LT-68

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LT-68 Light Tank, LT-68
Surface craft
An LT-68 on a hill near the outskirts of Kyeshdet at sunrise, 2160.
Role		Light tank
National Origin		Dorislav
Production History
Produced
2153 - 2163
Designer		BorTZ (Boryet Tractor Plant)
Unit Cost		[funds cost](√)
Number Built		[number produced]
Service History
In Service
2153 - present
Used By		[operating nations]
Characteristics
Weight		10.8 t
Length		5.66 m
Width		3.15 m
Height		2.54 m
Crew		3 (driver, loader, commander-gunner)
Max Speed		30.6 km/h (8.5 m/s)
Main Armament		1x 90 mm low-pressure gun
Backup Armament		n/a
Armor		15 mm (front), 8 mm (sides), 6 mm (rear)

The LT-68, full name Light Tank, LT-68, is a Dorislavian light tank designed and manufactured by the Boryet Tractor Plant, based on an early 1930s design of Aecirovian origin. Designed to supplement its fleet of seven HVHL "Honey Badger" armored cars captured from Belanirislavian forces during its fight for the restoration of its independence that ended in 2152, the tank was slow and unreliable due to its inferior engine and transmission. Nevertheless, 400 of them were produced from 2153 to 2163.

From 2153 to 2159, it was the Dorislavian Ground Forces' main tank and also their most numerous tank. Several variants were made, ranging from single-turreted tanks to AVLBs. In its 10 years of production, more than [tbd] units were produced, including all variants.

Development history

INCOMPLETE

A need for something to complement the HVHL

In 2152, the Dorislavian War of Independence ended with the Treaty of Kyeshdet, and both sides had suffered heavy losses during that war. Six out of the seventeen HVHLs Dorislav had at the start of the war were lost in the first 15 days, with another four lost at the start of 2151. By the end of the war, it had lost a combined total of ten HVHLs, two being attributed to friendly fire. Concerned that the Belasirovians could invade again and start a war that Dorislav could not win with the current state of its military, the Dorislavian Ministry of Defense sent out a request to the Boryet Tractor Plant and Astif Automobile Building Plant for a fighting vehicle that weighed no more than 25 tons and had at minimum a 23 mm gun or larger that could go against a main battle tank and penetrate its side armor. AAZ did not respond to the request.

The LT-68's genesis

BorTZ responded with the following proposals: BorTZ-11, an armored car with a turret housing a 30 mm autocannon, and BorTZ-26, a tank based on an Aecirovian design from the 1930s, albeit with a 90 mm gun turret. The latter was chosen because a derivative of an already existing design was considered to be a lot cheaper to develop than to make an original one, despite its poor mobility. BorTZ opposed the decision to choose the latter, stating that the former was better since it had better mobility, though no response was given. Nevertheless, they proceeded with development of the BorTZ-26 that later became the LT-68. The BorTZ-26 was completed on August 9, 2153, and testing began on the 17th. Due to its nature as a tank derived from such an outdated design, its poor top speed became apparent, though this was considered acceptable.

Firing trials were delayed to the 19th when a 90 mm round was found to have a deformed shell; this was considered unacceptable as it could destroy the tank's gun had it been fired with that round loaded. The Kyeshdet Artillery Plant, the producer of the gun and its ammunition, was questioned over this discovery. In their response, they stated that the round wasn't inspected correctly by a plant worker, thus leading to it somehow rolling out of the factory despite its deformed state. Due to this, the plant was given a fine equivalent to 12,000 Funds.

Operational history

Dorislav

The LT-68 entered service with the Dorislavian Ground Forces in 2153, becoming their primary tank until 2161, when they were replaced by the faster and superior T-53. It would see its combat debut during the Zimori War of Independence (2169-2172). That is where its deficiencies, while already known for years at this point, became well-known to the world. It was slow and its armor was only resistant to small arms fire, and non-penetrating hits would have their energy transferred to rivets, breaking them and causing fragments to bounce around in the fighting compartment, potentially injuring or killing crew members. Most LT-68 losses were attributed to tank guns or anti-tank guided missile fire. Oftentimes, these hits always resulted in a jack-in-the-box effect that sent the turret flying and instantly killed the crew.

Twin-turreted LT-68s (specifically the mod. 2155 variant) did not see much use. In cases where they were used, they were used to clear out infantry while T-53s and LT-68s focused on fortified positions.

2S51s were commonly used in a direct-fire role. They and Dorislavian T-53s were the only ones capable of taking out Zimori-captured T-53s, which LT-68 crews found to be immune to armor-piercing rounds. Occasionally, they were used to provide indirect fire. Two 2S51s are believed to have been lost, all being due to ATGMs. These assault guns were commonly used to clear out fortified positions and breach makeshift barriers.

During the early 2170s, the LT-68 mod. 2155 was retired due to inadequate armament limiting its effectiveness, and the 2S51 assault gun was also retired as its open-top turretless layout limited its effectiveness and exposed the crew operating the gun to small arms fire and explosive shrapnel from behind and above. The heat produced by the engine made things uncomfortable for drivers, some reporting having to stop the tank every 10 minutes because the heat inside was described as being unbearable, while the rest of the crew "enjoyed the cool, fresh air".

In 2174, two years after the war, a decision was made to accelerate the LT-68's retirement. The number of LT-68s in service was to be reduced to 20 units and these tanks would be operated exclusively by reserve units.

Others

It is alleged that an LT-68 was sold to Tekkia in the 2180s, where it was then repurposed into a rocket-powered vehicle with the engine replaced by a pair of FM1 "Mite" solid rocket boosters for a test. Both countries haven't confirmed or denied such sale or test occurring in the 2180s.

Variants

Single-turreted tanks

• LT-68 mod. 2153: Initial production variant with a turret housing a 90 mm gun. The most-produced variant, it is the only variant still in service with the Dorislavian Ground Forces.
• LT-68 mod. 2155 (single-turret): Some LT-68 mod. 2155s were produced with a single machine gun turret and two crew members (driver and gunner). Only seven were built. Retired in 2165.

Twin-turreted tanks

• LT-68 mod. 2155: Variant with a pair of machine gun turrets placed side by side. 27 built, retired in 2170.

Tank destroyers/SPGs

• 2S51: Assault gun with a 105 mm howitzer. The crew was situated in the back of the tank, with the engine moved to the middle besides the driver. 40 built, retired in 2173.

Armored engineering vehicles

• LT-68 AVLB: Variant capable of laying down a small bridge. Intended for use in areas full of shell craters to help light utility vehicles and LT-68s reach their objective without getting stuck. 10 built.
• LT-68 ARV: Armored recovery vehicle with a crane. It was heavily disliked because the light hull meant that heavy loads would easily cause a center of mass imbalance. 11 built.

Experimental

• LT-68 with rocket boosters (designation unknown): It is reported that an LT-68 was sold to Tekkia in 2183 and converted into a rocket-powered vehicle with its engine replaced by a pair of solid rocket boosters. One converted; fate unknown.

Operators

Current

• Dorislav: 20 estimated to be in service with reserve units. To be retired by 2215.

Alleged

• Tekkia: One tank allegedly sold to Tekkia. See Others subsection in the Operational history section.

Gallery

INCOMPLETE