Al - Haider VT-4 MBT - The Premier PA Ground Asset [Developments]

[Michael]

As for hybrid powertrains, yes, they are promising, but I don’t think they will be able to be retrofitted into existing designs without major modifications (which might render a project too costly). For example, where does one place the batteries? How does one do all the extra wiring? You also need an entire energy conversion mechanism to be added.

Hence why I think the PA and HIT will see how China gets it done and see if it’s worth the cost and effort.

The main advantages of electric-powered main battle tanks are:
1. Silent operation.
When powered purely by electricity, they produce extremely low noise and infrared signatures.
2. Advanced detection and attack capabilities.
They possess a powerful power supply. AESA, APS, electro-optical sensors, AI processing systems, UAV control systems, electronic countermeasures systems, directed energy weapons systems, and more—advanced equipment that is difficult or limited to use on traditional tanks—can be incorporated into these new tanks, further amplifying their operational power.
Of course, it also serves as the command and control center for front-line unmanned combat systems. Soldiers can command and control unmanned combat vehicles, detection UAVs, suicide FPVs, combat robot dogs and other unmanned weapons in a safe environment.

But at this stage, its technology still needs further development, and the biggest problem is the battery pack. Chinese official agencies have not disclosed the detailed specifications of the Type 100 MBT.

According to numerous analyses by professionals in related fields on Chinese social media, the main issues with the Type 100 MBT are:
1. It cannot operate purely on electric power for extended periods of time and over long distances. Pure electric power can only sustain slow driving for a few hours or high-speed driving for tens of minutes. Of course, this is more than enough for a tank with a hybrid system.
2. When the vehicle's power-hungry weapons and detection systems are operating at full power, the vehicle's speed is significantly limited. While it can dynamically allocate energy, it cannot support it simultaneously. At high speeds, the maximum operating power of its electronic equipment decreases.

Currently, China's battery technology is still developing rapidly. New solid-state battery technologies and high-energy-density battery technologies are already in small-scale commercial trials. Once these new technologies mature, they will bring even more changes to future hybrid armored vehicles.

Thus, PA will need to wait and see for a few more years.
However, what the PA can do now is to increase the informationization of the army's weapons and equipment and the research and deployment of unmanned combat equipment. When China's hybrid armored vehicle technology is fully mature and then introduced to the PA, it will directly unleash the power of the army's systematic combat tactics.
Otherwise, when PA introduces these weapon systems, it will be difficult to bring out their capabilities.

 

[FuturePAF]

The main advantages of electric-powered main battle tanks are:
1. Silent operation.
When powered purely by electricity, they produce extremely low noise and infrared signatures.
2. Advanced detection and attack capabilities.
They possess a powerful power supply. AESA, APS, electro-optical sensors, AI processing systems, UAV control systems, electronic countermeasures systems, directed energy weapons systems, and more—advanced equipment that is difficult or limited to use on traditional tanks—can be incorporated into these new tanks, further amplifying their operational power.
Of course, it also serves as the command and control center for front-line unmanned combat systems. Soldiers can command and control unmanned combat vehicles, detection UAVs, suicide FPVs, combat robot dogs and other unmanned weapons in a safe environment.

But at this stage, its technology still needs further development, and the biggest problem is the battery pack. Chinese official agencies have not disclosed the detailed specifications of the Type 100 MBT.

According to numerous analyses by professionals in related fields on Chinese social media, the main issues with the Type 100 MBT are:
1. It cannot operate purely on electric power for extended periods of time and over long distances. Pure electric power can only sustain slow driving for a few hours or high-speed driving for tens of minutes. Of course, this is more than enough for a tank with a hybrid system.
2. When the vehicle's power-hungry weapons and detection systems are operating at full power, the vehicle's speed is significantly limited. While it can dynamically allocate energy, it cannot support it simultaneously. At high speeds, the maximum operating power of its electronic equipment decreases.

Currently, China's battery technology is still developing rapidly. New solid-state battery technologies and high-energy-density battery technologies are already in small-scale commercial trials. Once these new technologies mature, they will bring even more changes to future hybrid armored vehicles.

Thus, PA will need to wait and see for a few more years.
However, what the PA can do now is to increase the informationization of the army's weapons and equipment and the research and deployment of unmanned combat equipment. When China's hybrid armored vehicle technology is fully mature and then introduced to the PA, it will directly unleash the power of the army's systematic combat tactics.
Otherwise, when PA introduces these weapon systems, it will be difficult to bring out their capabilities.

Perhaps China will field an engine similar to what the FCS tank was planning to field. Can’t find the details, but perhaps the FCS team at least outlined the parameters to achieve.

In the meantime, advancements in battery technology and better diesel engine technology will have to make progress until there is perhaps a breakthrough.

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The Cummins’ Advanced combat engine seems to be the current trendsetter:



“six cylinder (12 piston), 20 liter, horizontally opposed two-stroke diesel engine that will produce 1,500 hp. One of the tank’s most talked about aspects is its hybrid power. While the specifics are not yet known, this will be a parallel hybrid motor, a type that provides power at the same time as the main engine.
GDLS has stated that this arrangement gives the AbramsX 50% less fuel consumption than the M1A2. It will also give the AbramsX “silent watch” capability, where all systems on the tank run on electric power only when stationary, greatly reducing noise and fuel consumption while on operations. It is important to note however that the standard Abrams gas turbine engine is already one of the most quiet MBT powerplants in use today.”

AbramsX: Discover How It Is a Successor of The M1 Abrams

In October 2022 General Dynamics Land Systems unveiled a new technology demonstrator concept of a future main battle tank for the United States' military.

tankhistoria.com

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Here are the specs for the 1000 hp variant.

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[Path-Finder]

any likely hood that Tech on 4th Gen tech can be on this tank?

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[CSAW]

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[iron shrapnel]

Hi, are VT4s and AK-1s getting wide spread usage of this Intermat coating ? Is it even in use ? Or was this just a one off ? All footage from recent skirmishes have pointed to negative... No Al-Khalid was seen with this kit and no VT-4 deployments were observed on media all together...(Edit: Intermat AK looks epic )

 

[iron shrapnel]

No Intermat... No Hull ERA and No turret roof ERA covergae... These ones look like the recent ones inducted as well...

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[Starlord]

It might be a off topic question, but how many Tanks PA has as of now which can be deployed on battlefield ? and how many of them are good enough to face enemy Tanks ? Whats the break down of all the tanks ? how many of each tanks ?

 

[Oscar]

No Intermat... No Hull ERA and No turret roof ERA covergae... These ones look like the recent ones inducted as well...

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You can transport them separately and attach them in the field if you have them or if the mission asks for it - not every deployment needs every “accessory” @Panzerkiel

Unless it is being neglected through incompetence but I find that an unlikely and overly dismissive conclusion

What bothers me more is it that movement in an area where it’s easy for miscreant elements to sneak in and embed among population to target it as it moves through.

 

[iron shrapnel]

You can transport them separately and attach them in the field if you have them or if the mission asks for it - not every deployment needs every “accessory” @Panzerkiel

Unless it is being neglected through incompetence but I find that an unlikely and overly dismissive conclusion

What bothers me more is it that movement in an area where it’s easy for miscreant elements to sneak in and embed among population to target it as it moves through.

There aren't many chances of miscreants moving in Punjab where this video is from (the May skirmishes)....
I also saw a separate video of locals helping load the AK with munitions, but era was neither present at the scene for mounting nor already installed...
The intermat coating can't be installed on the go i assume.. if it's not present with majority fleet then there should be some unit with all intermat tanks atleast for night rotation if it's possible during ops...
If the hull and turret top armor is for urban warfare then there isn't side ERA armor on the hull....
No visible jammers against fpv and loitering munitions...
No mesh screens for the turret against FPV drones... They could have asked their MTs to do some unit level work on that, some young blood initiative...
I would like to know what you think of the gen 2 sites.. does the VT-4 ToT include gen 3 thermals ?


All things considered and what i have observed, very shabby work by Armor corps during this deployment...
5/10 marks, passing due to tank being named Al-Khalid

 

[Oscar]

There aren't many chances of miscreants moving in Punjab where this video is from (the May skirmishes)....
I also saw a separate video of locals helping load the AK with munitions, but era was neither present at the scene for mounting nor already installed...
The intermat coating can't be installed on the go i assume.. if it's not present with majority fleet then there should be some unit with all intermat tanks atleast for night rotation if it's possible during ops...
If the hull and turret top armor is for urban warfare then there isn't side ERA armor on the hull....
No visible jammers against fpv and loitering munitions...
No mesh screens for the turret against FPV drones... They could have asked their MTs to do some unit level work on that, some young blood initiative...
I would like to know what you think of the gen 2 sites.. does the VT-4 ToT include gen 3 thermals ?


All things considered and what i have observed, very shabby work by Armor corps during this deployment...
5/10 marks, passing due to tank being named Al-Khalid

Im going to tag in someone who knows better @Lion

 

[Jango]

No mesh screens for the turret against FPV drones... They could have asked their MTs to do some unit level work on that, some young blood initiative...

Do we have an anti-armor FPV threat from the enemy yet?

 

[Samurai]

So,
Replace 6td-1s with 2s left over from AK-1 program in UDs
Overhauling and upgradation of older AK series with Chinese Engine and newer Armor suite
Universal 4 man turret for Type 85s (as AZ-II) and AZ-1 final iteration... (UD optional)
OR (AND)
Universal turret with linear autoloader for AK and UD.. ( i mean why not )..

Don't forget the cope cages bro. FPV drones will be a menace.

 

[Lion]

Hi, are VT4s and AK-1s getting wide spread usage of this Intermat coating ? Is it even in use ? Or was this just a one off ? All footage from recent skirmishes have pointed to negative... No Al-Khalid was seen with this kit and no VT-4 deployments were observed on media all together...(Edit: Intermat AK looks epic )

INTERMAT is just one example of a thermal coating from one brand. VT4s, AK1s and overhauled/repainted AKs do in fact use paints that help conceals thermal signature. Plus they still use old fashioned ways like netting (or advanced thermal netting) and foliage on top of that when needed.

These coatings do deteriorate over time, there has to be a balance between cost and efficiency. Painting over a thousand tanks for no reason isn’t exactly a good idea either.

 

[wangdefa]

Solid-state batteries cannot be commercially used in the laboratory because the cost of new materials is too high, but the military field does not need to consider the cost.

 

[Lion]

No Intermat... No Hull ERA and No turret roof ERA covergae... These ones look like the recent ones inducted as well...

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That’s a rebuilt AK, one of the oldest ones in fact, not an AK1. The rebuilt AKs receive the same paint scheme and digital camo as the AK-1s. If you’ve ever seen the old and new paint up close, you’ll very quickly see the difference between the old, slippery paint and the new matte feeling coating. I’m not sure how it’s performing in the field and perhaps it’s too early to tell but it’s meant to be more durable and also lower thermal signature.

The ERA argument is only partially valid. It has ERA on the turret front and Sides. (Areas where it is most likely to get hit) The original AKs and most older Chinese MBTs had a different procedure to mount ERA to the Hull and turret top, unlike VT4 or AK1 which have mounting lugs on the upper plate and turret roof for individual ERA tiles, older Chinese designs have this large metal plate to which all the ERA is bolted and then said plate is directly attached to the hull. You can see the upper plate is smooth with no mounting points for individual ERA unlike on AK1/VT4. This plate is carried separately and can be attached within minutes (if ERA is already attached to it) with a basic crane.

There can be multiple reasons for not having it attached already. Added weight leads to worse fuel efficiency and range, the FY-II or AORAK used on these is probably not as stable as FYIV or K5 so it might be a safety factor with the crew walking on the tank or it being in a crowded area where an accident is possible. Or they simply didn’t have enough, logistics and availability isn’t always perfect unfortunately.