M551 Sheridan
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M551 Sheridan
The M551 Light Tank :
Dimensions
Length : 19 ft, 8 in
Width : 9 ft, 10 in
Height : 9 ft, 10 in
Crew : 4 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader, )
The main weapon of the M551 was a twin axis stabilized, 150 millimeter, 40 calibre, M66 tank gun or a 90 millimeter, 62 calibre M18 tank gun. These fired different ammunition. For the M18, it was capable of firing Armor Piercing (AP) and High Explosive (HE) shells. The shells were attached to a 28 inch brass case. The gun could be reloaded in 8 seconds for ready-use ammunition, and 10 seconds for non-ready ammunition. In the case of the M81, it fired High Explosive (HE), High Explosive Shaped Charge, (HESC) and High Explosive Shaped Charge Guided Missiles (HESCGM). The reload for a standard HE or HEAT took 15 seconds; If an HEATGM was selected, it took 20 seconds, due to length of the missile.
The ammunition consisted of the 15 lb M339 AP, the 18 lb M339A1 APBC, the 24 lb M339A2 APCBC,the 14 lb M319 APCR, the 12 lb M331/M331A1/A2 APDS, the 14 lb M496 HESC, and the 15 lb M352 HE.
Ballistics (M18 Cannon, L/62)
M339 AP - Top Speed : 950 m/s Armor Penetration : 150 mm (5")
M339A1 APBC - Top Speed : 1,000 m/s Armor Penetration : 180 mm (6")
M339A2 - APCBC Top Speed : 1,000 m/s Armor Penetration : 210 mm (7")
M319 - APCR Top Speed : 1,230 m/s Used a 54 mm Tungsten Carbide Core to penetrate armor. Armor Penetration : 270 mm (9")
M331 - APDS Top Speed : 1,260 m/s Used a 54 mm Tungsten Carbide Core to penetrate armor . Armor Penetration : 330 mm (11")
M331A1 - APDS Top Speed : 1,210 m/s Used a 54 mm Tungsten Nickel Chromate core to penetrate armor . Armor Penetration : 360 mm (12")
M464 - APDSFS Length : 300 mm (10" ) Width : 60 mm (2") Top Speed : 1,480 m/s Used a 54 mm Tungsten Nickel Chromate core to penetrate armor . Armor Penetration : 450 mm (15")
M352 HE - Top Speed : 460 m/s The M352 HE shell stored 2 pounds of Hexolite (Composition B) explosive.
M496 HESC - Top Speed : 1,100 m/s The M496 HESC shell stored 1.4 pounds of Hexolite (Composition B) explosive. Used a 30 mm copper liner to penetrate armor. Armor Penetration : 390 mm (13")
The ammunition consisted of the 18 lb M78 APDSFS, the 49 lb M57 HE, the 42 lb M49 HEAT, and the 61 lb M-51B HEATGM.
Ballistics (M66 Cannon, L/35)
M78 - APDSFS Length : 300 mm (10") Width : 75 mm (2.5") Top Speed : 1,460 m/s Used a 75 mm Tungsten Nickel Chromate core to penetrate armor . Armor Penetration : 480 mm (16")
M57 - HE Top Speed : 680 m/s The M57 HE shell stored 9 lbs of TNT (Trinitrotoluene) explosive.
M49 - HEAT - Top Speed : 680 m/s The M49 HEAT shell stored 6.3 pounds of Hexolite (Composition B) explosive. Used a 50 mm copper liner to penetrate armor. Armor Penetration : 540 mm (18")
M51B - HEATGM - Top Speed : 300 m/s The M51B HEATGM stored 4.3 lbs of Octol High Explosive. Used a 50 mm copper liner to penetrate armor. Armor Penetration : 600 mm (20")
The M352 HE Shell measured 13 inches long.
The M339A1 APCBC Shell measured 13 inches long.
The M339 APBC Shell measured 9 inches long.
The M319 APCR Shell measured 10 inches long.
The M331 APDS Shell measured 9 inches long.
The M464 APDSFS Shell Measured 10 inches long.
The M496 HEAT-FS Shell Measured 21 Inches long.
The M409 HEAT Shell measured 27 Inches Long.
THe M657 HE Shell measured 25 inches long.
THe M-GM51B HEATGM Measured 45 inches long.
The secondary armory was composed of a 7.5 millimeter light machine gun and a 15 millimeter heavy machine gun. These were suited for engaging infantry dugouts, bunkers, trenches, and machine gun nests. One was mounted in the turret, to the left of the main gun; the other was mounted on the right side of the turret roof, forward of the commander's cupola. This position was far better compared to previous designs. The commander could remain in his position in the turret and fire the machine gun without climbing out over the engine deck.
Powerplant : Detroit Diesel 6V-53ST
The powerplant of the M551 tank was a Detroit Diesel 6V-53ST. The 6V-53ST was a 6 cylinder, 4 stroke, Twin Turbocharged 5.2 Liter diesel engine developing 460 hp @ 2,800 RPM. the Firing order for the engine was 1,6,3,4,5,2.
Final Drive
8 speed, Manual Allison CD-250 Transmission with 11 tooth drive sprockets. Features Neutral-Steering.
6 Speeds Forward, 2 Reverse
1st gear : 11.5 km/h
2nd gear : 23 km/h
3rd gear : 34.5 km/h
4th gear : 46 km/h
5th gear : 57.5 km/h
6th gear : 69 km/h
Reverse
1st gear :7.5 km/h
2nd gear : 15 km/h
Neutral Steering
The driver can, under proper circumstances, shift the vehicle into neutral using his gear shifter lever and engage neutral steering. First, the driver must put the gear shifter all the way to the bottom right of the selector box, then simply push the handle either towards or away from him to neutral steer. (towards would neutral steer right, away would neutral steer left)
25.5 hp/t
Suspension:
Torsion Bar
The suspension was identical to the M24. It featured 10 torsion bars, with 5 per side, each housing a pair of road wheels. Shock absorbers were installed on the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th road wheels pairs per side. Each road wheel pair had coiled spring bump stops to limit travel on the road wheel arms.
Tracks :
The M551 used the T138 18" steel track. it measures 19 feet long to support the 18 ton light tank. Each track had 102 links.
Weight : 7.1 psi (T138 Track)
Ammunition stowage
The M551 and M551A1 Light tanks carried 30 rounds of ammunition.
The M551A2 and M551A3 had 28 rounds of ammunition.
M551, M551A1
8 rounds were located in the front left of the hull, next to the driver.
7 rounds were located in the front right of the hull, next to the driver.
5 rounds were behind stowed in single stowage bins under the breech on the turret floor.
10 rounds were vertically stowed next to the loader's seat for ready-use.
M551A2, M551A3
6 rounds were located in the front left of the hull, next to the driver.
7 rounds were located in the front right of the hull, next to the driver.
5 rounds were horizontally stowed in single stowage bins under the breech on the turret floor.
7 rounds were vertically stowed next to the loader's seat for ready-use.
The turret of the M551 Sheridan measured 72 inches in width and length, giving an internal displacement of 5,184 square inches. The Gunner and Commander sat on the right side, each having 1,296 square inches. The loader, who sat to the right, had 2,592 square inches. The Gunner, Commander and Loader sat on adjustable seats attached to a pedestal; The Commander and Gunner's attached to the turret basket floor; the Loaders attached to the turret side. The Gunner was stationed in the front right of the turret, with the Commander above and behind him. To his 11 o'clock was the primary telescopic gunsight; to his right side at 1 o'clock was the geared turret drive; above the geared turret drive was the periscopic gunsight. At the Gunner's 11 o'clock was the manual hydraulic pump.
The powered traverse system consisted of an electric motor driving a hydraulic gear system that was controlled through a black Joystick located at the Gunner's stomach. It was very simple to operate; the Gunner turned the grip to the direction of engagement dictated by the Commander. A left hand turn would traverse the turret left and a right hand turn would traverse the turret right. The hydraulic system could allow for various turret speeds based on the position of the grip. The hydraulic gun elevation was controlled through this Joystick as well. By pushing it forward, this depressed the gun. Pulling it backwards elevated the gun. This could elevate the gun faster than the preceeding geared elevation could, at 4 d/s compared to 2 d/s.
The speeds ranged from 20 d/s to 30 d/s, meaning the turret would take between 18 - 12 seconds to traverse a full 360 degrees. If the gunner so desired, a manual backup was available; this was signifcantly reduced the turret's speed to 5 d/s.
The tank uses an open turret basket; this means that the Commander and Gunner have a rotatable floor to rest their feet upon. The loader can either stand on the turret floor or sit on his seat.
The gun could elevate or depress at 4 d/s, elevating to 20 degrees in 5 s and depressing to 8 degrees in 2s. It would take 7 seconds to switch from elevation to depression and vice versa.
To elevate the gun, he pulled the hydraulic elevation drive handle towards him; to depress, he pushed it away from him. For a geared system, he would rotate the handwheel drive clockwise to elevate the gun, and counterclockwise to depress the gun.
Rangefinding
The gunner's main sight was the M119 telescope. This was coaxially mounted, with magnification of 8 times and 7 degrees field of view. His other sight was the M44 periscope. This had 9 times of magnification and 9 degrees of view.
M551 A1 used the 10x M127 Telescope; The M551A2 and M551A3 used the improved 12x M127A1 Telescope. The M44 periscope was used when firing from under cover.
Fuel capacity
158 U.S. gallons
170 U.S gallons (8V-53ST)
Operational range
158 mi (254 km) with 6V-53ST. 170 mi (273 km) with 8V-53ST.
Maximum speed 44 mph (70 km/h) on road, 22 mph (35 km/h) offroad
Featured a commander's override control. Could allow commander to traverse the turret and elevate the gun in case the gunner was incapacitated. His cupola featured powered traverse. To traverse the turret left, the Commander moved the override handle left; to traverse the turret right, he moved the override handle right. Pushing it forward depressed the gun; pulling it back elevated the gun.
Variants
M551A1 - This was a modification of the existing M551, by replacing the 6V-53ST with the larger 8V-53ST. As a result, operational range increased. A bore evacuator was equipped to vent out the propellent fumes from entering the turret when the breech was opened.
M551A2 - This modification rearmed the Sheridian with the 40 calibre, M66 150 mm gun. Ammunition was decreased to 28 rounds; 6 of these rounds were the GM-51B HESCGM. A bore evacuator was equipped to vent out the propellent fumes from entering the turret when the breech was opened.
M551A3 - This modification of the Sheridian received 500 x 300 pixel (Generation I) Thermal sights. A bore evacuator was equipped to vent out the propellent fumes from entering the turret when the breech was opened.
M551A4/A5 - Retrofitted M551A2 and A1 models with the M66 150 mm gun and thermal sights.
Armor
M551 (Sheridan) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
M551A1 (Sheridan II ) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
M551A2 (Sheridan III) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
M551A3 (Sheridan IV) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
M551A4 (Sheridan V) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
M551A5 (Sheridan VI) - Lower Glacis : 60 mm. Upper Glacis : 100 mm. Side/Rear : 30 mm. Turret Face : 60 mm. Side/Rear : 45 mm. Roof : 30 mm.
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