Notes: The IS series of heavy tanks
were designed to counter the German 88mm guns on the Tiger tanks and field guns.
The IS series is named after a transliteration of Josef Stalin (Iosif
Stalin), and is sometimes called the JS series for this reason.
Despite its heavy armor, the IS series was not designed to battle German
tanks (at least not on purpose); the IS series was instead designed to combat
strongpoints and entrenched positions, and act as a sort of assault gun.
The IS series was also intended to be more mobile than the KV series of
Russian heavy tanks; the KV was continually criticized for being underpowered
and having treads that were not wide enough for rough or sloppy terrain, and for
being too expensive to build and maintain.
The IS-1 appeared in mid-1943, but had a short service life; it was
quickly replaced by the IS-2, and the IS-3 was first used during the Russian
Invasion of Germany in 1944. IS-2s
and 3s were used by the Russians until about two decades after World War 2, and
some were used by other countries as late as nearly 1980.
Many were dug in as fixed pillboxes along the Soviet-Chinese border.
(It is believed that some working examples are still in service in North
Korea and Cuba!) Even today, the
occasional working museum piece can be found here and there.
IS-1
When Kliment
Voroshilov fell out favor with Stalin due to the failures of his KV series of
heavy tanks, his designs were handed over to the Kirov design bureau.
In the meantime, the Russians needed a new heavy tank quickly, if only as
a stopgap measure. Voroshilov’s
upcoming design, the KV-85, was re-engineered into the IS-85, and then the name
changed to the IS-1. The primary
changes were greatly improved protection including sloped armor, and an
improved, better-shaped (in a ballistic sense) turret similar to that of the
T-34 as opposed to the large, blocky turret of the KV-85.
Though still underpowered, the IS-1 had a 510 horsepower engine, better
than that of the sluggish KV-85.
However, the IS-1 was a stopgap design, and was low-rate production for only a
short time before being replaced by the more capable IS-2.
Most IS-1s were upgunned with the 122mm A-19 gun in early 1944.
IS-2
As stated
before, the IS-1 was a stopgap measure, but development of the IS-2 began before
the production of the IS-1. The
primary reason for the IS-2 version was the installation of a more powerful gun
and installation of heavier and better-sloped armor.
At first the BS-3 100mm gun was considered as it fired AP shells with
better penetration, but ultimately, the 122mm A-19 was installed, due to the
heavier caliber and the fact that the primary role of the IS-2 was as an assault
breaker and bunker-buster. The
machinegun layout of the IS-2 is also quite different; one is a coaxial, the
other is in the rear of the turret, while the commander has a heavy machinegun.
The A-19 was also a rather common gun in the Soviet inventory, as opposed
to the BS-3, which was barely out of development.
The A-19 used a separate projectile and powder charges, which resulted in
an increased loading time (only 4 rounds per minute in short bursts, and 2 per
minute sustained) and a marked reduction in the amount of rounds able to be
carried internally. Reloading was
also awkward due to a poor ammo storage configuration.
This was later rectified with the introduction of the D-25T gun, which
had a much faster-loading drop breech and simplified acquisition of targets.
The glacis and lower front hull were also simplified in construction and
had better armor sloping. (Though
this version is sometimes called the IS-2M, the proper designation is the IS-2
Model 1944. The earlier version is
the Model 1943.) The actual IS-2M
is an early 1950s development, with larger external stowage bins on the hull,
larger dust skirts, and a few automotive updates; for game purposes, it is
identical to the IS-2 Model 1944.
IS-3
The IS-3,
introduced in late 1944, featured a comprehensive update to its armor package,
particularly in the glacis. The
turret also had a hemispherical one-piece cast turret with a shape that improved
protection, along with an actual increase in armor thickness.
The turret had a lower profile than that of the IS-2; though this
increased the overall height of the IS-3, it also seriously reduced the working
headroom in the turret – beginning the Russian trend towards using smaller
troops in their tanks. It is a
matter of debate as to whether the IS-3 actually saw combat service in World War
2 – some say small numbers were used against the Germans, some say it saw
service against the Chinese in Manchuria, and some say it played a part in the
invasion of Korea at the end of World War 2; there are just as many sources that
say none of these were true.
Regardless, the IS-3 was unknown to the West until September of 1945, when it
took part in a parade in Berlin.
That low-profile turret severely limited the depression of the IS-3s main gun
and coaxial machinegun; in fact, the IS-3 could barely depress its main gun and
coaxial at all. It also
dramatically reduced the amount of machinegun ammunition which could be carried.
However, the height of the tank was reduced by some 300mm. The glacis has
a distinctive pointed profile which earned it the nickname of
Shchuka (Pike) among Soviet troops.
In the early 1950s, IS-3s were upgraded to the IS-3M configuration.
This involved the addition of side skirts and generally thickened armor.
Most combat use of the IS-3M was in the Middle East; some were used by
the Egyptians as late as 1973, though most were out of service after the 1967
war. The Israelis also used some
captured examples as late as 1973, where they served as dug-in fixed pillboxes
along the Jordan River. The IS-3s
involved in the 1967 War were reportedly immune to hand-held rocket launchers as
large as 90mm recoilless rifles from the front and side, and the Israelis’
M-48A2 were unable to penetrate the frontal armor of the IS-3M.
Unfortunately, engine breakdowns were common as they were not suited to
the climate, the slow rate of fire was an impediment, and the poor fire control
and stabilization made accurate shooting difficult.
The additional weight of the armor also slowed the IS-3 and made it less
agile. However, the IS-3Ms had been
fitted with rudimentary night vision equipment, and fared better in night combat
than during the day.
Intermediate IS designs
IS series
upgrades extended shortly before the end of World War 2 and shortly afterward.
The IS-4 was designed in tandem with the IS-3 by a different design
bureau to compete with the IS-3 design.
In the end, both were built, though only 250 IS-4s were built, all during
World War 2, as the IS-4 was discontinued at the end of World War 2.
The IS-4 was longer than the IS-3, with six pairs pf roadwheels instead
of five. The extra room was
unfortunately not used to mount a larger turret, but instead used to store
additional fuel and main gun ammunition.
The IS-4 was a heavy design that used the same engine as the IS-3, and
was therefore slower and less agile than the IS-3.
The IS-5 and IS-6 never made it off the drawing board; the IS-7, however, did
make it to the prototype stage in 1946, with three built.
It was a monster heavy tank, weighing 68 tons and having a more powerful
engine. The IS-7 was to mount a
vehicular version of a 130mm naval gun with an autoloader and stabilization in
the elevation axis; in addition, a total of 8 machineguns were to be mounted,
including the commander’s machinegun, two bow machinegun, a coaxial, a rear
turret machinegun, machineguns on each side of the enlarged turret, a loader’s
machinegun, and a remote-firing rear machinegun.
Armor was also to have been upgraded, and the crew would consist of five
members. Active IR would be provided for the gunner.
In the end, the IS-7 was abandoned as impractical.
The IS-8 and IS-9 again never made it off the drawing board, but the next
version, the IS-10 renamed the T-10, did, and into production.
T-10
Originally the
IS-10, this heavy tank did not reach the production lines until 1952.
By then, Josef Stalin was both dead and discredited, and the IS-10 was
therefore re-named the T-10. It
featured a long hull with seven pairs of roadwheels, a large turret with a new
gun, an improved diesel engine, and increased armor protection.
Though not roomy by Western standards, the turret of the T-10 was larger inside
and out than the rest of the IS series.
This turret housed an improved version of its predecessors, the 122mm
D-25TA. Two machineguns were
provided, with both the commander’s and the coaxial machineguns being DShKs.
The overall larger size of the T-10 meant that it could carry more main
gun ammunition and fuel than the rest of the IS series, and a more powerful
700-horsepower engine helped correct the power problems with the heavy IS-4.
In addition, while the armor gave more protection, it was more advanced
and lighter than that of the IS-4, and the engine, though more powerful, was
also lighter. The gunner had
primitive IR vision, and suspension in elevation axis as well as a coincidence
rangefinder and a telescopic sight.
The T-10M was an update of the T-10; it used a longer M-62-T2 gun with a huge
five-baffle muzzle brake. The main
gun was stabilized in two planes, the coaxial DShK was replaced with a KPVT
(which allowed it to function as a ranging machinegun if necessary), and it had
a collective NBC system for the crew.
In 1963, the T-10s were equipped with deep-wading snorkel systems, and in 1967,
APDS and HEAT ammunition was devised for their main guns.
Though the T-10 was used by the Soviets until the 1967, and by Egypt, Syria, and
North Vietnam until as long as ten years later, even the Soviets had to
acknowledge that by the mid-1950s the T-10 was obsolete.
As more T-54s, T-55s, and T-62s became available, the T-10 gradually
slipped down the food chain, finally being withdrawn or moving to
Mobilization-Only status. By 1993, almost no T-10s remained in any sort of
Soviet or Russian service.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
IS-1 |
$534,082 |
D, A |
500 kg |
44 tons |
4 |
20 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
IS-2 1944 |
$607,122 |
D, A |
500 kg |
44.37 tons |
4 |
20 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
IS-2 M-1943 |
$629,072 |
D, A |
500 kg |
46 tons |
4 |
22 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
IS-2 M-1944 |
$633,238 |
D, A |
500 kg |
46.5 tons |
4 |
22 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
IS-3 |
$639,022 |
D, A |
500 kg |
46.5 tons |
4 |
25 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
IS-3M |
$707,842 |
D, A |
500 kg |
48.55 tons |
4 |
26 |
Active IR (G) |
Enclosed |
IS-4 |
$672,478 |
D, A |
500 kg |
52.3 tons |
4 |
29 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-10 |
$593,212 |
D, A |
500 kg |
52 tons |
4 |
32 |
Active IR (G) |
Enclosed |
T-10M |
$625,922 |
D, A |
500 kg |
52.5 tons |
4 |
33 |
Active IR (G) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
IS-1/IS-1 1944 |
93/65 |
23/15 |
525+730 |
220 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF 53
TS17 TR11 HF66
HS14 HR9 |
IS-2 M-1943 |
102/71 |
25/16 |
520+270 |
260 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF58
TS22 TR16
HF73 HS16
HR10 |
IS-2 M-1944 |
101/71 |
25/16 |
520+270 |
263 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF62
TS22 TR16
HF77 HS16
HR10 |
IS-3 |
101/71 |
25/16 |
520+270 |
263 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF77
TS28 TR24
HF96 HS20
HR18 |
IS-3M |
98/68 |
24/15 |
520+270 |
276 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF84
TS25 TR23
HF105 HS21
HR19 |
IS-4 |
93/65 |
23/14 |
585+270 |
296 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF77
TS28 TR24
HF96 HS20
HR18 |
T-10/T-10M |
104/73 |
26/16 |
600+270 |
305 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF86
HS26 HR24
HF108 HS22
HR19 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
IS-1 |
+1 |
None |
85mm D-5T85 Gun,
DT, DT (C), DT (Bow) |
36x85mm,
2520x7.62mm |
IS-1 1944 |
+1 |
None |
122mm A-19 gun,
DT, DT (C), DT (Bow) |
28x122mm,
2520x7.62mm |
IS-2 M-1943 |
+1 |
None |
122mm A-19 gun,
DT, DShK (C), DT (Rear), |
28x122mm,
2330x7.62mm, 945x12.7mm |
IS-2 M-1944 |
+1 |
None |
122mm D-25T gun,
DT, DShK (C), DT (Rear), |
28x122mm,
2330x7.62mm, 945x12.7mm |
IS-3 |
+1 |
None |
122mm D-25T gun,
DT, DShK (C), DT (Rear), |
28x122mm,
1000x7.62mm, 945x12.7mm |
IS-3M |
+1 |
Basic |
122mm D-25T gun,
DT, DShK (C), DT (Rear), |
28x122mm,
1000x7.62mm, 945x12.7mm |
IS-4 |
+1 |
None |
122mm D-25T gun,
DT, DShK (C), DT (Rear), |
32x122mm,
1000x7.62mm, 945x12.7mm |
T-10 |
+1 |
Basic |
122mm D-10TA
gun, DShK, DShK (C) |
38x122mm,
1600x12.7mm |
T-10M |
+1 |
Fair |
122mm M-62-TA
gun, KPVT, DShK (C) |
38x122mm,
700x14.5mm, 800x12.7mm |
Notes: The T-34 was perhaps the best
tank of World War 2, and quite the rude shock to the Germans during their
invasion of Russia and subsequent Russian invasion of Germany.
It introduced concepts that are now standard such as sloped armor and
elimination of shot traps, and was designed for ease of operation and
especially, ease of production – the result being a tank capable of taking on
even the Tiger and Panther tanks, could be built in huge quantities quickly, and
crews easily trained. It was
designed to replace both the T-26 light tank and the BT series of heavy tanks,
unifying the concept of the infantry tank and a tank designed to fight other
tanks, and do both better than its predecessors.
The design of the T-34 goes back to 1934, and it first appeared on the
battlefield in 1940; by 1996, it was still in large-scale use with 27 countries,
and small numbers are still in use here and there in the world as I write this
(late July 2009).
The T-34/76
The design
concept of the T-34 was for the tank to be light and fast, yet mount a more
effective main gun than most Soviet designs and still have decent armor
protection. The need for decent
armor protection in a lightweight tank led the designer, Mikhail Koshkin, to go
back to prototype versions of the BT series and the sloped armor they used to
increase the armor protection without a great increase in weight.
Originally, Koshkin envisioned the T-34 to use less than an inch of armor
maximum and a 45mm main gun, but by 1939, it was obvious to Koshkin that these
concepts weren’t good enough against modern tank designs and the rapid armored
vehicle evolution that was taking place, and the design changed radically before
it left the drawing board. Armor
was almost doubled in maximum thickness, and the main gun was to be the then-new
high-velocity L-11 76.2mm gun. The
483-horsepower V-2 diesel engine was also a new idea in an era when most armored
vehicle ran on gasoline; a diesel engine was chosen because it greatly reduced
the possibility of the T-34 going up in flames if hit in the fuel tanks as well
as increasing range and performance in cold weather.
The suspension was a very simple design pioneered by Christie in the US,
but that was largely discarded by the Allies and the Axis powers by World War 2.
The Christie suspension was simple to build and maintain, and used wide
“slack treads” that had large roadwheels instead of return rollers and tight
treads. The Christie suspension
also decreased the height of the T-34.
T-34s usually carried external auxiliary fuel tanks; unlike later Soviet
designs, the T-34’s auxiliary tanks were on the sides of the hull instead of the
rear in sets of two on each side.
Ammunition stowage was horrible; only 9 ready rounds could be carried in the
turret, and the rest were stowed under the floor and in bins in several areas of
the tank. This meant that there
were usually hurried unpacking of main gun ammunition, with floor plates
hurriedly pulled up and ammunition boxes laying all over the place, exacerbating
the cramped interior conditions.
The initial early production versions of the T-34 (commonly called the T-34
M-1940 or later, the T-34/76A) were hampered by a shortage of the diesel
engines, and they instead had the MT-17 gasoline engines used by the BT tank,
along with a difficult-to-use transmission that resulted from the fact that the
MT-17 was a modified aircraft engine.
Radios were in short supply, and only tanks used by company commanders
and up had them. (The costs below
assume the T-34 has a radio; if it doesn’t, subtract $500 from the price of the
tank.) The L-11 main gun did not develop the hoped-for velocity and was a bit
slow to reload. The turret had room
only for two men, so the commander had to double as the gunner or the loader had
to also fire the main gun. The main
gunsights were in fact located at the commander’s station rather than in the
place where a gunner would normally be, with the loader having relatively poor
sights. The hull had space for a bow machinegunner/radio operator. 173 of these
early-production T-34s were built.
This quickly led to the main production version of the T-34 during World War 2,
the T-34 M-1941 (or T-34/76B).
Production of the V-2 diesel engine and its simpler associated transmission had
quickly ramped up, and all T-34 Model 1941s had these engines and transmissions.
The T-34 M-1941 used the improved F-34 76.2mm high-velocity gun and had
heavier armor. The turret was
enlarged to allow the T-34 to have a loader and gunner, greatly increasing the
rate of fire for the main gun. One of the famous stories about the T-34 M-1941
was its production at Stalingrad during the siege of that city; T-34s were
literally rolling off the production lines unpainted with crews jumping into
them at the end of the production line and driving them straight into combat.
The engine and transmission were simpler to build, and the F-34 gun also
had two-thirds the parts of the L-11 gun; production time for the T-34 was cut
in half as a result. Nonetheless,
the T-34 had its weaknesses, the most common being the unreliable transmission,
with many T-34s going into battle carrying a spare transmission on their rear
deck; others included a cramped interior, poor ammunition stowage arrangement, a
loud engine, that two-man turret that made the T-34’s turret undermanned, and
poor driver visibility.
The next version, the T-34 M-1942 (T-34/76C) primarily incorporated improvements
to make manufacturing cheaper and quicker without compromising the good features
of the T-34 M-1941, and also had a much more reliable transmission.
By 1943, the design was largely frozen to keep up rapid production, but
the T-34 did continue to evolve.
The T-34 M-1943 (T-34/76D, E, and F models) used a larger hexagonal turret that
gave the loader more room to work (though the commander still had to double as
the gunner), increasing rate of fire for the main gun.
The T-34 M-1943 had a manually-rotating turret for the commander, a hatch
for the loader, and larger hatches; the Germans called it the “Mickey Mouse”
version because when viewed from the front with both turret hatches open, the
T-34 M-1943 resembled the cartoon character.
The T-34/76E, however, eliminated the commander’s cupola, but added a
ring of vision blocks and the commander and loader entering the turret through
an enlarged commander’s hatch. The
T-34/76F returned to the two-hatch turret, but without the commander’s cupola.
The T-34/57 was a rare (only 324 built) version, designed as a tank destroyer.
It used the same design as the T-34 M-1942, but mounted a high-velocity
57mm main gun (either a ZiS-4 or ZiS-4M).
A few were available for the Battle of Moscow in 1941, but most were
produced between 1943 and 1944.
Nailing down which World War 2 version of the T-34/76 was seen can be difficult;
they were continually updated during the war, and most T-34s had a mix of old
and new features as older tanks were refurbished and updated, and battle-damaged
T-34s were restored to working order.
Some also used appliqué armor made from scrap metal; I have used the
intended layout of these armor plates below, but individual T-34s with appliqué
armor may not have been equipped with the entire intended appliqué armor setup.
T-34s with appliqué armor were appended with the suffix
s ekranami (sometimes simply called
“ES”) which translates roughly to “with screens;” they were called screens
because the appliqué armor was produced in a tight-knit waffle pattern to save
steel and weight. This appliqué
armor adds 2 points of armor to the glacis, turret front, and turret sides, and
weighs 500 kg; it costs $1870 for a full set of plates.
When the Germans were able, they happily used captured T-34s; the Germans called
these the Panzerkampfwagen T-34 (r),
and sometimes sported sheet-metal VISMODs to make them resemble Tiger or Panther
tanks, reducing the chance of friendly fire.
These T-34s could be any of the various models of the T-34s used during
World War 2.
In mid-1944, production of the T-34/76 ended, replaced by the T-34/85.
T-34/85
Despite the
success of the high-velocity 76.2mm gun, the German 88mm and long-barreled 75mm
guns still out-ranged the T-34’s main gun, and penetration of the frontal armor
of the Tiger and Panther tanks was a matter of luck more than anything else.
At first, the Soviets began to design a new tank to replace both the T-34
and the KV-1 heavy tank called the T-43 which had 70% parts commonality with the
T-34. The T-43 prototypes, however,
proved to be a bit slow and none-too-agile; the T-43 had heavier armor and a
heavier 85mm D-5T gun adapted from an antiaircraft gun.
The T-43 was quickly cancelled in favor of a T-34 armed with the same
85mm gun, called the T-34/85 M-1943.
The 85mm gun had a long barrel and could almost match the range of the
German 88mm gun; it could easily handle a Tiger, though it was still no match
for a Panther from the frontal arc.
The T-34/85 M-1943 had a relatively roomy turret, a side-effect of the new gun;
the turret was roomy enough that if the T-34/85 was equipped with a radio, it
could be mounted in the turret within easy reach of the commander;
unfortunately, the T-34/85 was still hampered by a two-man turret crew.
The T-34/85 again The T-34/85 M-1943 had only a short production run from
February to March of 1943, replaced by the T-34/85 1944.
The T-34/85 M-1944 had a number of changes, the primary change being the
replacement of the main gun by the easier-to-manufacture and longer ZiS-S-53
gun. The turret had an improved
layout; it was roomier, and the radio was moved back to the hull with controls
placed in the commander’s cupola.
The main gun had a gunner and a loader.
The armor was again thickened, particularly on the turret front, and the
gunner was given a coincidence rangefinder and a telescopic gunsight.
After World War 2, further improvements were made to the T-34/85.
One of the first was the replacement of the ZiS-S-53 main gun with the
ZiS-S-54, which had gyroscopic stabilization in the elevation axis.
The T-34/85 was produced in large numbers until well after World War 2, and is
known to have seen action as late as May 1995 when an upgraded Serbian T-34/85
M-1944 attacked UN outpost in manned by British combat engineers.
In the Kosovo War, T-34/85s were used as decoys to draw fire from NATO
aircraft. They were occasionally
seen during the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001-2002. Several African
countries still use them. China
produced the T-34/85 for a short time, calling it the Type 58, though such
production soon stopped when the Type 59 became available.
T-34/85 production largely ended in 1950, though low-rate production
continued until 1964.
T-44
In late 1944, a
rare variant of the T-34 was introduced: the T-44.
Initially meant to be merely a T-34/85 with a more powerful
512-horsepower engine, thicker armor, and a torsion bar suspension, the 85mm gun
was replaced before production with a 100mm D-10S gun, a modified naval gun.
The turret of the T-44 proved to be a poor fit for this larger gun, and
the already cramped turret became far worse in that respect.
The heavier gun and armor also dramatically increased the weight of the
tank and effectively negated the advantage of the more powerful engine.
Production was always conducted at a low rate, and after World War 2,
production stopped as the T-54 was already being developed.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-34/76 M-1940
(Early) |
$216,432 |
G, A |
400 kg |
26 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/76 M-1940 |
$127,344 |
D, A |
400 kg |
26 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/76 M-1941 |
$172,746 |
D, A |
400 kg |
26.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/76 M-1942 |
$175,600 |
D, A |
400 kg |
28.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/76 M-1943 |
$202,321 |
D, A |
400 kg |
30.9 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/57 |
$188,050 |
D, A |
400 kg |
28.25 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/85 M-1943 |
$203,091 |
D, A |
400 kg |
31.5 tons |
4 |
18 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/85 M-1944 |
$217,400 |
D, A |
400 kg |
32 tons |
5 |
18 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-34/85 M-1945 |
$219,574 |
D, A |
400 kg |
32 tons |
5 |
20 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-44 |
$233,545 |
D, A |
400 kg |
33.9 tons |
5 |
22 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-34/76 M-1940
(Early) |
132/92 |
33/21 |
480+360 |
279 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF22
TS12 TR6
HF28 HS10
HR5 |
T-34/76 M-1940
(Early) |
132/92 |
33/21 |
480+360 |
209 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF22
TS12 TR6
HF28 HS10
HR5 |
T-34/76 M-1941 |
127/89 |
32/20 |
480+360 |
216 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF30
TS16 TR8
HF37 HS13
HR7 |
T-34/76 M-1942 |
123/86 |
31/19 |
610+360 |
232 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF37
TS19 TR11
HF46 HS16
HR9 |
T-34/76 M-1943 |
116/81 |
29/18 |
790+360 |
252 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF40
TS20 TR12 HF50
HS17 HR10 |
T-34/57 |
124/87 |
31/19 |
610+380 |
230 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF37
TS19 TR11
HF46 HS16
HR9 |
T-34/85 M-1943 |
114/80 |
29/17 |
810+380 |
256 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF50
TS25 TR16
HF63 HS21
HR13 |
T-34/85
M-1944/M-1945 |
113/79 |
29/17 |
810+380 |
260 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF59
TS26 TR17
HF66 HS22
HR14 |
T-44 |
113/79 |
29/17 |
642+380 |
292 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF61
TS27 TR17
HF68 HS23
HR14 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-34/76 M-1940
(Early) |
None |
None |
76.2mm L-11 gun,
DT, DT (Bow), DP (Turret Rear) |
76x76.2mm,
2898x7.62mm |
T-34/76 M-1940 |
None |
None |
76.2mm L-11 gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
76x76.2mm,
2898x7.62mm |
T-34/76
M-1941/M-1942 |
None |
None |
76.2mm F-34 Gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
77x76.2mm,
4420x7.62mm |
T-34/76 M-1943 |
None |
None |
76.2mm F-34 Gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
100x76.2mm,
4420x7.62mm |
T-34/57 |
+1 |
Basic |
57mm ZiS-4 gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
103x57mm,
4420x7.62mm |
T-34/85 M-1943 |
None |
None |
85mm D-5T gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
55x85mm,
2394x7.62mm |
T-34/85 M-1944 |
None |
None |
85mm ZiS-S-53
gun, DT, DT (Bow) |
60x85mm,
1890x7.62mm |
T-34/85 M-1945 |
+1 |
Basic |
85mm ZiS-S-54
gun, DT, DT (Bow) |
60x85mm,
1890x7.62mm |
T-44 |
+1 |
Basic |
100mm D-10S Gun,
DT, DT (Bow) |
58x100mm,
1890x7.62mm |
Morozov T-54/55
Notes: One of the oldest
continually used armored vehicles in the world; the prototype T-54 was first
produced in 1946 and production began in 1947. One of the oldest continually
used armored vehicles in the world; the prototype T-54 was first produced in
1946 and production began in 1947.
Since then it has been continually improved, and there were almost 50 variants
available in the world by 2000, in addition to the numerous variants of the
Chinese version of the T-55, the Type 59.
It is the archetypical Russian tank, small, light, easy to produce and
maintain, and available almost anywhere.
Though it would be over five years before the existence of the T-54 and
T-55 were known in the West, the appearance of these tanks spurred development
in the West of tanks such as the M-60 series, the Chieftain, the Leopard 1, and
the AMX-30. So many T-54s and T-55s
were built in so many countries worldwide that exact production figures are
unknown, but at least 100,000 were built.
Though the versions below include only Soviet and Russian versions, there
are dozens of other T-54 and T-55 versions built all over the world, and even
more home-grown modifications.
Ammunition for its main gun has likewise been continually improved over the
years, and in some versions, the T-55 can fire ATGMs through the main gun tube.
They were continually upgraded during and after production, and upgrade
kits are still being sold and devised; it is likely that, despite its
inferiority to even 1970s-era tanks, that the T-55 will be around for a long
time to come. The T-54/55 has been in continuous combat somewhere in the world
from 1955 on, from the Vietnam War to the current Tigray War in Ethiopia.
The T-54 and T-55 introduced the slightly-oval, saucer-shaped turret that became
a hallmark of Soviet and Russian tanks for decades to come.
The turret has hatches on the deck for the commander and loader; the
addition of a loader crewmember was greatly welcomed to Soviet tankers more
accustomed to the T-34 series. The
hull is a basic sort of affair, with the turret in the middle of the hull and a
Christie suspension that used roadwheels with large spokes to reduce weight and
slack treads. The driver is on the
front left of the hull.
The T-54
By the end of
World War 2, the T-44 variant of the T-34 was in low-rate production, with its
100mm gun. However, even before the
first T-44 prototype was produced, it was realized that the 100mm D-10S (or any
gun of a similar caliber) was an uncomfortably-tight fit in any turret that
could fit on the T-34’s hull, and that due the size of the T-34 series’ turret
ring, the size of the turret could not be increased very much.
In October of 1944, designers at the Uralvagonzavod facility at Nizhny
Tagil began work on the larger T-54, with the first prototype being built in
February of 1945.
The first T-54 used an enlarged T-44 hull, with an almost identical drive train.
The new V-54 diesel engine, however, was slightly more powerful at 520
horsepower, and had a transmission that, while still manual, gave the driver
somewhat less of a workload. A
tradeoff was made between fuel capacity, armor, and ammo carrying capacity.
More main gun ammunition could be carried, but machinegun ammunition was
cut by more than half. The internal
fuel capacity grew, and the armor a got little bit thinner. The tradeoffs were
deemed worth it – the T-54 had a more powerful main gun than almost any main
battle tank in the world at the time.
The main gun was a 100mm D-10TK, an upgraded version of the D-10S of the T-44.
The T-54 had a pair of bow machineguns.
The T-54, unlike earlier Soviet designs, had external auxiliary fuel
tanks that could be pre-connected to the T-54’s fuel system, keeping the crew
from having to exit the T-54 and empty the contents of the auxiliary tanks into
the main fuel tanks.
However, this was not to be the final prototype/limited production version of
the T-54. After field trials,
several design changes were made.
These included an updated main gun, the LB-1, and the addition of a coaxial
machinegun as well as a commander’s machinegun.
Fuel capacity was further increased, and numerous small changes were made
to the electrical system, transmission, and suspension to increase reliability.
Armor was heavier on the turret front and sides.
In total, some 1490 modifications were made; low-rate production lasted
from 1947 to 1949. This version was
called the T-54-1.
And yet, this was still not the production form of the T-54.
Some armor improvements were made (particularly on the hull sides, turret
and hull decks, and the floor armor).
The turret became more circular than oval, and rails were added to the
sides of the turret for the crew to tie their equipment to.
The pair of fender-mounted bow machineguns were removed, replaced by a
single bow machinegun that was to be fired by the driver.
The transmission was further modernized and wider tracks fitted.
This version was the T-54-2.
The T-54-3, which replaced the T-54-2 in production in 1951, had a reshaped
turret without any side undercuts and an improved telescopic sight for the
gunner, and it had another rare feature for tanks of the time – it could
generate a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into its exhaust.
At the same time, a command version of the T-54-3 was built (the T-54K);
the only difference was the addition of a second radio. The T-54-3 was the first
major production version of the T-54. (The T-54-2, T-54-3, and T-54K are
otherwise identical for game purposes.)
In the early 1950s, there were several personnel changes at Nizhny Tagil,
including the chief designer, who was replaced twice by March of 1953.
The new designer for the T-54 decided to make several changes to the
T-54’s design, resulting in the T-54A, which entered service in 1954. Foremost
of these was the replacement of the main gun with the new D-10TG, which was a
D-10T stabilized in the vertical axis.
The driver was also given an IR vision block which could replace his
central vision block as needed; this was paired with IR headlights.
The main gun of the T-54A was originally to have a small counterweight at
the muzzle, but this idea was discarded and the main gun was fitted with a fume
extractor instead. The radio of the
T-54A was updated. The engine
received several improvements, including in the radiator and oil pump.
The T-54A had a fire extinguishing system which required only a pull on a
small handle in the turret. A bilge
pump was also added (earlier models of the T-54 proved to be leaky when
fording). A command version, the
T-54AK, was designed based on the T-54A; this version had an additional,
long-range radio added in the turret, an inertial navigation device, and a small
0.5kW APU. The additional equipment
in the turret and hull required that the main gun ammunition load be reduced by
five rounds.
In 1957, the T-54B version began production.
The T-54B had two-axis main gun stabilization (changing the designation
of the main gun to the D-10T2S), and an IR searchlight was added forward of the
commander’s position; he or the gunner could aim the searchlight.
The T-54B was also the first Soviet tank able to use APFSDS ammunition.
A T-54BK command tank version was also built, which was a T-54B with the
additional equipment found on the T-54AK.
The T-55
After the
Soviets gained the atomic bomb, they found out that the T-54 could survive a
15-kiloton blast at a range of only 300 meters from the center of the explosion.
Unfortunately, while the T-54 would survive, the crew would be dead from
the radiation and concussion. A lot
of good that does. This began the
road to the improved T-55, which entered service in 1958.
The T-55 was radiation shielded, and had a collective NBC system.
But the Soviets did not stop there, not by a long shot.
They installed the 581-horsepower V-55 diesel engine, which also had fuel
injection and a new, more efficient fuel filter.
The hatches over the engine compartment were modified to allow easier
access. The engine was equipped
with an electric starter that made starting the T-55 in cold weather easier, and
the crew was also given a heater.
Ammunition rearrangement and the new smaller engine allowed main gun ammunition
storage to be increased dramatically; 18 of these rounds were actually stored in
the center of the hull fuel tanks.
The commander and gunner had night vision at last, but the commander’s
machinegun was deleted, since it was felt that it was not effective against fast
jet aircraft and helicopters did not have the important place on the battlefield
they have today. The T-55’s turret
armor was thicker than that of the T-55, but frontal armor was actually reduced
to save weight, and the armor on the rear of the hull was also reduced.
The main gun, the same as on the T-55B, was also stabilized in two
dimensions. The T-55 was
essentially a modernized T-54, but to “wow the West,” it was given a new
designation of T-55. A command
variant, the T-55K, was also built starting in 1959; this had an additional
long-range radio, 0.5 kW APU, and more advanced night vision for the commander.
The additional equipment meant that the main gun ammunition load had to
be decreased, and the bow machinegun had to be removed.
Also in 1959, some T-55s had fittings added so they could mount the PT-55
mineclearing flail system or the BTU or BTU-55 dozer blade.
In 1961, deployment of the T-55A began.
While the NBC protection of the T-55 was effective against gamma rays, it
did little to stop energetic neutrons. The POV plasticized lead lining was added
to address this deficiency. An
indication that you are looking at a T-55A are the crew hatches; they are
noticeably larger and bulged. (A
side effect of this was in increase in protection to the crew from fragments and
bullets.) The collective NBC system
was also improved, with more efficient filtration.
The coaxial SGMT machinegun was replaced by a PKT machinegun, and the bow
machinegun was completely deleted from the design; in its place, six main gun
rounds were stored. The hull is
16cm longer, allowing for an increase in glacis armor.
Unfortunately, this made the T-55A heavier than its predecessors.
A T-55AK command version was also built, with the same extra equipment as
the T-55K, and the same reduction in main gun ammunition.
The T-55A could fire the new BM-8 APFSDS round, which had a longer-rod
penetrator.
Some T-55Ks
served as a testbed for the Uran TV apparatus.
This system used a video camera to reconnoiter the battlefield for higher
headquarters. The vehicle had a
data-capable radio which transmitted the pictures to a BTR-50PU command vehicle
up to two kilometers away; the BTR-50PU had a powerful data-capable which took
up most of the rear area’s space and the electrical bus in the BTR-50PU.
The BTR-50PU retransmitted the pictures to higher headquarters. This
system proved to be fragile and data transmission was slow (about 6 Baud), and
the T-55K using the device could in many circumstances return to headquarters
and make a report in person more quickly.
The Uran system did not survive the testing phase.
The T-55A was upgraded several times during its service.
In 1965, new tracks were fitted which had a longer life than the old
tracks; this also required the fitting of a new drive sprocket.
In 1970, the commander’s machinegun was restored.
In 1974, a laser rangefinder was fitted to the T-55A, as well as an
improved telescopic gunner’s sight.
Also in 1974, radios were upgraded, as was the night vision suite.
Optional rubber side skirts and a driver’s windshield could be fitted.
Lugs for ERA were also added in the 1974 model.
In 1983, the T-55M model was introduced.
The major change was the installation of the Volna fire control system,
which added thermal imaging for the gunner, allowed the laser rangefinder to
double as a laser designator, and allowed the T-55M to launch the new 9K116-1
(AT-10) Bastion ATGM through its gun barrel.
In addition, stabilization of the main gun was improved (though not
enough to be reflected in the Twilight
2000 rules) and the engine installed was the same V-55U engine of the T-62,
developing 620 horsepower. Radios were also updated.
Protection was increased with the addition of side skirts and appliqué
armor for the glacis, turret front, and turret sides.
On each side of the turret four smoke grenade launchers were added, and
the interior of the T-55M had an automatic fire detection/suppression system.
A cheaper version of the T-55M, the T-55AM2, was also designed; this is a
T-55M without the Volna FCS or ATGM capability.
The T-55M6
starts with a T-55M5, but is a more radical upgrade. The chassis is longer by
one roadwheel, allowing it to mount the turret of a T-72B, complete with 125mm
2A46M main gun, the autoloader for the main gun, and additional ammunition
storage to increase the amount of ammo carried to the same as the T-72B. The
turret is further modified by giving it the armor suite of the T-80U.
The T-72M6 may be armed with a fire control system allowing it to use the
9K120 Svir or 9K119 Refleks missile.
The T-55MV is a
version the T-55M which has lugs for Kontakt-1 ERA on the turret front, front
third of the turret roof, and glacis. It is otherwise the same as the T-55M for
game purposes. The T-55MV-1 is the
same as the T-55MV, but has a V-46-5M 691-horsepower engine installed.
The T-55M5 is the same as the T-55MV-1 but replaces the Kontakt-1 ERA
with Kontakt-5, and has hunter-killer sights for the commander and gunner,
Trying to help make the T-55 more survivable, the Soviets devised an appliqué
armor package for the T-55’s turret.
Called bra armor or horseshoe armor, this is simply a large block of cast
steel that fits over the front and sides of the turret, with appropriate holes
and cutouts to fit the main gun, coaxial machinegun, and sights.
Hits to the front of the turret are 85% likely this additional armor;
hits to the sides of the turret are 50% likely to hit this armor.
At the same time, the armor of the hull floor was thickened somewhat.
This version of the T-55 is designated the T-55AM; it is based on the
T-55M. (The designation T-55AM is
sometimes used for a version of the T-55A with the DShK machinegun moved over to
the loader’s hatch; this version is the same as the T-55A 1970 or 1974 version
except for the position of the machinegun.) The T-55AMV is a version of the
T-55AM that has lugs for ERA on the glacis, turret front, turret sides, hull
sides, and the forward one-quarter of the turret front; this version dates from
the early 1980s and does not use the bra armor package.
Two later versions (circa mid-1990s or so), the T-55AMD and T-55AD, replaces the
ERA lugs and system with the Drozd active protection system.
This system includes a small, short-range radar system on the turret roof
to detect incoming missiles and rockets (it doesn’t work fast enough to stop
tank and autocannon rounds) and launches special rounds in the path of the
missile that quickly break up into a cloud of tungsten pellets, destroying the
missile before it can hit the tank.
The Drozd system has six of these rounds available, and the special rounds are
50% likely to stop the incoming missile; the missile will be destroyed about 10
meters from the tank. (The primary
problem with the Drozd is in the limitations of its radar system and not the
special rounds.) The T-55AMD is
based on the T-55M; the T-55AD has the Drozd system, but not the Volna FCS or
ATGM capability.
Various T-54/55 Versions…
The Afghanis
bought T-55s from Russia and Type 59s and Type 69s from China in the 1960s and
1970s. To keep them running during the Taliban period, non-functioning tanks
were heavily cannibalized, resulting in Afghani T-55s turning into a hodgepodge
of T-55, Type 59, and Type 69 parts, resulting in sort of chimera tanks. For
game purposes, Afghani T-55s are T-55As/AKs, but have parts from many tanks and
sometimes even whole turrets or chassis being replaced with other variants of
the T-55/Type 59/Type 69. (Most of the Afghani T-55s were actually destroyed by
US forces during the initial invasion of Afghanistan.)
The Argentinian
company TENSA modernized some T-55As for Peru in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Modernizations included applique armor for the turret, rubber side skirts, a
laser rangefinder for the main gun and coaxial machinegun, and a mast-mounted
retractable 1-meter weather sensor on the turret that senses humidity, wind
characteristics, and heat-related mirages.
This data is used by the gunner, who has a small computer to consolidate
information for a main gun shot. The TENSA variant also has a new 700-horsepower
engine.
In the 1960’s,
the Russians experimented with a version of the T-55 called Ob’yekt 155ML which
had an armature on the rear of the turret mounting three 9M14 Malyutka (AT-3
Sagger) missile launchers. The
commander had sighing and control equipment by his station on the turret deck,
and the commander’s machinegun was moved to the loader’s position. This version
was not proceeded with beyond test versions; some of the reasons were the
relatively short range of the Malyutka compared to the main gun and the lack of
any space for reloads of the missile launcher. This vehicle should not be
confused with the T-55ML, which was an unsuccessful variant of the T-55M, and
for which I have no information to go on.
The Digna is a
Sudanese copy of the T-55A. The
Sudanese use a great deal of locally-sourced parts, and there has been a problem
with parts not necessarily being interchangeable enough.
This is due to manufacture being subcontracted to the many machine shops
of Sudan.
Flamethrower Tanks: The OT-54 and TO-55
Both the T-54 and T-55 were modified into flamethrower tanks.
The OT-54 was the first, modified from the T-54A, and first saw service
in 1954. The second, the TO-55,
first saw service in 1960, and was based on the basic T-55 chassis.
The OT-54 used the ATO-1 automatic flamethrower; the TO-55 used the
ATO-200 automatic flamethrower. In
both cases, however, the specifications of the flamethrower are basically the
same. The flamethrowers fire short
bursts of flaming jellied gasoline, about one every three seconds, until the
gunner takes his thumb off the trigger or the flamethrower runs out of fuel.
Both carry 460 liters of jellied gasoline, and the flamethrower is
mounted coaxial to the main gun in place of the coaxial machinegun.
The bow machinegun is also deleted.
The ATO-1 has a base T2K range of 40 meters, while the ATO-200 has a base
T2K range of 50 meters; both flamethrowers have enough fuel to allow for 13
bursts. The flamethrower’s fuel
tank and equipment are mounted in the front right hull, next to the driver,
where six rounds for the main gun are normally stored.
(This must make the driver feel real good…)
Twilight 2000 Notes: The T-55AMD and T-55AD are
very rare in the Twilight 2000
timeline. T-55s and T-55As in
Russian service are found primarily in Category 2 and 3 units, though in other
armies they can be main-force tanks.
In Russian service, T-54s are mostly found in Category 3 or
Mobilization-Only units; elsewhere in the world, they can still be found in
front-line units, though this is also rare.
Few OT-54s exist anymore in the Twilight 2000 timeline; TO-55s are a
little bit more common. Stock T-55s/T-55/T-55As/T-55Ms and their variants are
the most common T-55s in Soviet service, except that the T-55M6 does not appear
in the Twilight War, and the T-55K Uran does not exist in the Twilight 2000
timeline.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-54 |
$392,908 |
D, A |
462 kg |
35.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-54-1/2/3/K |
$418,092 |
D, A |
463 kg |
39.15 tons |
4 |
16 |
Headlights |
Enclosed |
T-54A |
$572,284 |
D, A |
463 kg |
36 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D) |
Enclosed |
T-54AK |
$575,690 |
D, A |
463 kg |
35.9 tons |
4 |
17 |
Active IR (D) |
Enclosed |
T-54B |
$592,962 |
D, A |
463 kg |
36 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D),
IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
T-54BK |
$596,368 |
D, A |
463 kg |
36 tons |
4 |
17 |
Active IR (D),
IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
T-55 |
$728,780 |
D, A |
465 kg |
36 tons |
4 |
14 |
Active IR (D, C,
G), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55K |
$789,780 |
D, A |
464 kg |
35.9 tons |
4 |
14 |
Active IR (D,
G), Passive IR (C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55K Uran |
$1,050,738 |
D, A |
461 kg |
36.3 tons |
4 |
19 |
Active IR (D,
G), Passive IR (C), Uran TV Cameras (G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55A (1961) |
$733,252 |
D, A |
472 kg |
38 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D, C,
G), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AK (1961) |
$794,252 |
D, A |
472 kg |
37.9 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D,
G), Passive IR (C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55A (1970) |
$749,060 |
D, A |
472 kg |
38 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D, C,
G), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AK (1970) |
$810,060 |
D, A |
471 kg |
37.9 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D,
G), Passive IR (C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55A (1974) |
$1,041,060 |
D, A |
472 kg |
38 tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AK (1974) |
$1,102,060 |
D, A |
471 kg |
37.9 tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55M |
$960,242 |
D, A |
471 kg |
40.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55MV-1 |
$994,044 |
D, A |
470 kg |
40.5 tons |
4 |
21 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55M6 |
$993,904 |
D, A |
490 kg |
42.5 tons |
3 |
25 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-54AM2 |
$822,242 |
D, A |
560 kg |
40.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AM |
$960,242 |
D, A |
473 kg |
44.4 tons |
4 |
18 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AMV |
$969,844 |
D, A |
473 kg |
40.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AMD |
$1,016,674 |
D, A |
476 kg |
40.7 tons |
4 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55AD |
$878,674 |
D, A |
476 kg |
40.7 tons |
4 |
20 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
OT-54 |
$652,284 |
D, A |
462 kg |
36.6 tons |
4 |
19 |
Active IR (D) |
Enclosed |
TO-55 |
$808,780 |
D, A |
465 kg |
36.6 tons |
4 |
17 |
Active IR (D, C,
G), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Ob’yekt 155ML |
$990,310 |
D, A |
465 kg |
36.3 tons |
4 |
19 |
Active IR (D, C,
G), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-55A (TENSA) |
$966,460 |
D, A |
472 kg |
39 tons |
4 |
|
Passive IR (D,
G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-54 |
122/86 |
31/18 |
530+380 |
225 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51
TS17 TR13
HF63 HS12
HR8 |
T-54-1/2/3/K |
115/80 |
29/17 |
545+380 |
237 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54
TS18 TR13
HF63 HS12
HR8 |
T-54A/AK/B/BK/OT-54 |
121/85 |
31/18 |
545+380 |
228 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54
TS18 TR13
HF63 HS12
HR8 |
T-55/T-55K/TO-55/K Uran/Ob’yekt 155ML |
128/90 |
33/19 |
680+380 |
246 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF57
TS19 TR14
HF60 HS12
HR6 |
T-55A/AK (All
Versions) |
112/78 |
29/17 |
680+380 |
260 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF57
TS19 TR14
HF66 HS13
HR6 |
T-54M/AM2/AMV/AMD/AD |
109/77 |
28/17 |
680+380 |
254 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS21 TR14
HF70 HS15
HR6 |
T-55MV-1 |
126/88 |
35/25 |
680+380 |
269 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS21 TR14
HF70 HS15
HR6 |
T-55M6 |
122/85 |
34/24 |
680+380 |
269 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF122Cp
TS29Sp TR22
HF72Sp HS17Sp
HR6 |
T-55AM |
102/72 |
26/16 |
680+380 |
278 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF90*
TS51* TR14
HF70 HS15
HR6 |
T-55A (TENSA) |
134/94 |
37/26 |
680+380 |
260 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF65Sp
TS21Sp TR15
HF66 HS15
HR6 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-54 |
+1 |
None |
100mm D-10T,
2xSGMT (Fenders) |
34x100mm,
3800x7.62mm |
T-54-1 |
+1 |
None |
100mm LB-1,
SGMT, SGMT (Fenders), DShK (C) |
34x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-54-2/3/K |
+1 |
None |
100mm LB-1,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow), DShK (C) |
34x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-54A |
+1 |
Basic |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow), DShK (C) |
34x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-54AK |
+1 |
Basic |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow), DShK (C) |
29x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-54B |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow), DShK (C) |
34x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-54BK |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow), DShK (C) |
29x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55 |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow) |
45x100mm,
3800x7.62mm |
T-55K |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT |
37x100mm,
3800x7.62mm |
T-55K Uran |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
SGMT |
30x100mm,
3000x7.62mm |
T-55A (1961) |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T, PKT |
45x100mm,
3800x7.62mm |
T-55AK (1961) |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T, PKT |
37x100mm,
3800x7.62mm |
T-55A (1970) |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
45x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55AK (1970) |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
37x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55A (1974) |
+2 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
45x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55AK
(1974)/AM2/AD |
+2 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
37x100mm,
3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55M/AM/AMV/AMD |
+2 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
38x100mm,
5xAT-10 ATGM, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55MV-1 |
+2 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T,
PKT, DShK (C) |
38x100mm,
5xAT-10 ATGM, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-55M6 |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119 Svir or 9K119 Refleks ATGM (not both), 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
OT-54 |
+1** |
Basic** |
100mm D-10T,
ATO-1 Flamethrower, DShK (C) |
28x100mm,
13xFlamethrower Bursts, 500x12.7mm |
TO-55 |
+1** |
Fair** |
100mm D-10T,
ATO-200 Flamethrower |
39x100mm,
13xFlamethrower Bursts |
Ob’yekt 155ML |
+1 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T, 3x9M14
Malyutka Launchers,
SGMT, SGMT (Bow) |
45x100mm, 3x9M14
Malyutka ATGM,
3800x7.62mm |
T-55A (TENSA) |
+3 |
Good |
100mm D-10T,
MAG, M2HB (C) |
34x100mm,
4000x7.62mm, 1000x12.7mm |
*The bra armor on the turret front and sides is not guaranteed protection;
incoming rounds are 85% likely to hit the front bra armor and 50% likely to hit
the side bra armor. If the bra
armor is not hit, armor for the TF is 60 and 21 for the TS.
On the positive side, floor armor for the T-55AM is AV 6.
**The Fire Control and Stabilization figures do not apply to the flamethrower.
Notes:
After the appearance of the T-54 and T-55, the West responded with new
tanks of their own; these tanks, like the M-60, Chieftain, Centurion, Leopard 1,
and M-48 had better armor, maneuverability, and fire control than the T-55.
In addition, the Soviets realized that the 100mm D-10T gun of the T-55
could not penetrate the frontal armor of these newer Western tanks.
Soviet 100mm HEAT ammunition could, but the Soviets, due to their limited
manufacturing capabilities, could not manufacture 100mm HEAT ammunition quickly
in large quantities or at a reasonable cost. The Soviets also knew that the new
Western 105mm guns could easily out-do the Soviet 100mm gun.
(The main reason the Soviets knew all this was the defection of an
Iranian officer to the Russians; he drove his then-new M-60A1 tank across the
border to the Soviet Union.)
At first, the Soviets decided that the simplest solution was to re-gun the T-55
with a newer 115mm gun called the U-5TS (later called the 2A20).
It was quickly discovered that the T-55’s turret was not up to snuff with
the recoil and power of the U-5TS.
This meant that a larger turret was required, which meant that a larger turret
ring was needed, which meant that a larger hull was necessary to mount the new
turret – and you have the T-62, an evolutionary upgrade of the T-55.
The T-62, though produced from 1961 to 1975 and in service in Russia until the
mid-1990s, did not have the great success of the T-55.
It was never produced in the huge numbers of the T-55; real-world
production costs were over twice those of the T-55, and the APFSDS ammunition
for the new gun was also quite expensive at the time.
The T-62 was deemed an improvement over the T-55, but not a big enough
improvement for most countries to immediately begin replacing their T-55s with
the T-62. Most Warsaw Pact and
other possible export customers passed on the T-62 until they were essentially
out of date and could be had at a relatively cheap real-world cost.
The only countries that built the T-62 under license were Czechoslovakia,
from 1975 to 1978, and North Korea, who obtained a license in 1980 are
reportedly still producing them.
During production in the Soviet Union, the T-62 was built at plants in both the
Ukraine and near the Ural Mountains, and the Ukrainians still build upgrade kits
for the T-62 today. Today, over 20
countries are in fact using the T-62; most of these are Third World countries
who got them cheap in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The First-Generation T-62s
The actual first “T-62s” were the prototype Ob’yekt 165 versions; these were
simply stretched T-55s hulls with a new turret ring, a new 100mm D-54TS gun, an
automatic spent shell ejector, and upgraded stabilization and fire control.
The few that entered field testing were quickly withdrawn.
The first true T-62 entered service in 1961.
It was equipped with the new U-5TS Rapira gun; this was the first
smoothbore gun employed in large numbers by any army in the world.
The main gun was stabilized in two planes, and fire control consisted of
a coincidence rangefinder with telescopic day/night sight.
Though a small tank, the T-62 carried a respectable main gun ammunition
load; unfortunately, the machinegun ammunition situation was the opposite.
(This went along with Soviet doctrine of the time – tanks were supposed
to fight tanks and not meant to support infantry.)
The commander’s cupola was slightly raised, but non-rotating, and had no
commander’s machinegun; it has four vision blocks to the front, and two facing
opposite directions in the turret hatch.
The commander has a small hand-trained spotlight mounted externally near
his hatch, and a large searchlight is mounted over the main gun.
On the right side of the turret, in a small armored box, is a Geiger
counter. The V-55A diesel engine
developed 581 horsepower, which gave the T-62 decent mobility due to the light
weight of the tank. A smoke screen
can be laid by the T-62 by injecting diesel fuel into its exhaust.
Much larger fuel tanks were fitted; these are under the armor of the
right fender, but if you hit the T-62 in that fender from slightly below, the
armor thickness is only about half that of the rest of the hull sides. External
fuel tanks can also be fitted at the rear.
It should be noted that, while overall, the armor of the T-62 is about 5%
thicker than that of the T-55, the armor on the T-62’s sides near the floor and
on the armor on the turret and hull decks is actually a little thinner than that
of the T-55.
Two command versions of the T-62 were built.
The T-62K, introduced in 1964, had an additional long-range radio fitted,
as well as a 1kW APU. To make room
for this additional equipment, ammunition for the main gun and coaxial
machinegun had to be decreased. The
T-62K was for use by commanders at company and battalion levels.
The T-62KN, for use at higher than battalion levels, was outfitted like
the T-62K but also had inertial navigation.
In limited issue to T-62 crews was the ZET-1 armor system, first deployed in
1964. This was a stretchable screen
with about the strength of a chain-link fence but with a tighter net-like
structure that was used on the front of the tank to pre-detonate HEAT rounds.
Another part of the system was a set of thin steel-backed rubber side
skirts that flipped upwards for suspension maintenance.
Unfortunately, the side skirts were not ready for prime time, as they
tended to get ripped off the tank in wooded terrain; also in wooded terrain, the
net armor up front would become clogged with vegetation, eventually reaching the
point where the driver could not see.
(In open terrain, the ZET-1 system actually proved to be quite
effective.) The system was
withdrawn in early 1964. The
frontal screens work like spaced armor, but are only 50% likely to stop 2d6 of
penetration; the rest of the time, they stop only 1d6 of penetration.
The side skirts add 1 AV to the hull side armor.
The entire system weighs 500 kg and costs $1000.
In 1967, the T-62’s rear deck was modified to ease access to the engine.
This version is called the T-62 M-1967; for game purposes, it is
identical to the T-62, T-62K, or T-62KN (whichever applies).
The T-62 had a number of problems, not all of which were ever addressed.
The turret itself carries only 4 ready rounds; the rest are in front of
the engine compartment and alongside the driver.
Turret rotation was slow; a 360-degree turn of the turret took 21
seconds, almost twice that of Western tanks of the time.
To reload the main gun, the gun must be elevated to +3.5 degrees; since
the sights elevate and depress with the gun, the gunner can’t look for new
targets during the reloading of the main gun, and the sudden change in elevation
of the main gun to 3.5 degrees is a signal to an alert enemy that the T-62 is
reloading and relatively vulnerable.
The fact that the turret could not be traversed during reloading did not
help matters. Though the main gun
can hit at 4000 meters during the day, the relatively primitive night vision
equipment limits the main gun’s range to 800 meters.
Though the T-62 is capable of 4 rounds per minute when it is stationary,
and fire on the move is possible, the tight confines of the turret and the
bouncing around of the tank meant that reloading while on the move was very
difficult. Perhaps the biggest
problem with the T-62 was the automatic spent case ejection system.
The port was never properly aligned with the main gun’s breech, which led
to lots of cases missing the port and hitting the sides instead.
Case ejection was violent, and spent shells could laterally ricochet off
the edges of the port and injure the turret crew.
(Later, a deflector would be added to protect the commander, but this did
not help the gunner or loader.) The
poor design of the case ejection system also tended to cause the turret to
gradually fill with carbon monoxide from the main gun rounds.
That small hatch for case ejection, though spring-loaded, also meant that
the T-62 could not be completely NBC sealed; the crew would have to wear full
MOPP gear in an NBC environment.
Finally, though the T-62 had relative agility for a Soviet tank, it still could
not keep up with the then-new BMP-1 IFV.
The Second-Generation T-62s
Some problems
with the T-62 were later addressed and either fixed or partially fixed; some
never got fixed because the production lines were already well-established and
making major changes was deemed to be too costly, especially since the T-62s
successor (the T-64) was already in service and the successor to the T-64 (the
T-72) was already in the initial design phases.
The first of these new modifications was noticed in the West in 1972, and called
the T-62 M-1972. (It, like most of
the Soviet designs, was probably in service 2-5 years earlier.)
The T-62 M-1972 had a DShK machinegun, but it was installed on a pintle
in front of the loader’s hatch.
This meant that the T-62 finally had an antiaircraft machinegun, but using it
was problematic since it meant that the loader had to do double duty as a gunner
for the machinegun and a loader for the main gun.
New, longer-lasting tracks (the same as those on the T-72) were fitted,
which also meant that a new drive sprocket had to be added.
Special equipment meant that deeper fording could be done without having
to resort to a snorkel attachment (though not as deep a level of fording as if a
snorkel was used). The
T-62 M-1975 was similar, but added a KTD-1 or KTD-2 laser rangefinder to the
gunner’s equipment (mounted in an armored box over the main gun next to the
searchlight), and upgraded the night vision suite.
The bolts for the commander’s cupola, which tended to work loose, were
also countersunk and covered with caps; the pintle mount for the DShK could also
be shifted to the commander’s cupola, and usually was.
In 1983, the T-62M was introduced.
First seen by the West in Afghanistan (and at first called by them the T-62E),
the T-62M had the Volna fire control system, which included an upgraded night
vision suite for the gunner, as well as a laser rangefinder that could double as
a laser designator. Like the T-55M,
this allowed the use of an ATGM fired through the gun tube; this ATGM was a
variant of the AT-10 Stabber (9K117 Bastion), one that had a special housing to
allow it to be used with the larger-diameter gun.
The missile is the 9K117-1 Sheksna, or the AT-12 by the West. The version
of the Volna system fitted to the T-62M also had a ballistic computer. The
commander’s auxiliary sights were also upgraded, making them the equal to the
gunner’s sights (though the commander could not launch an ATGM or use the
gunner’s thermal imager). The main
gun received a thermal sleeve, updated radios, and the V-55U diesel engine
developing 620 horsepower. On each
side of the turret, four smoke grenade launchers were added.
The new equipment, unfortunately, took up enough room that main gun
ammunition load had to be slightly decreased.
Protection-wise, the T-62M also received several changes.
The T-62 was fitted with the BDD appliqué armor package, which increased
the belly armor, added armored side skirts (backed with rubber), a large steel
plate bolted to the glacis, and bra armor similar to that of the T-55AM.
The BDD armor package also included a liner to absorb energetic neutrons
from nuclear explosions. While the
T-62M is more survivable, it is also much heavier, negating the advantages given
by the more powerful engine.
Variants of the T-62M include the T-62M-1, with a 690-horsepower V-46-5M engine.
The T-62M1 (not to be confused with the previous version of the T-62) has
a revised, more effective hull armor layout, but no Volna FCS or ATGM
capability. The T-62M1-1 (gets
confusing, doesn’t it?) is the same as the T-62M1, but with the V-46-5M engine.
The T-62M1-2 is a T-62M1 without the BDD armor package.
The T-62M1-2-1 is a T-62M1-2 with the V-46-5M engine.
Command versions of the T-62M were also built; the T-62MK is for the most part
similar to the T-62M, but has no ATGM capability (though it does have a thermal
imager for the gunner). The T-62MK
has an additional medium-range and long-range radio, and a 1kW APU.
Inertial navigation equipment is also fitted.
Like the T-62K, the T-62MK has a lower ammunition load.
The T-62MK-1 is the same, but uses the V-46-5M engine.
The T-62MV replaces the bra armor of the T-62M with lugs for ERA and the
Kontakt-1 ERA package (the ERA itself is not included in the price below).
These lugs are on the glacis, hull sides, the turret front, and the
forward one-quarter of the turret roof.
The T-62MV-1 is the T-62MV with the V-46-5M engine.
The T-62M1V is the T-62MV without the Volna FCS.
The T-62M1V-1 is the T-62M1V with a V-46-5M engine.
The Third-Generation T-62s
In the late
1980s, the last major upgrade by Russia to the T-62 was made.
The T-62M was used as a base; the bra armor was removed, and instead, the
Drozd active protection system was installed. This system includes a small,
short-range radar system on the turret roof to detect incoming missiles and
rockets (it doesn’t work fast enough to stop tank and autocannon rounds), and
launches special rounds in the path of the missile that quickly break up into a
cloud of tungsten pellets, destroying the missile before it can hit the tank.
The Drozd system has 20 of these rounds available, and the special rounds
are 50% likely to stop the incoming missile; the missile will be destroyed about
10 meters from the tank. (The
primary problem with the Drozd is in the limitations of its radar system and not
the special rounds.) This model is
called the T-62MD; a version with the V-46-5M engine is called the T-62-MD-1.
The TO-62
The TO-62 is the
same idea as the TO-55, but on a T-62 chassis.
The coaxial PKT machinegun is replaced with an ATO-220 automatic
flamethrower; the flamethrower fires one burst every three seconds as long as
the trigger button is depressed.
The ATO-220 flamethrower fires at lower pressure and uses less fuel on each
burst; therefore, though the fuel tank still carries 460 liters, more bursts are
available, but the base T2K range is 25.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-62 |
$745,850 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D, G,
C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62K |
$747,250 |
D, A |
500 kg |
39.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D, G,
C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62KN |
$767,250 |
D, A |
500 kg |
39.5 tons |
4 |
17 |
Active IR (D, G,
C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62 M-1972 |
$775,800 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.1 tons |
4 |
16 |
Active IR (D, G,
C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62 M-1975 |
$1,067,800 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.1 tons |
4 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M |
$1,048,542 |
D, A |
500 kg |
43.8 tons |
4 |
20 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M-1 |
$1,048,834 |
D, A |
500 kg |
43.9 tons |
4 |
20 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1 |
$833,174 |
D, A |
500 kg |
41.1 tons |
4 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1-1 |
$833,574 |
D, A |
500 kg |
41.2 tons |
4 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1-2 |
$1,033,734 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.8 tons |
4 |
19 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1-2-1 |
$1,034,174 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.9 tons |
4 |
19 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MV |
$1,044,072 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.8 tons |
4 |
19 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MV-1 |
$1,044,472 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.9 tons |
4 |
19 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1V |
$1,071,702 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.7 tons |
4 |
18 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62M1V-1 |
$918,898 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.8 tons |
4 |
18 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MK |
$1,071,702 |
D, A |
500 kg |
43.3 tons |
4 |
22 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MK-1 |
$1,072,062 |
D, A |
500 kg |
43.4 tons |
4 |
22 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MD |
$1,111,340 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.8 tons |
4 |
21 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-62MD-1 |
$1,111,740 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.9 tons |
4 |
21 |
Thermal Imager
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
TO-62 |
$825,850 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.6 tons |
4 |
17 |
Active IR (D, G,
C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor* |
T-62/K/KN/M-1972/M-1975/TO-62 |
109/77 |
28/17 |
960+400 |
314 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF66 HS14
HR8 |
T-62M/MK |
105/74 |
27/16 |
960+400 |
326 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF90**
TS50** TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
T-62M-1/MK-1 |
114/80 |
29/17 |
960+400 |
350 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF90**
TS50** TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
T-62M1 |
111/77 |
28/17 |
960+400 |
323 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF73 HS18
HR9 |
T-62M1-1 |
120/84 |
30/18 |
960+400 |
328 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF73 HS18
HR9 |
T-62M1-2/MV/MD |
113/79 |
29/17 |
960+400 |
304 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
T-62M1-2-1/MV-1/MD-1 |
122/86 |
31/18 |
960+400 |
326 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
T-62M1V |
112/78 |
28/17 |
960+400 |
320 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
T-62M1V-1 |
121/85 |
30/18 |
960+400 |
325 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF60
TS20 TR15
HF70 HS16
HR8 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-62 |
+1 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT |
40x115mm,
2500x7.62mm |
T-62K/KN |
+1 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT |
36x115mm,
1750x7.62mm |
T-62 M-1972 |
+1 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT, DShK (L) |
40x115mm,
2500x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-62
M-1975/M1/M1-1/M1V/M1V-1 |
+2 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT, DShK (C) |
40x115mm,
2500x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-62M/M-1/M1-2/M1-2-1/MV/MV-1/MD/MD-1 |
+3 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT, DShK (C) |
33x115mm,
5xAT-12 ATGM, 2500x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-62MK/MK-1 |
+3 |
Fair |
115mm U-5TS gun,
PKT, DShK (C) |
34x115mm,
1750x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
TO-62 |
+1*** |
Fair*** |
115mm U-5TS gun,
ATO-220 Flamethrower |
34x115mm,
20xFlamethrower Bursts |
*Turret and hull deck armor for most of the T-62 series is only 3.
However, floor armor for the T-62M series is 6.
**
The bra armor on the turret front and sides is not guaranteed protection;
incoming rounds are 85% likely to hit the front bra armor and 50% likely to hit
the side bra armor. If the bra
armor is not hit, armor for the TF is 60 and 20 for the TS.
***The rangefinder and fire control bonuses do not apply to the flamethrower.
Notes:
The T-64, despite the relatively small numbers in which it was produced,
was a rather radical advance in tank design; it is similar to the technological
leap that the T-34 made in World War 2.
The design of the T-64 sprang from two seemingly diametrically-opposed
desires of the Red Army: the desire to dispense completely with heavy tanks as a
class, and yet keep the protection and heavy armament that those heavy tanks
provided. The result was a design
much more advanced in the mid-1960s than the West realized – one so advanced
that until the T-90 series, subsequent Soviet and Russian tanks have merely been
evolutionary upgrades of the T-64’s design.
The T-64 entered Soviet service in 1966, and was first identified in the
West in 1970. It has long been
replaced by later designs in the Russian Army, and was never exported, even to
other Warsaw Pact armies, and deployments outside the Soviet Union did not even
start until 1976. The Russians
still employ some 3000 of the latest versions of the T-64 in lower-readiness
units in 2009; the Ukrainians have almost 2000 in service, though most of theirs
have been improved even beyond the capabilities of the last Russian versions.
The T-64 is also still used by Belarus and Uzbekistan.
The chief designer, Alexander Morozov, received the Lenin Prize for the
T-64. Production of the T-64 (in
all versions) ended in 1987, though upgrading of the T-64 continues in Ukraine,
and several T-64s have been modified for other duties ranging from engineer
vehicles to recovery vehicles to even odd variants like heavy APCs.
The First T-64: The T-64R
Morozov began with a new turret and hull design, but still using a version of
the 115mm U-5TS gun called the D-68.
The main gun, however, was fed by an autoloader, dramatically increasing
the rate of fire. The autoloader
was fed by a double-row carousel-type rack in the floor of the turret; the
autoloader gunner would select the ammunition type, and the autoloader would
rotate the carousel to the appropriate place, retrieve the ammunition and ram it
into the breech, then close the breech.
After the round was fired, the autoloader opened the breech, removed the
spent shell, and put it back into the carousel.
The autoloader carousel holds 30 rounds; additional rounds are carried to
the right of the driver. Fire control was also updated from that of the T-62,
including a high-magnification coincidence rangefinder that could be dialed in
faster than that of the T-62. The
Night vision suite was a bit more advanced than that of the T-62; another
difference was that the searchlight was on the left side of the main gun instead
of over the gun.
As one of the problems with the T-62 was its inability to keep up with the
BMP-1, the T-64 was equipped with 5TDF 700-horsepower engine; unlike previous
designs, this was a multi-fuel engine.
The 5TDF was also more compact than comparable Western tank engines of
the time. The suspension was also
very different from previous designs; the primary shock absorbers for the
roadwheels were actually inside the hull floor, with the first, second, and
sixth roadwheels having additional external shock absorbers to further smooth
the ride. The suspension also used
shorter torsion bars than standard tank designs of the period.
This not only gave the T-64 a smoother ride, it made the T-64’s
suspension considerably lighter (and unfortunately, more complicated and prone
to problems).
The armor package was also innovative; it consisted of an outer and inner layer
of steel plate, with ceramic in between the two.
The ceramic armor itself, inside the steel, was encased in a thin layer
of aircraft-quality aluminum. This
form of spaced armor (sort of a very
early form of composite armor) gave the T-64 superior protection against HEAT
rounds; at the time, most anti-armor rounds were in fact HEAT rounds.
The side skirts (called Gill armor) actually sprang out when hit; this
gave a bit of additional protection against HEAT rounds (though not enough to
register with the Twilight 2000
rules).
While the T-64 was a large advance in tank design, it did have its problems.
One of the biggest problems was the new autoloader.
The T-64, like most Soviet tanks, was very cramped inside, and the new
autoloader didn’t really take into account just how small the turret’s interior
was. The result was an autoloader
that was prone to jamming and worse – all it took was a hanging sleeve for the
autoloader to grab the gunner’s arm and shove it into the breech; some gunners
on the early T-64 actually suffered from injuries so severe they required
amputation of the limb, and some were killed by the autoloader.
If the autoloader broke down, reloading the main gun was an ergonomically
horrible concept – you might be lucky to get off one round a minute.
Like most Russian tanks, a hull-down position was difficult to take, as
the main gun could depress to only -6 degrees (that’s about the maximum
depression for almost every Russian built tank since the T-34, in fact).
This is due to the small size of the turret.
Like most Soviet/Russian tank designs, the amount of machinegun
ammunition was nothing to write home about, but on the T-64, the machinegun
ammunition supply was skimpier than virtually any other Soviet or Russian tank.
Another problem was the complicated suspension; roadwheels could actually travel
enough to damage them, the torsion bars, or the shock absorbers.
The transmission used two clutches instead of one, making driving a
difficult task, and the steering system was so sensitive that driver’s could
easily oversteer the T-64, to the point that track throwing became a problem.
The Gill armor track skirts were also a problem; their mountings proved
to be quite fragile and the individual plates that composed the skirts could
easily be ripped off the T-64R as it moved through wooded terrain.
(Many crews removed them to keep them from getting damaged, or rattling
around if they were damaged but not totally ripped off their mountings.)
Nonetheless, some 600 of these early T-64s were built and put into service.
However, as problems and complaints mounted, virtually all of these early
versions were rebuilt using improvements resulting from these initial problems
as well as improvements that the Morozov team had also come up with.
To avoid confusion with later versions, this early T-64 was re-designated
the T-64R.
The First “Real” T-64s
Design work on
upgraded versions of the T-64 began at about the same time as large-scale
production of the T-64R started in 1965.
The then-new D-81T 125mm gun was to be fitted to this new version, which
was given the designation “T-64,” and the original T-64 becoming the T-64R.
The serious problems with the autoloader of the T-64R at first led the
Morozov team to dispense with the autoloader, but it was quickly realized that
the combination of the larger main gun and a fourth crewmember would severely
limit the amount of main gun ammunition that could be carried.
Therefore, the designers had to almost completely redesign the
autoloader, and it became an almost totally-reliable mechanism (there was still
the occasional jamming of the mechanism, and every now and then the autoloader
would still grab the gunner, but such problems dropped to the point that
accident rates were acceptable).
The new autoloader had a capacity of 28 main gun rounds; it still used the
turret floor-based carousel system, and additional rounds were still carried to
the right of the driver.
The Gill armor, unfortunately, was still used, with its attendant problems.
The suspension, transmission, and engine remained the same.
The armor package was changed somewhat, with heavier steel being used for
the outer layer of the armor, and a layer of fiberglass added to the armor
package in between the ceramic interior and the aluminum jacket around the
interior of the armor package. Some
concessions were made to the storage of equipment; starting at the front left
side and moving to nearly the center of the turret side, three boxes were added
tor crew gear and tools. A
compartment was added near the front right fender for the same purpose.
The hatches were also widened.
The T-64 had a collective NBC system for the crew, as well as considerable
radiation shielding based largely on lead-impregnated plastic and foam contained
in a small space between the armor and the interior walls of the tank.
The T-64 could use a snorkel to conduct deep fording if necessary.
The T-64A
Design work on
an upgraded T-64 began, like the T-64 and T-64R, almost as soon as the T-64
started rolling off the production lines, and first entered service in 1967.
The T-64A featured an upgraded fire control system with a better
coincidence rangefinder (not enough to be reflected in the
Twilight 2000 rules), and better
stabilization (again, not enough to be reflected in the game rules).
The radios were also updated, as was the
night vision suite. Perhaps the
most noticeable change was the commander’s station; the commander was given a
rotating cupola with a machinegun that could be aimed and fired from within the
turret. The commander also had
sights and stabilization for his machinegun equivalent to that of the main gun
and coaxial machinegun. The
commander also had full controls for the main gun and coaxial machinegun, should
he see a target that the gunner had overlooked.
The front of the T-64A had provisions for the attachment of a KMT-6 mine
plow.
At the same time, a command version of the T-64 was produced, called the T-64AK.
It differed in having an additional long-range radio, plus another
longer-range radio that could be used only when the T-64AK was halted, as it
required the erection of a 10-meter telescopic antenna mast.
The commander’s cupola was equipped with a PAB-2AM artillery aiming
circle to assist in calling for artillery strikes quickly.
The T-64AK also had a TNA-3 inertial navigation system.
The additional equipment could be powered during a halt by a 1 kW APU.
The T-64AK is not equipped with a commander’s machinegun.
In 1976, a modernized versions of the T-64A and AK began to appear.
The 1976 modernizations included the use of the improved D-81TM gun
(later renamed the 2A46-1), along with an associated modified stabilization
system, improved autoloader, and sights. (These modifications produce no changes
by Twilight 2000 rules.) In 1981, a
cluster of six smoke grenade launchers was added to each side of the turret, and
the troublesome Gill side skirts were replaced by simpler, yet tougher rubber
side skirts backed by aluminum. (In game terms, the T-64A M-1981, in addition to
adding the smoke grenade launchers, merely adds $1000 to the price of a standard
T-64A or AK.) In 1983, the T-64AM and AKM versions appeared; these versions have
all of the preceding improvements, plus the replacement of the engine by the 6TD
1000-horsepower diesel engine, making the T-64AM and AKM very fast and agile
indeed, especially since the transmission and steering mechanisms were updated
at the same time. The new engine,
however, made the T-64AM and AKM rather fuel-hungry in relation to its
predecessors.
In 1985, The T-64A series was equipped with lugs for Kontakt-1 ERA on the
glacis, hull sides, turret sides, and turret front (and the front quarter of the
turret roof), resulting in the T-64AV and T-64AVK.
These versions were also equipped with new smoke grenade launchers, being
a pair of 4-round clusters on the left side of the turret.
The T-64AM and AKM were also equipped with ERA lugs, resulting in the
T-64AVM and T-64AVMK. For game
purposes, these are otherwise the same as base vehicles, but cost $1500 more
(and that’s only for the lugs and framework).
The T-64B
At about the
same time that the modernizations of the T-64A and AK began, a new upgrade of
the T-64 also began service: The T-64B.
In some ways, the T-64B was same as the T-64AM and AKM that would
eventually appear, but it also had several new systems not found on the T-64A.
The T-64B used the original T-64 engine and the associated transmission
and steering system; however, it had the new commander’s cupola, the provisions
for the mounting of a mine plow, the replacement of the Gill side skirts by
rubber/aluminum side skirts, and the addition of smoke grenade launchers.
Armor was also upgraded, particularly on the glacis and turret front and
sides. The armor layout and composition was also redesigned, yielding even more
protection.
However, there is an important difference between the T-64A’s gun and the
T-64B’s gun: the T-64B’s main gun can fire the 9M112 Kobra (AT-8 Songster) ATGM
through it, and has the appropriate associated fire control equipment for the
use of this ATGM. The gunner loads the Kobra into the gun tube, and has to leave
his station, remove the Kobra from its stowage position, and load it manually
into breech to do it, then return to his station and aim, fire, and control the
ATGM. The Kobra cannot be used with
the autoloader. Associated
equipment added to the T-64B includes a radio transmitter to control the Kobra
(mounted in front of the commander’s cupola), a thermal imager, a
higher-magnification day sight, and special stowage provisions for the missiles.
In addition, the gun tube is replaced by one designed for use with the
ATGM, a radio command unit and ballistic computer have been added to the main
gun fire control equipment, and the main gun has a crosswind sensor.
The main gun ammunition is limited to those rounds that fit into the
autoloader, but some internal rearrangement has allowed the coaxial machinegun
ammunition amount to be increased.
A command tank version, the T-64BK, was also built, similar in concept to the
T-64AK but with the improvements of the T-64B.
In 1981, the smoke grenade launchers were replaced with ones that used only four
barrel clusters on each side of the turret.
In 1983, the engine was upgraded to the then-new 1000-horsepower 6TD,
yielding the T-64BM and T-64BKM.
Versions of the T-64B and BK were produced with lugs for Kontakt-1 ERA on the
glacis, hull sides, turret sides, and turret front (and the front quarter of the
turret roof) were produced, resulting in the T-64BV and T-64BVK tanks.
Versions with ERA lugs have all eight smoke grenade launchers on the left
side of the turret. Versions with
the 6TD engine are called the T-64BMV and T-64BMVK.
A pair of lower-cost versions of the T-64B were also produced: The T-64B1 and
T-64B1K. These are essentially the
same as the T-64B and T-64BK, but do not have the capability to fire the 9M112
Kobra ATGM. Versions of the T-64B1
and T-64B1K with 6TD engines were not produced (at least not by the Russians).
Versions with ERA are called the T-64B1V and T-64B1VK.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-64R |
$916,196 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
34 tons |
3 |
20 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64 |
$935,898 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
38 tons |
3 |
20 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64A |
$1,074,044 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
38.1 tons |
3 |
18 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64AK |
$1,095,244 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
38 tons |
3 |
19 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64AM |
$1,094,800 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
38.7 tons |
3 |
18 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64AKM |
$1,116,000 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
38.6 tons |
3 |
19 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64B |
$1,382,746 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
40 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64BK |
$1,403,946 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
39.9 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64BM |
$1,384,766 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
40.7 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64BKM |
$1,405,966 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
40.6 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64B1 |
$1,369,056 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
40.6 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-64B1K |
$1,390,046 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
40.5 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-64R |
142/99 |
36/22 |
1000+400 |
377 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF65Sp
TS22 TR12
HF81Sp HS18Sp
HR10 |
T-64/A/AK |
130/91 |
33/20 |
1000+400 |
399 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF69Sp
TS22Sp TR12
HF86Sp HS18Sp
HR10 |
T-65AM/AKM |
172/120 |
44/26 |
1000+400 |
544 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF69Sp
TS22Sp TR12
HF86Sp HS18Sp
HR10 |
T-64B/BK/B1/B1K |
124/86 |
31/19 |
1000+400 |
419 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF72Sp
TS24Sp TR12
HF90Sp HS18Sp
HR10 |
T-64BM/BKM |
163/114 |
42/25 |
1000+400 |
571 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF72Sp
TS24Sp TR12
HF90Sp HS18Sp
HR10 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-64R |
+2 |
Fair |
115mm D-68 gun,
PKT, DShK (C) |
40x115mm,
1250x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-64 |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT, DShK (C) |
36x125mm,
1250x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-64A/AM |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
1250x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-64AK/AKM |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT |
34x125mm,
1250x7.62mm |
T-64B/BM |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
28x125mm, 8xAT-8
ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-64BK/BKM |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT |
28x125mm, 4xAT-8
ATGM, 2000x7.62mm |
T-64B1 |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
36x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-64B1K |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm D-81T gun,
PKT |
32x125mm,
2000x7.62mm |
Notes:
The T-72 was in some ways a successor to the T-64, in some ways an
upgraded T-64, was also developed in parallel to most of the T-64 series.
Though the T-64 was an excellent tank ahead of its time, it was expensive
to build, the engine was difficult to maintain, and the roadwheels were prone to
cracking. The main gun also never really lived up to expectations (especially in
the early models of the T-64). Yet at the same time, the T-64 was expensive and
labor-intensive to build. The Soviets never exported the T-64, and barely
allowed the T-64 to be stationed outside of the Soviet Union.
The Soviets, therefore, began working on a tank that was more advanced and took
advantage of newer technology, yet was also less expensive to build and could be
built using more modern methods.
This led to the T-72. The T-72 was a great success, exported far and wide many
variants, and even license-produced in several countries.
It was the most common Soviet and Warsaw Pact tank until the fall of the
Iron Curtain. Design work on the
T-72 began in 1967, and mass production in 1971.
In most of the hot spots in the world today, you stand a good chance of
running into a T-72 or one of its variants.
The T-72 Ural
The original
production version of the T-72 was the T-72, called by the Soviets the Ural.
It went into Soviet service in 1971, and Warsaw Pact service in 1973.
The Ural was basically the Soviets' “plain vanilla” version of the T-72 –
it had an optical coincidence rangefinder with magnification, limited night
vision and a relatively underpowered (for its weight) V-46-6 780-horsepower
diesel engine that is actually a supercharged version of the World War 2 T-34's
engine. This engine is relatively
smoke-free, and does not have the severe vibration that sapped the endurance of
T-64 crews.
Though lightweight by NATO standards, it was the heaviest tank the Soviets had
produced at the time since the heavy tanks of World War 2, and is relatively
narrow. The narrow track was
designed on purpose – it allowed the T-72 to drive over the very narrow bridges
found in much of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Compared to other Soviet and Russian tanks, the roadwheels of the T-72
are rather large; this was another deliberate design choice; the roadwheels of
the T-64 and T-80 are much smaller, and the large roadwheels of the T-72 allow
for quick identification by friendly (and unfortunately, enemy) forces.
Despite the low vibration and simpler transmission of the T-72, crews had
a different reason to dislike the T-72 Ural: the suspension.
The T-72 employed a rather simple suspension with semi-flexible torsion
bars and shock absorbers and roadwheels with a very limited amount of travel.
In a word, the ride sucked – very bouncy, and apt to slam the crew around
inside the tank. (Hold on tight.)
The interior of the tank is also quite small – the T-72 was designed for
tankers that were only 1.6 meters tall (5' 4”).
The T-72 was supposedly designed for fording; it was designed to be able to
drive in water 2 meters deep, or 5 meters with a snorkel.
However, the T-72 Ural was so leaky that crews were supplied with
emergency rebreathers in case the tank flooded and stalled underwater.
If the engine stalled underwater, the crew had six seconds to get the
engine restarted, or it would have to be abandoned – and that happened too often
for the Soviets' liking. The
Soviets issued orders that fording to snorkel depth should be avoided as much as
possible – but such fording was not disallowed, as it was considered important
to operational mobility.
The T-72 was designed for the nuclear battlefield.
The radiation protection of a T-72 is virtual proof against energetic
particles. The interior of the
entire tank is equipped with a synthetic fabric liner made from a boron compound
impregnated with lead, which can stop even the radiation from a neutron bomb
explosion occurring 300 meters away and prevents most damage from EMP.
The T-72 was the first Soviet tank to have an NBC overpressure system,
with a collective NBC system and MOPP suits as a backup.
The autoloader design does a good job of preventing fumes from the fired
ammunition from entering the interior of the tank.
The driver's compartment, commander's compartment, and gunner's
compartment are all isolated from each other by bulkheads, so if NBC protection
fails in one compartment, the others are not contaminated.
On the right side of the turret is a small armored box that contains a
radiac meter that also triggers an alarm inside the tank if radiation is
detected.
Though all the vision blocks of the T-72 Ural are too small, the driver's vision
blocks are way too small – when the
T-72 is buttoned up, the driver has a hard time of seeing where he is going, and
the commander constantly has to help him correct his steering.
The driver can replace his forward vision block with an equally-small IR
vision block. He steers using
tillers, similar to those on a US M-113, which means the driver needs a lot of
upper body strength, as they double as brakes.
He has a conventional gas pedal, but one of those hands that are needs to
use the tillers also has to shift the 7-speed, semi-automatic transmission.
The glacis has a V-shaped ridge on it; this is a splash guard for the
driver, and is also an easy recognition feature.
Another recognition feature is the streamlined appearance of the fenders;
the right fender contains the fuel tank. (Gee, the driver is surrounded by fuel
and main gun ammunition – fun!)
Each crew compartment, the ammunition stowage, and the engine compartment have
automatic fire detection and extinguishing systems.
On the T-72 Ural, only the glacis is made from composite armor.
The turret is of one-piece cast steel, and the rest of the armor package
is a mix of cast and rolled steel plates.
The T-72 Ural did not have the side skirts that are typically found on
later models.
The T-72 Ural had a serious defect that was never really corrected except on
some upgraded models built by other countries.
The ammunition for the main gun was stored, as is Soviet design
philosophy, in a carousel in the floor of the turret and in a box beside the
driver – but the Soviets skimped on the protection for the ammunition.
A penetrating hit to the ammunition stowage is very likely to cook off
the ammunition and blow the turret completely off – leading US troops who
encountered them in Desert Storm and the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to call the
T-72 the “jack-in-the-box.”
The T-72 uses the 2A26M2 125mm main gun, a slight modification of the T-64's
D-81T main gun. The main gun is
equipped with a heavy thermal sleeve; in fact, the gun and thermal sleeve are so
strong that the crew can use the main gun as a ram that will punch through as
much as 400mm of reinforced brick.
The main gun also has a fume evacuator.
The autoloader is a simpler design than that of the T-64, but the gunner
has to raise the gun three degrees past the normal maximum elevation for the
autoloader to be able to feed ammunition to the main gun.
The autoloader can carry 22 rounds.
While the gun is reloading, the gunner can still aim as new targets, as
the sights are vertically independent of the main gun.
Beside the main gun on the right side is a white light/IR searchlight,
and on the other side is the coaxial machinegun.
The commander has a machinegun mounted externally on his cupola, and
there is no provision for firing his machinegun from under armor protection.
The ammunition for the T-72's main gun uses separate projectiles and
propellant charges, and this slows the loading time somewhat.
Turret rotation is slow, with 21 seconds being required for a full
360-degree turn. There are some
stowage boxes on the exterior of the turret, but no bustle rack; the crew ends
up doing a lot of jury-rigged stowage of their gear.
There are several variants of this basic form of the T-72.
The T-72K Ural-K is the command version; it has an additional
medium-range and long-range radio as well as an inertial navigation system, a
mil ring (used to aid the commander when he called for artillery support)
inscribed on the inside of cupola, and a 1kW APU to power things when the engine
is off. This additional equipment takes up part of the stowage space normally
used for main gun ammunition. The
T-72 Ural-1 improved the armor package somewhat and moved the searchlight to the
left side of the turret beside the coaxial machinegun.
The T-72 M-1975 was the “cheap export” version, with reduced armor
protection, different composition for the composite armor on the glacis, and
none of the protection against nuclear explosions of the T-72 Ural.
(Interesting note: Soviet vehicles, aircraft, and weapons that were
downgraded in capability for export are sometimes called “Monkey Models,”
particularly in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s).
The T-72A
By the
mid-1970s, it was realized that the T-72 Ural design was falling behind the
times a little; in response, they introduced the T-72A in 1979, and was produced
until 1985. The Soviets
dramatically improved the armor package, increasing the armor protection on
almost every face of the hull and turret. In the early 1980s, lugs were added
for ERA on the glacis, hull sides, turret sides, turret front, and the front
quarter of the turret roof, and adding side skirts (made from plastic enclosed
in aluminum) and extra armor protection for the front fenders (especially around
the fuel tank, which had the same plastic plates as the side skirts, but with
thicker aluminum). The size of the
fuel tank was also enlarged. The
T-72A’s ERA lugs were originally designed for Kontakt-1 1st-generation
ERA, but later the lugs were modified for use with Kontakt-2 2nd-generation ERA.
(Versions with lugs for ERA are designated the T-72AV, or AVK for the
command version.) Externally, the most noticeable difference in armor protection
on the turret – the turret sides have ceramic sandwich spaced armor, as does the
turret roof – but the frontal turret armor’s thickness is so greatly increased
that it noticeably bulges outwards on either side of the gun mantlet, so much
that the T-72A was nicknamed the “Dolly Parton” after the buxom country-western
singer. This frontal turret armor
not only has an external layer of thicker steel, but has composite armor. On
either side of the turret near the turret rear sides are a cluster of six smoke
grenade launchers; like most Soviet and Russian armored vehicles, it can also
lay a thick, oily smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into its exhaust.
The T-72A has special screen for the engine that greatly decrease the
possibility that Molotov cocktails or ruptured external fuel tanks will pour
fuel into the engine compartment.
The fire control
system was also greatly upgraded, with a laser rangefinder and ballistic
computer for the gunner that could also be accessed by the commander if he
needed to fire the main gun with his override controls.
The hull was still leaky in fording, but not as much, and strong bilge
pumps were installed to further help the situation.
The size of the vision blocks was enlarged, and the commander has
wide-angle vision blocks. The
driver has a single wide-angle vision block straight forward (with a
corresponding wide-angle IR vision block to replace the day vision block).
The main gun has been replaced with the 2A46 125mm gun, which is improved
primarily in the mechanical department; it has a slightly higher rate of fire
(not enough to simulate with Twilight
2000 v2.2 rules) and an improved interface with the autoloader.
Performance-wise, it is identical for game purposes to the 2A26M2.
As with the T-72
Ural, a command version of the T-72A was built, the T-72AK.
It has the same additional equipment as the T-72 Ural-K.
An export
variant of the T-72A was also built, called the T-72M.
The Poles and the Czechs were also given licenses to produce and export
the T-72M (and also the T-72M1 and M1K), but also produced many for domestic
use, often with their own upgrades. (T-72 identification can often be a bit
confusing.) The T-72M has generally
downgraded armor protection and no ballistic computer; like the T-72 M-1975, is
also does not have the anti-radiation protection of the T-72A, and the radios
are generally inferior and have shorter range.
The T-72M also uses an improved version of the T-64s Gill side skirts,
but they are not much better than those used on the T-64.
Later, a version designated the T-72M1 was produced for export, with
heavier armor than the T-72M on the glacis and turret front and the same
anti-radiation protection as the T-72 Ural and T-72A; lugs for Kontakt-1 ERA
could be added upon request. In
addition, the plastic/aluminum sandwich side skirts replaced the Gill skirts.
To reduce defense spending, the Soviets also used some T-72M1s and
T-72M1Ks in lower-priority units. A
command version of the T-72M1 was also produced, the T-72M1K, with generally the
same additional equipment as the T-72AK (except for inferior radios).
There is also a T-72M1M, which is a T-72M1 upgraded to T-72B standards
(see below).
The T-72B
The T-72B had a
number of changes large and small, and was first issued to Soviet troops in
1985. Large changes included the
use of a new version of the 2A46 gun and appropriate new sights, laser
rangefinder/designator, and ballistic computer; this allows the T-72B to use the
9M119 Svir (AT-11 Sniper) ATGM, which is laser beam-riding and fired through the
T-72B’s main gun. The T-72B also
has a collimator designed to be used from inside the tank.
The T-72’s autoloader can load both conventional and ATGM rounds; the
autoloader can hold 23 rounds. The
T-72B uses different rounds than earlier versions of the T-72 – the rounds have
separate projectiles and combustible bagged charges, and the autoloader is
redesigned to load both the projectiles and the charges.
The fire control system for the ATGM includes a thermal imager; the
commander can access the thermal imager – unless the gunner is about to fire an
ATGM, because the sights for the ATGM and the thermal imager are linked.
Gun stabilization is also improved.
The front of the
turret bulges even more than the T-72A, prompting US troops to nickname it the
“Super Dolly Parton;” this is primarily due to the addition of additional
composite appliqué armor. (The
frontal turret armor is thicker than even that of the T-80 series that partially
replaced it.) The glacis also received an armor upgrade.
Lugs for ERA on the turret front, turret sides, glacis, hull sides, and
the forward quarter of the turret roof have lugs for ERA are sometimes fitted;
these lugs are generally for use with Kontakt-5 2nd-generation ERA,
and when equipped with ERA, the T-72B is called the T-72BM.
If the T-72B is equipped with 1st-generation Kontakt-1 or
Kontakt-2 ERA, the tank is called the T-72BV.
Main gun ammunition stowage is rearranged, not only for carriage of the
ATGM rounds but to allow the stowage of new, long-rod penetrators.
The engine is
replaced with the superior V-84 840-horsepower V-84-1 engine.
The V-84-1 is a multifuel engine; it can use diesel (meant to be the
primary fuel), gasoline, jet fuel, benzene, kerosene, and even liquid rocket
fuel which does not require refrigeration.
This means that the engine compartment is larger than that of earlier
T-72s. Fording capability has been
made safer, though 10 minutes of preparation over and above the time for
erection of the snorkel are required for deep fording.
An automatic fire/explosion detection/suppression system has been
installed to help to protect the crew, particularly against hits to the main gun
ammunition. The front of the T-72B
is fitted with mounting equipment to allow the use of the KMT-6 mine plow.
The cumbersome tiller steering system has been replaced with a steering
yoke, brake pedal, and gas pedal.
Variants of the
T-72B include the T-72BK command tank, which is the T-72B with the additional
equipment of T-72AK. A less
expensive, less complicated alternative is available, called the T-72B1; this is
essentially identical to the T-72B, but has no capability for using ATGMs.
Though designed primarily for export, some lower-priority Russian and
Ukrainian units still use it.
The T-72S
Shilden was designed specifically for export and though built (at first) by the
Soviet Union, Russia and Ukraine; it is not used by those countries or by
members of the former Warsaw Pact. The T-72S is a T-72A brought up to T-72BM
standard; though the tank has armor levels which are largely the same as the
T-72BM, the turret front has the armor of a T-72A instead of using the heavier
armor of the T-72BM. Like the
T-72A, the autoloader of the T-72S holds 22 rounds instead of the 23 rounds of
the T-72BM. The T-72S has side
skirts made from Gill panels instead of the plastic/aluminum sandwich of the
T-72BM. The T-72SK is a command
version of the T-72S, and has additional equipment which is the same as the
T-72BK and T-72AK. The T-72S1 is
the same tank without the ability to fire ATGMs.
The T-72B3 is
similar to the T-72B, but uses the newer Sosna-U gunner’s sight and digital
frequency-hopping radios. They have an improved autoloader (not able to be
simulated in the Twilight v2.2 rules, but it is designed to accommodate
the new longer rounds). However, it
retains the older V-84-1 840 horsepower engine of older models of the T-72, and
lacks the GLONASS navigation system, as the GLONASS system used in other models
of the T-72 was deemed unreliable.
It was thought that it would ease production to simply remove it from the
T-72B3, and the GLONASS system also uses foreign (mostly French) technology, and
some of that technology was embargoed as early as 2011. The T-72B3 uses
Kontakt-5 ERA.
The T-72B3M is
an upgraded T-72B3. It uses Relikt
ERA on the sides of the hull and the front of the turret and the glacis. The
T-72B3M has an 1130-horsepower V-92SF engine, with an automatic transmission.
The gunner and commander have a digital display for use with the vehicle’s
weapons. The commander also has access to a rear-view day/night camera. The
T-72B3M is often referred to (incorrectly) as the T-72B4.
In Ukraine,
Russian T-72B3s and T-72B3Ms are often seen with slat armor above the turret, to
try to thwart top attack weapons.
However, the largely jury-rigged slat armor seems to be rather ineffective,
especially against weapons like the Javelin that have tandem warheads. Tank
crews did not like the overhead slat armor, as impeded the commander’s sight and
made the commander’s machinegun difficult to use, particularly against aircraft
and drones. Some of such slat armor
was removed in the field by the T-72B3 and T-72B3M crews, usually without
authorization.
Other Versions of the
T-72
The T-72AG is
the result of a Polish-made upgrade package, to upgrade T-72s, T-72As, and
T-72Bs to a higher standard, including some of the upgrades done to the T-80UD.
The upgrade package includes a new engine of 1000 or 1200-horsepower.
There is an upgrade to vison devices, with either an image intensifier or
thermal vison. The tank also uses
9M119M Invar missiles, which are upgraded Polish-made equivalents of the 9M119
Svir. They are laser guided. The
T-72AG uses Kontakt-5 ERA. The T-72AG features better main gun stabilization
(not able to simulate using T2K 2.2 rules). However, since the T-72AG used
components of the T-80UD, which is found only in Russia and Ukraine, the T-72AG
had no real success in the international arms market, and the stats below are
merely for completeness.
The T-72AM Banan
is an upgraded T-72A by bringing it up to T-72M standards.
It also replaces the standard engine, using instead a 6TD-2 engine with
1250 horsepower. The T-72AM also has 10 smoke grenade launchers instead of 12.
This upgrade is Ukrainian in origin, and the Ukrainians use the T-72AM.
The T-72MP is
another upgrade package, designed by the Czech Republic for export. It includes
a 6TD-1 1250-horsepower engine. It
uses Kontact-1 ERA or the Czech-designed Nozh ERA. It has a new French-upgraded
fire control system, but this upgrade is not fully implemented on the T-72MP
since the tank still has the original T-72 one-plane gun stabilization. (It does
make the gunner’s life easier, though, as it uses multifunction displays for the
gunner and commander.)
The T-72-120 is
an upgrade package for the T-72AG or MP.
The main gun is replaced with KBM-2 L/48 120mm NATO-compatible main gun;
it is fed by a variant of the T-72 series autoloader. This autoloader is fed
from the turret bustle (also new), and this autoloader is a variant of that
found of the French Leclerc tank. The turret bustle carries 20 rounds, with the
rest of the ammunition found inside the rear of the vehicle ahead of the engine.
The T-72-120 also has advanced gun stabilization.
The T-72-120 was not successful in the export market due to the high RL
costs of the upgrade, and eastern European nations had tanks that did not use
120mm NATO ammunition.
The T-72UA1 is a
simple upgrade package for the T-72B built by the Czech Republic. It saw sales
to Ethiopia and Ukraine, but between the two countries, with 72 packages sold to
Ethiopia in 2011 and 99 in 2012. 30 were sold to Ukraine in 2014 after tank
losses in Donbass. On the T-72UA1, the original engine is replaced with 5TDFMA
two stroke diesel developing 1050 horsepower.
The engine has enhanced cooling features for use in hot climates, and the
interior is cooled by an air conditioner with NBC filters. The T-72UA1 can be
fitted with Kontakt-1 or Nozh ERA.
The T-72E (E for
Export) is an upgraded Polish version of the T-72B, and it was developed at the
same time as the T-64E upgrade. The T-72E uses Kontakt-1 ERA on the hull front,
while the turret front, sides, and front third of the turret are protected by
Nozh ERA. The original engine is replaced by a 5TDFMA-1 multifuel engine with
1050 horsepower. The T-72E is equipped with an air conditioner with NBC filters
and sighting systems that consist with an integral laser rangefinder.
The T-72AMT is
an advanced upgrade featuring the Kombat ATGM instead of the 9M119 ATGM, an
armor upgrade, and an improved fire control system along with new main gun
stabilization systems.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-72 Ural |
$1,066,506 |
D, A |
418 kg |
41 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72 Ural-K |
$1,067,115 |
D, A |
418 kg |
40.9 tons |
3 |
20 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72 Ural-1 |
$1,104,079 |
D, A |
418 kg |
41.4 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72 M-1975 |
$1,090,516 |
D, A |
419 kg |
39.9 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded* |
T-72A |
$1,157,278 |
D, A |
431 kg |
41.5 tons |
3 |
15 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72AK |
$1,178,703 |
D, A |
430 kg |
41.4 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72M |
$1,056,455 |
D, A |
422 kg |
39.9 tons |
3 |
15 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded* |
T-72M1 |
$1,196,350 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40.1 tons |
3 |
15 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72M1K |
$1,197,895 |
D, A |
500 kg |
40 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72B |
$1,015,751 |
D, G, AvG, A |
432 kg |
44.5 tons |
3 |
18 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72BK |
$1,037,126 |
D, G, AvG, A |
430 kg |
44.4 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72B1 |
$936,186 |
D, G, AvG, A |
434 kg |
44.1 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72B3 |
$1,009,316 |
D, G, AvG, A |
434 kg |
44.1 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72B3M |
$1,101,425 |
D, A |
443 kg |
44.1 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72S |
$1,097,119 |
D, G, AvG, A |
443 kg |
44.2 tons |
3 |
18 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72SK |
$1,098,498 |
D, G, AvG, A |
443 kg |
44.1 tons |
3 |
23 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72S1 |
$1,096,498 |
D, G, AvG, A |
443 kg |
43.7 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72AG (1000 hp) |
$1,114,921 |
D, G, AvG, A |
434 kg |
44.5 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Image Intensifier (D, G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72AG (1200 hp) |
$1,116,163 |
D, G, AvG, A |
445 kg |
44.5 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Image Intensifier (D, G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72AM |
$1,103,677 |
D, A |
445 kg |
42.5 tons |
3 |
24 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72MP |
$1,062,050 |
D, A |
442 kg |
43.1 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Image Intensifier (D, G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72-120 |
$1,144,812 |
D, A |
441 kg |
42.9 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Image Intensifier (D, G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72UA1 |
$1,076,212 |
D, A |
435 kg |
44.5 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72E |
$1,076,212 |
D, G, AvG, A |
435 kg |
42.7 tons |
3 |
22 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-72AMT |
$1,117,839 |
D, A |
435 kg |
42.7 tons |
3 |
22 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Image Intensifier (D, G), Passive IR (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-72 Ural/Ural-K |
134/94 |
34/21 |
1000+400 |
423 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF104
TS27 TR19
HF130Cp HS20Sp
HR12 |
T-72 Ural-1 |
133/93 |
34/21 |
1000+400 |
427 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF108
TS27 TR19
HF134Cp HS20Sp
HR12 |
T-72 M-1975 |
138/97 |
35/22 |
1000+400 |
410 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF101 TF25
TR13 HF126Cp
HS19Sp HR12 |
T-72A/AK |
133/93 |
34/21 |
1200+400 |
427 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF123Cp
TS26Sp TR19
HF140Cp HS22Sp
HR12** |
T-72M |
138/97 |
35/22 |
1200+400 |
410 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF108Cp
TS24Sp TR19
HF136Cp HS20Sp
HR12 |
T-72M1/M1K |
138/97 |
35/22 |
1200+400 |
410 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF112Cp
TS24Sp TR19
HF138Cp HS20Sp
HR12 |
T-72B/BK |
130/91 |
33/21 |
1200+400 |
438 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72B1/B3 |
131/92 |
33/21 |
1200+400 |
435 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72B3M |
138/95 |
34/22 |
1200+400 |
509 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72S/SK |
131/92 |
33/21 |
1200+400 |
435 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF123Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72S1 |
132/93 |
33/21 |
1200+400 |
435 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF123Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72AG (1000 hp) |
155/109 |
39/25 |
1200+400 |
518 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72AG (1200 hp) |
173/121 |
44/28 |
1200+400 |
611 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72AM |
188/132 |
47/30 |
1200+400 |
531 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF123Cp
TS26Sp TR19
HF140Cp HS22Sp
HR12** |
T-72MP |
186/131 |
46/29 |
1200+400 |
531 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF108Cp
TS24Sp TR19
HF136Cp HS20Sp
HR12 |
T-72-120 |
185/130 |
46/29 |
1200+400 |
531 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72UA1 |
154/108 |
38/24 |
1200+400 |
452 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
T-72E/AMT |
159/112 |
39/25 |
1200+400 |
452 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF128Cp
TS29Sp TR19
HF148Cp HS24Sp
HR12** |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+1 |
Fair |
125mm 2A26M2
gun, PKT, NSVT (C) |
45x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
|
T-72 Ural-K |
+1 |
Fair |
125mm 2A26M2
gun, PKT, NSVT (C) |
39x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72A |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46 gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
44x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72AK |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46 gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
39x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72M/M1 |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46 gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
44x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72M1K |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46 gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
39x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72B/S/B3/B3M/AG/E |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119 Svir ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72BK/SK |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119 Svir ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72B1/S1 |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
45x125mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72AM |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119M Invar ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72MP |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119 Svir ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72-120 |
+3 |
Good |
120mm KBM-2 gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
45x120mm,
2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72UA1 |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6x9M119 Svir ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-72AMT |
+4 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
38x125mm,
6xKombat ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
*These versions have no radiation protection other than their armor; against
radiation, these versions should be considered to be “Enclosed.”
**Hull Floor armor is 8; Turret Roof armor is 8Sp.
Notes:
The T-80 is an evolutionary development of the T-64 and T-72 and was the
first production tank to be equipped with a gas turbine engine, beating the M-1
Abrams by a couple of years.
(Though the Abrams was designed to use a gas turbine engine, and prototypes of
the M-1 prototypes had gas turbine engines, the M-1 did not reach production
status until after the T-80 did.)
The T-80 began production in 1976, after seven rears of development and
prototypes. The T-80, however, was
not produced in the huge numbers that the T-72 was; the T-72 was simply a less
complicated tank that was easier and cheaper to produce and maintain, and not as
fuel-hungry as the T-80. The
Soviets (and later the Russians) therefore placed a much higher priority on the
T-72 (and later the T-90), despite the higher performance and better fire
control of the T-80. The engine of
the T-80, in particular, proved to be troublesome to develop, took more time and
money to build (in real life money), and required more fuel to feed it, and this
led to some later versions of the T-80 that reverted to diesel engines.
In addition, the T-80 shared the T-72’s tendency towards catastrophic
explosions of the tank when hit due to inadequate protection of the main gun
ammunition. The Soviets and
Russians once had a force of 4839 T-80s, but now only about 1900 are believed to
be in service, due to poor performance and losses in Chechnya and Ukraine.
Many of the other T-80s were bought by other countries.
The T-80, when
it was first seen by the West, was thought to be simply a variant of the T-72.
For that matter, the T-80 can also be mistaken for the T-64 from some
angles or at long distances.
However, the T-80 is very different in several ways, most noticeably the length
of the engine compartment, which is almost a meter longer.
There are also several ports and blisters on the T-80’s turret for the
different sights and sensors, and the side skirts and fenders look a bit
different.
The T-80 has had
several export customers, and updated versions are still built in Ukraine.
Export customers include the usual cast of characters, such as Pakistan,
Syria, and Yemen; it also includes China, some former Soviet republics such as
Belarus and Kazakhstan. Some
unusual customers also bought the T-80 after the Iron Curtain fell, including
South Korea and Cyprus; the British also have an unnamed amount of T-80Us,
bought through a cut-out company in Morocco before the fall of the Soviet Union;
they bought these for research into Soviet designs, and later used them as OPFOR
vehicles. One was sold to the US,
who used it for the same reason; in 2003, the US bought four more T-80UDs from
Ukraine, and these five vehicles are now used as OPFOR vehicles as well.
The T-80 was also evaluated by Turkey and Greece, who were looking for
replacements for their aging tank forces; in the end, though, the Turkish went
with the US M-1 and Israeli Sabra, and the Greeks with the Leopard 2A5.
The Ukrainians
later made many improvements to the T-80 after the fall of the Soviet Union, and
have exported it more widely than the Russians.
One of the more major upgrades resulted in a new tank, the T-84, which
will be found under Ukrainian Tanks.
The T-80
Development of
the T-80 centered around its gas turbine engine.
Development of gas turbine engines in the Soviet Union goes back to 1949,
but these first gas turbines were of poor quality, but still installed in tanks
called the Obyekt 278, and gave the Soviets nothing but mechanical problems and
rather short range, though when the experimental tank worked, it was quite fast
for the time. Several other
turbine-powered vehicles were also tested, but were also disappointing.
Later, the T-64T experimental prototype was built, but testing stopped in
1965, giving the same mixed results as the Obyekt 278; however, this time,
development continued, and eventually resulted in the T-80.
Since the T-80
is based on the T-64, it has essentially the same layout as the T-64 – driver in
the center front, commander on the right side of the turret, and gunner on the
left. The overall shape is almost
identical to the T-64 as well.
Design components were also taken from the T-72, such as the crew compartments
separated by bulkheads, composite and sandwich armor, and the fire control
system, which is similar to that of the T-72.
The crew is protected by an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC
system backup. The main gun is
125mm 2A46-2, a version of the 2A46 of the T-72 that is modified primarily for
the different, high-capacity autoloader of the T-80 (which holds 28 rounds).
The main gun is equipped with an improved version of the T-72 Ural’s fire
control system, which includes a ballistic computer and a laser rangefinder.
The night vision suite is also based on that of the T-72 Ural. This
initial version of the T-80 is not equipped with a commander’s machinegun as
standard, though some had them retrofitted in service.
Near the front of the turret on each side is a cluster of four smoke
grenade launchers; the T-80 can also lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel
into its exhaust.
Of course, the
primary difference between other Soviet/Russian tanks is the gas turbine engine,
which is much improved over earlier Soviet gas turbine engines.
This engine produces 1000 horsepower and high acceleration, but of course
sucks fuel as a prodigious rate, so the T-80 continues to carry external
auxiliary fuel tanks (and rather large ones at that).
The T-80’s engine also tends to overheat in high-temperature
environments; the Soviets therefore did not send the T-80 to units stationed in
the southern republics of the Soviet Union.
The engine is a multi-fuel engine, able to burn diesel, low-octane
gasoline, and several jet fuels.
The engine is highly-resistant to dust and dirt, and along with the T-80’s
relatively low weight, makes the T-80 quick and agile; the speed of the T-80
alarmed NATO so much that it was partially responsible for the development of a
new generation of antitank weapons and ammunition.
The transmission is also improved, making the driver’s task easier; the
transmission has less gears and the driver has a simple steering yoke with gas
and brake pedals.
The T-80K is the
command version of the T-80; like most such Soviet and Russian tanks, it has an
additional medium-range and long-range radio, an inertial navigation system, a
1kW APU, and a mil ring inscribed inside the commander’s cupola to assist in
calling for artillery fire and air strikes.
The T-80K, however, was not produced in large numbers.
A very few T-80Vs were produced; these versions are equipped with lugs
for 1st-generation Kontakt-1 or Kontakt-2 ERA.
As these lugs were not added until 1985, and by then most “plain vanilla”
T-80s had been upgraded to later standards, the T-80V is quite a rare bird.
In fact, these early T-80s are now rare in service anywhere, as virtually
all of them have been upgraded to more advanced versions.
The T-80B
For reasons I
haven’t been able to find out, the T-80B came next in development instead of the
T-80A, preceding the T-80A by four years.
The T-80B entered service in 1978, equipped with a new turret that housed
new fire control equipment and a new autoloader to allow the use of the 9M112-1
Kobra (AT-8 Songster) ATGM through its main gun.
The autoloader is able to load the Kobra ATGM as well as conventional
rounds. In addition, the composite
armor of the glacis and turret front was modernized (reputedly after a sample of
Chobham armor was stolen from a West German lab), giving it additional strength
without a large increase in weight.
The new fire control system includes a thermal imager for the gunner, which the
commander can also access from his cupola (however, note that the commander
cannot use the thermal imager if the gunner is firing an ATGM), an improved
ballistic computer, and a radio transmitter for the beam-riding Kobra ATGM.
Though the commander has override controls for the main gun, he does not
have the equipment to fire an ATGM.
The T-80B also included a commander’s machinegun on a pintle mount.
Later
modifications included a more powerful 1100-horsepower gas turbine in 1980,
better stabilization for the main gun in 1982, and lugs for 1st-generation
ERA in 1985. The new engine does
not have the hot-weather handicaps of the earlier 1000-horsepower engine.
A command version, the T-80BK, was also built.
The upgraded versions are balled T-80BMs (or T-80BMKs, as appropriate.)
The commander’s machinegun of the T-80BM can be aimed and fired from
within the turret. A version
without the equipment for the firing of ATGMs, called the T-80B1 was built
(primarily for export, but also used to an extent by the Soviets and later, the
Russians), as well as a command version, the T-80B1K; these never received the
later upgrades in Soviet and Russian manufacture, though some did get them (or
better) from the Ukrainians after the Iron Curtain came down.
1982’s T-82A
basically uses the turret and upgrades of the T-80B and applies them to older
T-80s, bringing them up to T-80B standards.
They also received the same progressive upgrades of the T-80B, in the
same time frame. Therefore, you
have the T-80A, T-80AK, T-80AM, and T-80AMK.
For game purposes, they are identical to the T-80B variants (except that
there were no export variants of the T-80A), except that the hulls look a little
different.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-80 |
$1,108,854 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.5 tons |
3 |
19 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80K |
$1,128,354 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.4 tons |
3 |
21 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80B |
$1,289,442 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.9 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80BK |
$1,308,942 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.8 tons |
3 |
22 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80BM (1980) |
$1,290,442 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
43 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80BM (1982) |
$1,303,346 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
43 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80BMK (1980) |
$1,309,942 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.9 tons |
3 |
22 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80BMK (1982) |
$1,322,846 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.9 tons |
3 |
22 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80B1 |
$1,151,342 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.9 tons |
3 |
22 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
T-80B1K |
$1,170,842 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
42.8 tons |
3 |
22 |
Passive IR (D,
G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-80/K |
155/108 |
39/25 |
1100+740 |
517 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF110Cp
TS25Sp TR17
HF138Cp HS21Sp
HR14 |
T-80B/BK/B1/B1K |
153/107 |
38/25 |
1100+740 |
522 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF122Cp
TS29Sp TR22
HF152Cp HS21Sp
HR14 |
T-80BM/BMK |
166/116 |
41/27 |
1100+740 |
694 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF122Cp
TS29Sp TR22
HF152Cp HS21Sp
HR14 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-80 |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT |
42x125mm,
1250x7.62mm |
T-80K |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT |
39x125mm,
1250x7.62mm |
T-80B/BM (1980) |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT(C) |
36x125mm, 6xAT-8
ATGM, 1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-80BK/BMK
(1980) |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT(C) |
30x125mm, 6xAT-8
ATGM, 1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-80BM (1982) |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT(C) |
36x125mm, 6xAT-8
ATGM, 1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-80BMK (1982) |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT(C) |
30x125mm, 6xAT-8
ATGM, 1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-80B1 |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
42x125mm,
1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
T-80B1K |
+3 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46-2,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
39x125mm,
1250x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
Notes:
The T-90 is a development of the T-72, particularly an experimental
variant of the T-72 called the T-72BU (sometimes called the T-88), which had an
improved version the sights and gun of the T-80, a new diesel engine, and
thermal imaging as standard. The
T-90, therefore, is an evolutionary development of the T-72BM with some of the
better features of the T-80, and several further improvements of its own as well
as upgraded armor and features based on lessons learned in Chechnya.
It should be noted that the T-90 was originally intended to be only an
interim tank, until the next generation of Russian tanks (such as the Black
Eagle and “T-95”) were ready for production; in practice, however, this next
generation of tanks has been greatly delayed by budgetary problems, and the T-90
has proven to be very popular on the export market.
The T-90, therefore, will probably be around for a while, and be fielded
in larger numbers than initially expected.
After the fall
of the Soviet Union, the Russians announced in 1992 decided that it could no
longer afford two separate production lines in two cities producing two
different tanks (the T-72 and T-80 series).
The Russians had sort of a “build-off,” with Uralvagonzavod producing the
latest T-72BM with some extra bells and whistles, and Omsk producing the
experimental T-80BU variant. In the
end, though, it came down to cost – Uralvagonzavod could produce the T-72BM
cheaper and faster than the T-80BU, and the high fuel consumption and relative
complexity of the gas turbine engine was also a negative point for Omsk.
The Russians also looked at competing NATO and Israeli designs.
The conflicts in Chechnya also weighed heavily on the Russian Army’s
mind, as both the T-72BM and T-80 series had proved inadequate in Chechnya.
The Russians, in
essence, rejected both designs for continued production, but ended production at
Omsk and tasked Uralvagonzavod with developing a greatly-improved version of the
T-72BM. The T-90 resulted (though
it was, in prototype stage, called the T-72BU).
The T-90 improves the T-72BM in almost all areas – armor protection
(including dramatic increases in top and floor armor), used a conventional
diesel engine instead of a gas turbine (despite the lower horsepower of the
initial T-90 engines), an improved version of the T-80’s fire control system, an
autoloader and ammunition storage bins with much more protection, and ERA as
standard. Later, even more features
would be added. Ironically, the
Russians have sold far more T-90s to other countries than to the Russian Army;
the Indians build a version under license, and Algeria and Venezuela also use
the T-90. (It’s not that the
Russian Army doesn’t want more T-90s – they just don’t have the budget for
more.) At least another dozen
countries are looking hard at the T-90, as in real-world money, the T-90 is much
less expensive than competing NATO designs.
The Original T-90
The T-90 began
low-level initial production in 1993; as it was based on a prototype of an
upgraded T-72BM that was called the T-72BU, the first T-90 prototypes were
referred to as T-72BUs, causing for a short time some confusion in the West.
The T-90 blended together the T-72BM with the fire control system of a
version of the T-80, the T-80U. The
ERA lugs of the T-72BU were replaced with those of the T-80U, which were
designed for 3rd-generation Kontakt-5 ERA.
The ERA lugs allow installation on the glacis, hull sides, turret front,
turret sides, and the forward one-quarter of the turret roof.
The ERA on the turret is installed in a distinctive “clamshell” layout,
which makes the turret of the T-90 appear to be saucer-shaped, though underneath
the ERA, the turret is still rounded.
Some armor upgrades were also made, particularly to the turret and hull
decks and the floor of the hull.
Ironically, these first T-90s were considered a bit underpowered; the T-90 is
heavier than the T-72BM, but uses a version of the same 840-horsepower V-84-1
multifuel engine that powers the T-72BM, called the V-84MS.
The T-90 is
armed with the same 2A46M-2 125mm main gun as the T-80B, but is paired with the
Agave fire control system of the T-80BM.
This includes a laser rangefinder and a good ballistic computer; in
addition, the main gun is fully stabilized in both planes.
The main gun can fire conventional ammunition as well as 9M119 Refleks
(AT-11 Sniper) ATGM, which is laser-guided.
(The T-90 has a laser designator separate from the laser rangefinder for
this purpose.) The thermal imager
of the Agave system is accessible by the commander, unless the gunner is
preparing for or guiding a missile shot.
The main gun is fed by an autoloader that can load both conventional
rounds and their charges and the Refleks ATGM.
The autoloader holds 22 rounds, with the rest of the ammunition being
kept in armored bins on either side of the driver.
The autoloader itself is also protected by an armored ring.
A coaxial machinegun is to the right of the main gun, and the commander
has a machinegun which can be aimed and fired from under armor.
Like most
Russian tanks, the T-90 is a bit cramped inside, but some concession has been
made to crew comfort and to taller tank crews, and the T-90’s interior is a bit
larger than previous Russian tanks.
(The use of more advanced armor, which does not have to be as thick to provide
the same protection, also helps this situation.)
The crewmembers are separated by armored bulkheads; the ammunition on
either side of the driver is also separated from the driver’s compartment by
armored bulkheads. The T-90 has an
NBC overpressure system and radiation shielding, with a collective NBC system
backup. The T-90 is the first
Russian tank design where an APU is fitted to all variants; this APU is 1kW.
The T-90 also has an NBC detection and analysis system to assess such
threats. It is rumored that some or all T-90s in Russian service have air
conditioning, though this is not confirmed; air conditioning is an option for
export customers.
The T-90 is
fitted with the Shtora-1, which is a “soft-kill” vehicle protection system.
The Shtora-1 consists of sensors and equipment mounted atop the turret
and control systems mounted inside the turret and hull; the primary controls for
the Shtora-1 on the T-90 are at the commander’s station.
The Shtora-1 system includes an electro-optical jamming system to jam
wire-guided ATGMs (on a roll of 12+ on a d20, the difficulty to the ATGM gunner
is increased by one level; outstanding success indicates that the incoming
missile pre-detonates before it can hit the T-90).
A laser warning system is also included with the Shtora-1; when the T-90
is being lased by a laser designator, an alarm sounds inside the T-90, and a
pair of smoke grenades are automatically launched to help obscure the T-90 to
the laser beam. The laser warning
system can also be triggered manually by the commander. The smoke grenades can
also be triggered by the gunner manually if he feels it is necessary; the T-90
has six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.
The Shtora-1 also includes a pair of IRCM lights (one on the turret on
each side of and above the main gun) that emit coded, pulsed IR beams to decoy
IR-guided munitions; their effectiveness is the same as listed for the
electro-optical jammer above, and both have a 360-degree range of protection, as
well as 180-degrees upwards. They
can also temporarily blind IR sights and image intensifiers; this is successful
on a roll of 8 on a d20 for IR sights and 5 for image intensifiers.
The T-90 can mount a white light/IR searchlight above the main gun,
though in practice this searchlight is rarely employed or even mounted.
A computer is provided to tie all of this information from the Shtora-1
and other sensors together.
A command
version of the T-90 was built, called the T-90K. Like most such Russian tanks,
the T-90K has an additional long-range and medium-range radio and a mil ring
inscribed inside the commander’s cupola.
However, the T-90K has a GPS system with an inertial navigation system as
a backup, and a small fire direction computer to assist the commander to
accurately direct supporting artillery and mortar fire and air strikes.
As the T-90 is already equipped with an APU, the T-90K did not need to be
specially fitted with an APU.
Though the amount of main gun ammunition is reduced, this reduction is not as
much as previous Russian command tanks.
An export
version of the T-90 was built, called the T-90E; this version differs only in
the use of a more powerful 950-horsepower diesel engine, and is usually fitted
with radios that are requested by the buyer. Basically, the T-90E is a better
version of the T-90. No command version of the T-90E was built, and the T-90E
itself received few orders – the superior T-90S was available soon thereafter.
The Russians themselves also never used the T-90E.
The T-90A “Vladimir”
In 1999, the
T-90 underwent a change in turret construction, with the original cast turret
being replaced with an all-welded turret. It is possible that this modification
makes the turret interior roomier, but it is likely that armor protection was
increased in the process. This version is sometimes called the T-90M, though
this not a proper designation (the T-90M is another version of the T-90); it is
often referred to in Russian service as the T-90 Vladimir, in honor of the
T-90’s chief designer Vladimir Potkin, who died shortly before the new turrets
began to be installed. Originally, the official designation was T-90A; however,
as the original version went out of production shortly before the T-90A went
into production, the T-90A is simply called “T-90.” The new turret also includes
a pair of thermal imagers designed by Thales of France – one for the gunner and
one for the commander. The T-90A also has a different engine – a 1000-horsepower
V-92S2. The T-90A also has an interesting feature – a short-range, low power EMP
generator. This generator, located in the front lower hull, is used to sweep the
ground ahead of the T-90; when the EMP encounters a magnetic mine or one with an
electrical fuze within ten meters, the EMP generator will detonate the mine on a
roll 14 or better on a d20. Note
that the mine must be in a 20-degree radius of the front of the T-90. The EMP
device is also not a mine detector –
if the device does not detonate the mine and the mine does not actually go off,
the T-90’s crew will not know that the mine is there. (Unless the mine goes
boom.)
As with the
T-90, a command version of the T-90A was built, the T-90AK (though, as with the
T-90A, this version is today called the T-90K, or sometimes the T-90K Vladimir).
The T-90A and AK
are sometimes, but not always, fitted with the Arena active defense system. The
Arena is an update of the Drozd system sometimes found on the T-62, T-64, T-72,
and T-80. It works basically in the same way as the Drozd – the system uses a
small, short-range radar system on the turret roof to detect incoming missiles
and rockets (it doesn’t work fast enough to stop tank and autocannon rounds) and
launches special rounds in the path of the missile that quickly break up into a
cloud of tungsten pellets, destroying the missile before it can hit the tank.
The Arena has 6 of these rounds available, and they are 75% likely to
destroy the incoming missile about 10 meters from the T-90.
The Arena system protects the T-90 in a 180-degree dome around the tank.
These versions of the T-90 are called the T-90AD and T-90ADK. (Of course, today
these tend to be called the T-90D and DK.)
The T-90S
The T-90S is an
export version of the T-90A and is the one most often exported to other
countries. The T-90S can be had with a choice of an 840-horsepower V-84MS
engine, a 950-horsepower V-92S1 diesel engine, or a 1000-horsepower V-92S2
diesel engine. As with the T-90A, a command variant is also available, the
T-90SK. The T-90S can have the customer’s fit of radios, computers and software,
sights, night vision devices, and navigation equipment. If any of these differ
from their standard T-90, those devices are typically installed by the receiving
government. So far (as of September 2009), the T-90S has not been exported with
the Arena system installed.
The Indians
license-build their own version of the T-90S, called the T-90 Bhishma.
This version is found under Indian Tanks. This is due to the Bhishma
being a more comprehensive upgrade of the T-90S than the standard T-90S.
The T-90M
The T-90M did
not appear in quantity in the Russian Army until 2021, though the first 10
examples were delivered in 2017. The T-90M is improved in a number of areas,
perhaps most of important of which are the armor suite and engine. The steel
armor in the T-90’s armor has been increased in effectiveness due to the use of
better steel; Western analysts believe the armor protection under the ERA has
been increased in effectiveness from 10-15%. The engine has been replaced with a
new one of 1130 horsepower, along with an increase of torque. Another
significant improvement is in the main gun and fire control, with a 15-20%
increase in fire control capabilities and increase in range due to a longer
barrel. A rearrangement of main gun ammunition as well as the use of more
compact electronics and radio models allows for an increase of ammunition
carried (though the autoloader has the same amount of ammo in it, 22 rounds). It
also uses the more effective Relikt ERA instead of the Kontakt-5 used on
previous models of the T-90, with the Relikt being effective against tandem
warheads and also a significant increase in protection against APxDS rounds.
Other
improvements include the use of smoke grenade launcher rounds with anti-laser
aerosol to help thwart against laser designators and missiles which have SACLOS
guidance. An RWS with a 6P7K machinegun has been added to the turret roof. (The
turret roof seems a bit crowded to me…)
The T-90M has
been observed by Western analysts with what appears to be mast-mounted sensors.
It is possible this version of the of the T-90M is designed as a scout vehicle
or a command vehicle; I have assigned this version the totally made-up
designation of T-90M-2, as it is thought to be more likely that it is a scout
vehicle rather than a command vehicle.
(I’ll bet there is a T-90MK running around somewhere in Russia.) A third
possibility is that the mast is being put on new T-90Ms to allow sighting of the
main gun for use while almost totally behind cover with the AT-11 ATGM; this is
possible since the mast is only about a meter high when deployed.
The T-90AM is a
rebuild of the T-90A to T-90M standards. It does not have the armor improvements
of the T-90M, but other components are the same as the T-90M.
The T-90MS Tagil
(also known as the Proryv or T-90SM) is an export version of the T-90M. For the
most part, it is like the T-90M, but has a lesser electronics suite inside.
This mostly affects the main gun ammunition storage; the T-90MS comes
with a removable turret bustle that holds eight rounds instead of having the
revised storage of the T-90M. The bustle is actually an external bustle – it is
not accessible from the turret. This bustle has blowout panels on the outside
bustle roof like those of the M1 Abrams series. An interesting feature is also
installed for export customers – four cameras that give the TC a 360-degree view
around the tank. The thermal cameras are also upgraded. The Russians will also
install a version of the US’ Blue Force Tracker system that will match the
destination country’s BMS. A day/night camera is added to the turret roof in
case both the TC’s and gunner’s primary sights are knocked out – this actually
happened to a Challenger 2 tank during the invasion of Iraq. The T-90MS has an
air conditioner. The APU has been upgraded to one with 7kW capacity.
There is also a
version of the T-90MS that is designed for export to countries in the Middle
East or other countries wishing for a reliable tank in desert conditions. It
differs from the standard T-90MS in having a modified engine, air filter and
sand screens for desert operations, and using a NSVT on the RWS instead of a
6P7K. This version of the T-90MS may be fitted with bar/slat armor on the turret
and the rear of the tank. India has expressed great interest in this design.
Twilight 2000
Notes: In the Twilight 2000 timeline; only the T-90 and T-90K are
available; they are used only by Russian forces and are found only in very small
numbers (the Russians had about 85 at the beginning of the Twilight War).
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
T-90 |
$1,404,763 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
46.5 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
$1,477,897 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
47.1 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
|
T-90K |
$1,555,064 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
46.4 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90AK |
$1,628,198 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
47 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90AD |
$1,516,951 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
47.2 tons |
3 |
18 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90ADK |
$1,667,252 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
47.1 tons |
3 |
20 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90E |
$1,423,939 |
D, A |
500 kg |
46.7 kg |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G), Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90S (840hp) |
$1,476,673 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
46.8 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90S (950hp) |
$1,477,489 |
D, A |
506 kg |
47 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90S (1000hp) |
$1,602,713 |
D, A |
509 kg |
47 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90SK (840hp) |
$1,626,974 |
D, G, AvG, A |
500 kg |
46.7 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90SK (950hp) |
$1,627,790 |
D, A |
506 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90SK (1000 hp) |
$1,764,867 |
D, A |
509 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90M |
$3,281,997 |
D, A |
574 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
23 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90AM |
$2,463,743 |
D, A |
566 kg |
47.1 tons |
3 |
23 |
Thermal Imaging
(G, C), Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90M-2 |
$3,559,582 |
D, A |
581 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
24 |
2xThermal
Imaging (G, C), 2nd Gen Image Intensifier (C), Passive IR
(D), WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90MS |
$3,479,512 |
D, A |
578 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
23 |
2nd
Gen Thermal Imaging (G, C), Passive IR (D), 4 CCD Cameras (Corners/C)
WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
T-90MS (Desert) |
$3,618,406 |
D, A |
582 kg |
46.9 tons |
3 |
23 |
2nd
Gen Thermal Imaging (G, C), Passive IR (D), 4 CCD Cameras (Corners/C)
WL/IR Searchlight (Optional) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
T-90/K |
125/87 |
32/20 |
1200+400 |
376 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF144Cp
TS42Sp TR22
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90A/AK/AD/ADK |
140/98 |
36/22 |
1200+400 |
464 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF151Cp
TS44Sp TR23
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90E |
139/97 |
36/22 |
1200+400 |
437 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF144Cp
TS42Sp TR22
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90S/SK (840hp) |
120/84 |
31/19 |
1200+400 |
378 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF151Cp
TS44Sp TR23
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90S/SK (950hp) |
134/94 |
34/21 |
1200+400 |
440 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF151Cp
TS44Sp TR23
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90S/SK
(1000hp) |
153/113 |
45/31 |
1200+400 |
443 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF151Cp
TS44Sp TR23
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
T-90M/MS/M-2 |
166/116 |
46/32 |
1200+400 |
450 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF163Cp
TS48Sp TR25
HF195Cp HS32Sp
HR19** |
T-90AM |
165/116 |
46/32 |
1200+400 |
450 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF151Cp
TS44Sp TR23
HF180Cp HS30Sp
HR18* |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
T-90/E |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
37x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-90K |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
34x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
+4 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
37x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
|
T-90AK/SK |
+4 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M gun,
PKT, NSVT (C) |
34x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
T-90M/M-2/AM |
+5 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M-5
gun, 6P7K, 6P7K (RWS), NSVT (C) |
41x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 5000x7.62mm, 800x12.7mm |
T-90MS |
+5 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M-5
gun, 6P7K, 6P7K (RWS), NSVT (C) |
43x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 3000x7.62mm, 600x12.7mm*** |
T-90MS (Desert) |
+5 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M-5
gun, 6P7K, NSVT (RWS), NSVT (C) |
43x125mm,
6xAT-11 ATGM, 3000x7.62mm, 850x12.7mm*** |
*Armor for the hull floor and hull deck is 11; armor for the turret deck is
11Sp.
**Armor for the hull floor and hull deck is 12; armor for the turret deck is
12Sp.
***The external turret bustle carries 8 rounds and is removable, in which case
the ammo carried is limited to 35 rounds of main gun ammunition. This ammunition
is not accessible from the turret.