CV 90120

This page is about the Swedish light tank CV 90120. For other versions, see CV90 (Family).

CV 90120

Strf 9040C

CV 90120

Strf 9040C

Sweden

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.7	11.7	11.7

Class:

Light tank

Research:400 000

Purchase:1 080 000

Description

After the successful development of the CV 90105, its manufacturer decided to start the development of its successor, still working with the CV 90 chassis as a basis but with a 120 mm cannon designed by SW Swiss Ordnance Enterprise Corporation to increase the tank's firepower to MBT levels. The design remained focused on reducing weight and increasing speed, considering the tank relied on its speed and good fire control systems to survive. The vehicle is still in development and being improved, even after the design was finished, its final version was shown at an arms exhibition in 2011.

It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury". The Combat Vehicle 90120 builds upon the legacy of the CV 90105, with a more powerful cannon, a very quick reload rate thanks to its autoloader and barely enough armour to hold itself against HMG AP shots from the front. The tank is thus vulnerable to autocannon fire and 12.7 mm HMGs can penetrate the side armour. However, it does feature one of the best fire control systems in the game, with excellent third generation optics for both gunner and commander, and the commander's CITV having a very good zoom, up to 24.0x magnification.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

LWS

Notifies about the vehicle's exposure to laser emissions

Armourfront / side / back

Hull20 / 14 / 20

Turret20 / 20 / 20

Crew4 people

Visibility115 %

The CV 90120 combines the Combat Vehicle 90's chassis with a new turret with a 120 mm CTG cannon. As a result, armour is barely present and can only withstand heavy machine gun from the front. Even autocannons can penetrate its turret and 12.7 mm machine guns can cut clean through its side armour. Also be aware, your main goal should be to not receive any enemy fire.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret, underbody)
• Composite armour (applique armour on hull)
• Rubber-fabric screens (side skirts)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	20 mm (78°) Upper glacis 20 + 20 mm (29°) Middle 20 mm (41-52°) Lower glacis 20 mm (38°) Driver hatch	6 + 20 mm Top 10 + 5 mm Bottom	20 mm (16°)	20 mm (88°)
Turret	20 mm (2-74°) Cheeks 35 mm (28-29°) Gun mantlet 10 mm (9°) Gunner optics	20 mm (12°, 42°)	20 mm (8-15°)	20 mm (82-88°)
Cupola	20 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, and tracks are 15 mm thick.
• Side skirts are 5 mm thick, and the underbody is 9 mm thick.
• Additional composite armour plates on the hull are 20 mm thick.
• Engine, radiator and external fuel tank are separated from the crew compartment by several 10 mm thick of internal RHA screens.
• A 10 mm thick of internal RHA screen is set in front of the driver to protect it from small fragments.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB79 / 45 km/h

RB and SB71 / 41 km/h

Number of gears8 forward

4 back

Weight27.7 t

Engine power

AB1 526 hp

RB and SB800 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB55.1 hp/t

RB and SB28.9 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	79	45	27.7	1,240	1,526	44.77	55.09
Realistic	71	41		708	800	25.56	28.88

Despite beating other top-tier vehicles with incredible mobility, the CV 90120 achieves comparatively fast speeds on all types of terrain, even when stock. This makes it a lot easier to grind the vehicle, as most priority goes into getting the powerful m/95 round. The CV 90120 reaches speeds of just around 50 km/h quite often, and finds little to no trouble manoeuvring. Another upside is the gearbox, which allows the CV 90120 to move almost equally as fast in reverse. The vehicle is fast, and due to the lack of add-on-armour compared to the prior Strf 9040C, the CV 90120 is actually lighter than the 40 mm variant before it. In addition, it gets an upgraded DI16 engine with 120 more horsepower, which results in improved power and torque. Although not comparable to tanks such as the Strv 121 in terms of acceleration, the CV 90120 can definitively stand its own ground in poor conditions.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 529 → 5 907

RB3 567 → 5 971

SB3 769 → 6 309

Total cost of modifications290 100

471 000

Talisman cost3 100

Crew training310 000

Experts1 080 000

Aces2 200

Research Aces1 280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

140 / 160 / 210 %

250 / 250 / 250 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Suspension Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Brake System Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Filters Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Transmission Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 Engine Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440	Improved Parts Research: 4 500 Cost: 23 000 390 Improved FPE Research: 3 600 Cost: 18 000 310 Crew Replenishment Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Smoke grenade Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440	Horizontal Drive Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 LWS/LR Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Adjustment of Fire Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Airstrike Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 120mm_DM_HE_FS_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Elevation Mechanism Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Improved optics Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 NVD Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Artillery Support Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 120mm_DM_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 Scout UAV Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

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

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

120 mm CTG cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Autoloader

Automatically feeds projectiles into the breech. The speed does not depend on the skills of the loader

Ammunition45 rounds

First-order12 rounds

Reload5.0 s

Vertical guidance-8° / 22°

120 mm CTG					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Autoloader
Arcade	45	-8°/+22°	±180°	Two-plane	28.6	39.5	48.0	53.1	56.5	5.00
Realistic					17.9	21.0	25.5	28.2	30.0

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
DM12A1	HEATFS	480	480	480	480	480	480
DM23	APFSDS	418	416	409	401	393	384
slsgr m/95	HE	36	36	36	36	36	36
slpprj m/95	APFSDS	600	598	589	577	565	554

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%
DM12A1	HEATFS	1,170	13.5	0.05	0.1	2.15	65°	72°	77°
DM23	APFSDS	1,680	4.3	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
slsgr m/95	HE	754	17.5	0	0.1	3.54	79°	80°	81°
slpprj m/95	APFSDS	1,740	5.6	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the CV 90120

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
45	26 (+19)	13 (+32)	7 (+38)	1 (+44)	No

Note:

• The autoloader magazine contains 12 rounds.

Machine guns

12.7 mm ksp 88 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition1 200 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reload8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

12.7 mm ksp 88
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	1,200 (200)	577	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The CV 90120 has minimal armour only meant to withstand small arms fire and indirect shrapnel. Despite this, it's rather versatile due to its mobility, reload, and the powerful slpprj m/95 round. Your playstyle can make use of the autoloader, the m/95 round, 3rd gen thermals, and LWS (laser warning system) to snipe at long ranges (along with the added benefit of the CV 90120's mobility to reposition or get to sniping spots quicker), or you can make aggressive flanks to utilize the 5-second reload and take out or disable enemies before they can even react. Try to stay away from the frontline as your armour is effectively useless no matter the range. Its incredible reverse speed and acceleration will always make it easy to dip in and out of cover, retreat when damaged, or to simply reposition yourself, and with its autoloader, you can afford to lose a crewmember (during a firefight) while retaining all combat efficiency. With the slpprj m/95 round, you can penetrate almost all vehicle in the game from the front at any range (excluding areas such as the turret cheeks on the Leopard 2A5 series and M1A2, and some areas of Russian MBTs). The stock shell is a HEAT-FS shell and the DM23 APFSDS round is a tier I modification. Although entirely usable, it is subpar compared to m/95 round, but holds its own against tanks at its BR until a better round is available. You will just have to play more passively and know how to hit weak spots at longer ranges. Use your mobility to flank on large maps such as Maginot Line and (if you have them researched) use your powerful thermal optics to acquire and destroy a target. If the enemy is looking at you and you are too close, reposition and try to make them lose focus on you. By playing more to your strengths and keeping your weaknesses in mind more than you would a normal MBT, you can make the most of this vehicle.

With a reload of 5 seconds, it shares a quick reload with the aced Challenger 2 and the aced 105 mm Abrams, beating the Leclerc and any other tank's aced crew. Only the Type 90 and Type 10 beat its reload. This means that if you get the first shot off, and either their return shot misses or you disable their cannon, you can quickly take them out before they have a chance to fire again. Once spaded, it packs an insane amount of firepower for a light tank, dishing out 600 mm of penetration downrange every five seconds, and can cripple distracted players.

The CV 90120 has the commander sight feature with a powerful zoom (24x). With the laser rangefinder and thermals, this enables players to swiftly acquire and fire at enemy players and thus enhances the CV 90120's potential in long-range engagements.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent gun and reload, with access to the slpprj m/95 round, the Swedish designation of the CL3143/M322
• Adequate mobility enabling you to get to an early game position and quickly change positions if spotted or injured
• The weak armour may reduce the amount of spalling caused by being hit by enemy shells
• Being a light tank, it has access to scouting and the "Airstrike" modification (reduced spawn cost for friendlies destroying enemy tanks you've scouted)
• Equipped with an autoloader: reload takes place even while extinguishing a fire or if a crew member gets knocked out
• Short reload time, at 5 seconds
• Insane firepower for a light tank - no other light tank has access to a 120 mm gun that can penetrate over 600 mm of armour
• Outstanding optics: 24x zoom for commander, great FOV, with third generation thermals for both gunner and commander
• If you only bring 13 shells, the hull space directly under the turret will be empty, which could render poorly placed shots meaningless (though it would be somewhat inadvisable due to the 5 second reload, potentially starving you of ammo).

Cons:

• Nonexistent armour, can be penetrated by heavy machine guns on the side and autocannons in the front
• Vulnerable to overpressure damage
• No top machine gun for anti-helicopter and aircraft defence
• The slpprj m/95 round is a tier IV modification and will take some time to get access to it
• Difficult to hide due to the doorknob-shaped commander's optic on the roof of the turret
• Taller and longer profile compared to all other tanks with the CV90 chassis
• Turret is mounted far back on the hull: it can be a little awkward peeking backwards, but exposing the entire hull can be dangerous
• Its speed, combined with its somewhat slow vertical turret-traverse rate, can make firing on the move over rough terrain difficult.

History

Background

After the CV 90105 TML project, Hägglunds began their own private venture to develop the light tank of the future. Working from their CV 90 chassis, they began tinkering with the Swiss Ordnance 120 mm Smoothbore cannon, to achieve MBT grade firepower. The design principle behind the project was that the vehicle wouldn't require armour if it had the capability to destroy targets before being fired upon. The tank was revealed in the summer of 1998 at the EUROSATORY defence exhibition in Paris. This version was a prototype however, as it took Hägglunds 3 more years to finalize the design. The vehicle would be known as the CV 90120, and is one of the most passionate projects launched by Hägglunds.

CV 90120-T in low visibility summer camouflage.

Design

The CV 90120 is incredibly light for its weaponry, coming in at just below 20 tonnes excluding the weaponry. The challenge when designing the tank was transferring the recoil from a gun that size, into the chassis, without damaging the tank. The gun was specifically modified and picked for this problem. the CTG (Compact Tank Gun) 120/L50 Smoothbore managed to solve this issue thanks to the lightweight design and strong structure. The gun is semi auto-loaded from the rear of the turret, with reserve ammunition stored in the rear of the chassis, which was previously used as troop transport in the prior CV 90. Later variants, such as the CV 90120-T, the variant reflected in game, would see novel features such as generation 3 thermal imaging, along with smoke grenades, and commanders thermals provided by SAAB.

Future development

Hägglunds was bought by Alvis Ltd. in 1997, and later by BAE Systems in 2004. Despite this, the project has continued development. The latest version was revealed in 2011, known as the CV 90120 Ghost. This version is still being worked on, despite lacking any sort of customers. No matter the fate of the vehicle, Hägglunds seem convinced that the future of tank combat isn't survivability, but rather visibility. The CV 90120 Ghost has side-skirts capable of adapting its thermal imaging to look like something else, and the chassis is shaped to reflect radar signature. Hägglunds has made it perfectly clear what their vision on the future is, and along with the Polish PL-01 based on the same chassis, the vehicle remains a concept waiting to prove itself right.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the CV 90120 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Should You Grind The CV 90 120? - Sako Sniper

Swedish Doom Cannon! - CV90120 - JustinPlaysYT

CV 90120 - Deadliest Light Tank In WT ATM - Tank Review - Napalmratte

The Shooting Range #197 - Metal Beasts section at 00:33 discusses the CV 90120.

CV 90120 The True Glass Cannon! - JustinPlaysYT

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.