This system had already been demonstrated in the Swedish S-tank. Elevation used an unusual system, a hydraulic suspension system, with independent height control of each wheel station, which allowed the tank chassis to be tilted back and forth. Most aiming relied on steering the entire tank on its tracks. The mount was fixed in elevation and had only a limited traverse. The gun chosen was the QF 20 pounder (84 mm), already in use in the Centurion tank, with the autoloader. The small hull could accommodate only a crew of two, which in turn required an autoloader, particularly for the heavy armament and ammunition in mind. The path chosen was that of a low-profile open hull with a semi-fixed gun, similar to the layout of the wartime Alecto. In particular, there was no attempt made at protection against the NBC threat that was expected for any European conflict.Ī particularly lightweight vehicle was needed, which restricted the possibility of a conventional tank with a conventional turret. This was not seen as a substitute for a main battle tank, which would have to be heavily armed to deal with the massed and thickly armoured Soviet tanks of the Cold War. Despite the low intensity of such conflicts, it was assumed that the increasing supply of Soviet T-54 tanks to satellite states would require an anti-tank capability greater than previous light tanks.
The vehicle was to provide for a flexible strategic response to conflicts around the vestiges of the Empire. The intention was to produce an air-portable tank destroyer. as research into future armoured fighting vehicles.
#Comet tank series#
The vehicle was developed as part of Project Prodigal, which give rise to the CVR(T) series of British light tanks and related vehicles. At least one prototype was constructed and tested, although no production vehicles were built or saw service. FV 4401 Contentious was a prototype British air-portable tank destroyer of the early 1960s.
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