T99 Heavy Tank

The Heavy Tank T99 was an American heavy tank project starting in April 1957 to counter the threat of new Soviet armored vehicles. The M46 Patton was not considered heavily enough armed or armored to counter the T-54/55. Thought the T99 never saw service, it did provide post-war engineers with opportunities for testing new engineering methods.

Development

The T99 was based on a lengthened version of the T29 Heavy Tank and featured heavier armor, an upgraded Continental twin-turbo gasoline engine providing about 1100 bhp gross, 1000 bhp net, more comfortable positions for the crew, and a massive new turret incorporating a high-velocity Royal Ordnance L11A5 120mm gun.^[1]

References

1. Patton: A History of the American Heavy Tank: Hunnicutt