An autoloader is a mechanism that automatically reloads a weapon and removes spent cartridges. Autoloaders are used on various types of military equipment, such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled guns, and even anti-aircraft guns. The main purpose of this mechanism is to make the crew's job easier, reduce its size, and, in most cases, increase the rate of fire.
Overview
In the game, the automatic loader performs the same function. The presence of an automatic loader on the vehicle increases the main gun's rate of fire, making it a constant value regardless of the loader's skills or condition. If you need to extinguish a fire during reloading, the gun-loading process will not reset. Note that the automatic loader cannot always use all of the tank's ammunition. Most often, it only uses the limited first stage ammunition load.
In Update 2.39 “Dance of Dragons,” the autoloader became a full-fledged game module, and now its functions are blocked when damaged. If a shell was already loaded it when it failed, the round can still be fired, but subsequent shots require repair.
Types of automatic loading mechanisms
There are three types of automatic loading mechanisms in the game, which differ only visually from each other:
Belt-type
The most common type of autoloaders found mostly on tanks built by Western tank manufacturers. The automatic loading system is located directly inside the turret. Vehicles equipped with this type of automatic loading system include:
Carousel-type
The most common type of automatic loading system among Soviet main battle tanks. A distinctive feature of this system is the circular arrangement of ammunition on the floor of the fighting compartment. Examples of vehicles with this type of system include:
Revolver-type
The most common type of automatic loading system used in French tanks with an oscillating turret. The main feature of this type of automatic loading system is its cylindrical shape. Examples of equipment with a revolver-type automatic loading system include:
Historical background
Autoloaders were first used on a large scale in the French AMX-13 tank in the 1950s and the Austrian Steyr SK 105 in 1971. These tanks' autoloaders were of the revolver type, consisting of two drums, each holding six shells. Reloading the drums required leaving the combat area. Additionally, the oscillating turret design used on these tanks greatly simplified the autoloader design.
In 1969, AAI Corp. manufactured an experimental prototype with a fully automatic loading system. This system provided up to eight rounds per minute, allowing loading to be performed simultaneously with gun aiming in both planes. It was also coupled with a gun stabilizer.
Installing an autoloader eliminates the need for a loader, reducing the crew size by one. Thus, the crew of a typical main battle tank without an automatic loading system consists of four people: a commander, a driver, a gunner, and a loader. Reducing the crew size makes the designers' job easier, allowing them to reduce the tank's weight, size, and cost.
The USSR made the decision to switch to a three-person crew in 1958. By the beginning of the 21st century, American and Russian designers still had different views. Russian tank builders preferred automatic loading systems because they reduce tank weight. American designers preferred larger crews because they allow for a higher initial rate of fire and reduce the load on each tankman.
However, the significant reduction in weight attracted the attention of American light tank designers. For example, on the XM8 tank, an automatic loading system with an ammunition load of 21 shells took up as much space as a loader with only nine shells.