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Description
Commission for PrussiAntique
Open for Commissions

The Argus KF81 A1, also known as the M81 A1 Argus, is an air defense variant of the Orthrus equipped with quad 35 mm Bushmaster III autocannons, quad missile launchers, and advanced electro-optical and radar targeting systems derived from the ADATS. It capable of both air defense and anti-tank operations. Designed to provide point air defense against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.

Named after a Greek mythology, Argus "All-Eyes", a giant with a hundred eyes, for it's advanced and powerful targeting systems.

Design and Features
The Argus features a upgraded MANTIS Air Defense System (Modular, Automatic and Network Capable Targeting and Interception System), to detect, track and shoot down incoming projectiles before they can reach their target within very close range. Consists of four 35 mm automatic guns (capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute), the guns fire programmable Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition, a type of airburst round ammunition that releases a cloud of sub-projectiles just ahead of a target, enabling it to engage conventional as well as low, slow and small (LSS) air threats including unmanned aerial vehicles and perform counter rocket, artillery, and mortar duties. The 35 mm variety splits each projectile into 152 tungsten submunitions "that form a cone-shaped pattern to destroy a target's control surfaces and other vital components". The turret can traverse a full 360 degrees and has an elevation range of −10 to +70 degrees.

Fitted with air defence missile launchers (four box launchers) containing four ready-to-fire FIM-92 Stingers, or, alternatively, a (currently unknown) number of anti-tank or anti-air missiles.

The Argus has two types of radars with increased range, capable of tracking more air targets, and also land targets. It has an integrated identification friend or foe (IFF) system. A central computer system greatly decreased the reaction time. A single person can operate the system if necessary. The radar can acquire a target within two seconds, then engage it with one of the guns firing a 36-round burst. Two guns directed by one radar each can engage multiple targets. After being manually activated, the system operates fully automatically. The system has a modular structure which enables a fast and easy replacement of any part.

Also features a pMHR (portable multi-mission hemispheric radar) search radar mounted around the turret, a fire-control radar, and a jammer on top of the turret to non-kinetically defeat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The KF81 is based on the KF71 tank hull, that greatly improves mobility, both on- and off-road. The platform providing a more stable firing platform for the Argus turret to operate from. The vehicle is operated by three crew members: commander, gunner, and driver.

Like the KF71, the KF81 equipped with two powerful hybrid diesel-electric power packs, providing dual redundancy and provide optimized fuel usage and performance, thus reducing the requirements for refueling support in the field. Also features a silent mode when running on electric power.

With the in-wheel HMED (Hub-Mounted Electric Drive) units, independently power each drive wheels on both dual track units, while the turbodiesel engine can be used as a generator for the motors, and/or power the vehicle directly. A novel 'Cross-Drive' pack incorporating concentric twin-traction and twin-steer motors, giving fully electric 'drive by wire' steering, coupled with a hydro-mechanical automatic transmission.

Like the Orthrus KF71, the Argus KF81 is protected by NERA (non explosive reactive armour) and the Guardian active protection system. It uses four soft-kill launchers to deploy smoke grenades that disrupt visual and infrared guidance systems, and five hard-kill launch tubes on the gun turret, compared to the KF71's ten hard-kill tubes on the turret which automatically turns to face a threat.

The Argus has "an unprecedented level of armor protection," including improved passive steel and ceramic composite plate armor and a slat armor cage at the rear. Its new non explosive reactive armour (ERA) is claimed to protect against ATGMs, 120 mm tank rounds and armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS). In addition to hard-kill and soft-kill APS, the developer uses a special paint that significantly reduces the vehicle's infrared signature.

The floor is reinforced with an added armor plate to protect against land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It also has a radar jamming and deception system to detonate radio-controlled anti-tank mines, and an NBC protection system.

Sub Variants
An unmanned version of the Argus, called Aegis, is planned and is currently in development.
The word "Aegis" is a reference that dates back to Greek mythology, with connotations of a protective shield, as the Aegis was the buckler (shield) of Zeus, worn by Athena.

Specifications, KF81 A1 Argus
Mass: 100 tons
Hull length: 19.53 m
Width: 8.66 m
Height: 6.30 m (radar erected)
Crew: 3 (commander, system operator, driver)

Elevation +70° / -10°
Traverse 9 seconds/360 degrees
Armor: Modular armor system made of steel, ceramics and composite materials.

Main Armament:
2 x quad 35 mm Bushmaster III autocannons

Secondary Armament:
2 x 7.62 mm NATTER RCWS (2,500 rounds)
4 x missile launchers, accommodate:
ADATS MIM-146
AIM-9X Sidewinder
BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile
FIM-92 Stingers
LFK NG missiles

Engine:
2 × Multifuel Lambda LHD-e 4500 hybrid diesel-electric engines
8 x in-wheel HMED (Hub-Mounted Electric Drive) units
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (hydraulic-mechanical transmission)
Suspension: Hydropneumatics suspension with rotary shock absorbers
Ground clearance: 0.48 m
Operational range:
Road: 650 km
Cross country: 350–500 km

Maximum speed:
75–80 km/h (estimated), both forward and reverse

Description
Commission for PrussiAntique
Open for Commissions

The Argus KF81 A1, also known as the M81 A1 Argus, is an air defense variant of the Orthrus equipped with quad 35 mm Bushmaster III autocannons, quad missile launchers, and advanced electro-optical and radar targeting systems derived from the ADATS. It capable of both air defense and anti-tank operations. Designed to provide point air defense against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.

Named after a Greek mythology, Argus "All-Eyes", a giant with a hundred eyes, for it's advanced and powerful targeting systems.

Design and Features
The Argus features a upgraded MANTIS Air Defense System (Modular, Automatic and Network Capable Targeting and Interception System), to detect, track and shoot down incoming projectiles before they can reach their target within very close range. Consists of four 35 mm automatic guns (capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute), the guns fire programmable Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition, a type of airburst round ammunition that releases a cloud of sub-projectiles just ahead of a target, enabling it to engage conventional as well as low, slow and small (LSS) air threats including unmanned aerial vehicles and perform counter rocket, artillery, and mortar duties. The 35 mm variety splits each projectile into 152 tungsten submunitions "that form a cone-shaped pattern to destroy a target's control surfaces and other vital components". The turret can traverse a full 360 degrees and has an elevation range of −10 to +70 degrees.

Fitted with air defence missile launchers (four box launchers) containing four ready-to-fire FIM-92 Stingers, or, alternatively, a (currently unknown) number of anti-tank or anti-air missiles.

The Argus has two types of radars with increased range, capable of tracking more air targets, and also land targets. It has an integrated identification friend or foe (IFF) system. A central computer system greatly decreased the reaction time. A single person can operate the system if necessary. The radar can acquire a target within two seconds, then engage it with one of the guns firing a 36-round burst. Two guns directed by one radar each can engage multiple targets. After being manually activated, the system operates fully automatically. The system has a modular structure which enables a fast and easy replacement of any part.

Also features a pMHR (portable multi-mission hemispheric radar) search radar mounted around the turret, a fire-control radar, and a jammer on top of the turret to non-kinetically defeat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The KF81 is based on the KF71 tank hull, that greatly improves mobility, both on- and off-road. The platform providing a more stable firing platform for the Argus turret to operate from. The vehicle is operated by three crew members: commander, gunner, and driver.

Like the KF71, the KF81 equipped with two powerful hybrid diesel-electric power packs, providing dual redundancy and provide optimized fuel usage and performance, thus reducing the requirements for refueling support in the field. Also features a silent mode when running on electric power.

With the in-wheel HMED (Hub-Mounted Electric Drive) units, independently power each drive wheels on both dual track units, while the turbodiesel engine can be used as a generator for the motors, and/or power the vehicle directly. A novel 'Cross-Drive' pack incorporating concentric twin-traction and twin-steer motors, giving fully electric 'drive by wire' steering, coupled with a hydro-mechanical automatic transmission.

Like the Orthrus KF71, the Argus KF81 is protected by NERA (non explosive reactive armour) and the Guardian active protection system. It uses four soft-kill launchers to deploy smoke grenades that disrupt visual and infrared guidance systems, and five hard-kill launch tubes on the gun turret, compared to the KF71's ten hard-kill tubes on the turret which automatically turns to face a threat.

The Argus has "an unprecedented level of armor protection," including improved passive steel and ceramic composite plate armor and a slat armor cage at the rear. Its new non explosive reactive armour (ERA) is claimed to protect against ATGMs, 120 mm tank rounds and armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS). In addition to hard-kill and soft-kill APS, the developer uses a special paint that significantly reduces the vehicle's infrared signature.

The floor is reinforced with an added armor plate to protect against land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It also has a radar jamming and deception system to detonate radio-controlled anti-tank mines, and an NBC protection system.

Sub Variants
An unmanned version of the Argus, called Aegis, is planned and is currently in development.
The word "Aegis" is a reference that dates back to Greek mythology, with connotations of a protective shield, as the Aegis was the buckler (shield) of Zeus, worn by Athena.

Specifications, KF81 A1 Argus
Mass: 100 tons
Hull length: 19.53 m
Width: 8.66 m
Height: 6.30 m (radar erected)
Crew: 3 (commander, system operator, driver)

Elevation +70° / -10°
Traverse 9 seconds/360 degrees
Armor: Modular armor system made of steel, ceramics and composite materials.

Main Armament:
2 x quad 35 mm Bushmaster III autocannons

Secondary Armament:
2 x 7.62 mm NATTER RCWS (2,500 rounds)
4 x missile launchers, accommodate:
ADATS MIM-146
AIM-9X Sidewinder
BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile
FIM-92 Stingers
LFK NG missiles

Engine:
2 × Multifuel Lambda LHD-e 4500 hybrid diesel-electric engines
8 x in-wheel HMED (Hub-Mounted Electric Drive) units
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (hydraulic-mechanical transmission)
Suspension: Hydropneumatics suspension with rotary shock absorbers
Ground clearance: 0.48 m
Operational range:
Road: 650 km
Cross country: 350–500 km

Maximum speed:
75–80 km/h (estimated), both forward and reverse