M41B 90mm

VEIO_da_HAVAN · December 10, 2023, 5:36pm

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In the 70s, with the high price of fuel and the lack of 76mm ammunition for the M41, the Brazilian army planned a modernization with the help of Bernardini and other companies, giving Brazilian and Uruguayan armored vehicles a chance to survive.

Modernization of M41 in Brazil:

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1960s: Acquisition of M-41

Brazil acquires a significant quantity of the M-41 Combat Tank throughout the 1960s, becoming the standard tank and gradually replacing models from World War II.

Early 1970s: Challenges

Difficulties arise due to supply issues and the use of a high-octane gasoline engine, which proves to be easily flammable and has high fuel consumption.

January 1976: Establishment of the Modernization Project

The Army General Staff initiates the project “Update of the M41 Combat Tank” in response to the challenges, designated as 01.09 in the Research and Development Plan.

March 1976: Feasibility Study

Feasibility study begins for the nationalization of the engine, considering the use of the Scania DS-14 diesel engine. The study is considered viable.

1978: Start of Modernization Work

IPD and CPDB start modernization work on M41 EB 11-070, replacing the gasoline engine with a turbocharged Scania DS-14 diesel engine with 350HP.

1982: Development of Engine Kits

The first generation of engine kits is developed by Motopeças Transmissões S/A in Sorocaba, SP. Bernardini produces 14 units as a pre-series for evaluation.

Enhancements and Transfer to Private Industry

Improvements in the cooling system, torque converter matching, and transfer of assembly to Bernardini S/A in Cotia, SP.
Bernardini S/A consolidates all M-41 models as M41-C, mainly with the long barrel Br2 cannon.

International Interest and Offer of Modern Equipment

International suppliers offer modern equipment such as laser sights, night vision, and automatic fire-fighting systems.
Bernardini becomes capable of producing more than 50 repowered or modernized units per year.

Advancements in Weaponry and Control Systems

Advancements in weaponry, including the transformation of the 76mm cannon to a 90mm caliber.
Advancements in turret control systems with solid-state electrical technology.

Formation of Specialized Personnel and Industry Adaptation

Importance of personnel training in dealing with daily challenges.
Industry adapts to a production scale, stimulating various companies to contribute to the production of components.

Challenges and Solutions

Challenges include economic instability, daily economic adjustments, and legal constraints on multi-year contracts.
Solutions include collaborations with established partners for certain developments.

Foreign Interest and Initial Hurdles

Foreign companies express interest in the project, but initial attempts do not succeed.

Evolution of the Project

Initial difficulties in obtaining a suitable tank for the project.
Parallel efforts by private organization Prensas Schuler S/A to install a German MTU engine on M41.

Choice of Scania DS-14 Engine

Choice of Scania DS-14 engine for M41 modernization, overcoming challenges such as height adjustments and cooling system installation.

Creation of Engine Kits and Industry Transition

Creation of the first generation of engine kits with hydraulic motor-driven fans.
Transition of modernization work to Bernardini S/A, producing 14 units for evaluation.

Integration of 90mm Cannon and Model Standardization

Integration of a 90mm cannon in M41, tested with French and Belgian models.
Standardization of models as M41-C with the long barrel Br2 cannon, with some retaining the short barrel Br1.

Tests and Operationalization

Field tests and operationalization of M41-C after the engine replacement, showcasing improved performance.

Documentation and Further Developments

Documentation of the modernization process in reports.
Mention of ongoing studies for the modernization of M-113.

Bernardini’s Contribution and Offer of Solutions

Bernardini’s role in the project, offering cost-effective solutions.
Mention of the possibility of changing calibers and the development of solutions for weaponry and control systems.

Finalization and Operationalization

Finalization of the project, with the operationalization of M41-B.
Display of M41-B alongside XI A2 Carcará, showcasing the successful modernization.

Comparison between M41 and M41B:

Observed Aspect	CC M-41 B	CC M-41 A3
Time to reach 40 Km/h on flat terrain	12.5 seconds	13.5 seconds
Time to cover the first km on flat terrain	77 seconds	79 seconds
Speed on a 10% slope	45 Km/h	45 Km/h
Maximum speed on flat terrain	65 Km/h	72 Km/h

Homologation of M-41B Repowered:

Spoiler

February 19, 1979: The final report on the M-41 Combat Vehicle repowering kit was presented. The prototype, named M-41B, resulted from collaborative work between IPD and Bernardini S/A of São Paulo, with assistance from SAAB-Scania do Brasil SIA.

Key Information:
- Approval for use in other vehicles operated by the Army.
- Prototype created for testing by various Military Organizations.
- Repowering kit description included a Saab-Scania Diesel engine, model DS-14, turbocharged, with 350 HP at 2300 rpm.

Homologation Report Details:

Saab-Scania DS-14 engine with eight cylinders in a “V” shape, water-cooled, 350 HP.
Hydraulic system for cooling with two fans at the rear of the vehicle.
Fuel tanks with a total capacity of 550 liters.
Electrical system with two 12V batteries and four 60A alternators.
Air intake system with two parallel air filters.
Instrument panel with various indicators for engine and vehicle status.
Additional armor at the rear for fan housing, requiring a change in the cannon’s negative position limit.

Test Results and Observations:

Operational characteristics, fuel consumption, and autonomy were tested.
The vehicle demonstrated excellent obstacle-crossing capability and agility.
Comparative tests with M-41A3 showed equivalent performance, with slight differences in agility.
Tests in Pirassununga indicated the vehicle’s ability to operate at temperatures up to 50°C.

Considerations and Modifications:

Positive aspects included performance, fuel efficiency, extended range, and enhanced safety with the diesel engine.
The M-41B featured additional rear armor for fan housing and a redesigned motor chamber.
Limitation in the cannon’s negative position due to modifications, addressed with a limiting kit on the turret.
The Saab-Scania DS-14 engine underwent modifications for installation, including a special oil cooler and hydraulic cooling system.

Final Homologation:

The homologation was completed through an Audit Report on November 19, 1985, by SFIEQ/CTEx.
The M-41B was eventually transformed into M-41C, with Bernardini S/A handling the project, including engine replacement, cannon repowering, and comprehensive component revisions.

Additional Improvements:

The CTEx introduced a battery charger for M-41C and M-113B, facilitating recharging without battery removal.
Unfortunately, this improvement was later abandoned, reverting to the traditional method of battery removal for recharging.

Production and Transformation:

A total of 91 M-41Bs were produced and later transformed into M-41Cs by Bernardini S/A, involving motor replacement, cannon repowering, and extensive component overhauls.
The transformation process included the installation of modern equipment such as night vision, laser rangefinders, and stabilization.

More power (350hp for 400hp):

Spoiler

Lacombe Indústria e Comércio de Tubos Ltda, offered to work on the engine aiming to increase power at the same time as creating a dry Carter, reducing its height. The work and increase in power was no greater than that offered by Scania itself from 350 to 400 HP

such as the development of a dry sump for a Scania DSI-14 engine, achieving a reduction of 170mm in height, and in the Scania DSI-11 engine which began to work inclined at 60 degrees, reducing the height by 350mm, lowering the center of gravity in applications amphibians.

M41B with side skirts, package called armor add-on

M41B Engesa/Cockerill 90mm cannon:

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It should be noted that two vehicles were armed with a 90mm cannon, one being a 90mm Cokerill/Engesa. This could have been the ideal solution to solve the cannon problem once and for all, but the final costs made it unviable and it was abandoned.

M41B with engesa/Cockerill 90mm Cannon

Armament/Firepower:

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The M41B was armed with EC-90 III (Engesa’s licence produced Cockerill 90 mm low pressure cannon) with a recoil stroke of 500 mm and a gun depression of 8 degrees and elevation of 17 degrees, as secondary armament, it had a .30 coaxial machine gun (with 2,500 rounds) and a fixed roof-mounted for a .50 (with 750 rounds) located in the left side of the turret in front of the commander’s cupola.

Ammunition:

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Tests around the world:

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Tests in Denmark (1987-1988):

An M-41B was sent for tests in Denmark in a partnership involving Bernardini and Krauss-Maffei, aiming to replace the original gasoline engine with the Scania diesel DS 14 A04 EXI.

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The vehicle underwent a series of tests in Alborg for 45 days, demonstrating the project’s viability.
The vehicle had an accident during tests, colliding with an obstacle and damaging the suspension, but was towed by a Leopard IA4 and later recovered by Bernardini personnel, continuing its demonstration.
After the tests, the vehicle was brought back to Brazil as it belonged to the Army, not the company.

Tests in Thailand and Taiwan:

An M-41 with the Brazilian kit was sent to Thailand and tested for three months at the Korat base.
Another vehicle was sent to Taiwan, where it was assembled at the Taichung base, competing with versions from other international competitors.
Taiwan had 1,200 M-41s at the time, representing a significant potential market.
A modernization kit was sent from Brazil to Singapore, painted in Caterpillar yellow to avoid appearing as a military item.
After the tests, there was no contractual agreement, and the countries ended up acquiring M-60s from the United States.

Modernization in Uruguay (1988):

Bernardini partnered with ITC, and in collaboration with the Servicio de Material y Armamento of the Armored Cavalry Regiments 2 and Mechanized 4 of Uruguay, they replaced the engines of 22 M-41 AI U with the Scania DS14 A04 EXI version.
The Uruguayan M-41s were then designated M-41 AI UR (Uruguay Repowered).
All work was carried out in Uruguay.

Export of Technology and Project Closure:

The idea of exporting the technology developed for M-41 repowering as a kit did not succeed due to competition from more modern combat vehicles at extremely low prices.
Most countries using M-41 gradually phased out these vehicles, making the repowering project unfeasible.
Brazil and Uruguay were the main countries that chose repowering during this period.
Bernardini modernized more than 350 M-41 combat vehicles, conducted tests in Brazil, Thailand, and Taiwan, gaining insights into the program and competing internationally.

Development of the “Standard Tank” and Contribution to the Brazilian Industry:

Participation in international competitions generated ideas and suggestions incorporated into the national project.
The “Standard Tank” emerged as the final version of the M-41 modernized in Brazil, with lessons learned, errors, and successes.
Bernardini’s involvement in repowering projects contributed to the development of the Brazilian defense industry.
This unprecedented process in the country demonstrated the feasibility of maintaining, repowering, and creating new armored vehicles, positively impacting the national defense sector.