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G’day lads. Once again I’m here to suggest an…interesting Chally 1 variant for War Thunder made by Jordan with the help of South Africa, the Al-Hussein Falcon!
Description:
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The Falcon Turret is an innovative main battle tank turret developed by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) in Jordan, with technical assistance from South Africa. This turret was designed to be retrofitted onto various tank hulls, including the Challenger 1. One of the standout features of the Falcon Turret is its 120mm smoothbore gun, which was developed by RUAG Defense Systems. This powerful armament is complemented by an autoloader that can handle 120mm rounds, allowing for a sustained rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute.
History:
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Originally, the Challenger 1 tank was developed by the British Army in the 1970s to replace the aging Chieftain tank. It entered service in 1983 and was notable for its advanced Chobham composite armor, which offered superior protection compared to traditional armor.
In the late 1990s, the British Army sold their Challenger 1 tanks to Jordan, where they were renamed Al-Hussein. The Royal Jordanian Army sought to enhance these tanks’ capabilities, leading to the development of the Falcon Turret. As i already mentioned above, this turret was designed by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) in Jordan, with technical assistance from South Africa.
Additionally, the turret can be equipped with advanced fire control and sighting equipment, including a Commander’s Independent Sight, which provides a hunter-killer capability. This means the commander can search for targets independently while the gunner engages another target, increasing the tank’s overall effectiveness in combat. The Falcon Turret also includes a laser-warning system and Thales AFV smoke screening equipment, which further enhance its defensive capabilities. Its low-profile design reduces the vehicle’s overall dimensions, making it a harder target to hit.
Although the Falcon Turret was initially intended to upgrade Jordan’s Challenger 1 tanks, the decision was later made to phase out the Challengers.
Armaments:
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120mm RUAG L50 smoothbore cannon
7.62mm coaxial machine gun
Ammunition of the 120mm is unknown, but it is said that it can fire APFSDS at 1,770m/s, aswell as MP shells. Also, considering that its a RUAG 120mm, it can most likely fire any NATO 120mm, so KE-W is the most possible choice. As i already mentioned, it has an autoloader that can fire 8 rounds a minute, however it can also hold 11 rounds in its autoloader and 17 in its hull.
Specifications:
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The Falcon size and weight is unknown, but I speculate that it will be lighter due to the turret being thinner compared to the Chally 1, but don’t quote me on that. If that is the case however, then it should be lighter than the Challenger 1, as the Challenger 1 is about 62 tons heavy. As it uses the Challenger 1 hull, it has the same protection like it does currently in the game, and it is speculated that the turret itself uses chobham for armor!
In terms of mobility, the Challenger Falcon Tank is powered by a Perkins CV12 26-liter diesel engine that produces 1,200 horsepower. This engine provides a power-to-weight ratio of 14.4 kW per tonne. The tank is equipped with a David Brown TN37 transmission, which has 4 forward and 3 reverse gears, and features a hydropneumatic suspension system. This setup allows the tank to achieve a maximum speed of 56 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 450 kilometers on road. It features 3 crew, and ALLEGEDLY has soft-kill APS, but I cannot find any extra info about that. With its electronics and what-not it has an advanced day and night thermal imaging displays for both the commander and the gunner, ensuring optimal visibility in various conditions. The tank features fully electric systems for gun and turret laying and drive, enhancing precision and reliability. It is also fitted with an automatic fire detection and suppression system to quickly address any onboard fires, ensuring the safety of the crew.
The tank’s fighting compartment is over-pressurized to provide NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection, safeguarding the crew from hazardous environments. An electrically operated air conditioning system is located in the hull, maintaining a comfortable temperature for the crew. Additionally, the tank is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU), which is a diesel engine mounted under armor, providing power for various systems when the main engine is not running.
For defensive measures, the tank has instantaneous smoke grenade launchers, with two launchers capable of deploying a total of 16 grenades to obscure the tank from enemy view (I’ve already mentioned this, but I’ll do it again). The position and navigation system ensures accurate location tracking and movement coordination. The crew stations and compartment are designed for comfort, allowing the crew to operate efficiently for extended periods. The tank also includes an in-tank training capability, enabling the crew to practice and improve their skills without leaving the vehicle.
Sources:
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Falcon Turret | Former Jordanian automate turret for Challenger 1
Jordan builds fourth generation tank
https://pdfcoffee.com/compact-120-tank-gun-brochure-pdf-free.html
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)
