Type-86 Chi-Go/MBT-121 Parash Sachor main battle tank

[Nachmere]

Specifications

General:
Type: Main Battle Tank
Country of Origin: The Armed Republic of Nachmere | The Empire of Greater Nihon
Manufacturer: Schwerpunkt | AFV Division
Production Status: In Production
Unit Cost: 8,750,000 USD (Type-86) or 9,000,000 USD (MBT-121)
DPR:600,000,000 USD

Dimensions:
Crew: 4
Weight: 55 metric tons combat ready
Length: 10.07 meters gun forward, 7m hull only
Width: 3.45 meters
Height: 2.41 meters (turret roof)
Ground Clearance: 0.25-0.4 meters

Armament:
Main Gun: 125mm/L55 smooth bore gun(Type 86) | 125mm/L55 ETC smoothbore gun (MBT121)
Main Gun ammunition storage: 22 ready to fire, 18 more in hull storage
Primary Coaxial: 7.62mm machinegun
Primary Coaxial ammunition storage: 1,200 ready to fire
Commanders Armament: 7.62mm machine gun in light remore weapon system
Commanders Armament ammunition storage: 270 ready to fire
Loaders Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
Loaders Armament ammunition storage: 270 ready to fire
7.62mm ammo storage: 6,000
Close Range Armament: 2 6-tube 80mm close range grenade launchers
Close Range ammunition storage: 12 ready to fire, 12 more in storage

Protection:
Passive Protection: “Rhinoskin” titanium/DU based composite armor
Reactive Protection: “Raincoat” SLERA
Active Protection: “Iron Tide” Hard/Soft Kill APS

Power:
Engine: NMC AVM1500 Horizontally Opposed, Twin Turbocharged V8
Power Output: 1,500HP (~1100kW) at 3,000 RPM
Power to weight ratio: ~27.7hp/ton
Auxiliary Power: 1 under armor 20kW APUs
Batteries: 14 LFP Li-Ion Batteries

Maneuverability:
Suspension: InArm Fluidic Springs
Maximum Road Speed (governed): 75km/h
Trench Crossing: 2.3 meters
Vertical Obstacle Crossing: 1.1 meters
Fording: 1.9 meters
Fuel Capacity: 1300 liters
Operational range: ~550 kilometers




Background

The Type 86 Chi-Go, or in its Nachmerean designation the MBT-121 "Parash Sachor" (Black Rider) is the result of a commission by the The Empire of Greater Nihon for a main battle tank of light weight and small dimensions. A joint development team using technologies already at hand (mostly components from the MBT-143) rapidly designed the tank.

Unlike the other Schwerpunkt MBT, the Chi-Go is a relatively light vehicle meant for warfare in areas with extremely bad terrain and narrow passes, such as mountains, tropical jungles etc. The Chi-Go however is not a light tank, but a true MBT capable of engaging and destroying enemy armor, protected against a wide variety of threats, and built for rapid mobile operations.

General Design

The Type-86 has a conventional layout. The engine and transmission are located in the rear. The driver is located in the center of the front hull, with the rest of the crew in the mid-vehicle mounted turret- the gunner and commander on the right side, and loader to the left.

Armament

Currently the Type-86 is offered with two options for main armament. The Nihonese elected to mount a standard 125mm/L55 gun. Schwerpunkt, with an eye towards the Royal Marines as well as export clients also developed a 125mm ETC version of the gun.

Both guns are manually loaded and capable of firing APFSDS-DU, FS-HEAT, FS-HEP, FS-WP, and FS-APAM projectiles, as well as GLATGMs. The ETC version is roughly 20% more powerful, and as such is capable of knocking out virtually any opponent at ranges of up to 1,500 meters. With the employment of gun launched ATGMs, both variants allow the engagement of any opponent to maximum ranges.

The features of the main armament are:

A) A 687 centimeters long smooth barrel. A bore gas evacuator is located 2/3rds of the way from the muzzle to the chamber. A tritium nighttime rough sight is built into the tip of the barrel. The bore is covered with a combined thermal sleeve/vibration absorber. This device works by changing the way the thermal sleeve is installed on the gun. Rather than being fixed to the barrel as in standard guns, the forward part of the thermal sleeve is fixed to the gas evacuator conventionally and to the end of the barrel using a system of springs. This allows the thermal sleeve to pivot slightly. Energy from the vibration of the gun when traveling over rough terrain is transferred to the springs, and is partly dissipated in friction and partly re-transferred to the gun in a way that significantly lowers its effect. The vibration absorber improves accuracy and the life-span of the gun barrel. The average life expectancy for the barrel is 300 rounds.
The Nachmerean ETC gun is also equipped with a muzzle break to counter the substantial recoil of the ultra high pressure rounds.


B) A standard layout breach and chamber of very similar design is part of both guns. The breach is manually opened for loading. Both guns fire unified 125mm rounds with semi combustible shells. The non combustible parts of fired cases are extracted automatically and the breach remains open to allow a quick reload.

C) A recoil mechanism comprising of a concentric retarder and a pneumatic recuperator. The system allows the gun to recoil 32 centimeters.

Ammunition for the gun is stored in 3 storages. The first is located in the turret bustle and holds 22 rounds; the other 2 are located to the left and right of the driver in the front of the hull. Each round is located in a cylindrical canister made of fire resistant polymers. The canisters are placed on a closed loop chain which is motorized. The entire chain system is located outside the fighting compartment with blow off panels to direct a possible ammunition explosion away from the crew.

When an ammo type is selected by the gunner or loader the chain moves a canister holding the correct projectile to a port. The port opens and a rammer pushes the projectile out. The loader grabs the round and loads the gun.

The primary coaxial weapon of the Type-86 is a 7.62mm medium machinegun (FN-MAG in Nachmerian service), mounted inside the turret to the left of the main gun. Loaded from a 1,200 round belt, the 7.62mm machinegun offers a high rate of fire, low ammunition weight, and is capable of engaging infantry and soft vehicles at ranges of up to 1,200 meters. A spare barrel for the MG is kept in the turret.


The commander of the Type-86 has full control over the main and coaxial armaments of the tank. In addition, he has two other weapon systems operated solely by him.

A 7.62mm machinegun in a light remote operated weapon station is located near the commander's hatch on the turret roof. The weapons station can be operated by the commander while buttoned down, using a day/night electro-optic device and small joystick. It can also be manually operated by the commander when he is un-buttoned.

In addition to the machine gun, the commander also controls the 12 tube close range grenade system. The launch tubes are integrated into the turret of the Type-86, with 6 tubes on each side. The 80mm grenades launched by this system can engage infantry in close ranges (60 meters) and more importantly screen the tank against threats. The grenades are fired from a control panel in the commander’s compartment. Types of ammunition available for this system are White Phosphorus, HE-Fragmentation, IR-screening smoke, IR-Decoy, Less than lethal tear gas and less than lethal “flash-bang”.

The loaders armament in the Type-86 is a 7.62mm machine gun mounted to the left of the loader’s hatch. The mount is simple, manually operated and can traverse 230 degrees. The machine gun is fed from a 270 rounds box with 9000 more rounds stored in the tank (shared with the 2 coaxial MGs). A spare barrel, a bi-pod, and an infantry type butt-stock are stored in a compartment near the loader’s hatch. This allows the loader to convert the M240 to infantry configuration and use it in case the team must abandon the tank. The loaders MG can be used to replace a critically jammed coaxial.

Fire control and Observation

The Type-86 has a solid state ballistic fire control system based on ones previously installed in Nahchmerean tanks. It features an advanced processing unit and utilizes both IIR and day time optics. The system has both pixel-lock and hunter-killer capabilities.

The turret has full electric stabilization and electric-powered controls. The gun is stabilized by digital gyroscopes in both axes. A manual traverse system is installed as a backup. The fire control computer automatically calculates the fire solution based on: lead angle measurement; bend of the gun measured by the muzzle reference system; velocity measurement from a wind sensor on the roof of the turret; data from a pendulum static cant sensor located at the center of the turret roof; temperature, and barometric pressure. Solutions to moving targets or for fire-on-the-move are given by measuring the traverse speed of the turret while tracking the target. The system is capable of “pixel-locking”, a mode in which a moving target is “locked” on to by the system and the gun automatically tracks it and adds a lead.

The gunner’s sight is a TV type observation system, with day and night capabilities. The sight is digitally connected to the main gun, and stabilized in 2 axes. The system has X1, X3 and X10 magnification in both day and night modes. The sight itself is raised to minimize the exposure of the tank in fire positions. The image from the sight is displayed on a 10” LCD screen making targeting and scanning easier and less strenuous. When in X1 magnification the reticule changes from a standard cross to a circle similar to some small arms reflex sights, allowing easier aiming at close range targets.

The CITV (Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer) acts as a separate, fully stabilized day and night sight for the main and coaxial weapons, allowing the commander to “slave” the gunner controls to identify targets or fire. In this mode the CITV allows the commander to identify, select, and range targets before even the top of the turret is exposed, and while remaining buttoned. The CITV has X1.5 and X8 magnification as options.

The driver has either three observation periscopes or two periscopes on both sides and a Driver’s Thermal Viewer. The periscopes provide 120°field of view. The driver also has a rear view camera with thermal imaging for night operations.

A secondary emergency system enables for firing using a mechanical ballistic computer. This system allows for firing with the FCS computer down and with the laser range finder down. It is connected to the backup sight. The backup optical sight has X2 or X8 magnification, and has a reticule marked for firing APFSDS-DU and HEAT rounds to different ranges.


Protection

The Type-86 has a very sharply angled glacis plate and V shaped hull bottom. The turret is a flat skillet type one, with angled plates installed around it. The tank is protected by passive, reactive and active systems.

The basic armor protection of the Type-86 is a composite armor called “Rhinoskin”.”Rhinoskin” has three layers- The most exterior one is a titanium matrix encasing tiles of silicon carbide. The middle layer is made of two layers of titanium alloy shell encasing a layer of Depleted Uranium mesh. The first and second layers are spaced from each other to increase protection without adding weight. The most inner layer is the back plate to the entire system and is made of un-perforated titanium. “Rhinoskin”, with varying thickness of the matrix layer, protects the entire hull and turret, aside from the turret top. The turret top is protected by spaced titanium armor.

To complement the passive protection given by “Rhinoskin” the tank is also protected by Self Limiting Explosive Reactive Armor (SLERA). Type-86 uses a SLERA system named “Raincoat”. Each block is constructed of a 20mm thick titanium back plate, a 30mm layer of the “Raincoat” compound, and a 10mm frontal plate. The “Raincoat” compound is made of 55% reduced sensitivity RDX, 25% ATH fire retardant, and 20% PDMS binder. When hit the “Raincoat” compound reacts with a slower rate of burning (compared to HERA), and quickly extinguishes itself. It is more effective than NERA blocks at stopping HEAT rounds but is no more dangerous to personal or equipment.

In addition to the passive and reactive protection suites, the Chi-Go is also protected by the “Iron Tide” APS. “Iron Tide” is modular soft and hard kill system designed to operate with the BASTION battle management system and take full advantage of the systems of each specific vehicle it is mounted on.

System components:
1)Main Processing Unit: a high speed compact processing unit with a 3 GHz clock rate. The processor uses a stripped down fast version of a common commercial operating system. The other software installed on it is the “Iron Tide” system. This allows the tracking, classification and engagement of threats detected by the system sensors. The software can use the data from the radar to identify threats and choose which threats to engage and which threats not to engage. It also chooses what counter measure to use against a threat. The processing unit is linked to the BASTION system, allowing one “Iron Tide” unit to network with others. This allows the systems to “warn” each other of threats, protect vehicles that have no loaded countermeasures, and use group smoke screening to protect the entire unit.
2)F/G band radar. Consisting of up to 5 flat panel antennas around the AFV (one directed upwards to identify top-attack threats), the radar is used to identify incoming threats and classify them. Threats are identified and classified in a 360 degrees arc around the protected vehicle, and the information is sent to the APS computer.
3)4 IR sensors located on sensor mast. This sensor identifies incoming projectiles by the thermal signature of their propulsion systems or the projectile itself. The IR data is sent to the APS computer where it is compared to the radar data. The use of IR sensors lowers the chance of the APS being defeated by jammers and low cross section projectiles.
4) A 360 degrees laser warning system. This comprises of 4-8 laser/active IR sensors, which identify laser designators and range finders targeting the AFV. The data is used to alert the team and give the system a “heads up” on what type of threats are about to engage it.
5) 2 twin-barreled automatically reloading, fully stabilized, 360 rotating launchers. The launchers fire fin stabilized 80mm projectiles. The projectiles are combustible and create almost no shrapnel. Exploding less than 1 meter from the threat, the projectile causes it to destabilize and either fall apart in the air or go off target. This method is effective against both CE threats and KE threats. 12 projectiles are carried in the auto-reload magazines of the system.
6) In turreted vehicles- the “Iron Tide” system is connected to the turret traverse system and can traverse the turret to fire smoke grenades if needed (requiring only a confirmation from the commander).
7) Jammers- the system includes both a radio frequency jammer and a laser/IR jammer. The R/F jammer is a high output unit which is programmed to work on frequencies used by radio guided munitions. As the missile nears the protected vehicle, the jammer out powers the guidance signal severing the tie between the missile and its launcher .The Laser and Infra Red jammer is similar to the similar to the RF jammer, and works either by directing false guidance data at the incoming threat or by blinding it completely. The jammers are located in the sensor mast of the system.
8) Commanders control panel- the entire system is controlled through a LCD panel in the commander’s compartment. This panel allows him to select modes of operation, turn different subsystems on and off, confirm turret rotation and decoy launch etc.

Operation: The fire control radar, located on top of the turret, identifies incoming rockets and missiles. The radar data is transmitted to the processing unit. The processing unit ignores birds, small weapons fire and threats that are not bound for the protected vehicle. When a threat is identified, the possessing unit selects the optimal method of engaging it. The system makes this decision based on the threat itself (guidance type, size, speed, etc.), the vehicles status (amount and type of remaining countermeasures, vehicles motion, etc), and the units status (other vehicles being more vulnerable, infantry being near the vehicle, etc). The system than engages the threat with the chosen countermeasure. The system prefers soft-kill options, but if the threat presists the system automatically uses the hard kill choice.

NBC protection for the Type-86 is provided by an overpressure system and individual NBC protection for each crew member. The individual protection is in the form of 4 air filtering systems running directly to the masks and NBC overalls of the crew. The air is not only filtered but also cooled. If this system fails the tank can use the over pressure system along with standard gas masks. The tank is buttoned and an overpressure is created by pumping air into the tank through filters. This keeps contaminated air out and when combined with the use of personal masks allows continued operations in contaminated areas.

Crew and vehicle survivability

The Type-86 has a Kevlar lining in the crew compartments to minimize spalling.

A fire suppression system is installed in the fighting compartment, engine compartment and ammo storage units.

The system has 8 visual and thermal fire detectors and 8 BCF canisters. The canisters are located in the turret (2), driver compartment (1) engine compartment (2) and ammo storage units (3). The entire system is controlled from the gunner’s compartment, with the engine canisters also being operated from the driver’s compartment. Diesel fuel for the engine is stored in 5 tanks in the front and back of the tank, with cutoff valves allowing the use of each tank separately.

The 3 mechanical ammunition storage units are separated from the turret by massive titanium barriers, with a port closing and opening to allow projectiles into the turret when loading. Each 125mm projectile is held in a flame resistant polymer cylinder. Storage of the 80mm grenade ammunition and “Iron Tide” projectiles is also in flame resistant polymer compartments. Each of these compartments has blowout panels to direct possible explosion energy away from the crew.

A mine-protection plate made of titanium is available for the Type-86. This plate weighs several tons and reduces the ground clearance to 25cm, but dramatically improves the survivability of the tank and crew in case of a large explosion under the hull. The crew seats are all of the suspended type, to protect the crew from explosions under the tank.

Mobility

At 55 metric tons the Chi-Go is a rather light MBT. It is powered by a very powerful engine and utilizes a state of the art suspension system to not only be quite fast, but also be capable of crossing the most difficult terrain.

The NMC AVM1500 is a Horizontally Opposed, Twin Turbocharged V8. The injection system is based on pre-combustion chambers, allowing multi-fuel use. Cooling is provided by a pressurized close circuit cooling system. Twin turbochargers are installed to maximize performance. A filtering system is installed to allow operations in fine-dust conditions. The engine has a preheating system for the oil and can operate at temperatures of -46C to +52C. The engine produces 1,500 bhp at 3000rpm.

Coupled to the engine is a semi-automatic hydro-mechanical transmission with 5 forward gears, 2 reverse gears, neutral gear and pivot. Mechanical brakes are built on to the output shafts, which are transverse to the input. Propulsion drive is via a torque converter with lock up clutch, shifting and reversing gear to be shifted under load with planetary gear sets, multidisc brakes and clutches. Steering drive is infinitely variable by a hydrostatic-hydrodynamic superimposed steering system. The transmission brake is a combined hydrodynamic-mechanical brake system as service brake, without parking and auxiliary brakes.

For the suspension, Schwerpunkt turned to the InArm suspension system developed by Horstman. The system incorporates dual piston compressible struts into the suspension arms. The system also has a central control to adjust the amount of fluid in each InArm unit. The hydraulic units act both as springs and dampers, and the system allows the driver to lower and raise the ground clearance given by each arm. In total there are 6 pairs of road wheels on each side of the suspension, with 3 return rollers. The tracks are 580mm wide and do not have rubber soles.

Communications and Networking

The Type-86 has a standard NPS combined internal/external communications system. The system comprises of a main control panel and 4 personal control panels (each crewman and one in the rear corridor), as well as 4 headsets integrated into the ballistic helmets of the crew.

The main control panel is located in the commander’s compartment and allows him to select listening and broadcasting frequencies for himself and the crew, select which crewmembers can hear him and be heard by him, and which crewmembers can listen and broadcast to external radio. The individual control panels allow each crew member to switch select listening frequencies and select which crew members he can hear. The commander’s panel also allows for remotely changing the frequency in the receivers and transmitters. The PTT integrated into the helmet has three modes- internal, external, and quiet. The system has a separate tank commander to driver channel using the most protected battery for power to ensure commander-driver communications. The system also has a wireless ability, which switches on automatically when a helmet is disconnected. This prevents crew members from accidently disconnecting and allows for quick dismount.

The Type-86 can accommodate 2 transmitter-receivers and 2 receivers. The antenna bases are integral and allow lowering the antennas forwards and backwards from inside the tank. A storage compartment for a man portable radio is located near the rear exit hatch. A radio-silence communications system to replace flags, comprising of two IR and regular lights on each side of the turret, allows for minimum use of radio by lower level commanders. The Type-86 is equipped with a tank/infantry telephone located at the rear of the vehicle and connected to the commander’s internal communications, as well as external communications to allow infantry to use the tank to communicate.

Networking for the Chi-Go is provided by the BASTION system. BASTION is a battlefield management system for units ranging in size from platoons to brigades.

BASTION mostly relies on the existing sensors a platform already has. This includes laser range finders, RADARs, observation systems, fire control components, meteorological sensors, and other sensors. It also uses GPS (either installed with BASTION or existing). Combining information from these sensors allows the system to display and network accurate real-time information not only of friendly forces, but also of hostile forces, terrain conditions and more.

BASTION can rely on several communication mediums. It can use standard military radio networks, military cellular networks, or satellite communications. It can also combine all three. According to the type of medium used, range varies from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers.

Networking is done by an IP protocol. Each unit sends and receives information to and from all units within reception range and operating on the correct frequencies. This information is than sorted by the system, to prevent flooding the user with un-needed information. This sorting is done by both the sender and recipient, meaning he user can choose who will see his sent data and who’s sent data he receives.

The information gathered by the BASTION main processor is displayed on one or more LCD displays in the vehicle. The LCD screens are mil-spec and have control buttons on the sides. The system has 4 windows used for work before, during, and after operations.

*Battle Planning and orders: Allows for creating, sharing and viewing complete operational plans, with attached maps, orders, and ORBATS. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, lines-of-sight, and radio reception areas.
*Battle Management: This is the main window, which is used during operations. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can see the location of friendly forces and known hostile forces. The user can also update known enemy forces. This is done by taking a range reading to the enemy, and then adding further information manually. Artillery can be laid using a special artillery tab, which sends the artillery request to a predefined user. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, and lines-of-sight. Information added here by the user is automatically shared with other units.
*Information Sharing: This window is used to send specific data that is not automatically sent by the system. This includes text massages, images and videos, and logistic reports. Videos and still images are captured by the AFVs existing systems. Text massaging allows free texting as well as predefined default massages. This system allows upper echelons to view the battle from the perspective of a specific tank, and also reduces the use of radio by lower tactical levels.
*Internal Status: The window is used for updating the status of the specific unit carrying the BASTION. It allows updating ammunition and fuel shortages, mechanical problems, casualties, etc. This information is only sent when the user chooses to (manually or in predefined intervals).

Crew Amenities

The Type-86 is equipped to support its crew in long term operations during fighting and when buttoned. A specially designed sun and rain plastic canopy can be raised above the loader and commander hatches to ease waiting periods in harsh weather. An air-conditioning system is connected to the NBC protection system and can flow warm or cool air into the overalls and NBC masks of the crew. A 50 liter NBC protected water tank located in the rear hull is connected to a heating/cooling unit and supplies hot or cold water thorough a tap. Rations are kept in water tight compartments in the fighting compartment itself as well as in the rear corridor. 4 days worth of rations can be carried in this way. The tank has a special storage compartment holding an electric cooking pen, an electric cigarette lighter, plates and utensils.

All purchases and questions must be directed to the main Schwerpunkt storefront page.