T71 Light Tank

The T71 Experimental Airborne Light Tank was part of a 1952 plan by the US to replace the M41 Walker Bulldog in service. It was equipped with a primary oscillating turret. It was similar to the AMX-13 and the T92 Light Tank. By 1953, there were 3 designs that were suggested as a replacement. Those 3 designs were drawn by Detroit Arsenal, Cadillac, and Aircraft Armaments.

T71, T71E1 Experimental Airborne Light Tank
TypeLight tank
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In serviceUnaccepted prototype
Production history
DesignerAircraft Armaments; Cadillac; Detroit Arsenal
Designed1953
ManufacturerPrototype
Unit costClassified
No. built0
Specifications
Mass17.91 t (17.63 long tons)
Crew3 crew: (Commander/loader/radio operator/gunner, driver/radio operator, gunner/loader)

Armor25–19 mm (0.98–0.75 in)
Main
armament
76 mm gun M1A2 or 76 mm gun T185 (close relative of the M32 gun on the M41 tank)
Secondary
armament
1 x GPMG
EngineContinental AOI-628-1/2
340/400 hp
Power/weight18.98 or 22.33 hp/tonne
Suspensionhydropneumatic
Fuel capacity150 US gal (570 L)
Maximum speed 64.4 km/h (40.0 mph)

History

In 1952, the Army Ordnance Committee gave general required characteristics for a replacement of the M41 Walker Bulldog. Originally, there was a 20 ton maximum weight and a requirement for a 90 mm gun. This requirement was later changed to an 18-ton weight limit and a 76 millimeter gun which would have allowed a quicker replacement of the barrel.

Design

It had an oscillating turret and a second turret mounted on the previous turret; the first turret had the primary armament of a 76mm M1A2 or a 76mm T185; the second "mini turret" had a secondary armament of an American GPMG. Separated suspension wheels made it easier to cross difficult terrain. It was proposed to serve as an armed reconnaissance vehicle, only aided in its endeavours by the tank's light weight and therefore faster speeds.

Main armament

The T71 had a choice between two guns, the 76mm M1A2 or a 76mm T185. Both guns used an auto-loading system, which benefit from light-weighted, low-profile, higher rate of fire, and fewer crew members. However, that meant that the commander and the gunner would have had to manually load the magazine after expending the shells in the magazine, leaving the vehicle very vulnerable while reloading. The relatively small caliber of the gun also was rather ineffective against thick armor, such as the Russian heavy tank series "IS".


T71[1]
Length 271.0 in (6.9 m)
Width 109.75 in (2.8 m)
Height 98.75 in (2.5 m) (over cupola)
Ground clearance 17.5 in (44.5 cm)
Top speed 35 mph (56 km/h)
Fording 48 in (1.2 m)
Max grade 60 percent
Max trench 6 ft (1.8 m)
Max wall 36 in (0.9 m)
Range 165 mi (266 km)
Power 340 hp (250 kW) at 3200 rpm
Power-to-weight ratio 18.2 hp/ST (15.0 kW/t))
Torque 587 lb⋅ft (800 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm
Weight, combat loaded 3,740 lb (1,700 kg)
Ground pressure 11.7 psi (81 kPa)
Main armament T185E1 76 mm
Elevation +20° / -10°
Traverse rate 15 seconds/360°
Main gun ammo 60 rounds
Firing rate 12 rounds per minute

References

  1. Hunnicutt 1995, p. 305.


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