Type 73 Seungli-ho

Type 73 Seungli-ho
Type 73 Seungli-ho
	File:Type 73 II.png Type 73 Seungli-ho III (1991, below)
Type	Main Battle Tank
Place of origin	DSRA
Service history
In service	1973-present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Nazali War, Kolenomese War of Liberation, Myrdesia War, South Ashizwe Border War, Seubyeni Islands Crisis
Production history
Designer	Bulgakko Heavy Industries; Huadai Precision Industries
Designed	1967-1972
Manufacturer	Huadai Precision Industries
Unit cost	In FY2014 dollars: Type 73 Seungli-ho IIE: UR$0.7 million; Type 73 Seungli-ho III: UR$3.1 million; Type 86 Amsalja-ho I: UR$3.5 million;
Produced	1973-present
No. built	15,000+
Specifications (Type 73 Seungli-ho IB)
Weight	39.5 tonnes (empty); 42.4 tonnes (combat weight)
Length	?.?m (hull); ??.?m (gun forward)
Width	?.?m (hull)
Height	?.?m (turret roof)
Crew	3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armor	Glass-reinforced plastic sandwiched between layers of steel with areas of rolled homogeneous armour, Explosive reactive armour plates optional.
Main; armament	125mm TGI CM125-1D/L52 smoothbore gun (28 ready in bustle autoloader, 17 rounds in protected hull storage)
Secondary; armament	Esk-62AG 7.62x54mm machine-gun (co-axial, 2,000 rounds) ; Esk-12AG HMG 12.7x108mm heavy machine-gun (pintle-mounted, 1,200 rounds)
Engine	Goungsung supercharged GHP-V12G-6A1 two-stroke V12 air-cooled diesel engine in powerpack; 850 hp (634 kW)
Power/weight	20.04 hp/tonne
Transmission	Kyoungcho KGI AHT-16B-6F1R hydromechanical automatic transmission (6 forward gears, 1 reverse gears) in powerpack
Suspension	Torsion bar
Ground clearance	Varies
Fuel capacity	1,280 litres (internal)
Operational; range	500km (internal fuel, road); 700km (with external stores)
Speed	68km/h (on road); 48km/h (cross-country);

The Type 73 Seungli-ho (Anikatian: 유형 73 승리호 yuhyeong 73 seungliho) which means "Victory" in Anikatian, is a main battle tank of the of the Anikatian Ground Force (AGF). It was built by Huadai Precision Industries it became a standard tank in the Anikatian arsenal, partly replacing the Type 65 Bohoja-ho, although that tank continued to be manufactured in the DSRA. The Type 73 entered full production in 1973 and became the main tank for DSRA and subsequently for the armies of many Otterup Pact countries, and others. Thousands of Type 73 tanks were built, making it one of the most widely produced Cold War tanks. The Type 73 was widely exported and saw service in many countries and was involved in numerous armed conflicts during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Improved variants are still in service and being built for export customers.

History and development

The development of the Type 73 Seungli-ho was a direct result of the introduction of the Type 65 Bohoja-ho tank, which was a very ambitious project to build a competitive tank with a weight of not more than 36 tonnes under the direction of previous government. To achieve that goal the crew was reduced to three soldiers, saving the loader by introducing an automated loading system. This and other steps allowed a reduced weight, but caused problems when looking for a reliable engine to fit in the smaller hull.

The production of the Type 65 Bohoja-ho with a 105-mm gun began in 1965, but plans to build the Type 65 Bohoja-ho IB with a more powerful 125-mm gun had already been made back in 1963. Problems with the first batch of Type 65 Bohoja-ho tanks were centred around the new innovative Bulgakko BHE-F10G-5A1 flat engine 750 hp engine and the auto loading mechanism. While the engine was compact and light it was also very expensive, unreliable and far more complex repair and maintain.

Since the 1967 Revolution and the new socialist government found that previous financial aid, assistance and technical knowledge from former allies like Belfras was sudden gone and it was facing a hostile climate internationally. It was therefore decided a cheaper and much more reliable Goungsung Engineering Works GHP-V12G-6A1 engine 850 hp (634 kW) was to be developed as the Bulgakko BHE-F10G-5A1 was too complex and its production twice as costly as the GHP-V12G-6A1 engine. Additional changes were made to the automatic loading system, which also was taken from an earlier project. Ammunition, consisting of a separate projectile and a propellant charge was now stored horizontally on two levels, not vertically on one level like in the Type 65 Bohoja-ho. It was said to be more reliable than the Type 65 autoloader.

Design

Armament

The Type 73 Seungli-ho is equipped with the 125 mm (4.9 in) TGI CM125-1D/L52 smoothbore gun, as is typical of DSRA tanks, the gun is capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles, as well as standard main gun ammunition, including HEAT and APFSDS rounds. The main gun of the Type 73 has a mean error of 1 m (39.4 in) at a range of 1,800 m (1,968.5 yd).

Protection

Armour protection of the Type 73 Seungli-ho was strengthened with each succeeding generation. The original Type 73 turret is made from conventional cast armour. It is believed the maximum thickness is 280 mm (11 in), the nose is about 80 mm (3.1 in). The glacis of the new laminated armour is 200 mm (7.9 in) thick, which when inclined gives about 500–600 mm (20–24 in) thickness along the line of sight. Late model Type 73s featured composite armour protection and explosive reactive armour (ERA), which increased protection primarily against HEAT type weapons. The export versions often featured a different armour protection compared to the DSRA models, they usually had slightly thinner armour which offered less protection.

Mobility

The Type 73 Seungli-ho uses a Goungsung Engineering Works GHP-V12G-6A1 engine mated to a Kyoungcho KGI AHT-16B-6F1R hydromechanical automatic transmission (6 forward gears, 1 reverse gears). The Goungsung V-12 was chosen because it cheaper to product being a much simpler and at the time more reliable design to produce as the Bulgakko BHE-F10G-5A1 which was using the Type 65 Bohoja-ho tank was too complex and its production twice as costly as the GHP-V12G-6A1 engine.

Crew Amenities and Survivability

A unique feature of Anikatian tank design following the traditional from Belfrasian tanks, the Type 73 features storage units at the rear for storing personal belongings and contains a boiling vessel for water which can be used to brew tea, produce other hot beverages and heat boil-in-the-bag meals contained in field ration packs.

Variants

Type 73 Seungli-ho IA: Pre-production prototype lacks skirts, radio, snorkel, about 15 tanks produced.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IB: Intial production version, armed with the TGI CM125-1A/L48 125 mm smoothbore tank gun and optical coincidence rangefinder, skirts and a modified sight.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IK: Command version, with a ODEL-12M radio and its 10 m (33 ft) telescoping antenna, a AKI-1 navigation system, without antiaircraft machine gun, carrying 38 rounds of main gun ammunition.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IM: Added laser rangefinder and electronic fire control, turret front and top being heavily reinforced with composite armour, provisions for mounting reactive armor, smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards, internal changes. The angle of the front armour slope was changed to 30 degrees. 100% metal side-skirts protecting sides of the hull, added armour screens protecting the turret, ammo storage was increased to 45 rounds, modified suspension, added smoke grenade dischargers (SGDs).
Type 73 Seungli-ho IE: Export "Monkey model" version, similar to Type 73 Seungli-ho IM but lacking composite armour and with downgraded weapon systems, such as a lack of fire-control systems.
Type 73 Seungli-ho II: Fitted with redesigned armour, equipped with a new semi-computerised fire control system, added new explosive-reactive armour for protection from the HEAT and APFSDS round, additional armour array around turret with flat-face frontal aspect, MB smoke grenade dischargers on each side of turret. Improved environmental systems providing better desert and cold weather performance.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IIK: Command version of Type 73 Seungli-ho II, with additional communication and navigation equipment.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IIE: Export "Monkey model" version, similar to Type 73 Seungli-ho IM but lacking composite armour and with downgraded fire control and weapon systems.
Type 73 Seungli-ho III: Modernisation featuring an updated TGI CM125-1G/L52 main gun, TGI-15-8 gunner sights, new ballistic computer to reduce crew firing calculations and improve accuracy, and new thermal sight to provide night/day all weather combat capabilities. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel, composite armour, smoke mortars, Jeopchok-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret, laser warning receivers, infrared ATGM jamming system. Engine's power was boosted to 1,000 hp (745 kW) by switching from a supercharger to a twin-turbocharged setup. Tank combat weight increased to 45 tonnes, giving a power to weight ratio of 22.22 horsepower per metric ton.
Type 73 Seungli-ho IIIK: Command version of Type 73 Seungli-ho III, with additional communication and navigation equipment.
Type 86 Amsalja-ho I: This is a further development of the Type 73 Seungli-ho, began in late 1980s responding to the latest threats and developments in armoured warfare. It was initially called Type 73 Seungli-ho IV, before being renamed to Type 86 Amsalija-ho I, which means "Assassin". It is deep modernisation of featuring advanced Jeopchok-5 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret, redesign of the old turret design, which is equipped with a new advanced fire control system that integrated combat information and control systems, also contains a satellite navigation systems, a new automatic loader and refinements to gun and the auto stabilizer. A new turbocharged liquid cooled Kyoungcho KGI-V12F-6D5 four-stroke V12 multifuel engine in powerpack producing 1,200 hp (895 kW) with an enhanced environmental control system. Tank combat weight increased to 47 tonnes, giving an power to weight ratio of 25.53 horsepower per metric ton.
Type 86 Amsalja-ho IK: Command version of Type 86 Amsalja-ho I, with additional communication and navigation equipment.
Type 86 Amsalja-ho IM: This is a further development following the end of the DSRA which incorporates many new features from new M9 Hunter tanks of the Anikatian Ground Force. It is a deep modernisation featuring substantial updates to the weapons control systems and also contains advanced satellite navigation systems, a new automatic loader and refinements to gun and the auto-stabilizer. This version also features the new advanced 3rd generation Yumul explosive reactive armour and a remote-controlled anti-aircraft gun. The turbocharged liquid cooled Kyoungcho KGI-V12H-6D5 four-stroke V12 multifuel engine in powerpack was improved now producing 1,450 hp (1,081 kW) with an enhanced environmental control system. Tank combat weight increased to 48 tonnes, giving a power to weight ratio of 30.21 horsepower per metric ton.
Ajeya: The Madrastan Army procured over 2,000 Type 73 IIE in the 1980s and 1990s. Designated the 'Ajeya', early batches were imported directly from the DSRA, while others were produced domestically under license. The vast majority were upgraded to the Ajeya Mk. 2 configuration from the late-90s onwards, featuring bricks of ERA for improved performance against HEAT munitions, a thermal gun sight for the gunner's station and a panoramic day sight for the commander, a new digital ballistic computer, improved stabilisation for the main gun and compatibility with gun-launched anti-tank missiles. Roughly 50% of the Mk. 2 vehicles in the Madrastan Army's inventory were in turn upgraded to the Mk. 3 configuration, adding a second panoramic thermal sight for the commander's station and featuring applique composite modules consisting of a laminate of titanium, ceramics and rubber, as well as APFSDS-resistant heavy-ERA. Quantities of Ajeya bridge-layers, armoured recovery vehicles and armoured engineering vehicles are also in service.
HTD-75 Vak: Hornatyian upgrade. The unique compact design of the Hornatyian-developed HTD-75 Vak power pack, based on that of the HT-66P2 Rýchly , made it possible not only to considerably increase the power capabilities of the vehicle, but also to introduce into the vehicle design a troop compartment. The troop compartment is located between the fighting compartment and the power pack compartment. In the troop compartment roof there is a set of three hatches in slightly raised portion of the hull roof behind turret that allow the troops to get in or dismount the vehicle. There are also steps on the end of each catwalk at rear of vehicle. The main visual difference between HTD-75 Vak and Type 73 Seungli-ho is a seventh pair of roadwheels.
Mshindi: This model was built under license by Bingwa Mifumo ya Ulinzi in Saarland. It represents a significant effort by the Peoples Republic of Saarland produce an indigenous tank, although most of the vehicles produced were simply combinations of assistance and parts obtained from other Otterup Pact nations, primarily Anikatia, Estovnia, and Tule, put together in Saarland factories, and featured some electronic and add-on armored options installed after construction was completed.

File:Type 73-120.png

Ps 122

Ps 122: The Pansarvagn 122 is an Estovnian modernization of imported Type 73 IEs and domestically produced Type 73 IIs. Considered to be an evolution of the tank rather than a deviation, the Ps 122 incorporates many design influences seen from Free Pardes tanks captured during the Myrdesia War. These features include the transition from a carousel to a bustle autoloader, newer composite armor for increased ammo and crew protection, new 120mm high velocity gun reverse engineered from Belfrasian 120mm guns captured during the 1989 Viljland Conflict, improved digital fire control system, and improved night fighting capabilities
T-83: The T-83 used similar design principles as the Type 73, however early models, which were based off the export Type 73s, were considered just on par with them. Much heavier due to an attempt to balance poor metallurgy processes and lack of composite armor technology with thicker steel armor arrays. Later models have new armor arrays and advanced fire control systems.

Service history

DSRA

During the Seulbyeni Islands Crisis, the Type 73 was a primary tank used by the Anikatian People's Army. The DSRA used tanks in invasion of the Seulbyeni Islands face no opposition on the initial operations, although a few suffered damage by Molotov cocktails and antitank weapons. Otterup Pact sources claim that the tank especially Type 86 Amsalija-ho shocked the Arthuristan forces and achieve success on the battlefield with minimal losses.

Anikatia

The Type 73 Seungli-ho and the deep modernisation Type 86 Amsalija-ho make up the bulk of the post-DSRA military tank force. The Anikatian Army has 2,830 Type 73 Seungli-ho or Type 86 Amsalija-ho's and variants in active service with thousands more in reserve. During the 2001 fall of the DSRA military leaders ordered the use of tanks against protesters in Antiytia. However they were then ordered not to fire on the protesters and eventually withdrawn by order of the General Secretary Liu Kasym.

Nazali

In the later years of the Nazali War the DSRA sent a number of Type 73 Seungli-hos. Otterup Pact sources claim that the tank had success against the latest tanks from Free Pardes and that no Type 73 Seungli-ho's were lost. However these claims have been disputed from Free Pardes sources that a number of tanks were lost mostly due to anti-tank ambushes and the usage of TOW missiles along with a small number of being captured.

Goredemabwa

During the Myrdesia War the DSRA send a number of Type 73 Seungli-ho to Goredemabwan forces. According to Goredemabwan and Anikatian sources the Type 73 Seungli-ho was the most feared tank of the conflict and the Goredemabwan Type 73IE and IIEs performed well against opposing Dacian tanks such as Type 59s and Thaspian Leopards. In the later stages of the war, a Goredemabwan battalion of Type 73 tanks faced an Dacian battalion of Type 59s. During the battle all Dacian tanks were destroyed, while the Goredemabwa suffered no losses. The 105mm tank guns and TOW missiles proved ineffective against the frontal armor of Goredemabwan Type 73 Seungli-hos. The Type 73 Seungli-ho's dependability and ruggedness proved well-suited to the local combat environments.