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AY2-1E "Panthera Tigris"








Basic information
Designation: Pz.Kpf.W AY2-1E
Name: Panthera Tigris
Role (within the Anago-Yohannesian Army): Main Battle Tank
Crew: 3 (commander, driver, and gunner)
Manufacturer: VMK AG - Land Defence Systems
Place of origin: Anagonia-Yohannes

Dimensions
Length (including muzzle extending forward): 10.9 m
Height (including roof of the turret): 2.57 m
Width (maximum): 3.81 m
Track Width: 701 mm
Weight: 76.9 tonnes
Ground clearance: variable

Performance
Maximum (road) Speed: 84 km/h
Cross Country Speed: 63 km/h
Speed, 10% Slope: 25 km/h
Speed, 60% slope: 17 km/h
Acceleration (0 to 32 km/h): 4.7 seconds
Range: 631 km
Range with extra fuel: 874 km
Operational Cruising Range: 547 km

Manoeuvrability
Trench Crossing: 309 cm
Vertical Obstacle: 113.8 cm
Fording without Preparation: 124 cm
Fording with Preparation: 201.3 cm
Deep Fording: Not capable of
Suspension: VLT HPVS-MBT active hydropneumatic system

Armament
Primary : AY4M 140/L50 ETC smoothbore gun
Ammunition : 45 (APFSDS-T, HEAT, MPC)
Traversing : 360 º
Elevation : -10 to 20 º
Maximum Elevation Slew Rate : 10 to 15 º/s
Secondary : Coaxial 30mm AY1A automatic cannon (600 rounds), 1 x 7.62mm AY02-MG (2,400 rounds), 6 x LA-420A1 Havik II BLATGM, 2 x 4 FGL

Power
Engine : 1750 kW (2350HP) Forza Flat-Boxer-12 cylinders, Turbocharger, Supercharger, Diesel Cylinder Boxer Twincharged (Supercharger + Twin Turbocharger)
Fuel consumption: 2.1 L/km
Transmission : Forza 8GDCT Automated Double Clutch Transmission, (8 forward 4 reverse)
Power-to-Weight Ratio : 22.7 kW/t (30.56 hp/t)

Armour and Protection
Armour : Adversus AY2-1E Modified
Protection : AY09 AFEDSS, AYHK9 ADS, and AY109 NBC/CBRN (NBCS) System of Protection



Development:
The AY2-1E Panthera Tigris is the latest variant of the AY2 series, and is a state-of-the-art Anago-Yohannesian main battle tank.

The Anago-Yohannesian AY2 series of armoured fighting vehicle model was conceptualised to provide a mobile power projectile platform with operational ease of logistics and technical modularity in mind. During the development and initial project phase of the previous AY1 series, debates were on-going within the VMK Board of Committee's inner council chamber regarding the persistent operational problems and logistical issue which can be found upon the AY1's prototype and initial first assembly line of production. It was during its inception that a major error was made regarding the incorporation of a six cylinder engine as the AY1's system of propulsion, and following mobile field testing conducted at the Valedonia experimental and proving range, the aforementioned prototype could not withstand the internal pressure and technical problems resulting from the weight of its base chassis design, in conjunction with the incorporation of the AY1M 140/L48 gun and its intended electronics and networking systems.

The base of the AY1's chassis itself was inflexible, and was not designated with a continually-updated mobile platform capability in mind, and while the incorporation of a new Forza FB-12TSD as its primary propulsion system did reduce the rate of the AY1's operational testing problems substantially, a persistent nature was still there to observe and look disconcertingly upon, by the VMK Board of Committee and in finality, that of the Anago-Yohannesian imperial and royal acquisition and development board. These reasons were included as the primary explanation behind the eventual development of the AY2 series as a way to fill the much needed easing of logistical operational, and a more flexible land system emphasising both the factor of mobility and tactical operational breakthrough potential.

Nevertheless, the presence of the ever increasing effectiveness of inter-branch support role, or more commonly known as joint-support service role within most of (although perhaps some still not) today's armed forces internationally, has rendered even more the apparent vulnerability and invalidity of the hastily designed AY1, which was known for its unreliability to act as both a power projectile mean of tactical breakthrough within one's engagement, and at the same time as an effective mean of exploiting the aforementioned tactical initiative itself, namely to exploit and seize the role of an operational mobility battle system.

Whilst the AY1 Serenity was able to more than adequately fill the role of a power project mean of creating the aforementioned breakthrough, however it was lacking severely in mobility, and therefore the development of an accompanying main battle tank system to act as a mobile support force, and perhaps if it need be, the replacement of direct power projectile means within its immediate operational field tactically, was regarded as a must.


An initial trial experiment of the AY4M gun mounted on an armoured-stripped prototype of the AY2 being conducted within the Valedonian firing range.


Lessons learnt from the utilisation of the AY1 series in combat during the War of the Four Emperors has provided the technological information essentially needed by the VMK Development and Technological Research Bureau, and as a result the AY2 came into existence. Base-weighting much less and with emphasis being put within its eventual possibility of future upgrade and expansion of electronics and mobility development, the AY2 was thus conceptualised with 1B designated to symbolise its first variant type to enter production, and service within the Anago-Yohannesian K.u.K.Armee. The development of the AY2 was initiated with chassis flexibility and the possibility of future variants' ease of modification being put in mind within its design, unlike that of its counterpart, the AY1.

The AY2 chassis, unlike that of the AY1's, was structurally developed to eventually incorporate the original Serenity 140mm gun from the outset of its development, and not the other way around. Following the discovery of an enhancement modification upon the original AY1M ETC gun, which resulted in a gun with a higher muzzle velocities capability whilst maintaning a considerably lighter weight than its AY1M counterpart, the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research was able to substantially reduce the drastic upscale change of weight, together with that of a structurally improved rear barlolel turret setting of the original AY2-1B variant, of the vehicle. The utilisation of the proven Lamonian Adversus armour further considerably lower the weight potential of the upscaled main battle tank to that of an acceptable level of weight considering its improved lethality on the battlefield.

The previous AY2-1B and AY2-1D variant of the Anago-Yohannesian AY2 series was deemed a success, and over 480,000 AY2 in approximation has been produced and exported overseas up to this date, with various states adopting it as their chosen main battle tank.

VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research therefore, were researching the plausibility of further maximising the potential of the AY2 chassis, and yet another new variant, the AY2-1E was conceptualised as a result of this development. Unlike that of the AY2-1D however, the very purpose of the AY2-1's role within the field of Anago-Yohannesian battlefield and chosen doctrinal contribution would be different. Furthermore, the AY2-1E was developed to combat the possibility of any future Anago-Yohannesian enemy utilising its own domestically manufactured AY2 series of tanks against its own developer nation, which would be to say the least, tragic. The AY2-1E was therefore, developed to be tactically superior to any previous AY2 variants (or AY1 for that matter).

The AY2-1E was conceptualised to act as a tactical defensive block, sacrificing mobility and vehicular weight as the Bureau realised that within the vast Anago-Yohannesian terrain, which mostly consist of flat agricultural plain, logistics would not be a technical problem persisting so long as Anago-Yohannesian air presence would be maintained throughout the defence of the mainland. The AY2-1E was therefore developed as the latest variant of the AY2 series of tanks, not for its role as an army's mainstay of armoured fighting vehicle unit, but as an Anago-Yohannesian effort of providing a more compact tactical assault and a defensive mobile force within its mainland's unique terrain, that of clear rolling plain suitable for strategic mobile operation.

A new and improved fire control networking and electronics of the proven AYTRACK and soft-hardkill countermeasure systems has furthermore been added. The AY2-1E also utilises the latest development of the previous AYM series of gun, that of the AY4M, and the internationally renowned LA-420A1 Havik II BLATGM, with the ability to destroy opposing tanks up to eighteen kilometres in range, to further maximise the state of the art main battle tank's lethality on the battlefield.

Primary armament:
The designated primary gun of the AY2-1E is the AY4M 140mm, 50 calibre electrothermal-chemical (ETC) smoothbore gun, an improved and upgraded version of the previous AY1M.

During the past five years, the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research has discovered in parts, consecutively and continuously developed locally within the Empire of Anagonia-Yohannes, in which Anago-Yohannesian procurement scientists has intermingled with each other to, in consensus, act as a catalyst towards Anagonia-Yohannes's technological development in terms of effectiveness and ease of knowledge collection and distribution.

It was by this process that consecutively and slowly but surely the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research has discovered a process in which a substantial increasing and higher rate of a projectile's muzzle velocity can be initiated by combining the initiation of both electro-thermal energy and liquid propellant. The VMK Bureau has also realised that the aforementioned initiation would result not just in a controlled increase of the projectile's muzzle velocity, but also the maintenance of a maximum safetiness of gas pressure within the barlolel of the planned M series of AY smoothbore gun.

When combined with precision in a careful manner, the application of an electro-thermal chemical technology, or abbreviated as the ETC technology, will result in a situation whereby both the disadvantages and negative side-effect of a separate utilisation of the aforementioned technology in a gun would be negated.

Historically an armoured fighting vehicle's gun has applied the usage of an extended barlolel platform, with its breech end and centre bore structurally being put closed together. A burning of propellant by an igniter is needed to produce heated gasses, which act as a catalyst for the gun's projectile to progress through the bore, and as a result of this process, a substantial rate of initial high pressure would be generated.

Nevertheless, its initial high pressure rate will then decrease alongside the movement of the projectile within the barlolel of the gun. Although maintenance of high pressure rate as the projectile is being propelled can be achieved by the utilisation of a liquid fuelling process, the crucial application of a substantial size of fuel chamber and process of the aforementioned fuelling ignition however, meant that such a utilisation would be impractical.

Meanwhile, the utilisation of a chemical propellant system within the future AYM gun series would be regarded as equally, if not even more so, more defective. The mixing and utilisation of two chemicals were difficult to control and predict, and as a result the risk factor involved within such a process has made the VMK AG Bureau of Development and Technological Research team to twice considered upon the application of the aforementioned technology within the AYM series of gun, and it was not even counting the unjustifiable extra expenses incurred upon by such a complex system of sealing and calculation technology.

The application of an electric energy propulsive system as the chosen propulsive system of the AYM series of armoured fighting vehicle gun however, was unfavourably viewed with scepticism within the Bureau's inner circle, most apparent within the clique' of the VMK Procurement Team. Such scepticism has resulted from the VMK PT's reasoning in which the resulting system of the aforementioned system would result in a sizably uneconomical end result in terms of weight and features, as a result of the requirement of a large electronic source which would act as the main power supply needed

And therefore the development of an electrothermal-chemical technology to increase the AYM gun's accuracy and muzzle velocity whilst negating the aforementioned defect features of both the propulsive systems, was regarded as the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research Team's number one top priority within the development of the AY series of main battle tanks (which was initiated and successfully accomplished in the form of the AY1M 140mm gun used by the AY1 Serenity).

Following its successful application within the AY1 series of main battle tanks' 140mm gun, the VMK BDTR has decided to replicate the aforementioned system of projector propusion towards the new AY4M 140mm 50 calibre smoothbore gun of the AY2-1E.

A modified version of the AY1M 140mm electro-thermal chemical smoothbore gun used on AY1 Serenity series, the AY2-1E's AY4M 140mm 50 calibre's performance was increased substantially as a result of its modified utilisation of an electro-thermal chemical propulsive technology, and a heavier recoil energy absorption is utilised to accommodate the higher power of the gun's rounds. The fusion of electro-thermal and chemical propellant energy has resulted in a higher density of energy towards the AY4M 140mm 50 calibre smoothbore gun. Adding to that, an identical electrical supply charged propellant system, minus its previous drawback if applied without the utilisation of chemical propellant functionality, and a relatively lower weight is also present, obvious as it was to the VMK BDTR team.

The VMK BDTR team furthermore has acknowledged the advantageous result of the initiation of higher density chemical propellants within the forthcoming AYM gun. Such an initiation will result in a process whereby the said propellant system would require less source of electric energy, and following field testing within the Valedonian range was discovered to be relatively superior to that of a solidly granulated propellant which can be found in most (although the trend has since altered slowly) conventional armoured fighting vehicle guns.

Field testing and experimentation has seen the substantial increase of performance an electro-thermal chemical application has brought to the AY4M smoothbore gun, as the result of a higher level of energy density reached by utilisation of both an electro-thermal and chemical energy combination. Under auspices of Dr. Harvey Proctor, the VMK Bureau of Development and Technology Research has discovered that a further increasing of the propellant by exploiting the arrangement of the gun's chemical substance can be achieved by applying the electrical application carefully in balance with that of its chemical counterpart, and thereby optimising the aforementioned process.

As an addition, the AY4M has the ability to substantially maintain a higher projectile velocity rate, whilst maintaining a comparatively lower chamber and breech pressure rate, by ejecting a substantial amount of electrical output from the plasma's vessel branches than most of other guns. A fuse wire will then be diffused to establish a high rate of temperature, ideally in-between the 12,000-19,000 K range. The diffused plasma will then act as a source of ionised gas which will further diffused and act as a crucial catalyst for the fuel's combination with its oxidising material.

As a result, a continuous power supply will be maintained, which will then further control the fuel and oxidising material's combustion rate. The energy released as a result of the aforementioned process will then act as further pressure towards the projectile, which will ensure the projectile's constant nature as it travel along the gun barlolel's length, thereby maintaining the projectile's relatively high velocity rate whilst maintaining a comparatively low chamber and breech pressure rate.

For the AY4M gun to be deemed as effectively lethal as possible, an ideal level of a kinetic energy can be achieved by controlling the gun's maximum pressure. The VMK BDTR team initiated the process by considerably decreasing the AY4M's propellant burning, which was accomplished in practicality within the Valedonian range by altering the arrangement of the gun's electrical and propellant systems to limit the gun's pressure rate.

The AY4M's propellant system, unlike that of other electro-thermal chemical guns, maintain a higher density rate, and is deemed to be sufficiently capable of penetrating any modern threat that it might face on the battlefield, by virtue of its striking lethality. This accomplishment is achieved by utilising its unique energetic-liquid dispersion method. Between each phases, the aforementioned propellant's burning method is controlled by an interfacial induction area. Cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine or shortened simply as HMX, will then be dissolved within the homogeneous ethylenediamine dinitrate. Although the possibility of other arrangement was deemed as possible, the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research Team have decided that the present arrangement would be chosen over other possible alternative.


Initial electro-thermal chemical application.

By approximation, 55% energetic solid is dispersed with 42% of its weight, thus preventing any possibility of less propellant burning control and intensity resulting from the lack of a sufficient energetic solid presence. A low percentage of nitrate-ester is also utilised as a solid stabilising presence towards the AY4M's propellants, to further increase ease of practicality initiation of the energetic-liquid dispersion method. Further controlled burning rate is also provided by the utilisation of approximately 0.47% carbon-black, and with that the dispersed solid will then be consolidated with the application of guar gum, as a simple mean to strengthen the dispersed solid's settling.

This existing interaction between the system's propellants and electrical discharges was designated to be kept at all cost. Such a measure would result in the maintenance of a considerably higher pressure level as the gun's projectile accelerates and progress. The result is a gun with an upgraded all-around lethality than the older AY1M, with a substantially higher muzzle velocities capability and the ability to substantially hold larger anti-tank projectiles and project its firepower at a substantially longer range. The AY1M upgraded AY4M 140mm 50 calibre electro-thermal chemical smoothbore gun has considerably increased the AY2-1E field of firepower, lethality, and range, over that of the previous AY1.

The AY4M gun uses a variety of rounds, such as that of the Anago-Yohannesian AY-18 APFSDS-T (anti-tank round armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot), AY-33A ATGM (anti-tank guided missile), and the AY-03D HEAT (high explosive anti-tank) rounds, and the gun is fitted with a rigid fibre glass thermal sleeve blanket around its barlolel to protect the gun thermally from operational on-and-off active battlefield environmental conditions. Developed by the VMK AG Bureau of Development and Research during the late developmental phase of the previous AY1M gun for the AY1 Serenity series, it utilised the then discovery of a ring-shaped gap found between the AY2M's barlolel and that of the sleeve, and consists of sandwiched honeycomb layers of materials in-between that of the stiff and unyielding inner and outer envelopment.

Fed by a modified version of the previous XA1Y-E1, the AYM series of gun's development has given increased emphasis' to the development of an upgraded automatic loading system as the size and weight of the AY4M's ammunition has revealed a condition whereby a man cannot effectively handle it operationally within the confines of the AY2-1E turret. As a result of commonality factor, the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research has decided to adopt the AY2's automatic loading system modified form within the AY2-1E, the XA1Y-E2.

The recent establishment of the ever increasing number of large weapon has seen the development and initiation of various gun automatic loading systems worldwide, as arms manufacturing entities strived to establish its own autoloading systems. Most apparently needed in a setting whereby a large field gun is fielded upon an armoured fighting vehicle, and especially that of tanks such as the AY2-1E, the VMK Bureau of Design and Technological Research has proceeded to develop its own automatic gun loading system, to be used as the automatic feeding system of the AY4M.

Observed by the VMK AG BDTR team upon the development of an automatic loading system towards the AY4M's gun of the AY2-1E would be the fact that such an initiation would considerably increased the AY4M's rate of fire, save substantial crew manpower by the removal of the gun loading personnel, and consequently providing more space within the main battle tank as well at the same time. Observation of various prior autoloaders has seen the technical complexities of maintaining such a system within its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's operational field. The XA1Y-E2, as the E1, was therefore conceptualised with a different technicality in mind.

The XA1Y-E2's ability to load the AY2M effectively under almost any azimuth and elevation co-ordination within its limit has resulted in a substantial increase of its firing rate, and the XA1Y-E2's systematic structure enable the retrieval of a previous gun breech loaded shells from the magazine effortlessly, consequently allowing the transfer of shells within the gun from the magazine in a more flexible and reduced rate of pace. Thus, the XA1Y-E2 has relatively small power requirements in comparison to a normal autoloader, and this feet was achieved without effecting the autoloader's rate of firepower potential.

This was done by including a trolley mounted by a pair of opposing guidance tracks for the controlling of its movement between a magazine position whereabouts the shell will be retrieved from the storage of the magazine within the revolving turret's basket, and the emplacement of a position of gun loading arrangement in which the shells will then be rammed upon the turret mounted gun's breech. The tracks utilised for guidance will then set it to move in conjunction with the gun's azimuth and elevation co-ordination.

The trolley will then initiate forward an electric motor to be used as the appropriate propulsion mean along the aforementioned guidance track, and will then carry it towards a two stage rammer, which consequently result in the deliverance of its propulsive electric motor. The motor is then activated to propel the trolley and shell, which was acquired from the gun's magazine, and was activated by the rammer's motor. The trolley's motor will then propel the trolley and extract the shell towards the pod of the AY4M gun.

As it approaches the interior pod of the AY4M and its ready loading position, a controlled pivotal movement will then be produced by a cam roller, which will then be jointed together with the AY4M's pod, thereby resulting in a fastening between the rammer and the AY4M's shell, aligned with its boreline. Once the ramming position has been initiated completely, the rammer's motor will then activate the stages of the two rammer in quick succession to propel the aforementioned shell towards the breech of the AY4M. Once the XA1Y-E2 autoloader has assumed its fixed position with the AY4M's magazine, the gun's detachable pod will then be removed systematically to provide sufficient space for the AY4M's recoilling process

The XA1Y-E2 automatic gun loading system has the ability to maintain an accurate control on each of the AY4M's shell on various rough terrains in general, and is manufactured to be sufficiently compact in-feature within an ergonomically space saving structural design, and by utilising the gunner's gyro-stabilised panoramic sight, the AY2-1E's crew is capable of collecting on-board hit avoidance and target acquisition sensors, which are mounted on the surrounding left and right frontal side of the AY2-1E turret, and the XA1Y-E2 AY1-D'structural-based and adapted automatic loading system is capable of handling and firing up to 15 rounds of AY4M ammunitions per minute. It then can internally be replenished from within the turret or externally through the rear.

The addition of an AY4M's supporting burst diaphragm further ensures that when an ignition of the ammunition as a result of a penetration towards the automatic loader and magazine happens, the forthcoming centre pressure of the blast would be vented upwards, consequently altering it away from the AY2-1E's crew compartment, and the gun is capable of power elevating from 20º to -10º.

Additional armaments:
Additionally, the AY2-1E comes with a co-axial 30mm AY1A autocannon (600 rounds), one 7.62mm AY02-MG (2,400 rounds), six LA-420A1 Havik II BLATGM turret mounted and designated in two box, and eight multipurpose smoke-capable, fragmentary firing grenade launchers on both the surrounding left and right side of the turret with a capability to engage opposing infantries and support personnel within the vicinity of the AY2.

The co-axial 30mm AY1A automatic cannon holds six hundred rounds, which is fully capable of providing a considerable direct vehicular support role against enemy infantries and light vehicles, in the case of an unpredicted close-in firing situation.

The AY1A is an Anago-Yohannesian rapid firing automatic cannon utilising the application of telescoped cylindrical round. It utilise the use of projectile feeding and fired projectile casing ejection ports, arranged axially from one another in its receiver, with the projectile firing position in between both the aforementioned ports. The end of the AY1A barlolel is mounted to the receiver, and is aligned forward in relation to the projectile firing position.

The separate structural platform of the AY1A has enhanced the AY2-1E's secondary capabilities, and is seen as a major step up over that of the previous AY1 series. The AY1A is capable of elevating up to 45 degrees to engage any close-ground air support presence within its vicinity, and its utilisation enable the vehicle's gunner to utilise a range of close-in light support intensive rounds such as that of armour piercing incendiaries, thereby further increasing the AY1-1E's lethality within its immediate field of operation.

The addition of the RWS 7.62mm AY02-MG which holds two thousand and four hundred rounds, divided by two equal stock accommodations, are designated to occupy that of another additional secondary close-range field of protection towards the flank and rear vehicular side of the AY2-1E.

The eight smoke-firing and laser detection countermeasure aerosol capable general purpose grenades' conceptualisation was a result of the VMK Bureau's additional requirement of an additional armaments allocation and all-around camouflage protection intensive battle systems to further reinforce its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's safetiness within its field of engagement, in this case being that of the AY2-1E.

The AY2-1E utilise the Anago-Yohannesian procurement of an invisible-purposed, fast burning and slow burning charged smoke shell to cover the vehicle's presence from hostile fire when deemed as needed necessarily. As do of most existing smoke grenade's usage, the associated armoured fighting vehicle will then be protected by a partial smoke screen envelopment in-between the associated vehicle itself, and that of the opposing entity's line of fire.

By utilising the rapid establishment of the surrounding thick wall of smoke layers, vehicle's three crews would be able to establish a fairly effective means of secondary prevention and camouflage method against the enemy's general abilities to project any of its available power projectile threats against the main battle tank, and to further maintain the smoke layers' length of time considerably in durational terms.

The process was done by utilising two smoke emitting, partial charging, differing reactionary and emitting rate, smoke shells. The VMK Bureau of Procurement and Development discovered that the condition in which a longer duration of length the discharged smoke would engulfed and therefore, screened its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle, would be achieved by expelling whilst burst charging the aforementioned smoke shell simultaneously. The result is an approximate slow burning time of 200 seconds after firing.

The AY2-1E also utilise the internationally renowned Lamonian LA-420A1 Havik II ATGM in the form of two box-launched anti tank guided missiles on the surrounding left and right side of its turret, with each box holding three LA-420A1 Havik II, for a total of six.

With the need for a tank launched anti tank guided missile becoming apparent to LAIX Arms, it was decided to use the Joint Common Missile's body as the basis of the Havik; as it was called, due to the simple design of the missile. Where the original JCM was designed to be launched from helicopters and aircraft; the Havik would be launched from main battle tanks first, with later possible modification to allow it be launched from helicopters and aircraft.


LA-420A1 Havik II Box launched ATGM fired from an AY2-1E.

After competing with the Helios II ATGM for supremacy in the international market, the Havik had done relatively well for itself; being considered a commercial success by LAIX Arms. Still, the missile had the potential to become even greater, and it had also only been regarded as more of a stop-gap measure before a newer, better missile would take it's place. This improved missile would become the LA-420A1 Havik II.

The Havik II retains many features that made the Havik such a success, including the general dimensions, while introducing some new features that will help the Havik II compete well into the future.

Guidance for the Havik II is provided by a tri-seeker warhead, combining MMW, IIR, and SALH homing. This is combined with an INS/GPS system, allowing the missile to attain a hit ratio of 95%. In areas where enemy ECM is encountered, the system can also use a fiber-optic connection to the launching mechanism (available in both air and box launched versions). This connection to the launching mechanism is impossible to jam, and will allow the missile to strike the target, with enemy ECM becoming effectively useless.

The Havik II is a top-attack missile, allowing it to strike the weakest part of enemy armor formations. The Havik II is meant to attack AFVs, MBTs, and low flying helicopters. However, the missile will simply fly directly toward enemy helicopters when fired in anti-helicopter mode. This helps to increase accuracy against helicopter targets. With a penetration rating of 1,400 mm IRHAe, it will severely damage enemy armor, likely resulting in a kill.

With a maximum range of 18 km (ground launched), and 28 km (air launched), the Havik II can not only be fired from a longer distance than the Helios II, but can also be fired without revealing the location of the firing unit to the enemy. All that the missile needs is the location of the enemy (provided that the enemy units are within range), and it's good to go. The Havik II can also re-attack a target, in case it were to miss, provided that there is enough range left in the missile to allow this. The top speed of Mach 2 was designed to give the enemy little to no time to react, as well as increasing the probability of a kill.

The Havik II retains an active radar jammer, allowing it to bypass the MMW and radar frequencies commonly used in Active Protection Systems. While the Havik used a jammer from Krupp Industries in The Peoples Freedom, the Havik II uses a domestic model, which is smaller, while giving the same performance as the model from Krupp Industries. In addition, the electronics in the Havik II use Gallium Arsenide in place of Silicone, allowing the missiles to survive EMP in good working order. The use of Gallium Arsenide makes the missile more expensive, but the resistance to EMP was judged to be worth the extra cost.

• Length: 2 m
• Diameter: 178 mm
• Weight: 65 kg
• Warhead: Tandem, EFP/Shaped Charge
• Warhead Weight/composition: 20 kg, PBXN 103
• Range: 18 km
• Speed: Mach 2
• Detonation Mechanism: Laser Fuse
• Engine: Solid Fuel, "Low Smoke" Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant ramjet; with launch booster
• Wingspan: 325 mm
• Guidance: 94 GHz Millimeter wave active radar homing, imaging infrared, and semi-active laser seeker, with INS/GPS. Fiber-optics-capable to intercept opposing ECM
• Targets: armoured fighting vehicles, main battle tanks (or any other opposing tanks), low flying helicopters
• Launch systems: main battle tank box launch
• Penetration: ~1,400 mm IRHAe

Where the original Havik was only able to be fired from box launchers mounted on the side of the host MBT's turret, the Havik II can be fired via several different methods. These include:

• Fixed Wing Aircraft
• Helicopters
• Box launchers (AFVs and MBTs)

The Havik II is considered to be too heavy for man-portable use, owing to it's total weight of 65 kg. However, the Havik II can still replace multiple missiles with one proven missile system, saving time and money.

The first stage of the tandem warhead creates an Explosively Formed Penetrator. This EFP moves at high speed, and is able to trigger any Explosive Reactive Armor that the target might have. The secondary shaped charge is where the bulk of the armor penetration occurs, and gives the Havik II it's penetration rating of 1,400 mm of IRHAe. A laser fuse tells the weapon when to detonate.

The Havik II is powered by a ramjet, allowing the missile a maximum speed of Mach 2. The ramjet's fuel contains 78% Ammonium Perchlorate, 20% Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and 2% Aluminum. This is a "low-smoke" mixture, making it harder for the enemy to trace the firing location of the Havik II via the smoke trail, and does not degrade ramjet performance. At launch, the Havik II is propelled by a low smoke APCP-fueled launch booster, bringing the missile to speed, thus allowing the ramjet to take over for the rest of the flight.

Taken in combination, these features allow the Havik II to outperform the Helios II, and its spectacular ability to easily destroy opposing armoured fighting vehicles at a range of up to eighteen kilometres has drastically increase and maximise the lethality of the AY2-1E.

Fire control and networking:
As in the case of commonality most associated with the Anago-Yohannesian Imperial & Royal Army, the exact characteristic can be found upon the upgraded AY2-1E variant of the AY2 series.

The AY2 and its variants' fire control system is that of the Anago-Yohannesian AYTRACK advanced fire control system, following the Anago-Yohannesian VMK Bureau of Procurement and Development's tradition, and is all its application an equal of the heavier AY1 'Serenity' model's AYTRACK fire control system and electronics. AYTRACK as its associated networking and sensory system was conceptualised and developed by the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research Committee to provide state-of-the-art Anago-Yohannesian armoured fighting vehicle with the ability to engage hostile mobile targets on the move flawlessly, and thereby increasing its power projectile accuracy and capacity's scope of operational effectiveness and capability within the immediate field of tactical surrounding.

With the seemingly unending and ever increasing cold hostility between the multiple present major powers internationally, military development and advancement of research, that within the field of armoured warfare included, has progressed by leap and bound. With the successful development of various multi-day and night twenty-four hour laser ranging sights and the existence of accurate digital tracking target acquisition computer electronics being regarded upon as the future edge over that of raw firepower and armour of an armoured fighting vehicle alone.

The VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research has noted that the development of these computerised systems has reached a level whereby its digital processing capacities were able to accurately track its target on the field of battle, day and night and under some of the most undesirable mobile vibration and situational environmental conditions, to be worrying.

And therefore the development of a remotely controlled weaponry networking systems ignoring all its necessary developmental characteristics cost was initiated with great haste, as the VMK Bureau of Procurement and Technology Research has realised that the Empire of Anagonia-Yohannes was well behind in terms of its domestic military development to that of other major powers within its rank, categorically regarded as it was as a financial and monetary exchange country, or more simply as an economic powerhouse only, and not a military powerhouse. The AYTRACK was therefore, developed as a direct result of these developments in its developers' mind.

At the most basic level, AYTRACK features electro-optical techniques and electronics which enable the vehicle's gunner to considerably increase the gun's first-strike hit capability in terms of its probability, by measuring automatic error input and replace the value with a post-entered correctional azimuth and elevation signals. These factors will then be recorded into the computer to calculate elevation and lateral co-ordinate position of the gun, which will then automatically invalidate the previously programmed value, drastically increasing the gunner's first hit probability upon the target.

Further to increase the AY2-1E's lethality, AYTRACK incorporate a two-axis integral laser range-finder line of stabilised gunner sight, together with a missile guidance information processing capacity and a compensatory automatic drift device. Its gun sight features the application of an Anago-Yohannesian XD1-04 computerised controlled targeting mark, or more specifically a range marking, graticule-calibrated application within its sub-systems, with the capability to point its associated gun's specific form of ammunitions, in conjunction to the axis of the corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's gun barlolel specification.

The VMK AG Bureau of Development and Technological Research however identified a certain flaws within the aforementioned system, in which the condition of a constant parameter value could not be achieved in some cases, despite multiple-fix error re-programming, and the revelation that upon the conclusion of a successful target hit, a departure from the aforementioned graticule marking range would be needed in regard to the amount of cumulative variation input identified within the system's parameter.

However, recent development has made the discovery whereby the situation in which a range of standard ballistic value, complete with the gun's elevation rate and a computerised arrangement of correlation in regard to the range between the corresponding armoured fighting vehicle to its target possible, consequently propelling the VMK Bureau of Development and Technological Research to develop these additional features towards AYTRACK to further increase its lethality and countermeasure these previous disturbing setbacks.

With the ability to utilise an improved graticulated sight, the VMK Bureau of Research and Technological Development team had decided to initiate the programming of an enhanced computer system which will effectively arrange and provide the appropriate range of ballistic effectiveness value to further provide the AYTRACK corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's crews with the ability to calculate the right specification of the corresponding gun elevation exaction, which would be most effectively be initiated upon by the appropriate circumstance's choice of ammunition range involved regarding the differing situation within the immediate field of operational range.

The crews will now be able to pre-programme the computer to change the exact type of ammunition needed for the right circumstance, and pending the relatively correct input given in regard to the condition only however, in which the parameter of the gun's atmosphere and barlolel are at the right set value, the AYTRACK will then be able to automatically provide an accurate target hit value in exaction..

The fire control system's field of view consists of a kinetic energy stadiametric ranging scale, fragmentary high explosive and chemical energy ammunition information and statistics input, designated as it was as an effective Anago-Yohannesian secondary range finding method in case of an unexpected emergency. The system unable the gunner of its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle to accurately and smoothly track and verified its target within its scope of operational range tactically. Further aiding AYTRACK is the X1A-AY GPS sub-system.


Field testing computerised simulation of the initial line of sight.

The Anago-Yohannesian X1A-AY GPS (global positioning system) system of navigation is included to calculate and determine the armoured fighting vehicle's gun barlolel position, and it collected its informational input and surrounding visible surface and statistical data within a state-of-the-art light modulating LCD (liquid crystal display) screen.

The X1A-AY is able to give the AYTRACK's corresponding armoured fighting vehicle the ability to observe its immediate surrounding operational condition tactically, and to present a rough and general outline of the vehicle's environmental and physical surrounding. Vehicular radio data furthermore link the corresponding vehicle to the AYTRACK immediate fire control command, which will allow the aforementioned vehicle to initiate its operation upon independent fire-strike missions rapidly once the system has delivered the collected position data of the target. The X1A-AY GPS sub-system further serve to reduce the chance of friendly formational casualties by utilising an Anago-Yohannesian X10-A BCIS (battlefield combat identification system).

Once the target within the input of the main AYTRACK screen is located within an ideal, if not suitable range of interception, the gunner will then be able to fire the gun by pressing a launch section located within the computerised LCD screen.

The development of the AYTRACK fire control system has considerably altered the main disadvantage of the previous heavier AY1 'Serenity''s initial prototype model upon production, which utilised a more basic fire control computing programme, and AYTRACK further enhanced the effectiveness of the AY2.

The gun sight of the AYTRACK fire control system is also locked in conjunction with its telescopic axis sight, providing a parallel combined gun system, with one set of azimuthally drives and set of elevation, and another set of azimuthally sensors and elevation rate, assisted by the utilisation of a gyroscope gun stabilisation system which further enhanced the associated system's elevation and lateral sensor capability, and in finality, considerably altered the capability of the system to control its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's gun line of sight.

The AYTRACK fire control system features a gunner's operated thermal imaging sight as well as a commander's active control and monitor panel, allowing both of the commander and gunner to retroactively detect, engage, and verified targets at long range, with a high rate of accuracy, and under some of the most unfavourable weather conditions within the battlefield and tactical scope of operation.

AYTRACK in general is divided by two stages in which the commander can select either a low-resolution imagery to identify minor threat, to be followed if necessary by an infra-red, high resolution and radar integrated imagery to provide a more thorough analysis of the target's position, and range. An AYTRACK sub-system commander-operated anti-aircraft sight allows the commander of the AY2 to subsequently engage air targets by utilising the AY2's AY02-MG from within the safety of its turret.

AYTRACK's internally operated target acquisition networking and management systems, infrared and laser ranging controlled data are initiated by controlling its stabilised networking, gunner-operated device to automatically aim the AY2's main gun towards any visible mobile and stationary target, with a twenty four hour day and night capability coverage, providing an accurate ballistic elevation and azimuth offset field position whilst providing a systematic informational gathering input essential upon the accuracy and capability of an effective modern fire control system.

By utilising the features of a combined sensors sight, in conjunction with its application internally within the AYTRACK computerised fire control system, the AY2 has acquired the ability to effectively countermeasure the ever-growing air threats coming from opposing enemy air support aircraft and ground projectile threat, in finality targeting the aforementioned threat from within its combined sensors sight, and thereby to aim its power projectile capability against the aforementioned threat.

The VMK Bureau of Acquisition and Application Management has recently observed as the availability and discovery of state-of-the-art sensors, combined with a range of previously unavailable micro electronics and computerised development has made the realisation of an advanced multi-threat targeting sight enveloped together within a unitary sensor, possible.

After two years of developmental research and quantum, the VMK Head of Procurement and Development Research, Dr. Siti Subrono has decided that the incoming AY2 project, alongside the heavier AY1, would utilise the aforementioned technology, thereby increasing the armoured fighting vehicle's direct projectile effectiveness and surveillance platform capability against opposing rotorcraft, land-based power projectile threat, and of course, hostile combat personnel.

Utilising the latest AYD0B active ballistic computer, the system features the ability to automatically verified angular crosswind and target speed input, course angle, and target range. AYD0B ABC act as a mean of informational input firing statistics data storing within the AYTRACK, and is mainly processed to approximately determine and track ballistic informational data, in-between that of the already stored information and the main collectible data.

The flexibility of the AYD0B active computer system enable the AY2's personnel to manually utilise the system's ability to track the associated ambient air temperature and barlolel wear air pressure, and the ability to calculate with accuracy the necessary time that high-explosive, fragmentary projectile controlled detonation should be initiated over an identified and verified target.

The AYD0B computerised system detected multiple ballistic ammunition and projectile types, and its categorised informational input includes the verified target's drift signals, flight time, and super-elevation. AYD0B computer system operates by utilising a large collection of several sub-channels which will then transmit the collected operational data through several wires simultaneously, and used together in conjunction with an adjustable first operational amplifier which indicate with striking accuracy and precision the information and range of the tracked and verified target.

Armour:
During the course of the development of the Adversus Tank Armour, which would be used on the A2, and subsequently the AY2 series of tanks, different armour concepts came up that could be used for future projects (i.e., Cross-wise oriented NERA panels).

• Exote
• Aermet 100
• Resilin
• Aermet 100
• Composite Sandwich Panel
• Aermet 100
• Resilin
• Aermet 100
• Composite Sandwich Panel
• Aermet 100
• Ti-6Al-4V
• U-3Ti alloy DU mesh
• Ti-6Al-4V
• SiC encased in Ti-6Al-4V
• Ti-6Al-4V
• Chassis
• Anti-spall

Adversus is the latest in the LAIX ARMS line-up of armour solutions for tanks, originating from the Free Republic of Lamoni. During the AY1 Serenity main battle tank's development programme, the Anago-Yohannesian Imperial and Royal Ministry of Defence has decided, per offer by that of the Lamonian Free Republic, a close bilateral ally of the Anago-Yohannesian Empire, to incorporate the Adversus battle armoured system towards the AY1 series. Following the realisation of the lighter and more mobile AY2 series however, Adversus was once again incorporated into yet another one of VMK AG's latest land battle systems, and consequently, it was that of the AY2-1E.

Adversus starts with Exote, which is rated as being effective against small arms armour piercing rounds (including 15 mm armour piercing rounds). The Exote layer is expected to deal with small arms fire and shrapnel from enemy weapons fire. Exote is Titanium Carbide ceramic particles in a metallic matrix. In this case, the metallic matrix is RHA, making it ductile, which greatly improves its multi-hit capabilities while preserving typical ceramic terminal ballistic properties -- high hardness and ablation.

Due to the fact that the ceramic has been suspended in matrix form instead of sintered together, it is cheaper than ceramic tile armour arrays, while providing calculated protection levels equivalent to a 1.77x thickness efficiency, and 2.25x mass efficiency, compared to RHA alone. This process means that Exote is classified as a Metal Matrix Composite, or MMC. Exote-Armour was invented and first manufactured by Exote Ltd., a Finnish corporation.

Upon impact by an armour-piercing round, Exote's Titanium Carbide particles wear down the round via ablation, until the round is effectively turned into dust. Exote also spreads out the energy of the round, and distributes it over a larger area, thus fully neutralizing impact. The damage area is only 20-30% larger than the calibre of the hit, and the rest of the plate will still remain protective. This can be seen in Exote's multi-hit armour characteristic, which provides excellent protection from small arms, with a lighter weight than RHA alone. The Exote is also used to contain the rest of the armour package.

Lamonian innovations in the form of extruded para-organic resilin are also used. Resilin is an elastomeric fibrous compound found within the musculature of insects. To quote Dr Chris Elvin of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation;

"Resilin has evolved over hundreds of millions of years in insects into the most efficient elastic protein known..."


Resilin shown under UV at 360nm.

Using genetically modified E.Coli bacteria, the CSIRO team was able to synthetically generate a soluble Resilin protein, based upon the cloning and expression of the first exon of the Drosophila CG15920 gene. By means of a CSIRO-patented process, the resulting resilin rubber was shown to have structurally near-perfect resilience nature, with a ninety-seven percent post-stress recovery.

The next-nearest competitors are synthetic polybutadiene ‘superball’ high resilience rubber (80 per cent) and elastin (90 per cent). The cross-linking process itself is remarkably simple. It needs only three components - the protein, generally lactose, or a near analogue, a metal ligand complex, ruthenium in this case, and an electron acceptor. The mixture is then flashed with visible light of 452 nanometres wavelength to form the polymer - within 20 seconds, the proteins will be cross-linked into a matrix with remarkable tensile strength.

Like it's Acerbitas cousin, the Resilin used in Adversus is intended, as with NERA generally, to warp, bend or bulge the Aermet 100 plates upon impact. As the plates move, bullets are subjected to transverse and shear forces, diminishing their penetration, and shaped-charge weapons find their plasma jets unable to readily focus on a single area of armor. In the case of segmented projectiles, the transverse forces are less pronounced, compared to unitary variants, but the movement of the plate essentially forces the projectile to penetrate twice, again lowering total impact upon the platform protected.

The Resilin components are layered with Aermet 100 plates. The Aermet plates are angled, as penetrators striking angled plates will bend into the direction the plate is facing. This action on the part of the penetrator serves to significantly reduce the impact of the penetrator itself, as the penetrator expends energy on this bending motion, instead of being allowed to focus all of its kinetic energy on a single spot on the armour.

Aermet 100 alloy features high hardness and strength, coupled with high ductility. Aermet 100 alloy is used for applications requiring high strength, high fracture toughness, high resistance to stress corrosion cracking, and fatigue. Aermet 100 is more difficult to machine than other steels; Aermet being specially graded martensitic steel, and requires the use of carbide tools.

Composite Sandwich Panels are used both to increase the structural integrity of the armour, as well as to catch fragments that are created by enemy fire. The outside of the panels are composed of one centimetre thick plates of Aermet 100 alloy. One such plate is placed on either side of the panel. The interior of each panel consists of a three centimetre thick honeycomb of hexagonal celled, thickness oriented Aermet 100, where each cell of the honeycomb measures six millimetres across. Each hexagonal cell is filled with a mix of sintered Titanium Diboride (TiB2) ceramic tiles, and vinylester resin. This adds additional ceramic protection to the armour.

Ti-6Al-4V is a very popular alloy of Titanium. Designed for high tensile strength applications in the 1000 MPa range, the alloy has previously been used for aerospace, marine, power generation and offshore industries applications. Ti-6Al-4V offers all-round performance for a variety of weight reduction applications. It is used to sandwich the Depleted Uranium mesh, encase the SiC ceramic, and as the majority of the armour after that.

As chemically pure Depleted Uranium is very brittle, and is not as strong as alloys, U-3Ti alloy is used for the DU mesh. This alloy has a density of 18.6 grams per cubic centimetre. The alloy displays higher strength, and less brittleness than chemically pure Depleted Uranium.

Silicon Carbide encased in Ti-6Al-4V comes after this, with the Titanium alloy being used to encapsulate the SiC ceramic, as well as assist in hydrostatic prestressing, which is known to extend interface defeat. The SiC is isostatically pressed into the heated matrix; which more securely binds the ceramic into place.

Interface Defeat is a phenomenon observed when a hypervelocity penetrator strikes a sufficiently hard ceramic. The penetrator flattens its nose against the ceramic without penetrating into the ceramic for up to several microseconds, with penetrator material flowing laterally across the face of the ceramic until the ceramic starts to crack. As soon as cracks form, the lateral flow stops and penetration resumes. This effect is also called "dwell" in some publications. Silicon Carbide is excellent for producing this effect.

More Ti-6Al-4V is used as the bulk of the armour after the encased SiC, which has a superior mass efficiency relative to RHA, while its thickness efficiency is a bit lower (about 0.9:1).

The chassis is located behind this, with Dyneema being used as a spall liner. In Anago-Yohannesian main battle tanks, the chassis would likely consist of RHA, to replicate that of the Lamonian main battle tanks.

Most of the armour is concentrated on the frontal arc, with the sides also being covered, but to a lesser degree. The rear of the tank (like all tanks) is protected by RHA. Where logically applicable, the VMK Bureau of Development followed the Lyran designed Hauberk ERA in order to increase the protection levels of the tank. This includes use of Hauberk on the tank's roof, which helps to protect the AY2 against top attack munitions.

'Hauberk' shaped-charged explosive reactive armour is fitted as standard (though can be removed), designed to destroy (or at the very least severely degrade) hostile munitions, be they HE-based or kinetic penetrators. 'Hauberk' is also available from yet another ally of the Anago-Yohannesian Empire, the Lyran Protectorate, at no extra cost, and has been designed specifically to take advantage of research into explosive reactive armour carried out at the Lughenti Testing Range, of which the Anago-Yohannesian government has noted most thankfully.

Owing considerably to its 'Rainmaker' ancestor, 'Hauberk' differs from 'Rainmaker' in two ways. The first change is a shift in the formation of the explosively formed penetrators of the defensive system, from directly opposing the projectile (firing along the same axis as the most likely threat at any given armour location) to a slanted system, angling (approximately) 45 degrees up. The new system not only leaves 'Hauberk' considerably more compact, but dramatically improves its effectiveness against kinetic munitions of all forms.

The 'Hauberk' HERA system is composed of “bricks” making each “bricks” easily replaceable once used and allowing the system to be fitted to vehicles already in service. The “bricks” are lightweight (at around 3kg) and this allows them to be positioned on as many areas of the tank as needs require.

An Aermet 100 Mine Protection Plate has been incorporated onto the underside of the AY2-1D, which offers protection from mines, and IEDs. This protection is in addition to the crew seating, and other protection measures.

The turret front and sides are fitted with wedge-shaped add-on armour in sections, which can easily be replaced by field workshops if hit or, at a later stage, be replaced by more advanced armour. Aermet 100 alloy provides the outer casing, with a layer of Resilin to work against CE threats. U-3Ti alloy DU spheres encased in an Aermet 100 matrix cause KE rounds to yaw, reducing their penetration. The “wedge” armour is backed by more Aermet 100 alloy plating.

Active Protection:
As a mainstay of soft-hardkill countermeasure the AYHK10 Active Protection System was developed by VWK AG under the assistance and guidance of the VMK Bureau of Design Committee, towards the AY2 series. The immediate aim of the research and task of the VMK Bureau of Design Committee then was the creation of a satisfactory if not an acceptable level of protection for Anago-Yohannesian armoured fighting vehicles in the face of the ever-growing capacity and power projectile reach of most of the present anti-tank battle systems and threats internationally.

Worldwide, the advancement of anti-armoured vehicle measure systems, whether it coming from the air and ground, has developed at a rapid pace. The ongoing cold hostility between nations of the world has seen a period of military innovations and technological advancement unheard of over the previous decades. The majority of modern armoured fighting vehicles utilised a system in which its associated crews identified the aforementioned threat by relying on their field of eyesight vision and other passive defence systems such as the launching of a smoke screen envelopment alone to form a barrier around the vehicle, taking into account of course the availability of friendly infantry formations and the associated speed of the armoured fighting vehicle itself, within the vicinity of its operational ground.

However the rapid development and adoption of multiple armoured fighting vehicle countermeasure systems and tactics worldwide has seen the utilisation of such passive defence initiation to be outdated at best and redundant at worst. The development of laser guided and infra-red radiator illuminating means of detecting armoured fighting vehicles within its vicinity, together with the ever increasing pace of development upon various active anti-vehicle guided missile internationally, furthermore, has opened the eyes of the VMK Bureau of Development and Research Committee that the realisation of an active protection system within the incoming AY2 series of main battle tank project would be a must.

It was during the developmental phase of the AY main battle tank concept that the project was declared by the VMK Bureau of Design Committee, in conjunction to that of the Anago-Yohannesian Imperial and Royal Ministry of Defence, to be categorically regarded as a clear project in majority. The systems allowed for its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle to withstand and survive operationally the threat active threat provided in the form of the aforementioned means of detection, by utilising its own active countermeasure and tracking systems against the incoming projectile and/or missile, thereby creating a condition in which the aforementioned projectile and/or missile guidance systems would at best fail, and at worst, would be able to eliminate the aforementioned threat.

The establishment of the said protocol was done only however, through numerous successful and favourably effective demonstrations, consequentially in the AYHK10 ADS's capability to neutralise anti-tank guided missiles and rockets, its corresponding acceptable low rate and high safety levels regarding friendly casualty chance and low percentage, and minimal collateral damage, with that of an acceptable rate of residual penetration.

The AYHK10 ADS defeats and intercepted incoming threats by utilising a hemispherical barrier zone around the corresponding armoured vehicle, in which the utilisation of IR and millimetre wave signals is initiated by targeting hostile missiles or projectiles, which preceded the initiation of screening grenades. These sensors will then deliver its encrypted signals to the corresponding crew within the AY2. The crucial elements within the AYHK10 active protection system are the ability of its corresponding radars to detect and track incoming threat by utilising an internal soft-kill emitter sensor which will then be automatically processed into the AYHK10 computer system, and its ability to countermeasure and effectively intercept the said threat by inputting the aforementioned process into the AYHK10's sub-systems.

Several sensors which is needed for the corresponding initiation of a full hemispherical coverage, for example that of a collection of flat panel radars which is subsequently placed at strategic locations in the shape of a rectangular zone, with the first and second radars located at the front section of the vehicle, just below the front turret, and the third and fourth located just below the hull of the vehicle, protected by the hauberk armour screening, around the armoured vehicle, are included within the AYHK9's detection and tracking subsystem.

Infrared and millimetre wave detectors are also included and inter-connected into a single transmitter within the system, and are attached outside the AY2's quadrant points. Each of these has infra-red detection and a millimetre wave tracking system, together with an encrypted early warning transmission device which will then transmit any collected informational input to the AY2's crew.

The associated receiver of the transmitted informational data will then passed on the information to the commander of the associated formational vehicle, and the commander will then proceed to active the AYHK10-A3 control and tracking sub-system. The aforementioned information will then be processed by the commander's computerised inter-connected sub-system computerised screen, which will then encrypted the aforementioned data, and proceed to either countermeasure the identified threat manually, and/or let the system eliminate it automatically.

Once an incoming threat is detected, identified, and verified, the AYHK9 ADS countermeasure sub-system and device will then be activated and positioned accordingly so as to effectively intercept the verified threat, and the vehicle's designated commander will then be able to activate a systematic button which automatically compute the origination of the threat's direction, and alter the position of the tank's turret towards its direction. It will then be launched automatically into the aforementioned intercepted threat in a ballistic trajectory initiation, consequently providing an adequately long distance of threat interception, within a computerised timeframe of approximately three to four seconds.

Due to the broad hemispherical coverage of its internally built laser threat identifier aforementioned above, the AYHK10 ADS is capable of providing a full three hundred and sixty degree active protection scope of operation to its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle, with its targeted range of projectile within its sensory system to include those of anti-tank guided missiles and grenades, and almost any known and visible target within approximately one hundred metres' surrounding of its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle scope of operation.

In regard to the possibility of a newly emerging projectile incoming target to be identified by the soft-kill emitter sensor, the hard-kill computerised system will then identify and verify the input of the new incoming projectile at a distance of approximately two metres from the system's corresponding armoured fighting vehicle, so as to minimise any unwanted trajectory friendly-fire casualties, all within a reactionary timeframe of just two seconds in-between the old, and the new targeted projectile threat.

The AYHK10 ADS, unlike that of the AYHK9, can also be altered as an effective fast counteractive vehicular protection system, rendering ineffective any hostile rocket propelled grenade initiation in a close range combat situation within a total responsive period of approximately 1.3 ms. A plural passive sensors has been added towards the AYHK10, allowing the active defence system to track and verify its surrounding to locate the threat detected by its laser tracker, which further will determine the angular co-ordination, range, and velocity of the aforementioned threat. Countermunitions will then be initiated, in the circumstance whereas the threat has been regarded as initiated, which will provide a fast countermeasure initiation against its verified hostile target, and its guidance is supported by the AYHK10's computerised software onboard the vehicle.

The AYHK10 ADS is also equipped with its own radiometric countermeasure sub-system, which can be utilised to render invalid any millimetre wave sensory guidance system targeting its associated vehicle, which can be employed by hostile missiles to act as a projector guide towards the AY2. Dubbed the AYXA-1BS the countermeasure sub-system utilised the existence of a repetitive source of millimetre wave, and an inter-connected system of attenuator and circular light converter to transmit the radiatory millimetre wave signal around the armoured fighting vehicle's immediate surrounding environment.

The aforementioned process will then create a substantial electromagnetic field within the vicinity of the vehicle, which was conceptualised to provide a sufficient radiatory intensity to match the AY2's surrounding environmental features, such as any surrounding buildings and/or trees within its vicinity. As a result, any sensory detection and radiatory guidance system initiated to assist any hostile missiles towards the AY2 will be rendered invalid and defunct, thereby drastically increasing its survivability rate operationally.

Observability reduction:
The AY2-1E also comes with its own signature reduction system. Ever since the invention of armoured fighting vehicle itself, the utilisation of a mean whereby a signature reduction and/or operability limitation was achieved by way of field camouflaging to avoid any possibility of unnecessary case of sensor and visual detection towards the armoured fighting vehicle's within its field of operation, due to various factors such as the heating of the vehicle's engine.

Signature reduction has always been deemed as one of the essential factors upon the successful conclusion of its mission, and the survivability rate of the the vehicle itself, and its associated crews. Knowing full well the effectiveness of functionally reliable observation reduction systems, the VMK AG Bureau of Procurement and Research has not ceased to stress the importance of the aforementioned field of technical research in regard to its development within the new main battle tank project.

An existing camouflage system used most commonly worldwide, known as the LCSS (lightweight camouflage screening system) signature reduction method has been deemed as relatively ineffective by the VMK AG Bureau of Procurement and Research, and a mean of further increasing the effectiveness of its future main battle tank and any subsequent armoured fighting vehicle projects, was therefore considered, and in finality initiated with vigour.

Existing signature reduction means found in most battle systems would be the utilisation of several camouflaging layer which can be screened together to provide extra section of its corresponding attached armoured fighting vehicle. The successful conclusion of the vehicle's mission, and its corresponding crews rate of survivability was crucial in regard to the successful initiation and disconnecting process of the aforementioned vehicle's camouflage screen layers. A quick dismemberment therefore, would be essential in determining the increasing rate of survivability and time saving operational capability of the vehicle within its associated operation.

The development of the VWK Research and Procurement Team has resulted in a signature reduction system whereby in the possibility a point of contact between its camouflage screen layer with that of its surrounding equipments was reached, little if not almost no major physical damage would result from its point of contact. Dubbed by the VWK Bureau of Development and Research as the "Lotion", it consists of a multi-spectral light-weight, ultra camouflage net system, based upon the existing ULCANS system.

Lotion consists of two beckets block of loops attached together at the screen of the corresponding camouflaging layer, formed in an alternating conjunction with long beckets block of loops, and to be initiated repeatedly. A detachment of the attached beckets will then automatically dismembered rapidly the aforementioned beckets loops from each other, and thus limiting the existence of a rigid plastic structure within the system, and further decreasing its associated armoured fighting vehicle's chance of detection from hostile infrared radiatory initiation.

A domestically manufactured infrared camouflage screen is used within Lotion, which further decrease the rate of infrared detection of the Lotion's associated armoured fighting vehicle from hostile infrared detection devices and initiation. The layer consists of lightweight pores-contained materials, which will then be attached with strips to its corresponding layer, with the ability to appropriately reducing, depending on the circumstance involved, its corresponding armoured fighting vehicle's infrared detection rate, and is deemed to be effective at a range of over 50 metres from any present infrared and similar means of detection.

Crew amenities:
Commonality and Anago-Yohannesian systems tradition has also seen the AY2's utilisation of the AY1 Serenity's AY09 AFEDSS (AY09 Automatic Fire and Explosion Detection and Suppression System). AY09 AFEDSS is a fully automatic combat operational detection, control, and suppression system, instantaneous and flexibly adjustable to that of a normal and combat mode setting, to be altered as to the circumstances involved within the operational and tactical surrounding of the AY2.

The development was a result of the then requirement essentially needed by the Anago-Yohannesian Imperial and Royal Armed Defence Forces following its poorly planned participation within the Santa Serrifian territorial sovereignty during the Santa Serriffe Civil War of 1981, when the proportionally needless casualties as a result of the Santa Serriffan rebel faction detachments' utilisation and initiation of its collective HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) weapon rounds upon the rank of its operational opposing Anago-Yohannesian formations tactically.

Therefore some of the utmost requirements needed by the Imperial & Royal Army following a lengthy general staff debate were the increasing survivability chance of its crew and vehicle, and the availability of an add-on modular design, which consequently enable the factors of commonality and interchange-ability between the K.u.K.Streitkräfte's combat vehicles. Various cases were experienced upon whereas a sizeable number of Anago-Yohannesian tank crews were either injured or killed when the aforementioned crews' respective vehicles was damaged, and enveloped in fire.

The primary reason behind the AY09 AFEDSS's development by the VMK Bureau of Design Committee was solely based by virtue upon the AY09's potency to provide a projectile penetration combat protection to AY2's three crews and engine on the battlefied by instantly discharging and suppressing fire and/or explosions.

AY09 AFEDSS also features the ability to detect the rise and fall of temperatures within the compartment of the engine by utilising an overheat wire detector, systematically detect and verified a first-degree pressure shock-capable explosion and/or fire within 3.1 ms and suppress it within 100 ms, by utilising its optical fire detection and protection system against HEAT and/or KE (kinetic energy) round penetration, and an operational dual mode automatic status indicator which systematically provide a backing capability in the event of a major malfunctioning of the system.

Furthermore, the AY2 features a central air cooled crew compartment system and a liquid heater based on the engine to accommodate the crew compartment with heating during any possible operations conducted within the period of winter season, which additionally reduce the AY1's engine heat signature based system. An NBC protected water tank sub-system is also connected to the liquid heater, which can be used for the AY2 crew's necessary personal use of cold and/or hot waters in time of need.

The presence of easily-accessible small armaments storage within the AY2's turret is designated towards the respective crew members' defensive need on the likelihood of any unfavourable scenarios, and a higher rate of survivability was reached by significantly reducing vehicular exposure and pressure shock with the application of AYX47-B1 fibreoptic connections towards the AY2's electronics.

Mobility:
Following the path of the previous AY1 series, the primary propulsion system of the AY2 is the Forza FB-12TSD; a twelve cylinder water-cooled powerplant, capable of a variety of different fuels, and is being boosted by a forced induction mechanism.

At first, a six cylinder engine was considered as the powerplant, although this was discarded in favour of the twelve cylinders by Forza engineers. The VMK Bureau of Development and Research has previously designed its own engine designated towards the initial prototype of the heavier AY1 Serenity model. Further observation regarding Forza's apparent superiority in the field of engine development and propulsion has however altered the balance towards the proposed Forza engine considerably towards the use of the lighter AY2 project.

As a result, and under the supervision and approval of the Anago-Yohannesian Imperial and Royal Bureau of Procurement, the Forza FB-12TSD engine was chosen as the primary propulsion system of the AY2, and all its future variants. A week passed when Forza finally finalized the deal, and the Forza FB-12TSD was chosen and selected officially as the primary propulsion system of the AY2.

For the AY2-1E, Forza engineers sought to extract extra power and torque from the existing powerplant designed for the AY1 Serenity without any significant re-design of the engine itself.

The main reason for the immense power output of the Forza FB-12TSD engine is the teaming of it's high-boost forced induction system along with it's very high compression ratio. For a direct common rail injected diesel engine, this version of the FB-12TSD possesses a ratio of 23.5:1, essentially meaning the engine compresses 2670 cubic centimetres of fuel and air mixture into 111 cubic centimetres in every cycle. The compression ratio was raised simply by extending the already long stroke of the existing FB-12TSD powerplant by 5mm. Because of this very high ratio, this called for the cylinder block to be manufactured with very thick cylinder walls in order to maintain it's structural integrity. Despite it's low displacement, the FB-12TSD weighs no less than a similarly powerful 45 litre engine although consuming much less fuel.

To further boost power, the maximum boost of the turbochargers was raised from 1.4 bar to 1.6 bar, which creates a significant increase in power when the turbochargers are active higher up the rev range, but due to the nature of a twin charger engine, makes no difference in low engine speeds due to the supercharger being the sole provider of forced induction. Combined, these two factors extract an additional 250kw over the existing 1500kw FB-12TSD engine, a 16% increase in power, for a total of 1750kw.

Twelve cylinder engines are known surreptiously for their superb mechanical balance, a feature which most types of six cylinder engines lack without the existence of counterweights and their relative symmetry. Another factor which was being put into consideration was the issue of the engine's reliability itself. If a single piston was to fail and/or suffer any form of major damage within the previously mentioned six cylinder engine, approximately one sixth of the engine's power would be lost which would have a disastrous impact on performance.

In a crucial tactical field of operation and counting the ever progressive anti-tank countermeasure capabilities of most of the present militaries, such a blow would result as a serious blow to the performance of the armoured fighting vehicle to maintain its operation effectively within its tactical field of combat zone. As the VMK Bureau of Research and Development, together with the assistance of the Forza engineers discovered however, if a cylinder fails and/or is damaged within a twelve cylinder engine, only one twelfth in approximation of the engine's power would be lost, and thereby providing a far lesser detraction from the armoured fighting vehicle's overall mobility within its tactical field of operation.

The pistons are arranged in a boxer layout which is a layout seldom seen except for several high performance sports cars. A flat layout, which is more commonly seen, is near identical in appearance and theory to a boxer engine; there is still a 180 degree angle between the two separate banks of pistons, however a boxer engine mounts two opposing pistons on two different crank pins as opposed to a flat engine which mounts two pistons on the same crank pin.

Thus, a flat layout is best described as a 180 degree V engine and not a true boxer engine. Boxer engines are renown for having superb balance and are unique in that a boxer engine does not require counter balances at all on the crank shaft as the engine has superb natural balance. This is further enhanced by the use of twelve cylinders. Boxers are so named because when one looks at the engine from down the crankshaft, the two banks of cylinders will appear to be boxing one another.

The induction system is a variant of Forza's Twin Charger system; a single Roots-type Supercharger is used to aspirate the engine at low RPM's with two Turbochargers, one for each bank of cylinders, aspirating the engine further down the rev-range. Twin Charging systems have a number of advantages over other forms of forced induction. Unlike Turbocharged engines, Twin charged engines do not experience turbo-lag, where the turbochargers are ineffective because they are not at operating speeds.

Unlike supercharged engines, twin charged engines can decouple the supercharger from the engine, and consequently will not drain power to operate while still maintaining boost from the turbochargers. The two forms of forced induction do not operate in parallel in a bid to avoid the extremely high manifold temperatures which would be produced by the supercharger blowing into the turbocharger. As such, the supercharger is decoupled as soon as the turbocharger activates on the FB-12TSD. The Twin Charger system allows the AY2 to have constant boost and thus give exceptional acceleration at all engine speeds; something crucial for a battlefield environment.

The engine block itself is made from aluminium alloy, comprised of 11% silicon, 4% manganese and 0.5% magnesium. This Al-Alloy has a high thermal conductivity and hence is able to dissipate heat quicker than cast iron. Also, it leads more thermal efficiency, cooler running engines and are lighter thereby improving the overall vehicle’s operative characteristics.

In total, the engine has a total displacement of 32,240 cubic centimetres or 32.24 Litres, which equates to 2.687 Litres per cylinder. This upgraded version of the FB-12TSD, with its slightly higher compression ratio and increased boost pressure increased the specific output of the engine by 7kw per litre, up to 54kw/litre, which combines to form a total output of 1750kw.

In addition to the primary powerplant, a secondary Auxiliary Power Unit is also provided. This APU is a four litre Inline four multi-fuel engine which provides 100kw of power. The APU can be used to slowly move the tank out of danger and power any high-priority electric systems should the primary powerplant fail, but is also used to provide power to move the main turret, reducing some of the strain on the primary powerplant.

Exhaust fumes and gases are passed out the rear of the tank, through a double muffler and particle filter. Exhaust gases are diluted with outside air to reduce their heat signature. This is done by sucking air through a small inlet flush against the tank and mixing the cool outside air with the exhaust gases. Exhausted and outside air meet in a special Y tube, with a radiator being mounted on the stem of the Y, sucking air from both stems through to the exhaust.

Sound-deadening engine covers are also fitted to the engine to reduce the noise both inside and outside the cabin. Forza engineers are normally ardent at reducing the NVH of large luxury cars but found the same basic principles applied to armoured vehicles. Double-insulated sound covers are placed in a box to cover the engine, which is itself mounted on springs to quell vibrations. The top of this box can be easily removed to lift the whole engine out. As a result, the AY2, similar to the AY1, is drastically quieter inside and out than the majority of most other main battle tanks.

The transmission in the AY2 is a specialized gearbox made for the armoured fighting vehicle especially. The Transmission, dubbed the 8GDCT, has eight forward gears and four reverse gears in a double clutch system. In Double Clutch Transmissions the two clutches are arranged concentrically with the larger outer clutch drives the odd numbered gears (1,3,5,7) whilst the smaller inner clutch drives the even numbered gears (2,4,6,8).

Shifts can be accomplished without interrupting torque distribution to the driveshaft, by applying the engine's torque to one clutch at the same time as it is being disconnected from the other clutch. Since alternate gear ratios can pre-select an odd gear on one gear shaft whilst the vehicle is being driven in an even gear. This means the Double Clutch Gearbox can change gears much faster than any single clutch transmission and much more smoothly. The transmission is also responsible for splitting some of the engine power from the demand for mobility to power the multitude of electronics that make up the AY2.

The transmission shifts gears automatically and is programmed to keep the tank in the optimum gear for the conditions being experienced. This, when matched with the wide torque band, gives the AY2 unparalleled mobility at any given engine speed. The 8GDCT also has an over torque function which liberates an extra 400nm from the engine, which allows the AY2, similar to the heavier AY1, to act as a tug, pulling or pushing other armoured fighting vehicles (including other main battle tanks) out of dangerous situations.

Towards the AY2 suspension designation, the internationally renown VLT was tasked with the development of an active hydropneumatic suspension system. Building on earlier experiences with the company's past active Hydropneumatic Vehicle System (HPVS), used on all recent VLT Group military vehicles, VLT developed an active hydropneumatic suspension system for the Anago-Yohannesian AY2.

This system works with hydraulic cylinders, mounted behind every road wheel (thus, 7 on each side). The cylinders have been connected with each other along the length of the vehicle, together with nitrogen-filled hydraulic accumulators. If a roadwheel hits a bump, the nitrogen is compressed by the hydraulic oil inside the hydraulic unit, if the wheel then returns to the normal driving situation, the nitrogen will expand once again to return the suspension to normal circumstances. A constant hydropneumatic suspension with onboard damping is thus available.

The system, however, is progressive, which means that the system can take into account the type of terrain the AY2 is currently on, as well as differences in weight. As the hydropneumatic cylinders are only connected length-wise, the suspension left and right has essentially been separated, which means that all wheels will have equal ground pressure in uneven terrain, dividing the ground pressure more evenly over the tracks. A downside of the lengthwise cylinder connection is that a vehicle would be likely to nose-dive during braking or lean backwards during acceleration.

To combat this, the VLT HPVS system of the AY2 is equipped with a computer that can measure pitch, roll, acceleration and deceleration in both lateral and longitudinal directions, as well as various other variables in relation to the actions of the driver and the condition of the surface.

The computer, also connected to several gyroscopes, can thus monitor the movements of the vehicle, and anticipate and act upon changes in the suspension level by reducing or increasing the level of hydraulic fluid in specific cylinders or in all cylinders, through a central pump with a reservoir for hydraulic fluid.

The driver also has the ability to make the tank kneel or tilt to one side, but can also choose to lower or higher the entire suspension, thus allowing the tank to reduce its silhouette by being lower, or having more ground clearance in a higher suspension setting. The body computer also knows when the gun is discharged, and the system will move to counteract the recoil of the system to make sure the tank will remain stable.

The cylinders used in this system have very few moving parts, meaning they require little maintenance, and will not require replacement often. The system itself is light, reliable and relatively small, and ready for a long service life, and should replacement be necessary, a mechanic can mount a new cylinder unit (which can be ordered complete or in parts, with complete units only requiring basic mechanical skill to mount into the hull and connect the hydraulic tubing).

Also, the HPVS system is, in soldier terminology, idiot-proof by being able to withstand the extra stresses of exceeding the maximum weight of the vehicle. All cylinders are encapsulated in armoured units behind armoured skirts, protecting the system from being damaged. Should one of the cylinders be damaged, despite these protection measures, the central body computer of the suspension system can detect a leak in the system and shut off the leaking cylinders by closing valves.

This prevents a leak from draining the system and allows the AY2 to continue, despite damage to the suspension system, as long as the tracks themselves have not been damaged, and the system has several additional features, such as the crosswise stabilization of the vehicle that takes place automatically under a speed of 3 km/h. If necessary, the driver can also engage it at speeds above this limit.

The stabilization system makes sure that the hull and turret of the vehicle remain as level as possible while the vehicle itself is at a side slope. This is done by locking the cylinders of the suspension in a level position on one side of the vehicle.

This prevents the vehicle from tipping over, making it easier to cross steep side slopes. Also, there is a system on board that stabilizes the vehicle in corners, to reduce vehicle roll. This is done by temporarily deactivating the hydropneumatic suspension in high-speed corners, reducing the rolling movement caused by the suspension system. If necessary, the system can also be turned off by the driver or commander.

Next to these features, HPVS also offers a vehicle weight indicator, making it easy to remind the driver or commander of the weight of the vehicle. Also, a system has been installed that can keep the vehicle completely level when standing still, as long as the slope the vehicle is on is not too extreme.

All in all, the VLT Automotive HPVS system for the AY2 has established a drastic increase upon the AY2's mobility, even under rough terrain conditions, whilst maintaining crew comfort and gun accuracy due to the superior stabilization the active hydropneumatic suspension offers. The development of HPVS-MBT for the AY2 has reaffirmed VLT's superiority in the field of military vehicle suspensions, with the introduction of its hydropneumatic vehicle system (HPVS).

Export
Price per unit of the AY2-1E is US$18,500,000.00 (eighteen million and five hundred thousand universal standard dollar) and is by virtue manufactured by VMK AG, and its arms subsidiaries within Anagonia-Yohannes. Once a foreign entity has been given confirmation upon acquisition of the AY2-1E, related ammunitions and spare parts's manufacturing license will be given in advance, so as to establish an ease of logistics and operational use of the AY2-1E within the aforementioned entity.

AY2-1E related spare parts and ammunitions however, can only be produced domestically towards usage by the purchased AY2-1E, and may not be produced for export and/or non-profit distribution outside the aforementioned entity. Full domestic manufacturing license for the AY2-1E is not available, however.

Battle networking system will be set at default so as to promote ease of integration towards any domestic battle network systems of its purchaser. Electronics and sensory systems, together with the pre-packaged advanced fire control system may be changed according to alternative choosing, however VMK AG will not claim any responsibility in the case of any possibility of negative performance as a result of such an initiative.

Orders can be made at VMK AG main storefront.

90kmh what

This is just my opinion, but in the end I don't believe that ETC is really worth it versus developing guided munitions, especially top-attack and LOSAT-type munitions. Considering you can shoot these from vehicles much lighter than tanks, I'd say these are more worth it.

Why settle for a sentence when you can write a whole paragraph!

Sorry Satirius, it was a typo, and was meant to be kph, not kmh..

Yes.. but i only do this for fun mate, as in i am not really into designing everything ground warfare related.. this is my first try at designing something in NS, and i decided to do it because one day i was just bored, and wanted to try something in my spare time. Perhaps i will look it up further.

Cheers (thanks) for that..!

I think Sat is more referring to the '90' part and not the unit of measurement itself ;)

90km/h is a bit too quick for a tracked vehicle because the of the damage risk to the tracks themselves. In reality, low 80s are about as fast as you are going to get regardless of how much power you have.

Ah.. okie dokie. :P

Hmm.. should 84 be alright..?

84km/h sounds fine to me, not an expert on tracked vehicles though

As a cosmetic issue, you were right the first time when you had km/h instead of kph. Km/h is the only correct way of writing it; kph is just an unofficial abbreviation used by nations who have their speed limits in miles per hour which is written mph. Km/h = approved notation. Kph = used by uneducated rednecks.

Em... okay. :P

You're not getting 90 km/h out of this.

You might be able to squeeze 73 km/h with your pwr/wgt, but your pwr/wgt is really fucking high and you're probably going to be throwing tracks all the time from that.

FV101 Scorpion is fastest tank IRL @ 72.5 k/h and has a pwr/wgt of 22.4-ish.

Leclerc is up there, might be 3rd fastest and has a speed of 72 km/h and a pwr/wgt of 27-sommat.

I cannot see you getting much higher than that, rly.

Hmm.. have you check the mobility section of the write up..? Iirc we have talked about this by irc, and i am sure you know the answer of that already Kat.

Not sure where you are getting that from because several tracked vehicles have had speeds approaching 100km/h. M18 from way back in 1942 is just one example. At 90km/h you might be causing your tracks to wear significantly, I don't think it's at the level where parts are starting to fall off unless your tracks were made in a chinese sweatshop by some random 15 year old.

Hey Ceara. You're Yohannes, right?

Spot on mate, Yohannes is one of my NS account.

Why would you want to squeeze 72 kmh out of an eighty-tonne vehicle anyway? I'd be more worried about ground pressure and the places it can go.