Type 42

This article deals with Type 42 as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

Tank of the 4th Armored Divison
Type 42 Medium Tank
General characteristics
Crew	3
Length	10.1 m
Width	4.2 m
Height	3.4 m
Weight	68 t
Armour and armament
Armour	Classified Mix of Carbon and DU Impregnated 3rd Generation Chobham.
Main armament	120mm Low Pressured ETC Gun
Secondary armament	12.7mm Machine gun, 7.62mm Machine gun
Mobility
Power plant	V-array Multi-fueled Diesel 1,800hp
Suspension	Tortion Bar
Road speed	70 km/h
Power/weight	25 hp/h
Range	425 km

The Type 42 is a Medium Tank Designed and Operated by Willink. It is a 68 ton tank with a low pressurized ETC main gun, allowing it to reduce the explosive effect around the gun, thus reducing the kickup of dust, size of the flame, and the disruption of the area, working much like a Tank-sized Flash hider. Its gun can penetrate 900mm of Chobham armor, knocking out most near-sized tanks(NS, not RL) in a single hit.

It was designed with a reliability first plan, and features arguably the most reliable Engine fit in any MBT operated in the world, and is also very fuel efficient, and can accept multiple different types of fuel for improved logistics.

The Tank is durable, extreamly reliable, and features a strong main armament, and is well suited for hilly and mountainess operations, and is also very capable in the desert.

The Tanks armor is a major advancement upon proven principles in contemperary tanks, keeping it simple but in turn strong.

Production History

The Type 42 entered low level production in early March 2006, with an intial 4,000 tanks ordered, followed by a follow up order of 10,000 over a 6 year period. Further orders of an update are planned.

Combat History

While it is yet to be combat proven, the Type 42 during field tests was found to outperform the M1A2 SEP, Challenger 2, Leopard 2A5, and several other major tanks. It's first combat action will determine it's actually effectiveness.

Design

Armament

The Type 42 is Equipped with the newly-designed G20/7 120mm ETC Tank gun, succeeding the L30A1 in service. The gun is made from ESR Steel with chromium alloy lining and Uranium reinforcements, and features a thermal sleeve. The Gun is also fitted with an muzzle reference system, a gyrostabiliser, and a Series of small vents to release heat buildup and fumes. It is reliable in different evironments and weather conditons, and is very easy to replace.

48 Rounds Are Carried, a Mix of APFSDS, SABOT, and DUAPFSDS. The Gun is entirely electric, and features an advance stabalization system. A 12.7mm Chain gun with HE rounds is fitted next to the Main gun, and can actually be used to shoot at Helicopters and slow flying planes on strafing runs. 1000 rounds of 12.7mm Ammunition are carried. An M60E3 Machine gun is mounted on the Commanders Cupola.

The digital fire control computer is a somewhat indiginous design, mixing together and updating features on such tanks as the Challenger 2, M1A2, and Leopard 2 for maximum capability and efficency.

The commander has a panoramic SAGEM VS 580-10 gyrostabilised sight, with Elevation ranging from +40° to -40°.

The driver is equipped with a Passive Driving Periscope for Night driving.

The Tank features the most advanced Autoloader designed by Military Designers yet, allowing for a very fast loading and firing time, all while increasing battlefield survivability.

Defense

To keep the tank durable, it features a simple yet powerful Armor system, making use of the New 3rd Generation Chobham armor, impregnated with Depleted Uranium and mixed with a Carbon-based metal for very strong protection. Fittings for ERA can be fitted if needed. The Armor is very capable, able to deter and defeat Grenade and RPG blasts, and also proves very effective against enemy ETC guns.

Armor Values: Front: 1,400mm KE
Sides: 925mm KE
Rear: 625mm KE
Top(Hull): 400mm KE
Turret Roof: 325mm KE
Bottom: 250mm KE

It features a full NBC protective system, along with a Lead-based lining in the turret interior to protect sensitive equippment, commonplace on Soviet Tanks. Also included are Gauss Coils fitted under the armor.

The Type 42 also has 6 Smoke dischargers fitted to the front of the turret. Following many T-Series tanks , the tank can also create a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust manifolds.

A Series of small Non-explosive DU Blow-off plates are fitted to the bottom of the tank, to deter the blast from Anti-tank mines and IED's.

Drive System

Vistla Automotive Military spec V-Array Diesel Engine, 1,800hp.
Cornerstone INC epicyclical transmission.
Vistla Automotive Military spec Torsion Bar.

Sensors

To keep costs down, the Research and Developement department was put in charge of developing cost-effective Sensory equipment for operation on the vehicle. The main sensory equipment of the tank is it's Central operations CPU, which manages the majority of the equipment. It is fed through a small Antenna/Com tower (Visable in the picture, the Cylinder shaped green item on the turret roof) which includes the laser rangefinder, the TSO, and several other important operational equipment signals.

The TSO (Tank System Outboard) uses a high-powered laser to scramble the signals of Guided shells, missiles, and can be used to blind other tanks by mixing up their IR equipment. The Type 42 Features a Updated and enlarged version of the Targeting system mounted on the T-6A, utilizing multiple signals and on-the fly Projecting to prevent the aiming system from being blocked or otherwise disabled.

The Tank features a thermal Imaging System (TIS) with magnification of x12 narrow field of view and x5 wide field of view, nearly a fourth larger field of vision that that mounted on contemparary tanks.

Also Included is a Platform Battlefield Information System Application (PBISA, which utilizes a GPS based targeting, friendly recognition, and linking different units and commands together to allow for easier command of the battlefield.

A Bowman tactical digital communications system is also included.

The Tank utilizes a Passive Driving Periscope to allow for easy night driving, with hightened sense of the crews surroundings whilist driving at night.

Upgrades and Varients

Type 42- The Final Prototype used for testing in the final stages.

Type 42A1- The First Production version of the tank,10,000 currently in service with the Willinkian Army. Also in service with the following militaries:
Xeraph- 500
The Horde Of Doom- 5,000
Anagonia- 5,000