The MBT-18 Defender is the main tank of the Commonwealth Federal Army which is to replace the current and varied miss matched fleet of M1A2SEPv4 Abrams (MBT-1), Leopard 2A8 (MBT-2), Challenger 3 (MBT-3) and more.
The MBT-18 faced a rather tumultuous development with various emerging technologies being considered for implementation on the tank, with most of them not making it onto any of the prototypes.
One of the most debated parts in the development of the tank was its power pack. A large argument was started on if it should have a diesel electric hybrid power pack like on the M1A2SEPv4, a conventional diesel or gas turbine one, or an experimental all-electric system that would be recharged by trucks mounting miniaturised fusion reactors. Eventually the all-electric system was chosen despite many criticisms, with many more of the next generation fleet picking the electric system with the power trucks being swiftly developed.
Eventually however, the tank started production in late 2027. But in just a year after it started production many prototype variants developed by various companies and departments have already popped up.
The main features of the tank in it’s current in-service variant includes:
A highly sloped front turret face which has been sloped as much as it could without sabotaging the placement of the crew hatches and seats.
A 130mm ETC gun that uses caseless ammunition developed by Rheinmetall which is fed by a cassette/bustle style autoloader contained in a compartment in the rear of the turret with blowout panels.
A remote weapons turret which can be fitted with either a M2 50. cal, M2 with Pila ATGM or a small 20mm autocannon.
An optional fourth crew member who serves as a systems operator and technician. Though some ideas have been floated for a re-designed turret that removes that position for weight and space savings.
Switchblade drones contained on the sides of the turret in their launchers to serve as either recon drones or as loitering munitions.
High grade fire control system and a C4I networked battle system.
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A hard kill active protection system.
And high grade third generation thermal and night vision sights and optics for each main crewmember, with the optional fourth crew member also able to use some of these sights, as well as extra cameras placed around the tank for extra spatial awareness for them and the commander.
Specifications
MASS:
58 METRIC TONS
ARMOUR:
GENERATION 3 CHOBHAM COMPOSITE ARMOUR | CLASSIFIED THICKNESS AND PLACEMENT | OPTIONAL BARRACUDA THERMAL ARMOUR | HARD KILL APS
ARMAMENT:
130MM ETC MAIN GUN | 50. CAL COAXIAL CHAIN GUN | REMOTE WEAPONS STATION | 4x SWITCHBLADE DRONES
DIMENSIONS:
10.2M LONG (GUN FORWARDS) | 3.6M WIDE | 2.5M HIGH
POWER SYSTEM:
HIGH POWER REPLACEABLE BATTERY PACK
TOP SPEED:
80KPH ON ROAD | 50KPH OFF ROAD (POSSIBLE OVERDRIVE)
Variants
Defender AVCE
An engineer’s variant with a 155mm Howitzer and bulldozer blade designed to take a direct, front-line part in an offensive.
Hercules
An armoured recovering vehicle variant.
Vauban AVCE
The general military engineering variant built on the Defender’s chassis.
Yangtze
The bridging variant.
MBT-18X1 Defender
An experimental variant with a two-man, low profile turret.