Introduction

The ST-47K1 ARAY Main Battle Tank will serve as the primary main battle tank of the Army of the Armed Republic well into the foreseeable future and will be replacing the ST-37/39 series of tanks in front-line combat forces. As of yet, the design has remained enshrouded in secrecy and is so far only visible within one unit of the Army of the Armed Republic, the Seventeenth Armored Division [17th ADiv.] where it is steadily replacing the previous tanks. Rumored features of the vehicle include standard rear slat armor [visible], infrared suppressant paint + slits designed to give the vehicle a near-ambient thermal image [and, more specifically, to allow the tank's outer skin to rapidly match, or nearly match, the ambient surroundings and reduce the engagement range for an opposing tank], standard auxiliary power unit [rear of turret], optional advanced ERA and NxRA, advanced electronic countermeasures, active/passive defense systems, Commander's Remote Weapon Station [12.7mm HMG + 40mm Grenade Launcher; Independent Thermal Imager, Active/Passive Infrared Imager (Including 'Plug-In’ IR Search and Track w/ Main Fire Control System), Electro-Optical], Loader's 6.5mm LMG w/ Shield + Low-Light/Thermal Optics [Capable of being lowered to offer full RWS 360 degree rotation], Full Commander's Independent Imaging Suite [Fully Independent Thermal and Infrared Imaging + Electro-Optical + LIDAR/LADAR Array tie-in], Additional Armaments Interface [Allowing in-theater additions of ATGM pods, etc.], and several other features.

The ST-47K1 variant is likely going to be fitted with a 120mm main gun, so far a standard in the Army of the Armed Republic.

Another variant of the tank is rumored to exist, also serving with the 17th ADiv. The ST-47K2 Heavy Combat variant, designed specifically for field, armored warfare, offers several changes. Her coaxial would be up-gunned to either a 20mm or 30mm weapon for engaging lighter targets on the battlefield [support, IFV/APC, etc.] as well as attack helicopters. The manual loader would be scrapped and replaced with an autoloader. Armor would be upped including a full, and heavy, armor suite which would encompass a majority of the vehicle, including a heavy armor system going over the top of the turret. Standard ATGM pods [each side of turret, rear quarter] would carry conventional ATGMs in addition to specifically designed systems able to exploit the ST-47K2's situational awareness and advanced data transmission/communications systems to attack from BTR [Beyond Traditional Range].

Unfortunately, the vehicle is yet to be authorized for informational release or international sale.