Tiger Tank
| Panther Tank | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1988 - Present |
| Used by | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer |
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| Produced | 1987 - Present |
| Variants |
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| Specifications | |
| Weight | 33,670 kg (74,230 lb) |
| Length | Gun forward 9.12 m (29.9 ft) Hull: 7.05 m (23.1 ft) |
| Width | 3.41 m (11.2 ft) |
| Height | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Armor | Steel protection with combination of composite and reactive armors |
Main armament | 105mm smoothbore gun (42 rounds) |
Secondary armament | RCWS with 12.7mm HMG and AGL |
| Engine | Scorpion S150 Diesel Engine 850 metric horsepower (634 kW) |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
Operational range | 490 km (300 mi) |
| Speed | 70 kilometres per hour (43.5 mph) (Maximum, flat) |
The Panther Tank (officially designated as the B2 Panther) is a third generation medium tank developed as a joint venture by Daoan, Kainuinoan and Kajeran defense contractors and serves as the standard medium tank of all three countries. The Panther has been in service since 1988, then known as the B1 Panther, and has since been upgraded into the B2 version which entered service in 2009. The Panther tank was originally proposed and envisioned as main battle tank (MBT) by Kainuinoan military planners. The investment of funds and resources in the development of an MBT however became a point of in the Daoan and Kajeran armed forces as the two nations were largely achipelagic countries with soft terrain where a heavy MBT would have trouble traversing. However both countries recognized the need for an armored vehicle with a larger firepower than an infantry fighting vehicle but not as heavy as a main battle tank. After careful consideration and research the Panther evolved from a main battle tank into a medium tank with the final design approved by the RAFI in 1986. Its most modern evolution, the B2 Panther, is crewed by a 3-man crew (one commander, gunner & driver) and powered by a Scorpion S150 Diesel Engine providing 850 metric horsepower (634 kW) of power. Its primary armament is an autoloading 105mm smoothbore gun with a maximum capacity of 42 shells. The B2 Panther can be equipped with a wide array of ammunition types which includes kinetic-based shells of the armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) variety, high-explosive anti-tank / high-explosive (HE) rounds and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). APFSDS, HEAT shells and ATGMs are generally used against heavily armored targets such as other tanks whereas HE shells are used against enemy infantry, light or unarmored vehicles, buildings and fortifications. The Panther's APFSDS shells are capable of penetrating armored steel at 2,000 meters (1.2 miles). For better performance against the armor of main battle tanks, Panther operators would generally use the 105 mm gun-launched ATGM in tandem with HEAT warheads that offers a higher degree of penetration. The Panther's ATGM is also reportedly capable of engaging unsuspecting low-flying helicopters. Its secondary armament is comprised of a remotely controlled weapon station that is equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. To lower costs the RCWs platform can be replaced with a crew-operated weapon station.
B2 Panthers are equipped with a suite of modern sensory and fire control systems which includes an advanced ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, meteorological sensors, gunner thermal imaging sight, milimeter-wave radar and a commander's panoramic sight. The fire control system is capable of supporting automatic target trackimg, commander takeover and hunter-kiler capabilities. A laser warning sensor system can detect incoming rangefinding and anti-tank missiles and if the Panther's defense systems detects it is being illuminated by a hostile laser beam the system automatically deploys smoke grenades via dischargers located in the rear of the tank's turret. All models are equipped with air conditioning system, command and control euqipment, an integrated battlefield management system, automated fire suppression system and oxygen production equipment for crew. Standard versions of the Panther are all equipped with a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection suite. Like the Badger MTV 3 it a built-in diagnostic system is installed that will notify vehicle operators for any potential or already occurred failures in the vehicle's hardwares and softwares allowing the Panther's crew to repair potential issues before it becomes a problem. For navigation the B2 Panther is provided with both an inertial navigation and satellite navigation systems. To increase crew survivability the ammunition of a Panther tank is retrieved from an autoloader in the vehicle's tail with blowout panels. Ammunition is stored in the turret bustle for increaseds afety. The Panther can be outfitted with one of two sets of armor packages, each providing different tactical mobility. The basic armor package of a Panther includes steel armor protection with layers of advanced composite armor that covers key components of the tank, namely the turret, hull and two sides. Additional lightweight explosive reactive armor (ERA) plates protects the front hull. The enchanced armor protection version includes thicker ERA blocks installed which covers the whole turret and hull. ERA mounted armor-skirt and slat armor is also added on the sides and rear of the tank's hull. While the enchanced armor package reduces the vehicle's mobility it does offer a higher degree of survivability for the tank crew and is generally used for open area battles.
Variants
- B2 Panther
- Standard modernized version of the Panther, equipped with the basic armor package.
- B2 Panther AA
- SPAAG version of the Panther where the 105mm turret is replaced with a Defender 35mm anti-aircraft gun.
- B2 Panther ABV
- Armored breaching vehicle (ABV) variant dedicated to mine and explosive clearing roles. It is equipped with a mine plow and line charges.
- B2 Panther ARV
- Armoured recovery vehicle version of the Panther that is installed with a bulldozer and crane with an integral winch. It is equpped with a 12.7mm machine gun platform that can be either crewed or installed as part of a RCWS platform for self-defense.
- B2 Panther AVLB
- Armoured vehicle-launched bridge variant that is developed from the B2 Panther's chasis.
- B2 Panther TRA
- Non-combat version of the B2 Panther used for training purposes. The 105mm turret is replaced with an observation cab with windows ass well as a dummy RCWS platform. The instructur has their own personal control panel and pedals that can override critical systems in the event of an emergency. This verison of the panther supports 5 crew (1 instructur, 1 learning student and 3 observers).
Operators
