Mobility
Mobility was the most significant key in the success of the tank concept when it aroused during the late WWI and amazed the world during the "blitzkrieg" campaign of the early WWII. Thanks to his inherent mobility, today the MBT still remain as a key factor in modern battlefield. Although, recent peacekeeping operations have shown the need of a lighter combat vehicle suitable for air transportation and quick response actions. Such vehicle needs, tracked or wheeled are being filled with modern IFV.Basic issues for a good mobility are powerpack, suspension train, power/weight ratio, ground pressure and range (for air transportation, also weight. |
Powerpack:
The powerpack refers to the combination of engine and transmission to provide adequate automotive performance to the tank with a proper level of reliability.Type of fuel is also important. The present tendency, based in technological improvements of the diesel engines suggest the use of diesel instead of petrol because of his lower tendency to start fire and better automotive yield. In past wars, fuel shortage has been one of the top weapons to stop enemy tank formations. In this sense, many modern tanks are driven by multyfuel engines to make use of any available fuel in case of need. Best example of this case is the 830hp MTU MB838 10 cylinder multifuel engine of the chilean and brazilean Leopard 1 (see picture).
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Suspension Train:
Most tanks in the region have a suspension train derived from the famous Cristie concept, with 5 or 6 big wheels mounted on torsion bars and some shock absorbers in the first and last axis. Power drive is on the back with a loose sprocket in the front and 2 or 3 return rollers. New designed tanks moved to hidropneumatic suspension to gain higher stability on the move.
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Power to Weight Ratio): This issue depends on the tank weight and engine power and defines the ability of the Tank to react to sudden threads. Modern MBT are designed around the concept that "speed is life", with a power to weight ratio of 20 hp/ton or higher.Best example in SA is the argentinean TAM VC with his 22.8 hp/ton followed close by the Leopard 1 with his 20-21 hp/ton.
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Ground Pressure: Over soft terrain (swamp, mud, etc.), ground pressure becomes important. The weight of the tank can be compensated by an adecuate track surface in order to avoid the sinking into soft terrain. Modern tanks are designed with typical figures of 0.85 kg/cm2or lower ground pressure.Best example in SA are the SK105 and AMX-13 tank-hunters with their 0.67 kg/cm2.
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Range: WWII tanks had a range of 200-400 km. Modern MBT's demand much more to be able to take advantage of their superior mobility. Typical figures are in excess of 500km.Best example in SA are the chilean Leopard 1 & AMX-30B with their 600km and the argentinean TAM equipped with extra fuel tanks (see picture) up to 700km.
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Mobility Ranking: Intended for tanks with gun caliber >90mm, based on previous described issues (space means significant difference):
1st place: TAM VC
4th place: Saurer SK105
6th place: AMX-13/105 |
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