MBT-80

MBT-80
Automotive test rig 2 (ATR-2) at the Bovington Tank Museum Vehicle Conservation Centre in 2014
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In serviceNever; 1989 (planned)
Production history
DesignerMilitary Vehicles and Engineering Establishment
Designed1979
ManufacturerROF Leeds (planned)
Unit cost£1,000,000 Pounds Sterling estimate (September 1978)[1]
No. built17 prototypes (ATR1 & ATR2)[a][b]
Specifications
Mass55 tonnes, empty; 62 tonnes, fully loaded (crew, fuel, ammunition, armour package, etc.)
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

ArmourChobham
Main
armament
RARDE[c] EXP-28M1 120 mm split-block breach rifled gun[1]
Secondary
armament
RSAF 7.62 mm L37A1 GPMG fitted to the commander's cupola
EngineRolls-Royce Motors, Military Engine Division CV12 TCA Condor 12-cylinder diesel
1,500 hp
Power/weight27 bhp/t
TransmissionDavid Brown Gear Industries TN-38 automatic transmission
SuspensionHydropneumatic suspension (similar to the later Challenger MBT)[d]

The FV4601 MBT-80[e] was a British experimental third-generation main battle tank, designed in the late 1970s to replace the Chieftain tank. It was eventually (and later controversially) cancelled in favour of the Challenger 1, itself an evolution of the Chieftain design.[4][f]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference SPF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference TankFactory was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jane'sMBT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "MBT-80". Global Security.


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