Read main thread: tank reload mechanism
February 29th, 2004  
Gunner13
Centurion
 
 
Gear

Most modern MBTs don't use autoloaders as they are heavy, complex adn prone to jamming when you really need them to work (plus the odd one or two that mistakes the gunner's arm for a projectile ).

Current examples that do use an autoloader (aside from old Soviet ones) include the French Leclerc, the Japanese Type 90, Pakistani MBT 2000 (joint project with NORINCO and therefore Soviet based), Polish PT-91 (T-80/72 based), Chinese Type 85-II (T-72 based), Russian T-90 (T-80 based) and Ukranian T-84 (again, T-80 based).

For most countries, a fourth crewmember adds so much to crew endurance, flexiblity and utility that an autoloader simply isn't worth the complications and supposed higher rate of fire.
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