AVS 54

AVS 54 "Char Cavalier"
AVS 54 during the Mur Ouest exercises.
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Notreceau
Service history
In service	1991-Present
Used by	Notreceau
Production history
Designer	Ateliers de construction d'Villeaines (AVS)
Designed	1982-1988
Manufacturer	GIST Industries
Unit cost	₥5,000,000
Produced	1990-present
Variants	Séries I Séries II Séries III Séries IV
Specifications (Séries III)
Weight	Séries III: 57.4 tonnes (Basic)
Length	Séries III: 6.88 m (w/o gun) 9.87 m (w/ gun)
Width	3.6 m
Height	2.53 m
Crew	3 (Commander, gunner, driver)
Armor	Modular composite packages, reactive layers with Séries IV
Main armament	Séries I/II/III: GIST-CN120-52/2 (40 rounds)
Secondary armament	MAP 54 coaxial (1,200 rounds) MAP 50 (3000 rounds)
Engine	8-cylinder GIST Industries SMVBL-1500/2 diesel engine 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW)
Power/weight	27.52 hp/t
Transmission	Automatic SESM GAM-200
Suspension	hydropneumatic
Fuel capacity	1,300 ℓ (1,700 ℓ with fuel drums)
Operational range	550 km (650 km with fuel drums)
Speed	72 km/h

The AVS 54 (Informally known as the "Char Cavalier") is a 3rd generation main battle tank designed by AVS and manufactured by GIST Industries (Groupe Industriel des Systèmes au Terre) of Notreceau. The AVS 54 was designed to replace the ageing AVS 36 as the primary armored platform of the nation and currently serves as the primary tank of the Notreceauen Army and the Notreceauen National Defense Force. The informal name "Cavalier" is often used to refer to the tank, a reference to its superior speed and mobility when compared to contemporary MBT designs. The official designation "AVS 54" is in reference to the initial 54 ton weight of the Séries I variant.

History and Development

Beginning in 1972 the speculative technical data for the T-50C Aisling MBT began to circulate among Notreceauen military intelligence circles and eventually resulted in the 1973 Armored Defense Review. The 1973 review found that if the data for the T-50C was correct, the currently serving AVS 36 would be insufficient to provide a significant advantage over Aisling tanks. In response the DDRD (Department of Defense Research and Development) created the Programme Future Armor (Future Armor Program), which began to explore replacements for the AVS 36. Ateliers de construction d'Villeaines (AVS) was assigned primary research and development responsibility in 1975 and in conjunction with the DDRD would serve as the primary funding party for the project.

AVS intitially drew from previous design theories incorporated into the AVS 36 main battle tank and AVS 14 Light tank which resulted in the AVS 43 in 1979. The AVS 43 was considerably cheaper than other contemporary MBTs and offered high mobility, however it's poor armor design and lack of reliable protection against cannon fire was a considerable concern. Initial testing of the prototype by the DRDD found that the tank would not offer a significant enough advantage over the currently in service AVS 36, citing its lack of protection and mechanical issues that had occurred in initial prototypes as the primary factors for cancellation. The AVS 43 was the first Notreceauen MBT to field a 120mm cannon however, a development that would be incorporated into the design of the AVS 54.

Despite the failure of the AVS 43 and new information confirming the overestimation of the capabilities of the Aisling T50C, the DDRD decided to continue with the program. In 1981 the DDRD issued an updated requirement for the new MBT, stating that it must maintain high mobility and passive protection while still providing double the RHA capability of current generation MBTs (400mm). In order to address these new requirements, AVS began development on an entirely new hull design in 1982, intending to keep weight as low as possible to increase speed while incorporating experimental composite and spaced armor packages to increase protection. This was further accomplished by the introduction of a new engine which offered significantly more power compared to the engine in the AVS 43, and a proprietary suspension system which allowed greater weight displacement.

The first prototype was available in 1986 and featured a weight of 52 tons. Initial DDRD testing of the prototype found the speed and maneuverability of the tank to be exemplary while the protection met requirements sufficiently. Between 1986-1988 specialized equipment (smoke launchers, range finders, etc.) and minor armor modifications were introduced to the prototype culminating in the Séries I variant weighing in at 54 tons. The DDRD officially designated the tank AVS 54 in 1989 and production began in 1990.

The ten tanks Batch 1 of the Séries I were shipped in early 1991 and, after delivery testing were found to have manufacturing flaws in their engine housing and suspension units, never entering service. Batch 2, shipped in late 1991 and corrected many of the problems with the engine and suspension found in Batch 1, they were retired in 1999. Batch 3 was a further production run of the Batch 2 variation. Batch 4 was the first of the Séries II tanks and featured additional and modified armor packages as well as a fully corrected engine and suspension, following modernization programs in 1999 Batch 4 was cleared for continued service and remains as such. Batch 5-9 is a further continuation of Séries II construction, with batch 8 specifically introducing a better climate control system in the right rear of the turret.

Batch 10 is the first of the Séries III variants and shipped with a new armor packaged that removed steel from the composite and added tungsten and titanium to increase protection and offset weight. Séries III also shipped with an upgraded gunner sight and an enhanced thermal-optical camera for night operations and thermal targeting. Batch 11 integrated an IFF indicator for use in the new Notreceauen Lien de Bataille (Battle Link) battlefield control and integration system. Batch 12 was the first to integrate the Lien de Bataille command and control system in command tanks. Batches 13-18 were a further continuation of Batch 12 production.

Batch 19 was the first of Séries IV and was introduced in 2018. Séries IV features a drone launcher and control system in certain tanks for greater integration and expansion of Lien de Bataille capabilities. Séries IV also features further improvements to the composite armor makeup, the addition of a RWS and several other grenade and sensor launching stations. In November of 2018 the possibility of introducing an Active protection system on future Séries IV tanks began research and development. The intention is to deliver these systems onto future Séries IV batches beginning in 2020.

In January of 2019 a proposal to field a limited number of Séries IV tanks with the GIST-CN140-55/1 cannon or the Dnieguan Husqvarna TaSk 14cm L/45 cannon currently mounted on the Tarskvagn-141 was submitted to the DDRD for review.

Design and Variants

Protection

The initial Séries I and II featured a full welded steel chassis and turret with fitted modular armor designed to be replaced upon destruction, damage, or upgrade to future variants. Séries III introduced a new composite armor package specifically designed to defeat high-grade kinetic penetrators that utilizes a new mixture of tungsten and titanium and incorporates ERA blocking on the sides of the turret. Séries IV introduces a further refinement of the Séries III armor composite and allows for the application of further ERA blocking on the sides, front and rear of the tank (such as in the Balayeur configuration for urban warfare).

The AVS 54 is also equipped with the SPDRDM (Multi Discharge Tank Protection and Concealment System) launcher system which is mounted on the roof of the turret and forward and behind the turret ring. The SPDRDM fires a variety of infrared concealing rounds designed to defeat thermal imaging, conventional smoke grenades to provide concealment for the vehicle and in some configurations anti-personnel grenades to dispatch close proximity infantry and light skinned vehicle targets.

Imaging and Fire Control

Close up of the AVS 54's turret, optical system left and above main gun.

The AVS 54 is equipped with the VA-20/20 optical gunnery sight. The sight offers magnification levels of 3.3x, 10x and 14x (Beginning with Séries III) for daytime channel settings. The thermal imaging sight for use with the nighttime channels offers magnifications of 3x, 8x, 10x, and 20x (Beginning with Séries III) and has some ability to defeat IR-chaff and obscuring measures. Despite initial concerns with the design, no auxiliary sight has been provided for use in the AVS 54, although as of 2010 provisions to include future AVS 54 variants with backup sights are being explored.

The AVS 54's commander has the ability to view the tanks surroundings via 7 periscopes and the COS-95 panoramic sight aperture. The COS-95 has 3x and 10x magnification at daytime channel settings and 3x magnification at nighttime channels settings. A further refinement of the COS-95, the COS-105 (Beginning with Séries III) features the integration of a laser range finder into the commander's sight and the introduction of automatic tracking technology allowing the commander's sight to track, record and feed data on a target to the gunner's sight increasing the hit probability and time to fire of the gunner.

The digital fire control system can be operated by either the commander or gunner independently and offers a real-time view of all the tank's systems and sensors providing full coverage of the tank and the gunner's sight. Command tanks in a platoon may also access the larger Lien de Bataille network for a full-spectrum view of the battlefield and the location of other elements. Beginning with Séries IV the digital fire control system also has the ability to record and receive input from tank-launch UAVs as part of the large Lien de Bataille network.

Propulsion

AVS 54 during off-road maneuvering exercises.

Weighing in at only 57 tons in its most modern configuration the AVS 54 is considerably lighter than most contemporary main battle tanks and features a power-plant that gives it an impressive weight-to-power ratio. The primary power-plant is the 8 cylinder SMVBL-1500/2 diesel engine produced by GIST Industries which provides a horsepower output of 1500. The AVS 54 also features a hyperbar systems which incorporates a GHL LK-905 auxiliary engine which serves as both a turbocharger and auxiliary power unit when the primary engine is inactive. The AVS 54 features a GIST Industries STBL 2000 automatic transmission, with five forward and two reverse gears.

The maximum road speed achievable by the AVS 54 is 80km/h on road and 52km/h cross country. The maximum range is 550km unaided and 650km with external fuel drums. Due to its high weight-to-power ratio the AVS 54 is one of the fastest MBTs in service and features an impressive acceleration rate of 0 to 32 km/h in 5 seconds. The AVS 54's gearbox comes equipped with a hydrokinetic retarder, allowing deceleration at a rate of 7 m/s2. This system is automatically employed anytime speed in excess of 30km/h is reached. The AVS 54's exhausts exit at the rear left of the chassis and is cooled to reduce the thermal signature of the tank. Internal fuel capacity is 1300 liters.

Armament

The AVS 54 is equipped with the GIST-CN120-52/2 120mm smoothbore cannon. The cannon is capable of firing a variety of Notreceauen manufactured rounds including APFSDS with a tungsten core, HEAT, and HE. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve and features a proprietary compressed air-fume extraction system which functions automatically upon firing the weapon. The turret of the AVS 54 was designed around the proprietary Auto-loading system allowing the removal of the human gunner and reducing the crew to 3 was eliminating many of the size and space constraints placed on other MBTs featuring autoloaders.

The AVS 54's autoloader is capable of 12 shots a minute and contains 22 ready rounds. The autoloader can facilitate up to 8 different types of rounds, however a ready round cannot be unloaded from the gun once chambered. 120mm gun is 52 calibers long instead of the traditional 44 calibers common on most 120mm guns of its generation. This added length allows for firing rounds with a greater muzzle velocity than many contemporary cannons.

The AVS 54 features a .50 caliber MAP 54 machine gun with 1200 rounds as its coaxial and a MAP 50 7.5×54mm coaxial machine gun with 3000 rounds mounted on a remote weapon system (beginning with Séries III).

Variants

Séries I: Original production model.

Séries II:

• Addition of turret mounted climate control system situated in the rear right, in order to offset weight left side frontal turret armor was thickened. A new NBC system was also integrated to account for the climate control.
• Bolt-on appliqué armor on each hull sponsons.
• Remote operated hydraulic track tensioner.
• Extra splash guard added to the front hull.
• Bolt-on appliqué armor on each hull sponsons.
• Lien de Bataille capability added in upgrade package in 2008.

Séries III:

• New composite armor package, the additional weight caused by the adding of tungsten is avoided thanks to the titanium that replace the steel previously used in each armor modules. Turret bustle modular armor includes also semi-reactive layers made of explosive materials.
• Turret storage bins have been tailored for the larger armor package.
• Introduction of the improved thermal imaging sight and gunner sight.
• Integration of Lien de Bataille capability.
• IFF Transponder.
• Increased electrical output from turret increasing rotational speed.
• ERA blocking on turret sides.
• RWS added.

Séries IV:

• Further refinement of composite armor package.
• Drone launcher and command system on platoon leader tanks.
• Upgraded RWS system.
• Grenade and smoke launcher count increased.
• Expansion of Lien de Bataille capability.
• Engine tweaking resulting in increased performance.
• Active protection system in later batches.

PAAAB: The PAAAB or Armored Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun is a variation of the Séries II and III which mounts the Dnieguan Okann. M/74 40mm cannon and box-launched MD.318 anti-air missiles. The PAAAB serves as a SHORAD vehicle and is either employed as the lead vehicle in SHORAD units in conjunction with SPAAG configuration SCIR vehicles or as independent SHORAD elements of larger armored forces.

Balayeur: Urban warfare configuration with additional ERA blocking on the sides, front, back and turret ring as well as an additional MAP 50 RWS system. Séries III and IV only.

Blindé de Génie (BG): Armored Engineering Tank, primary armored engineering vehicle. Séries II, III and IV.

Réservoir Blindé de Récupération (RBR): Armored recovery tank. Séries II, III and IV

AVS 54 Sabrer: Proposed variant of the Séries IV with an elongated turret and equipped with a 140mm cannon. Currently in testing and design/prototype phase.

Operators

• Notreceau
  • Notreceauen Military: Séries II and III currently in service with the National Defense Force of Notreceau, Séries III and IV currently in service with the National Army of Notreceau.

See Also

Tanks of Comparable Role and Generation

• T-86 Talón: Aisling Main Battle Tank.
• Tarskvagn-141: Dnieguan Main Battle Tank.
• Type 97 Mireu-ho: Anikatian Main Battle Tank.
• T13125 Atlos: Tarsan Main Battle Tank.