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Welcome to the suggestion for the Stingray II! While in recent years the Stingray light tank has seen more attention, an often forgotten vehicle related to it is the Stingray II, an unsuccessful attempt at further improving the Stingray by way of improved engine horsepower, armor, as well as a thermal sight most notably. Let’s find out more about the Stingray II!
History
The original Stingray, in service with Thailand.
In the 1980s, Cadillac Gage Textron developed and subsequently marketed its new Commando Stingray light tank to the world. In 1988, the company received an order of 106 vehicles by the Thai Army’s Cavalry divisions. Development of a successor began in 1992, under the name Stingray II, and a prototype had been produced by 1994.
The layout of the Stingray II remained similar to that of the original vehicle, but used a special type of high-hardness steel armor, marketed as being able to resist 23 mm cannon fire. Side skirts were also added, protecting the upper part of the suspension, with additional armor was able to be fitted per customer request. Armament remained the same, a 105 mm LRF gun in an angled and electro-hydraulically stabilized turret. Inside the turret, a digital fire control computer based on the kind used in the M1 Abrams was installed, with a Hughes HIRE thermal sight and integrated laser rangefinder for the gunner allowing for day and night operation. This sight was also displayed on a monitor in the commander’s position. Mobility was improved slightly by an uprated Detroit Diesel 8V92TA of 550 hp, coupled to the Allison XTG-411 transmission, with four forward gears, and two reverse gears.
The Stingray II was marketed to a number of nations, notably Taiwan, but Textron Marine & Land Systems appeared to have stopped marketing the vehicle in the 2000s, with no countries expressing interest. Regardless, its predecessor, the Stingray, continues to see service with the Royal Thai Army to this day.
The Stingray II, an ultimately unsuccessful and forgotten light tank.
Specifications
Crew: 4
Mass: 22.6 t
Length (gun forward): 9.35 m
Width: 2.80 m
Height: 2.55 m
Main armament: 105 mm LRF
Main armament elevation: 20°/-7.5°
Main armament ammunition: 32 rounds
Gunner sight: Hughes Hire Day/night dual-axis stabilized thermal sight
Secondary armament: 1× 7.62 mm (2,400 rounds) & 1× 12.7mm M2HB (1,100 rounds)
Engine: 550 hp Detroit Diesel 8V92 TA
Transmission: Allison XTG 411
Speed on road: 71 km/h
Range: 525 km (at 48 km/h)
Slope: 60% (Climbable gradient) 40% (Side slope)
Vertical wall: 0.84 m
Trench: 2.13 m
Water fording: 1.07 m
Sources
- Commando Stingray and Commando Stingray II
- Janes Armour and Artillery 2005-2006 p.189
- Textron brochure
