Some of what I'm...well you know the word by now.
Iran: A year ago I posted that Russia was out (For this part longer back.) and that they had unveiled the totally Iranian made
KARRAR MBT. Now it's announced it's in production. What I see...
1. Is what appears to be weather mast (Upside down "cup" one.) this is an indication of a more advanced FCS is carried on board. Weather corrections for heat, humidity (Thickness of the air if you will.) wind etc. are all factors in correcting the shot to target.
2. GPS mast.
3. 12 Smoke grenades, 6 per side.
4.
ERA looks
similar to a NOZH type as used by Ukraine.
Note: Look closely at the side curtains than at the top picture, those are without a doubt ERA plates mounted to the curtain. If you again to the center picture you can make out the bolts/fasteners. I count 12 along the top and what looks like 9 along the bottom row.
5. Slat armor to protect sides around the engine compartment. Also around the rear of the turret to probably to protect ammo storage.
6. LED headlights that an
A-10 would 10 or 15 miles out or more based on terrain, for their sake I hope they maintain good night time ops combat discipline!?!
7. It appears the Commanders sight has dual TI (Left) and Optical
IR(?) (Right) sights as shown in the bottom picture.
8. Look to the middle picture that looks like the 360 laser warning system I brought up for one of the Russian tanks about two months back. It's the bell shaped device between the mounted on on the turret aft end.
9.
What I don't see... This MBT does not appear to have a "
hunter-killer" mode. The "
hunter-killer" capability is usually indicated by having an independent Drivers and Commanders sights. The Commanders sight does
not appear to operate independently of the turret as on most more advanced MBT's.
10. I don't see any sign of the "new" APS system talked about in the below ref.
My conclusion is that without a doubt this is most likely Iran's most advanced MBT. I suspect the FCS system on the whole is fairly advanced and
better than what they've had to this point. It seems reasonably well protected and the ERA looks of a new design for them as I've posted in the past. Mobility is likely pretty good, weight appears to be in the 45 to 50 ton range maybe slightly more with the ERA. I think the engine to be at around the
850hp - 1000hp range. It just doesn't look like it can hold a 1200hp engine, if it does it would an affect upon ammo storage etc. etc. But even with the smaller engine that would be enough power for a MBT of this size, though, I feel it is
a larger one.
Here's what you might remember if you followed my posts, they were for about a year considering the
T-90S and at a later point the
T-90MS before the deal fell through with Russia. They had a couple of tanks at least to evaluate for several months. Russia didn't make to big a deal over the sale falling through. The question that remains is did Iran "borrow" some technology
or did Russia offer some technical help to Iran before they pulled out?
I suspect it was a case of a little of both.
All the above is mostly drawn from the last ref. The rest from the others below and other sources.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/febru..._31002163.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob..._72510162.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/decem..._52612162.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/march..._11201171.html
More one one of my favorite tanks I've submitted...
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/mo...pe-10-hitomaru
I still wonder if we've maybe "
slightly" have under protected this tank. We still have
no clue as to it's composition (Steel of a new type technology.) or the
APFSDS that was purpose made for this tanks gun. The round is unique to this tank
only. All you'll find is that it's a highly advanced round capable of kills at long range. I really think maybe this tank might deserve another look. Just because it's "
small" doesn't mean it's not well protected and lethal. I seem to remember this was the thinking about the
MERKAVA when it appeared on the scene as well. I have to assume the gun on
UNIT 022 equates to a
L55 caliber gun.
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/mo...pe-10-hitomaru
And as I was looking for some info on this site, sometime today they posted this...
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/karrar.htm
Well based on what I just read (
KARRAR above.), I guess I didn't do too badly overall. I think I'll walk away with a
90% score here.
Regards,
Pat
