HTV-014 Main Battle Tank [DO NOT POST HERE]

[Ionicus]

[Concept and Development]

[Overview and Introduction]

[Design]

[Purchase]

[Ionicus]

Calls for the replacement the aging HTV-98 line of main battle tanks began in the summer of 2010. The Future Weapons Development Committee laid out the design requirements for what would become the HTV-014. The new tank was to incorporate the latest electronic systems, be capable of operating in any climate under any weather condition, be readily transported by fixed wing aircraft, and offer unrivaled offensive and defensive capabilities.

Ten early prototypes were delivered in Spring 2012. The prototype tanks were operated in different climates for an entire year, undergoing combat simulations. From rain forests, to jungles, to deserts, to the arctic, no conditions were left untested. Following these trials, over 400 refinements were made based on crew suggestions and engineering data.

The HTV-014 was developed using the most advanced computer design and simulation software available. Over 2 years of field testing and nearly 70 years of tank design expertise have gone into the development of the HTV-014. Sixteen private and government owned entities, ranging from advanced computer hardware and software developers to metallurgical design bureaus contributed to the final design.

An engineer uses CAD software to design the HTV-012's powerplant

Conceptually, the HTV-014 was designed to integrate the main points listed below into its design.


// Networked Combat //
The HTV-014 was not designed to be operated as a standalone unit, though it can be used as such. The HTV-014 is designed to operate in highly integrated unit formations. The GLAVO Combat Networking Suite allows for the HTV-014 to share target locations, maps, mission information, and several other pieces of information between infantrymen, armored vehicles, aerial reconnaissance drones, and command and control staff. Members of the network can highlight specific targets such as buildings, vehicles, or infantry formations. Target highlighting allows for multiple vehicles to simultaneously engage and attack the same enemy vehicle in a highly coordinated fashion. The target sharing capability extends to field artillery units, naval units, and aerial units as well. Ground based targets can be quickly targeted fired upon from artillery strikes or airstrikes.


//Maximized Manpower //
The United Technocratic Republics of Ionicus's military has always faced a disadvantage when it comes to manpower. From the its founding in the 1940s, the Republic has always attempted to fill this gap using technology. Economically it strove to automate and mechanize as much of the manufacturing and agricultural industry as possible. This motif also applies to the military. In addition to the high grade armor, the HTV-014 features numerous safety and lifesaving features designed to save the valuable crew in the event of an emergency. The use of an autoloading system, rather than having a human loader, allows for one extra soldier to be utilized in a different position within the military.


//Low Maintenance Costs//
To offset the high initial cost of the HTV-014, low maintenance costs were a must. The HTV-014 uses several common components shared with the line of armored vehicles produced by TALON National Arms Corporation. The highly advanced GMTE-12 Mk. II turbine engine features far fewer moving parts than a conventional turbine engine and mass produced modular components allow for simple, expedient repairs. The continuously variable transmission used by the HTV-014 makes transmission maintenance as easy as replacing a belt in most cases.

[Ionicus]

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For a brief overview of the HTV-014's systems and capabilities, please view our PDF information guide.

[Ionicus]

Manufacturer: Sevir Heavy Industries (chassis and powerplant) | TALON Nat'l Arms Corp. (armament) | Metix Digital Systems (electronics suite)
Cost: 7.9 million NSD per unit
Crew: 3 (driver, commander, and gunner)


Primary: K08 120mm cannon
Secondary: Capable of co-axially mounting: 1x M212 12.7mm minigin OR 1xM218 20mm cannon
Tertiary: Roof mounted remote weapons station capable of mounting: 1x M200 12.7mm heavy machine gun OR 1xM208 40mm smart grenade launcher OR 1x M198 7.62mm light machine gun
Additional: 4x missile launch tubes for fitment of anti tank guided missiles or anti-aircraft missiles


Passive: Nano-crystal steel alloy (Triple Hardness Steel), modular composite armor, optional fitment with reactive plates, optional fitment with anti-RPG slats, kevlar spall liner
Active: PROTEKTANO computer controlled ballistic active protection system, millimeter wave jamming systems, electronically controlled ballistic anti-mine countermeasures


Engine: Sevir Heavy Industries GMTE-12 Mark II Multi-fuel turbine engine (1,600hp)
Suspension: Hydropnuematic active suspension
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Operational Range: Apx. 600km (372 miles) without external fuel storage
Top speed: 70 kilometers per hour / 43 miles per hour on road


Weight: 48.1 tons
Length: 7.2 (hull), 7.6 (gun forwards)
Width: 3.8 meters
Height: 2.5 meters (turret roof)




Armed with the K08 electronically stabilized 120mm cannon as its primary weapon and numerous complimentary weapon options, the HTV-014 has unmatched offensive capabilities. The K08 cannon features an eight round cylindrical magazine allowing it to rapid fire several rounds in a quick salvo – or engage multiple hostile combatants simultaneously. An automatic loading system keeps 36 rounds at the ready and negates the need for a loader, maximizing potential manpower in an army.

The secondary weapons are offered as modules with “plug and play” style compatibility. Currently, TALON Arms offers four secondary weapons modules: the M218 20mm smart grenade launcher (fitted as a standard option for the coaxial armament position), the M208 40mm smart grenade launcher, the M212 12.7mm, electrically driven, air cooled, three barreled minigun; the M200 12.7mm heavy machine gun (fitted a standard option for the roof mounted RWS position), and the M198 7.62mm machine gun.

Additional offensive capabilities are provided by the four missile launch tubes, provided as standard equipment, on the sides of the HTV-014’s turret. The missile launch tubes can be fitted with either anti-tank guided missiles, or anti-aircraft missiles, broadening the tank’s offensive capabilities to take on attack helicopters and ground attack aircraft.



Stealth was an important design consideration during the development of the HTV-014. Both sides of the HTV-014 are equipped with an exhaust gas mixing system. The system continuously mixes high volumes of outside air into the exhaust gasses to reduce their temperature. The exhaust gas system greatly increases the difficulty for the vehicle to be spotted and subsequently targeted by thermal systems. In addition, TALON offers next generation thermal cloaking technology for the HTV-014, available as an upgrade kit. The specially constructed armor modules equipped with electric cooling/heating plates, also known as Peltier plates mount to the vehicle just like a normal segment of the armor would. These modules operate as a solid state heat pump. Whenever electricity is applied to them they transfer thermal energy from one side of the plate to the other. This, in conjunction with infrared sensors can nearly completely mask the infrared and heat signature of the vehicle by matching the surrounding environment's infrared composition.

The majority of the HTV-014’s armor is composed of nano-crystal steel alloy. Nano-crystal steel, also called triple hardness steel, is a carbon nanotube metal matrix composite. The nano-crystal steel incorporates carbon nanotubes into a high strength alloy comprised mostly of steel and titanium. The nano-crystal steel alloy used in the HTV-014 has over three times the hardness of conventional rolled, homogeneous steel armor. Although denser than rolled homogeneous steel armor, the high strength of the material provides highly significant benefits in terms of thickness and weight. Nano-crystal steel alloys can provide the same protection as the highly advanced ARMOX500Z plates with 30% less thickness and only 38% of the weight.

In conjunction with nano-crystal steel, the HTV-014 utilizes composite armor. Composite materials are primarily used to further increase protection levels. The interior of the vehicle's armor is lined with kevlar to protect crew members from spall, or small pieces of the vehicles armor that break off upon impact from a projectiles.

Atop the outer skin of the armor, explosive reactive plates can be fitted. The explosive reactive armor (ERA) detonates outwards when hit with a projectile. When the ERA plates detonate both the velocity and angle of the projectile are altered, reducing their effectiveness. ERA systems have been utilized by many nations’ military and have a proven effectiveness against both kinetic energy projectiles and rocket propelled grenades. The outermost layer of the vehicle is capable of fitting slats to protect the vehicle from rocket propelled grenades. The slat armor prematurely detonates rocket propelled grenade devices which reduces their effectiveness to the point of being unable to penetrate the vehicles armor.

The armor on the HTV-014 is subdivided into single piece armor plates. Each armored plate can be quickly replaced if it becomes damaged – making the repair of battle damaged tanks into quick work. The armored plates come in three levels, with Level I at the lightest and level III at the heaviest. Level I was designed for rapid deployment vehicles – saving weight wherever possible to allow for easy air transport and amphibious operation without any modification. Level II is intended for cross-country combat and is the standard outfitting of the HTV-014. Level III was created for urban environments, where attacks of any caliber can come from anywhere around the tank; special attention was paid to armoring the rear and top of the HTV-014.

The HTV-014 is also equipped with the PROTEKTANO active protection system. The PROTEKTANO system is an Ionician designed, computer controlled active protection system providing defense from rocket propelled grenades, anti-tank guided missiles, and anti-tank mines. The PROTEKTANO system is comprised of a C-band RADAR system, a ground penetrating radar system, optical sensors, millimeter wave jamming systems, a central computing unit, and ballistic projectiles. The PROTEKTANO system protects the vehicle from anti-tank guided missiles and rocket propelled grenades in a fashion similar to that of Israel's famed Trophy system. A high-speed computer monitors information from RADAR and optical sensors to detect incoming projectiles. If a projectile is detected then ballistic projectiles are fired to intercept and premature detonate the projectile. Millimeter wave jamming systems further enhance defense from anti-tank guided missiles by jamming the guidance system of incoming missiles.

Various sensors located on the outside of the vehicle utilized by the PROTEKTANO system are also capable of detecting if the HTV-014 is being targeted by hostile forces. The PROTEKTANO system gives the vehicle crew members an advanced warning allowing them to take action to evade being hit, such as deploying smoke screens or re-positioning the vehicle to a less vulnerable position. The PROTEKTANO system also provides a countermeasure system to anti-tank mines. A ground-penetrating RADAR system installed at the bottom slope at the front of the vehicle detects for anti-tank mines. If a mine is detected a high velocity ballistic projectile will fire at the mine to prematurely detonate it, reducing its effectiveness.

The bottom of the turret is equipped with 12 launch tubes for smoke grenades. The smoke grenades can conceal the tank from both thermal and optical sighting. While operating on diesel fuel, the HTV-015 can utilize an engine based smoke screen as well. Diesel fuel can be sprayed directly into the turbine exhaust, creating a smoke screen.

Crew protection was one of the key design features of the HTV-014. One of the more novel design features of the HTV-014 was its incorporation of explosive bolts into the hatches of the crew members. Activated in a manner similar to ejection seats of aircraft, once the cord has been pulled the hatch is blasted open allowing for an immediate egress of the vehicle.

An automatic fire fighting system is present throughout the vehicle, with modules in the engine compartments and ammunition storage areas. The system can be activated either automatically, by the triggering of thermal or pressure sensors, or by the activation button, located within reach of each crew member. The firefighting system, upon activation, a rapid release of fire suppressant foam extinguishes fires. Unlike comparable systems, the firefighting system does not use toxic halon gas.

The ammunition for the HTV-014 is kept in the rear of the turret. The ammo storage section of the turret is equipped with several blow out panels. In the even stored munitions were to detonate, the resulting explosion would be directed away from the manned section of the turret.

CBRN, or chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear protection systems can be equipped on the HTV-014. Air filters cartridges can be loaded into the HTV-014 climate control system without the need to exit the vehicle. An over pressure system in the HTV-014 keeps the manned compartments kept at a higher pressure than the outside air to keep contaminants outside the compartments in the event of a leak or breech of the compartment.



As is a signature characteristic of Ionician armored vehicles, the HTV-014 showcases the most advanced computerized control systems, developed by the world renowned Universal Computer Machines Corporation (UCM). At the heart of the HTV-014 is Metix Digital System's Central Combat Vehicle Computing System (CCVCS). The CCVCS is constructed of shock resistant, rugged electronic components and housed in an EMP resistant armored compartment made from a titanium matrix composite. The CCVCS serves to tie together all the vehicle's subsystems such as fire control, engine performance, communications, combat networking, navigation, damage control, and crew environmental controls. In addition to the CCVCS, back-up modules are equipped in the critical subsystems in the event the CCVCS is disabled or data cables become severed.

The exterior of the HTV-014 is equipped with a number of armored sensor units to provide the "eyes" of the vehicle. Mounted atop the turret is the commander's multi-spectral camera capable of rotating 360° and an optical zoom of up to 12x. To the right of the main gun is the gunner's sighting unit. The recessed multi-spectral camera is paired with a laser range finder. The gunner's camera unit is slaved to the main gun and provides the main method for the primary, coaxial, and ATGM launch tubes to be aimed. Lastly, a rear facing 270° camera is mounted to provide a 360° fixed view around the vehicle at all times.

The HTV-014 is capable of being integrated with the GLAVO suite of combat networking technologies. With the usage of the GLAVO combat networking suite (CNS), armored vehicle formations are transformed into highly-capable, highly-integrated, highly-coordinated teams. On a command level, the GLAVO CNS allows for battlefield commanders to view the location and status of all friendly units in a battle zone, view surveillance drone data, locate and designate enemy forces, set navigational way-points. On a vehicle level, the GLAVO CNS maximizes the capabilities of each vehicle. Crew members can see the location of friendly and known enemy forces, view surveillance drone data, and highlight targets. Target highlighting allows for multiple vehicles to simultaneously engage and attack the same enemy vehicle in a highly coordinated fashion. The target sharing capability extends to field artillery units and aerial units as well. Ground based targets can be quickly targeted fired upon from artillery strikes or airstrikes.

Fire control systems on the HTV-014 are typically controlled by the CCVCS, but a back-up module is fitted into the vehicle turret in the event of a systems failure. The fire control system actively electronically stabilizes the main armament of the HTV-014 ensuring accuracy. The fire control system combines information from the multi-spectral camera systems, RADAR systems, range finders, temperature and humidity sensors, and the gunner's eyepiece for targeting and calculating firing solutions. The combination of highly advanced sensors, electronic gun stabilization and high speed computing systems ensures a hit percentage of 98% at typical ranges.

The crew stations in the HTV-014 may more closely resemble a jet fighter than what one would expect to find in a main battle tank. A multitude of cleanly mounted digital displays, LED status panels, and a helmet mounted display comprise the bulk of the HTV-014's user interface. The digital displays mounted display information such as vehicle status, camera displays, and navigational data. The graphics used by these consoles are kept mostly monochrome and minimal to prevent information overload. The most relevant information is displayed with more emphasis. Graphics are also commonly used in place of text to allow for quick and easy operation. The helmet mounted display gives crew members the ability to have data displayed on their helmets, rather than displays. The helmet mounted display can be tied in with externally mounted cameras to allow for the crew members to get a panoramic, real time display of their surroundings as if they were not in the vehicle. For the gunner/commander of the HTV-014, the helmet mounted display can track their eye movements to target vehicles.

Electronic systems allow for the HTV-014 to be operated in all weather conditions, in any climate, day or night. The front mounted headlight units are equipped with high output, high efficiency LED bulbs which can emit both visible light or infrared light for night operations. The commander’s independent sight, and the camera unit slaved to the main cannon are multispectral, capable of showing images in the visible light spectrum, as well as in the infrared/thermal spectrum. All of the hard mounted cameras are equipped with image intensification technology which amplifies incoming light to produce an image from complete darkness, without using infrared lighting.



The key to the HTV-014’s high level of mobility is Sevir Heavy Industries' GMTE-12 Mark II high-efficiency, multi-fuel turbine engine. The GMTE-12 Mark I is capable producing 1,600 shaft horsepower. It can be run on a wide variety of fuels such as ethanol, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or jet fuel. Although turbine engines have gained a negative reputation in the realm of armored warfare, the GMTE-12 Mark II has addressed the main areas of concern. Modular components and a drastic reduction in moving parts has greatly reduced maintenance costs; it requires less maintenance than the conventional diesel engine outfitted to many main battle tanks*. Compared to the Honeywell AGT1500 turbine, found on the M1 Abrams tank, the GMTE-12 Mark II uses 30% less fuel cross country and 60% less fuel at idle. The GMTE-12 Mark II produces almost no visible exhaust, and combined with the use of exhaust gas mixers, the HTV-014’s thermal signature is almost undetectable.

Paired with the HTV-014’s turbine engine is a robust and reliable continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) improves fuel economy, eases maintenance costs, and allows the HTV-014 to move at its maximum speed of 60 kmh in both forwards and reverse.
The active hydropneumatic suspension system maximizes chassis and turret stability while the vehicle is in operation. The suspension system is controlled by an on-board computer system to control the movement of wheels relative to the vehicle, rather than relative to the road surface. Crew members onboard can raise and lower the chassis. Although the standard tracks of the HTV-014 are capable of crossing a wide variety of terrain, specially designed tracks for increased performance in snow or wetland conditions are available.

Equipped with the high mobility Level I package, the HTV-014 is readily capable of crossing water with no preparation. At levels II and III, a pneumatic snorkel can be inflated from the inside of the tank, giving the vehicle the capability to ford through water up to 4 meters deep.




One of the HTV-014's signature crew amenities is its crew beverage tank. A 300 liter water tank is kept at the front of the vehicle, with drinking straws at all stations to maintain crew hydration levels. An auxiliary 40 liter liquid storage tank is also outfitted in the vehicle, which can hold electrolyte or caffeinated (or a blend of both) to be kept to extend crew longevity. Another distinct feature of the HTV-014 is its air conditioning and heating unit. Because Ionicus consists of both deserts in the north and taiga in the south, the HTV-014 has been equipped with a highly capable climate control system. Individual crew members can alter their air flow and air temperature in their respective compartments to their own individual preferences. The climate control unit is also equipped with a dust filter to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

The passenger and crew members come equipped with 12V electrical sockets for charging electronics devices or for the installment of crew amenities such as hot plates or tea makers.

*-based on total number of man hours over a course of 50,000 miles. Comparison made between Sevir Heavy Industry’s GMTE-12 Mark II Turbine and the V-92S2F used by the T-90AM.

[Ionicus]

Base Model (Level II Protection System, co-axial M212 minigun, M208 40mm grenade launcher RWS): 7.9 million NSD

Level I Armor Package: 450,000 NSD
Level III Armor Package: 650,000 NSD

Replacement parts available on request
Contact: parts.av@talon.io