S Tank.

This is coolbert:

Here is a web site that rates the "top ten" best tanks of all time.

Is somewhat unfair in that it puts antiquated machines in the same rating scheme as modern tanks. A Sherman tank and a Soviet T-34 are included along with modern machines such as the Abrams and the Merkava.

Nonetheless, the ratings are somewhat accurate, according to my understanding of things.

One particular tank stands out among the crowd of tanks as being "unique". Unique in a good way.

This is the Swedish "S" Tank.




[the slat armor "fence" was a war-time measure only used to defeat a HEAT round.]

A revolutionary design developed with specific Swedish military concerns in mind.

Was far ahead of it's time with regard to tank design.

Incorporated features such as:

* Two man crew. [later increased to three [a rear driver was added] mostly for psychological reasons??]

"the rear driver, who was facing the rear of the tank equipped with a complete setup for driving. This allowed the tank to be driven 'backwards' at the same speed as forwards, keeping its frontal armor pointed at the enemy.

* No-turret. [is almost an exact replica to a World War Two assault gun in this regard!]

* Ability to lower [by hydraulics] an already low profile.

"the S-tank can lower itself 13 centimeters when standing still."

* Two engines and dual driving and fire control systems.

"Commander and gunner/driver both had the same set of sights and controls to fire the gun and drive the tank."

"powered by two engines, a 240 hp Rolls-Royce K60 diesel for cruising and turning the tank for aim, and a 300 hp Boeing 502 turbine for 'dashing' at high speed"

* Fully amphibious. [using a flotation collar.]

With regard to the lack of turret, this meant that the entire tank had to be turned to aim at the target. This is not the total drawback some may envision. And was compensated for by incorporating clever design features.

"some assault guns . . . were both relatively cheap to make and very effective in defensive positions."

"the aiming problem [was solved] through the use of a fully automated transmission and suspension system, which would turn and tilt the tank under gunner control."

THE S-TANK WAS NOT FOUND TO BE LACKING WHEN PUT TO COMPARATIVE TESTS WITH OTHER NATO MAIN BATTLE TANKS.

"In 1967 Norway carried out a two week comparative observation test with the Leopard 1 [German Main Battle Tank] and found that with closed hatches the 103 spotted more targets and fired faster than the Leopard."

"In April to September of 1968 two 103s were tested at the British armored school in Bovington and reported that 'The turretless concept of the "S"-tank holds considerable advantage over turreted tanks."

"In BAOR [British Army Of the Rhine] 1973 the 103 was tested against the Chieftain [British Main Battle Tank]. Availability never fell under 90% and the final report stated 'It has not been possible to prove any disadvantage in the "S" inability to fire on the move.'" [the S-tank did not have a stabilized gun as it had no turret.]

"In 1975 two 103s were tested at the American armor center at Fort Knox. The result was that the 103 was more accurate that the M60A1E3 [U.S. Main Battle Tank at the time.] but fired on an average 0.5 seconds slower."

Sweden is [still??] one of only three officially neutral countries on the planet. Does desire an indigenous weapons industry to supply it's military. A strong military to the Swedes is an essential to be an effective neutral. The Swede DOES produce some very good military hardware. The "S" tank, the Viggen, the Bofors gun are excellent examples of sound engineering and conceptual ideas that have a lot of merit.

It should also be apparent that the "S" tank was designed to be primarily a defensive weapon. Using "shoot and scoot" tactics, delaying to rear by leaps and bounds. Fighting off a much numerically superior Soviet invader [not ever thought to be NATO??] by using superior machines, manpower, and tactics. The "S" tank makes for an ideal DEFENSIVE weapon.

Was designed specifically with Swedish concerns in mind. NOT to ever be used in the jungle, or the desert, but ONLY in a war on Swedish territory.

The Swedes, using the "S" tank, would have given a very good account of themselves in a tank duel with the Soviets.

coolbert.