Coorsota
13-05-2008, 04:37
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Lariat 1A1L Long Arm Main Battle Tank
Introduction
The M8 Lariat 1A1L “Long Arm” Main Battle Tank, or simply Lariat 1A1L, is a development of the original Lariat and Lariat 1A1 MBT and incorporates several new features and modifications including a new main gun, new electronics/fire control, new propulsion systems, and several other minor additions. An armor upgrade will be added later. The Lariat MBT project was started under Allis-Chalmers Defense Services Division, a division of Allis-Chalmers Corporation, and transferred to Sequoia-Allis Defense Services, a joint venture between that division and the Sequoia Automotive Systems subsidiary of Sequoia Defense Systems Inc.
The M8 Lariat MBT project is intended to be a continuous development project focused on continually improving the Lariat MBT through progressive upgrades designed through user experience and feedback, technological development, and prototype testing. All future upgrades are intended to be readily adaptable to the current M8 Lariat MBT frame.
Armament Sub System
Main Gun
The Lariat 1A1L uses the G120NG1 120mm L/55 electrothermal chemical main gun. The G120NG1 is exactly the same as the AGS.250C utilized by the Nakíl 1A3 main battle tank in production and was designed by Atmos International and Calzado y Bayo. The G120NG1 represents a significant advantage over the predecessor’s G120EGS-series conventional smoothbore gun and outfits the Lariat 1A1L with a powerful main gun capable of defeating most threats in the present time and into the future. The G120NG1 itself is a ‘pure liquid propellant’ gun, using the same HAN-based propellants as other tank guns produced by Atmos and Calzado y Bayo. For more information regarding the main gun, please view this link: AGS.250C (This writeup for CB.125; G120NG1 is similar except in 120mm caliber) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13521659&postcount=16).
The entire turret is electrically rotated, resulting in reduced heat and a reduction in volume from hydraulic systems. As will be mentioned later, manual turret traverse and gun elevation are available.
Ammunition
The primary ammunition for the G120NG1 main gun is the domestically produced Type 19A armored piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot and Type 08D high explosive anti-tank multi-purpose round. Additional types of ammunition are available and can be stored. The Type 19A APFSDS anti-tank round is the standard kinetic energy projectile of the Ground Defense Force and fires a rippled depleted uranium projectile weighing 10.0 kg (penetrator weighs only 5.1 kg). The rippled designed lessens drag, allows for some flex in the design (with a ‘softer’ metal at the thinnest portions bonded by a polymer sandwich), and reduces the effectiveness of certain ERA types. Due to advances in propellant design, and using the extended barrel, the Type 19A can reach out to almost 4,000m. The Type 19A’s HEAT-MP counterpart, the Type 08D fires an 11.5 kg projectile at an effective range of almost 4,500 m. The Type 08D’s warhead is sub-caliber with a discarding sabot and fragmenting outer jacket and is also capable of multiple fuzing options, including airburst. An additional ammunition option is the M40A1 barrel-fired anti-tank guided missile. The M40A1 is designed to be fired from the Lariat MBT’s main gun and utilizes a semi-active laser homing system. The missile is guided by laser – provided by either the tank or another platform (another tank, helicopter, UAV) and is capable of multiple engagement options. The top-attack option allows the tandem-warhead missile to angle up before descending on its target and during its terminal phase the guidance portion of the warhead (used to detect the laser radiation) is ejected off towards the target. This is designed to trigger an opponent’s active defense system, if equipped, and allow the twin warheads to strike the vulnerable upper armor of the tank. I’s effective range is about 12 km.
Autoloader
The Lariat 1A1 uses an entirely new autoloader design compared to the previous S120GAL0 bustle-type linear ramming-action autoloader. In its place is the S121GAL1, or Sigleuir 1VXB by trade-name, drop-shelf type bustle linear ramming-action autoloader. The S121GAL1, sometimes affectionately referred to as ‘Panzervergewaltigen Faustladevorrichtung’, is a fast action bustle-based 42 round ramming action autoloader.
The 1VXB Autoloader was engineered at the Sigleuir Prototyping and Experimental Design Division Facility as a fast action, high reliability, and relatively inexpensive autoloader design contracted by Coorsota's Ground Defense Forces for the M8 Lariat 1A1L MBT. It is a 120mm autoloader design based off the IPR-201's Drop-Shelf Type Bustle Linear Ramming-Action Autoloader, but optimized for the production budget of the Republic of Coorsota's M8 Lariat 1A1 MBT. In 9 days, a working prototype design was tested in a mockup turret rig, consisting of a turret ring stand with an electrical power supply adapted to it, a turret with many internal similarities to the M8 Lariat 1A1 MBT, and with a supplies of simulated shells that would be then loaded into the breech that would drop them into a small collection basket. The turret test bed was created to prevent design conflicts between the actual tank and autoloader integrations, often found in many forms of "cut and paste" jobs, where components are "dropped" onto a tank, then "stapled" to it, with minimal care to conflicts that occur from the physical level to the ergonomic level. In the end, very few revisions were made, specifically noting that the autoloader indicator system was integrated to the tank's viewfinders, and the autoloader ammo tracking system had its own LCD added. In addition, the gunner and commander's multifunction displays are integrated with the ammo management end of the autoloader.
When the gunner or commander, with priority to whoever has ammo selection, presses the selected type of round, the autoloader will proceed to start into cycle one (for estimated time of cycles and operations, see below), where the system will proceed to test its components to ensure the proper operation by operating parameters, then proceeds to move the round selected from the six "shelves" to the ramp, which will adjust its height to allow for this, then locks it into place, waiting on the blast door and external ramp. Cycle two is primarily on the process of the ramp extension and ramp tilt. After this the autoloader will proceed to move to cycle three where the round, within its armored box, will be pushed outwards from the bustle toward the first ramp where it locks into place while the round is inserted into the gun; this will then proceed to allow the ramp extension mechanism to release the latching mechanism of the armored box, so that the box can collapse as the rammer proceeds to retract. On cycle four, as the rammer and ramp retract the box is dropped and the gun is unlocked to be prepared for firing, waiting for the ramp to fully retract to prevent collision during recoiling from firing. The autoloader completes these cycles in about 1.8 seconds, with 2 seconds being the longest wait based on the capacitor charge. The capacitor has the capability to operate the rammer up to three times before having to be fully recharged from zero. An addition to the autoloader is the capablity to operate it rapidly in manual mode, where the gunner would be able to operate the autoloader through selecting the cycle one by lever, and then rotating the hand crank system which is linked to a mechanically automatic gearbox which also can be selected to a 1 to 2 fixed gear as a backup. The gunner would then advanced through the cycles in 6 seconds, going from cycle one to two and then having the ramp and rammer starting to retract in cycles three to four. This system allows for fast, efficient loading operation. The ammo selection is handled, however, by using a second hidden panel, which is opened, where L1-3 and R1-3 is marked, with a lever pointing to each letter-number combination indicating the shelf selected. A rotating hand crank is then used on that side to push the round in, causing the rotating indicator to go from the red to the green on the cycle crank.
The autoloading system can be loaded from internally in the tank, where the round is inserted through the same blast door in its armored container, and then the autoloader will automatically read the round type by the indentations on the shell rim. The autoloader will then proceed to raise the ramp to the right level and insert it to the proper shelf. The manual operation can be done as well through using the selection crank, and sliding the bottom switch from "Load Gun" to "Load Autoloader", and then rotating the hand crank to move the ramp into the proper shelf height and moving the round into the shelf before locking the internal blast door and ramp into the normal position again; the same green-red indicator used on the manual operation of the autoloader is used to confirm if the cycle is completed. External loading is completed by unlocking the external hatch from the inside, then pulling it outwards from the rear center of the bustle. After this, an internal hatch will be revealed, which can be pulled open by grasping the handle and pulling upwards, which will reveal the inside of the autoloader ramp from the top. Rounds are inserted from the rear, within their armored boxes to load to the autoloader, the same manual process can be completed or the automatic process. The ammo management computer can be used to specifically pick which "shelf" the round type will belong to.
The autoloader has full venting paths through the sides, if any form of penetration should happen, combined with the fact of individually armored ammo boxes that prevent ammunition fratricide. The autoloader itself is armored to prevent up to 35mm autocannon penetration, combined with the bustle armor that the tank already has. Combined with internal mounting points for 18 Halon bottles (3 bottles per shelf, which can be manually fired, or automatically fired as separate bottles or as a group), as well as blast door separation. The autoloader has great fire fighting capablity, and if that were to fail, the venting paths also prevent each "shelf" from going up, minimizing ammunition fratricide to a maximum of seven shells per shelf level combustion. Not only does the autoloader have crew separation to ammunition while autoloading, it has its own self contained NBC system with air conditioning to ensure that no matter what form of penetration entering the autoloader, no entry into the fighting compartment can occur.
Each round is within a collapsible box with 1CM thickness on all sides for 150mm diameter (shell diameter, not actual round diameter) by 1,000mm long rounds. With complete immunity to small arms fire and extreme resistance to .50 anti IFV/APC and anti-air fire, followed by moderate resistance to 25mm AP-I or HE-T rounds. The armored box also has venting paths to prevent ignition fratricide, combined with its natural heat resistance shielding the round. The box its self can be collapsed into flattened parts after removing the retaining latches, similar to cardboard boxes; this is combined with the tank's autoloader where it automatically handles the storage of the empty boxes, which can be reused. Autoloader capacity of forty-two rounds determined by: three stacked levels in height (three ‘shelves’), two sides (left and right with center being occupied by ramming system occupying 200mm), and seven rounds per side of each shelf.
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G25AGS3 “Outlaw” 25mm Autocannon
The G25AGS3, also known as the Krieimir 25mm Extiltrik 1a Coorsota, is a 25mm autocannon from Krieimir Nemitel group based off the Krieimir 25mm Mililtrik 1ia autocannon. The G25AGS3 is a high re-fire capable autocannon in the 25mm caliber, based off the Militrik 1ia series, and designed specifically for the M8 Lariat 1A1L Long Arm. Performance wise, it is capable of a sustained 1,500 rounds per minute firing rate and capable of performing a twenty round 4,000RPM burst for up to ten times within one minute. The G25AGS3 is variable RPM autocannon with 100 and 250 RPM steps starting from 500 RPM to 1,500 RPM automatic and up to a cooling-limited 4,000 RPM burst twenty rounds. Semiautomatic, and other burst options are also capable through the mechanical limiter which is linked to a digitalization system to allow fast operation from the gunner’s station.
Mechanics
The G25AGS3’s mechanical action is based off the Krieimir R116 Carbine, a caseless rifle made by Krieimir. The action found in the Extriltrik is known as a mechanically limited cylindrical rotary bolt. The action relies on a "cylindrical bolt" which is reffered to as the "cake", which rotates from 0 degrees from firing, to either 45 or 90 degrees for loading - which it can rotate a whole 360degrees to load or "twitch" in a rapid motion to the load angle and fire angle. The mechanical action that allows for the high re-fire work in recoil, as the drum is slightly unbalanced by mass while the recoiling energy is then directed to cause the rotation of the "cake". The mechanical limiter would then, by selection, limit the degrees of rotation the drum can travel to load a round and prepare to fire. The mechanical limiter would be also used to select if the autocannon would fire in semi-open or closed bolt. The "cake" of the action is internally cooled by a Peltier system that would in the Lariat, dump the excess heat off into the engine radiator, while using water cooling to transfer any remaining heat off; the cooling system is actually integrated into the autocannon mount in a discreet package to the left of the gun. Otherwise, the feed action is mechanically linked to the autocannon operation, thus allowing a feed without power.
Performance
The G25AGS3 autocannon is capable of achieving 4,000RPM in a limited burst of twenty rounds, whereas its sustained fire is 1,500RPM which can be sustained for up to 90 minutes in theory as long as cooling is actively functioning. However, under zero active cooling situations, the autocannon can fire at 500 RPM sustained to 45 minutes in theory. This is due to how the barrel is directly heat sunk as with the action in a path to the tank's radiator, combined with a Peltier system. The autocannon can feed from two or four ammo feeds, depending on the setup with the 45 and 90 degree feed angles, and if a splitting system is used or not. In the bolt assembly, the autocannon can communicate data to the round through the bolt, just before firing, thus eliminating the need of fuse setting through external means.
Heatsinking
The G25AGS3 is expected to be capable of reaching very high temperatures due to its burst rate, thus must be capable of quickly removing heat. The cooling system is composed of the passive cooling where the thermal shroud and inner contact of the turret can transfer part of the heat, where the active elements have a watercooling system to the turret ring, then a loop heat pipe array to the engine radiator, and the other element being a Peltier system to cool the assembly down rapidly when needed. This allows the G25AGS3 to fire its 4,000RPM twenty round bursts every five seconds without damage, and lowering its temperature to near ambient in a short amount of time. The cooling and heatsinking system fits cleanly into the autocannon, and integrates into the tank seamlessly.
Materials and Reliability
The G25AGS3 is built using a high strength steel alloy frame that contains the bolt assembly, the inner part of the "cake", and contacting section of the bolt using a titanium alloy for resistance against corrosion and temperature. Titanium alloys are also used in the limiter mechanism. The remaining outer part of the body is built using an aerospace grade aluminum that contains the frame. The recoil springs are made from high quality spring steel body with a prestrained titanium-vanadium coil fiber. The heatsinking sections of the cannon contain aluminum with hard anodized points of contact with dissimilar metals that can cause cold welding.
Due to the inertia type recoil action used to rotate the "cake" assembly, the G25AGS3 has a lack of gas related jams. As with its recoil action, the autocannon can be operated without electrical input, thus allowing for the crew to fire it under zero power conditions, as well as loading it under zero power conditions; combined with the feed being operated by this recoil action as well. The only parts that can fail in theory would be the mechanical limiter unit, which is used to select ammo types, limit the "cake assembly" rotation, and select the fire rate; and the bolt-firing assembly, of which is highly unlikely due to the over engineering done to ensure their durability. Inspections should be preformed every 25,000 rounds, and any required maintenance to be carried out. Generally maintenance would be needed to the "cake" assembly, surrounding carriage for "cake" assembly, and bolt assembly, as they are the parts that sustain the highest wear rate during firing. The mechanical limiter is capable of showing signs of wear before failure, and should last for the life of the tank. Otherwise, the recoil system should be checked every 25,000 rounds for any signs of fatigue, and replaced if required. The cooling system needs minimal maintenance, and is integrated with an alert system before failure, and should be inspected every 5,000 rounds, or when needed.
Ammunition Types
Four new ammunition types were produced specifically for use in the G25AGS3autocannon. The full length Type 29A AP-Frag type round, the full length Type 27A high velocity APFSDS, the reduced length Type 18A Dual Purpose Concussion HE round, and the Type 16A HE-Frag. The Type 29A, Type 18A, and Type 16A rounds can be fused for detonation on multiple conditions. All rounds use the Type 02 propellant case.
The Type 29A is a 25mm Armor Penetrating Fragmentation Core round that has an outer multilayer steel-graphite rolled sheet epoxy resin laminate jacketing containing a hardened tungsten carbide nose cone and inner DU core with the explosive and fusing assembly. The steel-graphite epoxy laminate was chosen over the alternate option of segmented microrods rolled into a sleeve on the round. Due to the extreme velocities the Type 29A can reach, the tungsten carbide portion of the nose is actually reduced in size, to accommodate several ablate layers of coating, which are dimpled as with the tungsten. During flight, the coatings will wear away from the high velocities, to reveal the inner coatings of varying rate of wear - shaped into stabilizing winglets. Due to the ablation rate, the parasitic drag of these winglets are minimal, however the aerodynamic gain is massive. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Penetration, Velocity Change, Impacts, Delayed Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 27A is a High Velocity 12.7mm High Velocity APFSDS round, it is constructed of an outer steel-graphite epoxy laminate on a tungsten carbide sleeve around an inner DU penetrator with carbon fibrils for stabilization versus a fin system. The carbon fibrils are capable of improving aerodynamics through a large reduction of drag that can form into helical or conic shapes during flight. A side effect is the increase the armor penetration capability and lethality through reaching high temperatures during flight. They are arranged from being short to the front and longer in the back, trailing freely once the sabot has induced spin and fallen away. Due to the extreme velocities the penetrator can reach, the tungsten laminate portion of the nose is actually reduced in size, to accommodate several ablate layers of coating, which are dimpled as with the tungsten. During flight, the coatings will wear away from the high velocities, to reveal the inner coatings of varying rate of wear - shaped into stabilizing winglets. The outer steel-graphite laminate on carbide sleeve has a spiral type groove cut into them and then filled with a magnesium alloy gel that has a high flashpoint; the magnesium alloy gel would compress during flight, causing it to ignite and stabilize on trajectory to the target, when during impact if any magnesium gel remains, would splatter violently across the tank and burn. Due to the ablation rate, the parasitic drag of these winglets are minimal, however the aerodynamic gain is massive. There are no fusing options, however the post impact properties are similar to an incendiary fragmentation grenade; standoff and ERA may actually cause additional damage on less armored vehicles.
The Type 18A is a 25mm Dual Purpose Concussion High Explosive round and is constructed of an inert polymer shell construction with a mild steel rear body shell. The inner construction of the nose section is composed of layers of contact explosive behind a RDX mixed rear explosive which encases the fusing element of the shell with slight contacts going to the mild steel body that would connect to the primer. Against tanks on impact or delayed impact mode, the effects of the Type 18A can be much more damaging and lethal to the crew than a 25mm equivalent in HESH; the concussive forces are also quite deadly to infantry who are in, or outside of, a tank. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Impact, Velocity Change, Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 16A is a 25mm High Explosive Fragmentation round is a relatively thin prestressed steel rear shell containing the nose and inner body that is constructed of a prestressed spring steel with a spiral groove lift patterning; the nose has a thin polymer shell over it as a ballistics cap. The inner construction has a similar nose to the Type 18A, where layers of contact explosives are inside the nose, but the rear is composed of a RDX mixed rear with spring steel plates that have been prestressed and created into a semi cylindrical pattern around them for additional fragmentation, which have an outer layer of explosive to detonate the outer shell. The fusing mechanism is in the core of this composition. The fragmentation of the Type 16A shell is, however, equivalent to much larger 60mm to 80mm autocannon shells, or even near the point of infantry level mortars. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Impact, Velocity Change, Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 02 propellant case is a long, high temperature combustion cartridge case with an inner cubane base and graphite gel sheets containing a thin coat of nickel as an organometallic catalyst for the cubane base, wrapped in a spiral type pattern with small perforations for surface area. Versus the Type 03 propellant, the Type 02 is used on the Type 29A and Type 27A Armor Penetrating shells to maximize their momentum and penetration energy. The cubane base propellant and catalyzing graphite gel sheet with nickel plating allows shells fired from the G25AGS3 to reach velocities that cannot be achieved using conventional propellants or ETC systems within the same size or weight-energy ratio. This however means that projectiles can reach velocities high enough to cause them to become molten slag during flight, and thus must be accommodated for.
The Type 03 propellant is a short, high temperature combustion cartridge case with an inner cubane base and graphite gel sheets containing a thin coat of nickel as an organometallic catalyst for the cubane base, wrapped in a spiral type pattern with small perforations for surface area. Versus the Type 02 propellant, the Type 03 is used on the Type 18A and Type 16A HE shells for capacity and the capability to "lob" over longer ranged targets. Unlike the Type 25A propellant, the shortened length does not propel shells fired from the G25AGS3 to velocities high enough that in the atmosphere they can become molten slag, however HE shells still reach velocities considered "high" for HE rounds from autocannons.
Alternatively, other forms of propellant and shells can be used as long as they fit within the G25AGS3 specifications. A total ammunition capacity of 1,000 rounds is provided to be used in either two five hundred round drums, one five hundred round drum and two two hundred fifty round drums, or four two hundred fifty round drums with varying types of ammunition. A standard layout would use one 500 round drum with either APFSDS or AP-frag ammunition and the other two drums of 250 rounds in the two types of HE ammunition.
Burst Utilization and Patterning
Due to the 4,000RPM burst capability, the G25AGS3 is capable of being lethal to many targets on the battlefield due to its multiple repeat hit capability on the same armor area, enabling a delivery of AP rounds followed by HE rounds fused to detonate slightly after the range of the enemy armor surface, either killing crew or destroying anything on the interior. Otherwise, AP streams are capable of penetrating a greater distance than main guns in many cases due to the sudden, rapid, continuous hit stream; this allows the G25AGS3 to be highly effective in the 25mm caliber. The HE round capability is as lethal due to the capability to cause aggressive abrasion of enemy tanks. Otherwise, the capability of the streaming of the rounds is enhanced by the aerodynamic effect of drafting, where the rounds behind the leading round will remain within the "stream" versus going off into a slightly different trajectory.
The high RPM bursts of the G25AGS3 can be used to destroy some armored fighting vehicles including some tanks, but not only through penetration, but they can be set to fire in a pattern such as "5 AP Frag, 10 APCFDS, 2 HE-C, 1 AP Frag, 2 HE-Frag" or in any other variable setting the crew can program into the tank's ammo selection. This allows it to have highly effective bursts that kill or disable on the first firing.
Ammunition Preformance
Type 29A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 4,500m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 575mm RHAe and Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target with lethal spalling
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 3m
Incapacitating Fragmentation Range: 10m
Fragmentation Pattern is conic patterned with sharp side expansion and moderate to rear combined with small shards of burning DU.
Survives and functions after 50g shock
Type 27A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 9,300m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 900mm RHAe and Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target with heavy spalling
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 10m
Incapacitating Fragmentation Range: 30m
Fragmentation Pattern is composed of burning DU shards in a conic pattern post penetration of 10mm RHA plate.
Survives and functions after 50g shock
Type 16A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 1,950m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 1mm and causes spalling in Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target
Lethal Blast Range: 3m
Lethal Concussion Range: 5m
Incapacitating Blast Range: 8m
Incapacitating Concussion Range: 15m
Survives and functions after 100g shock
Type 18A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 1,500m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 5mm with surface damage from fragmentation
Lethal Blast Range: 1m
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 25m
Incapacitating Blast Range: 2m
Incapacitating Fragmentation: 80m
Survives and functions after 200g shock
Type 22A Propellent Cartridge
Fire resistant to 300C
Survives and functions after 400g shock
Cartridge capable of surviving and functioning after 100lbs/in^3
Type 22A Propellent Cartridge
Fire resistant to 300C
Survives and functions after 450g shock
Cartridge capable of surviving and functioning after 100lbs/in^3
Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target
2x200mm + 1x200mm RHA plates with Kontakt 5 ERA standoff plus Kontakt 1 ERA in three layers combined with 2x50mm Chobham plates with 2x25mm tungsten plates on interior with 2x25mm steel plates on exterior and 4x40mm aluminum plates combined with 4x 10mm rubber plates between.
A141RGS1 Commander’s Remote Weapon Station
The commander’s position in the Lariat 1A1 upgrade comes standard with the A141RGS1 Commander’s Remote Weapon Station. The A141RGS1, better known as ‘the Rifleman’ (for the remote weapon stations’ designation’s {A141RGS1} supposed resemblance to Adrian Riggs’ name, a popular Coorsotan film star who played ‘the Rifleman’), is a large multiple-weapon capable remote weapon station that serves not only to give the commander an independent ability to engage targets from within the tank but also serves as his ‘heavy’ independent viewer. It was designed to be an ‘add-on’ feature and not require extensive modification of the turret or interior of the tank. To this end, the Rifleman RWS requires little modification of the Lariat 1A1 turret and most of its components are mounted exterior to the armor. The Rifleman remote weapon station provides all the same electronics system as the TS/EQ-31A Commander’s Independent Viewer only in a larger, more rugged format. This includes the commander’s laser rangefinder/designator, thermal imager, and day/night optics. In this situation, the Rifleman has largely replaced the TS/EQ-31A for the commander’s purposes; however, the TS/EQ-31A is retained as a back-up and to give the gunner an auxiliary imaging system in place of his primary sights and backup systems. Besides this, the A141RGS1 has the ability to mount several types of weapons from the MG4 light machine gun all the way to the G20AGS2 20mm autocannon (requires modification), however the MG5 14.5mm heavy machine gun is mounted as standard fare for the Lariat 1A1 and fulfills its purpose well as an anti-personnel, anti-helicopter, and anti-light vehicle tool. This lethality can be expanded on by adapting the Rifleman RWS with an ATGM launching system. This pack, armored up to light machine gun ammunition, carries two anti-tank (or anti-aircraft provided they are small enough) missiles in a shuttered, ready-to-fire pack, giving the Lariat 1A1 the ability to engage tanks at extended ranges, although the gun-launched ATGM is already capable of this. Light anti-aircraft missiles are also capable of being utilized with this system and are often found useful scattered in deployed Lariat 1A1s, creating a hazardous environment for opposing aerial assets.
An interesting addition to the Rifleman remote weapon station is a portion of the CQ-29 active defense system, particularly, the grenade launcher systems and part of the millimeter wave radar component. Among the benefits of this arrangement: the engagement distance is increased by around a meter, the whole Rifleman RWS can be used as a sort of close-in defense system and not only engaging the threatening warhead/missile but also engaging the launch point of that threat. Ammunition for the remote weapon station, depending on the type of the weapon, is fed from within the tank and can be reloaded from within the tank provided that a new belt is attached before the old belt has left the interior of the tank (often, the crew will link two or more belts immediately to save them from having to do this after firing only ten or fifteen rounds).
The final weapons system is the gunner’s weapon mount which can be fitted to use a light machine gun.
Defense
Armor
The armor scheme of the Lariat Main Battle Tank was developed from materials, ideas, and examples provided by the Advanced Materials Education Coalition (AMEC) of Larange State University and the Knife Point Technical Institute. Allis-Chalmers contacted AMEC in regards to the educational consortium researching and developing advanced materials intended for use in armor of a main battle tank. Larange State University, being a state university, opted not to participate in the research phase but did allow the use of previously researched materials and techniques to be used by the research group from Knife Point. The Knife Point AMEC developed the “Cuera” armor scheme for use in the Lariat MBT and subsequent variants. The Cuera armor system is composed or largely common materials arranged in a specific format which provides a startling amount of protection for the thickness and weight of armor but without inducing exorbitant costs for exotic materials. To this end, the Cuera armor layout is as effective, or more, than most expensive, composites-augmented armors. The Cuera armor scheme is composed of the following layers, beginning with the outermost layer for the turret face and glacis:
Primary Armor (600mm real thickness; Spacing through out the design results in a real thickness between 650-700mm)
• 150mm high hardness monoplate steel
• 20mm rubber plate
• 10mm plastic plate
• 20mm rubber plate
• 100mm section of steel plates of 20mm thickness at 45 degree angle standoff from each other at 20mm with reactive polymer that quickly solidifies from HEAT or pressure
• 50mm depleted uranium
• 50mm hard monoplate steel
• 50mm rubber
• 50mm hard monoplate steel
• 50mm soft monoplate steel
• 10mm hard monoplate steel
• 10mm soft monoplate steel
• 30 mm rubber
The varying thickness and density (either soft or hard) steel plates induces yaw into a penetrating KE projectile, potentially even shattering it. The turret face armor is angled at 30 degrees from the vertical and 12 degrees from the horizontal. Turret side armor is angled at about ten degrees from the vertical.
Following this is the 100mm spall liner, composed of densely packed fibers within a rubber enclosure within a plastic box. The face of this box towards the armor side is 5mm steel and rubber plates for 50mm. In addition, all interior metal surfaces are first covered in a plastic panel then painted with a rubber-like non-slip paint surface.
Armor on the turret sides is effectively similar only slightly reduced thicknesses and reduced spacing. Armor on the back of the turret and hull is reduced by removing the 100mm section of angled steel plates and the 50mm soft/hard monoplate sections (400mm). Roof armor is between 150-250mm real thickness using a similar construction scheme. Most of the exterior armor is coated in a non-slip layer.
To defend against a land mine threat, or a triggered explosive threat, the underside of the hull utilizes a similar version of the tank’s overall armor to help defeat high explosive land mine and other threats. This spaced and heavily layered armor, although thinner and lighter in overall construction, aids considerably in the defense against a large portion of mines and some improvised explosive devices. To augment the armor in defending the crew, the crew’s seating is further armored with titanium layers and an additional spall liner. Placement of non-critical components between the initial armor and hull-underside spall liner provide some additional protection.
Vaquero ERA
The Vaquero ERA system was designed using data from the Advanced Materials Education Coalition, Allis-Chalmers Defense Services Division, and independent labs and entities across Coorsota and abroad. The Lariat MBT’s optional explosive reactive armor was designed to combat most munitions encountered on the battlefield today and originally intended to be equal to most available types of explosive reactive armor. ERA research in Coorsota started with the arrival of the MCA-7C Timber Wolf MBT in order to develop a possible ERA package for the tank. Progress was slow however but produced a working, if basic, ERA system. Allis-Chalmers, with federal aid, funded several additional research and development programs at universities (explosives research) and private labs (ERA design and implementation) to eventually produce the precursor to the Vaquero ERA. With the initialization of the Lariat MBT program, design was halted on fitting the ERA to the MCA-7C and it was instead brought back to the research and development phase with the intent to modify and fit it to the Lariat main battle tank. This project resulted in the Vaquero ERA system. The Vaquero ERA is a layered system composed of the following layers besides an initial ceramic outer layer (to defend against the initial warhead of a tandem-warhead weapon) and a steel/ceramic backing:
• Layer 1: Trigger in very front, plate behind, and explosive below, which alternates for the second plate, inverts again for the third plate, and again for the fourth plate. When a HEAT jet or KE penetrator triggers the ERA, the first layer of that portion of the ERA will detonate and the explosives on the bottom will push the plate up (or roughly perpendicular to the jet/penetrator's line of travel). If the jet/penetrator penetrates that plate, the explosives on the second layer will push the second plate downward and so on. This serves to 'feed' the plate into the jet or penetrator from both top and bottom at different depths of penetration. This'll feed material into a HEAT jet eroding its effectiveness, and depending on the composition of a penetrator (especially the narrow diameter/long rods) potentially snap it or create some yaw, at least before it reaches the final ERA layers.
• Layer 2: This is a thinner rubber-polymer-steel layering which induces yawing in KE projectiles and further impacts a HEAT jet.
• Layer 3: This is the heavy ERA component of the Vaquero ERA system and is designed to specifically eliminate the KE threat by using shaped charges to induce more yawing in addition to dismembering the penetrator. Heavy blast layering behind this is formed in a way so that if triggered, it will likely crush any remnants with its faceplates and explosive pressure.
The entire system is encased in resin.
Countermeasures
The Lariat MBT was originally designed to carry only a basic set of countermeasures, mainly grenade launchers (to launch smoke grenades, aerosol canisters, or chaff) and a smoke generator. However, as development wore on, additional features were researched and available for the initial production model. Allis-Chalmers engineers took the next step and combined all the countermeasures features into a single unit to ensure the survival of the tank against a wide assortment of threats. The basis of the SS/CQ-10A combined active/passive countermeasures system is the smoke generator found near the diesel engine and grenade launchers (14x with 2 canisters per launcher; can fire chaff, aerosol, or smoke). These are capable of operating independently under crew control or with the SS/CQ-10A system. Beyond this is the component CQ-29 mast-deployed active protection system and is designed to combat most missile threats. The CQ-29 is not a single system but is rather both active and passive and utilizes soft-kill measures to assist its core hard-kill system. Threats are located using a passive thermal imager as well as an active radar system, and these can operate with the tank’s primary systems. Using infrared jammers, electronic interference, chaff/smoke/aerosol launchers, smoke generator, or decoys, the CQ-29 will attempt to ‘soft-kill’ the threat, if this is unsuccessful in completely eliminating the threat, the CQ-29 will resort to its hard-kill system. When this determination is made, the CQ-29 will shutter the primary optics (the primary forward looking infrared, RWS, and the commander’s primary thermal imager; leaving backup imagers and optics) and the hard-kill system is activated and fires explosive packets at the incoming target.
The third system is simply a threat warning system designed to allow the crew to rapidly engage an ATGM crew, and if configured to do so, will automatically align the RWS to the ATGM launch point and allow the commander or gunner to engage the target.[/FONT]
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Lariat 1A1L Long Arm Main Battle Tank
Introduction
The M8 Lariat 1A1L “Long Arm” Main Battle Tank, or simply Lariat 1A1L, is a development of the original Lariat and Lariat 1A1 MBT and incorporates several new features and modifications including a new main gun, new electronics/fire control, new propulsion systems, and several other minor additions. An armor upgrade will be added later. The Lariat MBT project was started under Allis-Chalmers Defense Services Division, a division of Allis-Chalmers Corporation, and transferred to Sequoia-Allis Defense Services, a joint venture between that division and the Sequoia Automotive Systems subsidiary of Sequoia Defense Systems Inc.
The M8 Lariat MBT project is intended to be a continuous development project focused on continually improving the Lariat MBT through progressive upgrades designed through user experience and feedback, technological development, and prototype testing. All future upgrades are intended to be readily adaptable to the current M8 Lariat MBT frame.
Armament Sub System
Main Gun
The Lariat 1A1L uses the G120NG1 120mm L/55 electrothermal chemical main gun. The G120NG1 is exactly the same as the AGS.250C utilized by the Nakíl 1A3 main battle tank in production and was designed by Atmos International and Calzado y Bayo. The G120NG1 represents a significant advantage over the predecessor’s G120EGS-series conventional smoothbore gun and outfits the Lariat 1A1L with a powerful main gun capable of defeating most threats in the present time and into the future. The G120NG1 itself is a ‘pure liquid propellant’ gun, using the same HAN-based propellants as other tank guns produced by Atmos and Calzado y Bayo. For more information regarding the main gun, please view this link: AGS.250C (This writeup for CB.125; G120NG1 is similar except in 120mm caliber) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13521659&postcount=16).
The entire turret is electrically rotated, resulting in reduced heat and a reduction in volume from hydraulic systems. As will be mentioned later, manual turret traverse and gun elevation are available.
Ammunition
The primary ammunition for the G120NG1 main gun is the domestically produced Type 19A armored piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot and Type 08D high explosive anti-tank multi-purpose round. Additional types of ammunition are available and can be stored. The Type 19A APFSDS anti-tank round is the standard kinetic energy projectile of the Ground Defense Force and fires a rippled depleted uranium projectile weighing 10.0 kg (penetrator weighs only 5.1 kg). The rippled designed lessens drag, allows for some flex in the design (with a ‘softer’ metal at the thinnest portions bonded by a polymer sandwich), and reduces the effectiveness of certain ERA types. Due to advances in propellant design, and using the extended barrel, the Type 19A can reach out to almost 4,000m. The Type 19A’s HEAT-MP counterpart, the Type 08D fires an 11.5 kg projectile at an effective range of almost 4,500 m. The Type 08D’s warhead is sub-caliber with a discarding sabot and fragmenting outer jacket and is also capable of multiple fuzing options, including airburst. An additional ammunition option is the M40A1 barrel-fired anti-tank guided missile. The M40A1 is designed to be fired from the Lariat MBT’s main gun and utilizes a semi-active laser homing system. The missile is guided by laser – provided by either the tank or another platform (another tank, helicopter, UAV) and is capable of multiple engagement options. The top-attack option allows the tandem-warhead missile to angle up before descending on its target and during its terminal phase the guidance portion of the warhead (used to detect the laser radiation) is ejected off towards the target. This is designed to trigger an opponent’s active defense system, if equipped, and allow the twin warheads to strike the vulnerable upper armor of the tank. I’s effective range is about 12 km.
Autoloader
The Lariat 1A1 uses an entirely new autoloader design compared to the previous S120GAL0 bustle-type linear ramming-action autoloader. In its place is the S121GAL1, or Sigleuir 1VXB by trade-name, drop-shelf type bustle linear ramming-action autoloader. The S121GAL1, sometimes affectionately referred to as ‘Panzervergewaltigen Faustladevorrichtung’, is a fast action bustle-based 42 round ramming action autoloader.
The 1VXB Autoloader was engineered at the Sigleuir Prototyping and Experimental Design Division Facility as a fast action, high reliability, and relatively inexpensive autoloader design contracted by Coorsota's Ground Defense Forces for the M8 Lariat 1A1L MBT. It is a 120mm autoloader design based off the IPR-201's Drop-Shelf Type Bustle Linear Ramming-Action Autoloader, but optimized for the production budget of the Republic of Coorsota's M8 Lariat 1A1 MBT. In 9 days, a working prototype design was tested in a mockup turret rig, consisting of a turret ring stand with an electrical power supply adapted to it, a turret with many internal similarities to the M8 Lariat 1A1 MBT, and with a supplies of simulated shells that would be then loaded into the breech that would drop them into a small collection basket. The turret test bed was created to prevent design conflicts between the actual tank and autoloader integrations, often found in many forms of "cut and paste" jobs, where components are "dropped" onto a tank, then "stapled" to it, with minimal care to conflicts that occur from the physical level to the ergonomic level. In the end, very few revisions were made, specifically noting that the autoloader indicator system was integrated to the tank's viewfinders, and the autoloader ammo tracking system had its own LCD added. In addition, the gunner and commander's multifunction displays are integrated with the ammo management end of the autoloader.
When the gunner or commander, with priority to whoever has ammo selection, presses the selected type of round, the autoloader will proceed to start into cycle one (for estimated time of cycles and operations, see below), where the system will proceed to test its components to ensure the proper operation by operating parameters, then proceeds to move the round selected from the six "shelves" to the ramp, which will adjust its height to allow for this, then locks it into place, waiting on the blast door and external ramp. Cycle two is primarily on the process of the ramp extension and ramp tilt. After this the autoloader will proceed to move to cycle three where the round, within its armored box, will be pushed outwards from the bustle toward the first ramp where it locks into place while the round is inserted into the gun; this will then proceed to allow the ramp extension mechanism to release the latching mechanism of the armored box, so that the box can collapse as the rammer proceeds to retract. On cycle four, as the rammer and ramp retract the box is dropped and the gun is unlocked to be prepared for firing, waiting for the ramp to fully retract to prevent collision during recoiling from firing. The autoloader completes these cycles in about 1.8 seconds, with 2 seconds being the longest wait based on the capacitor charge. The capacitor has the capability to operate the rammer up to three times before having to be fully recharged from zero. An addition to the autoloader is the capablity to operate it rapidly in manual mode, where the gunner would be able to operate the autoloader through selecting the cycle one by lever, and then rotating the hand crank system which is linked to a mechanically automatic gearbox which also can be selected to a 1 to 2 fixed gear as a backup. The gunner would then advanced through the cycles in 6 seconds, going from cycle one to two and then having the ramp and rammer starting to retract in cycles three to four. This system allows for fast, efficient loading operation. The ammo selection is handled, however, by using a second hidden panel, which is opened, where L1-3 and R1-3 is marked, with a lever pointing to each letter-number combination indicating the shelf selected. A rotating hand crank is then used on that side to push the round in, causing the rotating indicator to go from the red to the green on the cycle crank.
The autoloading system can be loaded from internally in the tank, where the round is inserted through the same blast door in its armored container, and then the autoloader will automatically read the round type by the indentations on the shell rim. The autoloader will then proceed to raise the ramp to the right level and insert it to the proper shelf. The manual operation can be done as well through using the selection crank, and sliding the bottom switch from "Load Gun" to "Load Autoloader", and then rotating the hand crank to move the ramp into the proper shelf height and moving the round into the shelf before locking the internal blast door and ramp into the normal position again; the same green-red indicator used on the manual operation of the autoloader is used to confirm if the cycle is completed. External loading is completed by unlocking the external hatch from the inside, then pulling it outwards from the rear center of the bustle. After this, an internal hatch will be revealed, which can be pulled open by grasping the handle and pulling upwards, which will reveal the inside of the autoloader ramp from the top. Rounds are inserted from the rear, within their armored boxes to load to the autoloader, the same manual process can be completed or the automatic process. The ammo management computer can be used to specifically pick which "shelf" the round type will belong to.
The autoloader has full venting paths through the sides, if any form of penetration should happen, combined with the fact of individually armored ammo boxes that prevent ammunition fratricide. The autoloader itself is armored to prevent up to 35mm autocannon penetration, combined with the bustle armor that the tank already has. Combined with internal mounting points for 18 Halon bottles (3 bottles per shelf, which can be manually fired, or automatically fired as separate bottles or as a group), as well as blast door separation. The autoloader has great fire fighting capablity, and if that were to fail, the venting paths also prevent each "shelf" from going up, minimizing ammunition fratricide to a maximum of seven shells per shelf level combustion. Not only does the autoloader have crew separation to ammunition while autoloading, it has its own self contained NBC system with air conditioning to ensure that no matter what form of penetration entering the autoloader, no entry into the fighting compartment can occur.
Each round is within a collapsible box with 1CM thickness on all sides for 150mm diameter (shell diameter, not actual round diameter) by 1,000mm long rounds. With complete immunity to small arms fire and extreme resistance to .50 anti IFV/APC and anti-air fire, followed by moderate resistance to 25mm AP-I or HE-T rounds. The armored box also has venting paths to prevent ignition fratricide, combined with its natural heat resistance shielding the round. The box its self can be collapsed into flattened parts after removing the retaining latches, similar to cardboard boxes; this is combined with the tank's autoloader where it automatically handles the storage of the empty boxes, which can be reused. Autoloader capacity of forty-two rounds determined by: three stacked levels in height (three ‘shelves’), two sides (left and right with center being occupied by ramming system occupying 200mm), and seven rounds per side of each shelf.
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G25AGS3 “Outlaw” 25mm Autocannon
The G25AGS3, also known as the Krieimir 25mm Extiltrik 1a Coorsota, is a 25mm autocannon from Krieimir Nemitel group based off the Krieimir 25mm Mililtrik 1ia autocannon. The G25AGS3 is a high re-fire capable autocannon in the 25mm caliber, based off the Militrik 1ia series, and designed specifically for the M8 Lariat 1A1L Long Arm. Performance wise, it is capable of a sustained 1,500 rounds per minute firing rate and capable of performing a twenty round 4,000RPM burst for up to ten times within one minute. The G25AGS3 is variable RPM autocannon with 100 and 250 RPM steps starting from 500 RPM to 1,500 RPM automatic and up to a cooling-limited 4,000 RPM burst twenty rounds. Semiautomatic, and other burst options are also capable through the mechanical limiter which is linked to a digitalization system to allow fast operation from the gunner’s station.
Mechanics
The G25AGS3’s mechanical action is based off the Krieimir R116 Carbine, a caseless rifle made by Krieimir. The action found in the Extriltrik is known as a mechanically limited cylindrical rotary bolt. The action relies on a "cylindrical bolt" which is reffered to as the "cake", which rotates from 0 degrees from firing, to either 45 or 90 degrees for loading - which it can rotate a whole 360degrees to load or "twitch" in a rapid motion to the load angle and fire angle. The mechanical action that allows for the high re-fire work in recoil, as the drum is slightly unbalanced by mass while the recoiling energy is then directed to cause the rotation of the "cake". The mechanical limiter would then, by selection, limit the degrees of rotation the drum can travel to load a round and prepare to fire. The mechanical limiter would be also used to select if the autocannon would fire in semi-open or closed bolt. The "cake" of the action is internally cooled by a Peltier system that would in the Lariat, dump the excess heat off into the engine radiator, while using water cooling to transfer any remaining heat off; the cooling system is actually integrated into the autocannon mount in a discreet package to the left of the gun. Otherwise, the feed action is mechanically linked to the autocannon operation, thus allowing a feed without power.
Performance
The G25AGS3 autocannon is capable of achieving 4,000RPM in a limited burst of twenty rounds, whereas its sustained fire is 1,500RPM which can be sustained for up to 90 minutes in theory as long as cooling is actively functioning. However, under zero active cooling situations, the autocannon can fire at 500 RPM sustained to 45 minutes in theory. This is due to how the barrel is directly heat sunk as with the action in a path to the tank's radiator, combined with a Peltier system. The autocannon can feed from two or four ammo feeds, depending on the setup with the 45 and 90 degree feed angles, and if a splitting system is used or not. In the bolt assembly, the autocannon can communicate data to the round through the bolt, just before firing, thus eliminating the need of fuse setting through external means.
Heatsinking
The G25AGS3 is expected to be capable of reaching very high temperatures due to its burst rate, thus must be capable of quickly removing heat. The cooling system is composed of the passive cooling where the thermal shroud and inner contact of the turret can transfer part of the heat, where the active elements have a watercooling system to the turret ring, then a loop heat pipe array to the engine radiator, and the other element being a Peltier system to cool the assembly down rapidly when needed. This allows the G25AGS3 to fire its 4,000RPM twenty round bursts every five seconds without damage, and lowering its temperature to near ambient in a short amount of time. The cooling and heatsinking system fits cleanly into the autocannon, and integrates into the tank seamlessly.
Materials and Reliability
The G25AGS3 is built using a high strength steel alloy frame that contains the bolt assembly, the inner part of the "cake", and contacting section of the bolt using a titanium alloy for resistance against corrosion and temperature. Titanium alloys are also used in the limiter mechanism. The remaining outer part of the body is built using an aerospace grade aluminum that contains the frame. The recoil springs are made from high quality spring steel body with a prestrained titanium-vanadium coil fiber. The heatsinking sections of the cannon contain aluminum with hard anodized points of contact with dissimilar metals that can cause cold welding.
Due to the inertia type recoil action used to rotate the "cake" assembly, the G25AGS3 has a lack of gas related jams. As with its recoil action, the autocannon can be operated without electrical input, thus allowing for the crew to fire it under zero power conditions, as well as loading it under zero power conditions; combined with the feed being operated by this recoil action as well. The only parts that can fail in theory would be the mechanical limiter unit, which is used to select ammo types, limit the "cake assembly" rotation, and select the fire rate; and the bolt-firing assembly, of which is highly unlikely due to the over engineering done to ensure their durability. Inspections should be preformed every 25,000 rounds, and any required maintenance to be carried out. Generally maintenance would be needed to the "cake" assembly, surrounding carriage for "cake" assembly, and bolt assembly, as they are the parts that sustain the highest wear rate during firing. The mechanical limiter is capable of showing signs of wear before failure, and should last for the life of the tank. Otherwise, the recoil system should be checked every 25,000 rounds for any signs of fatigue, and replaced if required. The cooling system needs minimal maintenance, and is integrated with an alert system before failure, and should be inspected every 5,000 rounds, or when needed.
Ammunition Types
Four new ammunition types were produced specifically for use in the G25AGS3autocannon. The full length Type 29A AP-Frag type round, the full length Type 27A high velocity APFSDS, the reduced length Type 18A Dual Purpose Concussion HE round, and the Type 16A HE-Frag. The Type 29A, Type 18A, and Type 16A rounds can be fused for detonation on multiple conditions. All rounds use the Type 02 propellant case.
The Type 29A is a 25mm Armor Penetrating Fragmentation Core round that has an outer multilayer steel-graphite rolled sheet epoxy resin laminate jacketing containing a hardened tungsten carbide nose cone and inner DU core with the explosive and fusing assembly. The steel-graphite epoxy laminate was chosen over the alternate option of segmented microrods rolled into a sleeve on the round. Due to the extreme velocities the Type 29A can reach, the tungsten carbide portion of the nose is actually reduced in size, to accommodate several ablate layers of coating, which are dimpled as with the tungsten. During flight, the coatings will wear away from the high velocities, to reveal the inner coatings of varying rate of wear - shaped into stabilizing winglets. Due to the ablation rate, the parasitic drag of these winglets are minimal, however the aerodynamic gain is massive. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Penetration, Velocity Change, Impacts, Delayed Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 27A is a High Velocity 12.7mm High Velocity APFSDS round, it is constructed of an outer steel-graphite epoxy laminate on a tungsten carbide sleeve around an inner DU penetrator with carbon fibrils for stabilization versus a fin system. The carbon fibrils are capable of improving aerodynamics through a large reduction of drag that can form into helical or conic shapes during flight. A side effect is the increase the armor penetration capability and lethality through reaching high temperatures during flight. They are arranged from being short to the front and longer in the back, trailing freely once the sabot has induced spin and fallen away. Due to the extreme velocities the penetrator can reach, the tungsten laminate portion of the nose is actually reduced in size, to accommodate several ablate layers of coating, which are dimpled as with the tungsten. During flight, the coatings will wear away from the high velocities, to reveal the inner coatings of varying rate of wear - shaped into stabilizing winglets. The outer steel-graphite laminate on carbide sleeve has a spiral type groove cut into them and then filled with a magnesium alloy gel that has a high flashpoint; the magnesium alloy gel would compress during flight, causing it to ignite and stabilize on trajectory to the target, when during impact if any magnesium gel remains, would splatter violently across the tank and burn. Due to the ablation rate, the parasitic drag of these winglets are minimal, however the aerodynamic gain is massive. There are no fusing options, however the post impact properties are similar to an incendiary fragmentation grenade; standoff and ERA may actually cause additional damage on less armored vehicles.
The Type 18A is a 25mm Dual Purpose Concussion High Explosive round and is constructed of an inert polymer shell construction with a mild steel rear body shell. The inner construction of the nose section is composed of layers of contact explosive behind a RDX mixed rear explosive which encases the fusing element of the shell with slight contacts going to the mild steel body that would connect to the primer. Against tanks on impact or delayed impact mode, the effects of the Type 18A can be much more damaging and lethal to the crew than a 25mm equivalent in HESH; the concussive forces are also quite deadly to infantry who are in, or outside of, a tank. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Impact, Velocity Change, Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 16A is a 25mm High Explosive Fragmentation round is a relatively thin prestressed steel rear shell containing the nose and inner body that is constructed of a prestressed spring steel with a spiral groove lift patterning; the nose has a thin polymer shell over it as a ballistics cap. The inner construction has a similar nose to the Type 18A, where layers of contact explosives are inside the nose, but the rear is composed of a RDX mixed rear with spring steel plates that have been prestressed and created into a semi cylindrical pattern around them for additional fragmentation, which have an outer layer of explosive to detonate the outer shell. The fusing mechanism is in the core of this composition. The fragmentation of the Type 16A shell is, however, equivalent to much larger 60mm to 80mm autocannon shells, or even near the point of infantry level mortars. The fuse settings are: Time, Time Post Impact, Velocity Change, Impact, and Non Fuse Activation.
The Type 02 propellant case is a long, high temperature combustion cartridge case with an inner cubane base and graphite gel sheets containing a thin coat of nickel as an organometallic catalyst for the cubane base, wrapped in a spiral type pattern with small perforations for surface area. Versus the Type 03 propellant, the Type 02 is used on the Type 29A and Type 27A Armor Penetrating shells to maximize their momentum and penetration energy. The cubane base propellant and catalyzing graphite gel sheet with nickel plating allows shells fired from the G25AGS3 to reach velocities that cannot be achieved using conventional propellants or ETC systems within the same size or weight-energy ratio. This however means that projectiles can reach velocities high enough to cause them to become molten slag during flight, and thus must be accommodated for.
The Type 03 propellant is a short, high temperature combustion cartridge case with an inner cubane base and graphite gel sheets containing a thin coat of nickel as an organometallic catalyst for the cubane base, wrapped in a spiral type pattern with small perforations for surface area. Versus the Type 02 propellant, the Type 03 is used on the Type 18A and Type 16A HE shells for capacity and the capability to "lob" over longer ranged targets. Unlike the Type 25A propellant, the shortened length does not propel shells fired from the G25AGS3 to velocities high enough that in the atmosphere they can become molten slag, however HE shells still reach velocities considered "high" for HE rounds from autocannons.
Alternatively, other forms of propellant and shells can be used as long as they fit within the G25AGS3 specifications. A total ammunition capacity of 1,000 rounds is provided to be used in either two five hundred round drums, one five hundred round drum and two two hundred fifty round drums, or four two hundred fifty round drums with varying types of ammunition. A standard layout would use one 500 round drum with either APFSDS or AP-frag ammunition and the other two drums of 250 rounds in the two types of HE ammunition.
Burst Utilization and Patterning
Due to the 4,000RPM burst capability, the G25AGS3 is capable of being lethal to many targets on the battlefield due to its multiple repeat hit capability on the same armor area, enabling a delivery of AP rounds followed by HE rounds fused to detonate slightly after the range of the enemy armor surface, either killing crew or destroying anything on the interior. Otherwise, AP streams are capable of penetrating a greater distance than main guns in many cases due to the sudden, rapid, continuous hit stream; this allows the G25AGS3 to be highly effective in the 25mm caliber. The HE round capability is as lethal due to the capability to cause aggressive abrasion of enemy tanks. Otherwise, the capability of the streaming of the rounds is enhanced by the aerodynamic effect of drafting, where the rounds behind the leading round will remain within the "stream" versus going off into a slightly different trajectory.
The high RPM bursts of the G25AGS3 can be used to destroy some armored fighting vehicles including some tanks, but not only through penetration, but they can be set to fire in a pattern such as "5 AP Frag, 10 APCFDS, 2 HE-C, 1 AP Frag, 2 HE-Frag" or in any other variable setting the crew can program into the tank's ammo selection. This allows it to have highly effective bursts that kill or disable on the first firing.
Ammunition Preformance
Type 29A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 4,500m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 575mm RHAe and Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target with lethal spalling
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 3m
Incapacitating Fragmentation Range: 10m
Fragmentation Pattern is conic patterned with sharp side expansion and moderate to rear combined with small shards of burning DU.
Survives and functions after 50g shock
Type 27A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 9,300m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 900mm RHAe and Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target with heavy spalling
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 10m
Incapacitating Fragmentation Range: 30m
Fragmentation Pattern is composed of burning DU shards in a conic pattern post penetration of 10mm RHA plate.
Survives and functions after 50g shock
Type 16A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 1,950m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 1mm and causes spalling in Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target
Lethal Blast Range: 3m
Lethal Concussion Range: 5m
Incapacitating Blast Range: 8m
Incapacitating Concussion Range: 15m
Survives and functions after 100g shock
Type 18A
Effective Lethal Range: > 5km
Velocity: > 1,500m/s at 1atm at sea level
Penetration at 0: > 5mm with surface damage from fragmentation
Lethal Blast Range: 1m
Lethal Fragmentation Range: 25m
Incapacitating Blast Range: 2m
Incapacitating Fragmentation: 80m
Survives and functions after 200g shock
Type 22A Propellent Cartridge
Fire resistant to 300C
Survives and functions after 400g shock
Cartridge capable of surviving and functioning after 100lbs/in^3
Type 22A Propellent Cartridge
Fire resistant to 300C
Survives and functions after 450g shock
Cartridge capable of surviving and functioning after 100lbs/in^3
Krieimir MFA1 Heavy Armor Simulation Target
2x200mm + 1x200mm RHA plates with Kontakt 5 ERA standoff plus Kontakt 1 ERA in three layers combined with 2x50mm Chobham plates with 2x25mm tungsten plates on interior with 2x25mm steel plates on exterior and 4x40mm aluminum plates combined with 4x 10mm rubber plates between.
A141RGS1 Commander’s Remote Weapon Station
The commander’s position in the Lariat 1A1 upgrade comes standard with the A141RGS1 Commander’s Remote Weapon Station. The A141RGS1, better known as ‘the Rifleman’ (for the remote weapon stations’ designation’s {A141RGS1} supposed resemblance to Adrian Riggs’ name, a popular Coorsotan film star who played ‘the Rifleman’), is a large multiple-weapon capable remote weapon station that serves not only to give the commander an independent ability to engage targets from within the tank but also serves as his ‘heavy’ independent viewer. It was designed to be an ‘add-on’ feature and not require extensive modification of the turret or interior of the tank. To this end, the Rifleman RWS requires little modification of the Lariat 1A1 turret and most of its components are mounted exterior to the armor. The Rifleman remote weapon station provides all the same electronics system as the TS/EQ-31A Commander’s Independent Viewer only in a larger, more rugged format. This includes the commander’s laser rangefinder/designator, thermal imager, and day/night optics. In this situation, the Rifleman has largely replaced the TS/EQ-31A for the commander’s purposes; however, the TS/EQ-31A is retained as a back-up and to give the gunner an auxiliary imaging system in place of his primary sights and backup systems. Besides this, the A141RGS1 has the ability to mount several types of weapons from the MG4 light machine gun all the way to the G20AGS2 20mm autocannon (requires modification), however the MG5 14.5mm heavy machine gun is mounted as standard fare for the Lariat 1A1 and fulfills its purpose well as an anti-personnel, anti-helicopter, and anti-light vehicle tool. This lethality can be expanded on by adapting the Rifleman RWS with an ATGM launching system. This pack, armored up to light machine gun ammunition, carries two anti-tank (or anti-aircraft provided they are small enough) missiles in a shuttered, ready-to-fire pack, giving the Lariat 1A1 the ability to engage tanks at extended ranges, although the gun-launched ATGM is already capable of this. Light anti-aircraft missiles are also capable of being utilized with this system and are often found useful scattered in deployed Lariat 1A1s, creating a hazardous environment for opposing aerial assets.
An interesting addition to the Rifleman remote weapon station is a portion of the CQ-29 active defense system, particularly, the grenade launcher systems and part of the millimeter wave radar component. Among the benefits of this arrangement: the engagement distance is increased by around a meter, the whole Rifleman RWS can be used as a sort of close-in defense system and not only engaging the threatening warhead/missile but also engaging the launch point of that threat. Ammunition for the remote weapon station, depending on the type of the weapon, is fed from within the tank and can be reloaded from within the tank provided that a new belt is attached before the old belt has left the interior of the tank (often, the crew will link two or more belts immediately to save them from having to do this after firing only ten or fifteen rounds).
The final weapons system is the gunner’s weapon mount which can be fitted to use a light machine gun.
Defense
Armor
The armor scheme of the Lariat Main Battle Tank was developed from materials, ideas, and examples provided by the Advanced Materials Education Coalition (AMEC) of Larange State University and the Knife Point Technical Institute. Allis-Chalmers contacted AMEC in regards to the educational consortium researching and developing advanced materials intended for use in armor of a main battle tank. Larange State University, being a state university, opted not to participate in the research phase but did allow the use of previously researched materials and techniques to be used by the research group from Knife Point. The Knife Point AMEC developed the “Cuera” armor scheme for use in the Lariat MBT and subsequent variants. The Cuera armor system is composed or largely common materials arranged in a specific format which provides a startling amount of protection for the thickness and weight of armor but without inducing exorbitant costs for exotic materials. To this end, the Cuera armor layout is as effective, or more, than most expensive, composites-augmented armors. The Cuera armor scheme is composed of the following layers, beginning with the outermost layer for the turret face and glacis:
Primary Armor (600mm real thickness; Spacing through out the design results in a real thickness between 650-700mm)
• 150mm high hardness monoplate steel
• 20mm rubber plate
• 10mm plastic plate
• 20mm rubber plate
• 100mm section of steel plates of 20mm thickness at 45 degree angle standoff from each other at 20mm with reactive polymer that quickly solidifies from HEAT or pressure
• 50mm depleted uranium
• 50mm hard monoplate steel
• 50mm rubber
• 50mm hard monoplate steel
• 50mm soft monoplate steel
• 10mm hard monoplate steel
• 10mm soft monoplate steel
• 30 mm rubber
The varying thickness and density (either soft or hard) steel plates induces yaw into a penetrating KE projectile, potentially even shattering it. The turret face armor is angled at 30 degrees from the vertical and 12 degrees from the horizontal. Turret side armor is angled at about ten degrees from the vertical.
Following this is the 100mm spall liner, composed of densely packed fibers within a rubber enclosure within a plastic box. The face of this box towards the armor side is 5mm steel and rubber plates for 50mm. In addition, all interior metal surfaces are first covered in a plastic panel then painted with a rubber-like non-slip paint surface.
Armor on the turret sides is effectively similar only slightly reduced thicknesses and reduced spacing. Armor on the back of the turret and hull is reduced by removing the 100mm section of angled steel plates and the 50mm soft/hard monoplate sections (400mm). Roof armor is between 150-250mm real thickness using a similar construction scheme. Most of the exterior armor is coated in a non-slip layer.
To defend against a land mine threat, or a triggered explosive threat, the underside of the hull utilizes a similar version of the tank’s overall armor to help defeat high explosive land mine and other threats. This spaced and heavily layered armor, although thinner and lighter in overall construction, aids considerably in the defense against a large portion of mines and some improvised explosive devices. To augment the armor in defending the crew, the crew’s seating is further armored with titanium layers and an additional spall liner. Placement of non-critical components between the initial armor and hull-underside spall liner provide some additional protection.
Vaquero ERA
The Vaquero ERA system was designed using data from the Advanced Materials Education Coalition, Allis-Chalmers Defense Services Division, and independent labs and entities across Coorsota and abroad. The Lariat MBT’s optional explosive reactive armor was designed to combat most munitions encountered on the battlefield today and originally intended to be equal to most available types of explosive reactive armor. ERA research in Coorsota started with the arrival of the MCA-7C Timber Wolf MBT in order to develop a possible ERA package for the tank. Progress was slow however but produced a working, if basic, ERA system. Allis-Chalmers, with federal aid, funded several additional research and development programs at universities (explosives research) and private labs (ERA design and implementation) to eventually produce the precursor to the Vaquero ERA. With the initialization of the Lariat MBT program, design was halted on fitting the ERA to the MCA-7C and it was instead brought back to the research and development phase with the intent to modify and fit it to the Lariat main battle tank. This project resulted in the Vaquero ERA system. The Vaquero ERA is a layered system composed of the following layers besides an initial ceramic outer layer (to defend against the initial warhead of a tandem-warhead weapon) and a steel/ceramic backing:
• Layer 1: Trigger in very front, plate behind, and explosive below, which alternates for the second plate, inverts again for the third plate, and again for the fourth plate. When a HEAT jet or KE penetrator triggers the ERA, the first layer of that portion of the ERA will detonate and the explosives on the bottom will push the plate up (or roughly perpendicular to the jet/penetrator's line of travel). If the jet/penetrator penetrates that plate, the explosives on the second layer will push the second plate downward and so on. This serves to 'feed' the plate into the jet or penetrator from both top and bottom at different depths of penetration. This'll feed material into a HEAT jet eroding its effectiveness, and depending on the composition of a penetrator (especially the narrow diameter/long rods) potentially snap it or create some yaw, at least before it reaches the final ERA layers.
• Layer 2: This is a thinner rubber-polymer-steel layering which induces yawing in KE projectiles and further impacts a HEAT jet.
• Layer 3: This is the heavy ERA component of the Vaquero ERA system and is designed to specifically eliminate the KE threat by using shaped charges to induce more yawing in addition to dismembering the penetrator. Heavy blast layering behind this is formed in a way so that if triggered, it will likely crush any remnants with its faceplates and explosive pressure.
The entire system is encased in resin.
Countermeasures
The Lariat MBT was originally designed to carry only a basic set of countermeasures, mainly grenade launchers (to launch smoke grenades, aerosol canisters, or chaff) and a smoke generator. However, as development wore on, additional features were researched and available for the initial production model. Allis-Chalmers engineers took the next step and combined all the countermeasures features into a single unit to ensure the survival of the tank against a wide assortment of threats. The basis of the SS/CQ-10A combined active/passive countermeasures system is the smoke generator found near the diesel engine and grenade launchers (14x with 2 canisters per launcher; can fire chaff, aerosol, or smoke). These are capable of operating independently under crew control or with the SS/CQ-10A system. Beyond this is the component CQ-29 mast-deployed active protection system and is designed to combat most missile threats. The CQ-29 is not a single system but is rather both active and passive and utilizes soft-kill measures to assist its core hard-kill system. Threats are located using a passive thermal imager as well as an active radar system, and these can operate with the tank’s primary systems. Using infrared jammers, electronic interference, chaff/smoke/aerosol launchers, smoke generator, or decoys, the CQ-29 will attempt to ‘soft-kill’ the threat, if this is unsuccessful in completely eliminating the threat, the CQ-29 will resort to its hard-kill system. When this determination is made, the CQ-29 will shutter the primary optics (the primary forward looking infrared, RWS, and the commander’s primary thermal imager; leaving backup imagers and optics) and the hard-kill system is activated and fires explosive packets at the incoming target.
The third system is simply a threat warning system designed to allow the crew to rapidly engage an ATGM crew, and if configured to do so, will automatically align the RWS to the ATGM launch point and allow the commander or gunner to engage the target.[/FONT]