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GKN Tiger

by Paul J. Adam (paul@jrwlynch.demon.co.uk)

The Tiger is a 68.4-ton armoured fighting vehicle with a four-man crew, well-protected and armed for support work rather than pure tank-versus-tank combat. Its design closely follows that of the Israeli Merkava.

ARMAMENT

The main gun is a 105mm L/60 high-velocity rifled cannon, with 70 rounds of ammunition embarked (large by MBT standards). Though less effective against modern armour, the 105mm gun (a derivative of the venerable L7) is still able to destroy any airborne vehicle and very few vehicles, even the latest MBTs, can resist a hit in the flank or rear.

The coaxial armament consists of a 30mm cannon (500 rounds) and a 7.62mm machine gun (5,000 rounds total of MG ammo aboard). Two more machine guns are mounted on the commanders’ and loaders’ stations: the commander’s MG can be fired from under armour.

The vehicle is also fitted with chaff, flare and smoke dispensers, and launchers for airburst fragmentation grenades for “delousing” infantry.

SR Rules

The main gun uses autocannon ranges and fires the following ammunition natures:

  • HESH: Direct hit, 24D. Blast effect, 18D damage, Power falling by 1 per 2 metres from the impact point.
  • APFSDS: 36D, armour-piercing, no area effect.
  • HESH: Direct hit, 24D armour-piercing. Blast effect, 12D damage, Power falling by 1 per 2 metres from the impact point.
  • WP: 15D area damage, -1 Power per two metres. 12L burning damage (see Fields of Fire) for 15 turns thereafter. Produces a 30m radius smoke cloud (counts as thermal smoke).
  • Flechette: Affects all targets within a 30m wide x 120m long area (long axis aligned with direction of fire) with a 12D(f) attack.

The coaxial 30mm gun is equivalent to a rotary autocannon, and the machine guns are MMGs.

All weapons have the equivalent of 5 points of gyrostabilisation, and Smartlink II systems (from the advanced fire control system).

The grenade launchers contain twelve rounds and are, effectively, IPE offensive grenades detonating directly above the tank. The smoke, chaff and flare launchers are part of the ECM suite.

ARMOUR

The armour is thick, well-sloped and comprises a composite laminate structure derived from the “Chobham” of the 20th century. Reactive armour can be fitted, but often is not due to the hazard it poses to accompanying infantry.

SR: The frontal armour is the equivalent of AV 60, the sides AV 32, the top and rear AV 18, the underside AV 12. Ablative armour from Fields of Fire may be usefully fitted to the top, back or (if you want) underside, but is not effective on the front or sides. Explosive reactive armour can be fitted, but since the tank is used in urban areas and with close infantry support it is impractical.

MOBILITY

The Tiger has a front-mounted 1600-horsepower multifuel engine, giving it a maximum road speed of 75mph. Its suspension allows a high cross-country speed, and enough on-board fuel for 12 hours of full-power operation. For defensive positions, a 70kW gas turbine APU provides the power for all electric and electronic systems, and the exhaust gases are used to keep the engine warmed for immediate start-up.

SR: Road speed 35/105, off-road speed 30/90, handling 3.

ACCOMMODATION

The Tiger has a crew of four: commander, driver, gunner and loader/radio operator. It can accommodate a further two people in the rear, though in extremely cramped conditions: this feature is intended for rescue, rather than transport.

SR: 4 bucket seats, 1 folding bench. Access, 4 roof hatches, 1 rear hatch, 1 belly hatch.

OTHER

The Tiger has a full overpressure NBC system, and defensive radar and laser warning receivers integrated with the defensive launchers. Its sensors include a high-resolution thermal imager, a laser radar for target scanning and identification, and wide-spectrum viewers for the commander (with variable magnification) and driver.

SR: Enviroseal, Sensors 5 (Security III), ECM 3 (Security III), ECCM 3 (Security III).

PRICES

The Tiger costs MY1.1 to purchase, and typically about Y200,000 per year in running costs. Main gun ammo varies by nature, but averages Y800 and 40kg per shell.