Why modern tanks like Leopard II and M1A2 use separate loader, why dont they use automated loading machine, this will make more space in the turet and less manpower
2006-07-12 20:33:38 · 6 answers · asked by tring tring!! 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Too many moving parts...if it messes up then you have a tank that is out of action....if the breech is messed up it can be fixed relatively quickly, if you have an auto loader, then the malfunction probably will not be very easy to fix immediately...and in the heat of combat..that's a very bad thing. Having a loader is a proven method and this question was asked almost 30 years ago when they started to ask questions on building the then new M1 Abrams tank. They stuck with having a loader for the very reason I just stated.
2006-07-12 20:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by Spartan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, no auto loader can ever be as reliable or fast as a human loader. Any mechanical device is prone to breakdowns, not a good thing in combat. If your main armament were to suddenly become inoperable because of a mechanical failure, that could mean your life. Not to mention that a tank with an auto loader has 3 crew members to do the work of 4. Having been on a tank in the field with a 3 man crew before, I can assure you, it sucks. The best autos can load a round in about 8-10 seconds. A good human loader can do it in about 3. Basically, the costs, (as far as the US, Germany, the UK, etc. goes) outweigh the benefits.
2006-07-14 20:35:01 · answer #2 · answered by Incorrectly Political 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several reasons a human loader is superior:
1) A human loader is faster than a mechanical loader
2) Replacing a human loader with a mechanical loader adds another complex system to the tank - that now has to be maintained by fewer people. (Making more work for fewer people is a huge problem.)
3) A human loader can do more things than just load the gun. (man the radio, man a machine-gun, assist with the maintenance, be another set of eyes watching out for the enemy, etc.)
4) A human loader means that you can effectively go to 50% manning (two people sleeping while one mans the weapons and another in the driver's station). This means that even with two people asleep you can still instantly shoot or get out of the way.
2006-07-13 10:07:28 · answer #3 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
KISS. In this rare case people are faster & more accurate than machines. Better faster more leathal is always prefered to having one more guy at risk. Also, I guess the maint concerns mentioned, I don't know I wasn't a target driver - I mean tanker sorry. ;-)
2006-07-13 04:30:09 · answer #4 · answered by djack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Autoloaders are apparently slower and less reliable. Imagine how screwed you would be in a tank battle if your autoloader jammed. Having a fourth? crew member also helps with maintenance and other tasks.
2006-07-13 03:38:10 · answer #5 · answered by bigboyfatcat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SPartan is correct in his assessment.
2006-07-13 05:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋