Bofors Stridsvagn (Strv) 103A/B/C, Sweden Swiss Ordnance Enterprise Pz 68 Series,

Swiss Ordnance Enterprise Pz 68 Series Switzerland

The Pz 68 is the evolutionary development model of the Pz 61 design built in four differing series. Compared to its predecessor it has a full gun stabilisation system for the same rifled 105 mm main armament as the Pz 61, an improved external turret stowage arrangement, a deep fording capability (with preparation to 2.3 m), uprated MTU MB 837 diesel engine and modified transmission and running gear assemblies. A total of 56 rounds are carried and the main gun is fitted with a fume evacuator.

The four series built are: Pz 68 Series 1 - as described in the text with a total of 170 procured between 1971-74. Pz 68 Series 2 - a total of 60 built in 1977 with uprated electrical supply, improved air filter system to remove carbon monoxide and a thermal sleeve for the 105 mm gun. Pz 68 Series 3-110 built 1978-79 with a larger cast turret and all the improvements found on the Series 2 vehicle. Pz 68 Series 4 - much reduced order of 60 (from intended 170) delivered 198384. Essentially equivalent to the Series 3 batch but with several minor modifications, Pz 68/88 - all the Pz 68 Series 3 and 4 vehicles plus the 25 best condition Series 2 vehicles have undergone a major upgrading programme during the early nineties. This included the fitting of a computerised fire control system with a gunner's gyrostabilised sighting unit and integral laser rangefinder module (to replace the current gunner's coincidence rangefinder system), a locally designed and built Muzzle Reference System, improved suspension and a collective crew NBC system.

The combat support vehicles based on the Pz 68 chassis are included in the Pz61 entry,

Specification

First prototype: 1968 First production: 1971-1984 (in four series totalling 390 tanks) Current user: Switzerland

Crew: 4

Combat weight:39 700 kg Ground pressure: 0.86 kg/cm2

Length, gun forwards: 95 m Width: 3.14m

Height (without AA gun): 2 7 5m

Ground clearance: 041 m

Max. road speed: 55 km/h Maximum range: 350 km Fording: unprepared l . lm Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40%

Vertical obstacle: 0.8 m Trench: 2.6 m

Powerpack: MTU MB 837 Ba-500 V-8 supercharged liquid-cooled diesel developing 660 hp and coupled to an SLM semi-automatic transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 105 mm gun (56 rounds); (coaxial) 1 x 7.5 mm MG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 7.5 mm MG; (smoke dischargers) 2 x 3; (illumination) 2x71 mm Bofors Lyran