| MBTs and medium tanks, Jordan Date Posted: 06-Mar-2009 Jane's Armour and Artillery King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau MBT programmes Development The King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) was established in August 1999 as an independent civilian structure within the Jordanian Armed Forces reporting direct to His Majesty Abdullah II. Since 1996 a nucleus of engineers has been working at the King Hussein Main Workshops on a range of design and development activities. These include the AB1 M47 armoured repair and recovery vehicle, AB2 armoured troop carrier, AB3 Black Iris utility vehicle, AB4 Al Akrup Scorpion upgrade, AB5 special forces Land Rover and the upgraded M60A1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) the AB9. The first prototype of the latter was completed in 1999 and since then development has continued, with a number of various upgrade levels now being marketed. Description In overall layout, all of these upgraded Jordanian vehicles are similar to the baseline MBTs which are covered in detail in their own entries in this section. These have the driver's compartment at the front, turret and fighting compartment in the middle and power pack at the rear. AB9B1 Level 1 This is mainly a fire-control upgrade in which the Raytheon Technical Services Company Integrated Fire-Control System (IFCS) replaces existing hardware components with a modernised fire-control system. The IFCS can be installed at depot level and is claimed to provide a significant improvement in first round hit probability through: First or second-generation FLIR can be installed with a linear cooler for quiet operation and increased reliability, integrated day sight and laser range-finder, dual-axis stabilised gunners sight, dynamic vehicle cant sensor, turret stabilisation upgrade and a digital ballistic computer, which is supplied by General Dynamics Canada. In March 2002, Raytheon stated that it had been awarded a contract to provide up to 100 IFCS to Jordan with the first contract valued at just under USD50 million. This covered the supply of 50 upgrade kits, which was sufficient for one battalion of Jordanian M60A3 MBTs. In addition, Raytheon supplied pre-installation survey of end user tanks, on site installation support for the upgrade kits, instructor training and training and maintenance manuals. By late 2003 the first batch of 50 upgraded M60A3 MBTs had been completed. In December 2003 the Jordanian Armed Forces awarded Raytheon Technical Services Company a contract worth USD46.6 million to upgrade its M60A3s with the IFCS under the Phoenix programme. Under this contract, the original batch of 50 M60A3 have been further enhanced and an additional batch of 50 vehicles have been upgraded, with the actual installation work being carried out in Jordan. By late 2006 a total of 182 IFCS kits had been ordered which enabled a total of four Jordanian M60A3 tank battalions to be fielded by 2007. AB9B1 Level 2 This is a lethality upgrade and the standard 105 mm M68 rifled tank gun is replaced by the Swiss RUAG Land Systems 120 mm L50 smoothbore Compact Tank Gun (CTG). The 120 mm gun can fire all current and future 120 mm natures of smoothbore ammunition and is complementary to the Level 1 fire-control improvements previously covered. The new 120 mm gun fits easily into the M68 105 mm gun mount using the existing screw attachment points with only minor modifications to the cradle. As of early 2009, no decision had been made to convert any of the existing Jordanian Armed Forces M60A3 MBTs to this standard. AB9B1 Level 3 This is a mobility upgrade and includes upgrading the current L3 Combat Propulsion Systems AVDS-1790 series diesel engine to 950 hp, installation of improved suspension systems and mounting additional armour packs on the hull and turret over the frontal arc. Survivability is also enhanced through the installation of the Raytheon 218S laser warning receiver that is capable of detecting laser range-finders and laser designators. As of early 2009, there were no plans for this model to enter production. Phoenix M60 upgrade This is the latest name for the AB9B1 Level 3 M60 upgrade mentioned above. CLS M60A3 MBT upgrade CLS Systems of Jordan has completed development of a new Vehicle Control and Electrical System (VC&ES) for the US General Dynamics Land Systems M60A3 MBT of JAF. This VC&ES includes a new driver's instrument panel, push button electronic control of gear selection, power distribution box, rotary base junction, turret control box and commanders and gunners switch panels. In addition a new electrical harness comprising heatshrink sleeving and bayonet twist lock connectors has been installed. According to CLS Systems, this new VC&ES has resulted in the redundancy of 15 older individual items of equipment in the M60A3 MBT and a 50 per cent reduction in wiring harnesses. The new system is based on solid state electronics and provides complete circuit protection as well as improving operation and maintenance aspects. For trials the CLS Systems VC&ES has been installed in a King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) Phoenix M60 upgrade package based on a M60A3 MBT of the JAF. AB9C4 Falcon I Turret This was the original turret for possible installation on the Al Hussein (Challenger 1) MBT now in service with the Jordanian Army. Main emphasis is now on the improved Falcon II system. AB9C5 Falcon II Turret The Falcon II turret is being developed by KADDB within the Merlin programme which involves the intellectual development and technology transfer between the South African private sector and Jordan. Concept design, development, prototyping and project management has been led by KADDB in partnership with Mechanology Design Bureau and IST Dynamics of South Africa. In addition, the programme is supported by elements of the Jordanian, South African, Swiss and UK defence industries. The first Falcon II turret was completed late in 2002 and then installed on an Al Hussein chassis and this made its first public appearance in early 2004. Main armament comprises a RUAG Land Systems 120 mm Compact Tank Gun already installed in the previously mentioned AB9B1 Level 2 upgrade programme. This is fed by a new 10-round bustle-mounted automatic loader developed by Claverham of the UK and gives a rate of fire of 8 rds/min. A 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxial with the main armament and there is also provision to install four canister anti-tank guided weapons. IST Dynamics is responsible for the turret's electronics and system integration work including the fire-control computer, battle management panels, hand controllers and sighting systems. The latter includes an independent target-tracking system for commander and gunner. CLS is responsible for power management. The new turret features an improved survivability package that includes a laser warning system, explosion suppression system, NBC system and add-on armour package. The turret bustle has blow-out panels. As of early 2009, there were no plans for this to enter production for the Jordanian Armed Forces. Al Hussein MBT The Jordanian Armed Forces have taken delivery of 402 Challenger 1 MBTs from the UK under a government-to-government agreement, with final deliveries made in 2004. These are known locally as the Al Hussein and are now replacing the upgraded Centurion tank, which in Jordan Armed Forces is called the Tariq. Also included in this package were the Commander (6 × 4) tank transporters and semi-trailers, 15 Challenger training tanks and six Chieftain Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles. Al Hussein Hybrid MBT In 2004 the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau showed the Al Hussein Hybrid MBT with mock-ups of some of the key subsystems. The Jordanian Armed Forces have now taken delivery of 402 ex-British Army Challenger 1 MBTs armed with a 120 mm L11 rifled tank gun for which there has been no recent ammunition development.  Al Hussein Hybrid is based on a Challenger 1 MBT with many enhancements, especially to the turret system (Christopher F Foss) The 120 mm L11 gun has been removed and replaced by a Swiss RUAG Land Systems 120 mm smoothbore Compact Tank Gun (CTG), which has already undergone extensive trials for a number of applications in Switzerland and Jordan (including the M60 Phoenix upgrade). Ammunition for the CTG is available from numerous sources and a number of countries have ongoing development programmes for enhanced types of ammunition. The existing Marconi fire-control system has been removed and replaced by the latest Raytheon IFCS, which is already used in a large number of Jordanian Army M60A3 MBTs. This includes a day/thermal sight for the gunner with integrated laser range-finder. Mounted on the left side of the Al Hussein Hybrid turret roof was a mock-up of a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), which could be provided by a number of contractors. If fitted this would enable hunter killer target engagements to be carried out. The commander would first locate the target, track it and then hand over to the gunner who would carry out the target engagement. Al Hussein retains the Chobham armour but the Al Hussein Hybrid would be fitted with additional armour protection to the turret front and sides for improved battlefield survivability. The existing gun-control equipment would be replaced by a new Curtiss-Wright all-electric system and a new Raytech Jordan wiring harness would also be installed, as well as a CLS Jordan AB8 auxiliary power unit (APU). Equipment removed from the turret bustle would have to be restowed and a new air conditioning and NBC system would be fitted. If fielded, Al Hussein Hybrid would give the JAF a significant short-term capability enhancement with a much lower level of risk when compared to Falcon II. Many of the subsystems of the Al Hussein Hybrid are already proven and in service with the JAF, for example the Raytheon IFCS. Mounted in the turret bustle is the new mechanical load-assist system developed by Claverham, which replaces the current bustle-mounted NBC system that is restowed in the hull. Early in 2005, the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau announced that initial firing trials of a RUAG Land Systems 120 mm L50 smoothbore CTG had been completed. These trials were undertaken at Thun in Switzerland, at the facilities of RUAG Land Systems, and were conducted from a Challenger 1 with an unarmoured or soft-skinned turret supplied by the UK MoD. In March 2006 it was announced that the Jordanian Armed Forces had placed a contract with KADDB for the supply of four production standard Al Hussein Hybrid MBTs. Funding permitting, all of the current Al Hussein MBTs could be converted to the enhanced Al Hussein Hybrid MBT standard.  Al Hussein Hybrid MBT armed with a RUAG Land Systems 120 mm L50 smoothbore Compact Tank Gun (KADDB)  Al Hussein Hybrid MBT armed with RUAG Land Systems 120 mm L50 smoothbore Compact Tank Gun (Robin Hughes/Jane's) Falcon III This is a more advanced turret armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, which will be about 500 mm wider than the Falcon II and that will be fitted with a FHL 17-round automatic loader. This will not move ahead until firing trials of the Falcon II are complete. AB13 heavy infantry fighting vehicle Project AB13 is a complete rebuild of the Tariq MBT in association with the Malyshev Tank Factory in the Ukraine (home of the T-80UD and T-84 MBTs) into a heavy infantry fighting vehicle. This will have a crew of three and carry seven infantry and will be fitted with a Ukrainian turret type 99A armed with twin 30 mm cannon, 7.62 mm machine gun, 30 mm AGS-19 grenade launcher and 81 mm smoke grenade launcher system. The driver and one crew member are at the front, the turret is in the centre and the engine compartment is at the rear. The latter has been modified and a raised troop compartment is provided at the rear complete with entry hatches and firing ports. It is understood that there are no plans for this to enter quantity production. AB14 Temsah heavy infantry fighting vehicle The AB14 Temsah (Arabic for crocodile) is based on a much-modified Tariq MBT chassis with the power pack at the front, behind which are the commander and gunner. The troop compartment is at the rear and the 10 troops enter and leave via a large power operated ramp. The AB14 has been developed by the KADDB in association with the Mechanology Design Bureau of South Africa. Further development by KADDB has resulted in the more recent Multi-purpose Armoured Platform (MAP) which was revealed in 2006. Full details of this are provided in a separate entry. It is understood that there are no plans for Temsah to enter quantity production. ABRO MoU with JAF Late in 2007 ABRO (now the Defence Support Group) of the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the JAF under which the company will play a major role in improving the operational readiness of UK-supplied armoured fighting vehicles and tactical support vehicles currently deployed. Under the terms of this MoU, the JAF have based a liaison officer at the ABRO HQ in Andover, Southern England. All requests for supply, repairs, training and associated services for the large number of UK-supplied vehicles in service with the JAF will be sent there. This MoU will run for an initial period of five years and will be funded by the JAF. ABRO will then collate these requests and supply prices to the JAF liaison officer for approval before orders are placed with contractors. While some items will have to be sole sourced, in many other cases ABRO will be able to offer a number of prices from different subcontractors in order to provide best value for money to the JAF. Vehicle types covered by the MoU will include the now BAE Systems Land Systems Challenger 1 (now called Al Hussein) Main Battle Tank (MBT), members of the Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), Land Rover (4 × 4) light vehicle and Commander (6 x 4) tank transporters. Support for the ex-British Army 400 Challenger 1 MBTs was previously carried out under a government-to-government MoU via the UK Disposal Services Authority (DSA) but this ran out in March 2007. Al Monjed Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) Based on its experience in the design, development and production of the M47 Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle for the Jordanian Armed Forces, KADDB has developed the Al Monjed Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV). The Al Monjed ARV uses the complete lower hull, suspension and power pack of the M60A1 MBT but has a brand new all-welded armoured superstructure that provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. Mounted at the front of the chassis is a hydraulically-operated blade that can be used to stabilise the Al Monjed ARV when the crane or winch is being used. This blade has been designed to withstand a main winch pull of the casualty of up to 80 tonnes and can also be used as a dozer blade. Pivoted at the front right side of the chassis is the turntable mounted hydraulically-operated crane that is fitted with a telescopic jib. When not required this is traversed to the rear and lays alongside of the chassis. This crane can lift a maximum load of 6.5 tonnes at a reach of 4.9 m and can be traversed through 360 degrees. The hydraulically-operated winch is located in the lower forward part of the chassis and leads out through the front of the vehicle. This has a maximum single line pull of 41 tonnes at a speed of 13 m/min. Maximum pay in and pay out speed is 40 m/min and it is provided with 70 m of usable cable. Rope exit angles at maximum load are minus 35 to plus ten degrees vertically and 80 degrees left and right. The crew compartment is at the front of the vehicle on the left side with the driver at the front and commander and other crew members to the rear. As well as the crew of three, space is provided for an additional passenger. Hydraulics used in the crane, dozer blade and winch are powered by the power take off from the main AVDS-1790-2DR series diesel engine or by the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) as an auxiliary system. This enables the vehicle can run its key subsystems with the main engine switched off. In addition to the hydraulically-operated crane, winch and dozer blade, it is also provided with cutting equipment and tools. A complete MBT power pack consisting of engine, transmission and cooling system can be carried over the rear engine deck of the Al Monjed. Status AB9B1 Level 1 is in service with the Jordanian Armed Forces with a total of 182 units converted to this standard. In 2006 the Jordanian Armed Forces ordered four Al Hussein Hybrid MBTs for trials which are expected to be followed by a major production contract. Contractor King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau  King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau AB91 MBT with turret traversed to rear to show 120 mm Compact Tank Gun  Project AB13 heavy infantry fighting vehicle on modified Centurion MBT chassis and fitted with new turret armed with 30 mm cannon, 30 mm grenade launcher and 7.62 mm machine gun  KADDB Falcon II turret armed with 120 mm Compact Tank Gun fed by a bustle-mounted automatic loader on test stand  M60A3 upgraded to AB9B1 Level 1 standard with Raytheon IFCS installed  Prototype of the Al Hussein fitted with the KADDB Falcon II turret armed with a RUAG Land Systems 120 mm smoothbore gun (Christopher F Foss)  Detailed drawing of the Claverham load-assist device being developed for the Jordanian Al Hussein MBT Interim Hybrid Turret Upgrade (Claverham)  Al Monjed ARV carrying an MBT replacement power pack shown lifting the front end of an M113 series APC (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau)  Falcon II turret armed with a RUAG Land Systems 120 mm Compact Tank Gun undergoing firing trials integrated onto an Al Hussein chassis (KADDB)  Phoenix M60 MBT upgrade showing enhanced amour package and RUAG Land Systems 120 mm Compact Tank Gun (KADDB) |