Strv 122B PLSS

Description

The Stridsvagn 122B PLSS is a rank Swedish medium tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "New Power".

General info

Survivability and armour

The Strv 122B carries on all the good armour from the previous 122A model, but gains a 20 mm steel plate on the LFP and underbelly, as well as having a remodelled hull ammunition rack. The plate helps stop ricocheting shells, and can be a layer of defence against explosive and chemical penetration rounds. The new hull ammunition rack is wider but has an overall lower height - meaning that shells entering the LFP and passing through the bottom of the tank's interior may now pass under the shells without hitting the racks.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (sides, back and roof of hull, back and roof of turret, turret ring, underbody, commander optics, driver cupola)
• High hardness rolled armour (hull front, front and sides of turret, side skirts)
• Structural steel (applique armour on turret roof)
• Composite screen (turret cupolas, frontal part of side skirts, applique armour on hull front, external armour on front and sides of turret)
• External composite armour with NERA elements (gun mantlet)
• Cast homogeneous armour (upper front of turret)

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick, and the underbody is 20 mm thick.
• There is an 8 mm thick internal RHA screen that separates the crew compartment from the engine. The two exterior fuel tanks at the frontal part of the hull sides are separated from the crew compartment by two 35 mm thick of internal RHA screens.
• The ammo rack in the turret is separated by a 35 mm thick of internal RHA screen.
• There are a few 10 mm thick attached tracks mounted on the rear of the turret. The left side of the turret rear is attached with a 20 mm thick track.
• The external arrow-shaped armour at the turret cheeks is 80 mm thick and can be torn down.
• There is 140 mm thick roof composite armour around two turret cupolas, and several 10 and 20 mm thick structural steel plates cover the composite armour inside.
• The smoke dispensers are protected by a RHA shell.
• With the modification of Mine Protection, a 30 mm thick external RHA plate is attached to the underbody.
• There are several plates of spall liner at the frontal hull sides, top of turret, and around the hull ammo rack.

Mobility

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Strv 122B PLSS

Machine guns

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• The same great protection of the Strv 122A, with an addition of an LFP/belly armour plate!
• The Saab Panoramic, Low-Silhouette Sight (PLSS) commander CITV allows the user to spot enemies from fully turret-down positions, exposing only the sight while hiding the turret and hull
• The added armour doesn't affect mobility, meaning the 122B is just as agile as the previous 122A
• One of the best armoured Western tanks - the combination of roof armour, UFP armour, and good mobility means the 122B is a very potent breakthrough tank
• Fits the all-round playstyle very well, working both as a sniper and a brawler

Cons:

• The PLSS CITV sticks out, and can be a potential death trap if enemies fire HE shells, such as the Russian 3OF26, at it
• While the hull ammunition storage is better laid out than on the 122A, carrying more than 15+1 shells is still a big risk to take
• The NERA on the upper glacis and turret cheeks can be shot off easily, meaning that protection decreases as you take damage, potentially leaving you very vulnerable when it has fallen off

History

In 1994, the Swedish Army first purchased 150 Leopard 2A4s from Germany in stock (all the first five batches produced), which were delivered in 1994 and 1995, designated by the Swedish Army as Strv 121, and later improved to the level of the Leopard 2A5. After that, the Swedish Army continued to evaluate the procurement of a second batch of more advanced main tanks, and in 1999 held tests with the modern NATO tanks of the 1990s: the American M1A2 Abrams, the German Leopard 2A5, the French Leclerc and the British Challenger 2.

During the trials, the Leopard 2A5 defeated various strong opponents (in order of test results: Leopard 2A5, M1A2, Leclerc, Challenger-2) and won orders from the Swedish Army. The Swedish Army ordered 120 Leopard 2A5s, which they also modified to their own specifications, and were given the designation Strv 122 (the Germans refer to this Swedish variant as the Leopard 2S) The contract also includes related training simulators, parts, training and logistics support, and industrial reciprocity, in addition to Sweden's priority option to purchase an additional 90 vehicles.

The chassis of the Strv 122 was built by KraussMaffei and Hgglunds of Sweden, the turret was produced by Mak in cooperation with Bofors in Sweden, and the firing control system was integrated by STN Atlas Elektronik and Celsius Tech Systems AB of Sweden. In addition, Bofors still produces 50% of the main gun components. The Strv 122 combines advanced technology from Bofors, Ericsson and Celsius, and has been enhanced with enhanced protection. The Strv 122 is considered one of the most sophisticated and protected version of the Leopard 2 series.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Strv 122B PLSS from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.