Prototype called the Gladiator Mk X1 during demonstration in 2003.
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Gladiator
Drawing of the Gladiator Mk 1.
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Type: Main Battle Tank
Place of origin:The Commonwealth of Sankji
In Service: 2005-present
Designed: 1995 - 2004
Status: In active service
Produced: 2005—present
Number built: 50,000+
Unit cost:
- Gladiator Mk 1:
$4.93 Million NSD- Gladiator Mk 2:
$5.78 Million NSD- Gladiator Mk 3:
$7.92 Million NSD- Gladiator Mk 3H:
$9.15 Million NSD- G303 Gladius HAB:
$3.4 Million NSD
Overview
The Gladiator is a main battle tank designed and produced by The Commonwealth of Sankji. The tank began development in 1995 and entered official service in 2005. Three main versions of the tank have been deployed, with the Mk 1 and Mk 2 variants being advanced third generation main battle tanks while the Mk 3 is a next or fourth generation. The Gladiator is designed to operate in low intensity conflicts as well as in high intensity conflicts.
The Gladiator was designed for rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. Featuring a number of innovative characteristics, the Gladiator represents a new generation of Sankian main battle tanks. With new innovation and characteristics including the use of an unmanned turret, with the crew of three seated in an armored capsule in the front of the hull. It is equipped with enhanced mine protection under the chassis, and internal enhancements to improve crew survivability. The Gladiator is highly mobile and designed for modern armored ground warfare, the Gladiator is well armed and heavily armored. Notable features include the use of a powerful gas turbine engine (multifuel), the adoption of sophisticated composite armor (Nano-crystal steel for the Mk 3), and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety. All three variants are equipped with a modern auto loader, which is able to carry 34 ready-to-fire rounds in its carousel and can load a round in 5–7 seconds. Heavy emphasis was placed on C4I capabilities as well as on performance, fire-power, protection and mobility.
Armament
The Gladiator Mk 1 is equipped with a German made L44 120 mm Smoothbore Cannon with 46 rounds of ammunition, it can fire a variety of rounds and is used on many of the world’s modern tanks such as the American M1A2 Abrams tank.
Secondary the Mk 1 is equipped with an American made M2HB Browning .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a stabilized VB-07A remotely controlled weapon station, with 2,400 rounds of ammunition. The M2HB heavy machine guns is an air-cooled, belt-fed, remotely controlled, anti-aircraft, heavy machine gun and is located on top of the tank. It can be operated from within the tank by the commander and has a range of 2 km and a cyclic rate of fire of 485–635 rounds per minute.
Lastly, the Mk 1 is also equipped with a German made MG3A1 general-purpose machine gun with 4,750 rounds of ammunition. It has a fire rate of 1000–1300 rounds per minute and a range of 1,200 meters. The MG3A1 is located next to the tank's main gun and can be used by the tank's gunner.
The Gladiator Mk 2 is equipped with the German made L55 120 mm Smoothbore Cannon with 46 rounds of ammunition, The L55 is longer and heavier than the L44. The longer barrel allows ammunition to attain higher velocities, and increases the maximum range of the gun by an estimated 1,500 m. Although the gun is longer, allowing for a higher peak pressure from the propellant, the geometry remains the same, allowing the gun to fire the same ammunition as that fired from the shorter version. In summary, the L55 is a longer variant of the L44, but uses the same ammunition.
The machine guns on the Mk 2 are the same as on the Mk 1, except for the remote weapon station which has been upgraded to the VB-07A+. The VB-07A+ is 7% lighter and has been outfitted with a better night vision sight.
The S109B Electrothermal-chemical gun
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The Gladiator Mk 3 received a significant upgrade of its arsenal and is equipped with a Sankian made 128mm S109B electrothermal-chemical gun, which significantly increases the vehicle's firepower and payload. The S109B electrothermal-chemical gun not only gives Gladiator an advantage over tank equipped with a conventional smoothbore tank guns when it comes to technology but also firepower as the larger more powerful 128mm round increase the tanks range and armor penetration capabilities. The electrothermal-chemical gun has the benefit of superior accuracy and muzzle energy, by improving the predictability and rate of expansion of propellants inside the barrel. An electrothermal-chemical gun uses a plasma cartridge to ignite and control the ammunition's propellant, using electrical energy to trigger the process. ETC increases the performance of conventional solid propellants, reduces the effect of temperature on propellant expansion and allows for more advanced, higher density propellants to be used.
As a secondary weapon, the M2HB has been replaced with an XM806 heavy machine gun, with 2,400 rounds of ammunition. The XM806 fires the same rounds as the M2HB (The .50 caliber) but is 49% lighter and has 60% less recoil than the M2HB. The XM806 has a fire rate of 265 rounds per minute. The VB-07A+ has also been upgraded to the The VB-07B and is now equipped with a new thermal sight.
The German made MG3A1 has also been replaced on the Mk 3 with an MG5A1 with 4,750 rounds of ammunition. The MG5A1 is far more accurate then the MG3A1 and has a rate of fire of: 600-800 rounds per minute.
Lastly the Mk3H variant which acts as an assault gun/tank destroyer is equipped with a massive 142mm gun, capable of engaging target over long range with devastating results.
Armor
The Gladiator Mk 1 and Mk 2 variants are protected by a depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor. Giving the Gladiator an estimated maximum (frontal turret) 1,320–1,620 millimeters (52–64 in) of RHAe versus HEAT (and other chemical energy rounds) and 940–960 mm (37–38 in) versus kinetic energy penetrators. It may also be fitted with reactive armor over the track skirts if needed and slat armor over the rear of the tank and fuel cells to protect against ATGMs. Protection against spalling is provided by a Kevlar liner.
Tank rounds are stored in individual fire-proof canisters, which reduce the chance of cookoffs in a fire inside the tank. The turret is "dry" which means that no active rounds are stored in it.
The Mk 3's variant received a significant advancement to it's armor, with a new modular design turret. Its armour consists of a mix of modular ceramic composite armor and nano-crystal steel. Nano-crystal steel takes advantage of the high tensile strength and electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube materials. The new nano-crystalline ceramic materials increase the hardness compared to current ceramics by 70% and the weight reduction is 30%. Furthermore the higher fracture toughness increases the general multi-hit capability.
Active Protection System
In addition to the armor, the Gladiator is equipped with an active protection system which is a system designed to prevent anti-armor line-of-sight weapons from acquiring and/or destroying a target.
Both the Mk 1 and Mk 2 are equipped with the German AMAP-ADS hard-kill active protection system. The AMAP-ADS has a modular design that can be adapted to almost every vehicle; it weighs 140 kg for light vehicles and up to 500 kg for heavy vehicles. The main elements are the sensor-countermeasure modules arranged all around the vehicle. A processor determines the type and the trajectory of the approaching target. Subsequently a countermeasure module close to the calculated impact point is activated. This countermeasure ejects "directed energy", destroying or disrupting the approaching threat so that it cannot penetrate the vehicle.
The Throhpy system protecting an
Israeli Merkava tank
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The Mk 3 uses the more advanced Israeli made Trophy Light which provides armored vehicles with a new level of protection against most current anti-tank threats. The Trophy active protection system creates a hemispheric protected zone around the vehicle where incoming threats are intercepted and defeated. It has three elements providing – Threat Detection and Tracking, Launching and Intercept functions. The Threat Detection and Warning subsystem consists of several sensors, including flat-panel radars, placed at strategic locations around the protected vehicle, to provide full hemispherical coverage. Once an incoming threat is detected identified and verified, the Countermeasure Assembly is opened, the countermeasure device is positioned in the direction where it can effectively intercept the threat. Then, it is launched automatically into a ballistic trajectory to intercept the incoming threat at a relatively long distance.
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection
The Gladiator has a comprehensive nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system. The inside of both hull and turret is lined with a synthetic fabric made of boron compound, meant to reduce the penetrating radiation from neutron bomb explosions. The crew is supplied clean air via an extensive air filter system. A slight over-pressure prevents entry of contamination via bearings and joints. Use of an autoloader for the main gun allows for more efficient forced smoke removal compared to traditional manually loaded tank guns, so NBC isolation of the fighting compartment can be maintained indefinitely.
Concealment
The turret is fitted with three four-barreled smoke grenade launchers. These can create a thick smoke that blocks both vision and thermal imaging. The engine is also equipped with a smoke generator that is triggered by the driver. When activated, fuel is sprayed into the hot turbine exhaust, creating the thick smoke.
Fire control
View through the panoramic sight
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The standard fire control system found on the Gladiator is a modified EMES 15 fire control system with a dual magnification stabilized primary sight. The primary sight has an integrated Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet solid state laser rangefinder and a 120 element and a thermal sight which is linked to the tank's fire control computer. A backup 8x auxiliary telescope FERO-Z18 is mounted coaxially for the gunner the commander has an independent periscope called the PO-0584 which is a stabilized panoramic periscope sight designed for day / night observation and target identification, and it provides an all-round view with a traverse of 360°. The thermal image from the commander's periscope is displayed on a monitor inside the tank.
Gladiator Mk 2 and Mk 3 have an improved primary sight which is more reliable and it gives the gunner a wider and cleared view of the battlefield. The fire control suite is capable of providing up to three range values in four seconds. The range data is transmitted to the fire control computer and is used to calculate the firing solution. Also, because the laser rangefinder is integrated into the gunner's primary sight, the gunner is able to read the digital range measurement directly. The maximum range of the laser rangefinder is just less than 10,000 m with a measuring accuracy to within 15 m at this range. The combined system allows the Gladiator to engage moving targets at ranges of up to 5,000 meters whilst itself being on the move over rough terrain. The fire-control system enables the Gladiator to shoot down helicopters
Mobility
The Gladiator can travel at speeds of up to 72 km/h on road surfaces, accelerate from 0 to 32 km/h within 8.5 seconds. It can also climb 40-degree slopes and vertical obstacles 1.8 meters in height. Due to the relatively compact design of the engine, the designers were able to fit an additional gas-turbine engine into the remaining compartment space. This is capable of producing 100 horsepower (75 kW), and intended to act as an auxiliary power unit with which the tank may power its on-board systems when its main engines are turned off. It will also allow the tank to conserve fuel when idling and minimise the vehicle's thermal and acoustic signatures.
The vehicle can cross rivers as deep as 5 meters using a snorkel system, which also serves as a conning tower for the tank commander. The system takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare. The turret becomes watertight while fording, but the chassis can take in 500 gallons of water to prevent excessive buoyancy from air inside the vehicle and keep the tracks planted firmly on the ground. Furthermore, the tank can enter combat-ready status as soon as it resurfaces.
The MK3 fields an advanced suspension system, called the In-arm Suspension Unit (ISU), which allows for individual control of every bogie on the tracks. The suspension unit also cushions the chassis from vibrations when travelling over uneven terrain, as the bogies can be adjusted individually on-the-fly.
Variants
Prototype Models:Gladiator Mk X1:Pre-production prototype model
Standard Models:Gladiator Mk 1: First production variant.
Export Models:
Gladiator Mk 2: Upgraded model, with improved electronics, mobility and armament.
Gladiator Mk 3: Up-armored and up-gunned model. With significant enhancements to both survivability and lethality.Gladiator Mk 3SD: Mk 3 variant which retains its Mk2 L55 120mm smoothbore cannon, instead of the 128mm electrothermal-chemical gun
Tank Destroyer/Assault Gun Models:
Gladiator Mk 3RU: Mk3 with Russian made armaments, including the 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon, the 12.7 mm Kord machine gun and 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun.Gladiator Mk 3H: Heavier tank destroyer/assault gun variant. Equipped with a 142mm gun and missile system
Engineering Models:G303 HAB Gladius: Bridge laying variant
Gladiator Mk X1
Gladiator Mk X1 is the pre-production prototype model. Fourteen Full-Scale Engineering Development test bed vehicles were produced in 2003 - 2004. These vehicles were also called were numbered X-01 through X-14. The prototype models were used for initial testing, most of them were used for target practice between 2008 and 2009. Only one model remains, the X-09 is currently on display in the Benjamin Falls Museum of Sankian Military History.
Gladiator Mk 1
Gladiator MK 1
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The baseline Gladiator, was the first series manufactured version. The original design created was fabricated and designed for mass production. The Mk 1 was first produced in 2005 and continues to be produced today.
The Mk 1 weighs 57.1 tonnes and had a 1200 horsepower (895 kW) multi-fuel turbine engine, with a power-to-weight ratio of 21 hp/ton. It is armed with the 120 millimeter L44 main gun, a .50 caliber heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The Mk 1 is equipped with a thermal optics and the AMAP-ADS active protection system. It has enhanced mine protection under the chassis, and internal enhancements to improve crew survivability.
Gladiator Mk 2
Gladiator MK 2
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An upgraded and improved version of the Gladiator Mk 1, the Mk 2 has been produced since 2008 and continues to be produced today. The Gladiator Mk 2 is equipped with a new and more advanced fire control system and a better Battle Management System. As a new armament upgrade, the Rheinmetall L44 has been replaced with the larger and more powerful Rheinmetall L55.
The Mk 2 is also outfitted with an improved air-conditioning and heating system. A small refrigerator has also been installed to enhance the crews comfort and moral. A bustle rack has been installed at the back of the tank's turret to protect against ATGM's.
Other updates include the installation of a new and more powerful engine. The Mk 2 is equipped with an Ledger HA-5100D+ multi-fuel turbine engine 1,500 shp (1,120 kW) which is both more powerful as well as more fuel efficient then its predecessor. A Continuously Variable Transmission has also been installed which allows the Gladiator to reach a top speed of 72 km/h forward as well as reverse.
The Mk 2 has been upgraded with a high-resolution terrain-scanning system, an infrared camera and laser detectors. Small changes have been made to the internal computer system. An exterior tank-infantry phone which allows supporting infantry to communicate with the tank commander and a power distribution box have been installed. The mobility, sustainability and situational awareness have also been improved.
Gladiator Mk 3
Gladiator MK 3
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The latest and most advanced variant of the Gladiator series, the Mk 3 was produced first in 2015 and is a heavily modified and improved version of the Gladiator Mk 2. The Mk 3 is classified as a fourth generation main battle tank, it is the most advanced but also the most expensive variant of the Gladiator. The Mk 3 is significantly up-armoured and up-gunned from its predecessor and is designed to compete with a new generation of heavier powerful main battle tanks
One of its main improvements is the replacement of the German made L55 120mm smoothbore cannon in favor of the Sankian made 128mm S109B electrothermal-chemical gun, which significantly increases the vehicle's firepower and payload. Both machine guns have also been replaced with more advanced models. The M2HB has been replaced with the XM806 .50-caliber heavy machine gun and the MG3A1 has been replaced a MG5A1.
The Mk 3 no longer uses the same depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor as its predecessor, but instead uses a much more effective combination of Nano-crystal steel and Modular ceramic composite armor. Another bustle rack at the rear of the tank has also been installed as well as non-explosive reactive armor on the sides of the tank. A newly designed turret has been installed to house the larger and more powerful gun. The Mk 3 employs significantly better and thicker armour, providing better protection for the tank and crew.
Furthermore, the Mk 3 has been updated with a new and much improved internal computer system, a new commander's periscope, a digital battlefield information terminal, and an Integrated Propulsion System. The current cabling has been replaced by fiber-optic cables which reduces weight by two tons, the Torsion bar Suspension has been replaced with a In-arm Suspension Unit and a new IFF/SIF (Identification Friend or Foe/Selective Identification Feature) has been installed.
The Mk 3 offers the tank commander an independent thermal sight and ability to, in rapid sequence, shoot at two targets without the need to acquire each one sequentially. And the battle proven Trophy active protection system has been installed. The Mk 3 is also equipped with sensors for the detection of air contamination sourced from chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.
Some new features, include the use of, exterior non-reflective paints, and the shielding of the engine's heat plumes by mixing them with air particles are made to confuse enemy thermal imagers, to make the tank harder to spot by heat sensors and radar.
Tank Destroyer/Assault Gun Variants
Gladiator Mk 3H
Gladiator MK 3h
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The Mk 3H is by far the heaviest and most powerful variant of the Gladiator, equipped with an immensely powerful 142 mm electrothermal-chemical gun, it is capable of engaging an destroying long range targets. It was designed to be used as a assault gun/tank destroyer and is made to provide support to advancing or retreating units. The MK3H is perfect for defensive roles as it can easily destroy targets at a long range.
Many of the features of the standard Mk 3 as identical to that of the Mk 3H, however the Mk 3H features a different and larger turret to house its gun and features a unique capability of having a FF-16C Multipurpose missile system placed on top of the turret instead of a XM806 heavy machinegun. the FF-16C is capable of firing both short range surface to air missile as well as long range anti-tank guided missiles, giving it a significant edge against both aerial and ground targets.
Engineering Variants
G303 Gladius Heavy Assault Bridge (HAB)
The G303 is an armored combat engineering vehicle, designed to provide deployable bridge capability for units engaged in military operations.
The Gladius is based on a Gladiator Mk 3 chassis, but instead of the tank's gun turret, it is equipped with a bridge launcher integrated into the chassis and mounted on top. When emplaced, the bridge is capable of supporting tracked and wheeled vehicles with a maximum weight of 75 ton, moving at 16 km/h or 9.94 miles per hour.
The G03 is essentially an Gladiator MK 3 tank with bridge-laying gear instead of a turret, it shares virtually all of the Mk 3 vehicle's speed, mobility, survivability, and automotive components, the vehicle itself is completely unarmed.
The Gladius is operated by two crewmen who sit within the hull. Both crewmen have access to the bridging controls, while the bridge itself is carried in two sections above the hull. Once a bridging site is chosen the vehicle securely anchors itself in place with a spade. The two sections of the bridge are joined together, and then the entire bridge is extended across the obstacle and dropped into place. During launch the crewmen have the ability to make minor corrections if needed. Once operations are complete the Gladius drives across the bridge and retrieves it from the other side simply by reversing the process. The bridge can be launched in under 5 minutes or retrieved in less than 10, all without the crewmen ever leaving the safety of their vehicle.
Characteristics
Name | Gladiator Mk 1 | Gladiator Mk 2 | Gladiator Mk 3 | Gladiator Mk 3H |
Produced | 2005 - Present | 2008 - Present | 2015 - Present | 2017 - Present |
Crew | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Length | 9,6 m | 10,35 m | 10.87 m | 11.45 m |
Width | 3,7 m | 3,7 m | 3,78 m | 3,78 m |
Height | 2,71 m | 2,71 m | 2,85 m | 3,05 m |
Combat Weight | 57.1 t | 60.4 t | 68.5 t | 73.8 t |
Armour | Depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor | Depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor | Nano-crystal steel and Modular ceramic composite armor | Nano-crystal steel and Modular ceramic composite armor |
Main Armament | L44 120 mm Smoothbore Cannon (46 rounds) | L55 120 mm Smoothbore Cannon (46 rounds) | S109B 128 mm Electrothermal-chemical gun (40 rounds) | SA137 142 mm Electrothermal-chemical gun (34 rounds) |
Secondary Armament | .50 cal M2HB Browning (2,400 rounds) | .50 cal M2HB Browning (2,400 rounds) | .50 cal XM806 (2,400 rounds) | FF-16C MMS (2 missiles loaded, 6 in storage) |
Tertiary Armament | 7.62x51mm NATO MG3A1 (4,750 rounds) | 7.62x51mm NATO MG3A1 (4,750 rounds) | 7.62x51mm NATO MG5A1 (4,750 rounds) | 7.62x51mm NATO MG5A1 (4,750 rounds) |
Engine | Ledger HA-4500B multi-fuel turbine engine 1,200 hp (895 kW) | Ledger HA-5100D+ multi-fuel turbine engine 1,500 shp (1,120 kW) | Ledger HA-5100F multi-fuel turbine engine 1,700 shp (1,260 kW) | Ledger HA-5100F multi-fuel turbine engine 1,700 shp (1,260 kW) |
Power/weight | 21 hp/tonne | 24.8 hp/tonne | 24.8 hp/tonne | 23 hp/tonne |
Suspension | ||||
Operational Range | 440 km | 492 km | 450 km | 385 km |
Speed | Forward: 65 km/h Backward: 35 km/h | Forward: 72 km/h Backward: 72 km/h | Forward: 70 km/h Backward: 70 km/h | Forward: 62 km/h Backward: 62 km/h |
Unit Cost | $4.93 Million NSD | $5.78 Million NSD | $7.92 Million NSD | $9.15 Million NSD |
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