CASR
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In Detail |
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by T.S. Rea |
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Defence Technology — March 2004
Does Canada have alternatives to the Mobile Gun System?
Part 6 – Visualizing How Design Considerations Might Shape a Future AFV So, how might our armour-optimized design appear? A schematic drawing below shows the key features of an alternative MGS. The design is dictated by the best arrangement of mass-efficient armour (blue) – both for protection and to form the basic structure of the vehicle. Note that the crew compartment (yellow) is in the rear where they are most protected [1], the powerpack (green) is at the front, and the 360° turret is situated in the centre of the hull for the best possible balance.
The main armament [2] consists of a 155mm low-pressure gun – for details, see: Sidebar. This gun would be limited to maximum muzzle energies of about 2400 ft- tons but there is room for improvements in muzzle velocity. The main advantages of large calibre is the range of 155mm ammunition types readily available or easily adapted. In addition, the 155mm calibre permits all rounds to be stowed vertically, the most efficient method of stowage in a circular turret. Such a large bore gun is also amenable to guided anti-tank and anti-aircraft rounds unlike 105mm guns. [3] [1] Vision/weapons sighting is via monitors to further reduce crew vulnerability but direct sightlines are preserved for the crew members alongside the main gun. [2] It would be possible to mount the 105mm main gun turret of the current MGS. But, that weapon is seriously limited in striking power, versatility, and number of rounds stowed. Plans to replace that 105 existed before the first MGS was built. [3] Current guided gun-fired munition developments (such as the US TERM and IAI Lahat) are focused on 120mm. IAI-Rafael has chosen a more difficult route, attempting to develop their Excalibur guided round in both 120mm and 105mm. < Part 5 — “... we have seen the future ...” Advances in Armour Technology > Part 7 — “... eyes they have and see not ...” Sensor Systems and Survival |
