Olifant MK1B "Optimum" suggestion.

[NaasBotha24 94]

OLIFANT MK1B “Optimum” suggestion.

 

In the late 1990’s the SANDF looked for ways to upgrade its current Olifant MK1B fleet. Denel was tasked at the upgrade, LEW a division of Denel had designed a brand-new turret and upgraded an existing MK1B hull. This prototype was known as the “Optimum” or “Optimal” and tested in 2003. However, because of budget constraints the Optimum was cancelled and they went on to design the Olifant MK2 as we see in-game.

 

The optimum turret was known as the Olifant 2 turret but because of budget cuts they fell back on the Olifant MK1B turret and decided to digitize the internals based on the technology developed for the Optimum turret. Which would lead to the Olifant MK2 turret. The Optimum prototype featured a brand-new turret with arrowheads made of advanced ceramics and featured blow out panels protecting the crew in case of the ammunition being ignited. The turret also had a ready rack that allowed for 10 rounds to be fired per minute. T he gunner has access to day and night thermal sight. The commander has an independent passive night sight as mentioned in the attached Pamphlet of LEW or LIW a division of DENEL.

 

 The Hull itself also received rubber side plates protecting it from HEAT rounds. Given that the Hull was based on the MK1B hull, it is feasible it will have the same engine performance as the Olifant MK1B which had at a minimum a Continental 29 litre turbo-charged air-cooled V12 diesel engine that produced 850 hp at 2400rpm with 14.4 hp/t. Considering the Optimum would have been the “Olifant 2” if budget reductions were not introduced, it is possible the Optimum would have had similar engine upgrades featured on the Olifant MK2.

 

The main armament consists of a GT-8 1 05mm main gun and would allow for the same ammunition choices found on the Olifant MK2. The coax machine-gun would be a MG-4 Browning machine gun chambered in 7.62x51.

 

Photos: 

Olifant MK1B optimum on display at DEXSA, 2000. 

 

 

 

 

Olifant MK1B Optimum current on display at the South African Armour museum

 

 

Olifant MK1B Optimum during field trails

 

 

Sources consulted :

- LIW(Denel) “Olifant 2 Combat Turret” pamphlet.

 

- South African Armoured Fighting Vehicles: A History of Innovation and Excellence, 1960-2020 written by Dr Dewald Venter  page 61 under the Olifant MK1B Optimum heading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by NaasBotha24
Added 2 more pics

[kurururocks 210]

Open for discussion

[Milocat 4,848]

+1, would like to see this added to the South African line.

[Cpt_Blackjack 34]

Would be an excellent fit in between the Olifant Mk1A and Olifant Mk2.  

[NaasBotha24 94]

5 minutes ago, Cpt_Blackjack said:

Would be an excellent fit in between the Olifant Mk1A and Olifant Mk2.  

Definitely, can even come after the MK2

[budge2 0]

On 30/05/2022 at 12:36, NaasBotha24 said:

OLIFANT MK1B “Optimum” suggestion.

 

In the late 1990’s the SANDF looked for ways to upgrade its current Olifant MK1B fleet. Denel was tasked at the upgrade, LEW a division of Denel had designed a brand-new turret and upgraded an existing MK1B hull. This prototype was known as the “Optimum” or “Optimal” and tested in 2003. However, because of budget constraints the Optimum was cancelled and they went on to design the Olifant MK2 as we see in-game.

 

The optimum turret was known as the Olifant 2 turret but because of budget cuts they fell back on the Olifant MK1B turret and decided to digitize the internals based on the technology developed for the Optimum turret. Which would lead to the Olifant MK2 turret. The Optimum prototype featured a brand-new turret with arrowheads made of advanced ceramics and featured blow out panels protecting the crew in case of the ammunition being ignited. The turret also had a ready rack that allowed for 10 rounds to be fired per minute. T he gunner has access to day and night thermal sight. The commander has an independent passive night sight as mentioned in the attached Pamphlet of LEW or LIW a division of DENEL.

 

 The Hull itself also received rubber side plates protecting it from HEAT rounds. Given that the Hull was based on the MK1B hull, it is feasible it will have the same engine performance as the Olifant MK1B which had at a minimum a Continental 29 litre turbo-charged air-cooled V12 diesel engine that produced 850 hp at 2400rpm with 14.4 hp/t. Considering the Optimum would have been the “Olifant 2” if budget reductions were not introduced, it is possible the Optimum would have had similar engine upgrades featured on the Olifant MK2.

 

The main armament consists of a GT-8 1 05mm main gun and would allow for the same ammunition choices found on the Olifant MK2. The coax machine-gun would be a MG-4 Browning machine gun chambered in 7.62x51.

 

Photos: 

Olifant MK1B optimum on display at DEXSA, 2000. 

 

 

Olifant MK1B Optimum current on display at the South African Armour museum

 

 

Olifant MK1B Optimum during field trails

 

 

Sources consulted :

- LIW(Denel) “Olifant 2 Combat Turret” pamphlet.

 

- South African Armoured Fighting Vehicles: A History of Innovation and Excellence, 1960-2020 written by Dr Dewald Venter  page 61 under the Olifant MK1B Optimum heading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first image on the gun mantle is there a cover or composite Armour piece on it? 

[NaasBotha24 94]

2 minutes ago, budge2 said:

In the first image on the gun mantle is there a cover or composite Armour piece on it? 

Not 100% sure, I do think its a composite armour piece

[budge2 0]

3 minutes ago, NaasBotha24 said:

Not 100% sure, I do think its a composite armour piece

Hope it is composite, would make for a very annoying weak spot of just a 5-15mm cover. 

[armablign 34]

+1 Would make an amazing & welcoming addition 

[Albertus_2003 1]

 I 1 up this hope to see it someday.

Optimum by beloved.

[RATEL_101 4]

Well done Skim. Cant wait to see the Optimum in game

[Panzer_ZA 15]

+1, it will make a great addition to the game.

[NaasBotha24 94]

9 minutes ago, RATEL_101 said:

Well done Skim. Cant wait to see the Optimum in game

thx Ratel! Same!! 

[WATER_ 1]

Looks really interesting! And as someone who is grinding out the UK/SA trees it would be a good fit.

[SteelSentinel147 15]

Wasn't this in a recent datamine? Or was it something else. Either way +1

[Cpt_Blackjack 34]

Was the Olifant Mk1B in the datamine.

 

[NaasBotha24 94]

16 minutes ago, SteelSentinel147 said:

Wasn't this in a recent datamine? Or was it something else. Either way +1

Nope it was the standard MK1B

[SteelSentinel147 15]

1 hour ago, NaasBotha24 said:

Nope it was the standard MK1B

Ahhh righto, well definitely a +1 now, would you put it before or after the Mk.2? Would it be a rank 6 or be rank 7 above the TTD? (btw was there a suggestion made to include the 120mm armed TTD or was that just a theoretical armament for it?)

 

[NaasBotha24 94]

1 minute ago, SteelSentinel147 said:

Ahhh righto, well definitely a +1 now, would you put it before or after the Mk.2? Would it be a rank 6 or be rank 7 above the TTD? (btw was there a suggestion made to include the 120mm armed TTD or was that just a theoretical armament for it?)

 

I would put this after the MK2, because of its increased armour, however I am not sure if It will have Gen 2 thermals. It has a weaker engine compared to the MK2. There was a 120mm main gun built and test fired for the TTD, however it was never fitted

[SteelSentinel147 15]

4 hours ago, NaasBotha24 said:

I would put this after the MK2, because of its increased armour, however I am not sure if It will have Gen 2 thermals. It has a weaker engine compared to the MK2. There was a 120mm main gun built and test fired for the TTD, however it was never fitted

I guess mobility has never been the strong suit of British derived tanks, in saying that though with the better turret protection it could be like a lower tier Challenger if the turret armour is significantly better. I wonder if that would be enough for them to add that variant though... (I hope as the capstone of the South African tree). In saying that they just added a ship that barely had its hull built and was scrapped before ever setting sail so we can hold hope

[Headnaught 502]

I would like to see the 120mm version but if the 105 is all Gaijin wants then I'm ok with that too.

[Aerobane 4,140]

+1 for sure lets get some more Olifant action going!

[Tankhunter103 1]

+1 it would be a great addition for the UK/SA tech tree

 

[NaasBotha24 94]

15 hours ago, SteelSentinel147 said:

I guess mobility has never been the strong suit of British derived tanks, in saying that though with the better turret protection it could be like a lower tier Challenger if the turret armour is significantly better. I wonder if that would be enough for them to add that variant though... (I hope as the capstone of the South African tree). In saying that they just added a ship that barely had its hull built and was scrapped before ever setting sail so we can hold hope

I don't know if it would come after the TTD because of its Hull basically still being a mk1b with Rubber shields on the sides to save weight. My guess is after the Mk2

13 hours ago, Headnaught said:

I would like to see the 120mm version but if the 105 is all Gaijin wants then I'm ok with that too.

120 was unfortunately never mounted. There was a 120 built and tested for the TTD but it was never mounted

[yoyolast 1,708]

+1, looks like a really interesting on the Olifant concept