| Tank Technology Demonstrator | |
|---|---|
| Type | Main Battle tank |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | Never entered service, tested from 1992-1994 |
| Used by | South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Designer | ARMSCOR, Olifant Manufacturing Company Lyttleton Engineering Works |
| Designed | 1992 |
| Manufacturer | ARMSCOR, Olifant Manufacturing Company Lyttleton Engineering Works |
| Developed from | Olifant (tank) |
| Variants | Prototype Variant, Proposed Production Variant, Proposed Upgradable Variant |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Battle ready: 58.3 Tons |
| Length | 7.78m (25.5ft) |
| Width | 3.62m (11.9ft) |
| Height | 2.99m (9.8ft) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | Effective Thickness of 750mm with compatibility for ERA |
Main armament | 105mm GT3 QF Prototype Variant, 120mm GT6 QF Proposed Production Variant, 140mm QF Proposed Upgradable Variant |
Secondary armament | 7.62mm Machine Gun |
| Engine | Twin-turbo intercooled V-8 Diesel engine 1234hp (920kw) @ 1200rpm (21.16 hp/t) |
| Power/weight | 21.16 hp/t |
| Payload capacity | 54 rounds of 105mm Ammunition |
| Transmission | 4 forward and 2 reverse gears |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Fuel capacity | 1600L (422gals) of diesel fuel |
Operational range | On Road 400km (249mi) Off Road 300km (186mi) |
| Maximum speed | On Road 71kph (44mph) Off Road 35kph (22mph) |
The Loggim program or TTD Program was a project to develop a new main battle tank (MBT) for the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the 1980s. It was initiated after combat experience in the South African Border War made it apparent that Olifant MBTs were increasingly unsuitable to counter Soviet-designed tanks being deployed to the region.1 The project was cancelled in the early 1990s, before any new tanks were delivered for trials or operational purposes.
History
The Loggim Program began in the early 1980s after the SADF recognized from their combat experience in South West Africa (now Namibia), and from their experience in Angola during the South African Border War that they needed a new MBT to counter the rising threat of Soviet MBTs, and that their old Olifant MBTs were in need of replacement.
The project was called "Loggim" and involved Reumech Olifant Manufacturing Company (OMC) building the hull, while Lyttleton Engineering Works (LEW) designed the turret.23
The project was developed from about 1983, with the prototype (TTD) completed around 1992.4 The prototype was developed in the early 1990s by ARMSCOR (later Denel) and OMC. It resembled the Leopard 2 in profile because of the use of composite armour. It weighed 58 tonnes (64 tons) and was driven by a 1,250 horsepower (930 kW) diesel engine. The prototype was equipped with a 105 millimetres (4.1 in) main gun but the production units were planned to have a 120 millimetres (4.7 in) gun.5
The program was cut in the early 1990s following the end of the South African Border War, and due to changes in the political climate.14
Variants
The TTD had 3 variants, 2 of which were only proposed.4
Prototype Variant: The prototype used a 105mm GT3 QF Cannon6 and had no machine gun or ERA. It featured second-generation thermal vision devices (TVDs) and night-vision devices (NVDs).
Production Variant: The production variant was planned to use the 120mm GT6 QF main cannon.7 It had ERA and a 7.62mm machine gun.
Upgradable Variant: The upgradeable variant was planned to use a 140mm QF main cannon, and though not confirmed, it was possibly going to use ERA and a 7.62mm machine gun.
References
References
- "Tank Technology Demonstrator". sa-armour-museum. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- Engelbrecht, Leon (2009-05-26). "SANDF projects: past, present & future - DefenceWeb". Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- "Stimpy75's Content - Page 6". Sturgeon's House. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- Venter, Dewald (2019-04-06). "Tank Technology Demonstrator (TTD)". Tank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- Ludeke, Alexander (30 January 2018). International Tank Development From 1970. Pen and Sword. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-4738-9143-2.
- Foss, Christopher F. (1997). Jane's Armour and Artillery, 1997-98: The Latest on Battlefield Weapons. Jane's Information Group. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7106-1542-8.
- Jane's International Defense Review: IDR. Jane's Information Group. 2004. p. 35.