The classic layout of a single-turret tank, which took shape more than 60 years ago, tested by six years of World War II and subsequent wars, led to the creation of a modern combat vehicle. But immediately after the Second World War, it became clear that the classic layout of the tank had already been squeezed out completely.
However, other layouts turned out to be even worse, so all such projects never left the stage of experimental tests. An analysis of the development of world tank building shows that there is stagnation in this industry, gradually turning into a crisis. The internal reserves for improving the classic tank model have been exhausted. Fresh ideas are badly needed.
The international corporation Euromissile Dynamics developed the third generation ATGM TRIGAT-LK in the 90s of the last century. It is designed to destroy armored targets, helicopters and engineering structures. We can immediately say that now neither trees, nor houses, nor anything else will prevent this "giraffe" from finding its target. You can easily peep into the windows of the second floor, and even the third. The electro-optical sight allows you to fire on the principle of "fire and forget". The launcher with eight missiles and aiming devices is located on a folding hydraulic lift mounted on the chassis of the Leopard-1 tank. Thanks to the lifting platform, shooting from closed positions is possible. After the tests, it is planned to start mass production.
And here is another, more modern, representative of the "long-necked family." The Croats proposed to create a tank destroyer with a launcher lifted on a boom at a minimal cost on the basis of a tank chassis. It can reach the height of a three-story building. In 2000, Croatia, on the basis of the Yugoslavian M84 tank (in turn, created on the basis of the Soviet T-72), created its own "giraffe" - the M95 tank destroyer "Cobra". The armor of the vehicle remained the same as that of the tank, the hull and chassis remained unchanged, only instead of the turret, a turntable with a lift was installed, at the end of which there was a sight, a control system and a Russian-made ATGM “Konkurs” launcher, which allows firing from - for obstacles. The firing range of the rocket is from 75 to 4000 meters, the guidance is semi-automatic by wire. Crew 2–3 people. Smoke grenade launchers are installed on the turntable to create a smoke curtain. This prototype is unlikely to be adopted for service.
Apparently, carried away by unusual fashionable projects, the German firms Krauss-Maffei, Messerschmitt-Bölkov-Blom and MAN created their own ATGM with a lifting launcher. Unlike other developers, the Germans used a wheeled chassis, probably intending to wage a war against Soviet tanks in cities. In Germany, the Panther self-propelled anti-tank missile system has been developed on a trial basis. This ATGM is mounted on the basis of an all-wheel drive off-road vehicle MAN (8x8). The mast, which rises to a height of 12.5 meters, is equipped with an operator's cab with six XOT ATGMs, as well as sights and a guidance system. During firing and lifting of the mast, the machine is suspended on retractable supports for stability. In the stowed position, the lift is lowered onto a platform behind the cab. However, until now, this "miracle of technology" has not been accepted into service, however, like all models similar to it.
