TR29 Samson Main Battle Tank
General characteristics
Crew	4
Length	11.5 metres
Width	4.4 metres
Height	3.1 m
Weight	110 t
Armour and armament
Armour	2750mm vs. KE and 3400 mm vs. CE
Main armament	140mm Smoothbore
Secondary armament	1x 60mm Auto cannon, 1x 50.cal chaingun. 2x 50.cal MG,
Mobility
Power plant	Turbo Diesel 2700bhp
Suspension	Tortion Bar
Road speed	50 km/h
Power/weight	24.54 hp/h
Range	510 km

Armament Overview

The TR29 is designed around the turret centre mounted 140mm SCAPA Hopeworthy SM99 Smoothbore gun for battlefield dominance with a heavy secondary weapon the IOGCII 60mm auto cannon acting to engage lighter armoured vehicles and air borne sub sonic threats. The TIW VMCG(XI) .50 Cal air cooled chain gun was included on the opposite side to the IOGCII mount to engage very light targets and infantry.

Turret Systems Cutaway (click to enlarge).

The commanders hatch high reliability Dual TIW MGSV (Machine Gun Standard Vehicle) .50 cal air cooled machine gun on a armoured servo operated telerobotic GDT "Drummer Boy" mount linked to the FCS. This mount was proposed to engage air targets and infantry.

Their are 4 SCAPA standard 5 Cell 60mm capable grenade launcher brackets are usually fitted with a variety of decoys, flares, and smoke grenades with usually one short range directed fragmentary counter munitions round per bracket. The directed Fragmentary counter munitions are deployed within 5 to 10 metres of the hull and are linked to the MHCMS suite.

Six tubes of the MHCMS (Medium Hypersonic Counter Munitions System) have been including to counter the missile threat. This system fires 15mm X 500mm hypersonic short range highly manoeuvrable fragmenting rockets with a maximum range of 50 metres. There are a total of six launch tubes all integral to the turret for this weapon and they are manually internally reloaded. The highly mounted bright copper sensor packages are visible laterally on the main turret.

The modular rear underslung standard landmine dispenser is an optional system that allows the quick deployment of standard anti infantry bomblets in a 30 degree arc to the rear of the vehicle or the dropping of low signature anti tank landmines.

Main Gun

Hopeworthy (SM-99)

The Hopeworthy SM99 is a 140mm smoothbore cannon developed by the Sorrenson, Caprelli, Amiere, Prestwick and Anderson Heavy Industries Combine. SCAPA together with the main sub-contractor Tactical Weapons (a sub section of TIW) for the ZMDF primarily as a sabot hurling weapon. SCAPA received a contract for production of 4,000 units. The first system was delivered one year later and deliveries for this batch are complete. SCAPA mobile systems (formerly the state owned armoured command ) delivers the complete chassis for all series vehicles. Total ZMDF requirement is expected to be around 12,800 units.

In year 2, during test firings for the ZMDF, the Hopeworthy SM99 fired 20 rounds all to ranges exceeding 30km (32km maximum). The ranges were achieved using TT12 Groundstreak RAM shells from TIW.

The electrical gun control system, supplied by Megacity Aerospace Systems MAS comprises of an all electric automatic elevating and traversing drive with hydraulic and manual back-up, with electrical instrument control and manual control.

The Hopeworthy 140mm gun of the TR29 was developed by the Rockford Development Systems Labs of SCAPA. The gun has a chromium-plated barrel and semiautomatic lifting breech block with integrated 5 round revolver quick fire magazine. Gun parameters such as chamber temperature and distortion are monitored automatically but fouling of in barrel sensors has been a repeated fault. The Hopeworthy is equipped with a full automatic shell loading system with ammunition management system.

The chromium-plated barrel is 8 metres long and is fitted with a slotted muzzle brake which gives increased muzzle velocity and reduces the level of muzzle flash. The wedge type breech block is integrated with the revolver magazine and the Hopeworthy auto loader fitted with an endless conveyer for automatic shell transportation, loading and unloading.

The gun positioning and laying system is produced by GDT and mounted with the gun cradle. The system automatically determines gun direction, position and elevation above sea level. The integrated Deep Sky Positioning System (DSPS) receiver and the vehicle's motor sensors form the hybrid navigation system of the TR29.

Shell Loading System

The Hopeworthy automatic shell loading system can handle 42 rounds 140mm ammunition. The shells are picked up from the twin modular rear armoured storage unit and automatically stowed in the revolver magazine or directly loaded into the breech.

The shell loading system is driven by brushless electric servo motors supplied by MAS. The automatic shell loading system has pneumatically driven flick rammer and automatic digital control, ammunition supply management and inductive fuze setting. This provides rates of fire of 3 rounds in less than 10 seconds and loading of 35 shells by two operators within 12 minutes, including the collation of ammunition data. The firing rate of the Hopeworthy was 8 rounds in 28.29 seconds, and 18 rounds in 2 minute 23 seconds, during live firing tests with an improved autoloader. The muzzle velocity is determined automatically by means of a hybrid GDT Optronic/RADAR/LADAR sensors package and is used in the fire control computation.

Fire Control and Observation

The TR-29 can use an automatic mode of operation including the data radio link, laser link, satellite com or ground based thumper with an external command and control system. The autonomous fire control functions are controlled by an on-board 320Hon computer supplied by GDT. Using the automatic mode, target engagements can be carried out by a crew of two. Using the fire control data provided by the ballistics computer, the gun is automatically laid and relayed during the mission.

Various backup modes are available which guarantee system sustainability in case of a component failure. As the lowest backup mode, an optical mechanical backup telescopic gunsight and gunlaying system is available (though it requires the effort of two crew members or more to traverse the turret). The commander has a TIW panoramic periscope, which is used in under-armour operations and for target designation in direct laying engagements. The TIW unit has day and night vision channels with IR and UV capacity and a laser rangefinder.

Secondary Weapon System

TIW IOGC(II)

The TIW IOGC(II) 60mm Caseless Single Barrelled electrically fired Chain Gun

The development of the International Operations Ground Combat Chain Gun (II) was a controversial one in the ZMDF, with a long series of failed round make ups, barrel fouling issues and catastrophic misfires and the constant pressure to use existing conventional auto cannons. None the less the ZMDF persevered to produce the IOGC.

Unlike most firearms, the IOGC II does not depend on recoil to actuate its firing system. Instead, it uses a 5 HP brushless DC motor, positioned in the receiver, to drive the chain and a Triple-Feed system. The weapon consists of 4 modules and the DC motor is designed for very quick removal and replacement with a "push, lock and click" mechanism.

The Triple-feed system uses sprockets to feed, load, and fire the weapons 60 x 140 mm caseless ammunition. A system of clutches allows sprockets to engage and feed from any of the three magazines with the flick of a switch. The IOGC by its nature requires no ejection systems or action.

Ammunition cook-off (ignition of the ammunition by heat in the firing chamber) was a major problem with early prototypes; the brass (or steel) case of conventional ammunition plays a major role in absorbing heat and preventing the propellant from igniting prematurely. This huge defect showed up in the early trials with disastrous results, and the IOGC I subsequently had to be withdrawn from trials for safety reasons.

TIW redesigned the cartridge to use a new High Temperature Electrically Ignited Propellant (HTEIP). The cook-off problem was supposedly solved, or at least reduced with a special binder and coating for the ammunition that increased the spontaneous ignition temperature to 100 °C above that of standard, nitro-cellulose propellant. Unfortunately given the intense use environments the IOGC was expected to serve trials proved that the binding agent though vaporised still left minor residues within the barrel and the excess heat generated adversely effected the feeder and receiver assembly systems. This was mitigated by a “purge” cycle of pressurised refrigerated air every 250 rounds, this not only lowers the IOGC temperature (a system that can be linked to any ZMDF GDT HON (hardened optic network) based FCS systems to lower overall platform IR output and given it is rarely equipped with a thermal sleeve) and the inclusion of a simple fan based air cooling system operated by the primary drive chain.

An interesting feature of the new round that it shared with its smaller infantry brethern was its unconventional shape. The redesigned IOGC II round was moulded into a squared, box-like shape. This allowed a percentage increase in carrying capacity and ease of storage.

The IOGCII featured in the TR29 has a chrome plated 4 metre long barrel 2.3 of which are within the bulk of the turret. The effective range is 3.6 kilometres with a maximum range of 8.3 kilometres. The maximum rate of fire is 420 rounds per minute. System weight is 185 kilograms.

The IOGCII weapon system has both electrical and manual fire control. In doing so, the gunner can choose from three rates of fire: (1) Single Shot Semi-Automatic. The gunner can shoot as fast as he can squeeze the trigger. (2) Low Rate Fully Automatic. The weapon fires 200 rounds a minute, plus or minus 25 rounds. (3) High Rate Fully Automatic. The weapon fires 420 rounds a minute, plus or minus 25 rounds.

Rounds presently in use are:

Armour Piercing Fin Discarding Sabot: 1575 m/s

Thermobaric Anti Personnel: 980 m/s

Fragmentary Anti personnel :1180 m/s

High Explosive Squash Head : 1100m/s

Power Pack

LJ80 V12

2,700 Horsepower Turbo Diesel LJ80 V12 (Direct Injection) manufactured by SCAPA

In this system the injector and the pump are combined into one unit positioned over each cylinder. Each cylinder thus has its own pump, feeding its own injector, which prevents pressure fluctuations and allows more consistent injection to be achieved. With recent advancements, the pump pressure has been raised to 2,050 bar (205 MPa), allowing injection parameters similar to common rail systems.

The LJ80 system employs new injectors using stacked piezoelectric crystals in lieu of a solenoid, which gives finer control of the injection event. The LJ80 Variable geometry turbochargers have flexible vanes, which move and let more air into the engine depending on load. This technology increases both performance and fuel economy. Boost lag is reduced as turbo impeller inertia is compensated for. A technique called accelerometer pilot control (APC) uses a sensor called an accelerometer to provide feedback on the engine's level of noise and vibration and thus instruct the ECU to inject the minimum amount of fuel that will produce quiet combustion and still provide the required power (especially while idling.)

The LJ80 has a modular Halon dispenser for fire suppression and a high pressure LN2 cell for emergency use against thermite like agents (though the LN2 may in fact do collateral damage to the non metallic equipment).

Armour

(Armour Layers).

The TR29s armour consists of a thin 10mm layer of silicone plastic with kevlar weave, with a melting point of 23,700 C designed to resist local environmental conditions and attack by thermal weapons and small arms fire It also renders magnetic limpet devices or magnetically activated mines damaging the hull. This layer is fitted on its underside with a series of small self sealing electro mimetic water pipes and capillary style piping to assist in lowering the TR29s IR signature to approaching local ambient while idling or parked.. Many TR29 maintenance crew members have complained that a good period of their time is spent maintaining leaks or blockages in these capillaries it has also led to the TR29 having a “pulse”. The pipes have a 5 year operational lifetime after which there electromimetic properties begin to fade and there structural integrity begins to brake down via stress fractures. The layer directly under this is made up of 25mms of aerospace grade titanium boron alloy designed to stop light and medium weapons fire such as rocket propelled grenades, this layer also has a high thermal resistance. Directly under this is a layer of ultra dense counter plasma / kinetic shock absorbing gel with a mercury component. Under this is a more “conventional” ceramic / depleted uranium / carbon steel honey comb weave armour. This conventional layer makes up the greatest thickness of the armour and the majority of the tanks structure and with an equivalent Tensile Strength (MPa) of 3,450 a density (g/cm3) of 5.86 grams a Specific Strength (MPa-cm3/g) of 558 compared to standard RHAs value of 150 has proven comparable to other advanced armour presently fielded on other tanks. The third innermost layer is a woven titanium and kevlar fabric designed for counter spalling. The second innermost layer is made up of fire resistant “rubber” like synthetic, this layer is designed to absorb secondary impacts and stop internal ricochets and releases copious amounts of Halon gas when it reaches its admittedly high volatising point of 8,500 C. Crews have mentioned that this layer also increases crew comfort. The innermost layer is another of woven titanium and kevlar thread fabric.

(SRA).

The TR29s running gear armoured sections are 630mm thick and equipped with reactive armour explosive blocks. These blocks use a low powered plastique and contain 2mm steel ball bearings, they also contain 12 gauge rounds alternating between slug and “bird shot” in pizo electricly fired cartridges that can be used to engage low value targets that would not justify detonating the entire block or for engaging personnel without wasteing the blocks capacity to engage high threat targets. These blocks can use there own internal control chip or link to the TR29s GDT HN30 fire control system.The 2mm ball bearing laden layers are made out of non volatile "wadding" designed to counter plasma. These blocks can use there own internal control chip or link to the TR29s GDT HN30 fire control system.

Data Systems

The TR29 features a GDT HON30 (hardened optic network) data sharing network with multiple redundant processing/storage units dispersed at 4 points in the hull. The TR29 also features a “Dalek” mode. In this mode is capable of limited autonomous combat and tactical “survival” action with a limited self drive capacity and a “follow” me mode. This mode is usually used in the unfortunate event where the crew compartment has been struck and gutted by a missile borne guided penetrating munitions. The TR29 can fitted with a remote operations system. OLED and analogue dial displays are both present.

Sensors

The TR29 features 6 2mm passive optic pick ups on the lower hull with limited LIDAR capacity and 5 high capacity multi channel CCD based non telescopic optic pick ups on the turret. Their are two primary GDT Othello telescopic multi channel digital optics packages both mounted within the turret, one slaved as the primary guns sight and the second for use by the commander for spotting. Both packages have multi channel laser rangefinders and LADAR "pulse" snapshot systems. These packages are mounted in individual hardened casings which have a dual use as faraday cages and are linked to the HON30 FCS system. These offer full multi channel light amplification, wide angle view and IR / UV capablities and are linked to the digitial mission recorder. The TR29 has two multipurpose scanning masts that can be extended up to 8 metres and are used extensively in close terrain such as urban areas. These masts have non telescopic CCD multi channel optic pick ups, LADAR, magnetic sensors and directed narrow band radar.

The TR29 can be fitted with a forward looking SCAPA ground penetrating radar in the lower hull for counter land mine work, and or a penetrating radar in place of the .50 cal chaingun to be used to scan structures in urban combat. These systems are ussualy present on TR29 command tanks.

NBC Systems

The TR29 features self healing seals and the ability for both semi sealed recylcing and fully sealed operation. The TR29 features standard ZMSF developed water recycling and air purification and emergency rations capable of keeping full self contained operations (save for refuelling and re-arming) for 3 standard weeks.

Dazzler System

GDT UV Glare Laser

The TR29 mounts two 15 kilowatt diode based Glare lasers, a non-lethal weapon which uses light in the ultraviolet (UV) range linked to 40mm lenses in armoured retractable mounts just forward of the MHCMS lateral sensor package. The intended effect at low power causes fluorescence in the lens of the eye or other vehicles optical targeting systems and such munitions as TV guided missiles, producing intense glare and making clear vision impossible and on higher settings causing blindness in the organic eye and burns out delicate long range targeting optics, with even brief exposures usually burning out the night vision channels of target optics packages. It is coupled with a laser radiation detector, and “glint” finder CCD and automatically aims for the enemy's illuminating laser designator or light reflected from military grade optics.

It is intended to have three key advantages over previous laser dazzlers which operate in visible wavelengths:

The power levels used can be lower, so there is in theory less risk of eye damage;

The location of the laser is not apparent to the target; and

It has a wide angle of effectiveness.

Animal trials have proven that at the requisite power levels the use of UV wavelengths is in itself questionable and could damage the lens, almost definitely causing cataracts in “low power” exposures.

The weapon has proven highly useful in virtual field trials in suppressing man portable missile teams and in fact rendering such teams permanent casualties by blinding them and low settings have proven highly effective at crowd control.

Variants

K - Variant (Gun Carrier)

Mission: Counter SHBT unit, The K variant replaces the turret with the SCAPA Oxen system, five 200mm clip fed recoiless rifles in a armoured box.

(click to enlarge).

The K variants clips are gravity feed, however if one of the clips jams its jammed till the unit can exit the combat zone, however with such a simple mechanism this is statiscly so unlikely as to be a non factor. As for unloading a dud round, a shot of preasurised air thats used to cool and de foul the tube and depressing it should easily remove the dud if its properly chambered. To reload her clips the K variant must be serviced by a tender unit as for all intents and purposes she is an artillery piece rather than a tank.

P - Variant (Flame Tank)

Mission: specialised anti armour capable ultra high temperature demolitions flame-thrower

(click to enlarge).

Based around a specialised Dalk 880 Jet turbine linked to a mixing and compression section which is used to ignite and propel thermite in a cyclone styled vortex. Internal limited stores and external stores in an armoured wagon, as the thermite is only mixed within the weapon the wagon itself is comparatively non volatile. Secondary weapon is a coaxial 45mm Auto cannon and three pintle dual 50.cals mounted on the driver commander and gunners hatch. The P variants jet powered system is balanced with the mass of the burning thermite it launches giving it a limited range of 211 metres even with the jets output which though low is still far higher than most conventional flame tanks. The P variants ability to quite literally burn advanced armour composites makes it just as useful as a demolition vehicle being quite able to burn down modern bridges and concrete fortifications. The P variant has also been used in conjunction with a specialised M.U.L.E. towed power generating trailer.

F - Variant (Mobile Tactical Surface to Air)

Mission: specialised anti air unit

(click to enlarge).

The F variant was originaly based around the Fang III Surface to Air missile system which was later superseded by the the Mercury Raven Surface to Air Hypervelocity rail gun. Its secondary weapon in both incarnations is a quad mounted system made up of .30 cal servo operated caseless machine guns.