QuickCheck: Was a modern tank ever designed without a turret?

When someone hears the word “tank,” what do they envision? Perhaps a heavy vehicle with caterpillar treads and a powerful cannon on top that can rotate 360 degrees. This traditional design has been the norm for tanks since World War 2. However, there has been a longstanding claim that a frontline main battle tank was created and deployed without a turret. Is there any truth to this?

In fact, this claim is true. Sweden produced a tank called the Stridsvagn 103 or S-Tank in the 1950s to counter potential threats from the Soviet Union. The Tank Museum curator, David Willey, provides a detailed explanation of the S-Tank’s history in a video on the British museum’s YouTube channel.

In the mid-1950s, Sweden issued a proposal and received three different options. One of these options involved a vehicle that could be assembled locally, rather than collaborating with the Americans or French. Sven Berge, the lead designer of the S-Tank, evaluated various factors and came up with the unconventional design of the tank.

Willey explains, “Berge analyzed the reasons for tank destruction during World War 2 and the Korean War and discovered that half of them were destroyed due to turret hits. He used this information to propose a radical new design that emphasized low-profile effectiveness.” Berge also noted that the turret weight accounts for approximately 25% of the total vehicle weight in most main battle tanks.

By eliminating the turret, Berge aimed to reduce weight and minimize the tank’s vulnerability. The gun would be solidly mounted on the vehicle, and a clever suspension system and steering would aid in aiming. Additionally, the S-Tank’s innovative 105mm gun allowed for an automatic loading system, reducing the crew size.

Willey mentions, “Berge realized that the driver could also serve as the gunner, eliminating the need for a separate gunner position.” This departure from the standard crew of four, consisting of a driver, gunner, loader, and commander, showcased the S-Tank’s unique design.

However, Berge revised his initial proposal for a two-person crew after recognizing the potential operational difficulties. The final design featured a three-person crew comprising two drivers and a tank commander.

Despite its advantages and the deployment of 290 S-Tanks by the Swedish armed forces, the tank became a historical curiosity. The concept of a conventional tank without a turret likely played a role in its limited adoption. Willey cites a British Army officer’s write-up, stating, “If someone insists this is a tank, their report goes straight out my window.” Willey explains that the Swedish designation as a tank was based on how they intended to use it tactically, encompassing all the roles of a typical turreted tank.

The S-Tank eventually retired after over three decades of service, replaced by the more conventional German Leopard 2 in the late 1990s. Despite its lack of widespread adoption, the S-Tank stands as an intriguing example of Swedish innovation, hailing from the same nation known for flat-pack furniture and iconic music by Abba.

Sources:

1. Tank Chats #117 | Stridsvagn 103 | The Tank Museum

2. Strivsvagn-103 (1956)