T-04 Crusader (Pacifica)

The T-04 Crusader is a Pelinese main battle tank manufactured by Fuyumako Heavy Engineering and operated primarily by the Pelinese White Army. It is the principal heavy armored fighting vehicle of the PWA Armored Forces, with over 20,000 examples of assorted variants in the Pelinese White Army’s arsenal, and represents the conversion of the PWA from the technologically obsolete military of the Pelinese Civil War to a fully modernized land combat force. Design choices taken during the development of the Crusader, including the adoption of computerized fire control systems, the usage of gun-launched anti-tank missiles and an autoloader, and prioritization of a relatively light, operationally mobile design with simplified components, would later come to define Pelinese tank design and greatly influence the parameters of other armored vehicles such as the LT-13 Kazak that have been produced for the Pelinese Armed Forces.

Multiple variants of the T-04 are in service in the PAF, both as upgrades or specializations of the original main battle tank design and as conversions to roles such as self-propelled artillery, self-propelled AA vehicle, rocket artillery vehicle, armored recovery vehicle, military engineering vehicle, and more.

Development

Development for the T-04 Crusader Main Battle Tank began in 1990 under the direction of Fuyumako Heavy Engineering at the behest of a Pelinese White Army requirement for a modern, lightweight, modular main battle tank to serve as the heavy armored vehicle of mechanized and armored formations. Prototypes were constructed in 2001 after numerous in-development adjustments to the program’s goals and scope, and the first production vehicles entered service in 2004. Approximately 22,000 T-04 tanks of various models are currently in service under the PWA and RPN, and additional variant vehicles have also been constructed in significant quantities.

Design

The internal layout of the T-04 is conventional for a tank using an unmanned turret. The driver, gunner, and commander sit in an armored fighting compartment in the front of the vehicle, behind which sits the turret and then the powerpack. Early models using a manned turret placed the gunner and commander in a fighting compartment inside the turret, with the driver remaining in the front of the vehicle.

The turret of the T-04 mounts an O-98 125mm cannon as its primary weapon, which is compatible with HE, HEAT, APFSDS, and other shell types. Also mounted is a coaxial PF 7.62x54mmR machine gun and a KPY 14.5x114mm heavy machine gun in an RWS on the turret roof. Two banks of 6 smoke grenade launchers are also fitted onto the turret.

Like other PWA vehicles, the design of the T-04 prioritizes component standardization and simplicity, easily repaired/replaced components for critical systems, and adaptability of the chassis for derivative vehicles. A lightweight design was also listed as a program requirement to ensure ease of aerial transport and the ability to traverse most bridges in Pelinai and elsewhere. The Crusader MBT uses an unmanned turret with a bustle autoloader to shift crew out of the turret and reduce risk from an ammunition cook-off. A CBRN defense system, crew-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension, night and thermal vision equipment for all crew members, and an automatic fire detection/suppression system are also provided. An upgraded fire control system with an integrated combat awareness information package is installed as standard on all vehicles with the unmanned turret. An active protection system is currently being fitted to prioritized vehicles, but is planned to be provided to the entire active fleet over time. The exact protective ability of the Crusader’s armor is classified; additional composite armor plates are manufactured as up-armoring packages to quickly upgrade the T-04’s protective ability as necessary. Tandem-charge HEAT defeating ERA is widely deployed in conformal plates covering the Crusader’s turret, glacis, and sides.

Variants and upgrades

The chassis of the T-04 Crusader has been adapted to a wide variety of vehicles both during and after its development phase, including self-propelled AA, self-propelled howitzer artillery, self-propelled rocket artillery, and armored recovery vehicle models.

Specifications

General characteristics:

• Crew: 3 (commander, driver, gunner)
• Length, gun forwards: 9.4 meters
• Length, hull: 8.3 meters
• Width, with skirts: 3.6 meters
• Height, turret roof: 2.15 meters
• Ground clearance: 0.45 meters
• Weight, combat: 47,000 kilograms
• Weight, empty: 45,000 kilograms

Armament:

• 1 x O-98 125mm cannon
• 1 x PT 7.62x54mmR MG (coaxial)
• 1 x KPY 14.5x114mm HMG (anti-aircraft)
• 2 x 6 smoke grenade launchers

Ammunition:

• 40 x 125mm
• 4 x P19T Celestine GL-ATGMs
• 300 x 14.5mm (anti-aircraft)
• 1000 x 7.62x54mmR (coaxial)

Mobility:

• Power-to-weight ratio: 25.53hp/tonne
• Ground pressure: 0.9 kg/cm^2
• Engine: Fuyumako Heavy Engineering DM-12T 6-cylinder diesel developing 1200hp
• Maximum road speed: 70 km/hr
• Maximum road range: 530 kilometers
• Fuel capacity: 1200 liters
• Fording, with preparation: 5 meters
• Fording, without preparation: 2 meters
• Vertical obstacle: 0.81 meters
• Trench: 3 meters
• Gradient: 60%
• Side slope: 40%

Protection:

• Armor: Classified
• Armor type: Steel/composite/ERA/NxRA
• CBRN system: Yes
• Active protection system: Yes (T-04A)

Electronics

• Night vision equipment: Yes (passive for commander, gunner, and driver)
• Thermal vision equipment: Yes

Operators

Current operators

Pelinese White Army: approximately 20,000 main battle tanks in service.