.
the good:
-Sensible choice of good automotive components, with sufficient overhead for future growth or derating in case of developmental issues with stated engine power output.
-extreme range
-well suited to operation in dusty environments
-Hull appears very solid
-whole model is very well put together, especially the design logic of integration before armor design.
-FCS looks very sensible on the whole
-Very healthy gun with a lot of ammunition
-healthy gun depression arcs
-Load assist
-Optics placement doesn't create a weak spot
-lots of MGs

the bad:

-The protection doesn't meet the basic requirements - Mormon martyrtube to the hull sides will go through.
-protection is only very marginally effective against future threats - Fairly good protection against horizontal attack by Cascadian 3.54" HEAT, but no real protection against tandem threats or diving threats.
-Turret base structure is too thin, and likely will break apart as a result of the gun firing. Said thin base also limits the effectiveness of the reactive elements, as there's little there to soak up residual penetration.
the ugly:
-the tank has nearly all the complexity of an autoloader yet still retains a man in the loop, where he could be done away with and the volume and weight freed up for other things.
-Very complicated commander's sight, instead of simply putting the sight near the commander, where he may operate it directly.
-Somewhat inconsistent armor, using cassette arrays with thin plates in some places and massive plates thicknesses in others.
-It is somewhat unclear what purpose plain HEAT ammo serves over straight HE when every target for which it is relevant is likely to also be sporting ERA.
-It is entirely unclear that there is enough space for the sheer size of the APU desired and a downgrade may be needed, but even a substantial downgrade in APU size would still be reasonable.
-integral rather than modular armor packs limit upgradeability.
-Turret corner guns obscure fields of view and are best given to commander and loader to operate.
-flat turret roof is sub-optimal for fields of view for the commander, particularly off the left but also to the right.
-HHA in the belly is likely worse than straight RHA as it's primarily a shock loading.

Main Battle Tank, 2247, project names "Derebus" and "Derebus-M"

Spoiler

The Derebus, in both its variants, are fairly austere designs, with a few interesting features, which ended somewhat overtaken by the other submissions.
the good:
-good weight and ground pressure
-reasonable quantity of ammunition, especially in 4" version.
-Powerpack is a sensible choice, made mostly of sensible parts.
-High-low mix is an interesting concept to apply to MBTs, especially given the kinds of fight the LFS is likely to get into.
-Fuel is properly protected by armor
-the turret flanks are fairly well "tucked in" behind the cheeks.
-fully separated ammo
the bad:
-Turret appears to be poorly balanced with the enormous gun tunnel and gun in the front as well as the heavy frontal armor.
-Single axis stabilized gunsights are not as good as 2 axis ones, and it's unclear why this was chosen.
-LRFs on the cannon are only stabilized as well as the cannon, which is not as good as the sight, which may lead to unnecessary errors.
-Using 2 V6 engines instead of a single V12 with similar components (or even sub-assemblies) is highly unusual.
-The gun bulge leaves gaps in the armor protection.
-The armor does not meet the requirements for side protection, nor does the front provide protection against emerging tandem threats.
The cassette design allows reasonable attacks normal to the cassettes, which reduces their effectiveness rather sharply.
-not very many MGs
-the extremely tall periscope is asking for trouble.
-very obstructed fields of view, commander must stand up very high to see over gun.
the ugly:
-the armor is very heavy in backing and fairly light in cassettes, which gives somewhat poor protection for the weight.
-the purpose of gearing in the torsion bars, as opposed to merely having traditional torsion bars, is entirely unclear.
-The purpose of adding a liner made of the worst metal to the powerpack is also unclear, and would complicate maintenance procedures when the powerpack is outside the vehicle.
-Aluminum is also poorly suited for use in belly applications owing to poor shock properties.

Brownsville Armour Engineering Systems FV601 “Cossack”

Spoiler

As you know from the previous post, this entry won, and for good reason.

Before we even get into the details, the submission itself deserves great praise for the graphs, which are a result of a program written specifically to check armor values with this ruleset. The level of effort put in to this as well as to 3d modelling is laudable.

the good:
-Excellent level of protection, both against specced threats and growth threats, including heavy tandems.
-large number of MGs in a wide selection of mounts
-Sensible automotive layout and choices, including reasonable margin for engine power should projected power not be available.
-Retains desired automotive performance even with the extra armor installed.
-Great attention to detail, including FCS, automotives, and so on
-good crew comfort features
-large powerful autoloaded cannon with reasonable quantity of ammunition.
-Softkill APS a very forwards-thinking solution.
-Fuel not stowed in the crew compartment, but in armored external boxes. Option for properly armored fuel inside protected volume of engine bay.
-Reasonable FOV from commander's station.
-H-P suspension is very good if the seals available can cope with the weight of such a vehicle.
-relatively small dimensions are good for keeping weight down and for maneuverability.
-fully separated ammo
the bad:
-As presented, all the fuel is only lightly protected.
-Active H-P suspension requires a high pressure hydraulic system in the suspension, a problem where mine protection is concerned.
-Mantlet armor leaves a lot to be desired, relative to the rest of the armor.
-Turret roof is also fairly poorly protected, relatively, and won't stop threats which are stopped by the main armor at high elevations.
-use of video cameras for gunnery is not really good enough given the tech at hand.
the ugly:
-The armor cassettes are inboard of the major air gaps in the armor. Per the rules this is technically more efficient, but in reality the opposite is true.
This is of course my fault, for putting together rules which do not always properly reflect reality.
-The proposed mix'n'match of electronics seems very optimistic for the tech level.
-RDF equipment likely of very minor utility
-Presence of 4th crewmember possibly superfluous, and may be better replaced by more ammunition.
-Softkill false alarm rate may be quite high given available tech

VK-55.01 - Versuchsträger NK

Spoiler

This submission was, by agreement of all the judges, the worst of the complete submissions.
Even before getting into the details of the design itself, there were a couple of basic failures to read which on their own would give adequate cause to disregard the submission and go no further:
1. Submission was handed in in unrecognized and unsolicited units of measurement, in clear contradiction of the requirement laid out.
2. The armor design is not in accordance with the accepted practices accepted by LFS Ordnance. Specifically, in several places cassettes were not given adequate room to function (being attached to HHA plates), and in others cassettes were arranged in such a manner which would not result in clean hits going in one side of the sandwich and out the other, but rather out the edges.
Nevertheless, the Ordnance committee persisted in examining the other features of this design as presented.

the good:
-Powerful cannon with large ammunition capacity claimed
-Citadel concept for improving crew protection is interesting
-use of Merkava style coil springs is sensible enough.
-Merkava style rear access door is sensible.
the bad:
-Hull structure insufficiently thick for structural reasons
-armor does not reach required or claimed protection level (side threat, mine threat, frontal protection of powerpack)
-armor does not provide protection against growth threats.
-engine compartment far too small for the desired powerpack.
-attempting to mount a transverse V12 1500HP engine alongside the driver speaks of a lack of spatial reasoning skills.
-Use of an overlapped and interleaved suspension is an incredibly poor choice for a fairly far-travelling and maintenance light force like the LFS Rangers, for reasons known to all since the mid 1940s. This choice boggles the mind given the conversations already held on this forum on this topic.
-Use of single pin, unbushed, tracks gives poor track life, particularly in sandy environments, and is therefore unsuitable to long range self-deploying operations. It is difficult to choose a track link less suitable to the operating environment of the LFS, and along with the overlapped and interleaved suspension speaks of blind cargo culting without understanding the tradeoffs involved.
-there is a contradiction between the stated height of the turret, roughly 22", and the stated ammunition capacity of 33 rounds of 4.7" ammo. The case head diameter of 4.7" Kraut is roughly 6.7", which cannot be fit 3 deep with armor above and below and in an autoloader within those dimensional limitations.
-The autoloader, as described, is unworkable. Doubly so for the replenishment mechanism.
-The gun, as modelled, appears to lack the recoil mechanism. The original Kraut 4.7" gun has a length of approximately 54" from the trunnion to the rear of the breech ring. With this length, and at least 12" for recoil taken into account, we end up with 66" of length from the trunnion to the end of the gun stroke. Even within a fairly large 85" ring, this leaves no room for the 40" , at least, needed for the proposed drum autoloader.
-2-axis elevation pretty much by definition makes stabilization impossible, as at least one, if not both, of the axes are nowhere near the center of gravity of the elevating mass, greatly increasing to unmanageable levels the power required of the elevation drive. Such a system has never before been proposed for a stabilized gun, and for very good reason, namely that it is absurd.
-claimed turret roof height and gun depression don't mesh well.
-hatch under driver is a net negative for mine protection.
-retractable optics are absolutely awful for alignment.
-Very basic mil scale reticle cargo culted off the Tiger and stereoscopic rangefinder are poor choices, compared to laser rangefinders or even a coincidence rangefinder.
-the proposed use of active IR is an extremely poor choice when threats are also expected to be using IR optics.
-the proposed new ammunition type is nonsensical. The penetration which can be achieved by a ~0.6" shaped charge is extremely low, and attempting to boost a core by rocket at impact is likewise farcial.
-flat turret roof is poor for commander vision.
-Low number of independent MGs.
the ugly:
-The volume which is supposed to be dedicated to fuel is entirely unclear.
-0.8" autocannon have been tried many times on tanks, and broadly have never been truly considered a success.
-Claimed range is less than desired.

All in all, this submission is a great example of how not to do things, and of a great lack of actual engineering sense.
The only way I could possibly see this thing being a success was if its purpose was to waste my time.

Persson Engineering Solutions and Brewing, Main Battle Tank, MBT-01, "Gigan"

Spoiler

This design is, in one word, "insano".
the good:
-Good gun and ammo load
-loads of MGs everywhere
-sensible automotives even if downrated
-borderline excessive armor against horizontal threats, including large ones.
-Good crew comfort features
-Very serious and well modelled FCS
-fuel in frag-protected sponsons as well as in real protected volume
-properly separated ammo, with the warheads pointing away for extra safety
-Softkill dazzlers are a forwards-thinking system
the bad:
-Borderline unmanufacturable. Extremely complex shapes of both turret and armor packs, extensive use of Titanium, and so on lead to a vehicle which would be very expensive to produce, even in quantity. This more than anything else gave the Cossack the edge over this submission, which is otherwise very competitive.
-flat roof with some obstructions gives fairly poor fields of view for commander.
-The primary gunsight is only stabilized in one axis for reasons which are unclear.
-frontal armor does not protect well against diving attacks.
the ugly:
-the protection level is somewhat inconsistent, owing to a large number of "weak spots", which are however still strong enough for it not to be an issue.
-The ammunition types look strange, but I can't fault a man for going above and beyond. Again not sure why anyone would bother with a plain HEAT round given the prevalence of reactive armors.
-The belly uses HHA where it's generally unsuited.
-Currently, there are few or no enemy ATGMs vulnerable to dazzlers. The Cascadian BGM-1A and 1B are improved MCLOS, the BGM-1D is (or will be) laser beam riding, the Mormon JS-1 is MCLOS, and various "dumb" weapons are of course unaffected. Of the current threat systems, only the BGM-1C is even possibly vulnerable.
-the ability for seals for H-P suspension to cope with this weight is an open question.

East Oil Company MBT-1 Monolith

Spoiler

Far and away the largest of the proposals, but also very capable, despite how ridiculous it is.
the good:
-absolute unit frontal armor, reasonable enough side armor
-insanely powerful main gun
-Lots of secondary automatic HE firepower for bullying anyone and everyone
-close-in defenses against infantry
-use of softkill dazzlers is a forwards-thinking feature
the bad:
-XBAWKSHUEG
-turret side armor leaves something to be desired, thin outer layer will not protect auto-mortars well from damage
-Gun and turret do not look well balanced.
-Mantlet protection is just silly, and would benefit greatly from being brought up to the level of the rest of the frontal armor.
-View from the turret roof isn't good.
-roof doesn't stop diving attacks
the ugly:
-Many of the ammo types should not exist, there's very little that an HE round from that gun won't just obliterate.
-a meme on tracks
- moving around unitary ~7" ammunition is the stuff legends are made of
-Repair and upkeep of such a massive vehicle is not going to be easy.

Sturgeon · September 18, 2021

11 minutes ago, N-L-M said:

-The protection doesn't meet the basic requirements - Mormon martyrtube to the hull sides will go through.

Sturgeon · September 18, 2021

Absolutely brutal judging, btw, respect.

Sten · September 18, 2021

Excessive protection achievement unlocked.

I basically looked at the requirements and said "... sounds reasonable... now how I stop a Kornet?"

Cost issue is a fair point and I'm never doing a conical onion NERA array... official protest is "We can make square modules."

On the IR floodlights being an issue, yes. But as far as I understand FLIR wasn't an option, and it was standard for tanks to have those in the past, I'm pretty sure one could simply cover or turn them off.

Curious about what the weakspots in the armor are. Not complaining, but wonder what escaped my attention.

Also I'm happy it wasn't overweight, that was my main concern after I committed to borderline meme

Sturgeon · September 18, 2021

20 minutes ago, N-L-M said:

Again not sure why anyone would bother with a plain HEAT round given the prevalence of reactive armors.

I sincerely doubt any of the contestants have any idea what this is about.

N-L-M · September 18, 2021

The LFS knows of reactive armors, and indeed the competition features them heavily.

The opponents of the LFS are however also aware of these armor types.

The only kinds of target against which HEAT is more useful than plain HE is thick monolithic or spaced RHA, but any such target will also most likely feature some layers of reactive armor and so HEAT will not be useful to keep around.

Sturgeon · September 18, 2021

15 minutes ago, N-L-M said:

The LFS knows of reactive armors, and indeed the competition features them heavily.

The opponents of the LFS are however also aware of these armor types.

The only kinds of target against which HEAT is more useful than plain HE is thick monolithic or spaced RHA, but any such target will also most likely feature some layers of reactive armor and so HEAT will not be useful to keep around.

Huh. I didn't realize that was the case. Why don't we see more straight HE in modern MBTs then?

Toxn · September 18, 2021

Thanks to the judges for their brutally fair/fairly brutal assessments

I should note from my end that the turrets of both models of Derebus are actually very well balanced (at least, according to the CAD models) because of how aggressively sloped the front is and how far back the trunnions are.

Derebus is about 10.8" 27.4cm ahead of the centrepoint of the ring, while Derebus-M is dead-on.

Other than that it's a fair cop.

N-L-M · September 18, 2021

6 hours ago, Sturgeon said:

Huh. I didn't realize that was the case. Why don't we see more straight HE in modern MBTs then?

We are seeing HEAT types being replaced across the board with MPHE types and this has been the case for around 15 years or so. Using up cold war HEAT stocks notwithstanding.

Fareastmenace · September 18, 2021

Thanks to the judges for their assessement ! It was a lot of fun making this proposal, and to watch everybody else's tank move forward.

N-L-M · September 18, 2021

FROM THE FILES OF LFS ORDNANCE DEPT.
- Lone Free State proprietary information -
9.18.2247

To: LFS central command

SUBJ: RE: candidate heavy armored truck designs

Kind sirs,
In conclusion of the evaluation process, LFS Ordnance would also like to share its in-house design for consideration.

It was assumed that the Ordnance Dept was being put together to meet the failure of industry to meet the old armored truck requirement, and that the new requirements were in addition to those of the previous competitive bidding process. As a result, we were somewhat surprised to discover an RFP had been sent out and that industry had not only replied with multiple proposals, many of them with caterpillar tracks rather than the usually accepted pneumatic tires! Nevertheless, attached is the Ordnance proposal for the heavy armored truck requirement, and Ordnance welcomes its new role as a more advisory body in the acceptance trials of the industry prototypes.
See attached proposal.

Ordnance Design Proposal HT-1 “Howling Retriever” Main Battle Truck

Table of basic statistics:

Parameter	Value
Mass, combat (armor)	94,600 Lb (47,300 Lb armor)
Length, combat (transport)	369” = 30’ 9”
Width, combat (transport)	142” = 11’ 10”
Height, combat (transport)	114” = 9’ 6” to top of commander’s sight, 99” = 8’ 3” to turret body roof
Ground Pressure, zero penetration	1986 PSF NGP (25” tire width, 24” rolling radius on 55” dia tires for 28” length contact patch)
Estimated Speed	Up to 60 MPH on hard ground
Estimated range	526 Miles at 40 MPH (690 HP and 2,200 Lb fuel)
Crew, number (roles)	3-5 - Commander, gunner, driver, 2 optional dismounts/waist gunners.
Main armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	5”/45 high pressure gun, 17 ready, 0-27 stowed 5”x24.6” semi-combustible case.
Secondary armament, caliber (ammo count ready/stowed)	Coaxial .30 MG - 2,000 ready, 6,000 stowed Over-gun .50 HMG - 100 ready, 800 stowed Commander’s .30 MG - 600 ready, 1800 stowed 4x .30 waist guns - 500 rounds ready per gun, none stowed, not intended for reloading in combat. Grenade projectors - 24 ready, 24 stowed 3” smoke grenade launchers may be armed with HE grenades for close in defense against infantry. WP smoke grenades also have substantial anti-infantry effects.

Vehicle designer’s notes: explain the thought process behind the design of the vehicle, ideas, and the development process from the designer’s point of view.

Vehicle feature list:

Mobility:

1. Appendix 1 - performance spec

2. Engine- V8 AVDS- 1200 - From the early-war documentary series Mad Max, it is clear that the optimal engine type for long range motorized conflict or patrolling is the V8. featuring intercoolers, large radiators, and a PTO at the rear to power the truck’s pneumatics, as well as a 650 Amp alternator, this engine is conservatively rated at 700 HP and not the 900 HP one would expect from cutting down a 1790 with the same mods. This is intentional, the de-rating intended to boost the reliability and lifetime of the engine, allowing longer ranged patrols with less frequent maintenance or replacement required. The air-cooling is likewise very reliable and very robust, being mostly immune to damage to the fans or fins, and potentially even to the loss of a cylinder or two.

3. Transmission - Copy of the pre-war Allison 4700 SP, uprated to 700 HP, with the coolant running through the radiators on the engine as is typical for AVDS engines. Also modified to have 2 reverse ratios rather than one, the combination of torque converter and a large number of gear ratios allows good torque delivery at any power output.

The transmission connects to a 2-range transfer case, which also contains the AWD selector clutch. Rear wheels (axles 4 and 5) are always engaged, axles 1-3 selectable. Ranges and speeds are estimated as in low range, with those in high range being proportionally greater.

The transfer case feeds the lengthwise drive shafts, which then in turn feed the (pneumatically lockable) diffs on each axle.

Steering is accomplished via a pneumatic assist, feeding the second axle with Ackerman bars, with the rest being connected by H-style linkage bars as well as cross-bars to prevent the loss of one wheel preventing the steering of others.

4. Fuel - Diesel, approximately 2,200 lb, stowed in the front hull left behind an 0.4” bulkhead, and in the engine compartment under the V engine. Fuel is the lifeblood of the vehicle’s mobility, and is therefore stowed entirely under armor yet also separate from the crew. Range is estimated as 526 miles in low range, using the formula for tracked vehicles as requested. It is however noted that a good rule of thumb is that tracked vehicles have half the fuel efficiency of a wheeled vehicle at the same weight and power, so actual range will likely be much greater. Being behind an armored bulkhead, the front fuel tank can also participate ballistically against threats which make it through the frontal armor or through the wheel well gap in the frontal arc. In such a case, the rear engine compartment tanks should provide enough emergency range to get out of trouble.

5. Other neat features in the engine bay.
The powerpack, featuring the engine, transmission, cooling, and pneumatic system, slides out on rails around 45” before lifting, to clear the dismount compartment tunnel the transmission is located in.
Air filtration is located in the left large sponson box, along with 4 6T size 12V batteries, with the right large sponson box featuring a small 15 HP APU also driving the compressor for the crew’s AC.

Engine features a pneumatic start feature for high starting reliability.

6. Suspension - 10x10 Double wishbone with twin coil spring suspension on large off-road tires, featuring a travel of 10” jounce (in addition to additional tire compression), ground clearance of 15” minimum at the wishbones, 28” to the center of the V-hull, mounted to hull outriggers stiffened by the driveline components themselves.

7. CTIS fed off truck pneumatic system for best suiting the ground pressure to the terrain.

Survivability:

1. Appendix 1 - performance spec

2. Appendix 2 - armor array details

3. Non-specified survivability features and other neat tricks
A. The armored truck features an extremely low profile in firing position.

B. The armor is fully modular, allowing both easy replacement of damaged modules, as well as easy future upgrades.

C. All flammable materials other than the optional stowed ammo are separated from the crew behind blast bulkheads.

D. The design features very thick roof armor, to help defend against valley ambushes, mountain combat, indirect fire, air attacks, or the like.

E. The ability to dismount a scout section of 2 men to scout ahead of the vehicle in close terrain or beyond cover allows the vehicle to avoid situations it may otherwise have blundered into. It is suggested that should platoon or larger formations be used, that a mix of gun-trucks and troop-trucks be employed for an optimal carrying capacity of both men and ammunition to be achieved.

F. The side doors both allow dismounting under fire and quick resupply and return to the fight.

G. Dedicated waist gunners offer a much more comprehensive ability to lay down suppressive fire along the flanks than alternatives.

H. The thick bottom, V-shape, and extreme standoff offer very good protection against mines and IEDs.

I. All equipment is mounted to the sides or roof, not the floor, to prevent whiplash from mines.

J. Driveline is immune to the loss of any single wheel, and likely all 2-wheel - loss combinations.

K. Sponson boxes are made of 0.4" HH, to protect both their contents and the wheels from small arms fire and fragmentation threats.

L. Large quantity of smoke or HE grenade launchers (24+24 for 4+4 salvos of 6). Fired from the commander’s position.

M. Sufficient electronic overhead to accept warning systems as well as softkill and potentially hard-kill active protection means when those mature. It is not seen as necessary to mount such a system yet, as current threat weapon systems are not SACLOS.

Firepower:

A. Weapons:

1. Appendix 1 - performance spec

2. Main Weapon-

a. Type: high pressure, long recoil stroke smoothbore with vertical sliding breech.

b. Caliber: 5” L/45

c. ammunition types and performance:

1) DU slug, steel body, spool sabot, subcaliber fin, APFSDS. The performance of this round cannot possibly be worse than that of the 3BM22 of yore, boasting 17” of penetration at 1.25 miles. Likely, the performance is substantially better, but even if not, the gun is sufficiently powerful that substantial growth potential exists to rounds more powerful than any fielded by the Kraut 4.7” gun from ages long forgotten. MV of at around 6,000 ft/s.

2) Multi purpose HE, featuring a hardened body capped with a ballistic cap and pre-formed frag, nose fuze with 2 modes and a backup tail fuze. MV of at least 3,000 ft/s, with an all-up weight of 59 lb.
Mode 1 - Super Quick - for use in the open against soft targets or very hard targets where penetration isn’t considered likely. In this mode, the tail fuze acts only as a backup.
Mode 2 - Point Detonating Delay - for use against semi - hard targets such as bunkers, lightly armored trucks, and troops in cover. In this mode the nose fuze is disabled and only the delay tail fuze acts, to detonate only after penetration or ricochet.
As a future growth option, a selectable time fuze is proposed.

HEAT ammunition is not considered worth the effort, as it is expected that any targets resistant enough to the HE round will also feature a reactive armor kit serious enough to render such a round moot.

d. Ammo stowage arrangement- 17 ready in autoloader in turret bustle blowout compartment, up to 27 stowed in fire-resistant sleeves in dismount compartment instead of dismounts. Spare MG ammo stowed in spaced armor pockets along turret roof sides, and inside turret under crew seats and floor.

e. FCS - Fully independently stabilized gunsights, with “3-switch” style firing, with gun hydraulically stabilized in closed loop via gun resolver. Hydraulics for gunnery and autoloader live in turret bustle, under the autoloader, with only thin lines running into the fighting compartment. Commander’s independent fire control cupola, featuring stabilization piggybacked off the turret stabilization, and laser rangefinder. Commander has override ability and controls.
Gunner’s sight features dual channel (space claim for thermal optics when they are ready), 2-axis stabilized mirror, plus laser rangefinder and 1X periscope forwards.

f. Neat features:

1) The main gun features a very high max elevation of +30 degrees, to better aim at targets in annoyingly high places, like mountain passes.

2) Autoloading and independent stabilization allow true fire-on-the-move capability.

3. Secondary weapons.

a. Coax .30. Rigidly tied to the main armament, internally operated, can hot-swap barrels or be reloaded (by the gunner).

b. Overhead .50. Rigidly tied to main armament, externally loaded but fired from within the vehicle.

c. Commander’s .30 MG - fired from within the cupola, fed from 600 round banana box above the periscopes behind the hatch.

d. Waist MGs - 4, servo-driven and controlled either by the waist gunners via joystick, periscope, and tracer, or by driver, via automatic sweep in traverse and elevation using limit switches (as featured in the documentary Breaking Bad). 500 rounds each, to be reloaded out of combat, likewise limit switch limits may be set out of combat.

e. WP or HE 3” grenades in the smoke grenade launchers for immediate, close-in, destructive fire in a 60 deg arc. Fired from the commander’s position in salvos of 6.

f. Dismount weapons.
Typically, scouts are equipped with self-loading rifles or auto-rifles, including scoped variants, but are also capable of operating most infantry weapons, including dismounted machine guns from the vehicle. The ability to provide fire and maneuver in conjunction with a base of fire laid down by the parent vehicle allows the solving of usually complex tactical situations.

4. Appendix 3 - weapon system magic

B. Optics:

1. Primary gunsight:

Type: 2 axis, independently (electrically) stabilized mirror head, 2-channel, with integrated LRF and 1X direct vision periscope. Due to lack of space in the turret, there is no direct extension for the commander to see through, for the thermal sight a repeater will be installed in the commander’s position.

Second channel is currently occupied by a 2nd-gen I2 device, to be replaced by thermals as soon as possible.

2. Commander’s independent sight:

Part of the FCS cupola, featuring single channel day/ I2 optics (with potential thermal upgrade down the line), stabilized by piggyback off the turret gyro unit and a coarse resolver around the cupola ring, intended to balance cost and quality. Solution is unlikely to be useful for long range gunnery, but sufficient for close range gunnery and for selecting targets for the gunner to interrogate and engage with his superior optics.

3. Commander’s peripheral periscopes:

Give the FCS cupola good all-around vision when buttoned down, especially over the right of the turret.

4. Gunner’s peripheral periscopes:
Give the gunner a good view over the left, (both a bit forwards and a bit aft of 9 oclock), of the turret when buttoned down, complementing the commander’s field of view.

5. Driver’s periscopes:

Positioned at the edge of the 15 degree slope, give the driver a good field of view in front of the vehicle with few obstructions. Center periscope may be equipped with I2 devices for night driving. Periscopes for this position are of the split type, with one reflective surface in the hatch and the other in the hull to allow easier opening of the driver’s hatch.

6. Mk 1 eyeball. Commander’s hatch features an open protected position, and the angles of the roof allow him good all-around vision without having to stick his head too far out.

7. Waist gunner periscopes. These periscopes offer a good field of view to the front quarter of each side, especially upwards, to allow the waist gunners to direct their fire against targets in those likely ambush sectors.

8. Dismount scouts.

Better than any other vision system, and capable of operating all infantry optical devices, as well as self-deploying short distances away to scout dangerous terrain before the vehicle advances.

C. FCS:

1. 2-axis stabilized 5” L/45 smoothbore

2. Independently 2-axis stabilized gunner’s sight with dual channel operation and LRF

3. Independently stabilized commander’s FCS cupola with built-in MG

4. Electronic computer for controlling turret systems.

5. Servo drives for waist MGs

6. Appendix 3 - weapon system magic

Crew comfort:

1. Air conditioning - a must have, particularly for the dismounts who have no hatches for use while in motion. Located in the right large sponson box along with the APU, feeding the crew compartment via the dismount compartment.
Aircon also aids in maintaining the life of electronic components, an important feature for such an electronically-rich vehicle.

With flow reversal, the aircon unit heats the crew compartment during the winter, with none of the dangers of a fuel-powered crew heater.

2. Drinking water. There is a tank for drinking water installed, between the frontal fuel tank and the turret basket.. With a capacity of 47 gallons, this allows the tank to operate in the desert and support infantry for extended operations without supply. Additional external stowage is of course possible. A heat exchanger with the driver’s aircon pipe allows drinking water below ambient temperature.

3. Diesel -powered burner stove for cooking hot meals outside the vehicle.

4. Height. All seats are adjustable and suitable to the above-average Texan recruit. There is sufficient headroom and elbow space in every crew position.

5. Fume extractor on the barrel greatly reduces the flow of gas into the fighting compartment when the gun fires.

Upgradeability:

1. Suspension capable of taking both current weight and potential weight growth without excessive wear, though at higher ground pressure. Ground pressure can be reduced via CTIS at the cost of increased tire wear.

2. Armor upgradeability, as the armor is modular.

3. Powerpack allows upgrades as they become available, and rear wheel position allows extending the hull rearwards should more space be required in the powerpack compartment.

4. Spare internal volume for more vetronics.

5. Frontally removable gun, allows easy maintenance and upgrading.

Additional Features:

1. Current development of variants includes:

a. HAPC/HIFV (similar in concept to a heavy BTR-82A), as well as sub-variants for command, MEDEVAC, recovery, and other purposes.

b. SPAA (Shilka-like turret, with twin 1.5” guns, and basic air search and ranging radars; plenty of space for more advanced electronics when available. Also useful for bullying mormonhideen off of mountains)

c. Howitzer truck - Similar chassis, but with outrigger stabilizers, less heavy armor, and a larger turret with an unstabilized 6" gun capable of even higher elevation and an enlarged autoloader, for providing maneuver forces with the requisite heavy artillery support they may require.

d. Medium armored truck - by removing much of the modular armor from the HR, substantial mobility potential is unleashed. It is recommended that a few vehicles be so used in long range patrols where heavy weapons are not expected to be encountered.

2. The compressed air system connects to a pneumatic joint in the engine bay, to which air-powered tools can be attached. Current supplied tools as basic vehicle equipment include a pressure blower for cleaning air filters and the like, a pneumatic bolt-driver, a pneumatic jack, and other assorted goodies.

Free expression zone:

Certain members of the Ordnance design team are convinced that tracked armored trucks will never catch on, whereas others are convinced that tracks are the one true way whereas wheeled vehicles are inherently less survivable. Isolating these two groups has taken substantial development effort, as well as the classification of the term "death trap" as fightin' words.

Dominus Dolorem · September 21, 2021

I must say I was actually quite surprised to see the Monolith doing as well as it did, but no points for meeting the penetration requirement with APHE?

I wonder what an engagement between a Monolith and Stumpy would look like.

Toxn · September 21, 2021

2 hours ago, Dominus Dolorem said:

I must say I was actually quite surprised to see the Monolith doing as well as it did, but no points for meeting the penetration requirement with APHE?

Stupidity is its own reward

2 hours ago, Dominus Dolorem said:

I wonder what an engagement between a Monolith and Stumpy would look like.

I think it would depend heavily on the terrain. Something I only realised about the Stumpy after the competition is that its MMP is ass, so any kind of swampy terrain would be a nightmare for it. On firm, rolling ground, however, I think it could just sling giant HEAT missiles at the Monolith until something gives out.

SUBMISSIONS for Steel Chariot of The Prairie: The Lone Free State's First Battle Tank (2247)

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