M-95 Degman: Armored Predator

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 3:34am

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M-95 Degman: Armored Predator

The M-95 Degman main battle tank prototype.

Description:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin: Croatia
- Manufacturer: Đuro Đaković spezialna vozila dd
- Summary:
  - The M-95 Degman is a main battle tank developed in 2003 by the company Đuro Đaković spezialna vozila dd, to replace the older M-84A4 Snipers’s in service with the Croatian Army. The M-95 Degman is a development of the Yugoslavian M-90 Vihora, which itself is a further development of the M-84 main battle tank. The M-95 featured several enhancements over the base M-84A4 Snipers in Croatian service while retaining the original crew of 3, the driver, commander, and gunner. First, the most noticeable enhancement is the addition of new explosive reactive armor, or ERA, covering the UFL/ LFP, Turret, and hull sides. This ERA, dubbed RRAK, was developed in coordination with the Israeli company Elbit Systems resulting in a significant increase in protection from kinetic, and tandem-HEAT shaped charges. Also included is NERA inserts to reinforce the ERA. In terms of firepower, the M-95 Degman received an upgraded fire control system from the Slovenian company ‘Fotona’ which was an upgrade of the Omega-84 found on the M-84A4 Sniper main battle tank. This new FCS, the Omega-D integrates a new 2nd-generation thermal imager w/ integrated laser rangefinder for the gunner named the TSGS-D which allows for effective night operations and increases the effectiveness of the new 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore gun. Not only this, this new FCS further heightens reaction time to increase probability of kill/first round launched. If the new FCS isn’t enough, the M-95 Degman received a modified autoloader that decreases the autoloaders reload time from 7.5 seconds (or 8rds/min) to 6.6 seconds (or 9rds/min), providing a ~15% increase in rate of fire (RoF) which can be crucial in war-time environments. The gunner also controls the M86 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. Other optics include a COMTOS w/ integrated DNKS-2 Day/Night Sight for the commander which utilizes a newer passive IR intensifier and the TNPO-168V Day Periscope with PPV-2 Passive IR Periscope for the Driver for day and night operations. Other electronics and countermeasures include a LIRD-4A laser warning receiver which can be coupled to 12x 902A ‘Tucha’ 81mm smoke grenade launchers to discharge the smoke grenades in the event of incoming laser-guided missiles or laser rangefinding targeting equipment, as well as a new digital battlefield computer accessible for the commander, offering enhanced situational awareness. The M-95 Degman retains the same engine, the V-46TK diesel engine capable of producing 1,000hp. It can be upgraded to the 1,200hp V46-TK1 Diesel Engine used on the M-90 Vihor. However, the M-95 did receive a new transmission, the Transmission with Independent Turning Radii, or TITR which significantly increases the turning and accelerating capability of the M-95. This new transmission features a 5-to-1 gearbox that takes a more balanced approach shifting while retaining the size of the original manual gearbox found on the M-84. The gearbox and engine allow for a new maximum speed of 70km/h. New tracks with rubberized inserts were installed by Diehl to handle the new turning capabilities. One prototype of the M-95 Degman was produced alongside an export variant of the M-95, the M-84D, an upgraded M-84 that utilizes many of the components of the M-95. The M-84D has been adopted by the Croatian Army, with 16 M-84A4’s to be upgraded to the new standard. So far only 2 have been upgraded. The Kuwaiti Army also expressed interest in the M-84D. Currently the prototype unit is in storage with no further development expected because parts of the M-95 Degman are based on the M-90 Vihor, which after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Serbia held key components/blueprints and later destroyed them which ended development of the M-95 Degman.
Armament:
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M-5 Smoothbore Gun
  - Cartridge: 125mm
    - Ammunition:
      - APFSDS-T
      - HEAT-FS
      - HE-FRAG
    - Feed System:
      - Autoloader-22rds (42rds total)
    - Rate of Fire (RoF): 9rds/min
    - Depression/Elevation: -6/+13 degrees
- Coaxial: M86 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Tertiary: M87 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Maneuverability:
- Engine:1,000hp V-46TK Diesel Engine
  - Can receive 1,200hp V46-TK1 Diesel Engine.
- Transmission: (TITR) Transmission with Independent Turning Radii (5-forward, 1-Reverse)
- Chassis: Torsion Bar
- Max Speed: 70km/h
Dimensions:
- Length: 10.1m (w/ gun forward)
- Width: 3.6m
- Height: 2.2m
- Weight: 48.5t (combat ready)
Crew (3x):
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
Accessories:
- 12x 902A ‘Tucha’ 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Laser Rangefinder
- LIRD-4A Laser Warning Receiver
- Entrenching Blade
- Armor:
  - RRAK Explosive Reactive Armor
    - Noted to be similar to Kontact-5 ERA for both chemical and kinetic protection.
  - NERA inserts.
- NVD:
  - Driver: TNPO-168V Day Periscope/PPV-2 Passive IR Periscope (Passive IR)
  - Gunner: TSGS-D Electro-optical Sight (2nd-generation Thermal Imager)
  - Commander: COMTOS w/ integrated DNKS-2 Day/Night Sight (Passive IR)
In-game:
- The M-95 Degman is a highly unique vehicle featuring a 180-degree approach from the standard M-84. Equipped with ERA matching that of Kontact-5, a rapid fire autoloader (6.6rds/min), and a highly unusual transmission capable of rapidly turning and accelerating the vehicle, the M-95 Degman will be turning heads at higher ranks. The M-95 only suffers two major drawbacks. The first is the large ERA paneling, meaning once a panel is detonated, a significant part of the hull or turret will be exposed depending on where the vehicle was hit. The second is the lack of effective ammunition, with some sources claim rounds as far back as the 3BK14M HEAT-FS or the 3VBM-9 APFSDS-T rounds. The M-95 Degman would make an effective Squadron or Premium vehicle for any future Yugoslavian Ground Forces Tree.
- Estimated Battle Rating: 10.3
Sources: