|
Stridsvagn 103 ("S-Tank") |
|
The strv 103 - also known as the "S-Tank", was built in three versions, with a total of 290 built. The first 70 vehicles were built as strv 103 A models, all of which were later upgraded to the B model; eventually, all 290 were upgraded to the final variant, the strv 103 C. One vehicle was subsequently rebuilt as strv 103 D, but further production was cancelled because of the Leopard purchase.
The strv 103 C, which is the model on display at the Panzermuseum, had a welded hull with the engine and transmission at the front, and the ammunition magazines in the rear.The suspension was hydropneumatic, allowing the gunner to adjust the elevation of the gun by changing the angle of the hull relative to the suspension. The suspension was made up of four road wheels per side, two track return rollers, a rear idler, and a front sprocket. The vehicle is powered by a multifuel diesel producing 290hp and a gas turbine of 490hp. The strv 103C's main gun is a 105mm L7 L62 rifled gun fed by two autoloaders: one with either Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) or Armor-Piercing Fin-stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS); and the other with High Explosive (HE) rounds. Five smoke rounds are also carried, but these had to be manually fed into the chamber. Secondary armament comprised two fixed 7.62mm machine guns and a roof-mounted 7.62mm machine gun for air and close-in defence.
The vehicle is fitted with a computerized fire control system and laser range finder, but is not able to fire on the move. The driver also acts as the gunner, and lays the gun by traversing the vehicle to the firing azimuth, then altering the elevation of the hull with the hydropneumatic suspension (-10 to +12 degrees). He controls the vehicle with a control stick that combines the functions of steering, aiming, and firing. The vehicle's third crew member (the other two are the driver/gunner and commander) also acts as a driver for reversing the tank.The strv 103 B is also amphibious: with its flotation screen erected, it can cross water obstacles, propelled by its tracks. However, this capability was given up in the C model.The strv 103 was finally replaced by the strv 121 and strv 122 MBTs (the Swedish version of the Leopard 2 MBT). The vehicle on display was given to the Panzermuseum by Swedish Brigadier General Alf Sandquist in November 1995. Photographs courtesy of the Pansarmuseet Axvall.
If you'd like to see a sample of how maneuverable the strv 103 is, check out this video of the clutch and brake maneuver!
|
Site Home 
= Ad with Photo
