A 4th Generation Main Battle tank, the MBT-6 Chevailer (ERA Designation "BTS-M6D/A (IMA)") is the main battle tank of the Erandian Royal Army. It is cutting edge, intergrated into the advanced BATTLEMASTER FCS/CCS. The tank intergrates C4I technology, and is the new face of the Erandian Royal Army.

you can't see me

The tank was developed by the Molvinia Arms Corporation, and is jointly manufactured by Palleta Dynamics and the Molvinia Arms Corporation. It was designed for a tender sent out by the ERA in 2020, for a new main battle tank to supplement and eventually replace the 3rd generation MBT-5 Conqueror.

MBT-6 Tanks at the Estheford Intergrated Live-firing Area

The joint Palleta-Molvinia Design took 6 years to design, with the first prototype built in 2026. Winning against the Aevance-Macmillian design, the tank entered mass production in 2029, with the first Erandian units receiving the new tank in early 2030.

Armament

The tank is heavily armed, with it's main cannon being a 120mm Molvinia Arms Corporation MK4V smoothbore Heavy gun. It has a calibre of 52, and it can fire shells of 120x570mm. The gun can fire ATGM-3 Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM-M3-BLER) and the RQ-5 Maestro Barrel Launched Loitering munitions.

It's secondary armament includes an R3 RWCS, equipped with a 25mm cannon, and a 5.55mm LMG-M9RF Coaxial machine gun.

Protection systems

The main protection system of the tank lies in it's GD-M3 Grenade launchers. They are mainly loaded to launch IR smoke Grenades or multispectral smoke Grenades,but they can launch Flares, chaff and Anti-personnel grenades.

Another protection system found here is the PDS-DL-M1, a laser system which can be used to fry any sensors on incoming missiles.

A secondary protection capability against missiles is the hard-kill PDS-DI-M2 "Barricade" APS. It has a main AESA radar used to detect incoming projectiles, the information of which is forwarded to a computer, which determines the threat level of incoming rockets. The APS will then activate, swiveling to face the incoming missile and unleashing a number of projectiles which will intercept and destroy the projectile. The system has an upwards elevation of up to 75 degrees, and can turn as far as 60 degrees.

Armour

The armour layout on the D/A IMA variant (Domestic variant, used only by the Erandian Army) uses Modular armour on the side of the turret, as well as on the skirts. Provisions for installation of Cage armour are at the rear, and it is standard for D/A IMA tanks to be deployed with cage armour protecting the rear of the tank.

The modular armour is made out of modular ceramic armour, removable and replaceble; the turret's side armour can be replaced in half an hour. The skirt armour can be replaced in 2 hours.

The frontal armour is made of Nano-crystal steel, while the top armour is made out of a lightweight metal alloy.

Electronics

The MBT-6 is equipped with C4I system (command, control, communication, computer & intelligence) called "BATTLEMASTER-M5". This system can be incorporated into the Erandian Royal Army's network to enable sharing of information among tanks in real-time conjunction with the FCS, as well as connected to the BATTLEMASTER to facilitate integrated military operations with the infantry troops. Currently, the MBT-6 Chevailer is the only MBT equipped with the FCP (Fire Control Picture)-level C4I.

According to the specifications described in "BATTLEMASTER-2026", it has the following functions.

-The search range for each vehicle can be specified from the platoon leader's vehicle.

-The detected target is collated with the database and automatically identified, and the distance, position, type, etc. are automatically shared within the platoon.

-It is possible to instruct each vehicle from the platoon leader's vehicle. It is possible to instruct both concentrated shooting and shooting at individual targets.

-The platoon leader's vehicle automatically knows where and when the vehicle under command is aiming.

-When aiming, the FCS collates with the database and automatically aims at weak points.

-When landing, the FCS will judge the effect from the landing position and enemy vehicle type, and if uncertain, it will recommend a re-attack.

-Automatically track multiple detected targets, determine the threat level, and recommend to occupants.

Other features of the tank are:

-Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that allows the tank to reach 65 km/h forward as well as reverse.
-Autoloader: The autoloader is faster than the MBT-5 Conqueror and can be Fire-to-Fire within about 3.5 seconds.
-Hydropneumatic active suspension, which allows it to adjust its stance and absorbs recoil when firing.
-Day/night sights mounted around the turret, providing a full 360° coverage as well as providing input to the C4I system.

A casual drive through the countryside

Variants:

MA-5 Groundpounder (ASGSP-M3)
Self-propelled 155mm Howitzer mounted on Chevailer chassis.

MRLS-5 Hellfire (ASRSP-M2)
MRLS capable of firing up to 35 rockets, based on MBT-6 Hull.

SAS-11 "Herod" SPAAG (SAS-M2D/A)
Self-propelled Anti-aircraft system, mounting 2 20mm Autocannons and up to 8 Steel Dome Missiles.

ARV-1
Armoured Recovery vehicle based on MBT-6 Hull.

MCV-2
Mine Countermeasures vehicle based on MBT-6 Hull. Equipped with MIC-LIC (Mine-clearing line charge), anti-mine plows and IED jammers.

Versions

BTS-M6D/A (IMA)
Standard Erandian Royal Army Version, with enhanced modular armour, specifically around the skirts, Cage armour in the rear and enhanced FCS systems. The system is planned to be replaced by the BTS-M6D/C (IMA-ICS), which is currently in early stages of development.

BTS-M6D/B (FSS)
Operated by the Erandian Royal Marines. The tank includes a number of weight-saving features and the tank is capable of floating in calm seas. It's wading depth had been increased to 1.4 metres, and it featured improved frontal protection by sacrificing rearwards protection. The PDS-DL-M1 System, cage armour and frontal ERA had also been removed in favour of heavier RHA in the front.

BTS-M6E/S
Standard Export Variant. The system has the 2015 BATTTLEMASTER-M3 system and has it's PDS-DL-M1 system removed. The system is customisable by any nation interested in purchasing.

Operators:

Erandian Royal army: ~650 Units BTS-M6D/A (IMA), ~50 units BTS-M6D/B (FSS)
Erandian Royal Marines: ~85 Units BTS-M6D/B (FSS)

Potential Operators:
Grand Republic of Aurum - Under consideration for the Aurum Future Offensive Armoured Combatant Program

MBT-6 Tanks deployed to the Rester peninsula after a DPPR artillery bombardment

General Info:

Type: Main Battle Tank
Place of origin: Erandia
Service history:
In service: 2029–present
Production history
Manufacturer: Molvinia Arms Corporation
Unit cost:$8.8 million

Specifications
Mass: 68.1 Tonnes
Width: 3.9m
Length:9.8m
Height:2.8m
Crew: 4
Armour 4th generation composite armour, Nano-crystal steel, modular ceramic composite armor, Electric Reactive Armour, Cage armour
Armament: 1× 120 mm Molvinia Arms Corporation MK4V smoothbore gun
1× 5.55mm LMG-M9RF (Standard) or HF-M12 Flamethrower
25mm R3 RWCS
Engine: Palleta Dynamics RKG-3 liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine
(1,600 hp)
Operational range:
Road: 350 km
Cross country: 190 km (internal fuel)
Maximum speed:70 km/h

Controls:

AG1 to activate horizontal turret stabilisation
AG2 to activate Nightvis
AG3 to switch ammo to airburst