ASCOD LMT-105

ChieftainWarrior · September 28, 2024, 4:12pm

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ASCOD LMT-105

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TL;DR: Denel’s 105mm turret for the Rooikat mounted on joint Austro-Spanish ASCOD hull

History
In the late 1970s, Spain and Austria were equipped with rapidly-aging APCs – the M113 in Spain, and the 4K 7FA in Austria. Both countries sought a modern AFV to complement heavy armour (in Austria, the Leopard 2A4, and in Spain, the AMX-30Es, M48s and M60s [and only later Leopard 2A4s in 1998]).

In 1982, Steyr-Daimler-Puch began the process of development of a new AFV. They contacted Greece, Norway and Switzerland to discuss the requirements. In 1985, Austria’s Bundesheer revealed their requirements for a new IFV, named the Kampfschützenpanzer 90 (KSPz 90). This led to Steyr progressing further with development, but it became clear to them that Austria would not purchase any new IFVs soon, and that development costs would exceed Steyr’s budget.

This led to the formation of ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development) – a merger of Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Santa Bárbara Sistemas. Soon after, the ‘Alexandros’ IFV was proposed by the combined effort of ASCOD and the Greek ELVO (formerly Steyr-Hellas). However, after a change in the Greek government and realising the Alexandros would be too expensive for Greece, ELVO dropped out, but not before handing over documents and design plans they had drawn up. ELVO would then go on to design the Kentaurus, which only saw a single prototype produced.

ASCOD then progressed rapidly in designing a prototype. The hull was produced in Spain, and the turret in Austria. The turret was a further development of the SP 30 turret already used on the Austrian Pandur II IFV in service with Portugal. The first prototype was demonstrated in 1991. The original prototype weighed 18.8t, but over the course of development, this soared to 28.3t (Pizarro Fase 1 combat weight).

In 1994, Spain ordered four pre-production vehicles for further testing, and in 1996, placed an order for a first batch of 144 vehicles. These were called the Pizarro. Austria placed their order in 1999, for what they designated the Ulan. While the two vehicles are very similar, the Ulan has a few noteworthy changes over the Pizarro, notably a more powerful powerpack, and different armour composition.

In the 1990s, the South African company Denel developed the LMT-105 turret, designed for light tracked and wheeled vehicles. Notably, this was first mounted on the Rooikat in 1994. This did not attract attention, and the turret was marketed for export beginning in 1996.

That same year, the turret was mounted by ASCOD on their hull for tests, with the hopes of creating a light tank for export. The vehicle was tested and showcased, but did not attract any attention. Next, in late 1998, the ASCOD was trialled with the General-Dynamics Low Profile Turret (LPT) at Eglin Air Force Base in California. Like before, this attracted no attention from potential buyers. Lastly, in 2000, the Oto-Melara 105 LRF turret was mounted, and underwent firing tests in Austria, but once again, while the tests were succesfull, it was not sold.

All three ASCOD light tanks from the 90s/early 2000s. Top left is LMT-105, top right is LRF 105, bottom is LPT

Characteristics
The LMT-105 is fitted with the domestic South African GT-7 105mm cannon, a derivative of the British L7, with a highly modified recoil system. It fires standard NATO 105x617mm shells, and could be given whatever needed to fit a specific BR – including rounds like DM33 and DM63. DM33 penetrates 408mm at 10m at 0°, and DM63 penetrates 430mm at 10m at 0° (in-game). The turret has 9 ready rounds in a basket, and 7 standby in a bustle magazine. The main cannon can elevate -10°/+20°, and the turret rotates 360° at a speed of 40°/second. The turret also has a 7.62mm coaxial, with 1600 rounds ready, and 1200 stowed away.

The LMT-105 has a LIW produced fire control system, providing a laser rangefinder. Both the commander and gunner have stabilised sights – the commander has NVDs, and the gunner has a first generation thermal imager.

The turret has armour protection against 23mm rounds over a 60° frontal arc, and is immune to 7.62mm rounds all-around. (Note: in-game, the turret of the Rooikat 105 is currently underperforming). The turret has a combat weight of 6.5t.

The ASCOD has steel armour, protecting against 30mm AP projectiles across a narrow frontal arc (distance not specified). Otherwise, the hull protects against 14.5mm AP rounds all around. The ASCOD is also fitted with spall liners, see below (orange):
Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 14.27.14

The ASCOD is fitted with an MTU 8V183 TE22 engine, providing 600hp at 2300rpm. This is connected to an automatic RENK HSWL 106 C transmission, with 6 forward and 6 reverse gears. The combat weight of the Pizarro is 28.3t, and the combat weight of its turret is 3.7t. This means, as the LMT-105 weighs 6.5t, the ASCOD LMT-105 weighs approximately 31.1t. This gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 19.3hp/t. It has a top speed of 70km/h.

Conclusion
The ASCOD LMT-105 would be a great light tank for either a future Alpine tree (Austria) or Iberian tree (Spain), likely sitting at a BR of around 9.0-9.7, depending on ammunition. If neither of those countries will receive their own trees, this could go to the British tree, given the South African turret.

Specifications
Armament

105mm GT-7
- 9 rpm
- Ammunition
  - All NATO standard 105mm rounds
Vertical Guidance
- -10°/+20°
Sights
- Commander
  - NVDs
- Gunner
  - 1st generation thermals

Armour

Hull
- Resists 30mm AP frontally at unspecified distance
- Resists 14.5mm AP all-around
Turret
- Resists 23mm AP over 60° frontal arc
- Resists 7.62mm AP all-around

Mobility