- Yes
- No
History
The M-48 Patton
Production of the M-48 tank began in 1952, and the first deliveries to the U.S. Army took place the following year. The original variant was equipped with a gasoline engine and a 90mm gun, and the tank in this configuration served in many armies, including the Greek Army. Soon, the need to upgrade the tank’s capabilities became urgent, so that it could respond to the modern theater of operations and operate alongside new-generation tanks. This led to the creation of various variants of the tank with improved features, the most significant of which were the A3 and A5. The A3 version featured numerous significant improvements, the most important of which was the new Continental AVDS-1790 twelve-cylinder diesel engine (which produced 750 horsepower at 2,400 rpm) and the replacement of the fire control system. This was followed by the A5 variant, which, in addition to the above improvements, included the replacement of the 90mm M41 gun with the 105mm M68, known as the L7 gun in American terminology. The modernization kit also included new track shoes and a coaxial 7.62mm M-60D machine gun. The new main battle tank served as a compromise solution for many armies that did not have the enormous funds required to acquire new tanks, including the Greek Army.
Greek Modernization Program
In the early 1980s, various manufacturers of fire control systems began offering their systems to further modernize the M-48s. At the same time, the Greek Army was completing the M-48 modernization program and was simultaneously seeking ways to upgrade and modernize the AMX-30 tanks. The relevant program called for the conversion of 525 M-48 tanks to the M-48A5 standard; however, the final number of modernized tanks did not exceed 325, with the remainder remaining at the A3 standard. This tank force was supplemented in 1989 with 300 additional M-48A5 tanks acquired from the U.S. National Guard.
The proposed upgrades for the M-48A3 tanks were deemed prohibitively expensive, and the program was ultimately abandoned. After some time had passed, the modernization of the existing M-48A5 tanks was considered as an alternative, and a tender was launched for the modernization of 200 tanks initially, which could be expanded to 400. Thus, the M-48A5 MOLF main battle tank is an upgrade of the older M-48A5 models involving the installation of a new fire control system, which was undertaken (along with the necessary modifications to the turret and hull) by the 304th ΠΕΒ. A total of 400 M48A5 tanks were modernized to the above standard at the 304th ΠΕΒ in Velestino in two batches of 200 tanks each. Four M48A3 tanks were also modernized to the same standard. This was done to ensure that the large stockpile of 90mm shells would not go to waste. In addition to their modernization, the tanks also underwent a full factory overhaul. Currently the Hellenic Armed Forces have 390 M48A5 MOLFs in their arsenal. The first 200 modernized tanks were equipped with German smoke launchers, four on each side of the turret. The tanks in the first batch were equipped with an Urdan-type commander’s hatch and carried two M60D machine guns, one in the commander’s hatch and one in the loader’s hatch. The tanks of the second batch initially did not carry smoke grenade launchers. However, following the withdrawal of the M60 tanks, these tanks were retrofitted with the American-style smoke grenade launchers previously used on the M60s. The storage box for the smoke grenades was also mounted next to the launchers. When the M48A3s began to be phased out, the Urdan turret on the M48A3 MOLF tanks was replaced with an American-style turret equipped with a .50-caliber machine gun. Also, on tanks equipped with an M60D in the loader’s hatch, this was replaced with an MG3 machine gun.
Four M48A3 tanks were also modernized to the same standard. This was done to ensure that the large stockpile of 90mm rounds would not go to waste.
MOLF: Modular Laser Fire Control System
MOLF is a fire control system for main battle tanks developed and manufactured by the German company ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. It is a variant of the proven EMES 18 and EMES 15 systems that equip the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, respectively. It consists of modular subsystems, and its design philosophy is based on the ability to radically upgrade a tank’s fire control capabilities. It enables firing at stationary or moving targets, while the tank carrying it can be stationary or on the move, with the additional option of day or night operation. The system ensures a high probability of success with the first shot, even if the tank is on an incline and environmental conditions are adverse.
During tests conducted by the Greek Army, the probability of a hit on the first shot reaches 98%, while equally significant is the fact that the tank’s complete transformation takes place on Greek soil at the 304th Armored Brigade. At the same time, a significant portion of the electronics was manufactured in Greece by ECON Electronics, ensuring even greater domestic support capabilities. Finally, the MOLF system shares 80% of its components with the EMES 18 system that equips the Leopard 1A5GR tanks and serves as a significant force multiplier for the tank force. The system includes: A periscope with an integrated mirror, laser rangefinder, and thermal camera; the crew commander’s sight; and a turret control unit. Thermal camera control unit (for commander and gunner). Loader control unit. Various sensors (gun elevation, wind, etc.). Various electronic subsystems.
The steps involved in converting the tank are as follows:
- Complete overhaul of the tank
- Preparation of the turret, from which all old mounts are removed
- The turret undergoes specific high-precision machining operations to accommodate the new systems
- Installation of the new mounts that will hold the MOLF system components as well as the remaining components, as the tank retains the older fire control system that can be used in case of emergency
- The turret is being painted
- Installation of the electro-hydraulic system
- The electronic units of the fire control systems are being installed
- The process of functional tests, which lasts several days, begins
- The turret is mounted on the hull
- Additional tests continue on the test track, where the stabilization system is checked
- Tests are conducted to verify that the vehicle meets specifications
- Firing tests are performed, and the vehicle is delivered to the unit
The most noticeable visual changes to the tank following its modernization are as follows:
- A new, larger housing containing the new sights has been installed in front of the tank commander’s hatch.
- A wind sensor has been installed at the rear of the turret.
- A heat-shedding cover was installed on the 105mm gun.
A new gun mounting and locking system was installed at the rear of the tank, on top of the engine cover.
Firepower
Main armament: 90 mm M41
Secondary: Commanders 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, Loaders 7.62 mm MG3 machine gun.
and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
Ammunition for the 90mm:
- M431
- M318A1
- M332A1
- M336
Protection
The M48A3 MOLF relies exclusively on traditional, homogeneous cast steel armor for its physical defense.
The entire hull is built as a single, unified piece of cast steel.
- Hull Front (Glacis): 110 mm thick, heavily sloped at 60 degrees. This sloping effectively doubles its physical thickness to 220 mm of Line-of-Sight (LoS) protection against direct frontal hits.
- Turret Front: Roughly 178 mm of solid cast steel. The rounded, dome shape assists in forcing older kinetic shells to ricochet.
- Sides and Rear: Hull sides are 76 mm thick, while the rear drops to roughly 44 mm.
Specifications
- Crew: 4
- Length: 9.44 m
- Width: 3.63 m
- Height: 3.29 m
- Crew: 4
- Weight: 49 tons
Mobility
Engine: Continental AVDS-1790
Transmission: Allison CD-850-6 cross-drive
Horsepower: 720
- Maximum speed: 48 km/h
- Maximum reverse speed: 8km/h
- Autonomy: 499 km
- Grading ability: 60 %
- Water obstacle: 1.2 m
- Vertical obstacle: 0.9 m
- Ditch: 2.59 m
