Long Description

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The S-130E “Eldhuvud” was developed in the 1950s to satisfy the emerging Main Battle Tank role, with emphasis on rapid mass production, survivability, and decisive firepower. Design, prototyping, and evaluation were completed within a five-year development window, after which the platform was approved for immediate production. An initial manufacturing order of 10,000 units was issued, reflecting confidence in design maturity and logistical readiness.

Armor protection was optimized for frontal engagement. The upper glacis plate of the hull had a total physical thickness of approximately 250 mm. Sloped at 48.75 degrees from the horizontal, this resulted in an effective line-of-sight thickness of roughly 333 mm. The armor array consisted of an early composite structure composed of 190 mm rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), 10 mm high-hardness rolled armor (HHRA), and a 50 mm quartz aggregate layer. The lower glacis was thinner at 70 mm but sloped sharply at 72.75 degrees, producing an effective thickness of approximately 135 mm. This configuration prioritized frontal survivability while accepting reduced protection in lower frontal sectors. The turret armor was concentrated along the frontal arc. Thickness varied significantly, ranging from approximately 40 mm of RHA in non-critical sections to 300–320 mm near the gun trunnion. The turret employed a layered composite layout broadly analogous to early Chobham concepts, using quartz aggregate as the primary filler material. Side and rear protection were secondary considerations and scaled accordingly.

Firepower was provided by a 130 mm L/48 main gun. The selection of this caliber was driven by logistical maturity and existing production infrastructure. Contemporary 120 mm and 125 mm systems were assessed as insufficiently developed for rapid, large-scale deployment at the time. The gun was integrated with an early two-axis stabilizer (X and Y), enabling limited fire-on-the-move capability. Gun elevation ranged from approximately −5 degrees to +15 degrees. An autoloader was installed, reducing crew workload at the expense of internal volume.

Mobility was supplied by a 700-horsepower V12, four-stroke, liquid-cooled diesel engine coupled to a reinforced transmission. Maximum road speed was limited to 48 km/h. This was a deliberate design constraint, favoring torque, drivetrain reliability, and mobility over rough, steep, and uneven terrain rather than high top speed. Operational range was approximately 400 km on prepared roads and 280 km under off-road or mountainous conditions.

Operability was prioritized at the control level rather than crew comfort. The vehicle used a gear-steering system, allowing directional control through lever input with minimal mechanical complexity. The driver’s viewport provided a relatively wide field of vision for the period, improving situational awareness during maneuvering.

Internally, the vehicle was extremely confined. The breech assembly and autoloader occupied a substantial portion of turret volume, significantly restricting crew movement. Gun operation required precise coordination, particularly during sustained engagements. This internal layout was an intentional trade-off, prioritizing protection density and weapon performance over ergonomic considerations. Crew adaptation to these constraints was addressed through standardized training procedures.

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Overview

Name : S-130E Eldhuvud
Place of Origin : THRC
Type : Main Battle Tank (early MBT / heavy MBT transitional design)
Role : Direct-fire armored combat vehicle
In Service : Late 1950s – Present
Designed : Early–mid 1950s
Operator : THRC Ground Forces
Manufacturer : THRC State Arsenal / BlackGear Company (licensed production)
Designer : THRC Armored Directorate
Unit Cost : Classified (designed for large-scale production)

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Specifications

Configuration : Tracked
Combat Weight (GVW) : ~45,000 kg

Crew Capacity :
– Crew : 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver)
– Loader : Autoloader fitted

Dimensions :
– Length (with gun forward) : 10.7 m
– Hull length : N/A
– Width : 3.6 m
– Height : 2.4 m

Maximum Road Speed : ~48 km/h
Operational Range :
– Road : ~400 km
– Uneven / mountainous terrain : ~280 km

Powerplant : Diesel engine (naturally aspirated, low-RPM tuned)
Engine Output : ~700hp
Transmission Type : Manual transmission with gear-type steering

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Protection

Hull Construction : Welded steel hull with early composite integration

Upper Glacis :
– 200 mm RHA equivalent
– Composite structure with quartz aggregate filler
– Sloped 48.7° from horizontal

Lower Glacis :
– 70 mm RHA
– Sloped 72.7° from horizontal

Side Armor :
– 40–60 mm RHA, near vertical

Roof :
– 20–30 mm RHA

Rear :
– 30–40 mm RHA

Turret (Frontal Arc) :
– 300 mm RHA equivalent on cheeks
– 350–400 mm RHA equivalent around trunnion
– Early composite layering with quartz aggregate

Turret Sides / Rear :
– 40–80 mm RHA

Internal Protection :
– Spall mitigation lining (limited)
– No dedicated blow-out panels

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Armament

Primary Armament :
– 2A130M2 130 mm rifled gun, L/48

Ammunition Types :
– APCBC (primary anti-armor, early service)
– HE
– HE-Fragmentation
– APFSDS (introduced during 1970s modernization)

Gun Elevation :
– Depression : −5°
– Elevation : +15°

Ammunition Handling :
– Mechanical autoloader

Secondary Armament :
– Coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun
– Roof-mounted MG (optional)

Fire Control System :
– Optical sights
– Manual ballistic correction
– Stabilizer

2A130M2

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Pricing

Export Availability: Confirmed

Unit Pricing (Credits):

• 100–999 units: 3,400,000 Credits per unit
• 1,000 units and above: 2,800,000 Credits per unit

Pricing is determined by the total quantity ordered. Orders below 100 units are not accepted.