The world's first fifth-generation "stealth tank" practically invisible to infrared and radar detection won't come from either the United States or Russia but from Poland.

Poland's gently contoured and visually appealing PL-01 "main battle tank" (MBT) is being billed by its makers as a fifth-generation MBT because the advanced stealth features protecting it from electronic detection are found on no other MBT. That plus other advanced features such as an unmanned turret.

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In comparison, the U.S. M1A2 Abrams MBT and the Chinese Type-99 MBT are classified as third-generation MBTs. Russia's T-14 Armata is classified as either a third-generation or fourth-generation tank.

Developed by the Polish state-owned defense firm OBRUM with support from BAE Systems, plc for the Polish Army, the PL-01 is scheduled to enter production in 2018. A fully functional prototype should be completed this year. 

The stealth tank was first revealed to the public in 2013 at the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland.

OBRUM stands for "Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych," which translates into English as "Research and Development Center Mechanical Equipment." OBRUM develops and manufactures weapons systems for the Polish Armed Forces.

The primary weapon of the PL-01 will either be a 105 mm or 120 mm gun fed by an autoloader that ensures a rate of fire of six rounds a minute. The gun will fire both conventional anti-tank rounds and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

PL-01 can carry 45 rounds for the main gun, 16 of which are located inside the robot turret with the remainder stored within the hull. The tank is also armed with a 7.62 mm caliber UKM-2000C machine gun with 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

A remote-controlled weapons station on the turret can accept a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The turret will also house an active protection system (APS) to neutralize incoming ATGMs or RPGs.

OBRUM revealed the turret can be changed depending on the type of mission undertaken by the tank.

At the heart of the PL-01's 5th generation capabilities is its stealth technology.

PL-01 is covered with special "temperature controlled wafers" allowing it to blend with the infrared signature of its surroundings. This makes the tank invisible to infrared sensors.

And, more amazingly, these hexagon-shaped wafers can be manipulated to make the tank look like a smaller object such as a car. The tank's stealthiness also means that exhaust from its 940 bhp engine is cooled to lower the tank's infrared signature.

OBRUM also claims the entire tank will also be covered with a special material that absorbs radio waves.

The tank will be manned by a three-man crew: commander, gunner and driver. Information about the armor protecting the tank is classified.

There's also controversy as to what the PL-01 really is. Some media reports describe the futuristic-looking PL-01 as a light tank while others call it a Direct Support Vehicle. 

Tagsstealth tank, PL-01 main battle tank, Poland, fifth-generation MBT, OBRUM, Research and Development Center Mechanical Equipment, temperature controlled wafers