TAM

This page is about the German light tank TAM. For other versions, see TAM (Family).

TAM

DF105

JaPz.K A2

TAM

DF105

JaPz.K A2

Germany

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.0	9.0	9.0

Class:

Light tank

Research:160 000

Purchase:450 000

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Description

The Tanque Argentino Mediano (shortened to TAM, English translated as: Argentinian Medium Tank) is a rank VI German light tank with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries".

It's one of the best tanks Germany has to offer at this battle rating, with slightly better mobility than the A1A1 and the ability to scout. The minimal armour and overpressure vulnerability are downsides. Similar to the A1A1, it struggles when stock but holds its own very nicely once APFSDS is unlocked.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull32 / 15 / 11

Turret30 / 25 / 15

Crew4 people

Visibility84 %

The armour is composed of welded steel, providing protection up to 32 mm. The front can defend against 12.7 mm machine gun ammo, but the side armour is only proof against standard machine guns of 7.62 mm. However, most enemies that can be faced will usually have a 12.7 mm machine gun or larger in their possession, making it so even a burst of bullets could riddle the TAM with holes. With this in mind, take caution when flanking a tank with a disabled gun to get a side shot, as you can easily lose a few crew members to machine gunfire. This becomes less of an issue after unlocking the APFSDS round when side shots are rarely as necessary. The TAM also is vulnerable to overpressure, so large-calibre HE rounds have a chance of instantly destroying the vehicle.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
• Cast homogeneous armour (gunner periscope)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	11 mm (77°) Upper glacis - Engine access panel 32 mm (77°) Upper glacis - Sides 32 mm (29°) Lower glacis - Top 32 mm (60°) Lower glacis - Bottom	15 mm (30°) Top 15 mm Bottom	11 mm (23°) Upper plate 11 mm (27°) Lower plate	11-32 mm (13°) Front glacis 11 mm Crew compartment 5 mm Radiator vents
Turret	50 mm (5-35°) Turret front 30 mm + 30 mm (51-63°) Mantlet Front 25 mm (7-10°) Mantlet Sides 20 mm (79°) Roof glacis 30 mm (cylindrical) Gunner periscope	25 mm (24-27°) Crew Compartment 15 mm (27°) Bustle 25 mm Cupola well	15 mm (22°) 11 mm (79°) Turret underside	20 (11°) Roof glacis 11 mm
Cupola	35 mm (cylindrical)			35 mm Outer ring 11 mm Centre

Notes:

• Suspension wheels, tracks and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.
• The belly is 11 mm thick.

Mobility

Reverse gearbox

Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed

Speedforward / back

AB84 / 84 km/h

RB and SB75 / 75 km/h

Number of gears8 forward

8 back

Weight30.5 t

Engine power

AB1 374 hp

RB and SB720 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB45.0 hp/t

RB and SB23.6 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	84	84	30.5	1,116	1,374	36.59	45.05
Realistic	75	75		637	720	20.89	23.61

The mobility is not bad, with a max of 75 km/h (RB) on the road in forward and -50 km/h in reverse. Off-road mobility is quite average, especially on flat terrain, but there is a poor steering response. The TAM is powered by a MTU (Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Friedrichshafen GmbH) MB 833 Ka-500 520 kW (720 hp) that produces a good 720 hp at 2,400 rpm.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 409 → 5 232

RB3 568 → 5 476

SB4 139 → 6 353

Total cost of modifications134 000

223 400

Talisman cost2 400

Crew training130 000

Experts450 000

Aces2 000

Research Aces890 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

130 / 160 / 200 %

214 / 214 / 214 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 000 310 Suspension Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 400 290 Brake System Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 400 290 Filters Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 480 Transmission Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420 Engine Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420	Improved Parts Research: 1 700 Cost: 9 000 310 Improved FPE Research: 1 600 Cost: 8 400 290 Crew Replenishment Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 480 Smoke grenade Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420	Horizontal Drive Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 000 310 Laser rangefinder Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 000 310 105mm_usa_HESH_ammo_pack Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 000 310 Adjustment of Fire Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 400 290 Airstrike Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 400 290 105mm_us_M416_Smoke_ammo_pack Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 400 290 Elevation Mechanism Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 480 105mm_usa_M735_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 480 Artillery Support Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420 Improved optics Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420 Scout UAV Research: 7 700 Cost: 12 000 420

After Parts and FPE, the most important modules are the DM23 shell and the NVD upgrade. After that, the focus should be on the Laser rangefinder or mobility upgrades, depending on personal preference.

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

105 mm FMK.4 Modelo 1L cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition50 rounds

First-order29 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

8.7 → 6.7 s

Vertical guidance-7° / 18°

105 mm FMK.4 Modelo 1L					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	50	-7°/+18°	±180°	Two-plane	22.8	31.6	38.4	42.5	45.2	8.71	7.70	7.10	6.70
Realistic					14.3	16.8	20.4	22.6	24.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
DM13	APDS	350	347	333	317	302	287
DM512	HESH	127	127	127	127	127	127
DM12	HEATFS	400	400	400	400	400	400
DM23	APFSDS	337	335	330	322	314	306

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
DM13	APDS	1,478	4	-	-	-	75°	78°	80°
DM512	HESH	732	11.2	0.1	4	4.31	73°	77°	80°
DM12	HEATFS	1,174	10.5	0.05	0.1	1.27	65°	72°	77°
DM23	APFSDS	1,455	4.2	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M416	732	11.6	20	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the TAM 2IP (identical)

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
50	41 (+9)	30 (+20)	21 (+29)	1 (+49)	No

Notes:

• Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Racks 3 and 4 are first stage ammunition racks (29 shells total), meaning they will deplete first (in the order of 3 then 4) but will replenish from the other racks, starting with rack 1 and then rack 2.

Machine guns

7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition2 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate1 001 shots/min

7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 machine gun

Ammunition2 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate1 001 shots/min

7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	2,000 (200)	600	N/A	N/A
Pintle	2,000 (200)	600	-10°/+50°	±120°

The small calibre of the FN MAG 60-40 machine guns make them largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. They still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

The TAM is a classic light tank, in that it has high mobility and a powerful armament with thin armour, but lacks gunner-sight NVD.

Characteristics

The mobility of the TAM is quite good, allowing it to out accelerate allies and enemies alike, as well as to reach the battle much quicker. This comes with a drawback though; the TAM has very little to speak of in terms of armour. Nearly every shot will penetrate the armour. Heavy machine gun rounds can even penetrate the side of the tank, and aircraft with cannons or machine guns are a great threat. Many autocannons from tanks or SPAAGs are able to penetrate the TAM from the front, although the steep slope of the upper glacis is able to bounce rounds.

DM23 APFSDS can penetrate most - if not all - enemies that can be faced by the TAM, making it the main ammunition choice of most TAM commanders. Despite having access to a decently powerful APFSDS round, there is more ammunition that should be considered. The DM12 HEATFS round has a penetration of 400 mm - enough to penetrate anything but composite armour or ERA. The DM502 HESH round is probably the least useful of the ammunition choices, due to it being situational. It can be useful, but will often have trouble penetrating the front of enemy tanks; it is best used to hit the roof of a tank to splash down into the crew compartment. The M416 smoke round, while nearly useless against enemy tanks, can be incredibly useful in the right situation. It can be used to lay down visual cover for teammates or the TAM itself, to blind the enemy, or to lay a path to a well defended capture point. The -7° of gun depression is usable, but the commander must be careful not to put the TAM in a position where it has insufficient gun depression to fire without exposing too much of the tank.

Playstyle

Due to its characteristics, the TAM is a very versatile tank. The flanking and scouting gameplay style uses all the advantages of the TAM, while negating the disadvantages, making it one of the best ways to drive the TAM. The TAM's high mobility allows it to assume strong, advanced positions before the enemy expects it to. From there, the scouting ability and powerful armament can be used to mark enemy tanks on the map for friendly tankers to be aware of, or to annihilate them tanks from the side or front. It can do this either by sniping from longer ranges or by ambushing at closer ranges. The versatile ammunition selection allows practically any enemy tank to be engaged effectively from any angle. In closer range areas of a map, the TAM can use its high mobility to hit the enemy where they don't expect it or before they expect it. Hit and run tactics are good because it helps to prevent the enemy from honing in on the TAM's location to knock it out. Due to the low armour of the TAM, the best way to ensure survival is to not be hit. This is why ambushes, sniping, or flanking are the safest and most successful tactics, although aggressive pushes can work as well. Overall, the heavy firepower, scouting ability, and good mobility allow the TAM to be successful in any sort of map or situation. Be aware the TAM lacks gunner or commander's sight NVD.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good firepower
• Faster and more manoeuvrable than the Begleitpanzer 57
• Wide variety of ammo - APFSDS, APDS, HEAT-FS, HESH, and smoke shells
• Commander's machine gun has a very high elevation limit, letting you shoot at planes and helicopters passing by
• Little armour sometimes lets you survive AP shots as they pass through the tank without dealing much damage
• Turret is on the back, by reversing out of cover, you don't expose the whole vehicle
• First ammo rack has more than enough shells for a battle
• By loading 21 shells all ammo racks except the one in the turret rear can be emptied

Cons:

• Very thin armour providing little to no protection
• Impossible to depress the gun when facing backwards
• Turret is on the back, in some situations, you will have to expose the whole tank to shoot, especially if you need gun depression (engine deck stops the gun from depressing)
• No thermals, only NVD

History

During the 1960s, Argentina was looking far and wide for offers to update its ageing fleet of WW2-era tanks. After obtaining some vehicles, the U.S. refused to make further vehicle sales. This forced Argentina to shift their attention towards the European market, resulting in the purchase of a number of French AMX-13s and its variants.

In 1973 however, the Ministry of Defense drew up a set of requirements for a completely new combat vehicle that would be produced domestically and would to enter service by 1980. Despite knowing what they wanted, Argentinian engineers lacked the technical know-how in order to actually design and produce such a vehicle. Faced with this problem, the Argentinian government sought collaboration with a foreign company in order to design and build the vehicle they wanted. Eventually, a contracted was signed with the German Thyssen-Henschel company, a joint development effort soon ensued.

The TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano, eng: Argentinian Medium Tank), as it would be designated, was based off the German Marder IFV and equipped with a modification of the British Royal Ordnance L7A3 cannon that was produced in Germany. The first two prototypes of the TAM were built in 1976 and 1977 respectively and underwent extensive testing over the course of two years.

After successfully passing testing, the TAM was put into mass production in 1979. The vehicles were armed with FMK.4 Modelo 1L cannons, which was a domestic licensed copy of the original German cannon. The government ordered 200 vehicles of the IFV variant. However, economic difficulties resulted in the order being only partially fulfilled before production was restarted later on. Argentina was also very keen on exporting the TAM to other countries, but despite interest and some contracts being signed, the TAM was never widely exported for various reasons.

A total of around 280 TAMs were built and most of them still serve in the Argentinian army, albeit with upgraded equipment. The TAM has never been deployed in any combat operations to this date.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the TAM from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

Videos

TAM - Never Taken Lightly - JustinPlaysYT

TAMing The Enemy Team - New BR Causes Sealclubbing - Napalmratte

The Shooting Range #123 - Pages of History section at 05:10 discusses the TAM.

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• Leopard 1 (Family)
• CV 90105 TML

External links

• [Devblog] TAM - Replacing The Old Guard
• [Devblog] TAM and M247 Sergeant York
• [Wikipedia] Tanque Argentino Mediano
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] Tanque Argentino Mediano (TAM)