11.12.2003, 03:04
One of the latest derivatives of the T-55 was carried out in Slovenia by the STO RAVNE company and engineers of the Israeli company Elbit. Slovenia modernised 30 T-55 tanks in the inventory of its armed forces. The latest M-55S upgrade was handed over to the customer in May 1999.
A 105-mm gun with a thermal sleeve was installed, with the tank's armour was considerably reinforced by Rafael explosive reactive armour attached to the hull and the turret. The fire control system was also improved through the integration of a digital ballistic computer. The gunner has the two-axis stabilized Fontana SGS-55 day-and-night sight with an integral laser rangefinder. In addition to the integral optic sight the commander has the Fontana COMTOS-55 sight with an independent line-of-sight stabilisation, which allows him to acquire targets and lay the gun independently if required. The driver has the Fontana CODRIS combined day/night observation periscope. The laser illumination warning receiver was mated with front-mounted smoke grenade dischargers and can be automatically activated in an emergency. Modernisation of the B-12 diesel engine resulted in an increase in power from 520 hp to 600 hp. Replacement of this engine with a German 850hp MAN diesel engines is being considered. The running gear has rubber side skirts and the tank was outfitted with new rubber and metal tracks. Communications aids were also improved.
STO Ravne was recently sold to Steyr (General Dynamics, if you prefer)
But the fire control sys and sensors come from FOTONA, not FONTANA, please...
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A 105-mm gun with a thermal sleeve was installed, with the tank's armour was considerably reinforced by Rafael explosive reactive armour attached to the hull and the turret. The fire control system was also improved through the integration of a digital ballistic computer. The gunner has the two-axis stabilized Fontana SGS-55 day-and-night sight with an integral laser rangefinder. In addition to the integral optic sight the commander has the Fontana COMTOS-55 sight with an independent line-of-sight stabilisation, which allows him to acquire targets and lay the gun independently if required. The driver has the Fontana CODRIS combined day/night observation periscope. The laser illumination warning receiver was mated with front-mounted smoke grenade dischargers and can be automatically activated in an emergency. Modernisation of the B-12 diesel engine resulted in an increase in power from 520 hp to 600 hp. Replacement of this engine with a German 850hp MAN diesel engines is being considered. The running gear has rubber side skirts and the tank was outfitted with new rubber and metal tracks. Communications aids were also improved.
STO Ravne was recently sold to Steyr (General Dynamics, if you prefer)
But the fire control sys and sensors come from FOTONA, not FONTANA, please...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fotona.si/defence/index.html">http://www.fotona.si/defence/index.html</a><!-- m -->