- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Challenger 1 with Markmsan turret.
Hello, and welcome to my suggestion. Today I would like to present a successor to the well known and loved Chieftain Marksman.
History
Following a worldwide market survey into the type of air defence system required to protect armoured and mechanised formations and units from the low-level fighter ground attack aircraft and the pop-up helicopter threat, in 1983 the Marconi Command and Control Systems commenced development of a prototype of the Marksman twin 35 mm anti-aircraft turret. The principal feature of the Marksman gun turret was that it was a completely self-contained turret, which can be fitted to any Main Battle Tank hull or large Armoured Personnel Carrier hull without modification. The first prototype was completed in 1984
with a turret of mild steel, while the second, fully armoured and equipped to production standard, was completed in 1985. Following the creation of the production standard turret, a series of tests, trials and demonstrations was carried out using a bunch of different tank hulls. Challenger 1 was one of the hulls used for tests and demonstrations. Fitting of the turret took place somewhere between 1985 and 1988, followed by a series of trials. The turret failed to pick up interest of the British army, but was succesfully sold to the Finnish army, where it was fitted into T-55 chassis.
Now its time to talk about the specifications.
Length: 9.90m
Width: 3,51m
Height: 4.85m with radar erected
Weight: 51 567 kg
Engine: Perkins CV12 producing 1200hp
Gearbox: David Brown TN37 automatic
Suspension: hydropneumatic
Max speed: 56km/h
Crew: 3 Driver, Gunner and Commander/Radar Operator
Protection:
Hull: Identical to Challenger 1
Turret: All around protection against 14.5 mm heavy machinegun and 155mm airburst
Horizontal limits: 360° rotation
Turret rotation speed: 90°/s
Vertical launcher limits: -10° +85°
Elevation speed: 60°/s
Stabilized: Yes, two-plane
10x 66mm smoke granade
Radar: Marconi S400.
Type: Symmetrical Parabolic antenna combine search and track radar
Band: IEEE: X/Ku NATO: I/J
Range: 12km search, 10km track
Tracking accuracy: <1mrad rms angle
Scan zone: 360°x15°
Scan rate: 60 rpm
IFF
Features
Multipathign solutions
Frequency agility
Monopulse
MTI
PRF stagger
Low sidelobes
Ability to cue turret in whole 360°
SAGEM Type VS 580-VISAA
Dual FOV: 5°/x10, 18°/x3
Integrated LRF in the gunner sight
Stabilized: Yes, Two-plane
2 x 35mm Oerlikon KDA Autocannons
Ammunition:230xAA + 20xAPDS per gun
Shell types: 35x228
HEI
HEI-T
SPAHE-T
APDS-T
This sums up this suggestion. This vehicle has good protection, punchy guns and great reaction time. Combination of all those thing would make it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
Sources
Challenger Marksman Brochure
GEC-Marconi Marksman anti aircraft gun turret brochure
Marconi Command and Control Systems Marksman anti aircraft gun turret brochure
Marconi Radar Systems International 33
Oerlikon-Contraves 35mm x 228 Ammunition for the Automatic Cannon KD Series brochure
Janes LBDA 2003-2004
International Defense Review 6/1984