MB-3 Tamoyo
Summary
| Origin country | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Sub-type | Light Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Bernardini S/A Industria e Comercio, Brazil |
| Number built | 150 units |
Technical specifications
| Crew | 4 personnels |
| Range | 550 km |
| Mass | 30.0 tons |
| Height | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
| Width | 3.22 m (10.6 ft) |
| Length | 8.77 m (28.8 ft) |
| Max. speed | 67 km/h (42 mph) |
| Engine | Saab-Scania DSI-14 Diesel Engine with 600 hp |
| Weapon 1 | 1 Bernardini 90mm rifled barrel gun |
| Weapon 2 | 1 M-2HB 12.7mm machine gun (600 rounds) |
| Weapon 3 | 1 7.62mm MAG machine gun (3,000 rounds) |
Further Reading
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Historical operators
Description
The Bernardini MB-3 Tamoyo was a Brazilian main battle tank designed by Bernardini S/A Indústria e Comércio. Development commenced in 1983, originating from Bernardini's work upgrading the US M41 Walker Bulldog to M41B and C configurations for the Brazilian Armed Forces. The MB-3 was part of a developmental sequence that included the EE-T1 Osório in 1984 and the Tamoyo III in 1987.
The vehicle design was based on the M41 platform but featured a lengthened hull and an additional road wheel. The suspension system utilized torsion bars. Armor protection consisted of spaced armor applied to the forward hull, glacis plate, and turret, supplemented by side skirts. Primary armament for the initial MB-3 was a 90mm rifled gun manufactured in Brazil by Bernardini, with an ammunition capacity of 68 rounds. The subsequent Tamoyo III variant was armed with a NATO 105mm L7 rifled gun. Secondary armament included a 7.62mm FN-MAG machine gun and a 12.7mm M2 HB machine gun. The vehicle's electrical and fire control systems incorporated night sights and a laser range finder. Propulsion was provided by a Saab-Scania DSI-14 engine, which could be paired with either an Allison CD-500 mechanical transmission or a General Electric HMPT-500 automatic transmission.
The MB-3 Tamoyo never entered serial production or active military service. The project concluded after the prototype stage, and no units were deployed or exported.