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Description

Here’s another one in the series “Tank-God-It’s-Friday. While “classic” tank key features such as firepower, armor and mobility will still remain an important part of the MBT’s overall ability to dominate t the warzone on the ground, it will be networking capabilities (similar to the ones found in next-generation fighter jets) that must ensure the NG-MBTs relevance in tomorrow’s conflicts.

ABOUT THE DESIGN

This post is centred around another fictional design of my own —which is a further refinement of my previous MBT designs— with more focus on overall weight reduction while offering the same level of protection of today's, top-heavy MBTs such as the M1 Abrams, the Merkava Mk4 and the Arjun Mk1A. The concept featured in this post has a lower silhouette compared to my previous designs. Although stealth has not been a consideration in this design, this concept does have several features to reduce the tank's radar signature (mainly from the front and the top), thermal footprint and acoustic emissions. In addition to reducing RCS and infrared- and acoustic emissions, several technologies have been incorporated into my NG-MBT design to avoid it, as much as possible, from radiating any other detectable energy, such as from onboard radars, communications systems, or RF leakage from electronics enclosures.

CONNECTIVITY AND CLOUD BASED CAPABILITIES

As the name suggests, the Next-Generation Main Battle Tank (NG-MBT) features a range of new, next-generation technologies that includes AI, a more lethal and more diverse armament, “smart” use of protective measures and a hybrid powertrain, amongst others. But the tank’s main NG-feature is its new digital architecture: the tank uses a new network-centric control system. This means that all information is collected in one place and instantly transmitted to the crew. I.e. location of the enemy, its situation, type of enemy weapon system, advice on what type of projectile to use to hit it, distance, time, radar clearance from an autonomous vehicle in the air, etc.

The NG-MBT is also equipped with an advanced data exchange system. The new data exchange system combined with a network-centric tank management system is expected to increase the efficiency and productivity of the tank. The crew will receive data much faster, therefore they will be more precise in the attack. Its fire control system is linked to a central control hub and the data can be transmitted and received as needed, to coordinate combat activities with other military units.

Multi-domain is the key phrase. The NG-MBT is able to operate in one domain, the air domain, and use the space and cyberspace domains to link with air-, sea- and other ground based assets to defeat an enemy. The merging of information technology and interconnected networks, the origin of the name ‘Internet’, in the military sphere is known as network-centric warfare and the NG-MBT’s capabilities are designed for it.

The NG-MBT can network from anywhere — as it is the first MBT to posses a satellite communication with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement capability, it can send and receive large quantities of data reliably and secured, within the space domain. This satellite connectivity secured with quantum communication also works with the tank's other data links and sensors, allowing the NG-MBT to share real-time data with other tanks and other ground-based (such as infantry, heavy artillery, combat engineers), airborne and surface platforms, as well as with command centres and headquarters located far from the actual combat zone.

SMART WARRIOR

Future tank crews use an advanced man-machine interface with technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality helmets, sensor-fusion, real-time data-sharing, multi-domain capabilities, manned-unmanned teaming, interoperability and connectivity in a Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (a decentralised, cyber-resilient, collaborative information network across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains using cloud-based technologies), all with the aim of reducing the crew's workload, improving efficiency and lethality, and providing the crew with superior situational awareness. In this system, AI is critical to process and filter the immense amount of data all the sensors of all assets (satellites, other tanks, drones, aircraft, etc) connected to the Combat Cloud capture and share, to display only the relevant information needed to complete the tank’s mission, tailored to each crew member’s function.

Description

Here’s another one in the series “Tank-God-It’s-Friday. While “classic” tank key features such as firepower, armor and mobility will still remain an important part of the MBT’s overall ability to dominate t the warzone on the ground, it will be networking capabilities (similar to the ones found in next-generation fighter jets) that must ensure the NG-MBTs relevance in tomorrow’s conflicts.

ABOUT THE DESIGN

This post is centred around another fictional design of my own —which is a further refinement of my previous MBT designs— with more focus on overall weight reduction while offering the same level of protection of today's, top-heavy MBTs such as the M1 Abrams, the Merkava Mk4 and the Arjun Mk1A. The concept featured in this post has a lower silhouette compared to my previous designs. Although stealth has not been a consideration in this design, this concept does have several features to reduce the tank's radar signature (mainly from the front and the top), thermal footprint and acoustic emissions. In addition to reducing RCS and infrared- and acoustic emissions, several technologies have been incorporated into my NG-MBT design to avoid it, as much as possible, from radiating any other detectable energy, such as from onboard radars, communications systems, or RF leakage from electronics enclosures.

CONNECTIVITY AND CLOUD BASED CAPABILITIES

As the name suggests, the Next-Generation Main Battle Tank (NG-MBT) features a range of new, next-generation technologies that includes AI, a more lethal and more diverse armament, “smart” use of protective measures and a hybrid powertrain, amongst others. But the tank’s main NG-feature is its new digital architecture: the tank uses a new network-centric control system. This means that all information is collected in one place and instantly transmitted to the crew. I.e. location of the enemy, its situation, type of enemy weapon system, advice on what type of projectile to use to hit it, distance, time, radar clearance from an autonomous vehicle in the air, etc.

The NG-MBT is also equipped with an advanced data exchange system. The new data exchange system combined with a network-centric tank management system is expected to increase the efficiency and productivity of the tank. The crew will receive data much faster, therefore they will be more precise in the attack. Its fire control system is linked to a central control hub and the data can be transmitted and received as needed, to coordinate combat activities with other military units.

Multi-domain is the key phrase. The NG-MBT is able to operate in one domain, the air domain, and use the space and cyberspace domains to link with air-, sea- and other ground based assets to defeat an enemy. The merging of information technology and interconnected networks, the origin of the name ‘Internet’, in the military sphere is known as network-centric warfare and the NG-MBT’s capabilities are designed for it.

The NG-MBT can network from anywhere — as it is the first MBT to posses a satellite communication with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement capability, it can send and receive large quantities of data reliably and secured, within the space domain. This satellite connectivity secured with quantum communication also works with the tank's other data links and sensors, allowing the NG-MBT to share real-time data with other tanks and other ground-based (such as infantry, heavy artillery, combat engineers), airborne and surface platforms, as well as with command centres and headquarters located far from the actual combat zone.

SMART WARRIOR

Future tank crews use an advanced man-machine interface with technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality helmets, sensor-fusion, real-time data-sharing, multi-domain capabilities, manned-unmanned teaming, interoperability and connectivity in a Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (a decentralised, cyber-resilient, collaborative information network across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains using cloud-based technologies), all with the aim of reducing the crew's workload, improving efficiency and lethality, and providing the crew with superior situational awareness. In this system, AI is critical to process and filter the immense amount of data all the sensors of all assets (satellites, other tanks, drones, aircraft, etc) connected to the Combat Cloud capture and share, to display only the relevant information needed to complete the tank’s mission, tailored to each crew member’s function.