Tank Fire Control Systems –

This computerised system relies on a number of inputs supplied by on board sensors that could effect a projectile fired from the main gun. These are wind and cannon temperature as well as outside, and the speed of own vehicle. A laser rangefinder is another sensor.

It works by sending a laser beam at the target which the gunner is looking at in his sights. The beam is bounced of the target and returns to the fire control which then interprets the distance and speed of the target. It then takes all these in to account and adjusts the cannons elevation so all the gunner does is press the fire button.

Sights –

Another more recent introduction to tanks is the commanders independent sight. Situated at the front of the turret, it can turn 360°. The sight normally has either night vision or thermal imaging and are telescopic (able to zoom in). The commander can be searching for the next target whilst the gunner is using his to fire at a target and line the new target up for the gunner, or the commander can over ride the gunner with a target he thinks is more threatening. This system gives the tank a ‘Hunter Killer’ capability. The gunners sight has night vision or thermal imaging (displays objects giving off heat as a white, whilst non hot objects stay grey) and are telescopic. This means a tank can operate during the night.

Battlefield management systems –

Modern Armies are now introducing digital systems to their armoured forces. All of them have roughly the same functions as listed below. The British Army has introduced the Bowman tactical, digital communications system with a built in GPS receiver, which paved the way for the Challenger 2 to be fitted and integrated into the BOWMAN, with the Platform Battlefield Information System Application (PBISA) from General Dynamics UK. It operates a program called Combat, which displays a digital battlefield map known as “Situational Awareness” displaying the other Challenger 2/British Army AFV’s thanks to the new BOWMAN’s GPS receiver, which also provides live updates as the AFV’s are on the move. The system integrates the commander’s display, inertial navigation system, digitisation processing computer and driver’s display panel, giving the commander and crew exceptional Situational Awareness and allows other British Army AFV’s to send E-mails between each other and send instant Contact Reports back to HQ.

The system also allows the commander to point at a spot on the digital map and send a go to order to the drivers display, which shows him an arrow and range to that spot, as well as the best route.