Light Tanks... de toekomst ?

[vlincent]

Volgens http://www.military-today.com/artillery/centauro_2.htm heeft de Centauro 2 circa 40 stuks 120 mm. De datasheet zegt 12 ready to fire, misschien is er nog een andere munitie opbergplaats?

[Parera]

Dat is een geintje zeker. Wat een ontwerp cluster fuck is dat zeg. Heel je mobiliteit voordeel is pleite als er altijd een stel karren achteraan moet tuffen voor munitie. Die hebben ook weer brandstof en reserveonderdelen nodig, en bemanning.

Maargoed, hier is hij niet eens op afgeketst, apparaat werkt gewoon niet als een rups en heeft geen adequate bescherming.

Dan vond men waarschijnlijk een nog groter struikelblok  Het idee krijgt een 10 van mij maar de uitvoering een dikke 1.
Dan heeft de CV90120T het een stuk beter voor elkaar met 12 stuks in het magazijn + 33 in rekken opgeslagen, al twijfelde ik daar al of dat wel genoeg rounds waren.

En dan te bedenken dat de voorgaande Centauro I maar 9 stuks 120mm munitie heeft (14 stuks 105mm).

http://www.iveco-otomelara.com/docs/CENTAURO_MGS.pdf

Nog minder , wie heeft dat ding ontworpen en de eisen gesteld? 

[Sparkplug]

En dan te bedenken dat de voorgaande Centauro I maar 9 stuks 120mm munitie heeft (14 stuks 105mm).

http://www.iveco-otomelara.com/docs/CENTAURO_MGS.pdf

[Huzaar1]

Dat is een geintje zeker. Wat een ontwerp cluster fuck is dat zeg. Heel je mobiliteit voordeel is pleite als er altijd een stel karren achteraan moet tuffen voor munitie. Die hebben ook weer brandstof en reserveonderdelen nodig, en bemanning.

Maargoed, hier is hij niet eens op afgeketst, apparaat werkt gewoon niet als een rups en heeft geen adequate bescherming.

[Parera]

12?
12 kogels is de munitievoorraad?

si signore, volgens de productsheet van Iveco zitten er 6 stuks in het automatic loading system + 6 in een manual rack.
Ik kan goed begrijpen waarom dit systeem niet geschikt is als DFP voor de KL met enkel deze kennis.

[Huzaar1]

12?
12 kogels is de munitievoorraad?

[Sparkplug]

IVECO Defence Vehicles contract to deliver 10 Centauro 2 Mobile Gun Systems to Italian Army

https://www.armyrecognition.com/july_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/iveco_defence_vehicles_contract_to_deliver_10_centauro_mobile_gun_systems_to_italian_army.html

[Harald]

Eurosatory 2018: Italy to finally order new tank destroyers

After years of delay caused by budgetary uncertainty, the Italian Army is expected to sign a contract that will finally kick start low-rate production of the long-awaited Centauro II mobile gun system.

The new tank destroyer – developed by the Iveco-Oto Melara consortium, CIO – was first shown off two years ago at Eurosatory 2016 and a production contract was expected soon after once government approval was received.

But fast forward to June 2018 and a production contract has still not materialised, with Italian lawmakers holding off funding a programme that will cost nearly half a billion euros for the first tranche of vehicles.

An official from the CIO consortium speaking in the lead up to Eurosatory said that despite these delays, the negotiations for low-rate production were now in their advanced stages and a contract for the first 11 vehicles was imminent.

The Italian Army has previously stated a need for 136 vehicles as it sought to begin replacing the legacy Centauro I MGS, although it appears this has since been increased to 148 vehicles across two tranches (74+74).

The industry official said that all acceptance tests for the Centauro II had now been completed. The additional 11 vehicles will be used to fully optimise the vehicle's capabilities before it goes into full production.

The 8x8 Centauro was developed over 30 years ago for the Italian Army, with its main weapon system being a low-recoil 105mm Hitfact gun turret from Oto Melara (now Leonardo) giving it the same lethality as an MBT.

The new Centauro II features an improved Hitfact Mk 2 turret with a 120/45mm smoothbore gun and integrated muzzle brake. The turret has an ammunition rack for 12 NATO standard 120mm rounds, or if an autoloading system is installed, six in a drum and six in the ammunition rack, which sits in a space that is separated from the crew by ballistic steel.

For additional crew safety, the vehicle can support add-on armour and spall liners for ballistics protection as well as energy absorbing systems on each crew seat for mine protection.

The vehicle can be operated by just a drive and gunner, although space is provided for a gun loader that can assist during missions as the Italian Army operates the vehicle.

As part of its sensor suite, the turret features stabilised sights for the gunner and driver that both have third generation IR channels and daylight TV sensor.

According to information seen by Shephard, the Italian Army configuration will also utilise an extensive C4I suite that will include the SDR VM3 soldier radio (UHF), a HCDR radio (UHF), a SRT-635 SINCGARS radio (VHF) and CNR2000 radio (HF). In addition, it will have a Harris AN/PRC-152 for SATCOM communications and a Guardian H3 IED jammer from Leonardo.

Around 400 Centauro I vehicles were delivered to the Italian Army, with the service deploying it during peacekeeping operations in Somalia, Lebanon and the former Yugoslavia. It was also deployed during campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.   

Spain, Oman and Jordan have also bought the system, with the latter choosing the higher-powered 120mm cannon for the Mk 1 turret, while Brazil and Portugal have also selected the system but have yet to sign contracts.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/eurosatory-2018-italy-finally-order-new-tank-destr/

[Harald]

BAE submits proposal for MPF programme

BAE Systems has submitted its proposal for the US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme, the company announced 1 March.

The MPF vehicle will be used to provide the army's Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) with a protected platform capable of delivering precision firepower, combined with the ability to move rapidly in a variety of terrain conditions.

BAE Systems' proposal incorporates an improved M8 Armored Gun System into a fully integrated MPF system. According to the company, the solution provides a highly survivable, lethal, mobile, and transportable vehicle system.

The vehicle is currently going through internal testing. The company will submit the vehicle to the army on 2 April to undergo additional US government testing as a part of the bid assessment process.

Jim Miller, director of business development at BAE Systems' combat vehicles business, said: 'Our solution is built around the IBCT's needs and the evolving threats they face. It is as deployable as the IBCT's other equipment and is easily sustained and maintained with assets already organic to the IBCT.

'Our infantry fights in close terrain, urban areas, and remote locations, so a smaller, lightweight vehicle that still provides superior protection and lethality was essential to the design of our MPF offering.'

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/bae-submits-proposal-mpf-programme/

[Harald]

US Army receives first bids for new Mobile Protected Firepower tank

The US Army has received bids for its Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme; BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) have been confirmed as participants.

The army hopes a new MPF platform can quickly deploy with relatively low logistics demand but enough protection and firepower – likely a light- to medium-tank – to ensure the infantry's freedom of action.

BAE Systems submitted a written proposal on 1 March that "leveraged the army's earlier investment in, and made improvements on, the type-classified M8 Armored Gun System [AGS] — as well as other previous programmes — into a fully integrated MPF system".

The M8 AGS was type classified in 1995, but was cancelled the following year; it was intended to replace M551 Sheridan light tanks used by the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor of the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2015 BAE Systems suggested it would bid for MPF with a platform based on the M8.

The company built a vehicle that is now going through internal testing, and it plans to submit that platform to the army by 2 April for official government testing, a BAE Systems spokesperson told Jane's .

GDLS submitted a bid for MPF too, a source said.

In October 2016 GDLS unveiled a medium-weight tracked vehicle demonstrator, called the Griffin, which meshes elements of the turret and the 120 mm cannon from an M1A1/M1A2 Abrams main battle tank with the company's Ajax Scout Specialist Vehicle. However, the source told Jane's that GDLS' bid for MPF has evolved beyond the Griffin.

Other bids may have come as well – SAIC with ST Kinetics and CMI Defence were understood to be interested in the project – but only BAE Systems and GDLS had been confirmed as of this writing.

http://www.janes.com/article/78330/us-army-receives-first-bids-for-new-mobile-protected-firepower-tank

[Harald]

ST Kinetics prepping to hand over bid in US Army's vehicle competition

ST Kinetics is nearly ready to hand over its sample vehicle to the U.S. Army as part of a bid in the service's Mobile Protected Firepower competition, the company has announced. The Singapore-based firm is partnering with SAIC and CMI Defence in the competition.

Speaking to Defense News at the Singapore Airshow, ST Kinetics Chief Marketing Officer Winston Toh said that the vehicle, which is fitted with the CMI Group's modular Cockerill 3105 turret, is undergoing testing in the United States that has included firing trials at the Nevada Automotive Test Center in Nevada.

The vehicle being offered by the team, led by SAIC, which is also the system integrator, is the ST Kinetics Next Generation Armored Fighting Vehicle ,or NGAFV, which has been ordered by the Singapore Armed Forces. Production of the vehicles is due to start in 2019.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2018/02/14/st-kinetics-prepping-to-hand-over-bid-in-us-armys-vehicle-competition/

[Harald]

New in 2018: Army looks to add a light tank to its formations

As future war planning shifts to confront near-peer threats, Army leaders are looking at their ground combat formations and seeing something missing — a light tank.

By late 2018, the Army expects to start trials pitting two companies to produce 12 prototype light tanks each, according to a recently released Request For Proposal.

Originally reported by Defense News, a sister publication of Army Times. the competition will then yield a winner that will build up to 54 of the light tanks, with the first unit receiving the Mobile Protected Firepower, or MPF, in 2025.

The Army plans to spend more than $1.2 billion on the program over the next four years.

The vehicle will fill a gap to provide light infantry brigades with the firepower and protection they need on a modern battlefield, where the enemy can use missiles and other technology to deny access once taken for granted by U.S. forces.

The light tank must be able to navigate terrain that the M1 Abrams cannot, while bringing heavier firepower than current light armored options such as the Stryker Combat Vehicle.

It must maneuver in narrow urban lanes, cross less sturdy bridges and get into mountainous areas so that infantry soldiers can rely on close, heavy firepower that they can't currently bring to the fight.

The armor piece allows infantry brigade combat teams to confront light tank formations when needed

"The Abrams is too heavy to be air dropped and, once it's on the ground, it can't maneuver in constricted areas like narrow mountain roads or alleyways," Maj. Gen. David Basset, then the program executive officer for the Army's Ground Combat Systems said in a 2016 Army Training and Doctrine Command news release.

In the same release, he mentioned some of the requirements would include a maximum weight of 32 tons and a cannon firing either 57 mm, 105 mm or 120 mm rounds, all within the Army's existing inventory.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/01/01/new-in-2018-army-looks-to-add-a-light-tank-to-its-formations/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%201.3.18&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief

[Harald]

US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower tank to skip development phase

The US Army officially kicked off Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme with a request for proposals (RFP), seeking to close a gap for a mobile, direct-fire capability in the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) formations by providing a protected, long-range, precision, direct-fire capability.

The MPF was the top priority in the US Army's 2015 Combat Vehicle Modernization Strategy, and its RFP was released on 21 November.

"I don't want to say it's a light tank, but it's kind of like a light tank," David Dopp, programme manager for MPF, told reporters on 10 October. He said it will have a 105 mm cannon and the army plans to fit two on a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, and that transport requirement has been one of the key design restrictions.

Major General David Bassett, programme executive officer for Ground Combat Systems, added that the platform will be tracked, weighs 25–35 tonnes, and has substantial armour protection, but not as much as a main battle tank. He said the MPF is not expected to have a C-17 airdrop capability because that requirement would cost the tank too much on the protection side.

Maj Gen Bassett said "by next spring", or mid-2018, the army hopes to be testing bid samples, and could award initial engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract in early fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019) as soon as money is appropriated, assuming budget legislation is enacted early in the fiscal year; the last few fiscal years have not begun with new appropriations.

The army expects to receive industry's prototypes within 14 months of the anticipated FY 2019 contract award, and have them under evaluation at least four months after that.

The army is indicating it will skip the development phase and intends to obtain commercially ready vehicle options. The RFP outlines a plan similar to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, with two companies involved in the EMD phase and each contractor building 12 prototypes.

http://www.janes.com/article/75982/us-army-s-mobile-protected-firepower-tank-to-skip-development-phase

[Huzaar1]

The U.S. Army Is Searching for a New Light Tank

.../...

How vulnerable would a light tank be?

Indeed, an Active Protection System, like the Trophy APS set to be operationally tested on the M1, might be a relatively efficient solution to significantly increase the survivability of light tanks — at least from the threat posed by anti-tank rockets and missile, but not the kinetic shells of enemy tanks.

Kijk, dit geef ik ook steeds maar aan betreft de Nederlandse aankoop van de APS. Deze claimt KE uit de lucht te halen. Dit is dus echt niet zo.

[Harald]

The U.S. Army Is Searching for a New Light Tank

.../...

How vulnerable would a light tank be?

Light tank programs have failed in the past because of reluctance to accept that a lightweight vehicle simply can't survive the kind of hostile attention that a 70-ton main battle tank can. However, the current MPF guidelines stipulate protection from heavy machine gun fire as a minimum expectation.

Realistically, a light tank will be impervious to small arms fire but vulnerable to tank main guns — resisting 125-millimeter sabot shells simply requires tons more armor. However, there are many weapons in between those two extremes, including rapid-fire auto-cannons commonly found on infantry fighting vehicles like the BMP-2, or the shaped-charged warheads of man-portable anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket-propelled grenade.

Small auto-cannons do not penetrate that much armor but require heavier ballistic protection; shaped charge munitions can theoretically penetrate a great deal more armor, but there are several technologies that can negate their effectiveness including explosive-reactive armor, slat-armor, and even Active Protection Systems (APS) which shoot down incoming projectiles.

Indeed, an Active Protection System, like the Trophy APS set to be operationally tested on the M1, might be a relatively efficient solution to significantly increase the survivability of light tanks — at least from the threat posed by anti-tank rockets and missile, but not the kinetic shells of enemy tanks.

Indeed, the MPF guidelines encourage the designers to include room to upgrade the vehicles with an APS system in the future, or even convert them into remotely-operated drones. In any case, the United States is not the only country interested in rapidly-deployable light armor: Russia has produced a handful of 2S25 Sprut tank destroyers for its airborne troops, while China developed its Xinqingtan light tank for deployment in the Tibetan Plateau.

https://warisboring.com/the-u-s-army-is-searching-for-a-new-light-tank/