Damian Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) As far as I can say, Opal's were new builds, builded in Huta Stalowa Wola (Stalowa Wola Steelworks). As for SUM as it's name says SUM - Samobieżny Ustawiacz Min - Selfpropelled Minelayer was designed solely to this purpose, however later it's basic hull design and components were used for the BWP-2000 IFV prototype. By the way, on the photo where you can see SUM "Kalina", behind it is barely visible ISM Kroton self propelled minelayer. Ok so now maybe something newer, the WPB "Anders". WPB means Wielozadaniowa Platforma Bojowa or Multirole Combat Platform, "Anders" is obviously a hnorable name given after general Władysław Anders. The vehicle as it's codename suggest is modular and designed as multirole platform. However it is important to note that WPB "Anders" as presented was only technology demonstrator, it never reached the prototype stage. Still however it was tested on proving grounds (including static firing tests) and there were several attempts to tests it's modularity by changing configuration of single existing example to different configurations. First presented example was WPB "Anders" WWO/LCz (WWO/LCz - Wóz Wsparcia Ogniowego/Lekki Czołg - Fire Support Vehicle/Light Tank). Vehicle is equiped with designed in Poland, low profile turret with bustle autoloader, armed with RUAG 120mm smoothbore CTG gun, coaxial machine gun, and second heavy machine gun that can be mounted on the RWS seen on the turret, this RWS was also designed in Poland. Besides a 3 men crew, vehicle in this configuration, can also take 4 dismounts. One of these dismounts can control the RWS on turret, thus vehicle commander can focus on commanding vehicle. RWS control panel for dismounts is visible on photo above (that white box). The engine of this vehicle is German MTU 8V199 TE20. What is also interesting is that between engine and transmission there is placed so called Starter-Generator, which can in case of emergency or nececity provide enough energy to move vehicle without using the main engine. Another configuration is WWO/LCz with CT-CV turret, and 105mm gun. As you can see, not only turret had been replaced but also hull was reconfigured. Another two examples are BWP variants, BWP means Bojowy Wóz Piechoty or Infantry Fighting Vehicle. First variant was equipped with manned turret Hitfist-30P, which is Italian in origin but manufactured in Poland for Rosomak wheeled APC. In this case, hull have same configuration as in case of the first WWO/LCz configuration. And here another BWP variant, equipped with unamnned turret Hitfist-OWS. These were four presented possible configurations, but there were more, actually there was planned also variant with longer and heavier hull. WPB "Anders" was also tested with Ukrainian Active Protection System Zaslon, in Poland called Szerszeń or Hornet, also there were rumors that Israeli Trophy was also considered for tests or was tested. Vehicle can also use addon armor, although it is good to know, that because it was technology demonstrator, it's final weight and protection level, was never finally specified. Edited April 19, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolas93TS Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 T-55AM Merida production started in 1986,right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) Prototype and low rate initial production series for tests were builded in 1985, and mass production was from 1986 to 1989. Edited April 19, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Maybe today something less typical. KTO "Hipopotam" wheeled APC, it is still technology demonstrator, and it's purpose is to supplement smaller and lighter KTO "Rosomak" in roles when the latter is just too small, to for example fit enough equipment inside. Of course KTO "Hipopotam" is fully amphibious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Tan Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 You crazy Poles......any Meridas still sitting in sheds? They are just the ticket for Afrika. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 (edited) You crazy Poles......Why crazy? any Meridas still sitting in sheds? They are just the ticket for Afrika.No, all T-55's including Merida variant were withdraw from service between 1999 and 2001, some are in museums and in private hands, others were scrapped, I don't know if any were sold out somewhere. KTO Rosomak (Wolverine) M1M variant, with QinetiQ RPGNet, this variant is used in Afghanistan among other older variants. Addon armor on glacis plate is capable to reduce penetration capabilities of older and weaker RPG's. Rosomak was also tested for integration with CT-CV turret, which was successfull, however it is not known if such variant will find it's place in Polish Army. 120mm gun would be more desireable than 105mm, due to ammunition commonality with Leopard 2. Edited April 22, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Some of the RWS systems designed in Poland. ZSMU-1276 A3ZSMU-1276 C1 Here armed with 12,7mm machine guns, but it is possible to install 7,62mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher. ZSMU-70 with 7,62mm machine gun and 70mm unguided rockets launcher. WPB Anders in WWO/LCz version with Polish turret and 120mm gun during firing trails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 (edited) Old video from early 1990's when PT-91 was inducted in to service, video shows first PT-91's in 34th Armor Cavalry Brigade. However as typical for TV and times back then, there was a bit of propaganda there. Also what is importan to note, this was first variant of PT-91 with ERAWA-1 ERA, which have a bit different shape on turret, than heavier ERAWA-2. Edited April 22, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 And several interesting episodes of TV documentary "Nasza Armia" (Our Army) with armoured vehicles. Sorry for lack of translation, but still video material is worth to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Tan Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Only you lot put this kind of effort into a business without any real possibility of making the investment back. Of you lot are justifiably paranoid. (They ARE all out to get you). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) ? I think you do not understand the nececity of technical modernization. Currently used equipment is getting older and older, modernization is not because someone is paranoid or other strange reason, it is nececity so armed forces can fullfill their purpose, being capable to protect my country. This is exactly the same purpose that many other armed forces have. Besides only a fool believes that there might be no war or other threat in future, same kind of fools predicted that 1st world war will end all wars. As for investing in to own industry, it is also reasonable, to be more independent from world arms manufacturers, and of course own arms industry will eventually benefit my country on world markets. I find it funny, when many other nations, spends much more on arms and their armed forces than we do, everything is ok, but when Poland wants to improve it's security, all the sudden from some people we have litteraly a shi(a)t storm why we do this, why we do that etc. Even when our doctrine is purely defensive, and we do not want to threaten any of our neighbours or any other country. Edited April 23, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Tan Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 it's the shotgun approach that has me confused. Multiple parallel , sometimes redundant efforts rather than a rather more focused, production oriented method would probably make it more affordable and increase your potential for exports. The PT-91M is a case in point, a lot of the contract value wound up going abroad because the Polish components were not up to snuff. There is investment and then there is chucking zlotys in the river.What is the likelihood of Malaysia buying another lot of Polish AFVs....? ZERO. Because of the pain involved with the PT-91s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) As I said, this is a nececity, we need to modernize our ground forces, air forces, navy, air defences, literally everything. As for PT-91M, I think you would be surprised that in Poland nobody deny a fact that Bumar screwed it up, in fact there is a big chance that Bumar as a company will not exist anymore and it's different divisions will be transferred to more efficent private companies like HSW (Stalowa Wola Steelworks) that gained a huge success recently on domestic market as artillery systems manufacturer. HSW have capabilities to design and manufacture not only artillery systems but also other products, like main battle tanks or infantry fighting vehicles, and it will do it better than Bumar that is state owned company, which means problems with efficency and for example client support. Also many things changed in Poland, and more will change. Edited April 23, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 I found an interesting photo:Seems to look like very early prototype of PT-91, or even older proposed modernization T-72M1 "Wilk", that was predecessor of PT-91, however I am not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Przezdzieblo Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 It is early Twardy of 1st batch, with orginal ERAWA layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 Thanks for clarification Przezdzieblo, do you have any photo (or rough idea where I could find a good one + some informations) about the earlier "Wilk"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Przezdzieblo Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I guess there would be some informations about it in the next "Poligon", but I do not know if any photos will follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) Thanks, good to know, I will take a closer look. BTW Przezdzieblo, do you have any more detailed informations about CAWA-2 and what happened later? Col. Wiśniewski book do not describe history of that armor, and WITU do not have any PDF about CAWA-2 nad later development on composite armors. Besides this I might be wrong but, during first presentation of WPB "Anders", there was presented some sort of modular armor in front of vehicle, right? Perhaps you know something more? Is this composite armor, or ERA? Edited April 24, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=10344It is very possible that additional 128 Leopard 2 tanks, will be purchased and transported to Poland even this year. Edited May 7, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 A very interesting development, Polish designed 120mm automatic mortar turret module "Rak", had been mated in Huta Stalowa Wola plant, with German IFV Marder hull. This vehicle will be presented during MSPO exhibition in Kielce 2-5 september 2013. I will be there so hopefully I will be able to make more photos (also interior) of this vehicle, among other interesting designs. Of course I will post these photos here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Hawk Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 A very interesting development, Polish designed 120mm automatic mortar turret module "Rak", had been mated in Huta Stalowa Wola plant, with German IFV Marder hull. This vehicle will be presented during MSPO exhibition in Kielce 2-5 september 2013. I will be there so hopefully I will be able to make more photos (also interior) of this vehicle, among other interesting designs. Of course I will post these photos here. I think it's interesting they chose the Marder chassis, of all things... Either it's a test of fit for the future expected tracked IFV (but then, why not simply get a CV90, since that's where things seem to be going), or maybe the next batch of Leopards to Poland will be accompanied by Marders? These BWP-1s are really getting old... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 No, the vehicle is only to demonstrate the turret integration capabilities and as possible offer to Marder users. Rak turret was earlier also integrated with Rosomak hull and also with specially designed tracked chassis based on MT-LB. And no, no new Marders with Leopard 2's, we do not need another obsolete IFV to replace obsolete BWP-1. There is R&D program between Polish Industry and BAE to develop new tracked vehicles based on unified platform. In fact program "Rydwan" evolved in to two main programs based on unified modular platform. There is Main Battle Tank program codenamed "Gepard" and Infantry Fighting Vehicle program codenamed "Borsuk". If we will have luck, mockups or even technology demonstrators of both, will be presented on MSPO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keshav Murali Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Great thread! Very interesting info and great images. Thanks Damian! Is there any thread like this for American AFV's or are they all scattered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Hawk Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 This is probably the most interesting of the BWP-1 upgrades, the Puma RCWS-30. 30mm cannon and Spike missiles, but the thinking was that the platform is too outdated to warrant that kind of an ambitious upgrade, so it was canceled in 2009, as far as I can tell. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:BWP-1_Puma_RCWS-30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) Actually Israeli turrets were cancelled because they are not designed for our climate, and these turrets failed tests. We had similiar problems with Spike ATGM engines, which during autumn and winter generate smoke which can point out position of the launcher. Other thing is that indeed, there is no sence in to modernizing BWP-1, it is just plain waste of money, even as a stop gap. In the end it was decided to go with completely new vehicle. Edited August 27, 2013 by Damian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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