Swiss MBT 1980's

[JAZZ]

Interesting front engined MBT proposal for the Swiss Army, the NKPz ended up to expensive and the auto loader was apparently problematic.

 

[smurf]

Is this what was sometimes called the Lamgorghini tank? I have a line drawing (which I will post if someone tells me how) and a description referring to 'a streamlined egg shaped turret rather like the Russian T-54.'

 

[Antonio]

Hi smurf,

when you write a post, can you see the "Additional Options..." under the white rectangle where you write your text?
just click on it and follow the indications. Try to resize your pics below 100-120 Kb to avoid server overloads.
And this is all, if you need additional help just tell it.

wellcome and enjoy the forum

regards
Antonio

 

[smurf]

Thanks. I will try.

A. the description was found in Angelucci's book 'Modern Armour' I think it was also in Jane's for the late 1980's but I don't have those. It's hard to see how it could be written unless someone had seen drawings.
B. the picture came from a Japanese website. The machine translation on it referred to 40 tons, front engine, acute angle armour and 105mm rifle or 120mm smooth bore. I have a downloaded page but the pictures there won't show - except by opening the files to get at the gif, which is what I hope follows. I do not have a url for it.

PS forgive the typo for Lamborghini

 

[smurf]

I have a copy of the description in Jane's 1979/80. It's more like the Japanese website line drawing (which may of course have been drawn from it. The picture posted by Jazz has a much squarer turret and is a different (later developed?) version. 120mm gun?
The Leopard 2 won out in the end.
Has anyone any information, pictures, of any of the early concept studies referred to in Jane's?

 

[JAZZ]

I suspect that the round turreted drawing was only conceptual rather than being the basis of any real design. Spaced arounr or even cobham armour. The NKPz (square turret) has the following specifications

Overall length 8.508m
Hull length 7.725m
Width - with/without skirts 3.630m / 3.4550m
Height top turret roof 2.570m
weight - combat 50t
Armament 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore - 50 rounds
7.5mm co-axial MG
7.5mm ring mounted MG

Engine V12 990kW

Additional schematic attached

 

[smurf]

Seeing this, and the picture of the wooden mockup in Hilmes book, I think my Japanese drawing is simply an artist's impression based on the verbal description in Angelucci's book Modern Armour.

 

[rdmr]

Hi, here is a few more pics of this prototype. Great looking vehicle, Leo2/Merkerva mash up.
Has anyone come across a timeline for its development?

 

[dan_inbox]

Has anyone come across a timeline for its development?

The development was launched about 1975, but was already abandoned in 1984 when the purchase of Leo IIs was reviewed by Bundesrat und Parlament.
https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/schweizer-geschichte/zeitenwende-fuer-den-ruestungsfilz-1.18440000

 

[rdmr]

Cheers Dan,
Here's a few more photos including a model.

 

[Andrei_bt]

Cheers Dan,
Here's a few more photos including a model.

Thanks, any more photos of the 3rd photo (model) avalible?

 

[Voltzz]

some of the proposed variants of the NKPz
and a higher quality image of the layout

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://tanknutdave.com/the-swiss-nkpzn-main-battle-tank/

https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/6gi1gr/the_neuer_kampfpanzer_was_developed_by_contraves

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/6gi1gr/the_neuer_kampfpanzer_was_developed_by_contraves/

The reported involvement of Contraves is interesting. Is it possible that they were actually primarily focused on work on the anti-air variant?

 

[royabulgaf]

There is a 2 view on grid paper. Are the large squares one meter?

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Were components of this vehicle ever constructed?

 

[Cifu]

Were components of this vehicle ever constructed?

Some sources say they are two early prototypes build, but had some development problem - as any bigger tank projekt.

 

[Nik]

Was the turret / auto-loader design hampered by possible need for greater elevation / depression given likely deployment terrain ??

 

[sp_mm]

Were components of this vehicle ever constructed?

No components were ever made. It was a pitch made by the Swiss industry (mostly Contraves), asking for funds to develop said tank.

Some sources say they are two early prototypes build, but had some development problem - as any bigger tank projekt.

The source is incorrect. Contraves' 1979 pitch suggested the contruction of six prototypes (two for the industry, four for the Swiss Army), but it was never taken up. Only a wooden scale model was produced.

The first prototypes were to be finished in 1982 (if funding was approved by 1979).



Rather than funding Contraves' design, the Swiss government issued a request for proposals to Germany (Leopard 2), France (AMX-40), Israel (Merkava), the United Kingdom (Challenger 1/Shir 2 and Vickers Valiant) and the United States (M1 Abrams) in 1979/80. After an initial evaluation of the bids and inter-government talks, the trial phase of the two most promising candidates (Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams) started in 1981.

 

[Grey Havoc]

The Leopard 2 buy ultimately proved far to be more costly, both directly and otherwise, than the NKPz program would have incurred even in the most pessimistic costings, I believe.

 

[Andrei_bt]

NKPz - the best tank of the second half of the 20th century?In terms of its capabilities, the NKPz was a head above the Leopard-2 and superior to the Abrams and many advanced tank designs that were just being developed, such as the KPz Leopard-3FT.Complete isolation of the ammunition pack from the crew. Unique automation of the ammunition pack (88% automated rounds, 44 out of 50). Two automatic loaders with a relatively simple layout. Minimum weight with high protection - only 50 tons. Separation of the tank into isolated compartments for crew safety.All the details of the project and the reasons for its closure see -
New Swiss Battle Tank: NKPz – Technological Breakthrough of 1979 http://btvt.info/7english/NKPz_eng.htm

 

[Frankenheimer]

This is a comprehensive overview of the planned versions, found at:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1739975880372613334

View: https://x.com/bttr01438851/status/1739975880372613334

 

[Andrei_bt]

and now the whole family

AI is totall shit at tanks, don't do this.

 

[dan_inbox]

AI is totall shit at tanks, don't do this.

Or at least he should have the decency to post in the User Artwork section. This, the modern German tanks, and all the rest.
Flouting blatantly the posting guidelines is not constructive behavior.

 

[Antonio]

I haven't posted anything about AI; if I did, I'd point it out—so stop spreading propaganda here again!

The complains are about posting AI generative images
Just that.

 

[wuai486]

No components were ever made. It was a pitch made by the Swiss industry (mostly Contraves), asking for funds to develop said tank.

The source is incorrect. Contraves' 1979 pitch suggested the contruction of six prototypes (two for the industry, four for the Swiss Army), but it was never taken up. Only a wooden scale model was produced.

The first prototypes were to be finished in 1982 (if funding was approved by 1979).

View attachment 739143

Rather than funding Contraves' design, the Swiss government issued a request for proposals to Germany (Leopard 2), France (AMX-40), Israel (Merkava), the United Kingdom (Challenger 1/Shir 2 and Vickers Valiant) and the United States (M1 Abrams) in 1979/80. After an initial evaluation of the bids and inter-government talks, the trial phase of the two most promising candidates (Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams) started in 1981.

Which document is this?