UC-42 Léon
| UC-42 Léon | |
|---|---|
 An Exersito Iverica UC-42 in 2017 | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  Iverica |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008-present |
| Used by |  Duchy of Verde  Gallambria  Girkmand  Greater Galicia Greater Galicia Iverica |
| Production history | |
| Designer | [Arms Manufacturing] |
| Designed | 2004-2007 (A1) |
| Manufacturer | Arx Arms Manufacturing |
| Unit cost | A1: $10.5 million (FY2021) A2: $13.5 million (FY2021) E1: $9.5 million (FY2021) U1: $14 million (FY2021) |
| Produced | A1: 2008-present |
| No. built | 911 |
| Variants | UC-42-A1 UC-42-A2 UC-42-E1 UC-42-U1 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 42 tonnes (Level I: baseline armour) 48 tonnes (Level II: composite applique) 52 tonnes (Level III: composite w/ ERA) |
| Length | 10.24 m (33.6 ft) (gun forward) 8.25 m (27.1 ft) (hull only) |
| Width | 3.4 m (11 ft) 3.45 m (11.3 ft) (w/skirts) |
| Height | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) (max) 2 m (6.6 ft) (min) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Armor | Level I: Toledo Composite Pattern 3 (nanometric laminated with soft composites) Level II: Applique ceramic composite armor Additional Applique explosive reactive armour |
Main armament | 128 mm L/51 ARX 128-1 LSG smoothbore gun |
Secondary armament | 1 × 8.6 mm machine gun (coaxial) 1 × 12.7 mm (RWS) |
| Engine | A1, E1: Toledo Heavy Industries 4D8PV-N 4-stroke 22.6-litre diesel V8 engine A2, U1: Toledo Heavy Industries 4D10PV-N 4-stroke 28.1-litre diesel V10 engine A1, E1: 1,200 hp (890 kW)/2300 rpm A2, U1: 1,200 hp (890 kW)/1800 rpm |
| Power/weight | 28.57 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic suspension |
Operational range | A1: 480 km (300 mi) A2: 600 km (370 mi) |
| Speed | Road: 70 km/h (43 mph) Off road: 70 km/h (43 mph) |
Steering system | Drive by wire |
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The UC-42 Léon is a fourth-generation main battle tank produced by Arx Arms Manufacturing Co.. A result of the Universal Combat Vehicle Programme, the tank entered service in 2008 with the Iverican Republican Armed Service. The UC-42 is equipped for Network-centric warfare in addition to its ability to engage vehicles at stand-off ranges. The UC-42 also features advanced sensors such as radar and infrared systems that contribute to its survivability.
History
In 1999, the Iverican Office of Military Technology was tasked to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the Arx G-58 in-service as the primary main battle tank of the Iverican Army and the Republican Marine Regiments. The study found that poor fuel economy coupled with the system's high tonnage made its deployment in hilly, mountainous and coastal areas of Iverica difficult. Furthermore, the Iverican Navy had previously noted the transportation challenge the vehicle posed to amphibious operations in foreign training operations.
By 2001, the Ministry of Defence requested tenders from Iverican military land system designers. Among the participating companies was Arx Arms Manufacturing, which had been developing the Universal Combat Vehicle programme modules and chassis designs since 1991. Design requirements were particularly strict on a 40-tonne baseline weight, a gun armament that could penentrate armour exceeding 1200mm in effective thickness using a sabot projectile while also being capable of firing gun-launched ATGMs, had a top-speed of at least 65 kph, and could accomodate the newly developed Nousphera C4I system.
After a deliberation process wherein the Office of Military Technology and Ministry of Defence reviewed tenders submitted by contender entries from Cavallero Heavy Auto and Granada DynamiCo, Arx Arms was awarded the contract. After a lengthy post-bid review process, development was allowed to begin in January of 2004.
[TBA]
Design
The UC-42 is a 42-tonne metric tonne main battle tank built to be compatible with many Universal Combat Vehicle modules. The chassis allows for reduction of weight or instalments of modular kits for greater armour protection, electronic warfare, and C4I roles. It is designed especially to handle mountainous or archipelagic topography with hydraulic-pneumatic suspension and a high power-to-weight ratio. Design objectives included an emphasis on mobility and modularity to allow for more efficient and more economic logistical handling in air-mobile and amphibious scenarios.
The main armament is a 12.8 cm ARX smoothbore gun capable of firing MP-T, Sabot, HEAT, and ATGM ammunition. The Léon may also carry additional pintle-mounted 12.7mm heavy machinegun. Protection includes a 2 additional levels of applique protection including ballistic-ceramic composite and explosive-reactive armour.
Crew safety measures include CBRN protection, a FM-200 fire-suppression system, and bulkhead separation and blow-off panels for ammunition storage. For protection against enemy fire, the UC-42 uses a hard-kill active protection system.
Sensors include J-Band multifunction radar, an AESA pulse-doppler fire-control radar for an Active Protection System and infrared warning and proximity sensors.
[Edits required]