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SK 105 Kürassier



Overview


SK 105

SK 105 light tank of the Brazilian army on the move during an exercise in 2021.
Source: Palacio do Planalto - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
Austria
Type
Light tank
Entered service
1972
Status
In service
Development
1960's
Developer
Austria - Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Production
1971 - 2001 (or even later)
Producer
Austria - Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Number produced
About 600
Designations
Kürassier (official nickname)
Jagdpanzer Kürassier / JaPz K (Austrian designation)
Notable users
Austria
Argentina
Morocco

Description


Introduction

The SK 105 is a late Cold War era light tank of Austrian origin. It was developed in the late 1960's to meet the requirements of the Austrian army. Subsequently it has been widely exported and production lasted some 30 years.

Design

The SK 105 is based on the hull of the Austrian 4K 4FA armored personnel carrier. The driver is seated at the front, the commander and gunner in the turret and the engine and drive train is mounted at the rear. The turret oscillates, meaning that the upper part and gun mount pivot on the lower part. The turret is similar to the one used on the late production French AMX-13 light tank.

Firepower

The main armament consists of the 105mm G1 rifled cannon. The gun is fed from two six round magazines allowing a rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute until the gun must be loaded by hand. The maximum range of the HEAT projectile is 2.7 km and APFSDS projectiles can penetrate a NATO single heavy target at 1.2 km. A 7.62mm MG74 machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon.

Protection

The steel armor provides protection against 20mm projectiles over the frontal arc. All around it protects from small arms fire and shell splinters. An NBC system is standard and six smoke grenade launchers are fitted.

Mobility

The tracked chassis provides a good road speed and cross country mobility. A 320 hp turbocharged diesel provides propulsion. Maximum speed is 68 km/h. The SK 105 is not amphibious.

Users

The SK 105 was acquired in quantity by Austria. Additionally, it has been widely exported, mainly to South America and North Africa. It remains in widespread use today.

Variants


SK 105

The SK 105 is a light tank that is armed with a 105mm rifled gun. The chassis is based on the 4K 4FA armored personnel carrier. The capabilities of the SK 105 differ in detail per nation. Late production vehicles feature a better engine and stabilized armament. In Austrian services some vehicles have been upgraded with an improved gun, fire suppression system and better fire control equipment.

Greif

The Greif is an armored recovery vehicle based on the chassis of the SK 105. Instead of a turret is has been fitted with an armored superstructure that houses the crew of four. It is equipped with a winch and a crane

Pionier

The Pionier is similar to the Greif, but was developed as an armored engineer vehicle. A less powerful winch and a dozer blade are installed. Instead of a crane an excavator arm is mounted.

Details


Facts SK 105
General
Origin
Austria
Type
Light tank
Crew
3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Dimensions
Weight
17.7 t combat load
Length
7.74 m gun forward
5.58 m hull
Width
2.5 m
Height
2.17 m turret roof
2.35 m to commander's cupola
Main armament
Type
105mm CN-105-G1 rifled cannon
Mount
Main gun in oscillating turret
Ammunition
42 rounds in total
12 rounds in bustle mounted autoloader
Elevation
-8° to +12°, powered
Elevation rate
5°/s
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
26°/s
Stabilizer
Non stabilized
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm MG74 machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main gun
Ammunition
2.000 rounds
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Track width
0.38 m
Track on ground
3.04 m
Tread
2.12 m
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
Steyr 7FA
Engine type
6-cylinder 4-stroke turbocharged diesel
Power output
320 hp at 3.200 rpm
Transmission
ZF6 HP 600 automatic, 6 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
420 L
Mobility
Speed
68 - 70 km/h
Range
470 km on road
360 km in the field
Turn radius
8.5 m
Power to weight ratio
18.1 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Wall
0.8 m
Trench
2.41 m
Gradient
75 %
Slope
40 %
Fording
1 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
20 mm hull front
14 mm hull sides
12 mm hull rear
8 mm hull top
40 mm turret front
20mm turret sides and rear
10 mm turret top
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
2x3 70mm smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, thermal sights in A2 variant
Fire control
Digital fire control in A2 variant
Radio
Yes

Media