Main Battle Tanks

T-54 / T-55 Main Battle Tank

Combat weight:

(fully stowed, no crew) about 35.9 tons(36.500 kg).

Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.7 ft (9.02 m); (gun torear) 21.7 ft (6.57 m).

Widht: 10ft 9.5in (3.265 m).

Height: 7.10 ft (2.380 m).

Engine: T-54: V-2-54 vee-12 watercooled diesel,520 hp; T-55: V-2-55 vee-12, 580 hp

Armament:

D-10T, D-10TG or D-10T2S 100mm gun(T-54: 34 rounds, T-55: 43 rounds);7.62mm SGMT or PKT machine gun (co-axial) with 3000 rounds; T-54 also one12.7mm DShK with 500 rounds for AAuse and one 7.62 SGMT (bow).

Speed: 30 mph (48 km/h).

Range: T-54: 250 miles (400 km); T-55: 310miles (500 km).

Armour: Up to 100 mm, mantlet up to 170 mm.

The T-55 medium tank has a fully tracked, five-road-wheeled chassis. This chassis has aspace between the first and second road wheels and no return rollers. The T-55 has a low-silhouetted hull with a dome shaped turret mounted over the third road wheel. It is armedwith a 100-mm rifled gun, which has a bore evacuator at the muzzle. The T-55 alsomounts a 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. Early versions also mounted a bow-mounted7.62-mm machine-gun. The T-55 differs from the older T-54 models because it lacks theright-hand cupola and the turret dome ventilator, which is located in front of that cupolaon the T-54. Most T-55's also lack the turret-mounted 12.7-mm antiaircraft machine-gunof the T-54. All T-55's mount an infrared gunner's searchlight above, and to the right ofthe main gun. This searchlight, however, is not a distinguishing feature since it has beenretrofitted to many T-54 and T-54A tanks. The T-55 combines a high velocity gun with a

highly mobile chassis, a low silhouette, and exceptional long-range endurance.Improvements over the T-54 include a larger V-12 water-cooled diesel engine with 580rather than 520 hp, and an increased cruising range of 500 rather than 400 kilometers(600 kilometers with auxiliary tanks). The increased cruising range can go up to 715kilometers with two 200-liter auxiliary fuel tanks which can be carried on the rear. The T-55 has two-plane stabilization of the main gun rather than vertical stabilization only. Italso has a basic load for the main gun of 43 rather than 34 rounds. The T-55 can forddepths of 1.4 meters without preparation. It has snorkel equipment which enables it tocross depths of up to 5.5 meters at a speed of 2 kilometers per hour. This equipment takesabout 30 minutes' preparation, but can be jettisoned immediately on leaving the water.All T-55's have the PAZ radiation detection system; the T-55A also has an anti-radiationliner. Injecting vaporized diesel fuel onto the exhaust system can generate a dense smokescreen.

VARIANTS:

T-54A Same as the T-54 but introduced the D-10TG gun with a new fume evacuator, and vertical planestabilization system. Internal improvements included a new multi-stage air cleaner and radiator controls forimproved engine performance. China manufactured this variant under license as the Type 59.

T-54B This version introduced the OU-3 Infrared searchlight on the commander's cupola, and a TPN-1gunner's day/night sight in place of the earlier MK-4 periscope. This version also introduced a two-axisstabilization system and the improved D-10T2S 100-mm rifled gun. This was the first version to beregularly equipped with a snorkel to allow deep fording of rivers.

T-54K This is the command version of the T-54A. It incorporates an additional radio by reducing theammunition storage.

T-54AD This is a Polish-built command version of the T-54 that incorporates a slight extension of theturret that provides space for the additional radios.

OT-54 This flame-thrower tank substituted a ATO-1 automatic flame-thrower for the 7.62-mm coaxialmachine-gun. The bow ammunition storage was modified to permit carrying 460-liters of flammable liquidusing compressed gas for propulsion. Maximum range was 160 meters and the system could fire 15-20bursts per minute.

T-55 The T-55 used a new turret, similar to that used on the T-54A, but without the prominent roof-top"mushroom" ventilator dome, and two enlarged "D" roof panels. Internal improvements include the V-55engine, initial stages of the PAZ chemical/radiation protection system, and an increase of ammunition to 43rounds. This tank does not have a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun on the loader's hatch.

T-55A This variant incorporated the complete PAZ/FVU chemical/radiation filtration system. This versionis most easily recognized by the larger combings on the commander's and loader's hatches as well as theblister on the driver's hatch.

T-55A Model 1970 This version is equipped with a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun.

T-55A Model 1974 This version is equipped with the KTD-2 laser rangefinder, which is mountedimmediately above the main gun in an armored box.

T-55K There are three variants of this command tank. These vehicles have an additional command radio aswell as supporting generator, and carry less ammunition. The T-55K1 and T-55K2 both carry two R-123 orR-123M and a R-124. The T-55K3 carries one R-130M, a R-123, a R-124, and a 10-meter antenna.Command variants of the later variants carry the same designations, e.g., T-55MK1, T-55AM1K3, etc.

OT-55 This flame-thrower tank incorporates the ATO-200 flame projector. The flame thrower is ignited bypyrotechnic charges, and 12 charges are the basic load. The stowage tank contains 460-liters of flammableliquid, and each burst averages 36 liters. The maximum effective range of the system is 200 meters, withthe stream having an initial muzzle velocity of 100 m/s.

T-55MV This is the T-55M with its armor protection supplanted with a first generation explosive reactivearmor (ERA) array. Most of these vehicles were also retrofitted with the same fire-control improvements ofthe T-55AM2PB, including the AT-10 STABBER antitank guided missile, the Volna FCS, as well as theautomotive and communications improvements.

T-55AMV This is the T-55AM with the same ERA protection as the T-55MV. Most of these tanks alsoreceived the same improvements of the T-55AM2PB.

T-55AM1 This is the modernized version of the T-55 with improved fire controls. The Czechoslovakversion uses a laser rangefinder mounted over the main gun and a wind sensor. The FSU versionincorporates the KTD-2 or KDG-1 laser rangefinder. The Polish version uses a new fire control system thatintegrates a laser rangefinder into the gunner's sight.

T-55AM2 This is the improved T-55AM1 with the BDD (horse-shoe) appliqu? armor. These BDD armorpanels consist of armored steel boxes filled with penapolyurethane. Cavities in the boxes can besupplemented with water or sand for added protection. This version also incorporates the improved V-55Uengine that has an integral supercharger and offers 620 hp. This tank has also been retrofitted with theimproved R-173P radio system.

T-55AM2PB This is the T-55AM2 with fire control improvements and theAT-10 STABBER antitank guided missile. It also incorporates the 1K13BOM gunner's sight in place of the TPN-1M sight, and the new Volna firecontrol system that includes the KDT-2 laser rangefinder, the BV-55ballistic computer, the TShSM-32PB sight and the Tsiklon-M1 gunstabilization system.

CHINESE VARIANTS:

Type 59 This is the Chinese produced copy of the T-54A.Later improvements include the addition of a laserrangefinder over the main gun and the addition of side skirts.

Type 59-II This is the Type 59 armed with a 105-mm maingun, believed to be derived from the standard NATO 105-mm rifled gun. The gun has a bore evacuator and asegmented thermal sleeve.

Type 62 Although externally very similar to the Type 59, thistank is in fact a scaled-down light tank patterned after theType 59. It is armed with an 85-mm gun and is more thinlyarmored.

Type 69-I This is a product improved version of the Type 59 that is armed with an improved 100-mmsmoothbore gun that is distinguishable by its bore evacuator, located farther back on the tube than the usual100-mm rifled gun.

Type 69-II This is the more common version of the Type 69 family. This version is equipped with thenormal 100-mm rifled gun. This tank incorporates the TSFC 2-axis gun stabilization, a new Type 70gunner's sight, full active infrared night fighting equipment, and engine smoke discharger, an NBCprotective system, and a laser rangefinder. The Type 69-II can be distinguished from the earlier Type 59 bythe rear engine plate that has a small elliptical bulge for the cooling fan. This version also has the driver'sheadlights mounted in two pairs on the fenders, not on the hull glacis. Some of these tanks were alsooutfitted with "Boom Shield" stand-off armor baskets on the turret.

Type 69-IIC This is the command version of the Type 69-II. This tank is equipped with an additionalcommand radio and long radio aerial. It can also be identified by the presence of a long tube welded to theturret top for the radio aerial and two stowage boxes on the hull rear, one of which contains cabling and afield phone.

Type 79 (Type 69-III) This is a Type 69-II equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun.

Type 80 This is an upgraded Type 79 with a new suspension. A further improved version, the Type 80-IIincorporates further automotive improvements.

ISRAELI MODIFIED VARIANTS:

Ti-67 These modifications include replacing the 100-mm gun by a 105-mm M68 rifled gun, ammunitionracks modified to accept 105-mm ammunition, new communications equipment, commander's seatmodified, gunner's seat replaced, installation of azimuth indicator, driver's hatch can now be opened fromthe outside, commander's traverse control installed, sighting system modified for 105-mm ammunition,replacing the coaxial machine gun by a 7.62-mm (0.30) Browning machine gun and the 12.7-mm DShKManti-aircraft machine gun by a 12.7-mm (0.50) Browning M2 HB machine gun, new fire control andelectrical system, air-conditioning system, new radio mounts on turret rear, American infantry telephone onhull rear, Browning 0.30 machine gun at loader's station, exhaust outlet angled upwards, additional trackstowage, fire-extinguishing system installed and new night vision equipment.

Ti-67 Model S In addition to all of the previous modifications, this is the Ti-67 with many otherimprovements including the American Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine developing 609 hp, new semi-automatic hydromechanical transmission equipped with a torque converter, new air cleaners, Blazerexplosive reactive armor added to the hull and turret, Cadillac Gage Textron weapon stabilization system,installation of EL-OP computerized Matador fire control system, new low-profile commander's cupola,infra-red detectors, passive night vision equipment for commander, gunner and driver, Spectronix firedetection and suppression system, new turret basket and extensive external stowage, modernized driver'sstation including replacement of sticks by a steering wheel, new final drives, new fuel system with all fuelnow internal and improved suspension.

ROMANIAN VARIANTS:

TR-580 (TR-77) This is a variant of the T-55 using a lengthened hull and a new suspension system withspoked wheels.

TR-85 (TR-80 or TR-800) This is a drastically modified version of the T-55 with a new turret, a newGerman diesel engine and a completely redesigned suspension.

T-62 Main Battle Tank

Combat weight:

(Fully stowed, no crew) 36.93 tons(37.500 kg).

Lenght: (Gun to front) 30.8 ft (9.488 or 9.77 m);(gun to rear) 22 ft (6.705 m).

Widht: 11 ft (3.352 m).

Height: 7.11 ft (2.4 m).

Engine: V-2-62 vee-12 watercooled diesel. 700hp.

Armament:

U-5TS 115mm smoothbore gun, 40rounds APFSDS, HEAT, HE. One7.62mm coaxial machine gun with 2000or 3500 rounds.

Speed: up to 34 mph (50 km/h).

Range: Typically 310 miles (500 km).Armour: Up to 100 mm, mantlet up to 170 mm.

The T-62 medium tank has a fully tracked, five road-wheeled chassis. The chassis hasclose spaces between the three front road wheels and large gaps separating the third,fourth and fifth road wheels. The drive sprocket is at the rear and the idler is at the front;there are no track return rollers. The rounded turret, mounted over the third road wheel, ismore smoothly cast and more nearly egg-shaped than that of the T-54/55 series. Thecommander's cupola on the left is cast with the turret. The loader's hatch on the right isalso farther forward. The 115-mm smoothbore main gun has a longer and thinner tubethan the 100-mm main gun of the T-54/55. Its bore evacuator is about two-thirds of theway up the gun tube from the turret. There is also a 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. TheT-62M also mounts a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun at the loader's hatchposition. A gunner's IR searchlight is mounted on the right, above the main gun. Asmaller IR searchlight is mounted over on the commander's cupola. The driver's hatch isin front of the turret on the left side of the flat, low-silhouetted hull. Like the T-55, the T-62 has a 580-hp, V-12, water-cooled diesel engine. This engine gives the T-62 a cruising

range of 280 kilometers cross-country; 450 kilometers on paved roads, with integral fuelcells; and 400 kilometers cross-country, or 650 kilometers on paved roads, with two 200-liter auxiliary fuel tanks. The tank also shares the snorkeling and smoke screen-generating capabilities of the T-54/55 series. It has the same PAZ radiation detectionsystem as the T-55. Some T-62's may have been retrofitted with full NBC collectiveprotection systems (air filtration and overpressure). Most models have the same IR nightsight and driving equipment and the same fire control equipment as the T-54/55. Some T-62s, however, have received a passive night sight. This replaces the gunner's active IRsight. A laser rangefinder may now replace the stadiametric reticle rangefinder. The mostsignificant improvement over the T-54/55 tanks, however, is the 115-mm smoothboremain gun. It fires hypervelocity, armor-piercing, fin-stabilized, discarding sabot(HVAPFSDS) round with a muzzle velocity of 1,615 meters per second. The penetratorflies in a very flat trajectory, and is extremely accurate out to 1600 meters. The normal40-round basic load typically includes 12 HVAPFSDS, 6 HEAT, and 22 HE-Frag rounds.The T-62 also has an automatic shell ejector system. The recoil of the main gun activatesthis system, which ejects the spent shell casings through a port in the rear of the turret.The T-62 has the standard 7.62-mm PKT coaxial machine-gun with a range of 1,000meters. The T-62M also mounts a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun. The DShKhas a range of 1,500 meters against ground targets and a slant range of 1,000 metersagainst aircraft. The T-62A also has a stabilized main gun; it enables the gunner to trackand fire on the move with improved accuracy.

VARIANTS:

T-62 This is the basic T-62 model, which essentially was a stretched T-55 chassis, with a new suspension,and a new turret equipped with the U-5T (2A20) Rapira 115-mm smoothbore gun. The gun has the newMeteor two-axis stabilization system.

T-62K This is the command tank variant of the T-62, and like earlier types, has one additional R-122 radio,a TNA-2 navigation system, a 4-meter antenna, but less ammunition. The corresponding command tank forthe T-62M is the T-62MK.

T-62M (Also called T-62A) This tank includes the addition of a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gunon the loader's hatch. This modification included modification of the turret right side.

T-62M Model 1975 This is the T-62M with the addition of the KTD-1 laser rangefinder over the main gunmantlet.

T-62E The war in Afghanistan forced the Soviets to up-armor their tanks to provide better protection frominfantry antitank weapons, such as the RPG-7. This upgrade led to the BDD appliqu? armor package. Thispackage consists of a panel of armor on the glacis plate, two panels of "horse-shoe" armor around the frontof the turret, and an optional package of belly armor for anti-mine protection. The total package adds 3.9tons to the weight of the vehicle.

T-62M1 This further modification of the T-62A includes much of the modifications added to the T-55 tomake the T-55AM2PB. These improvements include the Volna fire control system with the BV-62computer, Meteor M1 gun stabilization package, TShSM-41U sight, KDT-2 laser rangefinder and 1K13guidance sight package. This tank is equipped with the AT-12 Sheksna laser-guided antitank guidedmissile, which operates in much the same way as the AT-10 STABBER ATGM. This tank also includes the

uprated V-55U engine, and the R-173 radio system. This vehicle is also usually fitted with the BDDappliqu? armor package.

T-62MV This is the T-62M fitted with the ERA package found on the T-55MV.

T-64 Main Battle Tank

Combat weight:

39.3 tons (40.000 kg).

Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.5 ft (9.02 m); (hull)20.46 ft (6.35 m).

Widht: 10.03 ft (3.375 m).Height: (To cupola) 7.41 ft (2.265 m).

Engine: Water cooled diesel. 700 bhp.

Armament:

125mm smoothbore gun firing fin-stabilised APFSDS and HEATammunition, automatic loader. One7.62mm coaxial machine gun. One12.7mm remote-controlled DShKAAMG.

Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h).

Range: 310 miles (500 km).

Armour: Maximum about 120 mm.

The T-64 retains the low silhouette of the T-54/55/62 series of tanks. The suspensionconsists of six small dual road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the frontand four track-return rollers which support the inside of the double-pin track only. Thefirst, second, fifth and sixth road wheel stations are provided with a hydraulic shockabsorber. Over the top of the suspension, which slopes downward towards the rear, is arail on which panels of additional armor can be attached. The driver's hatch is centered atthe top of a sharply sloped upper glacis. The glacis has four steel ribs and a v-shapedwater and debris deflector. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give astreamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has a toothed shovel/dozer blade on thefront of the hull beneath the glacis. There are attachment points beneath the blade for theKMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. Thecommander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side.

The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections infront of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxialmachine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The infra-red searchlight is mountedon the left of the main armament. Two or three boxes of 12.7-mm ammunition aremounted on the left side of the turret. The snorkel is carried on the top of the turret at therear and at the very rear of the turret is a detachable stowage box. The T-64 has twosnorkels for deep fording; one is fitted to the turret and the other to the enginecompartment. The T-64 has superior mobility than its predecessors. The 5-cylinder,opposed-piston, diesel engine has an output of 700 hp. The hull and turret are of cast andwelded steel armor that incorporates a mixture of conventional steel and ceramic insertscalled Combination K, with the ceramic inserts providing superior protection againstHEAT attack. The sides of the hull and upper part of the suspension were provided withgill type armor panels which sprung outward during combat to reduce the effectiveness ofHEAT projectiles. The T-64 is armed with the 125-mm 2A26 smoothbore gun with avertical ammunition stowage system, and automatic loader. The incorporation of anautomatic loader allowed for a three-man crew. The 125-mm gun is stabilized in bothelevation and traverse with the ordnance being fitted with a thermal sleeve and fumeextractor. The main armament can be laid and fired while the T-64 is moving acrosscountry and the commander can override the gunner if required. The 125-mm gun isstabilized, but does not have the same firing on the move capability as Western MBTsuch as the M1 or Leopard 2. The 125-mm gun has a sighted range out to 4000 m usingthe day sight and 800 m using the night sight. Maximum effective range of the 125-mmsmoothbore gun of the T-64B is 2000 meters, firing the following types of ammunition:APFSDS, HE-FRAG, HEAT, and a Beehive anti-personnel round. The T-64B's 125-mmordnance also fires the AT-8 Songster ATGM, which is kept in the automatic loader intwo separate parts like standard APFSDS or HEAT-FS rounds and loaded using theautomatic loader. A T-64B normally carries six AT-8 Songsters plus 36 rounds(projectile and charge) of 125-mm ammunition. The 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gunhas electric elevation with manual controls being provided for emergency use. The 12.7-mm antiaircraft machine-gun of the T-64 can be aimed and fired from within the tank. Ithas the PAZ radiation detection system, an anti-radiation liner, and a collective NBCfiltration and overpressure system.

VARIANTS:

T-64R This was the initial production model armed with 115-mm D-68 smoothbore gun for which 40rounds of ammunition were carried, of this total 30 rounds were in the automatic loader for ready use. It isbelieved that 600 were built, but none now remain in service. T-64 This was the initial production versionwith the 125-mm smoothbore gun with ZIP tool stowage bin on right side and no rear turret stowage bin.Most of these were subsequently rebuilt to the T-64A configuration.

T-64K The command version of the T-64. When stationary a 10 m telescopic mast is erected over the turretand held in position by stays that are pegged to the ground. The command version does not normally havethe 12.7-mm anti-aircraft gun fitted. T-64A This version features several improvements including amodified sight for the gunner with an enlarged opening. A bump stop for the fourth road wheel was added.Smoke grenade launchers were fitted to both sides of the 125-mm gun. Hinges for the attachment of sideskirts were added to the hull sides. Each bank of six smoke launchers fires grenades to a range of 150 to200 m. The handrails on either side of the turret front were omitted and the forward stowage boxes on theright hand sponson were replaced by additional external fuel tanks as on the left hand sponson. The forward

skirts were originally spring-loaded so that they faced the front, but these were subsequently replaced byskirts.

T-64A (rebuild) This is a rebuilt T-64 or T-64A incorporating the new improvements found on the later T-64 models, including the substitution of a rubber side skirt for the gill armor, addition of glacis plate hullarmor appliqu?, stowage improvements and other changes.

T-64AK The command version of the T-64A

T-64B This was a major redesign of the T-64A to incorporate a new hull and turret armor that was not asbulky as the first generation Combination K armor on the T-64A, but at the same time offering the same orbetter protection. The T-64B has a laser rangefinder for improved first round hit probability, explosivereactive armor and strengthened turret hatch protection. There are at least two versions of the T-64B. Newconstruction T-64Bs that appear to lack the usual forward gunner's sight and rebuilt T-64Bs, which aremodifications of earlier T-64s.

T-64BV This is the correct designation for the T-64B fitted with explosivereactive armor. The T-64BV has a different explosive reactive armorpackage from the T-80. The former has about 111 blocks; the latter hasbetween 185 and 221 blocks. On the T-64BV the reactive armor covers theglacis plate, the forward part of the turret front, sides and roof and hullsides extending to the five road wheels. When fitted with explosivereactive armor, the smoke dischargers are moved from either side of the

main armament to either side of the turret rear, roughly in line with the fourth and fifth road wheels. T-64B1 The designation T-64B1 may distinguish the difference between new-build T-64Bs, and T-64Aswhich have been improved to the T-64B standard.

T-64B1K This is the command tank version of the T-64B1 and has additional communications equipmentinstalled.

T-64BV1K This is the T-64B fitted with explosive reactive armor and fitted with additionalcommunications equipment for use in the command role.

T-10 Heavy Tank

Combatweight: (T-10M, no crew) 48.23 tons (49.000 kg).

Lenght: (Gun to front) 34.9 ft (10.49 m typical); (gun to rear) 23.1 ft (7.4 m).

Widht: 11.8ft (3.44 m).Height: (Excl. AA gun) 7.5 ft (2.260 m).Engine: V-10 vee-12 watercooled diesel, 700 hp.

Armament:M-1955 122mm gun, 30 rounds; (T-10M) two 14.5mm KPV machinegun (co-axial and AA), 1000 rounds; (T-10) two 12.7mm DShK 1000rounds.

Speed: 26 mph (42 km/h).

Range: 155 miles (250 km).Armour: Up to 210 mm.

T-72 Main Battle Tank

Combatweight: 39.3 tons (40.000 kg).

Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.5 ft (9.02 m); (hull) 20.46 ft (6.35 m).Widht: 10.03 ft (3.375 m).Height: (To cupola) 7.41 ft (2.265 m).

Engine: Water cooled diesel of about 700 bhp.

Armament:125mm smoothbore gun firing fin-stabilised APFSDS and HEATammunition, with automatic loader; one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun andone 12.7mm remote-controlled DShK AAMG.

Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h).Range: 310 miles (500 km).

Armour: Maximum about 120 mm, possibly of modern "special" material resistantto shaped charges.

The T-72 retains the low silhouette of the T-54/55/62 series of tanks. The suspensionconsists of six large, die-cast, rubber-coated road wheels with the drive sprocket at therear, idler at the front and three track-return rollers that support the inside of the trackonly. Shock absorbers are fitted at the first, second and sixth road wheel stations. Thetrack of the T-72 is of the single pin type with rubber. Over the top of the suspension,which slopes downward towards the rear, is a rail on which panels of additional armorcan be attached. There is an engine exhaust on the left side of the hull above the last roadwheel. The glacis is well sloped, transversely ribbed and has a deep V splash-board.Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders.The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the rightside of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a foursection removable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to therear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to theright of the mantlet. The T-72 mounts an infra-red searchlight on the right side of themain armament rather than the left as in the case of the earlier T-64. There are two lightsteel stowage boxes mounted on the turret, one at the rear and the other on the rightslightly behind the commander's position. The snorkel is carried on the left side of theturret to the rear. The T-72 normally carries an unditching beam at the rear and there isalso provision for carrying two 200 liter fuel drums at the rear to increase operationalrange. These can be quickly jettisoned if required by the tactical situation. The T-72B1 is

powered by a V-12 piston multi-fuel air-cooled engine that develops 840 hp. The enginewill run on three fuels: Diesel, Benzene orKerosene. The turret has conventional castarmor with a maximum thickness of 280-mm, the nose is about 80-mm thick andthe glacis is of a new laminate armor 200-mm thick, which when inclined givesbetween 500/600-mm of protection. Lateproduction T-72s do however incorporateadvanced armor protection in their turrets.Main armament is a 125-mm (2A46) smoothbore gun fitted with a light alloy thermalsleeve and a bore evacuator. The 125-mm gun is stabilized in both planes. The gun firesthree main types of separate loading ammunition, APFSDS, HEAT-FS, and HE-FRAG(FS). Using the gunner's quadrant, the T-72 can fire HE-Frag rounds in the indirectmode out to 9400 m. Of 39 rounds of ammunition carried, 12 are APFSDS-T, 21 HE-FRAG(FS) and the remaining six HEAT-FS. The ammunition is of the separate loadingtype with a consumable cartridge case; all that remains of the latter after firing is a stub.The additional rounds of ammunition are stowed in racks behind the turret basket and inindentations in the rear floor fuel cell and second forward right cell near the driver. Thecarousel automatic loader is mounted on the turret floor and on the rear wall of the turret.The projectile is loaded in the lower half of a carrier, the cartridge and propellant in theupper half. The carousel carries 24 ready use projectiles. A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun ismounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and has 250 rounds of ready useammunition. A 12.7-mm NSV machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. The12.7-mm machine gun can, however, only be used with the commander exposing theupper part of his body. Maximum sight range in the ground-to-ground role is 2000 m;maximum sight range in the anti-aircraft role is 1500 m. The T-72 mounts a dozer bladeunder the nose of the tank, to clear obstacles and prepare fire positions. Like most otherformer Soviet tanks, the T-72 can be fitted with mine-clearing equipment such as theKMT-5, KMT-6 and KMT-6 M2. The dozer blade can be brought into the operatingposition in one or two minutes and enables the tank to prepare its own defilade positionwithout calling on engineer support. The T-72 is provided with an NBC system and canbe fitted with a snorkel for deep fording. The tank takes about 20 minutes to prepare foramphibious use and is ready for action within two minutes of leaving the water.

VARIANTS:

T-72 First version of the T-72 to enter production with early versions having searchlight mounted on left aswell as the standard production type TPD-2-49 coincidence rangefinder sight that protrudes from the turret.

T-72K Command version of original T-72 with additional communications equipment. The K-series tanksare essentially the same: company Ks having two R-123M or R-173 radios, and battalion/regiment versionshave one R123M/R-173 and one R-130M that has a 10 m antenna when erected.

T-72A This has the coincidence rangefinder replaced by the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder. Called T-72M inthe former Warsaw Pact with export versions being called the T-72G. Also has plastic armor side skirts inplace of the flipper type armor panels found on the earlier models. This skirt covers the upper part of thesuspension with separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers.

T-72AK Command version of T-72A with additional communications equipment.

T-72B This model has the thickened frontal turret armor and is commonly known in the United States asthe Dolly Parton. It also has improved engine cooling and a plate of 20-mm appliqu? armor added to thetop of the glacis plate. The T-72B with 12 smoke mortars on the turret front is referred to as the SMTM1981/3. The SMT M1984 has its snorkel moved to rear aft of stowage bin, and a third stowage bin addedon left side of turret. Late models have appliqu? armor matting on turret roof and either side of the driver'sstation.

T-72BK Command version of T-72B.

T-72BV This is T-72B with explosive reaction armor packages fitted tothe hull and turret. The glacis plate is covered with a layer of single ERAblocks while the turret is covered by one, two or three layers with onebeing the more usual. A single layer of ERA also covers the sides of thevehicle to provide protection to the suspension and upper sides of the hull.There are two types of former Soviet ERA blocks. First the standard shoetype box which has overall dimensions of about 25.5 cm by 13.5 cm andsecond the wedge type block. Both of these often have an arrow indicating

the way that they should be installed to provide the maximum degree of protection. The standard ERAblock has an ERA element (two plates of steel separated by explosive) which can be positioned in one oftwo positions for maximum protection while the wedge type has a fixed ERA element.

T-72B1 This is the first T-72 with NDZ armor and externally identifiable with the considerably thickenedturret frontal armor, this is referred to as the Super Dolly Parton. The SMT M1988 has eight smoke mortarson left side and has explosive reactive armor and larger gunner's night sight housing. The T-72B1 is fittedwith the fire control system for the 9M119 Svir AT-11 SNIPER missile system.

T-72B1K This is a T-72B1 with additional communications equipment for use in the command post role.

T-72B1V This is a T-72B1 with explosive reaction armor packages fitted to the turret and hull.

T-72S This is an export version of the T-72B1.

T-72BM This is the T-72B1 fitted with 2nd Generation Reactive armor,similar to that on the T-90.

M-84 This is a Yugoslav version of the T-72 which is almost identical tolate production Soviet T-72 with two banks of smoke dischargers mountedon the turret front, seven on the left and five on the right. The main areasof difference are in the computerized fire control system and vehicleoptics. The M-84 has a distinctive mast containing sensors fitted on theforward part of the turret to the immediate rear of the 125-mm gun. Animproved version, the M-84A has a number of improvements including amore powerful 1000 hp diesel engine which gives a higher road speed,

greater acceleration and improved power-to-weight ratio, and improved armor protection.

TR-125 This is the Romanian version of the T-72 which has a number of significant differences to theoriginal Soviet MBT. The TR-125 weighs 48 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arc.The TR-125 has seven road wheels of a different design, a new one piece skirt and is powered by a morepowerful 880 hp diesel engine. PT-91 Twardy This Polish variant of the T-72 has a number ofimprovements over the earlier T-72M1. The major improvements include: Polish-developed explosivereactive armor Type ERAWA-1; four laser warning receivers, which warn the crew if they are beingtargeted by a laser rangefinder or designator; new computerized fire control system, with optional thermal

sight; new passive night sights; improved automotive components including 850 hp engine, rubber bushedtracks, and a modern fire detection and suppression system.

T-72AM Banan The T-72AM Banan is an advanced T-72 design, equipped with the same 6TD-2 dieselengine (1250 hp) as the T-84 (see T-84 in T-80 Variants section). The vehicle is covered extensively withearly generation ERA tiles and thus looks very similar to the latest Russian T-72s.

T-72 with PW-LWD mine clearance system The Polish Army has deployed a tank-mounted rocketpropelled mine-clearing system on a T-72 chassis. This system consists of a rocket that is attached to a 170m explosive filled hose. The complete system is carried in a boat-shaped container that slides onto a specialmount on the hull top at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle halts on arrival at the minefield, and the PW-LWD system is fired. The explosive hose falls to the ground and is detonated, setting off any mines in itspath.

MTU-72 AVLB The FSU has deployed an armored vehicle launched bridge system based on the T-72MBT chassis that is similar in appearance and concept to the older MTU-20 that is based on the T-55chassis (q.v.). It is estimated that the bridge, when opened out, is 20.6 m long.

BREM-1 Armored Recovery and Repair Vehicle This is based on thechassis of the T-72 and mounted at the front of the hull on the left side is ahydraulic crane which can lift 12 tons, a main winch with a capacity of 25tons which can be increased to 100 tons, auxiliary winch, hydraulicallyoperated dozer/stabilizing blade at the front of the hull, towing equipmentand a complete range of tools and recovery equipment.

WZT-3 Armored Recovery Vehicle This ARV is based on the T-72M1hull, and is armed with a 12.7-mm machine-gun, which is fitted to thecommander's hatch. Standard equipment includes: crane with telescopic jibthat can lift a maximum load of 15 tons, front mounted stabilizing dozer

blade, main and secondary winch.

IMR-2 Combat Engineer Vehicle A T-72 MBT chassis is used as the basis for the new IMR-2 combatengineer vehicle. The crane can be fitted with a number of attachments including pincers for uprootingtrees. Pivoted at the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that can be used in a V-configuration or as astraight dozer blade. When not required it is raised clear of the ground.

T-80 Main Battle Tank

The T-80 retains the low silhouetteof the earlier FSU tanks. Thesuspension consists of six forgedsteel-aluminum rubber-tired roadwheels, drive sprocket at the rear,idler at the front, and five returnroad wheels. The rubber-tired roadwheels are in two halves that arebolted together. The road wheel spacing is not identical and there are distinct gapsbetween the second and third, fourth and fifth, and fifth and sixth road wheels. The sideskirt covers the return rollers. The rubber-bushed, double-pin track has rubber track padsand U-shaped track guides. The T-80 has a distinct oblong exhaust outlet in the hull rear.The driver's hatch is centered at the top of a sharply sloped upper glacis. Integrated fuelcells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has atoothed shovel/dozer blade on the front of the hull beneath the glacis. There areattachment points beneath the blade for the KMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low,rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the right side of theturret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a four sectionremovable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to the rear ofthe mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to the right ofthe mantlet. The infra-red searchlight is mounted on the right of the main armament.Banks of electrically operated smoke dischargers are mounted either side of the 125-mmgun/missile launcher, normally five on the left and four on the right. The T-80 has aGTD-1000 gas-turbine engine developing 1100 hp coupled to a manual transmission withfive forward and one reverse gears. This is the first former Soviet operational tank to bepowered by a gas-turhorns. The glacis plate is of the laminate type for improvedprotection against kinetic energy and HEAT attack and there is a dozer blade under thenose of the vehicle. The turret is steel with an inner layer of special armor; the gunner sitson the left and the tank commander on the right. The T-80 MBT uses the same 125-mmgun and horizontal ammunition system as the T-72 whereas the T-64 uses a 125-mm2A26 gun with vertical ammunition stowage. The fire control system is an improvementover that fitted to earlier former Soviet tanks. This tank can fire either the AT-8 SongsterATGM or four types of separate loading ammunition, e.g., projectile and semi-combustible cartridge case. These four rounds are HE-FRAG (FS), HEAT-FS, APFSDS-T and Flechette. A total of six AT-8 Songster ATGMs are carried and these are identicalto those launched by the T-64B MBT deployed some years ago. A 7.62-mm PKTmachine gun is mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and a 12.7-mm NSVmachine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. To extend the operational range ofthe T-80, additional fuel tanks can be mounted at the hull rear. These can be quicklyjettisoned if required. Standard equipment includes snorkels for deep fording operationsthat are carried on the turret rear when not required, an overpressure type NBC protectionsystem, night vision equipment for all three crew members, unditching beam carried

across the hull rear and a laser warning device activated by laser rangefinders, laserdesignators or precision-guided munitions fitted with a laser guidance device. Mountedon the turret rear is a large circular container that carries two snorkels. The larger one isthe snorkel for the gas-turbine, with another one being fitted onto the radiator grill bymeans of two adapters. This provides an air intake for the gas-turbine.

VARIANTS:

T-80 This was the first production model of the T-80 and is understood to have entered production in 1978.Only a few hundred are believed to have been built when production switched to the T-80B. The firstversion of T-80 is sometimes referred to as the Kobra as its 125-mm gun can fire the 9M117 Kobra (NATOdesignation AT-8 Songster) ATGM. Combat weight is 39.7 tons. T-80B This is also sometimes referred toas the Beryoza (Birch Tree) and was the first major redesign of the T-80 with a modified turretincorporating a new generation composite K ceramic armor which offers better protection against APFSDSkinetic energy penetrators. The turret has an equivalent level of 500-mm of steel compared to 410-mm inearlier models. T-80BK This is the command version of the T-80B and has additional communicationsequipment and therefore additional antennas.

T-80BV This is essentially the T-80B fitted with first generationexplosive reactive armor. In addition there is a late production typewith a new turret similar to the T-80U but fitted with the turbineengine and first generation explosive reactive armor. When fitted withits explosive reactive armor package, the T-80 is virtually immuneover its frontal arc to penetration from all current NATO ATGMswhich rely on a HEAT warhead to penetrate armor. With theexplosive reactive armor fitted the smoke grenade launchers aremoved from either side of the main armament back to either side ofthe turret and positioned between the turret side and the explosive

reactive panels On the turret of the T-80, the panels are joined to form a shallow chevron pointing.Explosive reactive armor is also fitted to the forward part of the turret roof to provide protection against topattack weapons The explosive reactive armor package on the T-80 provides a high degree of protectionagainst ATGMs such as MILAN, HOT, TOW and SWINGFIRE over the frontal arc. It does not provideany added protection against APDS or APFSDS attack. When the HEAT projectile reaches the MBT itshigh speed jet initiates the explosive between the two plates and drives the plates aside. These movingplates perturb and eat the mass of the incoming jet. The jet is then unable to achieve any significantpenetration of the main tank armor.

T-80BVK This is the command version of the T-80BVand is fitted with additional communications equipmentand antennas.

T-80U This was first observed in 1989 and is referred to by NATO asthe SMT (Soviet Medium Tank) M1989. The new turret has animproved frontal armor package with second generation explosivereactive armor. This version is also equipped to fire the 9K120 Svir(NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) laser-guided anti-tank missile inplace of the older Kobra. Although based on the chassis of the T-80Bit has many improvements including the replacement of the gasturbine engine by a more fuel efficient and more powerful turbineengine (GTD-1250, developing 1250 hp), different engine decking,

new commander's cupola with 12.7-mm NVS machine gun now capable of being fired from within theturret under remote-control in a similar manner to the earlier T-64, a bank of four 81-mm electricallyoperated smoke dischargers either side of the turret firing to the frontal arc (902B Tucha), smaller snorkelkept on rear of turret when not required, the commander's sight appears to be new and may well incorporatean image intensification channel as there is no infra-red searchlight on the commander's cupola. The turretroof between the commander's and gunner's hatches has been provided with additional protection againsttop attack weapons and a collar of rubber skirts hangs from the turret front. Mounted on the roof forward ofthe tank commander's cupola is the laser designation system which projects a modulated beam; the systemis protected by a rectangular armored box cover. The T-80U has full length side skirts but those above thefirst three road wheels are armored and are provided with lifting handles. There are also rubber elementsfitted beneath the front glacis which provide additional protection against mines with tilt-rod fuses andHEAT warheads. The forward skirt elements are armored and a radiation absorption liner coats the armorinside and outside. Protection for the driver, particularly against mine explosions, is enhanced bysuspending the driver's seat from the hull roof. A special camouflage paint distorts the tank's appearance inthe visible and IR wavebands.

T-80UD This vehicle is the T-80U powered with the GTF diesel engine, which develops 1000 hp.

T-80UK This is the command version of the T-80U fitted with additionalradios and antennas. At a recent display of military equipment, a T-80UKwas displayed fitted with the Shtora-1 electro-optical countermeasuressystem, a metero-logical sensor, laser warning receivers, and thermal sights.The Shtora-1 system consists of a laser warning device, remote aerosolformations system (81-mm smoke mortars), and electro-optical jammers.

T-80UM1 Bars The tank is the latest-generation version of the T-80U tankand outper-forms the T-90 by 70 per cent in terms of specific power (engine

power/tank mass ratio).

T-84 This vehicle is essentially a T-80UD tank produced by the Ukraine and powered by an uprated 6TD-2diesel engine. This engine develops 1200 hp, giving the vehicle an improved power-to-weight ratio ofabout 27 hp/ton. The T-84 also includes the Shtora-1 electro-optical countermeasures system, the Arenavehicle protection system, improved tracks, thermal protection for the engine, and an air conditioningsystem for the crew. The armament consists of a Ukrainian produced 125-mm KBA-3 main gun, fitted withan autoloader for 28 rounds. The fire control system enables accurate fire in daylight for up to 5000 metersfor the AT-11 ATGM and up to 2500 meters for main gun rounds. At night, the gunners fire-control systemgives a forward field of view of up to 1200 meters while the thermal imager extends this to 3000 meters.The Shtora-1 (described in the T-80UK section) is fitted to this tank, with the primary differences being six81-mm smoke mortars on either side of the turret, instead of the 4 fitted to the T-80UK. The Shtora-1system is reported to reduce the hit-probability of ATGMs with semi-automatic control systems (TOW,HOT, Dragon, and MILAN) up to five fold, while missiles with laser-homing heads (Hellfire, Maverickand Copperhead) have a similarly reduced probability of hitting.

T-90 Main Battle Tank

The T-90 retains the low silhouette of theearlier FSU tanks. The suspension consistsof six large, die-cast, rubber-coated roadwheels with the drive sprocket at the rear,idler at the front and three track-returnrollers that support the inside of the trackonly. Shock absorbers are fitted at the first,second and sixth road wheel stations.There are side skirts that extend along the entire side of the tank. The front third of thisskirt consists of armored panels, whereas the rear two-thirds consist only of rubberizedpanels. There is an engine exhaust on the left side of the hull above the last road wheel.The glacis is well sloped, and is covered by second generation ERA bricks and a largetransverse rib that extends horizontally across the glacis. The driver sits at the front of thehull and has a single piece hatch cover that opens to the right, in front of which is a singlewide-angle observation periscope. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give astreamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has a toothed shovel/dozer blade on thefront of the hull beneath the glacis. There are attachment points beneath the blade for theKMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. Thecommander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side.The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections infront of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxialmachine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The T-90 mounts two infra-redsearchlights on either side of the main armament; these are part of the Shtora ATGMdefense system. The turret is covered with second generation reactive armor on thefrontal arc. This ERA gives the turret an angled appearance, with the ERA bricks forminga "clam shell" appearance. There are ERA bricks on the turret roof to provide protectionfrom top-attack weapons. There are banks of smoke mortars on either side of the turret,The T-90 is powered by the Model 84 V-84 diesel engine, which produces 840 hp. Thisresults in a power to weight ratio of only 18.06 hp/ton, which is considerably less thanthat of the T-80. The second generation ERA package, combined with the advancedarmor technology, makes the T-90 one of the best protected main battle tanks in theworld. This high level of protection is supplanted with the TShU-1-7 IR-Jamming

system, which is designed to disrupt the guidance of incoming ATGMs. This systemconsists of two infrared lights, one on each side of the main gun, which continuously emitcoded pulsed infrared jamming when an incoming ATGM has been detected. The T-90 isalso equipped with a laser warning package that warns the tank crew when it is beinglased. The T-90 retains the 125-mm 2A46-series main gun of the T-72 and T-80, and iscapable of firing the AT-11 SNIPER laser-guided ATGM. The AT-11, which canpenetrate 700-mm of RHAe out to 4000 meters, gives the T-90 the ability to engage otherMBTs, vehicle ATGMs, and even most helicopters before they can engage the T-90. Thecomputerized fire control system and laser range-finder, coupled with the new gunner'sthermal sight permit the T-90 to engage targets while on the move and at night. Detailedinformation on the Agave gunner's thermal sight is not yet available, but this is probablya first generation system and not as capable as current Western systems.

MBT Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle)The newest Russian main battle tank. A mobility test-bed of a 21th century tank and is a result of radicalupgrading of the T-80U MBT. The selection of the T-80U as a base for development of the 5th generationMBT derives from the fact that it is rightfully considered as the best MBT in the worldwhich suc-cessfully combines all the basic per-formance characteristics: speed,maneuverability, fire power and protec-tion system. The Chiorny Oriol has the sameoverall dimensions as the T-80U does, nevertheless it has a lower silhouette which makesit less distinctive on the terrain. The experts believe that in terms of combination of thebasic charac-teristics such as maneuverability, fire power, armour piercing capability andprotection this MBT will surpass the Western MBTs such as M1A2 Abrams, Leclerk andLeopard-2 by a factor of 1.5-1.7.

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