Olifant (Elephant) Main Battle Tank (1983)
The South African Olifant series of tanks is a further development of the old British Centurion platform.
Naturally, the Olifant shared many external similarities with the British offering. One tell-tale revision was in the armor side skirting particularly at the front of the tracks. The design was complimented by six road wheels per side, featured a locally-made version of the British L7 105mm rifled main gun and accommodated a crew of four personnel that consisted of a driver in the hull and a commander, loader and gunner in the turret. The initial Olifant 1 appeared with a new V-12 gasoline engine of 750 horsepower and began production under the designation of Olifant 1A. An new automatic transmission was coupled with the V-12. Along with the 105mm rifled main gun, a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun is provided in addition to an air-defense top-turret mounted 7.62mm machine gun.
The Olifant 1A was followed by the definitive model in the series in the form of the Olifant 1B. This particular model featured a new and more powerful V-12 of some 950 horsepower in addition to night fighting capability, and improved fire control system and completely revised suspension and fuel systems. The Olifant MBT chassis system spawned one notable variant in the Olifant ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle). The Olifant 2 is an improved Olifant 1 system fitting either a 105mm or 120mm main gun with improved performance and thermal-imaging capability. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Olifant (Elephant)
Main Battle Tank
Country of Origin: South Africa
Manufacturer: OMC Engineering Ltd / Vickers Reumech / LIW Denel - South Africa
Initial Year of Service: 1983
Production: Not Available
Focus Model: Olifant Mk 1B
Crew: 4
Overall Length: 28.25ft (8.61m)
Width: 11.22ft (3.42m)
Height: 11.65ft (3.55m)
Weight: 63.9 US Short Tons (58,000kg; 127,868lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x V-12 liquid-cooled diesel engine generating 950hp.
Maximum Speed: 36mph (58 km/h)
Maximum Range: 311 miles (500 km)
NBC Protection: Yes
Nightvision: Yes
Armament:
1 x 105mm L7 rifled main gun
1 x 7.62mm co-axial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun
8 x Smoke Grenade Launchers
Ammunition:
68 x 105mm projectiles
5,000 x 7.62mm ammunition
8 x Smoke Grenades
Variants:
Olifant - Base Series Designation
Olifant 1 - Fitted with V-12 diesel engine generating 750hp; automatic transmission; 20-pdr main gun.
Olifant 1A - Initial Production Model Designation.
Olifant 1B - Improved Olifant; revised suspension and fuel system; improved fire control system; laser range finder and night vision capable; fitted with V-12 of 950hp.
Olifant ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle
Olifant 2 - Upgraded Olifant; fitting either the 105mm or 120mm main gun; uprated engine and thermal-imaging implementation.
Operators: South Africa
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