Centurion – a Universal Tank Modernization Centurion

Centurion – a universal tank

  
MODERNIZATION Centurion

After his successful combat debut in the Korean War “Centurion” in the British army fought in the Suez area during an unsuccessful campaign to reassert control over the Suez Canal after its nationalization by Egypt in 1956. In 1965 and 1971 Centurion Indian Army proved its worth in the bloody, gave no superiority of any of the parties fighting over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1968, the Australian army in order to increase its involvement in the Vietnam War units deployed tanks Centurion from the 1st Armored Regiment. Despite the terrible landscape, the tanks turned out to be a valuable addition to the offensive power of the 1st Australian Operations compounds over the next three years until their withdrawal from Vietnam in 1972. In the Middle East Centurion Royal Jordanian army took part in a fierce battle in September 1970 when the 40th Armored Brigade destroyed a number of T-54/55 tanks during the Syrian invasion to support the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Despite the very successful application of Centurion Israeli armored forces during the Six Day War in 1967, the IDF faced with some limitations in the operation of the tank. In particular the significant challenges that had to be removed were the old gasoline engines Meteor and the lack of range, for fighting in the desert. First it was necessary to find a suitable engine replacement. Operational requirements – availability on the world market, reasonable price, acceptable performance, suitability for local modification and unpretentiousness of service. Were tested three engines, but with satisfactory characteristics, they demanded changes aft compartment under the power unit larger. Finally, he was selected diesel engine air-cooled “Teledyne Continental” AVD-S-1790-2A, which is also mounted on the M48A2 “Patton”, modernized at the same time. The power unit includes automatic transmission, “Allison” CD-850-6, which facilitates movement on long distances and simplified the training of drivers. Along with many other changes, a new powertrain, has provided greater range, and higher maximum speed, and being a diesel engine, reduced the risk of fire, which increased the “survival of the crew.” This factor was of great importance for the Israelis, as many tank crews suffered from fires damaged the tanks with gasoline engines.

In general, a comprehensive program to improve the “Centurion” took about three years. To mark its entry into service in May 1970, an Israeli Weapons Division, renamed the machine. The tank was given the name “Upgraded Centurion” (Upgraded Centurion), but the crews called it “Sho’t” – “whip” in Hebrew. By that time, all the “Centurions” Israeli armored forces were equipped with 105-mm gun L7, improved combat pack and increased to 72 rounds ammo. All these factors played a decisive role in the early days of the Yom Kippur War, which began Oct. 6, 1973 while the invasion of the Egyptian and Syrian armies. On the northern front, the Golan Heights, the Israelis launched a 177 upgraded Centurion picked 7th Armored Brigade and the 188th Brigade “Barack. These regular connections in the fierce battle stopped the attack about 1200 Syrian tanks, including hundreds of T-62 with its powerful 125-mm guns. Within 48 hours continuously decreasing number of “Shotov” deter the Syrians until the Israelis hastily mobilized and sent to reservists and tanks to defend the Golan Heights. After 51 hours of almost continuous fighting the Syrians began to retreat, leaving the field of battle tanks and 500 lined with a similar number of other combat vehicles. It is no exaggeration to say that 177 Centurion 7th and 188th Brigades rescued Israel from catastrophe.

After the terrible losses among the Israeli tank crews in the Yom Kippur War was possible to expedite the development of its own Israeli main battle tank “Merkava” with the emphasis on the survival of the crew.