M1044 Phoenix (FRAUT)

The M1044 Phoenix is a FRAUT, designed by Nodorza Advanced Defence Solutions. The vehicle was designed beginning in 1989, and entered service the the Federal Republic Land Force Command in 1993. Production began in 1992, and was completed in 2002. The vehicle has not seen any conflicts yet. While the vehicle has been successful, it is scheduled for replacement under the Land Force Command 2020 Strategy.

History
After conclusion of the Glorious War in 1967, the rapid development of supersonic aircraft and helicopters meant that traditional self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles would become quickly obsolete. Instead, vehicles with powerful weaponry assisted and aimed by technology, rather than human effort would be required. The first problem to solve was that of aiming and acquiring speed. Jet aircraft moving in excess of 1000km/h gave anti-aircraft vehicles less than 1 second to acquire. This meant that manual traverse and elevation would be grossly inefficient. However, the Federal Defence Force was ill-prepared to adopt this type of high technology equipment at the time. So, traditional anti-aircraft systems without technological aids were employed until the early 1980s. When the modernization of the Land Force Command began in 1985, the Command Administration Group Center (CAG/C) began development on a new, advanced anti-aircraft vehicle. Official plans were laid down in 1983 for a vehicle known as the "Experimental Modern Electronic Anti-Aircraft Gun, Tracked", or EMEAAG/T, pronounced "Emeag-t". Development continued until 1987, when a formal contract request for bids (CRFB) was sent out to major armaments manufacturers. Bids were submitted by the summer of 1988, and Nodorza Advanced Defence Solutions (NADS) was selected to produce the vehicle. Development was completed in 1991, and production was approved in 1992. The vehicle was produced for 10 years until 2002. The A1 variant began retrofit of existing vehicles in 2005.

Design
The M1044 Phoenix was designated in 1991 and the experimental designation was removed. The vehicle incorporated the then experimental chassis design from the MBT-Next program, which would become the M90 Centaurus. This chassis was used as a base, mated to a sophisticated turret. The turret initially mounted 2 37mm auto-cannons, but was upgraded to incorporate an advanced missile system in 2006 as part of the A1 modification. In 2015, the vehicle was further upgraded with a new RADAR system and other computer upgrades.

The M1044 Phoenix has many advantages over traditional anti-aircraft systems. Firstly, all of the acquiring and tracking systems are fully electronic. The elevation and traverse are controlled by powerful electronic servo motors. Although there is a manually controllable elevation and traverse for transportation purposes, all traverse and elevation for targeting is performed by computerized systems. The M1044 is fitted with a powerful X and Y Band RADAR system, that allows targeting of 20 kilometers. Targeting was performed on the initial vehicle by a rudimentary micro-processor and co-processor system, connected to the long and wideband RADAR systems. The A1 variant removed this analogue system and added a multi-spetral system. Now, targeting is shared between X, and Y Band, and Wideband RADAR. Meteorological conditions, GPS Position, and Infared are also included in the targeting equation. All of these sensors are compiled by an advanced 64bit micro-processor based system, utilizing a small, redundant super-computer. Instead of passively targeting, the M1044 can utilize advanced predictive algorithms and sensor integrator to provide the most effective targeting solution for any type of aircraft.

Like the M90 Main Battle Tank, the hull of the M1044 is an advanced composite. While this vehicle is not designed to withstand direct fire from Main Battle Tanks, the M1044 has advanced protection from grenade launched projectiles and heavy caliber auto-cannons. All targeting systems are redundant, and are shielded from EM within the vehicle. The vehicle also uses a classified, advanced active shielding system from electronic attacks, or SEAD attacks. The vehicle is capable of fully remote control and firing, but is usually fully crewed.

Weaponry
The M1044 Phoenix is equipped with 2 37mm "Long Sword" M9437 Auto-Cannons. Each cannon is a recoil operated, rotating bolt design incorporating a mutli-lug firing pin block and is also compensated by a gas delayed blowback system. The cannon is capable of feeding or ejecting from either side, as they are mounted on both sides of the turret. The Mk. II cannon is capable of electronically controlled firing rate, up to a maximum of 2000 rounds / minute. The Mk. II cannon when mounted in the M1044 holds 5500 rounds per cannon, for a total of 11000 rounds of various types. Ammunition is electronically loaded and switched, although a loader is still in the vehicle to resolve jams and program ammunition when required. A loader is still required to facilitate re-loading of additional ammunition when the vehicle is empty. The Mk. II cannon has a minimum depression of 12 degrees and a maximum elevation of 105 degrees, enabling a wide arc of fire. The Mk. II cannons can fire a variety of ammunition, such as:
 * H37665A1 High Explosive, Anti-Aircraft, Mag Stabilized (HEAAMS) - Magnetically stabilized round for extreme high speed flight.
 * H3755XM65 High Explosive, Anti-Aircraft, Guided LOS (HEAAGL) - GPS / Line of Sight guided HE round for guided flight
 * AP3751A2 Armor Piercing, Solid Shot, Super Velocity (APSSSV) - Solid Armor Piercing Round for penetrating bomber aircraft

The M1044A1 is equipped with a guided missile system as well. By 2003, gun performance was deemed unsatisfactory against modern fighter aircraft. So, an advanced top launch guided missile system was added. The Non-Line of Sight Multi-Source M377AF3 Missile is stored in vertical launch bays in a larger turret. Eight missiles are stored in the vehicle. The missiles have a range of 70km, far exceeding the range of the RADAR on the M1044. So, in order to target these missiles at maximum range, the vehicle must be connected to a master targeting system.

Protection
Like the M90 Centaurus, the M1044 uses an advanced composite armor system. While classified, the system consists of both spaced, composite and ceramic paneling to provide maximum protection. Because the M1044 is not designed to directly engage, or be engaged by ground targets, protection is reduced for greater mobility to only protect against rocket launched grenades, auto-cannons, and heavy calibre machinegun fire. The vehicle also incorporates an advanced electronic protection system against SEAD and EW attacks. The vehicle cannot mount and crew served weapons, however the Mk. II cannons can fire at a maximum of 12 degrees of depression, allowing the M1044 to engage lightly armored ground targets in addition to air targets.

Mobility
Similar to the M90, a de-tuned version of the FD 90195 W16 Twin Turbo Diesel engine is installed in the M1044. The engine produces roughly 1000 brake horsepower, enough to move the vehicle easily to the electronically limited top speed of 60km/h. The engine is fitted with two 100mm variable vane turbochargers in a parallel configuration, which each turbocharger servicing one bank of cylinders. The entire engine system is controlled by an advanced electronic engine management system, allowing for rapid direction and speed changes, including pivot and neutral steer. One major advantage is that the powerback is easily removable, as all connections to the engine are electronic only. All controls are "drive by wire", allowing for less weight and no linkages to go forward of the engine. The transmission is directly mated behind the engine, which directly drives the rear sprocket. The transmission is a 12 speed design, with 10 forward and 2 reverse, which are shifted manually, with a hydraulically activated dual clutch system.

Electronics
The M1044 is fitted with a variety of advanced, classified electronic systems. At a minimum, the original M1044 is fitted with an X Band RADAR System, combined with electronic fire control. When the M1044A1 was introduced, an upgraded low detection RADAR system was fitted, which replaced the older X Band System. The new M1044A1 also includes an advanced multi-source targeting system which is capable of integrating real time information from many sources, including remotely.

One major advantage of the M1044A1 is the remote guidance functionality. The M1044A1 can connect wireleslly or physically to a master system, which can detect targets at a much farther range. This enables the M1044A1 to engage well beyond the maximum range of its own RADAR system.

M1044 "Phoenix"
The original M1044 Phoenix was introduced in 1992 and was equipped with the original analogue targeting systems. This variant does not mount the missile system, and only incorporates the dual auto-cannon weaponry only. The vehicle also did not incorporate side skirts, as they were seen as un-necessary for a vehicle not designed to be on the front lines. The vehicle also used a manual loading door on the rear of the turret, which was changed to a semi-automatic system in the A1 variant.

M1044A1 "Phoenix"
The M1044A1 variant has several upgrades over the previous generation. The main addition is the anti-aircraft missile system mounted on the rear of the turret, holding 8 missiles. Due to increasing threat of HEAT handheld weapons, the M1044A1 was fitted with sideskirts. This also provided extra protection from small arms and protects the running gear of the vehicle. The M1044A1 also includes the upgrades computer and targeting systems. Finally, the M1044A1 is painted in the Adaptive Woodland Camouflage pattern, which provides IR and thermal protection to keep the outside signature of the vehicle low. The AWCP is also fitted with the Enhanced Electronic Signature Disruption (EESD) additive, which provides additional protection from SEAD and EW attacks.