~UNiOnJaCk~ wrote:Shame. Looks like a very promising piece of technology, designed explicitly to deal with the types of threats we are seeing now. Hopefully it is L55A1 compatible instead. Then of course, the other hurdle is finding the money to pay for them...
Well, I have good news for you, some information has been found on the L55A1s limits.
http://rusjev.net/2019/01/25/eksperimen ... -navyilet/
Not fully official, but it mentions this:
Rh120L55A1 has a permissible pressure in the barrel bore up to 700 MPa, against 670 MPa in standard Rh120L55
This would put it in range to safely use the M829A4. Whether it's acquired is of course unlikely, but it means it is possible!
Of note, the same article also mentions:
It is reported that the entire ammunition of this tank will be placed in isolated compartments.
This would make it only the second Western tank in service with such a crucial system, the first being the Abrams. HUGE survivability upgrade.
And a very exciting little tidbit...
Germanization will also affect the power plant of the tank. Instead of the Perkins “Condor” CV12 diesel, with a capacity of 1,200 hp, which is clearly not enough for a 60-ton colossus, a unified MTO with the German diesel MTU MT-883 Ka-501 with a power of 1,630 hp will be installed. and automatic transmission Renk.
HP isn't everything, but that would be the most powerful tank engine in NATO in sheer grunt. The M1s turbine and the Leclercs unique supercharger may give them edges in acceleration still, but that is a LOT of power.
It's pipe dream thinking to imagine every upgrade, but if all this was taken up it would mean:
1. The Challenger would gain the most powerful gun in NATO.
2. The Challenger would have the newest turret in NATO, with the newest armour.
3. The Challenger would be one of only two western tanks with completely protected crew compartments from ammo detonations.
4. The Challenger would have the highest rated engine in NATO.
5. The Challenger would be one of only two with APS (since the M1 will get APS before this enters service)
6. The Challenger would be using one of the best APFSDS rounds in the world.
7. The Challenger would finally have the same hunter-killer as everyone else.
Talk about rags to riches.