The Future

TAM (Tanque Mediano Argentine) Argentina

The TAM was designed by the West German firm of Thyssen Henschel to meet the requirements of the Argentinian Army. The contract alsp included a design requirement for an infantry combat vehicle model which was produced under the final designation VCTP

(Vehiculo de Combate Transports de Personal).

Production of the conventionally armoured TAM medium tank commenced in Argentina in the late seventies but was curtailed in the early eighties because of the country's serious financial difficulties which caused approximately 30% of the tanks built to be put directly into war stowage reserve by the Argentinian Army.

The TAM chassis and powerpack system are based on those used in the Marder ICV. The main armament, however, is a two axis stabilised locally developed 105 mm rifled tank gun with bore evacuator and thermal sleeve. The gun fires all the NATO standard 105 mm ammunition types,

The fire control system is of the coincidence rangefinder sight type and is operated by the commander.The gunner and loader also have their observation sight systems, A night driving capability is provided.

A prototype conversion to an ARV variant, the VCRT.was made n 1987 but not produced. A self-propelled howitzer, the VGA 155, using an Italian made Palmaria type turret housing a 155 mm howitzer and a lengthened TAM Chassis has also been produced to the prototype stage with a number of turrets awaiting to be fitted. Other multiple rocket launcher carrier prototypes have also been produced but not taken to the production phase, Thyssen Henschel has also built a private

venture developmental follow-on to the TAM known as the TH301 with an enhanced 750 hp rated powerpack, computerised fire control system with day/night thermal imaging observation and targeting system and a Kheinmetall 105 mm Rh 1055-30 rifled tank gun. Todate this has not been sold to any country.

Specification

First prototype: 1976 First production: 1979-85 (approx 350 built) Current user: Argentina.

Crew: 4

Combat weight: 30 500 kg Ground pressure: 0.77 kg/cm2

Length, gun forwards: 8.23 m Width: 3.12m Height (without AA gun): 2.43 m Ground clearance: 0.44 m

Max. road speed: 75 km/h Max. range (with external fuel): 950 km Fording: unprepared 1.4 m; prepared 4 m Gradient: 60% Side slope: 30%

Vertical obstacle: 0.9 m Trench: 2.5 m

Powerpack: MTU MB 833 Ka-500 V-6 turbo-charged diesel developing 720 hp coupled to a Renk hydromechanical HSWLr204 transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 105 mm gun (50 rounds); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mm MG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 7.62 mmMG; (smoke dischargers) 2 x4