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The TAM 2C MBT is an upgraded version of the TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano) MBT which was developed by the German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme (then Henschel Wehrtechnik) to meet the operational requirements of the Argentine Army. Development of the new TAM 2C performed by Argentine Army Research, Development work on the TAM 2C upgrade was carried out by the Argentine Army Research, Development and Production Directorate in collaboration with Israeli companies Elbit Systems, IMI, and Tadiran. After the first prototype was delivered to Argentina, the development was continued by the Argentine company TAMSE and introduced more than 1,450 modifications to production vehicles. The Argentine MoD has emitted a contract in 2010 to modernize the TAM MBT, such funding was expected to allow the upgrade of up to 138 tanks, while the remaining "old" TAM MBT would be possibly upgraded in a future contract. First prototype of the TAM 2C was completed in 2013 and the final contract between Argentina and the Israeli Ministry of Defense was signed in mid-2015. The modernization of the TAM 2C mainly focused on FCS, 105mm gun stabilization and commanders/gunners optics which could allow the TAM MBT to detect and engage targets under almost any weather conditions, day/night, and improve first hit probability.
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-TAM VC: Original model, around 234 vehicles were built.
-VCTP: Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), with a 20mm cannon, a total of 108 vehicles was built.
-VCTM: Self-propelled mortar armed with a 120 mm mortar. A total of 36 vehicles were built. This version is not fitted with a turret, as the 120 mm mortar fires through the open roof hatch cover.
-VCPC: Command post version of the APC (VCTP). 9 Vehicles were built.
-VC AMUN: Two of these ammunition resupply vehicles have been built for trial purposes. This would be used to support the 155 mm VCA self-propelled guns.
-VCA 155: Self-propelled artillery system based on a lengthened TAM tank hull (7 Wheels) and is fitted with the Italian Oto Melara 155 mm Palmaria turret. 20 vehicles were built.
--VCCDT: Artillery Command-Post Vehicle (ACPV). Based on the TAM VCPC and used by TAM units VCA "Palmaria". Three or four vehicles were built.
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| Armament |
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The TAM 2C MBT is fitted with a 105 mm rifled gun, which was developed in Argentina and fires all standard types of 105 mm ammunition. The barrel is fitted with a bore evacuator, and thermal sleeve and is fully stabilized. The 105 mm gun installed in the TAM 2C MBT is not fitted with a muzzle reference system that allows bore sighting without the crew leaving the vehicle. The TAM 2C MBT can carry up to 50 rounds of 105 mm with 20 located in the turret, while the 30 remaining are in the hull. The second armament of the TAM MBT consists of a coaxial 7,62mm machine gun and a similar machine gun mounted on the turret roof for close-range and air defense. On either side of the turret is fitted a bank of four 76mm electrically operated smoke grenade launchers. The TAM 2C includes a new thermal sleeve, which will reduce the temperature influences on the barrel and thus will increase accuracy. The TAM 2C is upgraded with new electric gun control equipment (GCE) in place of the previous electro-hydraulic GCE.
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| Design and protection |
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The protection of the TAM 2C MBT consists of an all-welded steel armor hull with the highest protection on the front side of the vehicle. The well-sloped glacis plate provides protection against small arms fire, shell splinters and armor-piercing (AP) projectiles up to at least 20 mm. The power pack is located at the Front-right of the TAM MBT and the turret at the rear. The turret is of all-welded steel. The TAM 2C MBT has a crew of 4, one driver, one gunner, one commander, and a loader. The driver is seated at the front left side of the TAM, the gunner and commander on the right side of the turret and the loader on the left side. A 105 mm ammunition loading port is provided in the left side of the turret. This can also be used to dispose of the empty cartridge cases. Two escape hatches are provided, one on the floor of the vehicle and one in the hull rear that can also be used for ammunition resupply. At the rear of the hull, a new auxiliary power unit (APU) has been fitted. This reduces fuel consumption and allows operating the tank's electrical systems when the main engine is turned off, which can be extremely beneficial for ambushes. The APU is located at the exterior of the tank and apparently lacks any sort of armor, making it vulnerable to small arms fire.
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| Mobility |
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The TAM 2C MBT is powered by an MTU MB 833 Ka-500 6-cylinder diesel motor developing 720 hp and is coupled to a Renk HSWL-204 transmission. The MTU diesel power pack is mounted to the right of the driver, with a trap door on the right to allow access to the motor for maintenance. The torsion bar suspension on either side consists of six dual rubber road wheels, with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and three track-return rollers. The first, second, third, and sixth road wheel stations are provided with hydraulic shock absorbers. The TAM 2C MBT can run at a maximum speed of 75 km/h. It has a maximum range of 940 km. The tank can climb up to a 60% gradient, move on a 30% side slope, cross a trench of a maximum of 2,5m, a vertical obstacle of 1m, and a fording depth of 1,20m without preparation or 4m being prepared with a snorkel.
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| Accessories |
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Standard equipment of the TAM MBT includes a fire control system, sight and optical rangefinder, and ballistic computer. TAM is completed with an air filtering device, fire prevention means, a heater, and radio equipment. The TAM 2C is now equipped with a new battle management system coupled with the smoke grenade dischargers. It is also fitted with new communication equipment, an intercom system, and a fire detection and suppression system.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 105mm gun, one coaxial 7,62mm machine gun and one roof-mounted 7,62mm machine gun.
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Country users
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Argentina
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Designer Country
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Argentina/Germany
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Accessories
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A fire control system, sight and optical rangefinder, ballistic computer, air filtering device, fire suppression system, battle management system coupled to smoke grenade, intercom system, and communication system.
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Crew
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4
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Armor
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small arms fire, shell splinters and up to 20mm Armor Piercing ammunition
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Weight
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30,000 kg
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Speed
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75 km/h
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Range
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940 km
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Dimensions
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Length: 8,23m; Width: 3,29m; Height: 2,71m
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