REQ: Identify this component

[zaher]

This is a photo for a part of a Leopard 1/A5 turret. Can anybody please identify that thing that looks like the lamp on the right side of the photo?

http://i35.tinypic.com/mvngcp.jpg

[Red-Phos]

I think it is just a lamp or something IR.

[ZARDOZ]

Being that it is capped, lends it to be "hollow". I would venture "Air quality sensor". It is also flexable (see base). As to a lighting fixture, I doubt the need to telegraph the location of the commanders hatch at night.

[Dean1962]

Could that be the little light that flashes to signify a "notional kill" during exercises?

[Dinges]

Looks like a Faraday Cage.

[SpeedyHedgehog]

It's a wind sensor. It measures the wind velocity, which is one of many variables that go into the ballistic computer (including type of ammo, distance as measured by the laser range finder, barrel wear, etc.). We had a very similar device on our M60A3TTS tanks. You usually won't see them unless the tank is at the range. We never mounted them for field exercises because they were rather expensive and easily broken.

[T3ngu]

It's a wind sensor. It measures the wind velocity, which is one of many variables that go into the ballistic computer (including type of ammo, distance as measured by the laser range finder, barrel wear, etc.). We had a very similar device on our M60A3TTS tanks. You usually won't see them unless the tank is at the range. We never mounted them for field exercises because they were rather expensive and easily broken.
My guess ultrasonic. However, the accuracy of them would be somewhat hampered by the cage around it. Most ultrasonics have open flow paths.

[SpeedyHedgehog]

My guess ultrasonic. However, the accuracy of them would be somewhat hampered by the cage around it. Most ultrasonics have open flow paths.

The little cage was the ONLY thing protecting it, and you know soldiers-they can break anything. I was never too sure they were worth the hassle of avoiding damage to them. Obviously they only measured the wind velocity at your location. If you're firing at something 2,000 or more meters away the wind could be very different at the target's location - at least that's the way I looked at it.

[T3ngu]

The little cage was the ONLY thing protecting it, and you know soldiers-they can break anything. I was never too sure they were worth the hassle of avoiding damage to them. Obviously they only measured the wind velocity at your location. If you're firing at something 2,000 or more meters away the wind could be very different at the target's location - at least that's the way I looked at it.
You are entirely correct. Basically the influence of terrain and land use (i.e. vegetation) can influence the way the wind moves in an area. However, there are now software packages that can model this in real time and predict conditions across the flight path. Im not sure if the military use them, but a number of companies use them to model pollutants in real time and/or predict future weather patterns.

[zaher]

Thank you for your answers, hopefully we reach one common answer soon.:D

[Praet]

Crosswind sensor.
The Australian Leopard AS1, as an example, used to have a similar sensor, though mounted more forward on the turret top.
See http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/leopardph_1.htm for comparison, especially refer to the photo album at the bottom of the page.

http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/Images/leo16ph_1.jpg
http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/Images/leo17ph_1.jpg

[Jippo]

You are entirely correct. Basically the influence of terrain and land use (i.e. vegetation) can influence the way the wind moves in an area. However, there are now software packages that can model this in real time and predict conditions across the flight path. Im not sure if the military use them, but a number of companies use them to model pollutants in real time and/or predict future weather patterns.

Nah, that's really impossible. Imagine for instance a situation where you have your tank in a ravine inside a bush (=no wind) and shoot across a lake (say a strong crosswind and cool air) of 2km on target up on a hill in sunshine (rising thermics). To compensate for such changes along on the line-of-sight the targeting computer should need to know whole lot of more information. They just take the local situation in and around the tank into account and that's it.

[zaher]

Crosswind sensor.
The Australian Leopard AS1, as an example, used to have a similar sensor, though mounted more forward on the turret top.
See http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/leopardph_1.htm for comparison, especially refer to the photo album at the bottom of the page.

http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/Images/leo16ph_1.jpg
http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/Images/leo17ph_1.jpg

Oh that looks pretty much like it.
Thanks for the details.

[T3ngu]

Nah, that's really impossible. Imagine for instance a situation where you have your tank in a ravine inside a bush (=no wind) and shoot across a lake (say a strong crosswind and cool air) of 2km on target up on a hill in sunshine (rising thermics). To compensate for such changes along on the line-of-sight the targeting computer should need to know whole lot of more information. They just take the local situation in and around the tank into account and that's it.

Its not impossible, and can be done, part of my job is meteorology in complex terrain. For example the SRTM data is available for topography.

However i agree that it isn't practical in the field due to the large number of inputs, for very little gain.