M9 Vasáltis
| M9 Vasáltis | |
|---|---|
 Sofíae Vasáltis Gamma of the 32nd Guards Tank Legion gives support fire during the March clashes on the Veszenian border, 2020 | |
| Type | Main Battle Tank |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1986 - present |
| Used by | |
| Wars | See Operational Use |
| Production history | |
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| Specifications | |
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The Μ9 Vasáltis (Μ9 Βασάλτης) is a Sofíae main battle tank (MBT), it is the result of the SC-Mestran co-developmen effort that also led to the HSV-27 and is currently in service with the Sofíae Commonwealth and Nurmandria. It was designed by the Katsaros-Arlansor Machine Building Design Bureau (KADB) in collaboration with Syvertsen Defense in 1979, entering service with the Commonwealth's Republican Army in 1986. Originally intended to be complemented by the high-end Proiókt 808 tank, it is to this day the most advanced tank in SC service, as it's intended counterpart never entered production. The Μ9 C model is currently being produced at the Arlansor Armored-Vehicle Plant (ASVE) and the Vlachos Factory in Turañgöy (VE-T).
History
WIP
started from two projects to have a turbine and bustle autoloader in M8 basically by 1980 the nc decides that they want a new tank, since their mid-cold war ones are starting to get outdated compared to their two big boy neighbors
by 1985 the major bureaus have their prototypes ready (it's like 2 or 3 competing ones) and a competition is held
the prototypes are really advanced (like M1 CATTB, T-95 and co.), but by this time funds are already drying up because of the general recession of the country and the budget overruns
so, they do their competition in like '85 and choose the winner, but at this point some corruption scandal comes to light that basically means that the chosen design not only would cost much more than anticipated to produce, but it also still has a lot of problems to eliminate before being able to start production in the first place
at this point the program basically grinds to a halt and although it's never officially cancelled the tank will eventually never enter production
so, in the late 80s nc delegations start going around looking for international partners to help them develop a cheaper tank based on a proven design to complement their expensive tank (that they still hope to get into production at this point)
so, they eventually reach an agreement with mestra to produce an hsv27 derivative and production starts by 1990
WIP
Design
gas turbine, 120mm or 140mm, revolver autoloaders in the bustle, 4-man crew
Variants and upgrades
This section lists the main models of the Vasáltis, all built by the Sofíae Commonwealth, with the dates they entered service.
In common OFSN nomenclature the three main variants are referred to as "A, B and C", although the proper traslitteration from Valárian would be "A, B and G" as in "Alfa, Beta and Gamma". Command tanks with more radio equipment have I added to their designation for igesía (ηγεσία, meaning "command"), for example, Vasáltis CI is the command version of the Vasáltis C. Versions with added armor compared to the base model (either ERA or other) have an S suffix, for scutate (σκυτατε, meaning "(up)armored"), for example Vasáltis BS. Upgraded tanks receive the V designation for veltioméni (βελτιωμένη, meaning "improved").
- Proiókt 811: this designation refers to the three prototype turrets built by ASVE in 1981. two of this turrets were used in 1982 on the Proiókt 811A/Proiókt 811A-1 complete prototypes.
- Proiókt 811A (the Proiókt 811 designation is often mistakenly used): five complete prototypes built between 1982 and 1983, of which one was created using a Mestran XHSV-27 prototype hull (Proiókt 811A-1), while the other four used slightly different hulls produced by ASVE (Proiókt 811A).
- Vasáltis A: first production model, production began in 1985 and continued to 1991
- AI: Exousía APS
- AS: 224 veichles were produced from 1988 to 1991; this was a program intended to increase the protection of the M9 in urban enviroments and against ATGMs. A row Calína ERA blocks was added to the side of the hull sponsons and lower front plate. at least three prototypes also recieved a composite screen, similar to the one fitted on the Granítis CV/EV, installed to the turret face (the Sumi IR searchlight was re-positioned on top of the screen).
- ASV: an effort to bring the AS variant up to the B standard. the Calína ERA was substituted for Akakía panels, a gunner thermal camera was installed on top of turret. From 1994 to 2000, most (if not all) of the Vasáltis AS were upgraded to the ASV standard.
- Vasáltis B: Produced from 1991 to 2012 and entering service in 1992, this was the first major upgrade to the M9. Improved composites materials are included in both the turret and hull, giving it similar protection to the Vasáltis AS without the need of additional ERA or composite screens; Akakía ERA, thermals, no Sumi IR light and other
- BI: Exousía APS
- BS: developed for Nurmandian export, added Akakía ERA on front turret and other
- BSI
- BV: added composite screens on hull and turret and may other to bring on par with Vasáltis C
- Vasáltis C: improved turbine, Akakía-II ERA, 140mm gun, RWS and other
- Vasáltis CI