Land Weapons

Light Tank (1971)

Steyr-Deimler-Puch

SK 105 Küirasser

SK 105 Küirasser

The SK 105 Kürassier, also known as the Jagdpanzer K (JaPz K) in Austrian service, is a light tank (occasionally classified as a tank destroyer) based on a redesigned hull of earlier Saurer tracked APC and mounting a similar gun as that of the French AMX-13. Like the 4K 4FA, the hull is of all-welded construction with the driver seated in the front left position. In the center of the vehicle is an oscillating turret that is a locally-built version of the French FL-12 turret of the AMX-13, with space for both the commander and gunner (the gun is equipped with an autoloader). The turret mounts a 105-mm gun with an additional 7.62-mm machine gun as secondary armament in addition to smoke dischargers. Typical ammunition include both HEAT as well as APFSDS rounds. There is no amphibious or NBC capability, but nevertheless the SK-105 is designed for operations in cold, mountainous climates with the option of spiked tracks. Later vehicles were fitted with digital fire control computers and laser rangefinder. Protection is similar to that of the 4K 4FA but add-on armor modules are available optionally. Like the AMX-13, the SK 105 proved successful in the export market, being adopted by numerous African and Latin American countries, with the largest orders coming from Argentina and Morocco. Although no longer in Austrian service, it is still used by most of its other clients.

The first prototype of the 4K H6FA was produced in 1967 and a second prototype two years later; the name was later changed to SK 105. A modernized variant is known as the SK 105/A1 with an electronic fire control computer and improved power train. The SK 105/A2 added a fully stabilized turret and a digital fire control computer. Other variants included the SB 20 Greif armored recovery vehicle and an associated pionier/engineer vehicle. A driver trainer vehicle also exists.

Preceded by:

None

Related:

AMX-13 (1953)
Saurer 4K 4FA (1961)

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignSK 105SK 105/A1
NameKüirasserKüirasser
TypeLight TankLight Tank
Year19711998
Crew33
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)5.58 m (7.78 m)5.58 m (7.74 m)
Width2.500 m2.500 m
Height2.355 m2.529 m
Ground Clearance0.380 m0.400 m
Track2.120 m2.120 m
Track Width380 mm380 mm
Track on Ground3.040 m3.037 m
Weight
Combat17,500 kg17,700 kg
Ground Pressure0.68 kg/cm²0.67 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion barTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)70 km/h70 km/h
Range (Off-Road)530 km500 km
AmphibiousNoNo
Fording1 m1 m
Vertical Obstacle0.80 m0.80 m
Trench2.40 m2.41 m
Gradient70%75%
Side Slope40%40%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 300-hp
Steyr
6FA
1 x 320-hp
Steyr
7FA
FuelDiesel: 400 LDiesel: 420 L
Power/Weight17.14 hp/t18.08 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 105-mm L/44
CN-105-57

Rifled Gun
↑ 13° / ↓ -6° / ↔ 360°
1 x 105-mm L/44
CN-105-57

Rifled Gun
↑ 12° / ↓ -8° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryNoneNone
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness8 - 40 mm8 - 40 mm
Max Effective20 - 40 mm RHAe20 - 40 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front20 mm20 mm
Hull Lower Front20 mm20 mm
Hull Upper Sides14 mm14 mm
Hull Lower Sides14 mm14 mm
Hull Upper Rear12 mm12 mm
Hull Lower Rear12 mm12 mm
Hull Top8 mm8 mm
Turret Front40 mm40 mm
Turret Sides20 mm20 mm
Turret Top10 mm10 mm
Production
Built600(120)
Total600

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