Utilisation

These electric drives for medium turrets intend to train and stabilise tank turrets weighing up to 20 tones. They consist of an electric actuation assembly, a stabilisation unit (computer and sensors), a traverse gearbox and an elevation ball screw.

EPS85 was developed by EADS Naval & Ground Systems France to equip the TR85 Romanian MBT. The EPS72 was developed to fit the T72 MBT and its derivatives.

Realisation of the Fire Function

NGFS integration of EPS72 with a set of commander and gunner optronic sights associated with a digital FCS constitutes a comprehensive fire function. Its cost/efficiency ratio is consistent with the budgets made available for such systems.

Electric drives have a number of advantages compared to previous electro-hydraulic solutions:

• Reduced laying and target engagement times

• No more risks due to hydraulic fluid leakage

• No risk of fire and explosion due to vaporised fluid

• Increased MTBF

• Easier maintenance requiring no special tools

• Silent operation, increased silent watch time

• High efficiency

• Low thermal signature

• Very low keep-up power

EPS72 can interface with the latest electro-optical fire control systems. It provides the tank with actual fire-on-the-move capability with enhanced first round hit probability, whatever the range and terrain profile.

Performances

EPS72 improves the pointing and stabilisation performance of the original equipment by a factor 3 to 6.