FV.50 Guardian

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FV.50 Guardian
8896701 original 1 .jpg
Guardian Mk.2
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originA&L
Service history
In service2004-present
WarsUmmayan Civil War
Aravalli War
One-Month War
Production history
Designed1988-1996
ManufacturerROF Blackwater
Produced1998-present
No. built>560
VariantsARRV
AVRE
AVLB
Specifications
Weight64 tons
75 tons with armour modules.
Length8.1 (Hull)
Width3.8 (4.2m w/ armour modules)
Height2.7 (Turret Roof)
Crew4 (Commander, driver, gunner, loader)

ArmorHybrid composite armour, IRHA plates, NxRA tiles, composite tiles on hull, rubber, and fibreglass spall lining.
Main
armament
Mk.1 and Mk.2: RA-120mm 55 calibre smoothbore gun
Mk.3: RA-130mm 52 calibre smoothbore gun
42 rounds, 25 in autoloader
Secondary
armament
7.62mm coaxial chain gun
7.62mm loader-hatch machine gun
7.62mm commander-hatch machine gun or optional 12.7mm RWS
Engine12-cylinder opposing-piston, multi-fuel engine. 1,900 hp (1,397kW).
Power/weight25.3 hp/t
SuspensionIn-Arm hydractive suspension
Operational
range
~500km
Speed68 km/h (42 mph) On-road
54 km/h (34 mph) Off-road

The FV.50 Guardian is a third-generation main battle tank in service with Anglia and Lechernt as a replacement for the MBT-80 Challenger. It entered operational service with the Crown Army in 2004.

It was designed by the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (MVEE), ordered by the Ministry of Defence to develop a main battle tank to retain parity with newer armour being developed in Septentrion. The Guardian has four crew members consisting of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The main armament is a 120mm 55 calibre smoothbore gun built by Royal Arsenal, an improved version of the earlier 120mm 44 calibre smoothbore gun used on the Challenger.

The Guardian completely replaced the Challenger in service with the Crown Army, and in 2005 would make its combat debut in the Ummayan Civil War, where the Guardian would quickly earn a reputation as being one of the most capable MBTs in Septentrion.

Development

While still a formidable platform it was clear that the MBT-80 Challenger was being superseded as newer armour was being developed and operated in Casaterra and Hemithea. The Ministry of Defence requested the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment to begin development of an MBT that could go head-to-head with the latest tanks being fielded by other nations.

Some work on further development of the Challenger had been ongoing since 1984 at the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment, and several experimental vehicles were produced, including one with new experimental composite armour. After the request from the MoD to start work on a new tank, it was announced that these concepts would be brought together in a new design built from the ground up.

Design

Operational history

Variants

Operators