BAC21-105a Prototype
| BAC21-105a Prototype "Growler" | |
|---|---|
 An AMX-30 of which the Fridian MBT is based on. | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Holy Republic of FRID (USA) |
| Service history | |
| In service | Did not enter service |
| Used by | Republic Armored Corps |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2019 |
| Manufacturer | Broadside Armored Contracts |
| Number built | 1 completed hull 2 partially completed turret prototypes |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 40 tons (imperial) |
| Length | 9.48 m (31 ft 1 in) (gun forward) |
| Width | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| Primary armament |
Modified 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7A3 L/52 rifled gun |
| Secondary armament |
1× 20 mm Modified F2 autocannon 1× 7.62 mm Modified FN MAG machine gun |
| Engine | Caterpillar C18 industrial diesel engine. 800hp |
| Power/weight | 15.6 hp/ton (estimated) |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Preselector |
| Suspension | Independent Torsion Bar Suspension |
| Operational range |
600 km (370 mi) |
| Speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
The BAC21-105a Prototype “Growler” (also known as G21-105a) was a main battle tank prototype constructed by Broadside Armored Contracts for the Holy Republic of FRID. The tank was part of the "Growler Project" which lasted from 2019 to 2022. Only one partial prototype was built and never entered service. The prototype is now located outside a farm shed near DeWitt, Iowa.
The prototype’s design is based on the German Leopard 1 and French AMX-30. The tank adopted the idea of maneuverability over speed, much like other tank designs from the Cold War era. Like the AMX-30, the BAC21-105a has a compact profile and is highly maneuverable. The prototype was supposed to be equipped with a modified pneumatic cannon based on the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7A3 L/52 rifled gun, the same one used on Leopard 1’s, Centurions, and early Abrams tanks. Secondary armament included a custom air-soft autocannon based on the 20 mm F2 autocannon right of the main armament and a modified 7.62mm Belgium-built FN MAG, also an air-soft weapon. The breach of the main armament was modified to fire air-compressed, low-power rounds which would not cause severe damage to targets. Originally, the prototype was supposed to use live weapons, including the main armament. However, this was canceled after the HRF's acquisition of the prototype.
Original specifications called for a multi-fuel engine that could produce 800 horsepower, such as the 819 hp MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10-cylinder multi-fuel engine found on Leopard 1’s to power the vehicle. However, the HRF claimed the engine to be too expensive and ordered BAC to find an alternative. The BAC21-105a uses independent torsion bar suspension, similar in design to the Leopard 1’s ‘export’ model suspension.
What set the BAC21-105a apart from other Cold War tank designs was the custom-built 5-speed pre-selector gearbox designed and built by HRF engineers. The gearbox, as well as the drivetrain, was designed three years before the Growler project began. While most tanks of the era used a semi-automatic gearbox, the HRF’s preselector design aimed at making the tank more mobile with quick gear changes. The design also allowed the tank to quickly change and drive in reverse at higher speeds than other tanks, making it easy for crews to "shoot-and-scoot." While the prototype was strong in agility and maneuverability, it severely lacked in armor. With only 50mm at its thickest, nearly all modern anti-tank weapons can put the BAC21-105a out of action with a single hit. While nearly all modern tanks in the 21st-century use state-of-the-art computers to assist in gun handling, the BAC21-105a relied on older, analog technology. The most advanced piece of technology on the prototype was the range-finding and inferred system, which uses a computer located in the turret close to the gunner.
The tank used a four-crew configuration: commander/radio operator, gunner, loader, and driver. However, it could be converted into a five-crew configuration. One significant drawback of this configuration was that it sacrificed the frontal ammunition storage right of the driver.
Appearance
The BAC21-105a shares many visual similarities to the AMX-30. Both tanks have a compact profile with 10 road wheels and a cast turret. From a distance, the two tanks may appear almost identical. One identifying factor of the BAC21-105a was the flat gun mantlet and main armament. The two guns had different bore evacuator designs. Another difference is the turret shape and bulkier frontal hull on the BAC model. While the AMX-30 uses a part-cast, part-welded hull, the BAC21-105a Prototype used a fully welded hull. Both tanks have sloped sides with an elevated engine deck like on the Leopard 1.
Development
The Growler project began in 2019 aimed at creating a cost-effective and mobile tank that can be easily converted through a modular design depending on the conflict or engagement. The design needed to be mobile, a power to weight of no less than 15 hp/ton, and use a form of torsion bar suspension. After the Holy Republic of FRID took over the project, the tank would also need rubber treads in order to operate on city roads. Following the trend of previous German tank designs, the BAC21-105a would be "road legal," with brake lights, turn signals, and license plates.
The project was plagued with issues from the beginning. Due to a shortage of galvanized steel, BAC could not reliably source enough materials for the base construction. Continued sourcing issues delayed the project and a built prototype was years behind schedule. When it was apparent BAC could no longer continue the Growler program, the HRF took over the project and its assets. This included plans/drawings, suspension prototypes, tracks, partially completed drivetrain, and the prototype hull. Under the new arrangement, the HRF would be responsible for further design and engineering, while BAC would provide its resources and machine shops.. The HRF would also be responsible for sourcing further components such as the main armament and drivetrain. In early 2021, BAC and the HRF decided to shift the assets onto Fridian turf. Some components would still be fabricated in BAC's shops located in Colorado, though the main prototype would be held in the HRF near Chicago.
After the prototype had successfully been transported from Colorado to Illinois, the prototype was equipped with an 800 horsepower Caterpillar C18 industrial diesel engine.
In mid-2021, HRF engineers proposed an alternative turret design. The design would be a part-cast, part-welded turret, and would be much cheaper to source and produce. Its appearance is similar to the AMX-32, with flatter edges. However, the turret was never completed.
Faults
On August 10, 2021, the prototype underwent its 18th formal testing trials at the HRF's Wild Meadows Proving Grounds. While testing the prototype with the Caterpillar C18 engine, four of the 10 total torsion bars had fractured, immobilizing the tank in most terrain tests. It was suspected that a fault in the fabrication by BAC caused the fracture. In addition, it was discovered that two shock absorbers had been damaged by impact at around the same time. Engineers (with support of the High Council) decided that no repairs could be made in the HRF's machine shops, and that the prototype would be shipped back to the BAC's facilities in Colorado for a complete overhaul. The process took several months and proved to be very costly to the HRF.
Shortly after the incident, it was determined that several of the proposed turret designs could not be met. However, the HRF preferred the easy construction of the turret similar to the AMX-32. Despite this, prototypes of the turret could never start construction until the overhaul on the hull in Colorado could be completed.
Project End and Failure
The August 10th accident created more damage than initially realized. In addition to needing to re-fabricate many important and complex mechanical components, the entire prototype had to be shipped back to from Illinois to Colorado. Minor failures from previous testing had made the project over-budget. While the HRF could afford to fix the previous issues, the latest failure would be too costly to repair. The BAC overhaul in addition to the shipping costs was too expensive of an operation. In September, the HRF was forced to cancel the repairs. Determined to keep the project alive, HRF engineers decided to move the prototype to a new facility near DeWitt, Iowa. The new location would be used as a proving ground with a shop on-site for repairs. In October 2021, the prototype was transported by rail from Chicago, IL to Clinton, IA. There, the prototype would be loaded on to a low-loader truck to be transported for the rest of the trip. The prototype was stored at its new location in a tractor shed for two months, with no repairs being made during that time. However, the financial issues still remained. Given the financial situation of the HRF at the time, the HRF was forced to leave the prototype abandoned in its new location. The engine and drivetrain was removed and sold.
In February 2022, the HRF officially announced that the Growler Program would be canceled.
Design Alterations
The BAC21-105a underwent several design alterations and concepts. Most alterations did not have a turret, as it wasn't until 2021 did engineers settle on a turret design.
BAC21-105b
The BAC21-105b (or simply referred to as the 105b) was a well-developed alteration of the 105a. The 105b used 12 road wheels instead of 10, for concern of engine weight. However, it was concluded that the proposed 10-cylinder multi-fuel engine could be supported with just 10 road wheels. In addition, HRF engineers determined 12 road wheels would not traverse as quickly as a 10 road wheel design, thus, the 105b concept was scrapped.
Prototype TB113
The TB113 was a concept of the 105a designed to make the construction process easier and to develop a functioning prototype sooner. The TB113 would use the lower hull of an M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier, though the dimensions of the tank would be much smaller than the original design. This included tracks, road wheels, idlers, drive sprockets, engine, drivetrain, and transmission. The design was put on hold as the demand for a functioning testbed was no longer a priority. After the HRF took over the project, the concept resurfaced. HRF engineers decided to continue working on the idea, while prioritizing the 105a’s development.
BAC30-1 Concept
The BAC30-1 was an early concept that would be a direct copy of the AMX-30 with lighter armor and a welded turret. The concept never took shape and was canceled in early 2020. No prototypes were built.
BAC2e
An early concept that never saw production. The design used a torsion bar suspension system similar to that of a German WWII Tiger 1 or Panther tank. The idea was canceled three weeks after it was proposed.
CIAC-84 Concept (2022)
Shortly after the HRF announced the end of Project Growler, several engineers from the project began conceptualizing ideas for a future replacement vehicle using the various lessons they learned from Project Growler. During this time, the Chicago & Iowa Armored Company was started by three HRF engineers. One of the concepts created by the company was the CIAC-84, a tank similar in design to the BAC21-105a. The main difference was that the CIAC-84 would not be built from galvanized steel, but rather plywood panels. As the HRF would not be participating in any conflicts the BAC21-105a was originally designed for, armor protection was rarely needed. The CIAC-84 is designed specifically for non-lethal micronational conflict. The concept tank's design bears visual resemblance to the American M551 Sheridan.