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Posted on 08/08/2005 10:04:11 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 At the end of the 1971 war, the Indian army realized the limitations of their tank fleet in the harsh desert conditions of Rajasthan, a northwestern Indian state bordering Pakistan, so they initiated their own MBT design. The Main Battle Tank (MBT) occupies a pivotal role in the present day battle field on account of its ability to provide accurate fire power with cross country mobility, reasonable protection from conventional and nuclear threats and flexible response to changing battle situations. In order to eliminate dependence on foreign countries for design and manufacture of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) and to place the country on par with super powers with regard to quality of tanks and also to eliminate completely the requirement of foreign exchange (FE) in the production of tanks, Government in May 1974 sanctioned a project for design and development of MBT by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a total cost of Rs 15.50 crore (FE Rs 3.70 crore). The tanks were to be in service during 1985 to 2000 AD and were in replacement of existing tanks which were expected to be out-dated beyond 1985.  An early production type of the Arjun Mk.1 - note the slightly raised hull and the headlights on the front without their T-72esque shielding cages. Also the smoke grenade launchers are fitted forward of the turret, as compared to the present production type which is located at the back. The first “Arjun” (named after a mythical Hindu warrior prince) concept was laid out in 1974 by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Based on 1971 battlefield experiences, the Arjun would have a locally-designed, rifled 120mm main gun, a German, MTU-based diesel powerplant (The Indians consider turbine engines fuel guzzlers), and a computerized fire control system with a laser rangefinder. The Main Battle Tank Project sanctioned in May 1974 envisaged bulk production by April 1984. However this time frame was not adhered to and was revised from time to time and bulk production was to commence from 1990 onwards but even the revised time frame could not be adhered to. As per time frame fixed in May 1974, four mild steel prototypes were to be offered for trials by April 1980 and eight armoured prototypes by April 1982. Trickle production was due to commence by April 1983 and bulk production by April 1984. This schedule was revised from time to time.  One of the early Arjun prototypes was unveiled in April 1985, with a number of prototypes undergoing technical testing while desert trials were scheduled for that summer. At the time, it was reported to have a 120mm smooth-bore main gun and would use a 1400-hp MTU-based diesel until an indigenous one was ready. Weight would be about 50 tons, and the tank would cost about $1.6 million (U.S.). Development costs rose about 500 percent throughout the ’80s, and through a development process plagued with delays, the end product visually resembles the German Leopard II, however, unlike the German vehicle, its future remains in doubt. A total of 12 MK-I prototypes based on imported propulsion unit, seven MK-II prototypes with indigenous propulsion were to be delivered by June 1987 and June 1990 respectively; 23 MK-I, PPS tanks by December 1988 and bulk production was to commence from 1990 onwards. As against this, 12 MK-I prototypes with imported propulsion were produced by February 1989 and 15 MK-I PPS tanks upto December 1996. MK-II type prototype were not expected to be ready in the near future on account of the delays in the development of the indigenous engine.  The automotive trials of two prototypes carried out by Army during 1988-89 revealed major deficiencies. The Army, therefore, on 26 July 1989 wanted these deficiencies to be sorted out before commencement of production of pre-production series (PPS). However, on 31 July 1989 Ministry decided to place orders for the production of PPS tanks. Two fully integrated prototypes were given to the Army for full fledged evaluation only in March 1990 after the commencement of production of PPS tanks. The evaluation trials of the prototypes also revealed major deficiencies. Subsequent trials were conducted on PPS tanks. Till July 1997, 15 pre-production series tanks which were subjected to extensive user and troop trials failed to meet fully even the bottom line parameters of the user. As of mid-2000 India planned to acquire T-90 tanks, based on field trials which had already been completed. Although orders had been placed for the supply of 124 Arjun tanks through the Defence Research Development Organisation, it would be difficult to predict when these orders would be fufilled. Until such time, T-90 tanks would serve to counter Pakistan's T-85 tanks.  120 Millimetre MBT Arjun Armament System Pakistan’s announcment in 1995 of a deal with Ukraine to purchase T-84s caused a flurry of activity in the Indian tank development community. And on 9 January 1996, the Arjun was formally unveiled and cleared for mass production. Further improvements were deemed necessary even after the Arjun design profile was accepted again in July 1996. On 27 August 1996, the Defense Production and Supplies Secretary ordered 15 pre-production tanks from the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi (at which point, estimates placed the project cost at $112 million). The Summer trials carried out in April 1997 on PPS-15, reference tank for bulk production indicated that though there was improvement from the previous years, it was still below the acceptable standards. The major deficiencies pointed out in the summer trials of 1996 i.e. accuracy of gun at battle ranges, mission reliability, lethality of ammunition, containerisation of ammunition bin, emergency traverse etc. continue to persist and were yet to be solved. The Army accordingly indicated in July 1997 that in its present form, the overall reliability of MBT Arjun was far from satisfactory. The Army further indicated that periodic failures of equipment and subsystems tend to reduce the confidence level of troops. The Army also observed that the aspect of armour protection had not been tried out.Army recommended in June 1997 that Limited Series Production should commence only after all the observations and shortcomings noticed were rectified and shown to them.  A close-up shot of the Arjun Mk.1 reveals the gunner's main sight. As of mid-1997 the list of faults after 20 years of development was not encouraging. In addition to numerous technical modifications to its fire and gun control systems, the fire control system in particular has been found unable to perform in temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius (108° F). The DRDO has been considering scrapping the current Arjun fire control system in favor of whatever is accepted for the T-72M1 upgrade program. Defects noticed during the user trials of the Arjun Mk.1 MBT, including over-heating of the engine in Rajasthan desert areas, had supposedly been “by and large overcome” while other complaints were being addressed. MBT Arjun in its present form will require increased maintenance time and efforts-says the Army. The Army accordingly expressed grave concern on the reliability and maintainability of MBT and pointed out that while the world over the trend was to reduce the maintenance time, it had increased with MBT Arjun. According to DRDO, the views expressed by the Army are only a subjective opinion and the analysis of data shows an upward trend in mean time between failures (MTBF) over the years. DRDO have pointed out that trials carried out clearly brought out the efficiency/improvements effected in weapon system and in the automotive area ability to cover the required range in the stipulated time was also proved. They further contended that there is no overheating of the engine in desert conditions. Summer trials of 1997 indicated that the performance was below the acceptable standards.  The Indian-made main battle tank, Arjun, at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Avadi. Considered comparable to the M1A2 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Leclerc, the 59-ton "15th Variant" can achieve a maximum speed of 70 kph (55 mph) and cross-country speed of 40 kph with its 1400-hp powerplant. The 1,610-liter fuel tank allows for a cruising range of 200 km (120 miles). To ensure crew survivability, production versions will have the indigenously-researched and developed ‘Kanchan’ composite armor, an automatic fire detection and suppression system, and an NBC protection system designed and built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Center. The rifled 120mm gun, which includes a muzzle reference system, is made of ESR steel and is fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. All main gun rounds use a semi-combustible cartridge case with increased energy propellant for higher muzzle velocity and greater penetration characteristics. In addition to the usual suite of rounds, an anti-helicopter round is under development as well. The Arjun’s fire control system includes a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, thermal imaging night sight, stabilized panoramic sight for the tank commander, and a secondary telescopic sight. The LRF (integral to the gunner’s sight) has a range of nearly 10 km and a thermal imager (which can “see”’ at around 5.5 km, recognize a target at 3.1 km and identify targets at 2.5 km). The Arjun fire control system’s ability to fire on the move during the night is a major step forward for Indian armored forces.  An Arjun Mk.1 from the 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade during the inauguration ceremony in 1996. Then incumbent Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, is seen formally inducting the tank into the Armoured Corps. The Chassis and Automative System of MBT Arjun comprises main chassis, power pack (1400 HP engine coupled to hydromech transmission), running gear with hydropneumatic suspension, integrated fuel system, advanced electrical system and other dedicated special systems like integrated fire detection and suppression system. The chassis is fabricated from rolled homogenous armour plate using advanced welding technique. Frontal armour is of Kanchan composite sandwitched between armour plates. This fully integrated Arjun chassis and Automative System having smooth riding characteristics can be used as a mobile platform for any advanced weapon system. An extremely effective hydropneumatic suspension system has been developed for MBT Arjun. The suspension is externally mounted and provides vehicle springing and damping. It consists of one bogey wheel pair for each suspension station. Gaseous medium in the hydropneumatic suspension is for all terrain maneuverability for exploiting the power available. Casing and hub of the hydropneumatic suspension are sealed for preventing dust ingression and water seepage into the casing during operation in marshy area or shallow/medium fording. The MBT Arjun is fitted with double-pin steel track with detachable rubber pads. It is made out of steel casting having two bores for insertion of rubberised pins. It is an integral piece incorporating guide horns and has got a provision for insertion of detachable pads. The end connectors are induction-hardened in the area which comes in contact with the sprocket teeth to prevent wear. As the indigenous efforts to develop a suitable engine and transmission system for the MBT were beset with problems, 42 power packs with transmission units were imported between November 1983 and 1988 from Germany for use on the prototypes and PPS tanks. However, as the imported transmission system was designed to cater upto 60 tonne load as against the all-up weight of 61.5 tonne for the MBT, a mismatch had arisen between engine and transmission which had resulted in bulging of side walls of the hull.  The integrated fire and explosion suppression system developed for MBT Arjun is based on state-of-the-art technology. The indigenous development of this system is considered to be a breakthrough in the field of fire protection engineering. It is capable of suppressing hydrocarbon fuel fire/explosion resulting from an enemy hit on the tank or due to any malfunctioning of the engine, transmission or any electrical short circuiting. The system is based on infra-red detectors for the detection of fire/explosion in the crew compartment of the battle tank and a continuous type of linear thermal detector popularly known as fire-wire for the engine compartment. Halon-1301 has been employed as a fire extinguishing medium. The system is capable of detection and suppression of hydrocarbon fuel fire/explosion in the crew compartment within 200 milliseconds and in the engine compartment within 15 s thereby enhancing the chances of survivability of the crew and battle effectiveness of the tank. The first 120 tanks to be built would cost $4.2 million each, while other cost estimates places the figure at $5.6 million each per tank by 2001, given a purchase of 124 tanks to equip two regiments. Production of the first batch of tanks might take more than the planned five years, given the capacity at the Avadi factory. Planned Arjun variants include mobile assault guns, an observation post vehicle, an air defense (gun or missile) version, a recovery vehicle, an engineer vehicle, and bridgelayers. New bridgelayers and recovery vehicles were necessary, given the Arjun’s substantial weight increase over the T-72M1 series.
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We'll let it go this time but we're keeping a close eye on you. Also, watch your language, this is a military thread. ;^)
Team Abrams! Cool.
Good morning Aeronaut.
You're an excellent back-up vexillologist to the Foxhole. :-)
((Hugs))
Good morning feather.
Good morning Gail. Enjoy your quilting day!
Sounds like you had a great time. Did you take pictures?
NEW DELHI: Thirty one years after the project was conceived, the country's ambitious plans to field an indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun has run into fresh problems, with certain systems failing acceptance criteria. Though the previous NDA government cleared the first bulk production of 124 tanks, those models are being further subjected to additional performance trials by the army, which is not yet satisfied with the tanks."During preparatory trials, certain systems have not met the acceptance criteria," according to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. His comments assume significance as army has expressed dissatisfaction with the tanks during exhaustive operational trials.
This is the second time in over three years that army has pointed out snags in the performance of the tanks, as earlier during operation 'Parakaram', the armoured crews had found faults with the tanks' various systems. "These faults are being rectified," Mukherjhee said as the first batch of five Arjun tanks out of the production lot would be going for comparative trials with the army's just-acquired Russian frontline T-90 tanks.
The Minister said as part of new quality measures "more ruggedisation had been introduced in the tanks to withstand peak performance."
According to defence ministry sources, DRDO has already incurred an expenditure of about Rs 3,300 crore on the development and production of the Arjun Tanks from 1976, when the cabinet gave the go-ahead for its development till date. Though the go-ahead for 125 tanks has been cleared by the Government, only five tanks have rolled out, besides some more tanks, which were handed over to the army for emergency trials before 'Parakaram'.
To make matters worse, Pakistan which began development work on its indigenous Al Khalid Main battle tank after India has already started inducting the tank into its armoured elements.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has already expressed alarm over the delay in the project and even gone to the extent of calling for carrying out "performance audit" for DRDO to such sensitive national security programmes.
It has also said that both DRDO and Ordnance Factory Board "cannot be absolved of their prime responsibility to ensure that production model of the Arjun tanks meets user requirements in every respect." Stung by strong criticism, DRDO officials claim that Arjun tanks have superior armour defeating capability, day and night operational capability, remarkable mobility, high degree of immunity and fire on the move capability and excellent ride comfort.
Officials are now claiming that the Arjun Tank is superior to T-90 due to its high power to weight ratio, superior fire and move capability and excellent ride comfort.
But arms experts say the main problem of the Arjun tank is its bulkiness, which makes it almost a sitting tank to new generation of anti-tank missiles.
To reduce the height to weight ratio, DRDO scientists had a couple of years back tried to marry the Arjun gun turret with T-72 chasis naming the new tank as Tank-X, but it found no takers.
Hit by this indecisiveness, the Avadi Ordnance factory board plant is yet to produce 14 tanks which it was scheduled to by the year-end.
The factory is to roll out 25 tanks in 2005-06, 40 tanks by 2006-07 and 45 by 2007-08, so all eyes are now on next month's comparative trials with the T-90 tanks.
Alarmed by the slow pace of induction of the Arjun MBTs, the Parliamentary Standing Committee has called for re-structuring of the procurement plan of the army to provide for increased induction in numbers of these tanks by the 11th and 12th army plans, as replacement for T-72 tanks.
Thank you I think
Nah I looked it up :-)
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Read somewhere that the Indians tried to fit a tank to one of these. Weapon on gun mount is 38.5 feet long, 9.4 US tons
Ok, so it might get a little cramped in the turret, and the barrel might be a bit long but other than that...it a really great idea. I recomend that India spend large amounts of money trying to make this work. :-)
LOL.
This would be a bad thing.
Thanks Phil.
Msdrby heard from the doctor today. The ultrasound confirmed her suspicion about my having gallstones. They're "too large" to pass, whatever that size is.
I meet with a surgeon Monday to discuss the issue.
lol
This one is very good. I pray for strength to do His will.
I think the greatest Grace is Courage. Through Faith, of course. By His will.
Gallstones should be either lithotrypsied (is that a word?) or the gall bladder removed by laparacopic surgury, right through the umbilicus. Piece of cake nowadays. Overnight stay.
Gallstones like that must hurt, whew. Hope you have pain meds.
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