OF-40
| OF-40 | |
|---|---|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 men (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| length | 6.89 m to 9.222 m (with cannon in 12 o'clock position) |
| width | 3.51 m |
| height | 2.68 m |
| Dimensions | 45 tons (combat weight) |
| Armor and armament | |
| Main armament | 1 × 105 mm OTO Melara cannon |
| Secondary armament | 2 × 7.62 mm MG (1 × coaxial, 1 × turret-mounted), fog thrower |
| agility | |
| drive |
Diesel engine 610 kW (830 PS) |
| suspension | Torsion bar |
| Top speed | 60 km / h |
| Power / weight | 13.6 kW (18.4 hp / t) |
| Range | 600 km with a 1000 l tank |
The OF-40 is a main battle tank developed in Italy and intended solely for export.
prehistory
In the early 1970s, the Italian manufacturers OTO Melara and Fiat acquired the license to build 1,000 German Leopard-1 main battle tanks for the Italian army. The disadvantage was that the license agreement prohibited resale to third countries. As a result, the Italian designers took the Leopard as a model, but built a completely new tank on this basis. This is how the OF-40 was born .
technology
The OF-40 was a second generation main battle tank. With a weight of 45 tons it was a little heavier than the Leopard, but equally powerfully motorized. That led to a slightly slower speed. The running gear and roller design were taken from the Leopard 1. The tank was licensed to manufacture the L7 cannon. The cannon was very accurate thanks to the use of a digital target computer, a laser rangefinder and a stabilized optical sight. A system for tower stabilization was only installed in the Mk 2 version, which came onto the market a little later. The OF-40 wasn't very fast at 60 km / h, but with its 1000 liter tank the tank had a respectable range of 600 km.
commitment
Even if the OF-40 is not part of the first line of modern battle tanks, it is a respectable opponent in a battle. Although smaller countries in particular should have an interest in this vehicle, there was no demand. The only order came from the United Arab Emirates , which ordered 36 pieces.
literature
- Roger Ford: tanks from 1916 to the present day. Karl Müller Verlag, Erlangen, ISBN 3-86070-676-4 .