History
Outsider Lineage
To say that the Oplot-R2 has an illustrious lineage would be an understatement. This next generation MBT is the latest of many descendents of the venerable T-64. First developed in the 1960s, the T-64 was a world-beater in cutting-edge technology when first released upon the world during the height of the Cold Era: incredibly fast, low-profiled, equipped with the world's first example of composite armour, the first tank autoloader and a 125mm smoothbore main gun that seriously out-shot its 105mm-armed Western counterparts. The design was subsequently updated as the feared T-80 - an MBT so fast that it was nicknamed the ‘Flying Tank' by many western nations. The latest Russian mass-produced version of the T-80, the T-80U, features heavy explosive reactive armour, Kontakt-5, capable of shearing APFSDS darts in half and easily halting HEAT rounds from ATGMs and RPGs. Its offensive power was also significantly improved with the 1A46 Fire Control System, allowing the tank to fire the AT-11 Sniper ATGM with a 5km range.
In time the T-80U was refitted with a 1,006 hp diesel engine, a significant improvement given the unreliability of the T-80's original turbine engine as demonstrated during the Chechen campaigns. It was further developed by others into the T-84, featuring a new all-welded turret, 1200hp diesel engine and Buran thermal imaging system. Another upgrade, the Oplot-M, features the Nozh-2 ERA, superior to the Russian Kontakt and able to defeat modern tandem-warhead ATGMs, the Shtora countermeasure system and Zaslon active-protection system.
Illumien Updates
Every single soviet model tank that was used by Vadia and later Doppio Giudici (Now Pentaga Giudici), was considered "too small" and "uncomfortable" by it's tankers, military planners, and political leaders. Each and every single T model of tank was designed with a larger turret and more room for it's inner operations. For the most part the T-80, known internally as the "Titan 9), was a very good tank that needed limited modification to perform. During the brutal "Han Wars" that started in 1984, the T-80A variant with the roomy turret, known as the Titan-8A, ground all opposing forces into dust in every confrontation. The tank wasn't that expensive, was very fast, and performed very well. However, as the wars progressed and time passed, the tank was updated as the rest of the world updated their own T-80s.
Fastforwarding to 2007AD (995AV) and the two Illumien nations are three things: existing, getting along, and rapidly improving in GDP from outside trade. Both nations not only can afford to replace all their Titan-8s (T-72s) with Titan-8A4 Oplots (T-84 Oplots), but are looking to research upgrades to take their tanks to a whole new level the world hasn't tried yet. That was where the Titan-9 tank came into place, designed to use a western 120mm L/44 gun, accept two con-axial M2s, a 14.5mm version of the M2, and new "Legion" ERA. After 2015, an upgrade in the form of T-14 Malachit dual-ERA, was added. This created the A3 model.
All of these variants were constructed over years of painstaking research and strong experience from actual combat in every environment known to man.
Overall Performance
The Titan 9A2 Tank has an overall cost of .7 million NSD more then comparative T-84 Oplot-Ms on the market, while having access to better ammo, a better fire-control system, more anti-infantry/vehicle/helicopter machine-guns, and better ERA. The upgrade cost from a normal T-84 Oplot-M Is a good 3.7 million, since most of the cost of the tank is in the turret and ERA. At just 5.2 million NSD, it's a highly capable tank that is worth every single penny spent on it, performing better then even more expensive tanks.
The tank puts up a very good fight, better than Leopard 2A5s while costing the same or less.
Armament
120mm L/44 TVMK smoothbore gun.
Ever since this gun came out and until larger guns reentered the market, this was the tank gun to have. It had the best HEAT and Sabots the world had ever seen, and to this day is making tanks around the world into ruined husks. The ammo being made for it is extensive, widespread, and constantly updated as needed. You want something better and you will be paying through the nose to get it.
1 x 12.7mm M2 HMG (800)
Depending on division the 12.7mm heavy machine gun is ether housed inside a mini-turret or placed inside a remote controlled weapon system. Ether way the stable mount and powerful barrage of bullets is highly effective in keeping infantry from bothering the tank or infantry around it.
1 x NTA Mark 14.5 HMG (300 rounds)
The 14.5mm was a soviet anti-tank round built for anti-tank rifles. The last several decades, it has mostly been used in heavy machine guns, to achieve fantastic results against vehicles armored up to 12.7mm or .50 cal. There is a lot of things in life that are armored against the later rounds, but not the former round, which is why this HMG is installed in this tank.
Protection and Defense Systems
The Titan 9A2 is covered along the front with Malachit dual-Explosive reactive armour, which is fairly recent but well tested, beating out all previous soviet style ERAs. Under this ERA which is double layered carefully in the front, is a set of composite armor matching that of "Super Dolly Parton" armor. In the back it has light Slat armor, which is designed to setoff HEAT and tumble Sabots before they get to the tank.
Engine
1,400 hp (882 kW) 6TD-2E 6-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled engine
The same engine that was in the T-84 Oplot-M, still a very powerful engine, that produces lots of torque and speed while being able to drink a number of different fuels. It's a lot less thirsty then the old T-80 engines, while providing the same or better speed. Diesel, petrol, jet fuel, it drinks it all without complaint.
Other Infomation
The crew comforts from the old Oplot have been replaced. The new set of improvements includes a new auxiliary power unit, improved provision for deep fording, a more reliable satellite navigation support system, a better self-entrenching device (dozer blade), newer electric bilge pumps as well as internal and external communications equipment. A more recent crew compartment heater and power pack preheating are also provided for operation at low temperatures. It also now has running AC and internal LED lights. The Titan 9A2 Tank is fitted with an EA-12 under-armour diesel auxiliary power unit (APU) developing 20 kW. This allows the vehicle to run key subsystems without the main engine running (for instance, when the tank is operating from a static fire position or when the vehicle is on silent watch). The APU is mounted at the rear of the hull on the right side.
Country users
None so far
Designer Company
NTAAS Armored Section
Accessories
Day/Night vision system, NBC protection system, and firing computer system