Altay PV2 (2017) - Final Prototype

lLiberté · August 4, 2023, 12:26am

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Altay

Background

Altay is a third-generation Turkish main battle tank based on South Korean K2 Black Panther. Design and development of the tank was undertaken by Otokar with assistance and technology transfer from Hyundai Rotem. Project started in 2008 with agreement between Otokar and Hyundai Rotem for development, assistance, and technology transfer for a main battle tank to be produced in Turkey. After approximately 10 years of design and development, Otokar submitted their final offer for serial production, subsequently refused by Undersecretariat of Defence Industry. Within the same year, BMC awarded with contract for mass production of Altay.

Design and Development

Altay is product of The National Tank Production Project (MİTÜP) which was initiated in late 1990s to establish independent tank production and maintenance capabilities also acquire know-how for “National Tank”. Undersecretariat for Defense Industries approached Otokar as local partner, and an agreement signed between them in 2007. Otokar quickly set out to seek help from experienced foreign partner for design and development. In 2008 Otokar and South Korean firm Hyundai Rotem reached an agreement in 2008 and development started.

Otokar during Phase-I (Design and Prototype Production) produced five prototypes with ASELSAN electronic sub-systems, ROKETSAN armor package and MKE tank gun. Otokar also produced private venture prototype. In 2012, first two prototypes FTR and MTR rolled out from production facility and revealed to public in Sakarya. In 2015 two more prototypes, PV1 and PV2, produced for extensive mobility, firing and weather tests, which shows satisfactory results. Sometimes between 2012 and 2015, BHT prototype was produced and used in ballistic tests. In 2017, Otokar showcased last two of their Altay prototypes in 2017 IDEF defense fair, Altay AMT and Altay AHT. AHT was based on PV2 prototype and was pinnacle of Otokar’s design. AHT was produced with the experiences gained from Operation Euphrates Shield to create a tank fitting in urban and close-quarter engagements. AHT supports heavier armor, a dozer blade and sub-system which aims to increase overall survivability and situational awareness of the tank. Otokar’s prototypes are as follows:

● MTR, Mobility Test Rig
● FTR, Firing Test Rig
● BH&T, Ballistic Hull, and Turret
● PV1&2, Prototype Vehicle ⁽ˀ⁾

In 2010, Otokar signed contract with MTU and RENK for EuroPowerPack for 5 units. Further engine acquisition block by German arms embargo on Turkey. With BMC’s acquisition of program, Otokar handed over 4 remaining prototypes, barring AHT, to BMC. BMC upgraded PV1 based prototype with ASELSAN’s AKKOR APS and revealed it alongside Leopard 2A4 mated with FTR turret during the visit of Minister of National Defense, in 2021. Withing same year at IDEF 2021 both vehicles were presented to public eye.

Altay PV2 (2017)

PV2 is the second of two detailed prototypes of Altay Main Battle Tank. After successful tests of preliminary prototypes, FTR and MTR, Otokar was green lighted for two identical detailed prototypes, PV1 and PV2. As part of Phase-I of the project, these two detailed prototypes were subjected extensive tests including live firing, driving and harsh/cold weather tests. PV2 conducted mainly used on live firing tests, while PV1 was mainly used in driving and harsh/cold weather tests, PV2 conducted live firing tests. PV2 successfully conducted life firing tests with its 120mm L/55 Smoothbore cannon and state-of-art firing control system VOLKAN-II (then known as TAKS), achieved high hit rate against targets in various probable scenarios. PV1 and PV2 were identical tanks without any notable differences and were production ready prototypes of Altay. PV2 made another appearance at IDEF 2017 alongs urban-warfare prototype AHT. PV2 had small visual modifications and was fitted with TDU’s Mobile Camouflage System (MOCAS). PV2 (2017) was handed over to BMC with their acquisition of the project, though BMC never revealed Altay in this form.

Firepower

Altay’s main armament is MKE 120mm L/55 smoothbore cannon which is based on Hyundai WIA CN08. MKE tailored WIA’s design to meets requirements of Altay Project. Main difference between MKE’s and Hyundai’s gun design is that MKE’s design does not have mechanism for autoloader unlike WIA’s design. MKE 120mm L/55 is compatible with all NATO standard 120mm rounds. PV1 and PV2 secondary armament consists of co-axial 7.62mm machine-gun and 12.7mm heavy machine-gun on SARP remote controlled weapon system. Fire control system is ASELSAN’s state-of-art VOLKAN-II New Generation Fire Control System (then known as TAKS). It was specifically designed for Altay Project and also integrated into Leopard 2A4NG prototype.

MKE 120mm L/55 Smoothbore Cannon Firing Test

MKE 120mm L/55 Smoothbore Cannon In MKE Booth

SARP Remote Controlled Weapon Station

SARP is a compact, remotely operated stabilized weapon platform with high-precision surveillance capabilities and superb firepower. It can be integrated onto vehicles or fixed posts to provide firepower against air, ground, and asymmetric threats. SARP has ability to mount 7,62mm machine-gun, 12.7mm heavy machine-gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher in accordance with the operational needs.

Main Features
• Laser Range Finder
• Day and Night Imaging
• Gyro Aided Stabilization
• Automatic Target Tracking
• Automatic Ballistic Calculation
• Shoot-On-the-Move Capability for Stationary and Moving Targets

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

Mobility

MTR is powered by EuroPowerPack which consists of MTU MT883 KA-501 Diesel Engine with 1500 horsepower coupled with RENK HSWL 295TM transmission system. EuroPowerPack gives PV2 excellent top speed of 70 km/h with quite decent 27 hp/t power-to-weight ratio. Although Otokar and MTU signed a contract for proven EuroPowerPack in 2010, German Federal Arms Embargo against Turkey prohibit anymore sales to Turkey. Only five units delivered to Otokar four of which used on their prototype. Fate of the fifth units is currently unknown, but thought to be handed over to SSB alongside their prototypes.

Altay's EuroPowerPack

https://i.imgur.com/hGfJDHw.jpg

Protection

Armor package of Altay Project is based on K2 Black Panther’s KSAP. Armor package is modified and developed by ROKETSAN with Boron Carbide elements to meets specifics of Altay Project. It is said to offer better ballistic protection than the original armor package though further information about protection levels is classified. Armor tests were done with prototype designated as BH&T, Ballistic Hull and Turret, and presumed destroyed during tests, there are no photographs of this armor test rig.

Altay sports 16 smoke grandes launchers, 8 on each back side of the turret.

Specifications of KSAP

Armor Scheme

TDU Mobile Camouflage System Info

Difference Between 2015 and 2017

Before going into detail I must highlight that both 2015 and 2017 PV2 is the very same vehicle. There is only a slight visual difference between them, also 2017 was showcased with TDU’s MOCAS camo net. This two would be only difference between them to distinguish. Considering camo net could be added as potential research module, visual difference would be only thing differentiate them.

This simple visual is the shape of bottom of the mantlet. So first let check out PV2 photograph from IDEF 2015:

Bottom of the mantlet is clearly visible and its bottom is flat

This PV2 photograph from IDEF 2017:

You can see that mantlet’s bottom is V-Shaped

Spoiler

Otokar’s Altay Brochure

Spoiler

Specifications

Crew: 4
Dimensions and Weight
- Mass: 55 Tons
- Length: 7.7 m
- Width: 3.6 m
- Height: 2.5 m
Armament
- Main Armament: MKE 120mm L/55 Smoothbore Cannon
- Secondary Armament:
  • Co-Axial FN MAG 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Ammunition Capacity
  ∙ 40 Tank Rounds
  ∙ 10,000 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine-Gun
Mobility
- Engine: MTU MT883 KA-501, Diesel Engine 1500 Horsepower
- Transmission: ENK HSWL 295TM Automatic Transmission, 5 Forward, 3 Reverse
- Suspension: In-Arm
- Maximum Speed: 70 km/h
- Power to Weight: 27.2 hp/t
Protection
- Hull Armor: ROKETSAN Boron Carbide Armor Based on KSAP
- Active Protection System: None
- Smoke Grenades: 16x
Accessories
- Night Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
  ∙ Driver
- Thermal Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
- CITV
- Laser Range Finder
- Laser Warning Receiver
- Mobile Camouflage System
- 360° Close Range Surveillance System
- Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)

Implementation to War Thunder

All of the Altay variants/models should be reserved for future Turkish Tech Tree. Altay PV2, much like its twin PV1, with excellent mobility and high firepower would be highly competitive high tier vehicle. BR-wise I would say it would fit somewhere around somewhere between 11.3 to 11.7 Battle Rating.

Additional Photos

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