- Yes
- No
M103A2 is a modification of the M103A1 tank, which in turn is a deep rework and improvement of the M103 currently represented in our game. To put it briefly, the M103A2 is an M103 with the engine from the M60 and a very extensive turret redesign. Why am I proposing exactly the M103A2 and not the M103A1? The answer is simple: the M103A2 has even more differences from the standard M103 than the M103A1. On the other hand, even the M103A2 would be just a copy-paste to many. Personally, I’m very fond of the M103 and would be very happy to see more tanks of its family in the game.
History
After the initial tests at Fort Knox showed that the T43E1 (M103) would never fully meet CONARC requirements for the turret and gun control system as well as the fire control system, the Ordnance Committee proposed a re‑engineering and product improvement program. Initially, three pilots were authorised for this project, but OCM 35247 of 22 April 1954 reduced the number to two, and the improved vehicle was designated the 120 mm Gun Tank T43E2.
The first T43E2 began engineering tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground in February 1956, and the second was shipped to Fort Knox the following June.
As expected, changes from the T43E1 were concentrated mainly in the turret and fire control system. The turret was now fitted with a basket, and the gunner was relocated to the right front alongside the gun. The constant‑pressure hydraulic turret control used on the T43E1 was replaced by an electric amplidyne system. The coaxial machine gun on the right side of the cannon was replaced by an articulated telescope as a secondary sight for the gunner.
After moving the gunner to the front of the turret, a great deal of space was freed up in his former location and around it. So much so that 25 projectiles were moved there. In addition, one projectile was stowed with the charges in the left part of the turret bustle. Thus, 25 of the 26 projectiles in the turret were concentrated behind the right loader, who was precisely responsible for loading them. Previously, on the T43E1, the main ready rack of 18 projectiles was located in front of the right loader, to the right of the gun breech.
The arrangement of charges also changed, though less radically. The 11 charges located in the left part of the turret bustle on the T43E1 remained there on the T43E2. What changed was the stowage of charges to the left of the breech. Previously, they were horizontal and the rack held only 7 charges; now the rack held 14 charges, of which only 2 were horizontal and the rest vertical.
In total, the turret held 26 projectiles and 25 charges, i.e. 25 complete rounds. For comparison, the T43E1 turret held 18 projectiles and charges. The hull of the T43E2 accommodated 12 complete rounds versus 15 on the T43E1. Tests at Aberdeen showed that the average loading time with the new ammunition stowage in the turret was 10 seconds.
A new T52 stereoscopic rangefinder was installed for the tank commander. The rangefinder was electrically coupled to a T33 ballistic computer, which, together with the new T44E1 periscopic sight for the gunner on the turret roof, formed the primary fire control system. The T44E1 sight also provided correction for vehicle cant and projectile drift. The commander’s cupola was modified: the geared rotation feature and the remote control for the .50 cal machine gun were removed. This weapon could now only be operated with the hatch open.
The test report from Fort Knox concluded that the T43E2 met CONARC requirements and, after correction of some minor defects, was suitable for U.S. Army use. At that time, the Army did not plan additional production and regarded the T43E2 as a standby design for possible future use. However, the U.S. Marine Corps allocated funds to convert 219 of their T43E1s to the T43E2 standard. On 13 June 1957, OCM 36540 was approved, which standardised the T43E2 with the various modifications required by the test programme. The same action designated the vehicle as the 120 mm Gun, Full Tracked, Combat Tank M103A1.
After the appearance of the diesel‑powered M60 tank, the Marine Corps provided funds for a modernisation programme for the M103A1. This product improvement project was initiated on 5 June 1961 with authorisation to build two M103A1E1 pilot tanks incorporating the latest components to increase operational range, mobility, and fire control. On 4 October, additional funds were allocated for the assembly of a third M103A1E1.
The most important change on the M103A1E1 was the installation of the Continental AVDS‑1790‑2A diesel engine. Operating with the CD‑850‑6 cross‑drive transmission, the new engine increased the cruising range of the tank from 80 to about 300 miles. The engine compartment was modified to incorporate an insulated infrared‑suppression rear deck, as on the M60 tank, and the engine exhaust, mixed with cooling air, was discharged through vertical rear grilles of the same type. This new rear hull arrangement required the design of a new gun travel lock, which was attached at the centre rear of the upper deck. The tank commander received a new optical (coincidence) rangefinder XM24 (later M24). Like the rest of the fire control equipment, it used the metric system. The M14E1 (later M14A1) ballistic computer was a modified version of the M14 to improve night‑fighting capability and had an additional cam for HEAT ammunition. An articulated M102C telescope, a metric version of the M102, was provided for the secondary fire control system. A xenon searchlight was also fitted to enhance night‑fighting capability. On the pilot tanks, an attempt was made to reduce suspension weight by eliminating the second and fifth track support rollers on each side. It was also noted that the lightweight aluminium road wheels and track support rollers from the M60 tank could be installed with only minor modifications.
Meetings in August 1962 reviewed the results of the pilot tank tests and the maintenance evaluation. It was concluded that the tank was suitable for Marine Corps use, and funds were authorised for the Red River Army Depot to convert 153 M103A1 tanks to the new configuration. On 13 December 1962, standardisation took place. The upgraded vehicle was approved as the 120 mm Gun, Full Tracked, Combat Tank M103A2.
Unlike the three pilot tanks, the later conversions retained all six of the track support rollers on each side of the suspension. On 26 August 1963, the M103A2 was designated as the standard operational heavy tank for the U.S. Marine Corps. In fiscal year 1968, an additional 52 M103A1s were converted to the M103A2 standard bringing the total to 208. The M103A2 continued in service until 1973 when it was phased out of all operational units.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Gunner, 2 Loaders, Driver) |
| Weight, combat | 58.1 tons |
| Length | 11.23 m (with gun forward) |
| Width | 3.63 m |
| Height | 3.56 m |
| Main Armament | 120 mm M58 (T123E1) |
| Ammunition Types | M358 APBC‑T, M469 HEAT‑FS, M356 HE‑T, M357 WP‑T (smoke) |
| Ammunition Carried | 38 rounds |
| Secondary Armament | 1 × 7.62 mm M1919A4E1 (coaxial), 1 × 12.7 mm M2 HB (flexible on turret roof) |
| Fire Control System | Rangefinder M24 (commander), ballistic computer M14A1, Periscope M29 and telescope M102C (gunner) |
| Stabilisation | None |
| Engine | Continental AVDS‑1790‑2A diesel, 750 hp |
| Transmission | Cross‑drive CD‑850‑6 or CD‑850‑6A automatic |
| Speed | 38 km/h (road) |
| Operational Range | 480 km |
| Armour | Similar to the M103 tank |
In‑game characteristics of the M103A2 compared with the M103
M103 → M103A2
Mobility
- Mass, tons: 56.7 → 58.1
- Engine power, hp: 810 → 750
- Power‑to‑weight ratio, hp/t: 14.3 → 12.9
- Maximum speed, km/h: 34 → 37
Armament
- Ammunition for 120 mm gun, rounds: 33 → 38
- Auxiliary machine gun M1919A4: 2 → 1
- Turret traverse speed, deg/s: 24 → 21
- Reload time, sec: 14.9 → 12.5 (just a wish, how it will actually be - only the developers know)
- Sight magnification: Commander: 9.9× – 10.0× → 8.6× (rangefinder) Gunner: 6.0× – 7.5× → 6.0× – 8.0×
Armour
On the M103A2, a “hump” appears on the right side of the turret, specifically on the front part and near the roof, as a result of relocating the gunner to the right of the gun. This hump will certainly catch various incoming projectiles.
hump
Unmentioned characteristics remain unchanged (let me know if I missed anything).
To sum up, we would get a less dynamic but more rapid‑firing (or the rate of fire won’t change) M103 with a changed gunner position and ammunition stowage. The gunner’s sight would be slightly more comfortable for long‑range engagements, and the maximum speed, increased by 3 km/h, would make the journey to a favourite position or a capture point a little more pleasant.
Sources
- Hunnicutt, R. P. (1988). Firepower, A History of the American Heavy Tank . Presidio Press.
- https://afvdatabase.com/
- TEST OF TANK, 120MM GUN, T43E2 PILOT No. 1 FIRST REPORT ON ORDNANCE PROJECT 251-036-28 PERMANENT FILE COPY (S. R. SHERIDAN) FEBRUARY – NOVEMBER 1956 Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland – Photographed and posted by Harold Biondo, for which we are extremely grateful.
