Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
ARV Ajax KBWP Rosomak The ability to feed ammunition from outside the magazines, via the magazine feeds has also been retained. There is one disadvantage of this system - the limited capacity of the magazines. For beltless feed it is difficult to transition from feeding the rounds perpendicular to the gun axis, assuming that the gun would also be changing its elevation. And this is a relevant, yet negative trait of this system. If we come to terms with the fact that the quantity of ammunition available immediately is limited, we are dealing with a reliable feeding system, for thousands of shots. And this has been the key matter for the Americans, as the selected turret was to be controlled remotely. The beltless feed has also been used in the case of the 40 mm CTAI and of the 50 mm Bushmaster prototypes. The total quantity of rounds available for the primary weapon is also quite relevant. As mentioned above, if the ammunition quantity is too low, even despite a larger caliber, this drastically inhibits the actual capability to neutralize the targets (in actual, real scenarios, not just in simulated circumstances). This also applies to the total quantity of rounds available in one vehicle. Here, it is not possible, in most of the designs, to separate the crew and the troops from the ammunition, with the soldiers literally, sitting on live ammo. The consequences may be fatal should the armor be pierced. However, back in the 1980s, when most of the contemporary IFVs were being designed, having too little ammunition at hand would be a less optimal scenario, as opposed to expected rapid use of that ammo. M2 Bradley, proven and liked by the users, has 900 rounds on board. This creates an obvious benefit - the vehicle can support the infantry over long periods. BMP-2 is also liked among the soldiers for its firepower - it carries 500 of 30 mm rounds. The Swedish Strf.9040, despite its obsolete 40 mm L70 gun with troublesome feeding system with 8-rounds magazines placed under the gun, has, in total, 234 powerful rounds. Its derivative, CV9030, can carry 400 ea. 30 mm rounds - this is still an impressive result. Puma carries 400 rounds in total. Unfortunately, the omnipresent trend of minimizing the weight and size of the turrets and of the vehicles themselves, with the design assumptions being separate from the combat experience led to a drastic limitation of ammunition stored in the vehicles. In the case of some designs, only 200-240 rounds are available which is enough to act against 10-15 targets, in case of a well-trained crew. The crews usually combat this problem by loading extra ammunition that is then carried in the vehicle and loaded during the calm periods of the battle, in a rush. Hitfist-30P of the Polish Rosomak APC is a good example here. The capacity of the magazine available immediately (two conduits included) is defined as around 270 rounds. However, all rounds carried within the vehicle came in a quantity of up to 500 MP-T and 200 APFSDS-T rounds. Fire Control System The fire control system is the most important element of the puzzle though. Its presence is a novelty in this class of combat vehicles, as it has not been a common element of the equipment until the 1990s. Up until the 1990s, the IFVs used to be equipped with some simple sights with manual adjustment systems, for windage, temperature, and so on. The capacity of systems as such was not really on par with the capacity offered by FCS of the MBTs of the 1980s. The evolution of the role www.fragoutmag.com