Inside the MBT-70: Exploring the Kampfpanzer 70 Project

Overview of the Kampfpanzer 70 and MBT-70 Projects

The MBT-70, referred to as the Kampfpanzer 70 in Germany, was a collaborative effort between the United States and West Germany. According to Nicholas Moran, a veteran armor officer, the goal was to develop a next-generation main battle tank equipped with cutting-edge technology. This ambitious project aimed to lead the battlefield with innovations not commonly seen at the time.

One significant feature was the inclusion of a 20 mm remote weapon station, which Moran describes as being housed in a compartment that could fold away neatly into the tank’s roof when not in use. This weapon could be loaded with both Armor-Piercing (AP) and High-Explosive (HE) rounds for dual-purpose use against aerial and surface targets. While such a configuration was not unheard of, comparable designs appeared on the AMX 30 and Swiss Panzer 61; Moran notes that the MBT-70’s fully traversable setup added a novel element for the era.

Despite its promise, the venture faced numerous challenges. Moran highlights that the MBT-70 trials vehicles were often incomplete, lacking vital components such as autoloaders, seats, and turret systems. These omissions were sometimes intentional, as testing focused solely on specific features like off-road mobility. However, such piecemeal implementation complicated assessments and introduced inefficiencies.

Ultimately, the complex international partnership contributed to the program's undoing. Divergent requirements and conflicting systems caused delays and skyrocketed costs, a recurring theme throughout the project’s troubled history.

Commander’s Position Features

Examining the commander's position, Moran discusses key design choices and usability issues. A notable innovation was the night vision optic elevation system, which consumed a significant amount of interior space. Moran questions the necessity of this design, pointing out that its safety bar and overall footprint reduced room for other critical components.

The manual turret traverse mechanism positioned under the commander’s hatch struck him as unconventional, complicating ergonomics. Additionally, the turret platform was deemed insufficient for practical use, though it was at least present in the test vehicle he explored.

Another layer of complexity stemmed from the integration of mixed German and American subsystems. For instance, labels alternated between English and German: terms like "Serial number" and "Seriennummer" coexisted, making the cockpit appear disjointed. Similarly, the autoloader controls were entirely in German. These inconsistencies in labeling and configuration could have posed integration challenges for multinational crews.

Moran also highlights the controls for ammunition selection, which included toggles for multiple modes such as Armor-Piercing, High-Explosive, and missile rounds. Despite this apparent versatility, the inconsistency in language and interface design raised operational concerns.

Technological Innovations and Issues

The MBT-70 was packed with advanced features, many of which were unprecedented for its time. Moran describes its autoloader systems, designed to offer distinct capabilities. The autoloaders fed ammunition types like white phosphorus, KE rounds, and HE shells from cassette storage located at the rear. Moran notes that the American autoloader could carry two extra rounds but was still criticized for its complexity.

A recurring issue across the tank’s systems was the tradeoff between innovation and operability. Moran explains that while the 152 mm gun had immense potential, with support for KE rounds, Shillelagh missiles, and HEAT projectiles, it introduced logistical and design challenges. For example, the KE round required substantial size and precise fitment in the rifling, making it logistically cumbersome without delivering a clear advantage over the more traditional 105 mm gun.

Another shortfall was highlighted in the tank's armor and safety design. Moran notes that while the gun included modern protective measures like a bore evacuator to manage gases after firing, the ammunition storage was inadequately protected, with only thin sheet metal shielding it. This posed significant safety risks in the event of an explosive detonation.

Moran also touches on the driver's rotating capsule, a novel feature that kept the driver oriented forward regardless of turret position. This innovative concept came with tradeoffs in practicality. For instance, the driver could rotate his vision block to switch perspectives if primary optics were compromised, though Moran mentions this added complexity to internal space layout.

In conclusion, while the MBT-70 project advanced tank technology in many ways, such as remote weapon systems, ammunition loaders, and modular fire control, Nicholas Moran emphasizes that its over-engineering and the challenges of integrating international requirements led to operational inefficiencies, soaring costs, and ultimately, the project’s cancellation.

:::takeaway Nicholas Moran emphasizes that the MBT-70 (Kampfpanzer 70) project showcased an ambitious leap in tank technology, introducing groundbreaking innovations such as autoloaders, mixed ammunition capabilities, advanced vision systems, and a unique driver's rotating capsule. However, he argues that over-engineering and the challenges of integrating international requirements led to operational inefficiencies, soaring costs, and ultimately, the project’s cancellation. :::

:::faq

inside the hatch: kampfpanzer 70, part 2 explained

Nicholas Moran details the combat station’s mixed ergonomic and design choices, including a night vision optic elevation mechanism and manual turret traverse setup that proved cumbersome. He also addresses the challenges posed by mixed German and American systems, such as inconsistent labeling and interface designs across the subsystems. :::

What was said, and when

The points this article makes, and the moment in the recording where each was said. Everything below was said by Nicholas Moran. Every time opens the recording at that moment.

• The MBT-70, referred to as the Kampfpanzer 70 in Germany, was a collaborative effort between the United States and West Germany. 16:50.
• The goal of the MBT-70 project was to develop a next-generation main battle tank equipped with cutting-edge technology. 16:50.
• The MBT-70 included a 20 mm remote weapon station housed in a compartment that could fold away neatly into the tank’s roof when not in use, according to Nicholas Moran. 00:19.
• The weapon station as being loaded with both Armor-Piercing (AP) and High-Explosive (HE) rounds for dual-purpose use against aerial and surface targets. 00:32.
• Comparable configurations appeared on the AMX 30 and Swiss Panzer 61, but the MBT-70’s fully traversable setup added novelty for the era. 01:05.
• According to Moran, MBT-70 trial vehicles were often incomplete, lacking components such as autoloaders, seats, and turret systems. 01:48.
• Some omissions in the trial vehicles were intentional, focusing on specific features like off-road mobility. 01:48.
• Moran highlights that divergent requirements and conflicting systems contributed to delays and skyrocketed costs in the MBT-70 project. 16:50.
• The commander's night vision optic elevation system consumed significant interior space. 02:25.
• The manual turret traverse mechanism positioned under the commander’s hatch complicated ergonomics. 03:15.
• The turret platform as insufficient for practical use based on his observations of a test vehicle. 03:31.
• Nicholas Moran discusses integration complexity stemming from mixed German and American subsystems in the MBT-70. 16:50.
• Nicholas Moran highlights that labels such as "Serial number" and "Seriennummer" alternated, creating a disjointed cockpit appearance. 03:43.
• Autoloader controls were entirely in German in the MBT-70. 04:05.
• Toggles for selecting ammunition modes, including Armor-Piercing, High-Explosive, and missile rounds. 04:44.
• The American autoloader could carry two extra rounds compared to its counterparts. 05:06.
• Despite the potential versatility, the complexity of the MBT-70’s design caused operational concerns. 15:02.
• The 152 mm gun's ability to support KE rounds, Shillelagh missiles, and HEAT projectiles as ambitious. 11:48.
• Moran highlights that KE rounds required substantial size and precise fitment, presenting logistical challenges. 13:16.
• Moran criticizes the ammunition storage in the MBT-70 as inadequately protected, with only thin sheet metal shielding it. 06:03.
• The driver's rotating capsule as keeping the driver oriented forward regardless of turret position. 10:21.
• The driver could rotate his vision block to switch perspectives if primary optics were compromised. 11:17.
• Nicholas Moran emphasizes that over-engineering and international integration challenges led to the MBT-70 project’s cancellation. 16:50.