120mm STAFF

[Singapore]

Adapted from http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m943.htm

"STAFF is a 120mm tank round thatsearches out and destroys enemy armor at distances beyond the reach of conventional munitions. As a top-attack smart munition, STAFF destroys enemy armor by flying over it and firing a highly lethal explosively formed penetrator down into its lightly armored top. No enemy armor is safe from STAFF -- whether it's moving, at long range, or in defilade. Although STAFF is primarily designed as an anti-armor round, it complements the M830A1 tank round by being highly lethal against helicopters. STAFF is unique among antiarmor munitions because of its large sensor footprint and the standoff capability of its explosively formed penetrator warhead.

STAFF requires no change to the tank turret and no unique actions by the tank crew other than setting a single range zone switch. From aiming and firing to the last stages of its operation, STAFF functions much like a conventional round. During ballistic flight, STAFF establishes a vertical reference and orients itself with the ground. In the final seconds of flight, a search and track mode is initiated. The forward-scanning millimeter wave sensor establishes a large footprint for target acquisition. The round flies over the target, rolls to align the warhead, fuzes, and then fires its lethal penetrator down into the most vulnerable area of the tank.

Alliant Techsystems developed the STAFF round. Proof of principle was demonstrated in 1990."

Should STAFF be added to 3.0?? Any comments or views?

[Captain_Colossus]

Should STAFF be added to 3.0?? Any comments or views?

It could, but only for its theoretical play value. The round was cancelled years ago. I don't think there's too much priority invested in a 'fictional' round, like you probably won't see MBT 70 or T-95 tanks.

[Ssnake]

"Proof of concept" being the operative word, and "nothing since 1990". Likewise the STAFF successor program TERM, which was TERMinated a few years later as well. The US has started and terminated tank related projects at an astonishing rate in the last 20 years.

[Tread_Head57]

When I went through Armor Officer Basic back in 2004, the M1A1 I trained on (date of manufacture on the turret ID plate was mid-eighties, can't remember exact year) had the ammo select option of Sabot, Heat, and STAFF. Were these tanks manufactured with the anticipation of STAFF coming into the inventory, or was it in the inventory just never/rarely used (like the shillelagh)?

[Ssnake]

It was planned and the tanks were fitted for (but not with) STAFF, but then the program was terminated. After all, STAFF only added a rather marginal additional capability at probably very high costs per round. It was then attempted to revive the program by giving it a new name and slightly modified design goals (TERM), but that didn't make it either. I don't think that STAFF was ever produced in a meaningful number.

[Hedgehog]

When I went through Armor Officer Basic back in 2004, the M1A1 I trained on (date of manufacture on the turret ID plate was mid-eighties, can't remember exact year) had the ammo select option of Sabot, Heat, and STAFF. Were these tanks manufactured with the anticipation of STAFF coming into the inventory, or was it in the inventory just never/rarely used (like the shillelagh)?

I think the STAFF setting is pretty much like the CV90 3P round setting, (Minus timed fuze stetting function)

I.E. Take Range. Fire round 5 metres above lazed reference point.

STAFF round does everything else.

IN M1TP2 the SATFF was most useful engaging T-tanks turret down behind a berm, but we have DPICM for that.

[Gibsonm]

Or TOW-2B that does exist.

[ChazFarote]

What used to say STAFF now says CAN, just FYI.

EDIT: On the M1A1 Ammo Select Switch.

[Toastman]

I remember using staff rounds back in old M1 Tank Platoon on the Amiga and 486 PC's ,

great fun ...... if only we had a modern sim with a dynamic campaign and platoon personnel management features !!

I used to love getting my crew up to ace status with promotions and awards !!!

AAHHH the good old days...

[BigBadVuk]

Crew management i can live without. But Dynamic campaign, mmmmmmm :debile2:

But i know that it is extremely hard to make 1, and i dont think that our beloved devs will waste their precious resources on that, since it is huge effort and it wont provide them with some amount of money that would justify it.

However, we have, potentially, something better - lot of good scenario designers capable of making series of scenarios depending on how previous battle was resolved,....

Just sayin` :biggrin:

[Toastman]

re Campaign :

I know its been said before , but the main thing that limits SB for me is the lack of dynamic campaign where you have to manage your forces over a series of interconnected missions .

It would be great to have to deal with combat losses / damage / replacements / crew injuries etc !!!

just sayin !!!

ALSO ..... a MERKAVA IV would be great.

[Gibsonm]

re Campaign :

I know its been said before , but the main thing that limits SB for me is the lack of dynamic campaign where you have to manage your forces over a series of interconnected missions .

It would be great to have to deal with combat losses / damage / replacements / crew injuries etc !!!

And now you’ll have it.

Have a long scenario broken down into parts.

Play Part 1

Save

Come back and play Part 2 (with all the carry over damage, losses, etc from Part 1).

Easy.

[Toastman]

Nice !!

[mpow66m]

And now you’ll have it.

Have a long scenario broken down into parts.

Play Part 1

Save

Come back and play Part 2 (with all the carry over damage, losses, etc from Part 1).

Easy.

we will be waiting for an ANZAC masterpiece from you:)