The formidable Swedish CV90120 light tank has recently received an astonishing upgrade
that almost seems to push the armored vehicle into the realms of science fiction.
Already possessing some of the most impressive mobility-to-firepower ratios in the armored
combat vehicle industry, the CV90120 is now undergoing the addition of the Ghost ADAPTIV
infrared camouflage system, which is sure to make the light tank a remarkable asset
in the arsenal of future warfare.
Because the most effective anti-tank guidance systems like the one used by the US Javelin
rely on infrared detection, having an armored vehicle that can effectively mask its infrared
trace and even disguise it to fade into the environment is a significant achievement.
If the project continues as planned, the CV90120T will be able to deliver devastating firepower
while remaining technically invisible to the enemy…
A proper ghost tank!
A Reliable Predecessor
The new CV90120T is built from the hull of the highly renowned and reliable CV90 Infantry
Fighting Vehicle.
This family of tanks has built a pristine reputation since its inception in the late
1990s for its excellent mobility, speed, and superb firepower capabilities.
The original CV90120 was developed to provide Swedish Military Forces with an option to
mount a light vehicle with the firepower of a main battle tank, comparable to the Leopard
2.
The need for such a tank stems from geography itself; Northern Sweden has very few roads
and extremely rough terrain, both during summer and winter months, and such a factor needed
to be taken into consideration for the CV90120 to prove effective for the Nordic country.
The CV90 had already accomplished remarkable agility and speed, but it lacked the firepower
to neutralize the heavier armored vehicles developed by Russia and other military powers
across the globe.
Thus, when designing the CV90120 BAE systems, the engineers were tasked with building a
solution that successfully combined the ultimate mobility with maximum firepower.
However, its development came at the cost of relatively light armor protection.
The initial prototype of the CV90120 was fitted with a novel welded turret to accommodate
a greater caliber tank gun.
Outside, the chassis was entirely identical to a normal CV90, preserving the same engine,
suspension, and internal structure.
Still, the new iteration was adjusted to support the increased weight of a more prominent turret
and a larger caliber gun.
The prototype vehicle ended up weighing around 20 tons.
To provide the required heavy firepower, the CV90120 was fitted with CTG 120-millimeter
smoothbore, a lightweight but potent gun developed by RUAG Land Systems.
This cannon was light enough not to deter from the vehicle’s mobility and had low
enough recoil force to avoid damaging the tank as it fired.
Additionally, the gun was designed to accommodate all current and future NATO 120-millimeter
ammunition, which was deemed sufficient to face most threats in the near future.
The weapon also showcased a formidable range, giving the CV90120 the ability to engage most
other armored vehicles while staying well outside the scope of their guns.
To go even further, the new turret also featured a bustle-mounted semi-automatic loader, granting
the light tank a fire rate between 12 and 14 rounds per minute in the hands of an experienced
crew.
Also, the ammunition was safeguarded within a protective case separated from the team
to protect them from so-called ammunition cook-offs.
The unique weapon systems came with an equally remarkable Saab UTAAS computerized Universal
Sight and Fire Control System, which provided the gunner with a reliable way of hitting
targets in day and night scenarios.
The CV90120 would eventually become a significant success for the Swedish military; a highly
valued armored solution that responded well to the terrain necessities of the north.
Still, it had a significant drawback in its light armor, and to address it, BAE would
eventually develop more complex versions.
One of these was the Ghost tank.
Looking Towards the Future
Having limited protection is not such a big issue if you are invisible to the enemy.
That is the reasoning behind the recent CV90120-T Ghost prototype, taking all the advantages
of the CV90120 platform while drastically diminishing its inherent disadvantages by
implementing a state-of-the-art Ghost ADAPTIV infrared camouflage system.
The ADAPTIV stealth system was developed and patented in Sweden after FMV.
The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration commissioned BAE Systems to research and develop
full-fledged technology for combat vehicles to avoid detection from thermal sensor arrays.
Then, after three years of demanding research and prototyping phases, a unique team of problem
solvers, software engineers, sensors experts, electronic engineers, and weapon designers
created this unprecedented solution.
The high-tech camouflage array uses modules that look like cells configured in a honeycomb
structure to cover the flanks of a tank.
The modules are specially constructed so that they can be individually cooled or heated
remotely and at very high speeds.
Endowed with such a versatile camouflage system, an armored vehicle can simultaneously activate
all the ADAPTIV modules to completely disappear from thermal sensor systems or activate only
some modules in a specific pattern to blend into a particular environment or mimic the
characteristic of some other vehicle.
The CV90120-T Ghost essentially works like a chameleon, able to simulate its surroundings
or reproduce the appearance of other objects such as trucks and cars that can be projected
onto the modules from a detailed image database.
But stealth is not the only function the camouflage panels can provide.
They can also signal peaceful intent through flashing text messages across the tank’s
flank or by creating patterns that can easily be recognized by friendly parties.
This makes the Ghost a formidable opponent and an excellent tool for de-escalation when
the operation demands it.
More Improvements
The stealth adjustment implemented in the Ghost tank goes beyond the ADAPTIV system;
however, its outer façade has also been modified to reduce its signature against radar detection.
Like the iconic F-117 stealth aircraft, flat sweeping surfaces have been placed over the
gunner sight and the 120-millimeter main gun and mantle in a unique configuration that
aims to reduce 90-degree angles easily distinguishable in radar sensors.
To further compensate for the light armor mounted on the Ghost, the tank is also fitted
with groundbreaking active protection.
This dynamic protection system is designed to prevent the impact of inbound projectiles
on the tank’s hull as a last resort defense if all preceding systems have failed to protect
the vehicle.
The protection array was developed by Åkers Styckebruk and works by firing a sensor-activated
high explosive charge towards projectiles to intercept large-caliber ammunition rounds
directed at the vehicle.
Even if the stealth systems are circumvented, the Ghost still has an ace down its sleeve
to avoid being hit by enemy fire, making it a highly resilient combat vehicle.
The result is a limber and highly maneuverable tank capable of going over 40 miles per hour
with a powerful 120-millimeter gun that can easily outrange most other armored vehicles
of its kind.
Furthermore, if the tank is already within the range of an enemy vehicle or anti-tank
crew, the opponents will have a powerful tank picking up the Ghost in any infrared detection
system thanks to its ADAPTIV infrared camouflage system.
As armies worldwide develop unique new weapons systems to meet the warfare challenges of
the future, the CV90120T Ghost is paving the road for a new generation of armored combat
vehicles capable of engaging the enemy in unprecedented novel ways while remaining virtually
undetected.
In short, the CV90120T Ghost is a glass cannon, but an invisible one.
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