YT-1 Caiman Light Tank
| YT-1 Caiman | |
|---|---|
 YT-3 Crocodile MBT on demonstration in Cordoba | |
| Type | Light Tank/Tracked Mobile Gun System |
| Place of origin |  Inyursta |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2000 - present |
| Used by | Inyursta |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Martel Arms |
| Designed | 1993-1996 |
| Unit cost | $Y 6mil |
| Produced | 2000 - present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 24kg (26.5 tons) |
| Length | 7.8m |
| Width | 4m |
| Height | GET NUMBER
|
| Crew | 4 (Commander, driver, loader, gunner) |
| Armor | Spaced laminate armor base layer, ceramic plate-addons with additional NERA |
Main armament | 111mm/"6 Frag" Rifled Cannon |
Secondary armament | Coaxial 7.62x51mm MG and top-mounted GE-3 14.5x120mm heavy machine gun |
| Engine | CPP-1984 640hp |
Operational range | 500 km on internal fuel and energy reserves |
| Speed |
|
The YT-1 Caiman is a "light tank", also considered as an "armored mobile gun system", in service with the Inyurstan Army. Developed as a modification of the IAV-90 hull, the YT-1 features improved armor and firepower, while retaining strategic mobility similar to that of a heavy IFV.
Development
Design Features
Armament
The main armament of the YT-1 is the Mericki-designed 111mm "6-Frag" gun; a rifled cannon
Armor
Application of frontal ceramic applique and NERA brings the rating up from 20mm to over 45mm (unsustained burst fire), while the turret is completely redesigned and can protect the loader from an equal amount. Protection on the sides is increased to 30mm (unsustained burst fire). PEVCOMS ERA
Recent models of the YT-1 Caiman comes equipped with a number of active protection systems, including both hardkill and softkill. Current models use the Maelstrom Multi-Range Hardkill APS, a system using both short-range directed-energy ERA and a ballistic projectile to defeat incoming threats a wide variety of distances from the vehicle. The LIRDA Softkill APS uses a directed infrared beam to "dazzle" and confuse the warheads on laser and infrared guided warheads.
Performance
Electronics
SICA (Systèméa D'Integration Combatte Área) is a net-centric software that allows the tank to receive necessary uplinks from other Inyurstan units operating nearby. An additional Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) is equipped, set to the SACTOCOM-I standard.