Automatic loader, providing automatic loading of the gun, seems like a necessary component of a modern tank. But many tanks of the Western (American, European) production is not equipped with them. try to understand, which tanks with automatic loaders are the most in demand at the moment.
AMX-56 Leclerc (France)
French tank AMX-56 Leclerc is considered the most massive modern tank, used in the ground forces of France. Its mass production began thirty years ago, at 1990 year.
Most of the tanks, produced in Western countries, dispenses with automatic loader. The gun is loaded manually, which makes it necessary to have a loader in the crew.
The difference between the French tank "Leclerc" and other tanks of NATO countries lies precisely in the fact, that it is equipped with an automatic gun loader. Therefore, the crew of the AMX-56 tank has not 4 man, a 3 human commander, gunner and a driver. The automatic loader made it possible to reduce 7 tons relative to other tanks mass of armor. Respectively, the mobility of the tank was also increased.
The automatic loader itself is located in the aft part of the tank turret in a special compartment. It is a conveyor belt, which gives the gun a rate of fire of up to 10-12 rounds per minute, and as from a place, as well as during the movement of the tank. The AZ conveyor is loaded through the hatch in the aft wall of the tower, this procedure can also be carried out by the gunner from the inside, replenishing the automatic loader from the ammo rack, located to the right of the tank driver. Since the automatic loader is separated from the places of the commander and gunner, the crew is safer.
At the same time, the tank is equipped with modern electronics., allowing the crew to feel more comfortable. But this circumstance also explains the high cost of the Leclerc tank.. That is why more than half of the tanks entered service with the French army, and the smaller part, intended for export, were able to acquire only the United Arab Emirates with its oil windfall. Now "Leclerc" is considered one of the most expensive main battle tanks in the world., its cost is 9,3 million euros.
MBT-2000/«Al-Khalid» (China-Pakistan)
China, It is believed, learned how to make good military equipment. Evidence of this is the MBT-2000 / Al-Khalid tank., which began production in 1998 year. The name “Al-Khalid”, strange for China, is explained by the fact, that the tank was created for export, for Pakistan Army, this year is named in honor of the general Khalid ibn Walida - a companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
When creating the tank, the experience of the Soviet tank building school was used, which also affected the presence of an automatic gun loader. Therefore, in the tank - 3 crew member. Gun caliber - 125 mm. Many components of the fire control system are French-made, therefore, it is somewhat similar to the fire control system of the Leclerc tank.
Tank MBT-2000 / "Al-Khalid" is a pretty good car for a much lower price, than the same "Leclerc" – one tank will cost 4,3 million dollars. Now the tanks are in service with the ground forces of Pakistan (415 machines), Myanmar (150 machines), Morocco (150 machines), Bangladesh (44 cars), Sri Lanka (22 cars).
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T-90 (Russia)
Experts call the Russian T-90 tank the most successful tank of the 21st century. Its production allowed Russia to confidently take the position of the world leader in the export of tanks.. Of 2100 T-90 tanks of various modifications more than 1500 tanks were exported to other countries. Such interest in the Russian combat vehicle is quite understandable - the tank combines excellent technical characteristics with a very low cost. (export modification starts from 2,5 million dollars, the most modernized tank - 4,3 million dollars). The main buyers of the T-90 are India, Vietnam, Iraq, Egypt, who acquire hundreds of combat vehicles.
The presence of an automatic gun loader is one of the main advantages of the Russian tank against the background of most tanks, in service with the armies of NATO countries. As noted above, automatic loader allows you to reduce the crew of the car with 4 to 3 human, reduces the overall weight of the tank and increases maneuverability.
In the same time, the automatic loader of the gun was a serious obstacle to the use of long armor-piercing shells, which reduced the armor penetration of Russian ammunition. Therefore, in the modification of the T-90AM / MS, the shortcomings of previous models of Soviet-made tanks were overcome., in particular, a new automatic gun loader was installed, allowing you to shoot longer projectiles.
Ilya Polonsky
