NationStates

Specifications

Type: Main Battle Tank

Dimensions:
Crew: 3(TC, gunner, driver)
Weight: 73 metric tons combat ready
Length: 12.15 meters gun forward (hull length 8.4m)
Width: 3.9 meters (with skirts)
Height: 2.75 meters (turret roof)
Ground Clearance: 0.3-0.5 meters

Armament:
Main Gun: 130mm/L51 smooth bore gun
Main Gun ammunition storage: 22 ready to fire, 24 more in hull storage
Coaxial:7.62mm machine gun
TC armament: 12.7mm in remote operated weapon system
Close Range Armament: 2 6-tube 80mm close range grenade launchers.
4 Shrakrak drone launchers.

Protection:
Rhinoskin II composite armor (DU/Titanium/SLERA)
Active Protection: “Iron Tide M” Hard/Soft Kill APS

Power:
Engine: NMC AVM1800 26L Horizontally Opposed, Twin Turbocharged Diesel
Power Output: 1,800HP (~1342kN) at 2,600 RPM
Power to weight ratio: ~24.6hp/ton
Auxiliary Power: 1 under armor 20kW APU
Batteries: 16 LFP Li-Ion Batteries

Maneuverability:
Suspension: InArm Fluidic Springs
Maximum Road Speed (governed): 70km/h
Trench Crossing: 2.5m
Vertical Obstacle Crossing: 1.1m
Fording: 1.85m (with minimal preparation)
Fuel Capacity: 1500 liters
Operational range: ~600 kilometers

Cost:
Vehicle - 10,250,000 USD
DPR - 750,000,000 USD





Background and layout

MBT-131 “Abir” (Knight) was developed by Schwerpunkt to meet a Royal Army requirement for a new main battle tank, superior in protection, fire power and observation capabilities to previous RAN used types, while not sacrificing mobility. As in the past the Royal army emphasized anti-armor capabilities and the survivability of the crew. MBT-131A1 is the current production model.

To meet these requirements Schwerpunkt has developed a new 130mm gun and autoloading system, further improved it’s composite armor technology, and maintained the forward mounted powerpack location. The Nachmerean preference of forward mounted engines results in a shorter gun forward length, while prioritizing crew survivability over that of the powerpack.

The forward mounted powerpack is located behind a protruding “nose” carrying a formidable armor module. To the left of the engine is the driver compartment. In the turret, the TC and gunner are located to the right and left of the main gun respectively. The 130mm is automatically fed by an autoloader located in the bustle.
MBT-131 is capable of engaging and defeating all modern armor, while maintaining high levels of protection and crew survivability. With its advanced sensory and networking abilities it is well suited to all manner of offensive and defensive tank operations.

Armament

To keep current with modern foes and maintain the ability to engage and destroy them at contact ranges, the Abir is armed with a smooth-bore 130mm gun. The gun is fed by an automatic continuous link autoloader located in the bustle and holding 22 rounds. A further 24 rounds are held in stowage in two compartments to the rear of the tank, and can be used to top off the autoloader from within the tank. Each round is held in a fire resistant polymer canister, and each stowage area has its own blow out panel. The autoloader uses barcode to identify the type of ammo loaded in each canister, moving it to position when the gunner or commander presses a button. The breech automatically indexes, an armored door opens between the ammunition and the turret, and a rammer pushes the round out of it’s canister and into the breach.

The 6.63 meter long smoothbore barrel has a bore gas evacuator and a combined thermal sleeve and vibration absorber. This unique system uses a spring system to attach at the muzzle end of the gun. The energy of barrel vibrations is therefore absorbed and partially dissipated in the system, improving both accuracy and barrel lifespan. In addition and to absorb the recoil of the massive gun, a muzzle break is installed. Thanks to advanced metallurgy and the means described above, the 130mm has a lifespan of 1500-2000 rounds depending on ammo used. Available ammo types include APFSDS, HEAT and APAM.

In addition to the main gun, the MBT-131 is armed with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a commander's remote operated 12.7mm machine gun. The latter can be either operated from within the tank or manually when the TC is “unbuttoned”.

For close range defense against infantry and screening purposes, the MBT-131 is equipped with a 12 tube grenade launching system. This system can fire White Phosphorus, HE-Fragmentation, IR-screening smoke, IR-Decoy, Less than lethal tear gas and less than lethal “flash-bang”.

In the top rearmost part of the bustle, two on each side, are fixed angle launchers for Shrakrak loitering munitions/drones. After launch these can be controlled by any member of the crew via their LCD displays. Shrakrak can be used as a weapon or for reconnaissance.


Fire control and Observation

MBT-131 has a state of the art solid state fire control system. The turret is fully electrically controlled, with the gun stabilized in both axes. The fire control computer automatically corrects for lead, bend of the gun, barrel wear, wind, cant, barometric pressure and temperature. The system is capable of both automatic lead and pixel lock for moving targets.

Both gunner and commander have full access to the system, including the sights and laser range finder. The main sight (typically used by the gunner) has a third generation thermal sensor for night vision and a HDTV camera for day use. It is connected digitally to the gun, and stabilized in 2 axes. The image is displayed on a 10 inch LCD screen with X1-X10 magnification.

The independent 3r generation thermal viewer (typically used by the commander) 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 TCs 12.7mm machine gun has its own thermal sight and fire control system.For use in case of loss of the main fire control computer, a basic mechanical system is available, including a X2/X8 sight with range markings for Sabot and HEAT rounds. This sight is available only to the gunner and is not stabilized.

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

As noted, 4 Shrakrak launchers allow the crew to immediately launch and receive vision from the drones.

Protection

MBT-131 has a sharply angled clacies plate and slight V shaped bottom. The base turret is a trapezoid steel structure, with an elongated sharply angled composite armor suite around it.

The tank is protected by “Rhinoskin II” composite armor modules. “Rhinoskin II” combines depleted uranium, titanium alloy, and silicon carbide with integrated layers of SLERA (self limiting reactive armor). This formidable protection, in varying thickness, covers the entire front and sides of the turret, as well as the upper front plate (with a very thick module on the very “nose” of the hull). It also covers much of the turret roof, hull sides and the removable side skirts. This integrated and heavy armor protects the MBT-131 against most if not all probably KE and CE threats against the frontal aspect at contact ranges, as well as many threats against the turret sides and hull sides.

To further protect the tank, specifically against top and side attacks by ATGMs, the MBT-131 is equipped with the “Iron Tide M" active protection system.

MBT-131 uses an overpressure system combined with individual CBRN protection for its crew. 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 overpressure system along with standard gas masks.

Crew and vehicle survivability

As stated the Royal Army is dedicated to crew survivability. The reason is simple - it is far faster to replace an engine on a tank then train a new crew. This is the main reason the MBT-131 maintains the traditional Nachmerean front engined layout. This not only places the powerpack between incoming threats and the crew, but more importantly allows for a rear clamshell door for quickly and safely dismounting the vehicle. It also allows them to mount the tank without climbing to the turret and exposing themselves.

To further crew survivability the internal compartment is lined with an anti spalling layer, and all 3 seats are of a suspended type to reduce the energy transfer of an underbelly IED or mine. In addition to the slight V shape of the hull floor, an extra mine protection titanium alloy plate is available for the MBT-131. This plate reduces ground clearance and performance but dramatically improves the survivability of the tank and crew in case of a large explosion under the hull.

An automatic fire suppression system is installed in the crew compartments, engine bay and ammo stowage. This is automatically activated by visual or thermal sensors, or can be manually activated. Diesel is stored in 5 self sealing tanks, with cutoff valves to allow separate use of the forward or rear tanks. The ammo is stored in individual shrapnel and fire retardant polymer cases, with armor protection for each of the 3 stowage areas, and blowout panels to direct a cook off away from the crew.


Mobility

At 73 metric tons, the Abir is the heaviest tank ever fielded by the Nachmeran military, but using a powerful powerpack allows it to maintain good mobility. Produced by Nachmere Mountain Motors, the Abir is powered by a 24L, 1800 horsepower horizontally opposed engine. The twin turbocharged engine utilizes a pressurized closed circuit cooling system, and is multi fuel capable. The powerpack integrates a semi-automatic hydromechanical 7 gear transmission, with pivot and neutral steering.
To give the tank good cross country comfort and mobility, as well as allow proper depression of the main gun, the Abir design had to move from the previous helical spring suspensions of Nachmerean tanks. Schwerpunkt chose the Horstman InArm suspension. The system integrates dual piston compressible struts into each individual suspension arm. These hydraulic units act as both springs and dampers, and using a centralized control system allow the driver to adjust the ride height or “kneal” the vehicle. The latter feature is critical because without it the Abir only has 8 degrees of gun depression. When in defensive hull down positions, the suspension can be used to add another 10 degrees of depression. 4 track return rollers are used above the 6 road wheels, carrying all steel 650mm wide tracks.

Communications and Networking

The MBT-131 has a combined internal/external communications system, consisting of a main control panel and 3 individual panels. Each crew member uses a headset integrated into his ballistic helmet. The TC has control over the channel selection and crew member access to external radio and intercom. The system has a separate tank commander/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 tank can accommodate 2-3 transmitter-receivers and 2-3 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 tank/infantry telephone is 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.

Like all Schwerpunkt AFVs, Abir is set up to use BASTION II as it's standard networking system, including augmented reality over the sight pictures, automatic update of logistics crew info, automatic sharing and receiving of sensor data etc.

Each crewmember has access to BASTION II networking, with the TC also being able to use Telepat goggles synced in with the tank.

Crew Comfort

The MBT-131 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 gunner and commander hatches to ease waiting periods in harsh weather. An air-conditioning system is connected to the CBRN 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 through a tap in the rear corridor. Rations are kept in water tight compartments in the fighting compartment itself as well as in the rear corridor. 7 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.


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