T13125 Atlos
| T13125 Atlos | |
|---|---|
 T13125M1 | |
| Type | Main Battle Tank |
| Place of origin |  Sante Reze  Orun Redisus |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2013 to present |
| Used by | ZXXX Royal Orun Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | XX Anacom Industries |
| No. built | 421 |
| Variants | T13125M1, T13125M2, T13125M3 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 55 tons |
| Length | 8.8 meters |
| Width | 4.27 meters |
| Height | 3.23 meters |
| Crew | 3 |
Main armament | 125mm G05T L/61 LightPack smoothbore gun |
Secondary armament | 2 x 7.54mm GMG3 machine guns |
| Engine | Pantra S32 V12 Turbodiesel engine 870 hp |
| Transmission | hydrostatic transmission |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic suspension |
Operational range | 490 km, 650 with external tanks |
| Speed | 60km/ph |
The T13125 is a new Fourth Generation Main Battle Tank developed by Sante Reze in cooperation with Orun Redisus. It was designed by XXX in cooperation with Anacom Industries to eventually replace the XXX tanks in service with the XXX and the T80125 tanks in service with the Royal Orun Army. The tank entered production at the in 2013. Many of the concepts employed on the vehicle are new developments and as such, the tank remains technologically complex and expensive to produce. This has resulted in many older T80125 tanks remaining in service. Its complexity and cost has resulted in far less export success than previous models and it is unlikely they it will fully replace older models for several years.
Development
The T13125 was conceived in early 2003 as XXX began to seek a replacement for older models, which were based on a 20 year old chassis that was becoming dated. XXX put out a contract for the development in 2004 and various firms took up the contract. Midway through initial development negotiations with Orun Redisus, who was also seeking a newer battle tank, were concluded and both nations began to work on the unit. Alderia Armaments proposed the T80125M8 and presented it in 2005 as a possible contender. It applied significant upgrades to the tank and updated the chassis and engine package and offered it as a viable, cheaper solution to a new tank. Despite this, it was rejected due to its reliance on the T80125 base platform. The Reze firm XXX presented a fully functional prototype in 2010 after multiple years of development. The prototype tests revealed it was an entirely new platform that borrowed components from older units to cut costs but did not utilize its base platform. Initial testing was done with a 130mm main gun. The XF0T5 130mm gun performed admirably but once the costs of producing a new stock of ammunition were calculated along with the vast stocks of 125mm shells that were already available, it was determined that 125mm would be the ideal caliber for the new tank. After three years of initial testing, the unit was accepted and produced as the T13125 Atlos MBT.
In mid 2018, a prototype featuring the 135mm gun was tested against a 155mm proposal model. it was determined that the new 135mm weapon performed admirably compared to the 155mm. Despite ammunition stocks not existing for the weapon, it was determined that the additional power of the weapon would balance out the costs of establishing ammunition stocks. The T13135 was greenlighted for limited production testing in 2020 with a planned end of year 2021 production switch over provided a viable proposal for rapidly building up 135mm ammunition was accepted.
Design
The Atlos was designed on a chassis that was developed with components from the T80125 for logistics similarity. The vast majority of the drivetrain configuration was redesigned significantly. As a base for the tank, a variant of one of the most popular engines from Pantra Automotive for military applications was to be utilized. The power was considered more than adequate for the weight and gave the vehicle a good top speed. A hydrostatic transmission module effectively transfers engine power to the wheels. Newly developed hydropneumatic suspension makes the ride smoother as well as increased ease for firing on the move. Interior space was rearranged by placing the driver to the right of the turret in the hull behind the protective arc of the frontal non-explosive reactive armor. The gunner resides in the turret and the commander may choose to use the turret periscope or a dedicated commander's station next to the driver.
The tank features a cast-steel turret, which is nearly as strong as rolled homogeneous steel, but measurably cheaper. The MBT would be the first heavy application of the Advanced Modular Armor System (AMAS). The chassis of the vehicle has the ability to mount different types of armored panels on the unit in various configurations with the ability to combine panels into layers. This system, developed jointly by SR and OR at the Phyrgus Institute of Technology, allows Atlos vehicles to be mission equipped with appropriate protection for the threat pattern the vehicle will be facing. Atlos tanks are produced without armor and equipped with vehicle specific panels by the individual unit operating them.
In addition to armor, the vehicle utilizes the BroadShield Active Protection System, which consists of several softkill methods of defending the vehicle. Two active jamming field emitters are designed as the first line of defense, emitting different frequencies in rapid succession around the tank in an attempt to confuse an incoming guided weapon. For IR guided missiles, an IR strobe combined with a medium output laser device allows the vehicle to have an effective shot at confusing the incoming missile. The tank is equipped with a smoke grenade and chaff launcher as well for another line of defense.
The tank represents the most advanced bundle of technology available in Aegion placed together in one package. An automated VN44 Rapier Fire Control Computer combines full main gun stabilization, targeting, sight adjustment, and target identification. It has an integrated Laser Range Finder and a Friend/Foe identification system that can identify a friendly vehicle in milliseconds. The computer also integrates several cameras that together can be utilized for 360 degree visibility. IT also allows the crew to use various filters, such as FLIR, UV, low visibility vision, and conventional. The periscope consists of high definition digital cameras that are capable of a very close zoom and can rotate 360 degrees. The fire control computer is also capable of firing on low flying helicopters with a high accuracy rating. Important readings such as pressure in the gun and autoloader status are also shown. A revolving autoloader that holds seven ready rounds allows the tank to fire off rounds in extremely quick succession before the loader must reload the system. A radar unit with a range of roughly thirty kilometers, utilizing micro antenna, allow the fire control system to be fully aware of enemies and send the information to the navigation screen, providing up to date info on enemy vehicle locations. The system also integrates an advanced ballistics computer, which is capable of, in milliseconds, detecting an incoming enemy shell utilizing short wave radar bands and plot where it will hit exactly and what sort of damage it could cause based on what it might be.
One of the most advanced features of the tank is the Damage Management System, which consists of various electronic sensors running throughout the tank back into a central computer. The computer is capable of being fully aware of the condition of the armor, gun, engine, tracks, drivetrain, and turret. When a hit is taken, the computer quickly assesses the damage that was caused, whether it be to the tank or to the armor that blocked the shot. Real time data is sent to the driver and commander on vehicle integrity. When the vehicle sustains major damage, the computer will give a list of options that the crew can use. It also is responsible for engine status. Pressure within the turbochargers, temperature, oil pressure, fluid levels, and other important information can be quickly accessed. A separate computer module controls the Environmental Protection System. This combines NBC protection as well as automated fire suppression and ammunition stowage protection. Small rubber hoses running throughout the tank can discharge firefighting chemicals in key areas, such as the ammunition stowage and engine compartments. The system keeps chemical sprays away from the crew with redirection nozzles. Internal air filers and drop down gas masks allow the crew to survive the cab being sprayed full of chemical fire fighting agents. The NBC system is also automated, with an advanced Geiger counter built in, as well as full air testing capabilities. When an NBC agent is detected, the system will activate automatically. It can be activated manually, however. A water filter, air filter, and complete internal sealing against air and radiation can be employed.
The navigation portion is also handled separately by a computer unit. The tank uses satellite navigation along with updated radar information to build an accurate, real time map on the screen for the crew to utilize. The navigation system ties directly into the Battle Management System, which links the vehicle with all other vehicles and ships operated by the Legion. Coordination can quickly be established with other allied vehicles to build missions and give instructions and aid allied vehicles without having to wait for input from an officer. The system links over an encrypted satellite to one of the Oracle Super Computers, which are based in the capital and can calculate scenarios and strategies based on trillions of gigabytes of information from sources all around the world.
Armament
The main armament of the Atlos is a LG125 Light Pack cannon. The cannon was named Light Pack due to its design being crafted of lighter materials where possible top reduce weight and the ergonomically arranged installation plan. Crew space was to be maximized while still retaining the maximum amount of firepower and chamber pressure possible. The cannon is fully integrated with the fire control computer, which also acts as the weapons management computer. The seven round revolver style autoloader can be quickly emptied with the hydraulic powered rammer behind the mechanism. The presence of a hydraulic component poses some risk to the crew, but the risk was minimized via a computer sensor that can detect if someone is close enough to the hydraulic rammer to be injured and warn them.
The gun is capable of firing all of the most common tank munitions including HEAT, HESH, AP, HE, APDS, APFSDS, and much more. Development of a thermobaric round for use in urban combat is rumored to be under way. The barrel is designed with a built in cooling sleeve that cycles water through the system via a small on board supply and discharges heat at the same location as the engine does. The internal barrel is also lined with heat resistance composites and metals to reduce wear and tear. These two features in tandem allows the tank to fire rapidly for long periods of time and reduces the frequency in which the gun barrel needs to be replaced.
The vehicle also features two machine guns for use against infantry and lightly armored targets. One is static and is aimed by turning the turret. The second one can be controlled remotely from inside the vehicle by the commander and is built into an armored pod to protect the inner workings of the gun from the weather and from damage.
Variants
Prototypes
- XT13130A - Initial prototype equipped with a proposed 130mm main cannon. Tests revealed that it performed well, but rejected due to the uncommon ammunition compatibility.
- XT13125B - First vehicle equipped with a 125mm main gun, changing the designation to 125 from 130. The older gas turbine from the previous generation T80125 was to be the main engine but was rejected due to its age, forcing this prototype to be rejected.
- XT13125C - Test bed featuring a diesel engine instead of the gas turbine. The mechanical and drive components were tested in this standalone model and proved satisfactory.
- XT13125D - Fully equipped production model for testing purposes. Performance proved satisfactory after a battery of rigorous tests on all of the vehicle's systems.
Variants
- T13125M1 - Initial production model entering production in March of 2013. Forty were produced before an issue with barrel durability was discovered, causing barrels to have to be swapped far more quickly than standard. The firefighting system would also periodically spring leaks due to the excessive heat the hoses were exposed to.
- T13125XC - Limited production model of the XT13125C prototype for technology test bed purposes. Fifteen vehicles were procured for fitting and testing future upgrades.
- T13125M2 - Produced with a barrel cooling sleeve and a carbon ceramic barrel lining to reduce wear and make each barrel last longer. Internal hosing for the fire suppression system was swapped out with higher grade treated rubber that could withstand even hotter temperatures to avoid leaks.
- T13125M3 - Production model which entered production in November of 2014. Includes an upgraded engine with electric motor assists on both of the primary drive sprockets, creating a hybrid drive armored vehicle. Internal systems were rearranged slightly to increase available space for crewmen to move around the vehicle. The addition of a hardkill point defense system to the APS was successfully tested.
- T13125MJ - (Abbreviated to M3J) Vehicle equipped specifically for deep jungle environments. Fine filters were added to the air intake to keep water and other particles out of the engine. The interior and electronics storage spaces are equipped with dehumidifers in order to remove excess moisture. A detachable dozer blade and increased water fording ability allows the unit to adapt to harsh jungle terrain and cross deep bogs.
T13135
- T13135-XT1 - Prototype variant of 2 vehicles designed to test the newly released 13.5cm T135a L/52 main gun. The chassis on the unit underwent a slight lengthening and an improved Hybrid Drive Propulsion Unit was installed on the vehicle. The 135 features the newly released Aegis Core Master Processing Suite designed to combine all of the vehicle's computing systems into one package and equip a fully automated turret. This variant has not been integrated into any front line units and has simply been undergoing prototype testing. No production variant has been proposed as of yet.
- T13135-M1 - Conventional variant of the T3135 lacking the Aegis system in order to allow adoption of new upgrades like the improved hybrid system. Accepted as the new production variant in November of 2020. Slated to enter production in early 2022 to replace frontline 125 units with the oldest production models.
Other
- XIFV1630 - IFV based off of the T13125 chassis. Tested in 2016 but never made it past the prototype stage.