A tracked stingray with a deadly venom

Naming a tank after a fish could seem strange, but given the appearance and characteristics of the model, it made sense. First off, the fast and sleek Myliobatoidei sting is lethal for its potential prey, but the wedgy look of both the turret and hull also contributes to this relation, which was essentially a commercial catch name. In relation to the family of air-transportable, fast light tank program like the HSTV/HIMAG (1978-82) it had the same light prismatic hull and light aluminum alloy hull. However, it reverted to torsion bar suspensions instead of hydropneumatic ones. Developed as a private venture by Cadillac Gage, now the Textron Marine & Land Systems division, however it was not intended to compete for the future replacement to the M551 Sheridan (later developed as the much better protected M8 AGS Buford) but for the export market, perhaps after the success of the M41 Walker Bulldog. The Stingray, however, will not match the company's expectations, as only a hundred was sold to the Royal Thai Army.

Development (1983-87)

To make it competitive, this model was less technologically advanced than the HSTV but relied on as many existing components of other American armored fighting vehicles as possible to keep costs down. The emphasis was naturally given to mobility and armament, to the detriment of armour, in a classic light tank/cavalry pattern. So it was able to match MBTs but relied on speed and its own maneuvering capabilities to evade or out-flank MBTs. Cadillac Gage studies were launched in 1983, and the first prototype was delivered in August 1984, but developments were resumed while it was offered for export and demonstrated. One particular was its turret which has exactly the same turret ring as the M551 Sheridan/M41 Walker Bulldog and was designed as an upgrade for these models.

Design

Main characteristics and recognition points are its well-sloped glacis plate (the driver's hatch is located in the upper part), plus two slight steps to the raised engine compartment. Vertical walls and back plate, exhaust outlet in the upper part of it. The center turret has a characteristic pointed front and sides slope inwards. There is a turret basket at the rear. Two banks of height smoke grenade dischargers are located on either side of the turret for concealment. The three-men standalone turret is electro-hydraulically powered came with a manual backup. There are duplicate turret controls for the commander and gunner, and day/night sights. The gunner's two-axis stabilized day/night thermal imaging system is provided by Hughes Electronics. Protection is only ensured about armor-piercing, 14.5mm HMG fire. However additional applique armor is also proposed.


Stingray in field speed trials

Armament

The low recoil force (LRF) version of the British Royal Ordnance L7 105 mm rifled gun was its main asset, sharing most of its ammunition with NATO stocks. It came with a two axis stabilization system, eight ready rounds, with 24 rounds stored in the hull. Reloading is manual. There is a coaxial standard NATO 7.62 light machine gun with 2400 rounds and an anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on right side of turret roof cal.50 (12.7 mm Browning M2HB) with 1,100 rounds in store.

Mobility

The initial powerplant was a standard-issue Detroit Diesel Allison 8V-92TA 535 hp (399 kW) engine, but the serial model(for the Thai Royal Army) was a liquid cooled turbocharged 2 stroke V-8 diesel engine which developed 550 hp (410 kW). Suspension either side has six small road wheels with idler front, drive sprocket rear and three track-return rollers, no side skirts.

The Stingray in service

The Royal Thai Army announced the purchase of 106 Stingrays in 1987, and deliveries took place between 1988 and 1990. No more orders were placed. The Stingray also competed, heavily modified, in the AGS competition but lost to the FMC/UDLP/BAE Close Combat Vehicle Light program (AGS Stingray). Another variant called the AGS Sheridan married the hull of a Sheridan with the turret of the Stingray. It also competed in the same program but with the same outcome. Instead, the M8 AGS (Buford) largely based on the Stingray but with the main emphasis being put on protection. It was chosen for production in 1997 but ultimately the program was canceled and later replaced by the supposedly cheaper M1128 Mobile Gun System

The Stingray II (1996)

Since then the model was entirely redesigned by Textron in the late 1990s as the Stingray II. This model was given an improved and modernized digital fire-control system and target-engagement system (hunter-killer, improved first hit cap. on the move, Raytheon HIRE day/thermal night sight, improved commander sight), NBC protection, GPS nav, laser warning system, exhaust smoke screen device, and superior mobility. Its main armor was improved to resist AP 23 mm autocannon rounds but it also came with an enhanced applique armor kit which can be installed in a couple of hours and provide extra protection from RPGs and shaped-charge warheads. It was also tested and proposed with a LAV-105 turret. Heavier, its top speed was reduced to 66 kph. It has met no success on the export market yet.

Links/sources

The Stingray on wikipedia
The M8 AGS on wikipedia
The Stingray II on army-guide

Stingray specifications
Dimensions	9.3 x3 x2.7 m (366 x117 x106 ft)
Total weight, battle ready	22.6 tons (45,200 Lbs)
Crew	4 (driver, commander, gunner, loader/radio)
Propulsion	Detroit V-8 Diesel Allison 8V-92TA 535/550 hp lq TD
Suspension	Independent trailing arm torsion bars
Speed (road)	70 km/h (45 mph)
Range	480 km (300 mi)
Armament	L7A3 105 mm rifled, 12.7mm roof, 7.62mm coaxial MGs
Armor	25mm max (0.9 in)
Total production	110-112 in 1984-1990

Gallery

Stingray during the Ecuador tank competition - Source: Diego Hernan Ferreiro


Rare photo of the Bulldog Stingray prototype.


Superb view of a Thai Stingray in ops


Various references from the web

Another view of the same Stingray in Ecuador, well stuck in mud - Source: Diego Hernan Ferreiro


Thai Royal Army Stingray, dark grey-green livery

Thai Royal Army Stingray, camouflaged livery.