A little Army!
In the 60's there was seen a need for a tank that could hold it's own against other tanks, with superior firepower and better armor, that could serve in the military for many years to come. The project for such a tank took a long time, but eventually in the 70's Markswerker industry could present a new large tank that was fast called by the media as a heavy tank, due to it's size and superiority over other tank Caledonia had in it's arsenal at that time. The military called it the Mark 14 "Action IV" MBT.
The army ordered more than 700 of them. In test it's 130mm cannon showed how powerful it was, compared to other guns in the military arsenal. It was fast proclaimed by Caledonia tankers: "if we see you, you have lost!". It was also noted that it was able to punch or severly damage current on ground bunkers/fortification.
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Mark 14 "Action IV"
In production: 1953-1973
Moto: "we hit, you lose"
Build: 320
in reserve: 200
Lost: 16
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Mass: 66 tonns
Length: 8,05m; 12.22m
Width: 4,03m
Height: 3,16m
Crew: 4
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Armour: from 165 to 280mm
Main armament: 1 x C3S130; 130 mm Smooth bor
Secondary armament: 2 x 7.62 mm Standard machine gun
Engine: B&H M4V16; 920 hp
Power/weight: 14hp/tonne
Suspension: Modified Horstmann suspension
Operational range: 150-180km
Maximum speed: 39 km/h
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In 1981 there was done an upgrade on the design ot the Mark 14, changing it into Mark 14B. There was noted som issues with the original design, but also some problem with it's armor protection, mainly on the turret, after the Army did a live fire exercise where a couple hull was used some targets again the 130mm cannons, but also from cannons from other nations that was invited over for the exercise, during the exercise other nation had opportunity to mount on those tanks other type of "equipment" for testing, to see what will happen.
Upgrade package all Mark 14 Action IV received:
- armor fix to the turret cheeks.
- an a add on armor plate on the front of the turret.
- protection around exhaust, mainly for crew.
- 2 larger fans for engine compartment
- upgraded communication systems
- adjustment to gunnery and command center
- open basket, aft on the turret, replaced with boxes, where one of the boxes have an integrated tent.
- internal ammunition protection improvement.
- The B&H M4V16, got upgraded and tunet, and is now producing 980 hp, mainly thanks to new fuel system and other small improvement. (only on those produced after 1981, and those that come in for their main service periode)
- New gearbox (only on those produced after 1981, and those that come in for their main service periode)
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Mark 14B "Action IV"
In production: 1973-1978
Moto: "we hit, you lose"
Build: 100
in reserve: 0
Lost: 0
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Mass: 68 tonns
Length: 8,05m; 12.22m
Width: 4,03m
Height: 3,16m
Crew: 4
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Armour: from 165 to 280mm; extra armor on turret checks
Main armament: 1 x C3S130; 130 mm Smooth bor
Secondary armament: 2 x 7.62 mm Standard machine gun
Engine: B&H M4V16-T; 980 hp
Power/weight: 14.4hp/tonne
Suspension: Modified Horstmann suspension
Operational range: 150-180km
Maximum speed: 40 km/h
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in 1995 Mark 14B the oldest hull was starting to be put in storage, but after a change in military strategy for protection of Caledonia many Islands, there was decided to start several small armored units inside the Home guard. They would consist of small units, with 1-3 tanks in units, supported by small scouts, usually 40mm armed scouts. The setup of these units could look like this (would change from place to place):
small unit
- 1 main tank
- 2 scout vehicle
- 2-3 troop transport
- Occasionally 4 smaller transport, with towed small howitzer/cannon (usually 65-90mm) (some units had 105mm)
- 14-20 soldiers
large unit
- 3+ main tank
- 6+ scout vehicle
- 10+ troop transport (equipped with large caliber mortar)
- Occasionally up to 10 smaller transport, with towed small howitzer/cannon (usually 65-90mm) (some units had 105mm)
- 140+ soldiers
- 1-2 SPG
This setup was to ensure that a few small units in the area could respond fast and hold an area for a time-periode if not push back.
Most of the home guard 14B was upgraded to 14D, when more current soldiers, with experience with more modern technology and systems then what 14B had, started to serve in the home guard. So instead of sending current in service modern tanks to the home guard, it was decided to massively upgrade all Mark 14B into the Mark 14D "Super Action", it was the most significant upgrade the series received in modern time. And put all in service units and home guard units on same level as modern MBT. The Upgrade consisted of:
- Refurbished and redesignet turret, with a new magazine in the rear of the turret. (turret was splitt in half, and rebuild) (blow out panel)
- turret and hull received new classified armor
- APS system
- Main armament was replaced with a new and larger gun, capable to fire all standard Caledonia 130mm ammo.
- New fire control for main armament.
- added on to the barrel, is 4 center mounted rocket launcher
- Upgraded gun stabilization
- new and upgraded Secondary armament, with remote control, that also can sport target for the main armament.
- commander received a new sight and lockout, and can identify targets and lock on to it, the new turret control will automatically turn turret toward target
- new digitalized communication system, communicating with all plattforms.
- new engine, same engine as in current service main battle tanks of the Caledonia Army.
- new gearbox
- improved suspension
Due to this massive upgrade that basically changed this old hull design into a totally new and modern tank, there was placed in an order for the army as well, included with those that got upgraded for the home guard. In the army they got used as a more in an heavy assault units. Specially in operation where there was expected to meet hostile tanks.
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Mark 14D "Super Action IV"
In production: 1998-2005
Moto: "Digitalize this"
Build: 250 (include upgraded version and new build)
in reserve: 0
Lost: 0
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Mass: 78 tonns
Length: 8,05m; 12.85m
Width: 4,18m
Height: 3,21m
Crew: 4
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Armour: from 155 to 480mm, in combination of classified steal/carbon/ceramic/fiber armor
Main armament: 1 x C8S130; 130 mm Smooth bor
Secondary armament: 1 x 7.62 mm Standard machine gun, remote controlled
Engine: B&H M12V16; 1800 hp
Power/weight: 23,7hp/tonne
Suspension: improved Horstmann suspension
Operational range: 200km
Maximum speed: 60 km/h
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