- Yes
- No
TL;DR: A prototype upgrade of the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier, equipped with a stabilised main gun and an improved FCS derived from the Leopard 2
History
Following WW2, Austria was occupied by the Allies. Austria was forbidden from having an official military, although it was permitted to retain its Gendarmerie, and to establish a paramilitary branch in 1949. This formed the basis for the Austrian Army — the Bundesheer — which was established in 1955, as Austria gained its independence. The Bundesheer was initially armed with leftover US and Soviet equipment, including vehicles like the M41 (42 delivered between 1958–1960) and T-34-85 (37 leftover from Soviet occupation). In 1955, Austria ordered 72 AMX-13s from France, which were delivered from 1956–1957.
Austrian AMX-13 in storage at a museum
In 1962, Austria ordered 120 M60A1s from the US, which were delivered by 1963. This massively helped Austria’s move towards a modernised armoured force. Domestic vehicle production had already begun by this time, with the first prototypes of the Saurer APC produced in the late 1950s, and entering full-scale production in 1961. In 1965, Saurer-Werk (Steyr Daimler Puch) began development of a tank destroyer based on the chassis of the Saurer APC. The first prototype of this vehicle — the SK-105 Kürassier — was built in 1967. Serial production began in 1971, and an estimated 600–700 were built in total until production ended in 2001.
An early production SK-105
The SK-105 was based heavily on the AMX-13, although retained a number of distinct features. It features a centrally-mounted oscillating turret, housing a French 105mm CN-105-57 cannon (the same as on the AMX-13-105). The SK-105 was designated a tank destroyer by Austria, although is often referred to as a light tank. A number of variants of the vehicle were produced, namely the SK-105A2, which featured, among other upgrades, an enhanced FCS. There are also two well-known prototype upgrades of the SK-105, although they are very frequently referred to by incorrect names. These are often both referred to as Super Kürassier, although this name is only correct for the earlier variant.
The Super Kürassier was designed in the early-to-mid 1980s — two prototypes were constructed in 1985. The upgrade program centred on upgrading the fire control system. It saw a new upper turret, very similar to that of the earlier Kürassier II upgrade, fitted with Leopard 2 FCS components, alongside an electronic turret drive and stabilisation for the main gun, although this was only fitted to the 2nd prototype. The vehicle also featured a new single-stage muzzlebrake that permitted the firing of APFSDS rounds (along with the improved FCS). That vehicle then underwent trials with the Bundesheer. However, despite promising results, the program was shelved due to the high costs. The SK-105A2 was developed afterwards (and as such, the Super Kürassier has sometimes been referred to as a prototype of the SK-105A2, although this isn’t really true). The second Super Kürassier prototype is now on display at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Austria.
The Super Kürassier at HGM
Characteristics
The Super Kürassier was armed with an autoloaded 105mm CN-105-57 cannon, known in Austria as the M57, fitted in a fully-stabilised newly-designed upper turret. This cannon was able to fire three main types of ammunition — OFL 105 G1 APFSDS, OCC 105 F1 HEAT-FS, OE 105 F1 Mle.60 HE. OFL 105 G1 APFSDS is able to penetrate 346mm of RHA at 0° at 10m. OCC 105 F1 HEAT-FS is able to penetrate 400mm of RHA at 0° at any range. 43 rounds could be carried total. A coaxial 7.62mm MG 74 was mounted to the left of the main gun.
The Super Kürassier featured a modified Leopard 2 FCS, including a laser rangefinder. It also had improved sights with passive night vision, although they still lacked thermals. The vehicle also had two sets of three smoke grenade launchers on either side of the lower turret, as standard on production SK-105s.
Super Kürassier on display
The new upper turret was more thickly armoured than the original 25mm-thick design, although to what extent is unknown. The lower turret remained the same, as did the turret sides (20mm) and rear (20mm). The hull was also the same as the production SK-105, with the UFP at 25mm @ 62°, the LFP at 25mm @ 49°. The hull sides were 15mm @ 0°, and the rear 15mm @ 1°.
The Super Kürassier also retained the same automotive characteristics as the production SK-105s, with a Steyr 7FA diesel engine producting 320hp, connected to a ZF6 transmission with six forward gears and one reverse. The vehicle weighed 17.5t, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 18.3hp/t. It had a maximum top speed of 68km/h.
Conclusion
The Super Kürassier would be an excellent candidate for a premium or event version of the SK-105, and would fit perfectly as a sidegrade / upgrade to the in-game SK-105A2 (unstabilised, HEAT-FS and APFSDS, LRF, thermals), at 8.7 (stabilised, HEAT-FS and APFSDS, LRF, no thermals) or even 9.0, given the stabiliser. It would likely go in the French tree, given the pre-existing SK-105A2, and the fact Switzerland is now a subtree for Germany (preventing any future standalone Alpine tree with Austria).
Specifications
Armament
- 105mm M57
- Two-plane stabiliser
- Ammunition
- 43 rounds
- OFL 105 G1 APFSDS
- 346mm at 0° at 10m
- OCC 105 F1 HEAT-FS
- 400mm at 0° at 10m
- OE 105 F1 Mle.60 HE
- Coaxial 7.62mm MG 74
- Laser rangefinder
- NVDs
Armour
- Hull
- UFP: 25mm @ 62°
- LFP: 25mm @ 49°
- Sides: 15mm @ 0°
- Rear: 15mm @ 1°
- Turret
- Upper Front: Unknown, >25 mm
- Lower Front: 40mm @ 42°
- Sides: 20mm @ 8°
- Rear: 20mm @ 0°
Mobility
- Speed
- 68km/h
- Weight
- 17.5t
- Engine power
- 320hp, 18.3hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3
- Smoke grenades
- 6 launchers
Images
Sources
