Autoloader (also called automatic loader) is a mechanical system to load the main armament and so eliminate one member (human loader) from the fighting vehicle's crew.

There are two main types of autoloader, the bustle and the carousel.

In the bustle autoloader, the rounds are stowed in tubes on an endless belt within the autoloader. A microprocessor is used to recognise various types of ammunition.

In the carousel autoloader, the rounds are stowed in a circular, rotating structure on the turret floor. Ammunition is two-piece, the projectile and charge are stowed one above the other, each complete round called a cassette. Another version – the projectile and charge are positioned at an angle of 90 degrees to each other in a foldable loading tray, the projectile being placed horizontally, and the charge, vertically. As in the bustle autoloader, a microprocessor is used to recognise various types of ammunition.

The first tank autoloader was used in the Soviet-designed T-64 main battle tank (MBT). Nowadays, the most modern tanks fitted with an autoloader include French Leclerc, Japanese Type 90, Ukrainian Yatagan MBTs (bustle autoloader) as well as Russian T-90S, Chinese Type 98, Ukrainian T-84 MBTs (carousel autoloader).

Some Western nations have developed prototype autoloaders for their future tanks with larger calibre guns, as, for example, did Germany for its 140mm-armed Leopard MBT.

Sergyi Way
25.07.2006

www.army-guide.com

If all the countries introduce autoloaders in their fighting vehicles and eliminate human loaders, this will increase unemployment rate :)

In this case I wonder why the Chinese use autoloader in their tank. Shortage of manpower is not of course a consideration.

Bustle autoloders are better because in case of explosion crew do not suffer (hopefully). If carousel autoloder blows up, the whole tank and the crew are dead.

This will occur only if the gun is not being loaded at the moment of hit by enemy projectile. So this autoloader may dangerous as well.

Bustle auto-loaders are good for fixed ammunition, and carousel autoloaders, for two-piece ammunition.

Automatic loader seems to make the tank much more complicated and prone to failure, aside from additional logistic burden. Hoewver I anticipate that in futire all the tanks will be fitted with automatic loaders.

Automatic loader seems to make the tank much more complicated and prone to failure, aside from additional logistic burden. Hoewver I anticipate that in futire all the tanks will be fitted with automatic loaders.

Yes, they will be, especially if the tanks are fitted with a larger caliber guns.