A good case can be made for using the M-551 Sheridan chassis for a Tankita, as opposed to an M-113.
The M-551 has a MUCH lower profile, making harder to see and hit.
It's suspension is already designed to bear the weight of a steel armor package.
It is already configured for air-drops.
It has demonstrated the ability to provide a stable firing platform for a 152mm gun-launcher.
It's frontal armor is at a much steeper angle than the M-113, greatly increasing protection.
We already have hundreds of 'em, and they SUCK as presently armed.
Since we already have hundreds of 'em, their infrastructure and supply chains are fully in place.
Our ABN. soldiers are already familiar with the vehicle, and our maintenance personnel are fully trained to service and repair them.
I just don't think it'd be a great idea to modify an APC to be a Tankita, when we've already got a Tankita now that needs serious upgrading. Killing two birds with one stone is always the way to go if you can.
To me, the ULTIMATE Tankita is based on the M-551hull, with ERA block add-on armor, equipped with a low-profile 1 man Chobham turret, and an autoloading gyro-stabilized 75/120mm gun- Targeted by a 2nd Gen 360° independently rotating Flir turret, with full ballistic solution, and the JTIDS data system. Operated by a two man crew. I would mount an SUU-11 7.62mm 6bbl mini-gun as the co-axial weapon.
Here, you would have a vehicle that could out-gun today's heavies, with excellent mobility, good infantry suppression ability, excellent anti-helicopter capability, and very good armored protection- All in an existing air-droppable package.
To me, the only question is whether it could handle the recoil of a 75/120mm. If not, even a 75/105mm would GREATLY increase the lethality over an ARES 75mm OR GAU- 13, and has already been proven to work just fine on vehicles of this size. I'd try everything to make a 75/120mm work. Failing that, I'd go 75/105mm, which we already know would work.
"With hindsight I realize some of the ideas that I suggested may not be viable"
- Roy_A_LingleHi Piney! Hi Folks!
I am hoping a few taps with a hammer might move it back.
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