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<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|armour= [[Rolled homogeneous armour|RHAe]]:<br />25 mm (turret front)<br />20 mm (turret sides)<br />13 mm (turret rear)<br />8 mm (turret top)<br />14mm (hull sides)<br />7 mm (hull rear)
|armour= [[Rolled homogeneous armour|RHAe]]:<br />25 mm (turret front)<br />20 mm (turret sides)<br />13 mm (turret rear)<br />8 mm (turret top)<br />14mm (hull sides)<br />7 mm (hull rear)
|primary_armament= 76.2 mm [[D-56T]] rifled tank gun (40 rds.) or AU-220M Baikal turret with 57&nbsp;mm BM-57 autocannon
|primary_armament= 76.2 mm rifled tank gun (40 rds.) or KA10 50mm cannon
|secondary_armament= 7.62 mm [[SGMT]] coax machine gun (1,000 rds.).
|secondary_armament= 7.62 mm coax machine gun (1,000 rds.).
    7.62 mm [[PKT machine gun]] coax machine gun (1,000 rds) since 1967
|engine= GMDE-88/M V6 turbodiesel engine
|engine= V-6 Type diesel,<br />[[straight-six engine]]
|engine_power= 380 hhp
|engine_power= 240 hp (176 kW)
|pw_ratio=  
|pw_ratio= 16.4 hp (12.1 kW) / tonne
|transmission=
|transmission=
|payload_capacity=
|payload_capacity=
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|fuel_capacity= 250 l (66 gal)
|fuel_capacity= 250 l (66 gal)
|vehicle_range= 370–400&nbsp;km (230–249 mi), 480–510&nbsp;km (298–317 mi) with external fuel
|vehicle_range= 370–400&nbsp;km (230–249 mi), 480–510&nbsp;km (298–317 mi) with external fuel
|speed= {{convert|44|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on road, {{convert|10.2|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} swimming
|speed= 70-80 km/h on road, {{convert|10.2|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} swimming
}}
}}


The '''CCN-72''' is a [[Blackhelm Confederacy|Blackhelm Confederate]] [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[light tank]] that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard [[reconnaissance]] tank of the [[Empire of Exponent]] and the other [[East Astyrian Treaty Alliance]] armed forces.  
The '''CCN-72''' is a [[Blackhelm Confederacy|Blackhelm Confederate]] [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[light tank]] that was introduced in the early 1970s and soon became the standard [[reconnaissance]] tank of the [[Empire of Exponent]] and the other [[East Astyrian Treaty Alliance]] armed forces.  


The tank's full name is Swimming Tank–72, ''Currus Cataphractus Natans''. The 72 designates the year that the vehicle entered service.  
The tank's full name is Swimming Tank–72, ''Currus Cataphractus Natans''. The 72 designates the year that the vehicle entered service.  
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Due to the many rivers and jungles of [[Hesperidesia]], the concept of light tanks was central to Imperial Exponential military planning, where they were to be used in reconnaissance units. The requirements stated that the vehicle should be able to cross water obstacles with little preparation. The vehicle was successful because it had a simple design, good navigational traits and a good cross country capability. At the time, its water-jet design was innovative.
Due to the many rivers and jungles of [[Hesperidesia]], the concept of light tanks was central to Imperial Exponential military planning, where they were to be used in reconnaissance units. The requirements stated that the vehicle should be able to cross water obstacles with little preparation. The vehicle was successful because it had a simple design, good navigational traits and a good cross country capability. At the time, its water-jet design was innovative.


A prototype was built at a plant outside of Sacrament in 1970, and the tank was officially adopted on 6 August 1972 with the designation CCN-72.<ref name=bar13>Baryatynski, pp.13–15</ref> Production started at the [[Volgograd Tractor Factory|Stalingrad Tractor Factory]] (STZ). The tank was subsequently modified. In 1957, a gun D-56T was replaced with D-56TM with double-baffle muzzle brake and fume extractor, the hull was raised by 13&nbsp;cm, and the tank was equipped with new vision and communications devices.<ref name=bar13 /> First series tanks were subsequently modified, receiving D-56TM gun and new equipment. In 1959, an improved variant, the CCN-72B, was adopted and remained in production until 1967<ref name=bar13 /> (main improvements were: D-56TS gun with stabilization and [[NBC protection system|CBRN protection]]).
A prototype was built at a plant outside of Sacrament in 1970, and the tank was officially adopted on 6 August 1972 with the designation CCN-72. Production started at the [[Redemption Tractor Factory]]. The tank was subsequently modified. In 2019, the main gun was replaced with an [[Ionicus|Ionician]]-made  KA10 50mm cannon, modernized fire control and communications equipment, and a GMDE-88/M 380 horsepower V6 turbodiesel engine.


==Design==
==Design==
[[File:PT-76-latrun-3.jpg|thumb|An Ex-Egyptian CCN-72 in Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel. The water-jet outlets at the rear of the vehicle, both of which are closed, can be clearly seen.]]
[[File:PT-76-latrun-3.jpg|thumb|An Ex-Egyptianstanni CCN-72 in The Museum of Confederate Reunification, [[Blackhelm Confederacy]]. The water-jet outlets at the rear of the vehicle, both of which are closed, can be clearly seen.]]


The CCN-72 has a typical tank layout: the steering compartment at the front, the combat compartment in the center and the engine compartment at the back. The tank has a three-man crew, with the commander also acting as the radio operator and gunner. This reduces his effectiveness as an observer. The commander and loader stations are located inside the turret, the commander sits on the left side of the main gun and the loader sits on the right. They have a large oval shaped double hatch, which opens forwards on top of the turret. The driver sits in the center of the front of the hull and has a one piece hatch that opens to the right, with three vision blocks and periscopes located beneath the main gun at the top of the sloping glacis plate. Under the driver's seat, there is an emergency hatch that can be used by all crew members. At night, the center periscope is swapped for a TVN-2B night vision device which gives the driver clear vision up to 60 meters.<ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Pancerni" /><ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide">[http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/PT-76.html "Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028114913/http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/PT-76.html |date=2007-10-28 }}{{Self-published inline|date=May 2009}}</ref>
The CCN-72 has a typical tank layout: the steering compartment at the front, the combat compartment in the center and the engine compartment at the back. The tank has a three-man crew, with the commander also acting as the radio operator and gunner. This reduces his effectiveness as an observer. The commander and loader stations are located inside the turret, the commander sits on the left side of the main gun and the loader sits on the right. They have a large oval shaped double hatch, which opens forwards on top of the turret. The driver sits in the center of the front of the hull and has a one piece hatch that opens to the right, with three vision blocks and periscopes located beneath the main gun at the top of the sloping glacis plate. Under the driver's seat, there is an emergency hatch that can be used by all crew members. At night, the center periscope is swapped for a night vision device which gives the driver clear vision up to 60 meters.


===Armament===
===Armament===
[[File:PT-76-batey-haosef-2.jpg|thumb|A CCN-72 in Batey ha-Osef museum, Tel Aviv, Israel. In this view one water-jet outlet is open and the other is closed.]]
[[File:PT-76-batey-haosef-2.jpg|thumb|A CCN-72 in the Azuran Military museum, Port Blacksand, [[Terre Azure]]. In this view one water-jet outlet is open and the other is closed.]]


Its main armament consists of a 76.2&nbsp;mm D-56T series rifled tank gun, which has an effective range of approximately 1,500 meters and a rate of fire of six to eight rounds per minute. This gun is 42 [[Caliber (artillery)|calibers]] long. The CCN-72 carries 40 rounds for its gun. A typical ammunition load consists of 24 x OF-350 Frag-HE, 4 x AP-T, 4 x API-T and 8 x BK-350M [[HEAT]] rounds (with AP-T rounds substituted for HVAP when available). The gun is mounted in an oval dish-type circular truncated cone turret with flat, sloping sides which is mounted over the second, third, and fourth pair of road wheels. All CCN-72s have a fume extractor for the main gun at the rear of the turret.<ref name="Enemy Forces">{{cite web|url=http://www.enemyforces.com/tanks/pt76.htm|title=Enemy Forces|accessdate=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514070414/http://www.enemyforces.com/tanks/pt76.htm|archive-date=14 May 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Pancerni" /><ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide" />
The modern version of the CCN-72's main armament consists of a KA10 50mm cannon, which has an effective range of approximately 4,000 meters and a rate of fire of between 100 and 300 per minute, depending on the ammunituon used. The CCN-72 carries 300 rounds for its gun. A typical ammunition load consists of 240 x AP, 40 x airburst, and 20 x proximity rounds . The gun is mounted in an oval dish-type circular truncated cone turret with flat, sloping sides which is mounted over the second, third, and fourth pair of road wheels. All CCN-72s have a fume extractor for the main gun at the rear of the turret.


The 7.62&nbsp;mm SGMT coaxial medium machine gun comes with 1,000 rounds. This weapon has a maximum effective range of 1,000 meters in daylight while the vehicle is stationary, 400 to 500 meters in daylight while the vehicle is on the move and 600 meters at night. Maximum range is 1,500 meters. It can be fired in 2 to 10 round bursts and has a practical rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute and a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute. From 1967, the machine gun was replaced with [[PK machine gun|PKT]] of the same caliber.<ref name=bar13 />
Older models utilize a 76.2 mm rifled tank gun amd typically carry 40 rounds of HE, HVAP, and FRAG munitions.  


The main gun, considered light for a modern tank, can fire BM-354P HVAP, API-T, AP-T, BR-350 API-T and OF-350 Frag-HE rounds (as can the 76.2&nbsp;mm M1942 (ZiS-3) divisional gun) and is capable of penetrating the armour of APCs and other lightly armored vehicles.
The 7.62&nbsp;mm  coaxial medium machine gun comes with 1,000 rounds. This weapon has a maximum effective range of 1,000 meters in daylight while the vehicle is stationary, 400 to 500 meters in daylight while the vehicle is on the move and 600 meters at night. Maximum range is 1,500 meters. It can be fired in 2 to 10 round bursts and has a practical rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute and a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute.  


The commander/gunner has a cupola on the left side of the double hatch. The cupola has the TPKU-2B observation device and two TNP day periscopes and can be rotated 360 degrees by hand. The commander also has a 4X optical sight mounted to the left of the main armament and a TShK-66 sight/rangefinder. The loader has the MK-4 observation device mounted on the turret's roof in front of the hatch.
The commander/gunner has a cupola on the left side of the double hatch. The cupola has an observation device and two day periscopes and can be rotated 360 degrees by hand. The commander also has a 4X optical sight mounted to the left of the main armament and a sight/rangefinder. The loader has an additional observation device mounted on the turret's roof in front of the hatch.


===Ammunition===
[[File:PT-76-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|An Ex-Egyptianstanni CCN-72 in The Museum of Confederate Reunification, [[Blackhelm Confederacy]]. Note the elevated trim vane at the front of the vehicle.]]
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2013}}
[[File:PT-76-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|An Ex-Egyptian CCN-72 in Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel. Note the elevated trim vane at the front of the vehicle.]]
 
The BM-354P High Velocity Armor Piercing ([[HVAP]]) round has a maximum effective range of 650 meters by day and 600 meters at night. Its maximum aimed range is 1,060 meters. It can penetrate 127&nbsp;mm of armour at muzzle and 50&nbsp;mm at 1,000 meters. The armour-piercing round can pierce 60&nbsp;mm of armor inclined at 60 degrees from a range of 2,000 meters. The BK-350M High Explosive Anti Tank or HEAT round has a maximum effective range of 650 meters by day and 600 meters at night. Its maximum range is 1,000 meters. It can penetrate 280&nbsp;mm of armour at 1,000 meters. The OF-350 Frag-HE round has a maximum effective range of 600 meters at night and a maximum range of 4,000 meters. The gun can be fired while the vehicle is afloat. The gun can also be depressed and elevated between −4 and +30 degrees so like most Soviet tanks, the CCN-72 has a limited ability to depress its main gun, and therefore can have difficulty finding a [[hull down]] fire position on higher ground. One of the greatest disadvantages of the gun used on the CCN-72 Model 1 was that it had no stabilization system and therefore couldn't be effectively fired while the vehicle was on the move. The CCN-72 Model 2 has a 1-axis stabilization system and the CCN-72B has a 2-axis system.


===Countermeasures===
===Countermeasures===
[[File:PT 76 7 DOW TBiU 12.jpg|thumb|right|A  CCN-72 amphibious light tank coming out of the water during an amphibious exercise. Note the two flat additional external fuel tanks at the rear corners of the hull.]]
[[File:PT 76 7 DOW TBiU 12.jpg|thumb|right|A  CCN-72 amphibious light tank coming out of the water during an amphibious exercise. Note the two flat additional external fuel tanks at the rear corners of the hull.]]


The armor of the CCN-72 consists of homogeneous, cold-rolled, welded steel. Its turret has 20&nbsp;mm at 35° at the front, 16&nbsp;mm at 35° at the sides, 11&nbsp;mm at 33° at the rear and 8&nbsp;mm at 0° on top of the turret. The hull is made up of: 10&nbsp;mm at 80° at the upper front, 13&nbsp;mm at 80° at the lower front, 14&nbsp;mm at 0° at the sides, 7&nbsp;mm at 0° in the rear and 5&nbsp;mm at 0° underneath. This gives it protection against 7.62&nbsp;mm small arms fire and small artillery shell fragments. It does not protect it against 12.7&nbsp;mm or .50-caliber heavy machine gun fire or larger shell fragments.<ref name="Enemy Forces" /><ref name="Modern Tanks" /><ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide" /><ref name="Cuban Tanks">{{cite web|url=http://www.urrib2000.narod.ru/Tanques2-e.html|title=Cuban Tanks|author=Rubén Urribarres|work=Cuban Aviation|accessdate=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024180936/http://www.urrib2000.narod.ru/Tanques2-e.html|archive-date=24 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
The armor of the CCN-72 consists of homogeneous, cold-rolled, welded steel. Its turret has 20&nbsp;mm at 35° at the front, 16&nbsp;mm at 35° at the sides, 11&nbsp;mm at 33° at the rear and 8&nbsp;mm at 0° on top of the turret. The hull is made up of: 10&nbsp;mm at 80° at the upper front, 13&nbsp;mm at 80° at the lower front, 14&nbsp;mm at 0° at the sides, 7&nbsp;mm at 0° in the rear and 5&nbsp;mm at 0° underneath. This gives it protection against 7.62&nbsp;mm small arms fire and small artillery shell fragments. It does not protect it against 12.7&nbsp;mm or .50-caliber heavy machine gun fire or larger shell fragments.


===Mobility===
===Mobility===


====Land====
====Land====
The torsion bar suspension consists of six evenly spaced large rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear and the idler at the front. The road wheels are hollow to minimize weight. These hollow road wheels increase the tank's buoyancy by 30%. There are no track-return rollers. The first and last road wheels have a hydraulic shock absorber and the steel tracks have 96 links each when new, each link has a single pin. There is a small, thin, horizontal skirt over each track. Its straight 6-cylinder, 4-stroke water-cooled diesel engine was developed under the designation "V-6" by halving the "V-12"-engine from the [[T-54/55]]. It develops 240&nbsp;hp (179&nbsp;kW) at 1,800&nbsp;rpm which gives it a road speed of 44&nbsp;km/h and a range of 370&nbsp;km to 400&nbsp;km. The vehicle can cross 1.1 m high vertical obstacles and 2.8 m wide trenches and climb 52° gradients. The engine has a cooling system and an initial heater (intended for use when the air temperature is −20&nbsp;°C or colder). The CCN-72 has a 5-speed manual shaft-type transmission system similar to the one in the [[T-34/85]]. The gearbox has four forward gears and one reverse. The vehicle has a side clutch that enables it to make turns and a handbrake. The tank has four mounts for additional external fuel tanks at the rear of the hull. The two on the corners are for flat type external tanks and the two in the center are for a drum type. These additional tanks increase the range from 370–400&nbsp;km to 480–510&nbsp;km. The CCN-72 is a reliable, simple to operate and highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle and is ideally designed for amphibious operations, but it has many limitations as a fighting vehicle.<ref name="Enemy Forces" /><ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Pancerni" /><ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide" /><ref name="panzersgt">[http://members.aol.com/panzersgt/Threat/pt76.html "panzersgt"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325014928/http://members.aol.com/panzersgt/Threat/pt76.html |date=March 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="softland" /><ref name="Military Factory">{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=19|title=PT-76 Amphibious Light Tank Combat Vehicle|publisher=Military Factory|accessdate=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128225015/http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=19|archive-date=28 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
The torsion bar suspension consists of six evenly spaced large rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear and the idler at the front. The road wheels are hollow to minimize weight. These hollow road wheels increase the tank's buoyancy by 30%. There are no track-return rollers. The first and last road wheels have a hydraulic shock absorber and the steel tracks have 96 links each when new, each link has a single pin. There is a small, thin, horizontal skirt over each track. The original model utilized a straight 6-cylinder, 4-stroke water-cooled diesel engine was developed under the designation "V-6" by halving the "V-12"-engine from the [[CC-58]]. It develops 240&nbsp;hp (179&nbsp;kW) at 1,800&nbsp;rpm which gives it a road speed of 44&nbsp;km/h and a range of 370&nbsp;km to 400&nbsp;km. The newest variants make use of a more powerful GMDE-88/M V6 turbodiesel engine, which can generate up to 380 hp and is significantly more fuel efficient. The new engine also nearly doubled the CCN-72's speed, allowing it to develop a road speed of between 70 and 80 km/h in ideal condition. The vehicle can cross 1.1 m high vertical obstacles and 2.8 m wide trenches and climb 52° gradients. The engine has a cooling system and an initial heater (intended for use when the air temperature is −20&nbsp;°C or colder). The CCN-72 has a 5-speed manual shaft-type transmission system similar to the one in the [[CC-41]]. The gearbox has four forward gears and one reverse. The vehicle has a side clutch that enables it to make turns and a handbrake. The tank has four mounts for additional external fuel tanks at the rear of the hull. The two on the corners are for flat type external tanks and the two in the center are for a drum type. These additional tanks increase the range from 370–400&nbsp;km to 480–510&nbsp;km. The CCN-72 is a reliable, simple to operate and highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle and is ideally designed for amphibious operations, but it has many limitations as a fighting vehicle.


====Water====
====Water====
[[File:PT 76 7 DOW TBiU 12 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Swimming CCN-72s.]]
[[File:PT 76 7 DOW TBiU 12 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Swimming CCN-72s.]]


The CCN-72 is amphibious, it has a flat, boat-shaped hull which is hermetical and ensures minimal resistance when the tank is afloat. It can swim after switching on the two electric bilge pumps, erecting the trim vane which improves the vehicle's stability and displacement in the water and prevents water from flooding into the bow of the tank. Switching the driver's periscope for a swimming periscope enables the driver to see over the trim vane. When not in use the trim vane is stowed in the front of the bow over the barrel of the main gun and serves as additional armor. Bilge pumps keep the tank afloat even if it leaks or is damaged. There is a manual bilge pump for emergency use. The tank is propelled through the water by two hydrojets, one on each side of the hull, with the inlets underneath the hull and the outlets at the rear. There are also additional assistant water-jet inlets on both sides of the hull over the last road wheels. The rear outlets have lids that can be fully or partially closed, redirecting the water stream to the forward-directed outlets at the sides of the hull, thus enabling the vehicle to turn or go in reverse. To turn to the left for example, the left water-jet is covered, to turn to the right, the right water-jet is covered. To make a 180° turn, one water-jet sucks in water while the other pushes it out. This system was designed by N. Konowalow. It is the same system as the one used in the BTR-50 APC, which was based on the CCN-72. The tank can swim at up to 10.2&nbsp;km/h and has a range of 100&nbsp;km. It can cross most water obstacles and can also swim in the sea. However, its amphibious design makes it disproportionally large for a vehicle of its weight and allows less armor protection than other light tanks.<ref name="Enemy Forces" /><ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Pancerni" /><ref name="softland" />
The CCN-72 is amphibious, it has a flat, boat-shaped hull which is hermetical and ensures minimal resistance when the tank is afloat. It can swim after switching on the two electric bilge pumps, erecting the trim vane which improves the vehicle's stability and displacement in the water and prevents water from flooding into the bow of the tank. Switching the driver's periscope for a swimming periscope enables the driver to see over the trim vane. When not in use the trim vane is stowed in the front of the bow over the barrel of the main gun and serves as additional armor. Bilge pumps keep the tank afloat even if it leaks or is damaged. There is a manual bilge pump for emergency use. The tank is propelled through the water by two hydrojets, one on each side of the hull, with the inlets underneath the hull and the outlets at the rear. There are also additional assistant water-jet inlets on both sides of the hull over the last road wheels. The rear outlets have lids that can be fully or partially closed, redirecting the water stream to the forward-directed outlets at the sides of the hull, thus enabling the vehicle to turn or go in reverse. To turn to the left for example, the left water-jet is covered, to turn to the right, the right water-jet is covered. To make a 180° turn, one water-jet sucks in water while the other pushes it out. This system was designed by N. Fullofaudes. The tank can swim at up to 10.2&nbsp;km/h and has a range of 100&nbsp;km. It can cross most water obstacles and can also swim in the sea. However, its amphibious design makes it disproportionally large for a vehicle of its weight and allows less armor protection than other light tanks.


===Equipment===
===Equipment===
[[File:Pt76.jpg|thumb|right|A CCN-72 in the [[Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Kiev|Museum of the Great Patriotic War]], [[Kiev]], with another view of the radio antenna on the left-hand side of the turret.]]
[[File:Pt76.jpg|thumb|right|A CCN-72 in the [[Museum of Liberation]], [[Jafala]], with another view of the radio antenna on the left-hand side of the turret.]]


The CCN-72 is equipped with a tank communication device, a gyro compass, a 10-RT-26E radio with  an antenna that extends itself when needed. It also has two headlights in front of the hull and a searchlight on the right-hand side of the top of the turret. It lagged behind other Soviet armoured fighting vehicles because only the driver had a night vision device and also because it has no fire or [[NBC (weapon)|NBC]] (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection systems, which significantly reduced its effectiveness. The lack of NBC protection ended with the CCN-72B, which has the PAZ ("protivo-atomnaya zashchita") NBC protection system. Because only the driver has night vision equipment, the crew has a vision range of {{convert|4000|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}} by day and {{convert|600|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}} at night.<ref name="Enemy Forces" /><ref name="Global Security" /><ref name="Pancerni" /><ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide" />
The CCN-72 is equipped with a tank communication device, a gyro compass, a radio with  an antenna that extends itself when needed. It also has two headlights in front of the hull and a searchlight on the right-hand side of the top of the turret. It lagged behind other armoured fighting vehicles because only the driver had a night vision device and also because it has no fire or [[NBC (weapon)|NBC]] (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection systems, which significantly reduced its effectiveness. The lack of NBC protection ended with the CCN-72B, which has a modern NBC protection system. Because only the driver has night vision equipment, the crew has a vision range of {{convert|4000|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}} by day and {{convert|600|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}} at night.


==Service history==
==Service history==
==Current Users==
*  {{flag|Blackhelm Confederacy}}
* {{flag|Kuwazavkavan}}
* {{flag|Maqtajer}}
* {{flag|Terre Azure}}
* {{flag|San Joaquin Valley}}
* {{flag|Caledonia}}
* {{flag|Arabona}}
* {{flag|Bungussi}}
* {{flag|Kwalawi}}
* {{flag|Polarus}}
* {{flag|Cote d'Cuivre}}
* {{flag|Jafala}}


[[Category:Astyrian weapons]][[Category:Blackhelm Confederacy]][[Category:Astyria]][[Category:Vehicles of the Empire of Exponent]][[Category:Vehicles of the Blackhelm Confederacy]]
[[Category:Astyrian weapons]][[Category:Blackhelm Confederacy]][[Category:Astyria]][[Category:Vehicles of the Empire of Exponent]][[Category:Vehicles of the Blackhelm Confederacy]]

Latest revision as of 19:57, 12 February 2024

CCN-72
CCN-72
TypeAmphibious Light tank
Place of originEmpire of Exponent
Service history
In service6 August 1972 – present
Production history
DesignerN. Fullofaudes and J. Saloninus
Designed1969–1972
ManufacturerRedemption Tractor Factory, Sacrament Factory
Produced1972-present
Specifications (CCN-72)
Weight14.6 tonnes
Length7.63 m; 25 ft (gun forward)
6.91 m; 22.7 ft (hull)
Width3.15 m (10.3 ft)
Height2.325 m (7.6 ft)
Crew3 (driver, commander/gunner,loader)

ArmourRHAe:
25 mm (turret front)
20 mm (turret sides)
13 mm (turret rear)
8 mm (turret top)
14mm (hull sides)
7 mm (hull rear)
Main
armament
76.2 mm rifled tank gun (40 rds.) or KA10 50mm cannon
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm coax machine gun (1,000 rds.).
EngineGMDE-88/M V6 turbodiesel engine
380 hhp
Suspensiontorsion-bar
Ground clearance370 mm (14.6 in)
Fuel capacity250 l (66 gal)
Operational
range
370–400 km (230–249 mi), 480–510 km (298–317 mi) with external fuel
Speed70-80 km/h on road, 10.2 km/h (6.3 mph) swimming

The CCN-72 is a Blackhelm Confederate amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1970s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Empire of Exponent and the other East Astyrian Treaty Alliance armed forces.

The tank's full name is Swimming Tank–72, Currus Cataphractus Natans. The 72 designates the year that the vehicle entered service.

Development

Due to the many rivers and jungles of Hesperidesia, the concept of light tanks was central to Imperial Exponential military planning, where they were to be used in reconnaissance units. The requirements stated that the vehicle should be able to cross water obstacles with little preparation. The vehicle was successful because it had a simple design, good navigational traits and a good cross country capability. At the time, its water-jet design was innovative.

A prototype was built at a plant outside of Sacrament in 1970, and the tank was officially adopted on 6 August 1972 with the designation CCN-72. Production started at the Redemption Tractor Factory. The tank was subsequently modified. In 2019, the main gun was replaced with an Ionician-made KA10 50mm cannon, modernized fire control and communications equipment, and a GMDE-88/M 380 horsepower V6 turbodiesel engine.

Design

An Ex-Egyptianstanni CCN-72 in The Museum of Confederate Reunification, Blackhelm Confederacy. The water-jet outlets at the rear of the vehicle, both of which are closed, can be clearly seen.

The CCN-72 has a typical tank layout: the steering compartment at the front, the combat compartment in the center and the engine compartment at the back. The tank has a three-man crew, with the commander also acting as the radio operator and gunner. This reduces his effectiveness as an observer. The commander and loader stations are located inside the turret, the commander sits on the left side of the main gun and the loader sits on the right. They have a large oval shaped double hatch, which opens forwards on top of the turret. The driver sits in the center of the front of the hull and has a one piece hatch that opens to the right, with three vision blocks and periscopes located beneath the main gun at the top of the sloping glacis plate. Under the driver's seat, there is an emergency hatch that can be used by all crew members. At night, the center periscope is swapped for a night vision device which gives the driver clear vision up to 60 meters.

Armament

A CCN-72 in the Azuran Military museum, Port Blacksand, Terre Azure. In this view one water-jet outlet is open and the other is closed.

The modern version of the CCN-72's main armament consists of a KA10 50mm cannon, which has an effective range of approximately 4,000 meters and a rate of fire of between 100 and 300 per minute, depending on the ammunituon used. The CCN-72 carries 300 rounds for its gun. A typical ammunition load consists of 240 x AP, 40 x airburst, and 20 x proximity rounds . The gun is mounted in an oval dish-type circular truncated cone turret with flat, sloping sides which is mounted over the second, third, and fourth pair of road wheels. All CCN-72s have a fume extractor for the main gun at the rear of the turret.

Older models utilize a 76.2 mm rifled tank gun amd typically carry 40 rounds of HE, HVAP, and FRAG munitions.

The 7.62 mm coaxial medium machine gun comes with 1,000 rounds. This weapon has a maximum effective range of 1,000 meters in daylight while the vehicle is stationary, 400 to 500 meters in daylight while the vehicle is on the move and 600 meters at night. Maximum range is 1,500 meters. It can be fired in 2 to 10 round bursts and has a practical rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute and a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute.

The commander/gunner has a cupola on the left side of the double hatch. The cupola has an observation device and two day periscopes and can be rotated 360 degrees by hand. The commander also has a 4X optical sight mounted to the left of the main armament and a sight/rangefinder. The loader has an additional observation device mounted on the turret's roof in front of the hatch.

An Ex-Egyptianstanni CCN-72 in The Museum of Confederate Reunification, Blackhelm Confederacy. Note the elevated trim vane at the front of the vehicle.

Countermeasures

A CCN-72 amphibious light tank coming out of the water during an amphibious exercise. Note the two flat additional external fuel tanks at the rear corners of the hull.

The armor of the CCN-72 consists of homogeneous, cold-rolled, welded steel. Its turret has 20 mm at 35° at the front, 16 mm at 35° at the sides, 11 mm at 33° at the rear and 8 mm at 0° on top of the turret. The hull is made up of: 10 mm at 80° at the upper front, 13 mm at 80° at the lower front, 14 mm at 0° at the sides, 7 mm at 0° in the rear and 5 mm at 0° underneath. This gives it protection against 7.62 mm small arms fire and small artillery shell fragments. It does not protect it against 12.7 mm or .50-caliber heavy machine gun fire or larger shell fragments.

Mobility

Land

The torsion bar suspension consists of six evenly spaced large rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear and the idler at the front. The road wheels are hollow to minimize weight. These hollow road wheels increase the tank's buoyancy by 30%. There are no track-return rollers. The first and last road wheels have a hydraulic shock absorber and the steel tracks have 96 links each when new, each link has a single pin. There is a small, thin, horizontal skirt over each track. The original model utilized a straight 6-cylinder, 4-stroke water-cooled diesel engine was developed under the designation "V-6" by halving the "V-12"-engine from the CC-58. It develops 240 hp (179 kW) at 1,800 rpm which gives it a road speed of 44 km/h and a range of 370 km to 400 km. The newest variants make use of a more powerful GMDE-88/M V6 turbodiesel engine, which can generate up to 380 hp and is significantly more fuel efficient. The new engine also nearly doubled the CCN-72's speed, allowing it to develop a road speed of between 70 and 80 km/h in ideal condition. The vehicle can cross 1.1 m high vertical obstacles and 2.8 m wide trenches and climb 52° gradients. The engine has a cooling system and an initial heater (intended for use when the air temperature is −20 °C or colder). The CCN-72 has a 5-speed manual shaft-type transmission system similar to the one in the CC-41. The gearbox has four forward gears and one reverse. The vehicle has a side clutch that enables it to make turns and a handbrake. The tank has four mounts for additional external fuel tanks at the rear of the hull. The two on the corners are for flat type external tanks and the two in the center are for a drum type. These additional tanks increase the range from 370–400 km to 480–510 km. The CCN-72 is a reliable, simple to operate and highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle and is ideally designed for amphibious operations, but it has many limitations as a fighting vehicle.

Water

Swimming CCN-72s.

The CCN-72 is amphibious, it has a flat, boat-shaped hull which is hermetical and ensures minimal resistance when the tank is afloat. It can swim after switching on the two electric bilge pumps, erecting the trim vane which improves the vehicle's stability and displacement in the water and prevents water from flooding into the bow of the tank. Switching the driver's periscope for a swimming periscope enables the driver to see over the trim vane. When not in use the trim vane is stowed in the front of the bow over the barrel of the main gun and serves as additional armor. Bilge pumps keep the tank afloat even if it leaks or is damaged. There is a manual bilge pump for emergency use. The tank is propelled through the water by two hydrojets, one on each side of the hull, with the inlets underneath the hull and the outlets at the rear. There are also additional assistant water-jet inlets on both sides of the hull over the last road wheels. The rear outlets have lids that can be fully or partially closed, redirecting the water stream to the forward-directed outlets at the sides of the hull, thus enabling the vehicle to turn or go in reverse. To turn to the left for example, the left water-jet is covered, to turn to the right, the right water-jet is covered. To make a 180° turn, one water-jet sucks in water while the other pushes it out. This system was designed by N. Fullofaudes. The tank can swim at up to 10.2 km/h and has a range of 100 km. It can cross most water obstacles and can also swim in the sea. However, its amphibious design makes it disproportionally large for a vehicle of its weight and allows less armor protection than other light tanks.

Equipment

A CCN-72 in the Museum of Liberation, Jafala, with another view of the radio antenna on the left-hand side of the turret.

The CCN-72 is equipped with a tank communication device, a gyro compass, a radio with an antenna that extends itself when needed. It also has two headlights in front of the hull and a searchlight on the right-hand side of the top of the turret. It lagged behind other armoured fighting vehicles because only the driver had a night vision device and also because it has no fire or NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection systems, which significantly reduced its effectiveness. The lack of NBC protection ended with the CCN-72B, which has a modern NBC protection system. Because only the driver has night vision equipment, the crew has a vision range of 4,000 m (13,000 ft) by day and 600 m (2,000 ft) at night.

Service history

Current Users