M60A3 NG (P) -

lLiberté · April 21, 2025, 1:57pm

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M60A3 Next Generation (P)

Background

M60A3 Next Generation is an extensive modernisation package offered by Turkish defence firm ROKETSAN. M60A3 Next Generation is product of culminated experiences of Operation Euphrates Shield (Fırat Kalkanı Harekatı) and failed M60A3 modernisation efforts. Next Generation modernisation package introduces brand-new state-of-the-art turret system MZK (Moduler Zırhlı Kule/Modular Armored Turret); integrates extensive electro-optical suit paired with new fire control system, remotely controlled weapon system as well as new armor kit to ageing M60A3s of Turkish Armed Forces. In 2023 single unit of M60A3 with MZK Turret System was delivered to Turkish Armed Forces for qualification tests. This prototype lacked many of the components such as new hull armor package, electro-optical suit and remotely controlled weapon system.

M60A3 Next Generation (Prototype)

Scope of M60A3 Next Generation

Aim of M60A3 Next Generation Modernisation Package is to bring M60A3 Main Battle Tanks to modern standards with integration of state-of-the-art MZK Turret System equipped with top-notch electro-optical suit and situational awareness equipment; new hull and turret armor package, and modern fire control system. Prototype of M60A3 Next Generation is integrated with following indigenous sub-systems:

YAMGOZ Enhanced 360° Close Range Surveillance System

YAMGÖZ-100 - 1

YAMGOZ Surveillance System is a high-performance day-night vision system designed mainly for Main Battle Tanks, Tracked and Wheeled Platforms. YAMGOZ provides enhance situational awareness and maneuvering capability in harsh weather and environment. System composes of 4-YAMGOZ with 360° day-night and thermal view.

Main Features
• Thermal Imager
• Day-Night Imager
• RWS-FCS Compatibility
• Fusion View with Day Camera & Thermal Imager

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

LİAS-400 Tank Laser Warning System
TLUS

LİAS-400 Laser Warning System is an advance threat detection system with ability to detect, classify and identify laser threats aiming on the platform and activate countermeasure systems in a short response time and with high sensitivity. LİAS-400 is designed to detect laser threats operating on various optical bands such as Laser Range Finders (LRF), Laser Designators (LD) and Laser Beam Riders (LBR).

Main Features
• High Sensitivity
• Threat Tracking
• Fast Response Time
• Threat Classification (LRF, LTD, LBR)

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

GÖREN-100/200 Tank Driver Vision System
GÖREN-100 - 3

GÖREN-100/200 is a high-performance vision system designed for main battle tanks and other platforms to provide superior vision and maneuvering capability in harsh weather and battlefield conditions.

Main Features

• Thermal Imager
• Day and Night Usage
• Situational Awareness
• Advanced Vision Capability

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

ATS-70/71/72 Electro-Optic Sensor System
ATS-71

ATS-70/71/72 is a compact and rugged electro-optic sensor system mainly designed for main battle tanks, armored vehicles and remote weapon system to provide enhanced precision and vision capability in harsh battlefield conditions.

^{* It is not specifically stated that ATS-70/71/72 is designated CITV of Next Generation Package, still the one used on the video visually is similar if not outright same with ATS-70/71/72.}

Main Features

• Thermal Imager
• Laser Range Finder
• Day and Night Imager
• Multi Sensor Capability
• Compact and Rugged System

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

SARP 100 Remote Weapon Platform

SARP 100 - 3

SARP 100 is a compact, remotely operated stabilized weapon platform with high-precision surveillance capabilities and superb firepower. It can be integrated onto vehicles or fixed posts to provide firepower against air, ground, and asymmetric threats. SARP has ability to mount 7,62mm machine-gun, 12.7mm heavy machine-gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher in accordance with the operational needs.

Main Features
• Laser Range Finder
• Day and Night Imaging
• Gyro Aided Stabilization
• Automatic Target Tracking
• Automatic Ballistic Calculation
• Shoot-On-the-Move Capability for Stationary and Moving Targets

Brochure with More Information

General Specifications
Firepower

M60A3 Next Generation received extensive upgrade in terms of firepower with integration of ROKETSAN’s state-of-the-art MZK Turret System. M60A3 Next Generation boasts brand-new ROKETSAN DGTS 105mm low-recoil cannon with bustle-autoloader system. In 105mm configuration, MZK Turret houses total of 18 ready-to-fire rounds at the bustle-autoloader. Specifications of DGTS 105mm is currently not revealed but it is most likely compatible with 105mm NATO standard ammunition. MZK Turret System also equipped with new fire control system, likely VOLKAN Fire Control System optimised for 105mm use, as it is among the plans per 2024-2028 Defense Industry Sectoral Strategy Document states.

MZK Turret System’s secondary armament consists of a single co-axial machine-gun placed on upper right side of gun mantlet and SARP 100 Remote Weapon Platform placed on back of the turret.

It should be noted that there is no mention of co-axial machine-gun in ROKETSAN’s MZK Fire Trials or in promotional document of MZK, so there might be no co-axial machine-gun in current configuration of MZK; there is though what it looks like to be place for co-axial machine gun upper right side of gun mantlet though it might be Gunner’s back-up sight too as placement in rather similar to Altay’s back-up sight.

For Reference Altay’s Gunner’s Back-Up Sight Placement

Abrams' and Leopard's Back-Up Sight

Abrams Gunner's Back-Up Sight

Leopard Gunner's Back-Up Sight

Modüler Zırhlı Kule/MZK

MZK (Modüler Zırhlı Kule) is a two-man turret system designed and developed by ROKETSAN. MZK is armed with ROKETSAN DGTS 105mm low-recoil cannon complemented with co-axial 7.62mm machine-gun^? and 12.7mm remote weapon platform. Gunner and Commander has access to Thermal and Night Sight to identify and engage threats; lethality of the vehicle further enhanced with Hunter-Killer capacity. In current prototype MZK looks like to be lacking dedicate Gunner’s sight which is supposed to be placed on front right of the turret.

^{Missing Gunner’s Sight}

Main Features

• CITV
• Thermal Imager
• Bustle-Autoloader
• Laser Range Finder
• Day and Night Imager
• Laser Warning Receiver
• Explosive Reactive Armor
• Composite Passive Armor
• 360° Close Range Surveillance System
• Replaceable Additional Armor Modules
• Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)

MZK (Modüler Zırhlı Kule)

Crew: 2
Dimensions and Weight
- Mass: 13000 kg
- Length: ? mm
- Width: ? mm
- Height: ? mm
Armament
- Main Armament:
  • ROKETSAN DGTS 105mm L/? Low-Recoil Cannon
- Secondary Armament:
  ∙ MKE PMT-76-57A or SARSILMAZ SAR 762 MT 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine Gun^?
  ∙ SARP 100 Remotely Controlled Weapon Station Mounted M2 QCB 12.7mm Heavy Machine-Gun
- Ammunition Capacity
  ∙ 18 Ready-to-Fire Cannon Rounds
  ∙ ? Ready-to-Fire Machine-Gun Rounds
Protection
∙ Slat Armor
∙ ROKETSAN Passive Armor
∙ ROKETSAN Explosive Reactive Armor
Accessories
- Night Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
- Thermal Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
  • CITV
  • Thermal Imager
  • Bustle-Autoloader
  • Laser Range Finder
  • Day and Night Imager
  • Laser Warning Receiver
  • Explosive Reactive Armor
  • Composite Passive Armor
  • 360° Close Range Surveillance System
  • Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)

Brochure with More Information

Spoiler

Mobility

M60A3 Next Generation Prototype does not comes with an engine upgrade retaining Continental AVDS-1790-2 Diesel engine and General Motors Cross-Drive transmission system yet the mobility is slightly better than base M60A3 Main Battle Tank thank to lighter weight of MZK Turret System. Weight of MZK is merely 13 tons, 1.5 tons lighter than original M60A3 turret, lowering total weight of tank to 50.4 tons which allows for higher 14.8 horsepower-to-weight ratio.

Weight Difference with Integration of Modular Armored Turret System

Protection

M60A3 Next Generation greatly enhances protection of M60A3 Main Battle Tank with new MZK Turret System, additional Explosive Reactive Armor elements on both hull and turret as well as laser warning receiver with 360° coverage. The prototype vehicle lacks any of the hull armor elements, so M60A3 NG (P) would not have them while fully matured vehicle would.

Modüler Zırhlı Kule Armor Scheme

MZK Turret System’s armor consists of passive and additional reactive elements placed on the turret. Turret itself is fitted with composite armor elements inside cavities. Additional Explosive Reactive Armor units placed on frontal arc of the turret as well as sides of the bustle.

^{This Defence Image is MZK for T-72, There is Slight Differences; Namely Additional ERA on Sides and Lack of Bustle-Autoloader.}

ROKETSAN’s MZK Firing Trials video mentions that the turret provides protection agains APFSDS with STANAG 4569 Level 6.

^{Turret and ERA Highlighted, So Either Both Turret & ERA Offers STANAG 4569 Level 6 or It’s Combined Protection. I Believe It’s Former}

^{Performance of ROKETSAN ERA; from ROKETSAN MZK Fire Trial Tests Video}

ROKETSAN’s Brochure About ERA Designed for M60T & M60A3

ROKETSAN’s new generation Explosive Reactive Armor is a state-of-the-art reactive armor solution. ROKETSAN’s tests has showed that ROKETSAN ERA is immune against most of the contemporary CE threats including RPGs, ATGMs and HEAT rounds. In the tests ERA has stopped PG-7VR tandem-charged RPG with penetration power of 600mm behind-the-ERA penetration with minimal residual penetration and completely stopped 125mm HEAT/HEATFS rounds. Alongside image proofs, ROKETSAN’s production catalogue states that ERA is immune against PG-7VR, KORNET-E, TOW-2A Konkurs and other contemporary tandem-charged chemical threats.

Number for protection against Kinetic threats is not really given in any documents, so it is kind of hard to come up with any numbers. In the brochure it is simply stated that ROKETSAN ERA (specially used on Badger) offers enhanced protection against 105mm, 120mm and 125mm APFSDS rounds. It is also stated in the same brochure that ERA offers proaction against small caliber rounds up to 30mm. So it is safe to assume ROKETSAN ERA would not be triggered by small arms smaller than 30mm.

Performance of ROKETSAN ERA

Performance of ROKETSAN ERA Used On Badger Armor Package

Specifications

Dimensions and Weight
- Mass: 50.4 Tons
- Length: 6.9 m
- Width: 3.6 m
- Height: > 3.2 m
Armament
- Main Armament: ROKETSAN DGTS 105mm L/? Rifled Cannon
- Secondary Armament:
  ∙ MKE PMT-76-57A or SARSILMAZ SAR 762 MT 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine Gun^?
  ∙ SARP 100 Remotely Controlled Weapon Station Mounted M2 QCB 12.7mm Heavy Machine-Gun
- Ammunition Capacity
  ∙ 18 105mm Ready-to-Fire Cannon Rounds
  ∙ ? 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine Gun
  ∙ ? 12.7mm Machine-Gun Rounds ˀ
Mobility
- Engine: Continental AVDS-1790-2C Diesel Engine, 750 Horsepower
- Transmission: CD-850-5 Cross-Drive Transmission, 2 Forward, 1 Reverse
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Maximum Speed: 48 km/h
- Power to Weight: 14,88 hp/t
Protection
- Hull Armor
  ∙ ROKETSAN Passive Armor
  ∙ ROKETSAN Explosive Reactive Armor
- Turret Armor
  ∙ Slat Armor
  ∙ ROKETSAN Passive Armor
  ∙ ROKETSAN Explosive Reactive Armor
- Active Protection System: None
- Smoke Grenades: 8x
Accessories
- Night Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
- Thermal Sight
  ∙ Gunner
  ∙ Commander
- CITV
- Spall Liner^?
- Bustle-Autoloader
- Laser Range Finder
- Laser Warning Reciever
- 360° Close Range Surveillance System
- Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)

Implementation to War Thunder

M60A3 NG (P) should be reserved for future Turkish Ground Forces Tech Tree. M60A3 NG (P) with enhanced protection and superb situational awareness capabilities would be quite strong vehicle. Since it is a prototype/test bed of M60A3 Next Generation package, it would be better off premium with Battle Rating around 9.3 - 9.7 range.

Additional Photos

Spoiler