NationStates Jolt Archive


M1AX MBT Released (Modified M1A2)

Soviet Bloc
01-08-2004, 21:11
M1AX Main Battle Tank

http://media.g4techtv.com/images/ttv/graphics/futurefightingmachines/3499435.jpg

The ARSB, after acquiring 1000 M1A2 SEP tanks, has decided to extensively modify the vehicle to fit ARSB needs and possibly resell the vehicles. The M1AX should not be seen as just a minor upgrade to the M1A2, this is basically a whole new tank. In addition to the enhancements listed below, the M1AX has a heavily reinforced frame and tread system. Also, due to the auto-reloading system, the loader-position has been scrapped from this tank, meaning less crew with no effect on workload. Room remains in the turret for the position of a loader if one is required.

Currently, we only maintain 1000 of these vehicles. All will be sold. If demand is high enough, we may produce some or issue production rights.



-Specifications-
Height- 8 feet
Length- 32.25 feet
Width- 12 feet

Fuel capacity- 223 gallons (45 gallon reserve included)
Range- 295 miles

Obstacle-transversal height: 4 feet
Fording depth- 4 feet; 8 feet (with snorkel)

Weight- 71 tons

Crew- 3 (driver, gunner, commander)



M1AX FIRE POWER ENHANCEMENT PACKAGE
The M1AX deviates from the original M1A1/A2 series of tanks in numerous areas. The first being armament. To handle the new Electro-thermal cannon, the turret was slightly enlargened and reinforced. The M1AX shares many similarities (armament wise) with the ARSB's main battle tank, the ST-11 NGBT.


120 mm M-890 Electro-Thermal Cannon :The projectile is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a "propellant", which is a dot of light metal (solid or liquid). A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to the metal, which causes its atoms to "switch" directions. This happens so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then drives the projectile forward. Since the cannon is built into a turret, it can rotate 360-degrees and can aim upwards 32 degrees and -7 degrees. Around the firing mechanism and the barrel is enclosed in the SB-AHAS Heat-absorbing and dissipating shroud which absorbs the heat and dissipates it over a wide area. This cannon can easily destroy an M1A2, T-90 (and all of its variants) and Merkava tanks at ranges out to 8 miles with diminishing effects thereafter (less effective, less damage).
Range: 11.7 miles. Effective range: 8 miles
Rounds stored: 18 on autoloader system, 16 on autoloader re-loader belt, and 30 stored rounds

The cannon is stabilised on double axis' and can fire on the move.

Rate of Fire: 16 rounds per minute

Ammunition- Can effectively use any type of ammunition (in 120mm) as long as the round's own propellant (and casing) is removed (this includes ball-type, discarding sabot, HE, DU, tungsten, etc.)

New Round- SSJPSR (Secondary SCRAMJET-powered Sabot Round)
The SSJPSR (or JASPER) round is an enhanced depleted uranium sabot round with a SCRAMJET built into the the sabot, when a small onboard computer detects a target at a certain range (or timed), the SCRAMJET can ignite and propel the round two or three times its normal speed to enhance destruction against an enemy unit.
Also new-
The ERAPSR (ERA-Penetrating Sabot Round)- This round utilises a heavy rod with two charges on each end... When a small on board computer senses an ERA exploding, the first charge is lit, nearly making the ERA useless, then the rod penetrates the armor, and second explosive, after a sensor has detected impact, will wait for a time period before igniting.


Secondary weapons

Advanced Modular Turret Armament System-
This system allows a WIDE range of weapons to be mounted in an easily changeable format at the gunner's hatch opening and the commander's hatch opening. Multiple mount systems allow 7.62mm MGs, .50 MGs (AA), 25mm cannons, and 20mm grenade launchers to be easily mounted in a cupola or on a 3 position joint (pivot, up-down, side to side). The following weapons can be added, one at the commander's position, and one at the gunner's position. Or all of the weapons can be mounted to cover a VAST array of duties.

EMTAS 25mm autocannon- mounted alongside (or on top; can be easily removed and placed in a special cupola) main gun and can fire along with the main gun (whether or not its alongside or on top of the turret.

NSVK 12.7 mm anti-aircraft cannon

PKT 7.62mm MG

AG-39 40mm Fully Automatic Grenade Launcher

Other weaponry-
7.62mm coaxial cannon (if 25mm weapon is put in the co-axial position, this weapon will reside on the opposite side of the main gun)
10 smoke grenade launchers/ 81mm mortar
Also, can fire barrel-firing ATGMs

Integrated Modular Side-Turret Weaponry Mount System-
This system is a series of slides and pivot joints to allow for the addition of multiple weapons to the side of the turret, those weapons are as follows:

.50 MG (AA)
Any higher-caliber AA Cannons (up to two on each side)
ATGM missiles
ATGM missile pods
Unguided rocket pods
SAM Missile Pods
Sensor equipment
Communications equipment




M1AX System Enhancement Package
The M1AX's systems are an extensively upgraded group, heavily updated from the original M1A2 and its SEP counterpart. The M1AX systems are a slightly downgraded version of the ST-11's own systems.

ALMRS/TTAC-04 Mk. III system: Tracks up to 40 enemies and ranks them according to range, heading, threat level, and tank-type to provide best possible firing solution. Also computes MOA and other variables and automatically sets turret and barrel to correct heading (when this feature is engaged) and can fire on up to two targets simultaneously (assuming ATGM's are on their respectable slides). Also tracks and targets enemy targets at up to 500 ft. altitude and up to 30 miles away.

SB-AFCS-S1 system: This advanced fire control system allows for the M1AX to engage moving targets while the M1AX is on the move. The barrel will always remain aimed at target while tank is in motion and will not waiver even over small hills, dips, bumps, and other obstructions. The barrel will always target enemy unit unless commander targets a new target or disengages system. The SB-AFCS-S1 system will continually track all targets and align barrel to fire on the target even if the target is on the move, the barrel will constantly update and move with the target while computing wind, weather, and MOA abilities for the best possible accuracy. The barrel will move on two different axis'. The commander's station is outfitted with nightvision capabilities, infrared capabilities, radar tracking capabilities (if an EW, radar aircraft, or radar station is near and able to send information), and advanced targetting systems. The commander's station is also outfitted with a periscope with nightvision, infrared capabilities, and a computerized screen to locate targets if they are obscured. Coupled with this system is the ALRS (Advanced Laser Range-finder System) which utilizes a laser rangefinder with a triple layer screen with crystals at different angles to scatter any enemy lasers that are attempting to disable the rangefinder. The rangefinder laser passes through a roughly 3mm hole in the screen.

SB-AMWRS-01- Millimetric wave radar

ARENA Mk. II: Scrambles enemy ATGM's radars and tracking systems. Also interferes with all ATGM tracking systems and/or other guided weapons' systems. Can also interfere with enemy tanks' tracking systems, including tracking, information distribution, infrared, and other systems.

Shtora-3 defense suite: Scrambles enemy laser rangefinder, making it nearly impossible for enemy tank to fire, unless they guess the range. Also scrambles enemy communications systems and tracking systems. Also interferes with enemy laser-based systems and laser-type weapons by using a controlled beam of ultraviolet rays to scatter the laser (communications systems, weapons systems, rangefinder systems).
*Note- The Shtora-3 system can be seen on the very top picture, directly above the cannon, well, at least the emitter portion.*

AEISCN-03: Shares target information with other friendly tanks in the field along with other information, also allows friendly tanks in large numbers to make coordinated attacks through out the battlefield. Also allows friendly tanks to instantly reorganize into new squadrons and divisions for new assaults and also relays all information back to command. This system also checks in every 2 minutes (or shorter; can be adjusted) with GPS and military satellites to update terrain and enemy movements [A total of 14 ARSB satellites aid this and can pinpoint location with an accuracy of 30 feet). Also takes updated information and relays it to the commander's screen which displays all friendly tanks, enemy tanks, standing orders, enemy formations, buildings, objects, and other environmental objects. Coupled with this system is the SB-LRRCS (Long-range Radio communications set) with a range of roughly 450 miles.

NBC System SB-CAP-1 - This NBC system protects against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats as well as seal of the internal areas of the tanks from the outer environment, relying on an SB-AIR-M air recycling and cleaning unit to provide breathable oxygen to the tank's crew.

Periscope systems- Twin periscopes (commander periscope mentioned before)- Gunner periscope is outfitted with infrared technology, night vision tech, and the AEISCN-01 system (which shows enemy units based on satellite and aircraft intelligence or intel from other friendly ground units). Also, on both periscopes is an active recording/viewable video camera (that can record or display in infrared, low light, night vision, millimetric radar or with computer-added symbols [arrows, boxes; to display locations of enemy units, friendly units, obstacles])


DEPLETED URANIUM ARMOUR
The M1AX tank incorporates steel encased depleted uranium armour. Armour bulkheads separate the crew compartment from the fuel tanks. The top panels of the tank are designed to blow outwards in the event of penetration by a HEAT projectile. The tank is protected against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare.
The M1AX can also be outfitted with the ARSB-designed AERA (NGERA)* explosive reactive armor.
*AERA-II 3rd generation ERA is a double layer ERA system with ERA blocks roughly 3 inch thick and a 25 sq. inch. area with twin layers meaning at every block there are actually 2 layers that can detonate, depending on threat level*

With the AERA-II 3rd Gen. ERA system, the primary layer ignites outwards with the second layer following behind after a certain time-delay nearly doubling the effectiveness of the system. The primary layer ignites when a proximity sensor/network detects an object with projectile-like movement coming towards the tank, then using an onboard supercomputer it quickly calculates the variables of tank speed, tank heading, projectile speed, projectile heading, wind, weather and projectile altitude to determine where the projectile is to hit... Upon finishing the calculations (with plenty of seconds to spare before the round hits), the computer activates a 3-5 ERA block area (made of primary layers) to ignite at a set time with the second layer following after. An auxilary system, although not as effective, works to ignite the ERA blocks upon contact with a high-speed projectile...

PROPULSION
The M1AX, to handle the extra load of the ET cannon and ERA systems, has an updated engine. It no longer uses a turbine, but instead uses a massive ETDP-450 diesel engine, generating some 1500 horsepower. Coupling this engine with the AIFT-03X infinitely variable fluidic transmission, gives you unparalled speed and power.


OTHER NOTES

Twin six-barreled smoke grenade launchers on each side of turret (also engine-operated smoke screen laying system)

Air conditioning

Floor heating

http://www.jodyharmon.com/M1A1iraq_color.jpg


COST

The ARSB will sell all 1000 to other nations. If a higher demand than expected is received, the ARSB will consider producing more.

Cost per vehicle- $5.6 million USD
Nazi Weaponized Virus
01-08-2004, 21:22
Its still not as good as the ST-11 right?
Soviet Bloc
01-08-2004, 21:28
Not nearly, the ST-11 has a better weapon, better armor, better systems, better engine, better transmission, better survivability, better anything.

This is just basically a heavily modified M1A2 for sale to younger nations or for target practice.
Nazi Weaponized Virus
01-08-2004, 21:32
Still a very good overhaul though. Good work.