New Type98/99 MBT thread

[plawolf]

I think it has to be in the Computer interface although I do agree that you don't want it to be to easily confused for part of the fire control.
I would think a Key would be a better option something that the crew has to intentionally want to use and not a object that would be mistaken for something else. Because the VT4 and the ZTZ99A and A2 series fit in the "Advanced Third Generation Main battle Tank" It's systems are more reliant and integrated with computer systems compared to older vehicles. As Such If you can wipe the hard drive or lock the OS the Tank is dead. This differs compared to previous generations of MBT's.
I mean A First Gen MBT like say Type 59 is just a modification of a Tank dating back to the last days of World war 2. The Type 59 was production of a T54/55 which was a enlarged modification of the T44 which entered service in November 1944 ( didn't seen combat in WW2 by the Way. It was just being introduced. )
You jump to the second Gen like the T72 And more of the systems were electrical but the Optics and Fire control are still more analog. A captured model could be operated so long as as you had some electrical know how.

A key might be overdoing it, as I can easily see that being lost, especially during an emergency like the tank taking a crippling hit.

Last thing you need to do in that situation is root around looking for a key.

A good solid flip up over should more than cover it, especially if it is placed in a sensible, out of the way place.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

A key might be overdoing it, as I can easily see that being lost, especially during an emergency like the tank taking a crippling hit.

Last thing you need to do in that situation is root around looking for a key.

A good solid flip up over should more than cover it, especially if it is placed in a sensible, out of the way place.

Again this button is going to effect one thing the Computers so it has to be on the computers.
Next Eventually some one is going to push the button. It always happens.
Finally as to my Key idea, a Key need not be on a Ring it could in a box, or it could be a Tool or a Bullet just that the "Lock" has to be built so that it's an intentional action to engage it. and Military's have Keys all over the place.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Probably to destroy the onboard electronics, thereby rendering the tank unusable to adversaries and to wipe whatever sensitive data that might be stored onboard, especially data in the battlefield management system.

See I am still not totally sold on this kill switch. An easier option would just be to toss a grenade or set a charge inside the fighting compartment and run like hell. Any ammo left in the auto loader would do the rest. No salvaging that tank.

 

[by78]

See I am still not totally sold on this kill switch. An easier option would just be to toss a grenade or set a charge inside the fighting compartment and run like hell. Any ammo left in the auto loader would do the rest. No salvaging that tank.

Well, is it safe for the tank crew to carry live grenades inside the fighting compartment? I wouldn't carry any ammo unless it's stowed safely behind some armor, just in case the compartment is penetrated by enemy fire. Another thing is that electronics are tougher to destroy than commonly believed. Law enforcement regularly retrieves data off charred hard drives, so an explosion might not do the trick; hence the specialized equipment.

That said, I share your worry that the switch might be accidentally activated. I wonder if it requires being depressed for a few seconds to activate. In any event, the kill switch might only be a Thai Army requirement.

 

[Phead128]

Can China build its own diesel engines to power it's MBT or does it need to import engines from Germany? I think China is capable of building an engine of same quality and spec as Germany.

 

[Figaro]

Can China build its own diesel engines to power it's MBT or does it need to import engines from Germany? I think China is capable of building an engine of same quality and spec as Germany.

I think China is capable of building an engine of same quality and spec as Germany
You just answered your own question here. The Type 99 MBT is equipped with a domestic 1500 hp engine while the VT-4 is rated at around 1200-1300 hp. If I recall correctly, the last time China had to use foreign tanks was around 60 years ago during cooperation with the USSR. The entire modern Chinese MBT line up all use indigenous engines.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Well, is it safe for the tank crew to carry live grenades inside the fighting compartment? I wouldn't carry any ammo unless it's stowed safely behind some armor, just in case the compartment is penetrated by enemy fire.

First the crew is already basically sitting on the carousel auto loader with 22 rounds of ammo So there is already a bit of risk, Second hand grenades and military explosives are actually fairly safe. as Long as the grenade fuse is not lit ( Pin pulled) it should be fine unless there is an Explosion in the fighting compartment. but then again if there was an explosion in the fighting compartment it wouldn't matter because that would set off the ammo in the autoloader.
Still Most tanks have some extra ammo storage in the fighting compartment in armored boxes for small arms of the crew and of course the Coax MG.
Crew small arms are of course because the tank crew may need to escape and grenades can come in handy for clearing infantry off the hull quick and dirty.

Another thing is that electronics are tougher to destroy than commonly believed. Law enforcement regularly retrieves data off charred hard drives, so an explosion might not do the trick; hence the specialized equipment.

I doubt anyone would be trying to CSI the Tank's OS and memory. There really is no reason to.

The Bigger worry is that some one would try to turn the tank against the owners. Like this American Made British armed Panzer here.
As Far back as World war 1 Tanks have been captured and used by enemy forces. In fact in World war 1 the Germans used more British Tanks then German tanks.
In World war 2 The Germans used captured tanks all the Time from all sides. Czech Tanks, Russian Tanks, French Tanks, British Tanks, American Tanks.
The Russians used Captured German Tanks along side there own as well as British and American Lend lease Tanks.
In the modern Era we have seen in Ukraine, Iraq, Libya, Syria and before that The Chechnya, Yugoslavia, The Moldavian wars cases where Tanks and armored Vehicles have been captured and turned against there original owners.
The main goal of a kill switch is not the memory but the functions. It's to try and prevent the tank from being of any use to someone who captures it. Much like how German tankers blew up there own King Tigers when they were forced to retreat across bridges that couldn't take the weight.

That said, I share your worry that the switch might be accidentally activated. I wonder if it requires being depressed for a few seconds to activate. In any event, the kill switch might only be a Thai Army requirement.

The main justification is I think there. If an enemy force captures your tank they now have a weapon they didn't necessarily have before.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Continuing with follow on thought.
The point of a Kill switch in this would be to prevent an enemy from being able to operate the Tank. To do this the "Kill switch" would lock the computers that are critical in a modern tank. Computers in modern MBT operate the propulsion, main and secondary armament, sensors and communications even the NBC HVAC is run by computer.
But wiping the hard drive can still leave parts of the OS that runs the Tank. If you have some one able to recover data off the Hard drives you have resources to probably get a copy of the Original OS and get the Tank up and running again. But not right away. That needs time time where the Tank could be recovered by friendly forces or destroyed.
Where as if you blow up the Tank there is no potential for the enemy to get it back up. Even if they recover the hard drives all they can do is sell it off to some third party for a fraction of the price of the MBT, if that.

Can China build its own diesel engines to power it's MBT or does it need to import engines from Germany? I think China is capable of building an engine of same quality and spec as Germany.

They can build engines, they don't need to build them like the Germans engines. After all there are other tank engines in the modern power range not built in Germany.

I think China is capable of building an engine of same quality and spec as Germany
You just answered your own question here. The Type 99 MBT is equipped with a domestic 1500 hp engine while the VT-4 is rated at around 1200-1300 hp. If I recall correctly, the last time China had to use foreign tanks was around 60 years ago during cooperation with the USSR. The entire modern Chinese MBT line up all use indigenous

type 80 MBT used a German power pack but it might have been licensed production. It was not the PRC we know today.

 

[jobjed]

type 80 MBT used a German power pack but it might have been licensed production. It was not the PRC we know today.

The Type 80 used an upgraded version of the Type 59's powerplant, rated for 730hp compared to the latter's 580hp. No PLA tank from the Type 59 onward use foreign engines.

Some export tanks were fitted with foreign engines at the customer's direction, like Pakistan's tanks were fitted with Ukrainian engines.

 

[by78]

From a recent exercise. It looks better with some dirt on it. I wonder what that patch of stuck-on camouflage pattern is for (on the side of the bustle). Possibly for IFF purposes?

(2048 x 1363)