Ramses II tank

Last updated
Ramses II
Egyptian T-55 tank disembarking LCU-1644 during Exercise Bright Star 1985 DF-ST-86-08080.jpg
Type Main battle tank
Place of originEgypt, Soviet Union
Service history
In service2005–2020
Used by Egypt
Wars Egyptian Crisis
Production history
Designer Chrysler Defense
Designed1990s
Produced2004–2005
No. built+425
Specifications
Mass48 tons
LengthHull length: 7.05 m, With gun 9.60 m
Width3.42 m
Height2.40 m
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Armor Active/Passive
Main
armament
105 mm M68 rifled cannon
Secondary
armament
1 × 7.62 mm SGMT medium coaxial machine gun,
1 × .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun
EngineTCM AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel developing 908 hp
Power/weight18 hp/tonne
TransmissionRenk RK-304 with 4 fwd and 4 rev
SuspensionGeneral Dynamics Land Systems Model 2880 in-arm hydropneumatic
Fuel capacity1,312 liters
Operational
range
530 km
Maximum speed Road: 69 km/h,
Off-road: 42 km/h

The Ramses II tank is a heavily modernized T-55 main battle tank designed for and used by the Egyptian Armed Forces. A single T-54 was sent to the United States for upgrading. A primary prototype was sent to Egypt where extensive trials were completed in late 1987. The tank finally entered production in 2004–2005. A total of 425 units have been produced. The tank was originally called the T-54E ("E" stands for "Egyptian").

Contents

At early stages, the upgrade was concerned with the firepower and mobility of the tank solely, while latter stages included the improvement of the level of protection as well. The tank's hull was modified to accommodate the new engine which had a great commonality with the one used by the M60A3 (the most numerous main battle tank in active Egyptian service), as a result an additional road wheel was added. The tank is armed with the same main gun used by Egyptian M60A3's, in addition to a sophisticated fire control system.

History of development

In November 1984, Teledyne Continental Motors (taken over by General Dynamics Land Systems) of the USA was awarded a contract to upgrade the firepower and mobility of a single T-54 tank. This was originally called the T-54E but was subsequently renamed Ramses II. The first prototype of the Ramses II was sent to Egypt for extensive firepower and mobility trials in January 1987 and these were completed in late 1987. Late in 1989, Egypt signed a technical assistance agreement with TCM to support the continued Egyptian testing of the Ramses II, with testing commencing in the summer of 1990. The tank finally entered production/conversion in 2004–2005 with 260 units so far modified from the stock of the T-54 available in the Egyptian Army arsenal.

Specifications

Here are the upgrades and modifications, which resulted in an increase in the weight of the tank to 48 tons.

Fire Control System

SABCA Titan Mk I

A SABCA Titan Mk I laser fire-control system has been installed which includes:

  • A modified Avimo TL10-T sight incorporating the laser range-finder
  • An integrated in-eyepiece CRT alphanumeric graphic display
  • An original SABCA double digital processor
  • An image intensification periscopic night sight
  • Automatic attitude and atmospheric sensors and associated control boxes
  • A new communications system

Mobility

The hull section has been modified to accommodate the new power pack, consisting of:

Armament

Protection

Operators

See also

Comparable vehicles

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References