Main battle tanks (part 8) Olifant Mk.1B (South Africa)
The South African tank Olifant Mk.1B is the result of the most profound and large-scale modernization of the tank Centurion in comparison with all that were carried out before. In addition to the weapons reinforced already in the previous Olifant Mk.1A modification, a completely new SLA was installed on the new tank, a new engine was installed, armor protection was radically enhanced, the transmission and suspension were changed.
In order to enhance the armor protection of the tank, additional powerful armor plates are installed on the frontal parts of the turret and hull, while the front hull front plate is significantly reinforced with multi-layer armor. The sides of the hull and the undercarriage are completely covered by armored screens, which consist of several parts, which is much more convenient during the service and maintenance of the dynamic undercarriage. The bottom of the hull also received additional protection in the form of reinforcement with additional armor plates. When overlaying additional armor, the balance of the tower was taken into account; as a result, it is balanced much better than on previous models of “centurions”, and for its full reversal much less effort is required.
On the armament of the tank Olifant Mk.1B 105-mm gun L7A1 with an ejector and a special insulating casing made of fiberglass. The gun is stabilized and works in two planes of guidance, electro-hydraulic drives of guidance are installed. The MSA includes a completely new gunner’s periscope sight with embedded stabilization of the field of view, as well as an integrated laser rangefinder, a unique ballistic computer. Additional armament includes a paired 7,62-mm machine gun located to the left of the gun and two additional 7,62-mm machine guns of the Browning system above the hatches of the crew commander and loader.
The chassis was completely reequipped, in which an individual torsion suspension was used for each of the road wheels, which had a maximum dynamic stroke of 290 mm. This made it possible to significantly improve the throughput of the tank, including at high speeds. At each of the individual suspension assemblies were installed hydraulic stops. The ergonomics of the control compartment was also improved; the double hatch installed for the driver was replaced with a new sliding monolithic hatch.
TTX tank Olifant Mk.1B:
Crew - 4 person.
Combat weight - 58 tons.
Overall dimensions: ground clearance - 510 mm, height at the top of the tower - 2940 mm, length - 10200 mm, width - 3390 mm.
Armament: Denel GT7 105 mm cannon, twin machine gun of Browning M1919A4 7.62 system, two anti-aircraft machine guns of Browning M1919A4 7,62 system, eight units for launching smoke grenades.
Armored protection: hull forehead - 118 mm, board - 51 mm, feed - 38 mm, tower - 30-152 mm. Additional booking corps and towers.
Ammunition: 68 gunfire, 5600 ammo.
Targeting devices: a gunner’s periscope sight with a laser rangefinder, a commander’s periscope aiming device.
Engine: ZS, 12-cylinder V-turbocharged diesel; power 950 hp
The maximum speed is 58 km / h.
Transmission: Amtra III advanced hydromechanical automatic (4 + 2).
Power reserve - 500 km.
Chassis: 6 dual rubberized roller on the side, 4 dual and 2 single rubberized additional supporting roller, tracks with an open hinge, width - 610 mm, drive wheel with removable toothed rims rear location, guide wheel.
Overcoming obstacles: moat width - 3,35 m, lifting angle - 300, wall height - 0.91 m, ford depth - 1.45 m.
In 2003, the company BAE Systems England, signed a contract worth 27,3 million dollars for the next modernization of tanks Olifant Mk.1B to the new standard Mk.2. This is the most significant contract Armscor has made over the past 12 years. The order performer will be the South African branch of BAE - Land Systems OMC. For work, Land Systems OMS entered into additional contracts with suppliers of individual parts, components and equipment - South African companies Delkon, IST Dynamics and Reutech Defense Logistics. The modernization of the tank is as follows: a new turbocharger and an additional intercooler for a GE AVDS-1790 diesel engine, whose power 1040 hp, is installed. Delkon’s development, improved fire control system accuracy and improved Reunert tower turret drives, which made it possible to execute shots on the move and direct the overall system at the target. The main distinctive feature of the complex is that it is designed to detect and suppress various targets during the day and at night. The complex contains a ballistic computer, a thermal imager and a stabilized observation platform with a sight. Work on the modernization of the tank continued during the 2006-2007 years. Converted 13 units.
Today, the South African army is armed with 172 tank modifications Olifant Mk.1A / B and Mk.2. The upgraded tanks will be operated up to the 2015 year. Currently, the leadership of the South African army is considering the purchase of foreign-made tanks. Challenger 2E and Leclerc Tropik are considered among the possible options. It is planned to purchase 96 combat vehicles.
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