AFV of the week

[12Alfa]

The engine and transmission are at the rear of the vehicle and the engine compartment is fitted with a fire extinguisher which can be operated by hand or automatically. Combustion air is drawn in via a cyclone filter system.

The engine ( 320 h.p. 6cylinders Rated speed (r.p.m.) 2300) drives an oil pump with a variable output linked to a hydraulic motor acting on the differential which controls the tracks. By acting on the steering gear and the speed of the engine the driver can continuously adjust the speed ratio of both tracks. All turning radii can thus be obtained until pivoting on the spot occurs, with both tracks turning in opposite directions at the same speed. Since this system needs no action-from the brakes, the whole power produced by the engine is constantly available at the tracks. The main brakes of the SK 105 are hydraulic and foot operated disc brakes.

The torsion bar suspension consists of five dual rubber-tyred roadwheels with the drive sprocket at the rear and the idler at the front. There are three track-return rollers and the first and last roadwheel stations have hydraulic shock-absorbers. The vehicle has tracks with rubber blocks, each track having 78 links. Steel spikes can be fitted for operations in ice and snow.

[12Alfa]

SK-105 Kurassier

JT-1 is a licensed version of the turret FL-12. If at the beginning of the production of JT-1 apparently did not differ from the FL-12, then later, after modernization, the differences become quite significant. Turret of JT-1 has been installed over the fighting compartment in the center of the shell. It contains working space tank commander and gunner.

JT-1 is equipped with the commander's cupola with 8 periscope, Central has a 9 ° field of view and an increase in 7,5 times, the remaining seven - 28 °, and 1.6 times respectively. Instead the central periscope can be mounted night vision device with a sixfold increase. Available are 2 gunner periscope, and the front has a mechanical sight. Telescopic gunner's sight is an eightfold increase and the field of view 8.5 degrees.

Since the upper part of the tower is rigidly connected to the instrument and monitoring devices, firing of cannon and machine guns can be carried out as a gunner and commander, who have similar mechanisms of guidance.

In the turretis set 105-mm gun G1, which is a licensed version of the French guns CN-105-57. The ammunition is 44 rounds. Used shots 3 types: high-explosive fragmentation (weight 18.5 kg, initial velocity of 700 m / sec), smoke (weight 19.1 kg, initial velocity of 695 m / sec), and cumulative.

The main type of ammunition is the cumulative weight of 17,3 kg projectile with a muzzle velocity of 800 m / sec. Maximum firing range in such a projectile is 2700 meters Armor does not depend on the distance and angle of the projectile with the armor of the meeting at 0 ° is 360 mm or 150-mm armor when it is tilted at 65 °.

The loading gun made from two stores revolving type (for 6 rounds each), installed in the rear recess of the tower. Choosing projectile is carried out manually gunner or commander. After the shot sleeve is automatically ejected through a hatch in the stern of the turret. Rate gun reaches one shot in 5 seconds.. Re-equip the ammo can only be outside the tank after 2 hatch located in the roof of the turret.

Barrel of the gun is equipped with a thermal sleeve for reducing thermal strain and increase the reserve for shooting. The gun has a locking mechanism to secure for sea. When shooting using a laser range finder TCV29 (measurement range from 400 to 9995 m). Since the inside of the turret is no room for it, it is located on the roof in a special armored with bronezaslonkoy. There also may be mounted floodlight type XSW-30-V. It is used for illumination purposes as in the visible and infrared light through a special filter.

Outside the turret on the left and right are on 3 smoke grenades, shooting of which can be as a volley, and alone. In addition, the turretis equipped for mounting canisters and camouflage nets. On the part of the export machinery for laying camouflage netting to put additional lattice basket. The vehicle lacks the ability to fire on the move.

2nd Last picture is for "hand cranked" AMX 13's series, the SK105 uses all motorized drums, giving it an high rate of fire (12 rds per min)

[12Alfa]

SK-105 Kurassier

Variants

SK-105A1 could fire armor-piercing rounds of new type. This variant featured improved autoloader and fire control system;

SK-105A2 is a further development of the SK-105A1, featuring a number of improvements, including new fire control system. It's ammunition loading system is fully automatic;

SK-105A3 is fitted with a fully-stabilized US M68 105-mm rifled gun (license-produced version of the British L7). Protection of this variant was significantly improved;

4K-7FA SB 20 Greif armored recovery vehicle;

4HK 7FA Pionier engineering vehicle;

4KH 7FA-FA driver training vehicle with turret removed and replaced with superstructure for instructors.

[12Alfa]

SK-105 Kurassier

Operators:

It is estimated that between 600 to 700 of the vehicle have been manufactured for the Austrian Army and export market.

ARGENTINA 118 / AUSTRIA 318 / BOLIVIA 36 / BOTSWANA 52 / MOROCCO 120 / TUNISIA 54

Production of the vehicle had ended in the 1970’s however production was picked up again for Botswana. It’s not fully clear how many or if any SK 105’s have been up-graded to the new versions. Argentina had created a hybrid of their SK 105’s (hull) & AMX-13’s (turret) called the Patagón, which were due for completion by 2009, but its not fully clear if the project has fully gone ahead.

The SK 105’s future isn’t fully clear. The Austrian Army are now modernizing their AFV’s with the purchase of second hand Leopard 2 A4’s and the ASCOD IFV.

[12Alfa]

Forgot this one:luxhello:

[12Alfa]

Panhard VBL (Light Armoured Vehicle)

The Panhard VBL (light armoured vehicle) is a 4x4 wheeled all-terrain vehicle manufactured by Panhard General Defense, for the French armed forces. The vehicle is primarily deployed in patrol and surveillance missions.

The VBL can also be used for anti-tank or air defence missions. It is the frontrunner of the French armour units. The vehicle has been successfully deployed for the past 15 years in various missions in Africa, Lebanon, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

The Panhard VBL incorporates an all-welded steel hull. The driver is seated in the front of the crew cab on the left, with the commander to his right. Crew can enter or exit through a door located on either side of the vehicle. The rear compartment is accessible via a large door at the rear that opens to the left.

The vehicle measures 4.09m in length without equipment and 2.02m in width. The height to the roof top is 1.7m. The VBL can accommodate up to four crew members. The combat weight of the vehicle is 4,000kg, and the payload carrying capacity is 900kg.

[12Alfa]

VBL

Engine and mobility

The VBL is powered by a Peugeot 3T 95hp engine or Steyr 125hp engine coupled to a ZF four-speed automatic gearbox. The engine provides a maximum speed of 95km/h. The 100L tank capacity allows the vehicle to reach a distance between 600km - 800km.

The VBL is equipped with a central tyre inflation system for better mobility across different terrains. The vehicle can negotiate a side slope of 30% and gradient of 50%. The approach and departure angles of the VBL are 80° and 60° respectively.

The armoured fighting vehicle is propelled in water by an optionally-fitted amphibious kit. The trim vane forward of the vehicle is manually erected before entering water. The VBL is air transportable by helicopters and transport aircraft such as C-160 and C-130.

[DarkLabor]

Over here we differenciate the VBL of the VB2L.

The VBL has a constriction at the rear of the hull:

Where the VB2L is the same width all the way to the rear (the hull is also longer):

[Hedgehog]

France's Jeep.

[Grenny]

I know this commes late, as the "SPz Kurz" was up a few weeks ago.

Anyhow, I made a set of pictures from the AT-version with a 90mm low-preasure gun:

SPz kurz _2.zip

[12Alfa]

I know this commes late, as the "SPz Kurz" was up a few weeks ago.

Anyhow, I made a set of pictures from the AT-version with a 90mm low-preasure gun:

Thanks!:luxhello:

[12Alfa]

VBL variants

The VBL is offered in a number of mission variants including troop carrier, scout vehicle, reconnaissance, security, command and control, and anti-tank vehicle.

The VBL Antichar is an anti-tank defence variant armed with anti-tank missiles. The VBL Source, developed in cooperation with Thales, allows reconnaissance units to extend their range of operations and ensures scout units to share an integrated communications network.

Different versions of antitank VBL have been developed: VBL MILAN, VBL KORNET, VBL TOW and VBL INGWE.

"The vehicle has been successfully deployed for the past 15 years in various missions in Africa, Lebanon, Kosovo and Afghanistan."

The VBL Mk2 is an improved version of the VBL. The variant is equipped with a 132hp engine, day/night observation scope and a remotely operated WASP turret mounting a machine gun. The VBL Mk2 is in service with the Kuwait Police Special Forces.

[12Alfa]

VBL MISTRAL

Albi system gives the opportunity to defend a mobile force with the surface to air missiles Mistral.

[12Alfa]

VBL (à flancs redressés) CANON

With an automated 20 mm turret. Radio equipment : 1 VHF transmitter/receiver. Armament: MK 20 Rh 202 automatic 20 mm cannon (Rate of fire: 1000 rounds/minute, Elevation range: −10° to +45°, Rounds carried: 260, Munitions loaded: 160 (60 left, 100 right), Sight: ZEISS PERI-Z-16, Optional equipment associated with the turret: laser range finder, thermal imager).

[12Alfa]

PANHARD VBL WASP

French defense procurement agency DGA has placed an order with Panhard, working with program co-contractor Sagem (Safran group), for 100 Wasp turrets as part of an operational emergency acquisition procedure. These Wasp turrets will be used on the French army’s PVP and VBL light armoured vehicles.

Developed jointly by Panhard and Sagem, the Wasp (Weapon under Armor for Self-Protection) is a light turret that is remotely-controlled from inside the vehicle. It is fitted with a MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun, coupled to a day/infrared sight and observation scope derived from the FELIN soldier modernization program, for day or night operation. Incorporating lessons from previous deployments, the Wasp turret significantly enhances self-protection for soldiers, while enabling quicker responsiveness under armor.

Light and compact, the Wasp also features a small visual signature. Because of the weapon’s wide range of elevation/depression (-40°/+ 80°), it is ideally suited to combat in urban or mountain environments. It is also designed to subsequently add a fusion function for the daytime and thermal channels, providing the daytime ability to “see through” camouflage.

By combining Panhard’s expertise in the design of armored combat systems with the technological innovations derived from Sagem-led defense programs, especially FELIN, the Wasp turret offers high performance for the price, while expanding the operability of light armoured vehicles.

[12Alfa]

VBL Mk2 is an upgraded version of the standard VBL which is designed and manufactured by the French Company Panhard.

The Mk2 version of the VBL benefits from many improvements in relation to previous models. The main feature is the use of a new powerpack to increase mobility in all-terrain conditions. The VBL Mk2 can be used for por patrol, reconnaissance our surveillance missions. The standard VBL is a combat proven vehicle which is actually in service with the french armed forces in Afghanistan and Lebanon. In 2008, the Kuwaiti Ministry of the Interior has ordered 20 light armoured vehicles VBL Mk2 to equip its special forces.

Operators

France: 1,621 VBLs currently in use.

Benin: , Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Greece, Georgia, Indonesia, Kuwait,Mexico,Niger,Nigeria,Oman,Portugal,Qatar,Rwanda,Saudi,Arabia,Senega, Serbia, Togo,United Arab Emirates

[12Alfa]

[12Alfa]

This weeks AFV

ZBD-97 / Type 97 Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The ZBD-97 features a two man turret mounted on the middle of an indigenously developed hull. The turret is similar to the turret system of Russian made BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The design incorporates a conventional layout with welded steel hull. The vehicle can accommodate a crew of three (commander, driver and gunner) and up to seven troops. The power compartment is located on the forward-right side of the vehicle. The troop compartment is located in the rear of the vehicle.

he troop body section has two large hatches on the roof and a single exit door in the rear. Three observation points, two on the either side of the hull and one in the exit door, are provided for firing. These firing ports allow the troops to fire assault rifles and light machine guns from inside the vehicle on the move. The vehicle is equipped with two large water jet ports on the rear of the vehicle for high-speed water-travel. These water jets allow the vehicle to swim from an amphibious warfare ship to shore. A hydraulically operated wave fence on forward prevents the front part of the vehicle from overflowing during water-travel.

[12Alfa]

ZBD-97 / Type 97 Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Armaments

The main armament fitted on the turret is a semi-automatic 100mm gun / missile launcher. The dual-way stabilized weapon system can fire both HE-FRAG rounds and the 3UBK10 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). The HE-FRAG round can be fired at a rate of 10 rounds per minute for an effective range of 4,000m.

The 3UBK10 ATGM can be fired against armoured vehicles, fortifications and low-flying helicopters. It has a maximum range of 4,000m. Around eight missiles are housed inside the turret.

A 30mm coaxial automatic cannon serves as a secondary weapon. This gun can fire armour-piercing (AP) and HE-FRAG rounds at a rate of 300 rounds per minute for a range of up to 2,000m. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is also fitted on the vehicle.

[12Alfa]

ZBD-97 / Type 97

Unlike the BMP-3’s rear-mounted powerpack arrangement, the BMD97 uses a conventional front-mounted powerpack layout, with the liquid-cooled diesel located at the right front of the hull. The drive’s hatch which mounts three periscopes is located on the left of the hull immediately in front of a passenger hatch.

The vehicle has six unevenly spaced road wheels, with three track support rollers and a front drive sprocket on each side. The vehicle features strong amphibious capability, with two large water jet ports on the rear of the vehicle for high-speed swimming. The vehicle is fitted with a hydraulically actuated wave fence at front, which can be raised to prevent the front section of the vehicle from being overflowed when travelling on water surface. The vehicle is believed to be powered by a water-cooled diesel engine. Transmission is hydromechanical with a hydrostatic gearbox for the steering gear and power take-off for the water jets. The road wheels and rollers are all rubber-tyred. Torsion bar suspensions with hydraulic shock absorbers are fitted on the 1st, 2nd, and 6th road wheels. The metallic tracks are fitted with removable rubber pads to improve the comfort of the passenger.

[Hedgehog]

The metallic tracks are fitted with removable rubber pads to improve the comfort of the passenger.

LoL

[12Alfa]

[12Alfa]

This weeks AFV

Type 10 is an advanced fourth-generation main battle tank (MBT) manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, for the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF). The MBT can be deployed in a wide range of missions including anti-tank warfare, mobile strikes, special operations force attacks and other contingencies.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence placed an order with the main contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for up to 13 Type-10 MBTs in 2010. The tanks entered into service with Japan in 2012.

Development of the Type 10 MBT

The development of the Type 10 MBT was initiated by the Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) in 2002. A prototype of the tank was completed in 2006. Running tests were conducted through 2007 and 2008, and shooting and networking trials were performed thereafter. TRDI completed the development in 2009 and started producing the tanks in 2010.

[12Alfa]

Type 10

Armed with a new 120 mm smoothbore gun developed by Japan Steel Works, who also license-produce the Rheinmetall L44 120mm gun for the Type 90 MBT. There is an option for longer barrels of 50 and 55 calibers (L50, L55). The gun will fire newly developed APFSDS capable of penetrating 560mm of RHA, which is a significant increase compared to JM33 APFSDS. However, it is also compatible with all standard 120 mm NATO ammunition.

The Commander's Panoramic Sight has been moved to the right and is located at a higher position than the Type 90, giving the commander a wide range of view.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/a8GNiK5ozxA/maxresdefault.jpg

http://defensetiger.blogspot.ca/search/label/Type%2010%20%28MBT%29

[mpow66m]

looks like a CR2,M1A2,Leo had a kid.Looks like a beast.