Stingray® II is a light tank that features the firepower of a main battle tank. Equipped with a 105-mm low-recoil force gun/turret, Stingray II fires all standard rounds, including 105-mm NATO rounds. Known for its superior agility, Stingray II provides the lethality of a main battle tank at less cost.

Late in 1996, Textron Marine & Land Systems completed the first preproduction example of the Stingray II light tank which has been developed by the company as a private venture specifically for the export market.

Stingray II is a further evolutionary development of the Stingray I light tank (covered in detail in a separate entry) which is currently in service with the Royal Thai Army (RTA) which took delivery of 106 vehicles between 1986 and 1990.

Like the earlier vehicle, the Stingray II uses proven and in production subsystems wherever possible to reduce procurement and total life-cycle costs.

The overall layout of the Stingray II is identical to the Stingray I with driver in the front, three-man power-operated turret in the centre and power pack at the rear.

For improved battlefield survivability, over the frontal arc, Stingray II is provided with the recently developed '2001' special high-hardness steel armour which provides protection against small arms fire up to 23 mm calibre. To protect the upper part of the suspension, side skirts with a similar level of protection are fitted.

These can be quickly removed allowing access to the suspension for maintenance purposes.

With this armour package fitted. Stingray II weighs 22,220 kg. If the user requires a higher layer of protection then an enhanced applique armour kit can be provided.

This can be fitted by the user using standard tools in between 2 and 4 hours. When fitted with the enhanced armour package Stingray II weighs 26,308 kg, with protection over the frontal arc being provided against RPG-7-type hand-held anti-tank weapons.

To provide a high degree of hit probability against stationary and moving targets the latest M1A1 digital fire-control system is fitted to the Stingray II.

At present the stabilised gun control system is of the electrohydraulic type but if required by the user an allelectric system can be provided. An automatic deck clearance system is fitted as standard on the Stingray II.

The gunner has the latest proven stabilised Raytheon Systems Company HIRE day/thermal night sight with integrated laser range-finder which is currently in volume production for a number of other applications. The gunner also has an auxiliary day telescope as a back-up with a magnification of x 6.2.

The commander has an M36E1 day/image intensification night sight and is provided with a monitor which enables him to have the same thermal picture of the target as the gunner. The commander also has seven periscopes for all round observation.

The upgraded independent trailing arm suspension either side consists of six dual rubber-tyred roadwheels with the idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and three track-return rollers. The standard tracks are 380 mm wide but these can be replaced by 460 mm wide tracks when the applique armour package is fitted to enable ground pressure to be maintained.

The main armament of the Stingray II is still the stabilised Royal Ordnance 105 mm Low-Recoil Force (LRF) gun with a 7.62 mm M240 coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm M2 anti-aircraft machine gun.

Optional equipment includes various radio and communications systems, a driver's night viewer, a GPS navigation system and a ventilated face mask NBC system.

It can also be fitted with a laser warning system and a system that enables Stingray II to lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet.

• Stingray II with LAV-105 turret

Studies by Textron Marine & Land Systems have shown that the Stingray II can be fitted with the complete turret of the LAV-105 (8x8) assault gun covered in the following section.

The LAV-105 turret was developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems and is armed with a 105 mm M35 gun fed by an automatic loader developed by FHL of the UK.

This version of Stingray II would have a crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver and have a combat weight of 21,100 kg.

To improve battlefield survivability, the Stingray II with the LAV-105 turret can also be fitted with a laminate armour package that covers the frontal arc of the hull and turret. This increases the combat weight of the vehicle to 25,500 kg.

Development complete. Ready for production.