JP-2A Arbiter

JP-2A Arbiter Tank
Base JP-2A Arbiter
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Janpia
Service history
In service	2021 - Current
Production history
Designer	Revolutionary Council - Army Design Bureau
Designed	2017-2020
Manufacturer	Zelenny Industrial Workers' Union
Unit cost	11.6 Million
No. built	460+
Variants	See variants
Specifications
Weight	Empty Weight: 64.76 tons Fuel and Oil Load: 1.32 Tons Useful Payload: 1.17 Tons Loaded Weight: 67.25 Tons
Length	8.3 meters (Hull) 10.7 meters (Gun-Forward Length)
Width	3.2 meters (Chassis Width)
Height	2.37 meters (Turret Height) 1.2 meters (Chassis Height)
Crew	3 or 4 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, Auxilliary)
Armor	Yagerov T4 Sandwiched Composite Armor (Burlington Array No. 4) Modular Special Armored Cover - 4 Variant (MSAC-4) Yagerov T2 Sandwiched Composite Armor Modular Special Armored Cover - 5 Variant (MSAC-5) (JP-2AX Sovereign Variant)
Main armament	Stork Armaments Union TANK - 130 Model 6 (SAUT-130M6) 20 rounds in the autoloader
Secondary armament	.50 Caliber Machinegun Co-Axial Witch II System RCWS armed with either: 7.62 Machinegun .50 Cal Machinegun, 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
Engine	ZHEDE-34612 (Zelenny Hybrid Electric Diesel Engine) Opposed Piston Engine 1,118 kW or 1,500 HP engine
Power/weight	23.44 horsepower-to-ton-ratio
Suspension	Z - TAGS 2A(Zelenny Trench and Ground Suspension - 2A) with Hydrogas System
Ground clearance	400mm or 0.4 meters with MSAC-IED
Fuel capacity	350 Gallons (1324.89 Liters)
Operational range	Offroad Performance: 708 kilometer range at sustained 48 kph speed Road Performance: 1,417 kilometers range at sustained 67 kph speed
Speed	67 km/h (42 mph) On-road 48 km/h (30 mph) Off-road

The JP-2A Arbiter is a Janpian Main Battle Tank designed by the Army Design Bureau of the Revolutionary Council, and produced by the Zelenny Industrial Workers' Union. The tank's original design was initially developed as an ergonomically improved variant of the JP-2 Tank, but its development has further sprouted as more demands from the Revolutionary Council were given. This was primarily developed in response of drones making technological advances in terms of range and payload, with the Janpian-Top Active Protection System (J-TAPS) being seen as insufficient or easy to expedite especially when faced against a swarm of hostile drones. Additional requirements were also piled, as the anti-tank warfare domain continues to expand its horizons, adding further vulnerabilities to the Revolutionary Army.

Development

Over the previous years, many analysts have stated that the advancements made on drone warfare as well as anti-tank systems would be a major vulnerability to the Revolutionary Army. Citing their advancements on artificial intelligence as well as the use of drone swarm tactics and improved ammunitions, this was seen as a major concern especially for the Revolutionary mechanized brigades. In a bid to achieve a breakthrough, a project study was commissioned by the Revolutionary Council for the Workers of Zelenny Industrial Union to develop and produce newer technologies to close this emerging threat. The design is required to be simple, cost-effective, easy to mass-produce, easy to implement, and easy to maintain, making it a challenge for the Zelenny Industrial tank designers to balance such requirements. Furthermore, the systems must also be made for the versatile, combat-proven JP-2 Tank platform, to allow mass deployment without much need to create a new armored vehicle. It must also retain or improve any current existing systems that are in use of the Revolutionary Army.

Following these demands, numerous prototypes were proposed, including a variety of modular electronic countermeasures that are aimed to disrupt or jam enemy drone navigation or radio transmissions. Other prototypes also have spaced protection layers now called as "Cope Cages" by mainstream media, while some prototypes have an improved J-TAPS model with more explosive-formed penetrators (EFP) in exchange for having less ammunition capacity. Out of all the proposals, the Project Z604 was selected for the preliminary design stages, which utilizes an EO-guided .50 caliber machinegun that can automatically aim and shoot at any approaching hostile drones or other small loitering munitions.

Following Janpian naming conventions, the Project Z604 was officially named as JP-2A, symbolizing it as a variant of the JP-2 tank series. It was upgraded with the most modern technologies the Zelenny Industries can offer, as an answer to the challenges of the new modern world. It was nicknamed "Arbiter" or "Schubaira" in Janpian, and was finally set for production after a series of tests from the Malingrad Proving Grounds. In total, it has a weight of 64 tons, which is much lesser than the original 73 tons from the JP-2, making it a total of 23.44 horsepower-to-ton-ratio.

Design

Armaments

Main Gun

The JP-2A Arbiter utilizes the same SAUT-130M6 system as the JP-2. This gun has hydropneumatic assembly and hydraulic retarders, which dampens the effects of recoil and make it return back to the exact angle after firing. It is rated to handle up to 22 MpA in pressure, one of the highest in terms of reliability against barrel wear. This is partly due to the ammunition that it uses, as well as the tank's higher fire rates. The gun has standard features such as bore evacuator to avoid the gas from returning to the crew compartment, a muzzle point reference to keep the barrel accurate and make maintenance check-ups easier, as well as a thermal sleeve to reduce and regulate the barrel's temperatures. The gun uses a 2 plane stabilizer that is embedded near the gun breech, as well as a calibrated EZV-3 gunner sight variant mounted on top of the external barrel. It has a maximum gun elevation of 20 degrees, and a maximum negative depression of 10 degrees. The gun breech is also capable to reprogram fuze timer shells in the breech, which was taken from the gunner's laser rangefinder results. Nonetheless, the controls for the gun, coax, Witch II RWS, and optional ATGMs can be controlled by either the gunner or the commander, depending on their crew configuration program from their Rakata BMS panel units.

Among the other upgrades that were added during the study and review stages is the new modular bustle loader system. This system, which was designed by the Workers of Jaschin Tooling & Machinery Union, has the capacity to fit a total of 10 to 20 VTA3-M5 sized ammunition, and load a single round into the SAUT-130M6 gun breech in a span of 2 to 3 seconds. 1 second was allocated to allow the breech to recoil and return, and 2 seconds were allocated for the feeding time. Given that the 130mm ammunition can weigh from 20 to 60 kilograms, two powerful ram hydraulics were utilized to allow the shell to travel 1.8 meters from the feeder to the chamber within 2 seconds. Nonetheless, the autoloading system has a small dedicated feeder that is built on to the tank, which can be attached with a 10-round magazine on either left, right, or both side of the hydraulics. These magazines also comes with a laser barcode identifier for the ammunition, which can read commander or gunner commands from their consoles, enabling the magazine to provide the proper ammunition and load it to the feeder system. Given the magazine's modular feature, one of two 10-round rotary magazines can be replaced with either two pop-up ATGMs, enhanced J-TAPS, larger radios or electronics, crew stowage, or small loitering drones. This later-added modularity feature is part of the design team's efforts to combine the designs of formerly proposed tank concepts, which makes the JP-2A potent for any mission. Nonetheless, the autoloader system can also unload ammunition that is inside the breech and has the capability to reorganize the ammunition inside the storage. Standard features such as blow-out panels are also included, as part of the safety modules on the magazines.

Remote Controlled Weapons System

The WITCH II RCWS was a concept originally conceived during the 60s, only to be repurposed by changing the AESA sensors to EO (some variants also retained the AESA arrangement) and built to automatically interdict drones instead of the intended ATGMs. Effectively, this makes the system similar to the traditional CIWS utilized on some warships, albeit utilized on a smaller scale for a tank. This new system - the Witch II Remote Weapons Station (RWS), is a further improvement from its predecessor, given its new automatic anti-drone capability, as well as improved management control systems, enhanced stabilization while moving, as well as better sensor equipment and angle adjustment. It has its own EO sensor that is connected to the Rakata BMS, allowing it to automatically classify, recognize, and target/eliminate without the need of human supervision. Though it could also use the radars from the tank APS for extremely close engagement, given that it is also connected to the same system. The RWS can also be modified to utilize different calibers such as 12.7 or 7.62 machineguns, as well as the 40mm automatic grenade launchers. Among other features of the Witch II are the integrated hostile fire sensors (HFS) and ground surveillance radars (GSR), which further enhances the RWS' detection rate and retaliation capability against multiple drone attacks or even snipers.

Sensors

Sights

EZV-3 Sight Components

EZV-3 Sight Component Names

Following extensive study and concept evaluation, the tank was further upgraded and fitted with the new EZV-3 sight system, which streamlines the hunter-killer system, improves the tank's sight capabilities, and gives the commander a wide range of view from its 360 degree LOS. The EZV-3 is a gyroscopic, panoramic tank optic that has a two-axis stabilizer, that is also equipped with a high-definition, dual-band 3rd gen FLIR. These thermals enable the crew to identify and effectively detect NATO size 2.3 x 2.3 targets up to 7,500 meters, which they could accurately hit thanks to its eye-safe, methane-pumped, raman-shifted, laser rangefinders, which has a range of up to 9,500 meters. Furthermore, the EZV-3 sight has a 0.05 milliradian error margin to the gun, and has an elevation of -20 to 60 degrees. It has a fully colored magnification and target identification levels of 3x, 6x, 13x, 16x, 25x, 50x digital zoom, as well as a 12 – 17 µm spectral bandmaking detector technology. The EZV-3 also has a focal-point array, dewar cooler bench, and instant calculation electronics to convert thermal radiation into identifiable video images. With this sight, the tank is more capable of seeing long-range targets in 1,316 x 480 pixel resolution under its effective identification range. Among the components of the EZV-3 is its own electrical unit and digitalized main control unit, which are connected to a four-bar linkage drive units. The digitalized main control unit has the weaponry traverse control program, thermal optics control panels, and gun position sensors. It also has a switch unit program in case the crew needs to switch roles (commander to gunner or vice versa), as well as a connector unit that utilizes inputs from the Rakata BMS database. This connector unit allows the sight to also function as a fire control system, utilizing the Rakata BMS and its database to automatically adjust and aim the gun at the weakpoints of an identified target. The system utilizes 4 sights which is the main commander sight, main gunner sight, gunner auxiliary sight, and a back-up gunner sight. All of which are accessible to everyone's crew consoles, giving them access to increase situational awareness or incase one of the sights got knocked out. With the internal components, as well as the sight's arrangeability, the EZV-3 is modular for any existing battle management system and capable of functioning for any crew assignment.

Fire Control Systems

JP-2A TC Panels

Regarding the digital fire control systems and its BMS, the JP-2A Arbiter utilizes the same C5ISR systems as the JP-2 tank, which can automatically track multiple detected targets, determine the threat level, and give recommendations to the crew or platoon. Furthermore, it can also differentiate and recognize more significant threats, allowing the crew or the FCS to automatically collate information from the database systems and aim at enemy weak points without human intervention. This feature works by identifying the vulnerable points in enemy armor as determined by the the fire control system, which then automatically aims the gun at a possible penetration point depending on the ammunition loaded on the breech. The tank is equipped with a ballistic computer systems, which can take outside factors such as wind direction, climate, or temperature, as well as internal factors such as the barrel wear adjustments to make an accurate shot. Given that the computer is also part of the Rakata BMS, platoon commanders can view where their tanks are aimed at, allowing for coordinated fire with the rest of the squad. It can also integrate indirect firing solutions from pop-up drones or other outside electronic visual sources, allowing the commander to press the drone screens and let the tank automatically adjust its aim towards the tapped direction. Just like the FCS, all components of the tank are connected to the BMS system, which gives full control to the crew

Protection

Passive Defense

As for its protection and gun, the JP-2A Arbiter variant utilizes the same armor and gun scheme as the JP-2 tank, which is the Stork Armaments Union TANK - 130 Model 6 (SAUT-130M6), and the Yagerov T-4 composite armor. The armor has an RHA equivalent of 1000 to 1200mm, topped with additional NERA for its outer layer. In terms of schemantics, the composite Yagerov T-4 armor is heavily applied to the front hull and turret of the tank, while the sides and rear utilize standard conventional armor. The side armor is also added with a modular special armored cover (MSAC), which is composed of NERA, ceramics, and steel layers. These layers would be enough to stop bullets, 30mm autocannons, IEDs, or RPG-7 rounds, disintegrating them before they could hit through the tank's structural composite armored hull.

Active Defense

Like the JP-2 tank, the Z604 design can either use the Nachmerean Iron-Tide or the Janpian Trushin APS, which both employs a computerized control unit from the Rakata BMS to quickly calculate and eliminate any propelled projectiles before they can hit the tank itself. Both APS are connected to the thermal-electric cooled laser warning sensors, which have the capability to detect and pinpoint the direction of laser-guided projectiles or enemy rangefinders, potentially disclosing their positions. Additionally, with the help of the Rakata BMS, this information is passed on to all allied units in a live manner, which alerts everyone to any detected hostiles on a specific direction. In more specific protection features, the Iron-Tide APS is known for being capable of intercepting APFSDS rounds, while the Trushin APS was developed to lessen collateral damages in mind by sensoring its surroundings, making it suitable for urban combat. Furthermore, both of the APS' laser warning sensors also allow the tank to quickly retaliate or enact countermeasures, such as firing smoke grenades to blind any laser or homing guided missiles, or reposition to a safer spot. In general, the APS covers the tank's potential weakspots such as the sides or back, which further adds protection against ATGMs or HEAT, while the laser warning system is there to further enhance the APS interception and also reveal any hostile locations to the rest of the allies, if they were marked with laser guidance or laser rangefinders. In regards to top-attack missiles, the Z604 utilizes an improved modular variant of the J-TAPS series, which has more explosive-formed penetrators (EFP) and a separate sensor for incoming projectiles from above. This modular system can be added in exchange for 10 round modular magazines, pop-up drones, or 1 to 2 pop-up ATGMs.

JURPAT Countryside Pattern

JP-2A Arbiter on a JURPAT Camouflage

Countermeasures

Bringing in the older sensor protection features from the former variant, the Z604 design also has an improved version of the Tomai-60 gunshot detection system, which would help the crew to be more aware of hostile firing locations, giving them the chance to retaliate or to direct their weapon system. This could be helpful when the tank is performing lone fire support missions with an infantry squad, allowing it to locate enemy suppressive fire independently without the need to coordinate with the nearby squad members, thus streamlining the process. Furthermore, given the exact nature of combat, the Tomai-60 can filter out any gunshot locations coming from the locations of any BMS-connected squad members or vehicles, allowing the tank to maintain awareness of hostile locations despite the heat of the battle. The system utilizes an acoustic detection that is connected to a filter program, which would then determine the location and range of the gunshot noise after it gets detected. It can also tell how many shots were fired, its plausible fire rate, and how many plausible shooters, all in the span of a single second. Thanks to the BMS connectivity, it can also coordinate with other similar sensors connected to the same BMS, which can further enhance the accuracy of the firing location report by basing the time of the gunshot noise to reach each detection system, allowing for triangulation. Depending on the situation or the mission, this system can easily be toggled on and off through the BMS control panels.

Camoflauge

Utilizing the default factory colors also known as stock Zelenny Green (#3F4930), the Revolutionary Council has started the development for a new tank camoflauge for the Arbiter Tank, which would blend in with the Janpian countryside and was aimed to be cost-efficient for application. What they came up with was a three-colored pattern design which would blend in with the Janpian countryside woodlands, applied with Chemical Agent Resistant Coating for easy decontamination. This pattern was labelled as JURPAT Janpian Countryside Pattern, with an official designation of JURPAT WO5E26.

The colors utilized was found to be closely matched with the dark morning woodlands often found in Janpian countryside, and was capable of disrupting the tank shape, allowing it to blend with the environment even at close ranges. The pattern also has boundary luminance gradient, which can trick the brain into seeing more contrast between the darkest color and the second darkest color. The entire pattern utilizes the base Zelenny Green, making it easy to adopt with only 2 colors needed to be applied.

Mobility

Powerplant

The new ZHEDE-34612 is an opposed-piston, hybrid diesel-electric engine that comes in 3, 4, or 6-cylinders, allowing it to operate between 700hp, 1000hp, or 1500hp respectively. This opposed piston architecture allows the engine to function much more efficient than conventional engines, with each two stroke delivering power to the crankshaft by combining the intake and exhaust processes into the compression and power strokes, instead of having four traditional strokes. In this case, it makes the mechanical footprint smaller all while having enough equivalent power as to conventional engines, making the ZHEDE-34612 also modular in size depending on the power requirements. It can function in two modes: That being the silent mode which uses a DC electric mode, or the standard mode which operates with its diesel engine. The silent mode enables the tank to move around quietly with the exception of tracks or moving parts, which could be useful when maneuvering around urban environments. Albeit this mode is limited, given that it was prioritized for the tank's electrical component whenever the tank is stationary. Studies have shown that majority of tank operations involve little to no maneuvers on the engagement range, making this new engine more efficient in operation, as well as 50% more economical in terms of oil consumption. When idle, the upgraded engine reduces from the original 10 gallons of oil per hour to 3.17 gallons, and 3.25 gallons per hour instead of 15 when moving on off-road ranges. It also has an integral fuel filter system and a standard oil level sensor as a standard. Unlike the former engine used by the JP-2, the new engine uses a more common fuel variant known as Diesel# 2, which are often used by civilian trucks, thus simplifying the logistics line and cost. Additionally, the new engine reduces heat rejection by 25%, which leads to a huge necessary power reduction to the cooling fans and allowing it to allocate more power to the sprocket or other necessary components. This is part of the overall Advanced Thermal Management System (ATMS), which increases its overall thermal efficiency and power, and provide a cooling solution to other components.

Included in the ATMS is the electronics cooling system, which also acts as the AC for the crew compartment, providing the necessary temperatures inside the tank and its systems. It also has multiple brazed aluminum heat exchanger pack, which utilizes the recent breakthroughs in plate/fin technology to provide a general coolant for the engine and its components, such as the filters, heat exchangers, and other electronics. Due to its diesel-type fuel, the engine can also generate smoke screens by injecting diesel to a specialized hot exhaust, enabling ESS capabilities for the tank. This allows it to deploy smoke screens while moving, which could conceal anything behind its rear or cover the tank itself. In total, the new ZHEDE-34612 engine weighs around 3.7 tons, and it also has a 10kW low-profile auxilliary power unit at 28VDC for specific components such as the fire control allocation system and its BMS database. As part of the standard JP-2 protection, the engine space also has its own fire suppression system as part of the onboard malfunction detection system, which can detect fires in an instant and extinguish it to mitigate any further damages.

Transmission

Regarding its transmission and powertrain, the tank utilizes the new automatic AZT-60A powertrain, which was specifically designed to operate with the ZHEDE-34612 engine that has dual operation modes. This powertrain is located at the back of the tank hull and has standard features such as regenerative steering for both left and right tracks, allowing the tank to maintain its speed while turning, all while keeping its motion and transmission smooth for the crew. Some former designs from the JP-2 were also retained in the design, such as its torsion bars with rotary shock absorbers, which makes the hull stable, especially when moving or doing maneuvers. The new powertrain also introduces newer designs, such as using more efficient gears instead of the traditional cross-drive transmission, allowing the tank to work more efficiently in rugged or cold/dry environments such as snow or deserts. This new powertrain is fixtured on to the same track of the JP-2 tank, and it is also capable of providing power to the tank's electrical components and hydraulics such as the gun stabilizers. Furthermore, the powertrain is capable to be fully drive-steer or brake-by-wire, allowing it to support future autonomous operations. The transmission can support a maximum weight of 70 tons, and it also utilizes a 160 kW starter-generator for the drivetrain. This starter-generator, also known as a modular auxiliary powerpack, is also used for most of the electrical components, and can also run the tank independently for a short period, making it operate in silent. As for the generator cooling, the fans used can be electric or hydraulic, in which the fan speed can be controlled depending on the required air or temperature, allowing the tank to operate in hot or cold areas reliably, and enabling more power to the powertrain or to other necessary electronics. In general, the AZT-60A powertrain has a forward range ratio of 33:1 to 1:1 as well as a backward range ratio of 35:1 to 1.75:1, giving the tank a total of 32 gears. With these in mind, the tank can go 67 kph at road speed and 48kph at off-road conditions. It also uses a retracting-spline final drive, which removes the immediate drive shafts that are used on the JP-2 tank. Overall, it also has a capacity of 19 gallons of transmission oil, and it can use SAE 5W 30, SAE 15W 40, SAE 10W, SHELL SPIRAX S6 ATF 2M, A295, or S4 ATF HDX oil types.

Crew Responsibilities and Platoons

TBA

Variants & Upgrades

• JP-2A1: Unveiled in 2024, the JP-2A1 incorporates designs that were applied and implemented during the development of the JP-2AX, as well as adding further improvements that were earlier recommended by the crew. One of these changes is its bustle autoloader system, which was replaced to JP-2AX standards. This gives the JP-2A better modularity and flexibility when it comes to swapping out bustle modules, making it much easier to maintain or swap, and suited for any mission operation. Furthermore, the JP-2AX bustle also has an outer loading system, allowing the bustle to be easily replenished via manual or automatic means from the outside. The crew ergonomics and space were also improved in the A1 variant, and it also introduces a new streamlined meteorological sensor, which incorporates multiple measurement devices to record outer hyperlocal weather conditions, wind speed/direction, temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity, all in a single device.

JP-2AX Sovereign

• JP-2AX Sovereign: An export variant with an open system architecture, fully modular armor and parts, as well as a new turret design. The JP-2AX Sovereign kept the same composition of vital electronics and placements identical to the JP-2A Arbiter, mainly to ease the training of future operators and allow them to be familiarized with the Arbiter variant before the delivery. It boasts modularity of systems, allowing it to utilize different battle management systems or armaments depending on the user.

Specialized

JP-2-BL

• JP-2-BL: A Bridge layer version which utilizes some system programs from the JP-2, such as automatic bridge alignment and track adjustment systems.

• JP-2A ARM: Also known as the Armored Recovery and Mine-clearing (ARM) vehicle, the JP-2A ARM utilizes the same chassis and engine as the Arbiter, and is used to clear minefields, set up routes along them, recover armored vehicles, and can also work as an engineering vehicle to an extent. It can also be equipped with mine rollers on the front, as well as a mine clearing line charge equipment on the back. It also has a path placer tool, allowing the JP-2 ARM to drive forwards the mine cleared areas, and mark it down with a bright stick or flag to mark and signal a mine-free route. It also has a specialized entrenchment tool on the lower glacis, a foldable crane, and heavy duty cable pulling rope for engineering and vehicle recovery.

Operators

Current Operators

• Janpia - The Janpian Union of Revolutionary Army currently operates over 660x JP-2A Arbiters, with over 300 of them being converted from the earlier JP-2 tank variant. An additional 120x JP-2A has been slated to be commissioned, with a recent order for another 120x Arbiters in A1 configuration. The Revolutionary Council is currently planning to convert all JP-2 and JP-2A to the JP-2A1 variant.
• Joseon - The Great Kingdom of Joseon has procured 92 JP-2AX Sovereigns for evaluation.

See Also

• FV58 Huntsman
• NMT-31 "Dokkaebi"

Reference

File: Systems-JURA-PublicRelease-ARBITER.pdf

File: VaskaroschiExportRelease