T-99

The T-99 is a Main Battle Tank designed and produced in Drahen. The T-99 was the first domestically designed and produced MBT and at the time of unveiling had cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era. The T-99 is the primary tank of the Armed Forces of the Imperial Republic of Drahen. The T-99 has been continually upgraded throughout it's service life, going though two major upgrades since it's introduction. The driver is seated to the front right of the hull while the other 3 crew members were featured in the turret. Armor protection was originally 70 mm at the thickest, though upgrades have substantially increased the protection offered by the armor, though applique armor.

The original requirements of the T-99 were that the design needed to weigh no more than 30 metric tons, have a power-to-weight ratio of 30 horsepower per ton, be able to withstand hits by 20 mm rapid-fire guns on every side as well as to operate in a battlefield contaminated with chemical weapons. In addition, the main armament had to consist of a 105 mm caliber weapo, carrying at least as many rounds as contemporary tank designs. Mobility was the priority, while firepower came second; armour was seen as less essential, as the General's at the time wanted light, mobile tanks that could navigate Drahen's rainforests.

In addition the T-99 has spawned 4 major derivatives, the T-99 ARV, T-99 CE, T-99 AVLB and T-99 AA.

Variants

The T-99 Mk.1 is the original T-99 released in 1512. None of these tanks are still in use with the Drah Imperial Army and the reserve stocks have been converted into either the T-99 Mk.2 or T-99 Mk.3

The T-99 Mk.2 expanded the interior space for the crew and the armor protection scheme was reworked. In addition, new night and thermal vision equipment was added, along with a digital fire control system (FCS), digital radio and laser rangefinder. These tanks are now in the reserve stocks of the Drah Imperial Army.

The T-99 Mk.3 introduced an all-new turret assembly and a upaded digital FCS and improved night vision and thermal vision suite supporting an all new 105 mm gun. In addition the armor of the T-99 was substantially improved with the addition of modular ceramic-ally composite spaced armor. The T-99 Mk.3 still sees active service in both the Drah Imperial Army and the Imperial Marines.

The T-99 AVLB mounts an aluminium bridge that is launched over the front of the vehicle as follows: on arrival at the obstacle the vehicle lowers the support blade at the front of the hull, the lower half of the bridge slides forwards until its end is lined up with the end of the upper half, the two sections are locked together, extended over the gap and lowered into position, the cantilever arm is withdrawn, the support blade raised and the vehicle can then be driven away. The bridge is 22 m long when opened out and can span a gap up to 20 m. Weight of the bridge and vehicle is 45,300 kg.

The T-99 CE has a front-mounted dozer blade and an extendable hydraulic arm with a bucket on one side of the hull. The main tasks of this vehicle are the preparing of river crossing sites and the preparation and removal of obstacles and blockages on the battlefield. Additional tasks include the recovery of vehicles and equipment, lifting of loads, towing, recovering vehicles using the main winch, recovery of tanks and other vehicles during deep fording operations and carrying out engineer work.

The T-99 ARV is based on the chassis of the T-99 but has a new hull. Standard equipment includes a dozer blade at the front of the hull, hydraulically operated crane on the right side of the hull which is pivoted at the front, main winch with a capacity of 35 tonnes (which can be increased to 70 tonnes with a guide pulley), electric wrench and a welding system. The vehicle, which weighs 39,800 kg and has a crew of four, has been designed for the recovery of damaged vehicles, towing disabled vehicles, changing vehicle components and lifting complete vehicles weighing up to 20 tonnes, carrying a spare Leopard MBT power pack, dozing and refuelling and defuelling other vehicles. Armament consists of a bow-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun, 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun and smoke grenade dischargers. In 1555, T-99 ARV was improved with hydraulic jacks mounted at the rear of the hull on the right side and a more powerful crane

The T-99 AA consists essentially of a modified T-99 MBT fitted with a power-operated two-man turret armed with twin 35 mm cannon, tracking radar on the turret front and surveillance radar on the turret rear. Each 35 mm cannon has a total of 310 rounds of ready use ammunition for use in the air defense role and 20 rounds of APDS-T for use in engaging ground armored targets. In an upgrade finished in 1565, the T-99 AA was also equipped with SAM launchers, which are tied into the radar system of the T-99 AA.

Images

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  T-99 Mk.1

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  T-99 Mk.2

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  T-99 CE

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  T-99 ARV

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  T-99 AVLB

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  T-99 AA

See Also

• List of modern armored fighting vehicles