Russia has just announced how many deadly Armata tanks it will build. Russia has just announced how many deadly Armata tanks it will build.

Russia, during the dress rehearsal of the Victory Day parade, demonstrated its most powerful project since the end of the Cold War - a tank "Armata" T-14.

New tank of Russia: general information

Tank "Armata" T-14 will become a real highlight at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. So, in the parade, which will be held on May 9 on Red Square, about two hundred units of military equipment and 16,500 military personnel will be involved. The release of tanks is carried out OAO NPK Uralvagonzavod.

Interesting Facts! In April, the Russian Ministry of Defense opened the veil of secrecy and showed photographs of an innovative tank, only now the turret was covered with a cloth, so only its platform could be seen. Today you can see the Armata T-14 tank on the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, where other types of new armored vehicles are also presented. The tank arrived at the dress rehearsal completely open.

Mass production of a new Russian tank

In the course of a large-scale rearmament program, by 2020 it is planned to release 2 300 tanks T-14, while the start of operation of this machine is scheduled for 2016.

Thanks to this number of new tanks in the Russian ground forces, all obsolete tanks that are left over from Soviet times will be replaced.

But what is the peculiarity tank "Armata" T-14?

uninhabited tower

The main feature of this unique combat vehicle is uninhabited tower. Thus, the tank crew, consisting of three people, is located in a separate capsule, while the gun is controlled remotely.

Thanks to this design, it significantly increases, firstly, security level the crew itself, whose members are in the armored part of the vehicle; Secondly, the effectiveness of the use of tools.

In addition, the new uninhabited tower has become much smaller, which significantly decreased silhouette tank.

Technical characteristics of the tank "Armata" T-14

But on an uninhabited tower innovations of the tank "Armata" T-14 do not end.

A gun

Smoothbore 125 mm gun produces fire not only with conventional projectiles, but also guided missiles.

The ammunition load of the gun is 45 rounds, while automatic loader- 32 shells. The tank's rate of fire is 10-12 rounds per minute.

Ammunition located in a special module, which significantly increases the "survivability" of the tank. And all thanks to the fact that the possibility of detonation of ammunition when a projectile enters the body of the machine is excluded.

Important! "Armata" can fire the following types of projectiles:

• high-explosive fragmentation
• surface-to-air missiles
• armor-piercing sub-caliber
• ground-to-ground missiles
• cumulative.

Machine gun

Tank "Armata" is equipped with twin (with two barrels) 7,62 -millimeter machine gun, located outside the tower (machine gun ammunition - 1000 rounds, while the same number of rounds is stored in tapes at the rear of the tower).

The tank is equipped with an additional installation with 12.7 mm machine gun called "Kord", which is installed together with the commander's panorama (machine gun ammunition - 300 rounds in the tape itself, and the same number of rounds is stored in the spare parts box directly at the stern of the tower).

Electronic systems

The tank is equipped electronic systems that collect and analyze tactical data from various sources. The presence of new electronics can significantly reduce the time between target detection and its direct defeat.

On the tank "Armata" the so-called "reaction time" from 5 - 6 seconds to 3 - 4 seconds, like in German and American cars.

Improved features such as target range, which for "Armata" is more than 3.5 km. For comparison: for obsolete Russian tanks, this parameter did not exceed 2.5 km, while for modern American and German vehicles it is 3 - 3.5 km.

Platform

Interesting fact! According to the design concept, the "Armata" platform can be used for other combat vehicles, for example, for an infantry fighting vehicle or a self-propelled artillery mount. This will help reduce the cost of manufacturing these types of combat vehicles, as well as simplify their maintenance and repair.

The platform of the tank is presented in two versions:

• chassis with a front engine compartment (or PMTO)
• chassis with a rear engine compartment (or ZMTO).

Armor

Tank armor can withstand anti-tank missiles, while active protection helps to intercept shells directly on the approach to the tank. Armor resistance - more than 900 mm.

Power point

This part of the tank "Armata" is powerful diesel engine 1500 hp

Tank engine life(number of hours the engine can run without repair) is 2,000 hours.

Installation weight- about 5 tons.

Additional equipment "Armata" T-14

Among the additional systems of the tank "Armata" T-14 are the following:

• air conditioner
• aircraft-type radar that can detect dynamic and aerodynamic targets
• night vision system
• new armor, which allows to reduce the thickness of the hull by 15%, which will not affect the protective characteristics of the vehicle in any way
• defense against weapons of mass destruction
• IMS chassis (or "digital board"), with which it will be possible to implement the launch, control, as well as diagnosing and adjusting the machine
• seven-roller suspension, which is controlled by paddle shock absorbers;
• 12-speed automatic transmission (manual shift possible)
• digital control systems that simplify and speed up the operation of the tank.

Note that the tank "Armata", the mass of which is about 50 tons equipped with a powerful diesel engine. The car is able to accelerate 80 - 90 km / h.

The body of the tank "Armata"

Particularly noteworthy is the hull of the Armata tank, which is replete with high definition video cameras allowing the crew to control the environment. The cameras function regardless of the time of day and weather conditions.

SAZ (active protection system)

The tank is equipped with an active protection system called "Afghanite", thanks to which it became possible to confront enemy shells and missiles at a distance not exceeding 20 m.

Simply put, this system is an anti-missile and anti-missile tank defense that protects a combat vehicle from ground and air strikes.

The main goal of the BAS is to implement interception not only high-speed kinetic missiles, but also impact nuclei, the approach speed of which is 2,500 - 3,000 m/s.

Dynamic protection

In addition to active protection, the Armata tank (or rather, the turret of the vehicle) is equipped with three blocks of dynamic protection, which are containers with pre-installed elements of dynamic protection, separated by layers of filler.

Armored vehicles in the twentieth century became the main striking force of the armed forces of any country. Global manufacturing companies are constantly improving the potential of combat vehicles. Russia does not stand aside, and the T-14 Armata tank has become one of the most advanced models. Its performance characteristics (TTX) and combat capabilities are of interest to both specialists and all concerned people.

The history of the creation of the tank "Armata"

Model T-14 "Armata" refers to the tanks of the 4th generation. It attempts to implement the idea of ​​an uninhabited tower and the network-centric concept. Tanks are capable of participating in the actions of an entire tactical level, subordinated to one integrated control system. In the future, they can be equipped with artificial intelligence devices that provide automatic operation.

The tank was developed by OAO Uralvagonzavod, which used the best achievements of the USSR and the Russian Federation in the field of tank building. Work began in 2010 and was based on the design of the T-95 tank. In the new machine, for example, its gun-mounted principle of tower layout is applied. The design was carried out in a short time, in the face of fierce competition with the American program "Combat Systems of the Future".

The developers were tasked with creating the main vehicle for the armored forces. The basis was the universal platform "Armata", on which not only tanks, but also armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled guns, combat support vehicles, etc. can be based. Already in 2017, such equipment began to enter the troops. At the same time, network-centric complexes were created, including T-14 tanks, heavy-class infantry fighting vehicles T-15, self-propelled guns "Coalition-SV", attack helicopters. The tank was launched into mass production, and was first presented at the Victory Parade in 2015.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-14 tank

In addition to the fact that the T-14 tank has significant combat power, rate of fire and accuracy of fire, it is capable of performing network-centric tasks: reconnaissance, target designation, remote control through a single control system. In combat conditions, the vehicle receives operational data online and provides automatic determination of ballistic parameters for fire control of the entire tactical level.

The main advantages of the tank:

• using a universal platform;
• placement of tankers in an armored capsule, separate from the compartment with ammunition;
• the possibility of operation with an uninhabited tower;
• the use of a pulse-Doppler type radar, which reliably and quickly determines the target's velocity vector;
• active protection capable of protecting against various types of ammunition.

The main performance characteristics of the tank:

• weight in combat configuration - 48 tons;
• crew size - 2-3 people;
• multilayer armor with complex protection "Afghanite" and dynamic protection "Malachite";
• engine power - 1600 l. With.;
• speed of movement on the highway - up to 90 km / h, off-road - 70-75 km / h;
• running stock (highway) - at least 500 km;
• firing range - up to 8 km;
• the possibility of shooting on the move;
• ammunition - 45 shells.

The tank is equipped with a system for launching and controlling the Pterodactyl unmanned aerial vehicle, which has an autonomous radar and an infrared sight. The task of the drone includes reconnaissance and target designation.

T-14 design

The tank provides for the classic layout of the main elements, when the power plant (engine-transmission compartment) is located in the rear, aft part of the vehicle. In front is a control compartment with seats for the crew, instruments and devices for control. The combat compartment is in the center. There is a tower, a compartment with ammunition and a device for automatic loading.

Platform, power plant and suspension

The basis of the tank is a caterpillar platform-transformer of the heavy category "Armata". This development of Uralvagonzavod can be used in other types of heavy armored vehicles. Versatility is provided by a modular design, when elements can be transferred to different areas by changing the layout.

The power plant is equipped with a diesel X-engine type A-85-3A (12N360) manufactured by ChTZ. It has 12 cylinders. Power can vary in the range of 1100-1600 hp. With. A specific power of 31 liters is achieved. With. for every ton of weight. An important feature is the speed of engine replacement, which is necessary in combat conditions. This operation takes 30 minutes.

The T-14 tank has an active type suspension. It is based on seven rollers mounted on paddle shock-absorbing elements. The shock absorbers are equipped with a differential rotary mechanism with hydrostatic booster. Special sensors make it possible to detect uneven terrain and give a signal for the vertical movement of the rollers. The active suspension principle eliminates the strong swaying of the machine when moving over bumps, which greatly speeds up the acquisition of the target by the electronic guidance system. Compared to previous tanks, the target acquisition time is reduced by 2.3 times, and the engagement time is reduced by almost 1.5 times.

Chassis includes an automatic transmission with the ability to switch to manual gear shifting. Eight gears are provided in the forward and reverse directions (16 gears in total). The power reserve is provided by capacious fuel tanks of an improved design. They are hidden under the armor and have a shield from cumulative damage, while they themselves cover the engine, increasing its security. The exhaust pipes are located so that the exhaust gases interfere with the visibility of the tank in the infrared spectrum.

The platform is equipped with an electronic information and control system. It signals the appearance of malfunctions in the engine and running units, the need for repairs, and diagnoses violations.

Video: animated video with performance characteristics and an overview of the capabilities of the T-14 Armata tank

Armament

The T-14 tank is equipped with modern weapons that allow it to hit targets on the ground and in the air. A fire control system is used to increase the efficiency of firing. It provides accurate determination of the target coordinates, its capture and tracking in automatic mode, weapon guidance, adjustment of the ballistic parameters of firing. Information is taken by sensors installed on the roof of the tank. These include: GLONASS receivers and navigation devices; gyroscope of angular orientation; sensors for wind parameters, temperature and humidity of the environment, as well as barrel vibrations during heating during firing.

gun

The main weapon is considered to be a 125 mm smoothbore gun of the 2A82-1M type. Shooting is carried out remotely, loading is automatic. The firing range is 7-8 km. Rate of fire - 11-12 rounds per minute. The resource of the gun is increased due to special alloying of the internal bore. An automatic charger allows you to increase the length of the projectiles up to 100 cm. Compared with similar guns in Western countries, the T-14 cannon has increased barrel energy and higher firing accuracy (on average by 18-20%).

The tank can be easily re-equipped with a 2A83 cannon of 152 mm caliber. This significantly increases armor-piercing abilities, but at the same time the ammunition load is reduced. At the same time, experts believe that the 125 mm caliber is quite sufficient.

Video: a shot from the T-14 "Armata" tank - footage from the fighting compartment

Ammunition

The 2A82-1M cannon can fire standard projectiles, as well as sub-caliber ammunition up to 1 m long. Improved projectiles have been developed especially for armored vehicles, including the T-14 tank:

• unguided projectiles BPS "Vacuum-1" 90 cm long;
• shells "Telnik" with remote detonation at any time of the flight;
• guided missile projectile URS 3UBK21 "Sprinter".
• In addition, this gun is capable of firing Reflex-M rockets through its barrel.

Ample opportunities for the use of modern high-performance ammunition are opened by a gun with a caliber of 152 mm. Unguided projectiles of the "Slate" type with armor-piercing abilities are considered regular. You can fire guided projectiles of the Krasnopol type, designed for self-propelled guns.

Weapons scientists have developed special guided projectiles, the performance characteristics of which are still closed. These active-reactive munitions are capable of firing at a distance of more than 30 km, and are able to bypass enemy defenses and electronic countermeasures. The latest developments of the State Corporation "Rosatom" with the use of depleted uranium are distinguished by a special armor-piercing. Among the new developments are high-explosive fragmentation ammunition for the destruction of manpower. In 2017, it was announced that the production of “intelligent” projectiles capable of detonating a charge over the enemy in the right place was announced.

The installation of a 152 mm cannon allows firing missiles intended for the Kornet ATGM (9M133FM-3 missile). The range of its destruction is 10 km, and the armor-piercing exceeds 140 cm. The missile can hit air targets (helicopters and aircraft flying at speeds up to 900 km / h at an altitude of up to 9 km).

Machine gun armament

The T-14 tank also has machine-gun armament. First of all, this is an anti-aircraft machine gun of the Kord type (caliber 12.7 mm). It is located in an individual tower with robotic mechanisms that receive signals from tank radars and thermal imagers. The machine gun is controlled remotely. It hits air targets at a distance of up to 1.5 km, even at high speeds of their movement. The anti-aircraft gun is connected to the tank's active protection system, which makes it possible to hit rockets.

The second machine gun of the PKTM type is paired with the gun. Its task is to defeat the manpower of the enemy. The caliber is 7.62 mm.

Protection complexes and armor

Protection of the T-14 tank is provided by special protection systems, as well as a special design of the armor of the turret, hull and compartments. It provides high survivability of the vehicle in combat conditions, protection of the crew and engine from being hit by shells and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

Active protection complex "Afganit"

Armor of any design is not capable of guaranteeing complete protection of the vehicle and crew from damage. To increase the protective function on the T-14 tank, an active protection complex (KAZ) "Afganit" is installed. Its task is to intercept various ammunition on the way. The efficiency of KAZ is provided by radio-optical long-range warning radars. They include four dedicated pulsed Doppler panels as well as circular ultraviolet direction finders (UV direction finders). The panels detect the approach of ammunition (including missiles), and the direction finders detect flashes when fired from ATGMs.

The principle of operation of KAZ is based on several mechanisms:

• Reflection of an attack with the help of striking elements ("shock core"). Under the armor there are pedestals-shotguns, which shoot down ammunition with their elements, flying at a speed of up to 3 km / s.
• Camouflage with the help of special "cannons" placed on the tower roof. They receive a signal from the sensors, and a device is triggered that provides a smoke screen in various spectra (for example, the infrared spectrum), the release of mini-dipoles to disrupt the operation of the radar. With the help of this system, laser guidance is blocked, including the defeat of homing ammunition.
• Tower rotation. Active protection provides for the automatic rotation of the turret to set the most armored zone in the direction of the arrival of shells.

The use of KAZ "Afganit" involves the connection of systems for early detection of an attack and fire control for a retaliatory strike.

Complex of dynamic protection "Malachite"

The second stage of protection of the T-14 tank is the Malachite dynamic armor complex (KDB). It consists of modules mounted on the armor, which are undermined remotely when the ammunition approaches. The system effectively protects against armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles and missiles. It is also capable of destroying shells with a smaller amount of explosive before they come into contact with the tank's armor.

Undermining occurs due to the signal from the sensors, in which the current is induced from the magnetic field of the approaching projectile. The system was developed by the Research Institute of Steel and belongs to the 4th generation of protection. In most cases, the KDB is coordinated with the Afghanit KAZ, and its radar is able to signal a preemptive charge of the module.

KDB "Malachite" is very effective against Javelin-type anti-tank systems when the missile approaches at an angle of no more than 65 degrees, and also almost completely (up to 96%) blocks the capabilities of RPGs. It is important to note that the system protects the crew from damage and often saves people's lives, but the blast wave from undermining the modules and approaching ammunition can immobilize the vehicle and disable the instruments.

Reservation of the tower, hull and compartments

The last barrier to an incoming projectile is armor. The latest technological innovations have been introduced on the T-14 tank, which can significantly increase its efficiency. Reservation of the tank turret is made in the form of two layers - the main armor and anti-fragmentation casing. Many devices and sensors are located in the interlayer space.

On the outside there is a casing that protects against shrapnel, bullet and high-explosive damage. At the same time, it jams the radar signal, which reduces the effectiveness of radar and homing ATGMs. An additional function of the casing is the role of the "Faraday Cage", which is designed to protect devices from the electromagnetic field. This element has a collapsible design, which simplifies access to dashboards.

The main armor of the turret is made of special high-strength 44S-SV-Sh armored steel. It is obtained by electroslag remelting. Modern technology has reduced the mass of armor by 15% while increasing strength. In terms of armor resistance, it is equivalent to homogeneous armor with a thickness of about 1000 mm when hit by sub-caliber projectiles and about 1600 mm when hit by cumulative ammunition.

In the armor of the tower, the principle of "knock-out panels" is applied. If the ammunition detonates inside, then the blast wave will be partially extinguished due to the loss of several modules. After the pressure is reduced, the explosion will not have sufficient destructive power.

The Armata platform has powerful passive armor. The following features stand out:

• Frontal armor - composite multi-layer armor that can withstand ATGM hits with a caliber of up to 152 mm and armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectiles (BOPS) with a caliber of up to 125 mm.
• The power compartment, the ammunition storage sector and the fuel compartment are separated from each other by armored walls.
  Fuel compartment protection

As mentioned above, the fuel compartment is separated from the others by armored walls. Additional fuel tanks (fuel compartment) are covered with honeycomb type filler. In addition, they are covered with armor and a screen against HEAT projectiles. The crew is located in the so-called armored capsule. In fact, there is no capsule, and the control compartment is protected from all sides by armored partitions.

The bottom of the hull has mine protection. It has a V-shaped design, which in itself increases strength. For greater reliability, the T-14 tank is equipped with a mine detector with remote response, and also has a device for undermining mines at a distance. The metal of the bottom is covered with a special material capable of absorbing the blast wave. Armchairs for tankers have the same abilities.

Detection and guidance system

The basis of the reconnaissance and guidance system in the T-14 tank is a radar complex, which includes a radar with an antenna in the form of an active phased array (AFR). It can be considered an integral part of KAZ "Afghanit". Similar radars are used on the latest generation of combat aircraft. The antenna is located on the tower and provides all-round visibility. It consists of four panels. The tank radar has the ability to simultaneously hold more than 20 air and 40 ground targets. The detection range is 100 km. Radar protection is provided by a screen that is not pierced by bullets and shrapnel.

The radar of the tank is capable of determining the trajectory of the projectile, and along it the location of the gun or launcher. The received coordinates are transmitted to the computer, which further makes it possible to provide high-precision suppression of enemy firing points. The detection of air targets is quite effective. The radar determines the coordinates of the aircraft and the trajectory of its flight, the signal is transmitted to the Osa, Sosna or Strela air defense systems, and even the C1 Shell.

In addition to the indicated radar, the tank has two radars for detecting close targets. Their main difference is an ultra-fast reaction to the detected objects. Additional radars are needed to combat ATGMs and BOPSs.

The guidance system includes a panoramic sight in the machine gun turret. It has a system operating in the infrared (IR) range and is characterized by high accuracy and sensitivity, with cryogenic cooling. A system operating in the visible light range is combined with an IR camera. In addition, a laser-based rangefinder is installed.

The entire machine gun installation, together with guidance devices, has the ability to make a full turn. The rotation of the weapon and the sight can be carried out independently or jointly.

The sight and rangefinder are combined with the radar, and information about the targets is sent to the tank commander's computer monitor. The laser sight allows you to hold the target even after the enemy's electronic warfare interferes with the tank's radar. The received information about ground and air targets is sent to the command unit of the unified tactical level control system (ESU T3), which is able to select the necessary weapons to suppress the target. The gunner has his own touch screen, on which he can specify the coordinates of aiming the gun.

In addition to electronic surveillance systems, the tank has optical periscopes. They can be used by the commander and driver. At night, night vision devices are used. Optical instruments help to navigate when electronics are suppressed by the enemy.

Additionally, the T-14 tank is equipped with high-resolution cameras. In total, the tower has six cameras providing all-round visibility. The devices have an independent power supply and devices for automatic cleaning of dirt. They work independently of the tank's electronics and allow you to detect targets when the radar is turned off. If necessary, the cameras are connected to the KAZ. The devices have a SWIR system, which makes it possible to work in the short-wave infrared range. This provides control in smoky and dense fog conditions.

stealth tools

The troops are increasingly using camouflage methods that can make military equipment invisible to enemy radars and visual surveillance, i.e. stealth technologies. The following stealth tools are used in the T-14 tank:

special heat-insulating coating of the body from the inside;
masking exhaust gas distribution system;
a special shape of the tower and platform, including such an arrangement of flat faces, which reduces radio visibility due to diffuse reflection;
special painting of the hull on the outside, while the paint has the ability to radio absorption and protection from heating under the influence of sunlight, which distorts the magnetic and thermal fields induced on the tank.

A special system installed on the T-14 tank can seriously disrupt the possibility of its identification by enemy radars. It distorts the resulting fields. The homing devices of ATGMs are programmed for a certain image of the tank, and therefore, if the signal is distorted, the missile loses its target. Distorted signals are transmitted in the radio and infrared range, and are also provided by thermal sources. The masking system is combined with KAZ "Afganit". For its operation, signals from AFR antennas are used. Jamming is provided in all directions, including up to make it difficult to observe air reconnaissance.

Conclusion

Tanks T-14 "Armata" began to enter service with the Russian army. They belong to the 4th generation of armored vehicles and use state-of-the-art systems for protection, identification and retention of targets, as well as aimed fire. Tanks are designed for network-centric tactics of warfare, when a whole complex of combat vehicles is involved. "Armata" surpasses its foreign competitors in a number of performance characteristics. It is important that the T-14 tank has an excellent prospect of becoming an unmanned project, when the machine will be controlled by robots.

This article analyzes the features of the new Russian tank T-14 Armata, but do not forget that its characteristics are not disclosed at this time, and the design itself can be finalized for several more years.

Therefore, the text does not claim to be true, but is only reasoning based on information in open sources.

Armored crew capsule

Let's start with the capsule, which, together with the uninhabited tower, is the most interesting feature of the Armata. It should protect the crew much better than the simple hull of the MBTs we are used to.

But let's see if this is the case. Conventional armor can protect against conventional weapons like projectiles or shrapnel, as long as it is made thicker or stronger with new materials. In addition, if we assume that the crew sits shoulder to shoulder, then the capsule occupies almost the entire width of the hull, leaving no room for side armor, which is very weak and can only protect, together with active armor, from far from all destructive weapons.

From the explosion of ammunition, which has become a sad association with Soviet MBTs, the capsule will not save in any way, so only the ignition of the ammunition remains as a result of its damage.

Yes, quite often there is not an instantaneous detonation, but a fire, leaving time for the crew to escape. But on tanks like the T-64 or T-72, the ammunition is separated only by a polycom, which practically does not protect against heat and fire, and here the capsule becomes an excellent solution that saves the lives of the crew.

Perhaps it was worth putting the ammunition itself, together with the automatic loader, into an armored capsule, reliably separating them from the crew?

Hatches in Armata

If you are interested in Armata, you have probably already read about the insufficient thickness of the hatches, due to which modern anti-tank weapons will easily hit a new vehicle. I am sure that the designers could not simply score on such a drawback, so let's talk a little about something else.

In the tanks familiar to us, the hatches on the tower leaned forward, protecting people during evacuation from small arms. In addition, the driver had his own, and in the bottom of the hull there was a special hatch for evacuation. Of course, this did not give any guarantee of survival to the crew of the wrecked tank, but there were chances to escape from the bullets.

The T-14 Armata has only 2 hatches in front, and their covers do not protect people leaving the tank in any way. Imagine a situation in which the crew is trying to get out of a tank that is under fire and becomes an excellent target for the enemy. Perhaps Armata will receive an evacuation hatch, but the presence of an armored capsule makes this option unlikely. I would like to be wrong.

Armored capsule and electronics

The saturation of the Armata with electronics is presented as an advantage, but this is also the Achilles' heel of the new tank. What will happen to him if the electrical systems fail? A blind and deaf tin in which people sit, and this is by no means an exaggeration.

All old MBTs allow you to fix minor malfunctions like a misfire or not sending a shell even during a battle, to fire a cannon or at least a machine gun manually.

Armata has an uninhabited tower completely separated from the crew, which excludes such a possibility.

The view from the tank is also provided by cameras, let's say that their resolution and screen resolution are enough for normal vision, which is not inferior to optical. But such a design requires a constant supply of electricity even to an ambush MBT, which can unmask it.

Well, it’s worth returning to the topic of crew evacuation. He will be forced not only to get out through the hatches in front of the tank, not only will he not be able to fight off enemy infantry even with a machine gun, but he will also be practically blind in his capsule, not seeing what is happening outside.

Armata's electronics, which provide excellent visibility, are certainly needed, and it was precisely this that our previous tanks lacked, but it would be better to have the usual observation devices as well.

It seems that they figured out the T-14 Armata capsule. Now there is a contradictory impression that the capsule keeps the crew alive only under certain conditions, and then only in order to deprive them of the possibility of self-defense and evacuation.

Tower

The Almaty Tower came out controversial, well, or the layout of the tower. Its body kit, and indeed the body kit, and not cardboard or something else, as they say in stupid gossip, is typical for most modern tanks that have main armor by no means outside.

The shape of this body kit raises questions, since in some places it is very similar to cone-shaped bullet catchers, which will lead to bullets, along with fragments, entering the optics, antennas and other important elements of the T-14 Armata.

The machine gun coaxial with the cannon is not noticeable, and the existing 7.62 mm will be insufficient in areas with various buildings, where various concrete slabs and walls can serve as a cover from it, while a 12.7 mm or even an automatic 20-30 mm cannon allowed to hit targets behind cover.

Side screens

I would also like to note the unsuccessful mounting of side screens at Almaty. To the uninitiated, this may seem like a trifle, but the screens are a heavy legacy of the T-72, due to which a large number of tanks were lost.

In 2015, at a military parade in Moscow dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the latest Russian development, the T-14 Armata tank, was presented to the general public, which should radically affect the equipment of the Russian ground armies and determine the concept of their applications for the coming decades. This tank, positioned as a 4th generation tank, aroused great interest both in our country and around the world. In this article, we will look at the history and prerequisites for the creation of the Armata tank, its distinctive features and technical characteristics, as well as the prospects for use in real combat operations.

History and prerequisites for the creation of a new tank "Armata"

Another way

At the turn of the 2000s, 2 projects of a promising main battle tank were being developed in Russia, which should have been a replacement for the current Russian MBT - T-90. One of them is "Object 460" or(see photo above) - was the development of the Omsk Design Bureau. It had an elongated modified chassis from the T-80U tank, in which another one was added to the six rollers, as well as a narrower turret of a new design, armed with the already proven standard 125 mm smoothbore gun. It was assumed that the mass of the tank would be about 48 tons, and it would be equipped with a 1500-horsepower gas turbine engine, which would give it a specific power of more than 30 hp / t and make it one of the most dynamic tanks in the world.

The second project is "Object 195" or(see photo below) - was the development of the Ural Design Bureau and the Uralvagonzavod corporation. It was an "Ubertank" for its time, in which an uninhabited (unmanned) turret, armed with a formidable 152 mm smoothbore gun, was also installed on a seven-roller chassis. The crew of the tank (a total of 2 people) was housed in an isolated armored capsule in front of the hull. The weight of the tank was not small - about 55 tons, and it was supposed to be equipped with a 1650 hp diesel engine, which would also give it good dynamic characteristics.

It was assumed that the kinetic energy of the projectile fired from the 152 mm Object 195 smoothbore gun was so great that if it hit the enemy tank turret, it simply tore it off.

But in 2009-2010, both projects had to be curtailed for several reasons. Firstly, the development of both tanks was not very active, and during the design and testing period (which is about 15-20 years), they simply became obsolete. Secondly, the transition to the use of such supertanks as the T-95 - quite expensive and resource-intensive in production - would be, to some extent, a transition to the German path of development of tank building during the Second World War, i.e. absolutely not justified itself "the path of royal tigers and mice." What we needed was a universal, mass-produced tank with the best value for money, like our famous T-34. And, thirdly, both of these tanks did not quite correspond to the concept of network-centric warfare.

The concept of network-centric warfare

Network-centric warfare is a modern military doctrine focused on increasing the combat effectiveness of various military formations participating in armed conflicts or modern wars by combining all combat and support units into a single information network and, as a result, achieving infocommunication superiority over the enemy.

Those. it turns out that due to the unification and almost instantaneous communication of command and control means, reconnaissance means, as well as means of destruction and suppression, a more accelerated control of forces and means is achieved, an increase in the effectiveness of defeating enemy forces and the survivability of their own troops, and each combatant receives full and timely information about the real combat situation.

Tank formations must also be adapted to the modern realities of network-centric warfare, for this the tanks themselves must be able to connect to a single information network and be able to almost instantly transfer to it information received by the tank from the outside due to their own "overview" modules. In fact, this is practically one of the requirements for the new 4th generation tanks.

Tank 4th generation

"Object 195" in the view of the artist.

The classification of tanks by generation is actually not official, it is very conditional and looks something like this:

To the first generation include tanks from the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Soviet T-44 and T-54, the German Panther, the English Centurion, and the American Pershing.

Second generation associated with the emergence of the so-called main battle tanks (MBTs). It includes tanks of the 1960-1980s, such as the Soviet T-62, the American M-60, the English Chieftain, the German Leopard and the French AMX-30.

To the third generation include the latest modern tanks, such as the Soviet T-80 and Russian T-90, the American Abrams, the French Leclerc, the English Challenger, the Ukrainian Oplot, the South Korean Black Panther, the Israeli Merkava, the Italian " Ariete" and the German "Leopard-2".

It is clear that later generations of tanks were distinguished by stronger armor, more advanced protection and more formidable weapons. This also applies to the 4th generation of tanks, the appearance of which is long overdue. But besides this, as mentioned above, tanks of the 4th generation should be maximally adapted to network-centric warfare, and also, if possible, meet a number of other requirements:

- have an uninhabited tower and an automatic loader;
- the crew must be isolated in an armored capsule;
- the tank must be partially robotic.

By the way, a fully robotic unmanned tank can be considered a 5th generation tank.

Approximately with such a list of requirements, our designers approached the development of a new tank, when in 2010, after the phasing out of the Object 195 and Object 640 projects, they were given the task to design a new generation tank as soon as possible.

Platform "Armata"

The order for the design, testing and production of a new tank was received by the state corporation UralVagonZavod, located in Nizhny Tagil and engaged in the development and production of various military equipment. When developing a new tank in the Ural Design Bureau, tied to UralVagonZavod, ready-made promising developments were actively used on the Object 195 already being developed here, as well as on the project of the Omsk Design Bureau - Object 640. Both closed projects to a large extent helped our designers to quickly cope with the task.

But the most important thing is that this time our designers (as well as our military leadership) saw the problem of building a new tank more widely, and it was decided to develop not just a 4th generation tank, but a universal tracked platform that could be used for the design of the most diverse military equipment, which would solve the above-described problem of universality, mass character and value for money.

Thus, Uralvagonzavod designed and implemented the so-called unified combat heavy tracked platform Armata, on the basis of which it is planned to create about 30 different types of military equipment. Moreover, not only the platform will be common to them, but also a common battle control system, a common communication system, a common active defense system and many other nodes and modules.

The universal heavy combat platform "Armata" has three engine layout options: front, rear and middle. This allows you to use the platform for the construction of almost any type of military equipment. For a tank, for example, they use the rear engine placement, but for an infantry fighting vehicle, on the contrary, the front one.

At the moment, our defense industry has already received the first pieces of equipment based on the new platform - this is armored recovery vehicle BREM T-16(so far only as a project), and of course the main combat one, which we could already see at the Victory Parade in Moscow.

The T-14 tank is the latest Russian tank of the 4th generation on the Armata universal combat heavy tracked platform. The tank received the index "14" as usual for the year of the project - 2014. At the project stage, the tank had the designation "Object 148".

It is believed that the T-14 "Armata" tank is the world's first tank of the 4th generation, the first tank in the framework of the concept of network-centric warfare, and that it has no analogues at all. In general, according to many of our and foreign experts, today the Armata is the best tank in the world.

To begin with, let's take a quick look at what this new Armata tank is like, what design solutions our design engineers embodied in it, what main features it has:

The main features of the T-14 "Armata" tank

- The tank has an uninhabited tower. It is equipped with the already proven remote-controlled 125 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loader.

- The design of the tank allows you to install on it a 152 mm gun, already tested on the "Object 195".

- The crew of the tank is located in an isolated armored capsule that can withstand a direct hit from all existing modern anti-tank shells.

- The armored capsule with the crew is securely separated from the ammunition and fuel tanks.

- Active suspension will allow the tank to conduct accurate aimed fire at speeds up to 40-50 km / h.

- It is assumed that the active suspension will allow the tank to move at speeds up to 90 km / h, not only on the highway, but also on rough terrain.

- The new type of combined multilayer armor used in the tank is 15% different than that used in domestic tanks of the 3rd generation. The armor thickness equivalent is about 1000 mm.

- All tank modules are controlled by the latest tank information and control system (TIUS), which, in the event of any malfunction, notifies the crew of this by an appropriate voice message.

- The Armata radar complex uses active phased array radars capable of conducting about 40 ground and 25 air targets at a distance of up to 100 km.

- If a projectile flying into the tank is detected, the Afghanit active defense system automatically turns the tank turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful frontal armor and be ready to strike at the enemy that fired this projectile.

- The range of destruction of 125 mm guns is up to 7000 m, while for the best Western models this parameter is 5000 m.

- The Armata tank uses a large number of effective stealth technologies that make it practically invisible or difficult to detect for many types of weapons.

TTX tank T-14 "Armata"

Infographics and location of modules in the T-14 tank

A good infographic of the T-14 tank with the location of the modules was made by the RIA Novosti agency:

Video review "Multi-purpose tank T-14 on the tracked platform Armata"

For the 80th anniversary of Uralvagonzavod, an interesting mini-video review about the T-14 Armata tank was released:

Radar complex

The T-14 is the first tank in the world to use an active phased array radar (AFAR radar). Radars of the same type are being installed on the new Russian fifth-generation T-50 multirole fighters, which are to replace the SU-27. Unlike radars with a passive array, AFAR radars consist of a large number of independently adjustable active modules, which significantly increases the tracking ability and reliability, since in the event of a failure of one of the radar modules, we will get only a slight distortion of the “picture”. True, the cost of such radars is somewhat higher.

Armata uses 4 AFAR radar panels located along the perimeter of the tower (see photo above). They are protected by bulletproof and anti-fragmentation screens, but, nevertheless, can be easily replaced in the field (the photo shows plastic loops for removing radar panels).

The radar complex of the T-14 tank can simultaneously track up to 40 ground moving and up to 25 airborne aerodynamic targets, which makes it one of the key elements on the battlefield within the concept of network-centric warfare. The target tracking distance is up to 100 km.

If, for the purpose of camouflage, the main surveillance radar of the tank is turned off, then at close range it is replaced by two ultra-fast reaction radars, which are also used to trigger destructive elements of active protection against projectiles fired at the tank.

Target detection systems in the infrared and ultraviolet range

On the T-14 turret, on the same axis as the machine gun mount, a panoramic sight is installed, which serves to determine the coordinates of targets received by various survey modules, while it rotates 360 degrees regardless of the machine gun.

The panoramic sight includes a visible camera, an infrared camera and a laser rangefinder. As each new target is captured by the radar, the panoramic sight automatically turns in its direction to determine its exact coordinates. The information received is displayed on the monitors of the tank crew in the form of a tactical map with the coordinates of fixed targets, and if necessary, you can specify the coordinates of a particular target by pressing your finger on the image on the touch screen.

In addition to the panoramic sight, the T-14 tank is equipped with six autonomous high-definition cameras that allow the crew to monitor the situation around the tank along the entire perimeter. These cameras allow tankers to assess the situation when the radar is turned off and in the conditions of the enemy's electronic warfare, and also record laser pointers aimed at the tank.

In addition, these HD cameras can see through a smoke screen (in infrared), giving Armata a significant advantage using this type of camouflage. This gives the following example:

When the T-14 tank is surrounded by enemy infantry, it can put a smoke screen around it, making it invisible to enemy grenade launchers, and shoot them from a machine gun mount according to infrared HD cameras.

Active protection complex "Afganit"

Both the radar complex of 4 AFAR radars and 2 high-speed radars, and infrared HD cameras are part of the active tank protection complex, which serves not only for reconnaissance of targets, but also for the timely detection of threats to the tank and their elimination. Here are the features of the Afganit active protection system installed on the Armata:

- When an enemy projectile flying towards the tank is detected, the Afghanit automatically turns the tank turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful armor on the one hand, and on the other hand, to be ready to strike at the object that fired this projectile.

- When shells flying up to the tank are detected, Afghanit automatically controls the machine gun mount to destroy them.

- If increased camouflage is required, Afghanit can operate in passive mode with the radar turned off, focusing on HD camera data.

- "Afghanit" is safe for its infantry, located near the tank, as it uses to a greater extent the means of electronic warfare and smoke-metal curtains to counter enemy missiles.

- In addition, according to the latest data, "Afganit" successfully resists modern armor-piercing projectiles with cores.

The Afganit active defense complex is capable of hitting projectiles flying up to the tank at speeds up to 1700 m/s. But our designers are already developing a new active protection - "Barrier", which will be able to intercept projectiles flying up at speeds up to 3000 m / s.

Complex of dynamic protection "Malachite"

On the T-14 tank, the Malachite dynamic protection complex is also installed. Here are the features it has:

- "Malachite" successfully resists not only various cumulative shells, but is also capable of destroying the latest NATO sub-caliber shells, which were specially designed to penetrate such dynamic defenses that preceded "Malachite" as "Relikt" and "Contact-5".

- Malachite is much better at resisting the most advanced anti-tank missile systems (ATGMs).

- By reducing the amount of explosive in the dynamic protection "Malachite", the option of hitting one's own infantry and damaging the tank's observation devices is practically excluded.

Armament of the T-14 tank

The fire control system of the T-14 tank is connected to the Afghanit active protection system and its radio-optical modules. With their help, the tank's weapons are guided to the detected targets. Besides, aiming uses data from the following sensors:

— gyroscopic sensors of the angular orientation of the tank in space;
- air temperature and humidity sensor;
- wind direction and speed sensor;
- barrel bending sensor from heating.

The tank receives its own coordinates using the GLONASS satellite system.

As we wrote above, the T-14 tank can be equipped with both a standard 125 mm gun and a 152 mm cannon. As standard, the Armata is equipped with the already proven 125 mm 2A82-1C smoothbore gun, which has a 17% higher muzzle energy and 20% greater accuracy than the best examples of Western tank-mounted guns.

It should also be noted that the range of destruction from this gun is about 7000 m, which exceeds the performance of foreign tank guns, for the most part of which the range of destruction does not exceed 5000 m. This again gives the Armata a significant advantage - it is our tank that will own the right to "long hands”, i.e. he will be able to shoot enemy tanks without even approaching them at their range.

In addition, the 2A82 gun has the ability to fire ammunition up to 1 meter long (for example, such as high-powered armor-piercing shells "Vacuum-1"). The T-14 is equipped with an automatic loader for 32 rounds, due to which a rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute is achieved.

Some of the Armata tanks are going to be equipped with a 152 mm 2A83 gun, which has an armor-piercing capacity of sabots of more than 1000 mm, and their speed is 2000 m / s, which leaves no chance for all known modern tanks. In addition, as the leaders of the Uralvagonzavod corporation say, the kinetic energy of the 152 mm gun projectile is such that more often it will simply tear off the turret of the enemy tank being hit.

Both guns allow their barrel to be used to launch guided missiles. It is assumed that for 152 mm guns, missiles with armor-piercing up to 1500 mm and a range of up to 10,000 m can be used, which can hit both ground and air targets.

At the same time, some experts point to the possibility of using guided active-rocket projectiles with a range of up to 30 km on T-14 tanks armed with 152 mm guns, which turns such an “Armata” into a fire support tank using both against enemy infantry and against heavily protected enemy targets.

Of the machine gun armament, the Armata is equipped with a large-caliber 12.7 mm Kord machine gun, remotely controlled by the crew and included in the Afganit active defense complex, as well as a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun, coaxial with a tank gun. Moreover, for reloading the Korda, there is a special automated system that does not require the participation of crew members.

Reservation of the T-14 tank

As we pointed out above, one of the main features of the Armata tank is the presence of a special isolated armored capsule, separated from the rest of the tank by armored partitions and serving to accommodate the entire crew with control computers. In addition, the armored capsule protects against weapons of mass destruction and has an air conditioning system and a fire extinguishing system. All this significantly increases both the survivability of the crew and the survivability of the tank itself. It is stated that the maximum duration of the continuous stay of the crew in the armored capsule is about 3 days.

In the production of Armata tanks, a new type of armored steel with ceramic inserts is used, which has increased armor resistance. This made it possible, with the same armor thickness, to achieve a smaller mass of the tank, and, accordingly, better dynamics. Nevertheless, it is expected that in the frontal projection, the T-14 has an armor equivalent of more than 1000 mm against sub-caliber projectiles and about 1300 mm against HEAT projectiles. This makes the tank resistant to any modern munitions head-on and able to withstand such formidable anti-tank weapons as the American heavy and American man-portable.

Tower T-14

The structure of the tower is classified information, however, it is assumed that it consists of an external anti-fragmentation casing, under which the main armor of the tower is hidden. The anti-fragmentation casing performs several functions.:

- protection of tank instruments from fragments, high-explosive shells and bullet penetrations;
- reduction of radio visibility to counter ATGMs with radar guidance;
- shielding of external electronic fields, which makes the tower devices resistant to various kinds of magnetic impulses.

Below is a video with a possible device for the T-14 tank turret:

stealth technologies

Another significant feature of the T-14 is the use of various stealth technologies, which drastically reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared, radar and magnetic observation spectra. Here are the stealth tools used in "Armata":

- unique GALS-coating, which reflects a wide range of waves and protects the tank from overheating in the sun;

- flat reflective edges of the hull, reducing the visibility of the tank in the radio range;

- a system for mixing exhaust gases with ambient air, reducing the visibility of the tank in the infrared range;

- thermal insulation on the inside of the case, which also reduces the visibility of the T-14 in the IR range;

- heat traps that distort the "signature" (the visual image of the tank) in the infrared range;

- distortion of its own magnetic field, making it difficult to determine the location of the tank for magnetometric weapons.

All this causes significant difficulties for the enemy in detecting the "Armata", in determining its coordinates and in general in identifying it as a tank.

Many experts believe that the T-14 Armata is the world's first stealth tank.

Engine

The T-14 tank is equipped with a multi-fuel 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped turbocharged diesel engine (12N360), which was designed in Chelyabinsk and is produced there - at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The engine has a switching power from 1200 to 1500 hp, but on serial vehicles it is planned to install an engine with a maximum power of 1800 hp. This will provide the tank with excellent dynamic characteristics - so the maximum speed on the highway will reach 90 km / h. In addition, this four-stroke engine is much more economical than the old two-stroke ones, which ensures a cruising range of 500 km without refueling.

The box on the T-14 is automatic robotic with the ability to switch to manual control.

It should also be noted that the exhaust gases are removed through pipes passing through additional fuel tanks. This provides them with additional cooling and ultimately reduces the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. The tanks themselves are covered with armor plates and anti-cumulative screens, and they are protected from fire by an open-cell filler.

The engine and transmission are combined into a separate module, which makes it possible to replace a failed power unit in less than an hour.

active suspension

If earlier on Russian tanks a 6-roller chassis was used, then the Armata platform has a 7-roller one, which makes it possible to build equipment with a maximum weight of up to 60 tons on its basis. Therefore, the T-14 tank has a huge potential for all kinds of upgrades.

The suspension used in the T-14 tank is active, that is, it is capable of detecting irregularities under the tracks using sensors and automatically adjusting the height of the rollers. This feature not only increases the tank's speed over rough terrain, but also significantly (by about 1.5 - 2.0 times) improves aiming accuracy on the move. High-precision shooting while moving quickly across the battlefield is another indisputable advantage of the "Armata" when it is possible to "meet" with such quite probable opponents as or who still use an uncontrolled hydropneumatic suspension developed more than 30 years ago.

Tank information and control system

One of the best tank information and control systems (TIUS) is installed on the Armata, which monitors all the modules of the tank in real time and automatically checks them for malfunctions. In the event that any problems are detected, the TIUS system informs the crew about this in voice mode and gives recommendations for their elimination.

Defense Order

At the parade in Moscow in 2015, T-14s from the first pilot batch (20 tanks) were presented to the public. Serial production of "Armata" began in 2016, and by the end of it it is planned to produce about 100 more machines, which will be actively used in various tests and exercises to identify shortcomings and determine the necessary improvements.

In total, by 2020, it is planned to commission 2,300 T-14 Armata tanks. This is how the state order was presented by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to the state corporation Uralvagonzavod. Moreover, it was separately indicated that the serial production of Armata tanks would not be stopped even in the conditions of a severe economic crisis.

By the way, the management of Uralvagonzavod indicates the cost of the tank at 250 million rubles (this is about 4-5 million dollars). This means that the entire batch of T-14s in 2300 tanks will cost our state 10 billion dollars.

Other combat vehicles on the Armata platform

Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) T-15 "Armata"

In addition to the T-14 tank, on a unified heavy tracked combat platform, it is planned to produce the T-15 armored infantry fighting vehicle, the first copies of which were also demonstrated at the Victory Parade in Moscow. I must say that this is the first heavily armored infantry fighting vehicle in the Russian army. Its tank armor level is impenetrable for modern ATGMs with a caliber of up to 150 mm and BOPS with a caliber of up to 120 mm, as well as the presence of active protection "Afghanit" allows it to operate in one tactical group along with T-14 tanks and makes it a "network-centric" combat vehicle.

The mass of the BMP T-15 is about 50 tons, the crew is 3 people, in addition, it has a landing module for 9 people behind it.

The versatility and modularity of the Armata platform allows the T-15 BMP to have several combat configurations:

- The main version with the Boomerang-BM combat module, the armament of which includes the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, the 2A42 30 mm automatic anti-aircraft gun and the PKTM 7.62 mm machine gun, allows it to successfully withstand various ground and air targets at a distance of up to 4 km (universal air defense configuration).

- A variant with the Baikal combat module, the armament of which includes a modified shipborne 57 mm anti-aircraft gun with higher firepower and a range of up to 8 km (long-range air defense configuration).

- Option with 120 mm heavy mortar (anti-personnel configuration).

Below is an infographic from the performance characteristics of the BMP T-15 "Armata":

Armored recovery vehicle (BREM) T-16 "Armata"

Above is a photo of the BREM-1M armored repair and recovery vehicle, created on the basis of the chassis of the T-72 tank and designed to evacuate damaged or stuck equipment in combat conditions. On the basis of the Armata universal heavy platform, it is planned to release a new BREM under the T-16 index, which will be equipped with a more powerful cargo crane and a whole range of various special equipment.

Self-propelled artillery installation (SAU) "Coalition-SV"

In order to include equipment with powerful and long-range fire support in the same group with T-14 tanks and T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, it is planned to transfer equipment to the Armata heavy combat platform and our latest 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery mount, which replaced the outdated 2S3 self-propelled guns "Acacia" and 2S19 "Msta-S". Developed by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute and manufactured at the Uraltransmash plant, which is also part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, the 152 mm self-propelled howitzer has a wide range of purposes: from destroying enemy tactical nuclear weapons and destroying its fortifications to counteracting its manpower and equipment.

When designing the Coalition-SV, they also adhered to the principle of modularity and versatility, so this howitzer can be installed on almost any platform, including a ship.

The main feature of the new self-propelled guns is its range - up to 70 km, which significantly exceeds all known foreign analogues in this parameter. Ammunition "Coalition-SV" is 70 shells, rate of fire - 10-15 rounds per minute.

Besides, on the basis of the universal platform "Armata" it is also planned to build the following types of equipment:
- Fighting vehicle of flamethrowers (BMO-2)
– Heavy flamethrower system (TOS BM-2)
- Multi-purpose engineering vehicle (MIM-A)
- Transport-loading vehicle of a heavy flamethrower system (TZM-2)
- Mine layer (UMZ-A)
– Floating conveyor (PTS-A)
– Bridgelayer (MT-A)

Prospects for the use of the tank "Armata"

As we wrote above, the T-14 Armata tank was developed within the framework of the network-centric concept, therefore it is intended for combat operations as part of a tactical grouping, including equipment and systems of a very different nature: other Armata tanks or tanks upgraded for network-centric warfare T-90S, several T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, a battery of self-propelled guns "Coalition-SV", attack helicopters KA-52 "Alligator" and other equipment. At the same time, the T-14 "Armata" in this group is assigned one of the key roles, namely the role of a reconnaissance, target designator and command tank that controls the battle through a single control system.

Conclusion

All this is good that in terms of military projects we do not lag behind, but somewhere we are ahead of other leading military powers of the world, and the development and implementation of the Armata universal heavy platform should significantly improve the defense capability of our country in case of a major (third world) war. The only question is what kind of big war it will be and whether it will be possible to emerge victorious from it?

P.S. Below is a video about the latest history of our tank troops, presented by the Ministry of Defense on Tanker Day, in which you can also see the hero of our review - the T-14 Armata tank.

question

The development of a new (third post-war) generation tank began in the USSR a little later than the creation of the new main tank T-64A in the 70s. Leningrad, Chelyabinsk and, later, Kharkov designers participated in the work called "Theme 101".

A number of projects were implemented, both with traditional and new layouts, most of which remained on the drawings or in the form of layouts.

Tanks with traditional solutions, such as the "Object 255" and "Object 480" did not provide a significant advantage over the upgraded versions of the T-64A, T-72 and the tank with a gas turbine engine. Tanks with a new layout (Object 450) required a long search for both layout solutions and the creation of fundamentally new components.

These works are described in detail in the material TANKS AND PEOPLE. Diary of the chief designer Alexander Alexandrovich Morozov. Part 2.

In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, the Kharkov Design Bureau was chosen as the lead one on the topic of creating a promising tank of the 90s. These events are considered from the point of view of one of the developers of the tank, responsible for its electronic component - The last spurt of Soviet tank builders (diary of a participant in the development of the Boxer tank). Variants of the layouts considered in the 80s are considered in the material - Tanks "Rebel", "Boxer", "Hammer" (object 490, object 490A, object 477).

The development of a promising tank was never completed until the collapse of the USSR.

The design bureaus remaining in Russia set about creating a promising tank based on the existing backlog. Of the most advanced, we can mention the Leningrad Object 299 (JSC "Spetsmash"), which had a very bold layout. Which, along with objective reasons characteristic of the 90s, prevented its implementation.

The Omsk Object 640 "Black Eagle" was also a project with very ambiguous advantages, which is why it was chosen for demonstration (VTTV 1997) and even moved abroad.

Nizhny Tagil (UKBTM) had a project for the evolutionary development of the T-72, which did not give significant reasons for replacing the T-72 in production, since the solutions incorporated in it could be implemented during modernization.

With the improvement of the economic situation, work has intensified. Here, as in the 70s, two projects were implemented, one of them with a high technical risk, the other with traditional and less risky solutions. The first is the Nizhny Tagil Object 195 "T-95" (OJSC "UKBTM") and the second Omsk project Development of a unified combat compartment, the theme "Burlak" (OJSC "KBTM").

In 2009, the closure of these projects was announced.

At the beginning, one gets the feeling that a promising tank in the post-Soviet space will never be created.

But in 2015, at the Victory Parade, products based on the Armata platform were presented to the general public - a new generation T-14 tank and a heavy T-15 infantry fighting vehicle with a front-mounted MTO.

With the advent of the first shots of the "Armata", a lot of speculation appeared about this tank. Someone gave it embellished qualities, someone called it plywood and invented non-existent flaws.

Layout

The scheme with the concentration of the crew in front of the hull requires maximum automation of the controls installed in the fighting compartment, creating a number of technical difficulties. Such a scheme is of interest due to the great opportunities for enhancing the protection of the crew, including from weapons of mass destruction, as well as the improvement in the conditions for the interaction of personnel.

When placing 3 crew members shoulder to shoulder, as is done, the crew is accommodated in fairly comfortable conditions. But at the same time, it is not possible to realize sufficient protection of the onboard part of the crew compartment. Even with a reduction in the width of the space allocated for each crew member from 70 to 60 cm, the opportunities to provide protection during shelling in the side areas are minimal. Wherein
railway dimensions do not allow to increase the width of the hull.

In addition, such a scheme does not provide a good all-round view to the tank commander, which in a number of countries, despite the development of technical vision, is considered an important quality. More details - Development of a promising tank in the USA.

Such a scheme has been considered more than once, since the 70s in different countries, but it has not found application in tank building, with the exception of experimental models, such as the American FTTB.

Crew capsule. The driver's seat is on the left along the tank.

The display complex of the driver (DKMV) installed on the tank is designed to replace the pointer instrumentation and provide solutions for control tasks, monitoring the operation, operational technical diagnostics of chassis systems and assemblies and issuing recommendations for the operation of the facility.

Gear shifting is carried out by buttons on the steering wheel. The most important information about the parameters of the movement is displayed directly on the remote display on the steering wheel. The monitor displays an image from a front-view thermal imaging device located on the upper part of the nose assembly of the hull.

video viewing device and block of control buttons

View of the driver's seat from the gunner's seat, located in the center of the crew capsule

PMF-5.0 monitors with high-resolution LCD panels from the "5" series of multifunctional panels.

On the left in the photo is the gunner's console.

Products PMF-5.0 (5.1) have an extended set of interfaces, including a touch panel with a multi-touch function, etc.
Development of the Instrument Design Bureau (UKBP), which is part of the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern.

The information management system displays information about the state of weapons systems, security, mobility, etc.
Informational messages are displayed on the screen below, critical messages are shown in red, important ones in yellow, regular ones in white.

View of the commander's and gunner's positions. Commander panels (3) right side of the photo.

They display video information from external sources, synthesized video information of devices (TV cameras, sighting systems), exchange of information, issuance of navigation cartographic information, as well as input and transmission of information to control the main systems of the tank. Control panels are installed under the panels, the gunner and commander have similar devices

The devices are manufactured in the Russian Federation and are unified for the entire line of promising ground vehicles (Armata, Kurganets, Boomerang).

Devices are still manufactured and assembled by hand, but their reliability is growing.

It is on these devices that tank control is based.

Commander's place. A visual overview of the terrain is carried out through three viewing devices. The main information is supposed to be received through the TV cameras located along the perimeter of the tank and a multi-channel panoramic sight-surveillance device.

Such a decision can be called very bold, especially for ground vehicles, where conditions are much more severe than in aviation. On the right is the AVSKU-E control panel (intercom, switching and control equipment). Under the control panel is an optical sensor of the fire-fighting equipment system (OD1-1S). The installation of optical sensors and high-speed cylinders in the fighting compartment ensures fire detection and the release of fire extinguishing composition in no more than 150 ms. Such sensors are installed around the entire perimeter of the capsule.

View of the back of the crew capsule. Visible ventilation and air conditioning systems

Despite many digital innovations, some traditions in post-Soviet tank building are unshakable, for example, not very accurate welding seams.

Comfortable seats - a big step forward compared to the tanks of the previous generation

Side view of the crew capsule from the gunner's seat. Crew seats have a wide range of adjustments, ensuring the comfort of the crew

Protection

The layout of the "Armata" is similar to that worked out on the "Object 195". Increased crew security is achieved by transferring the crew jobs located in the turret to a highly protected nose module of the hull, the protection mass of which can be increased by the amount of the reduction in the turret defense mass, due to a decrease in its dimensions and internal volume intended for crew jobs.

Improving the security and survival of the crew in the module is achieved by reducing the total area of ​​the internal surfaces of the control module (compared to the habitable compartment of tanks of the classical layout).

The weapon module is separated from the transverse bulkhead control module, which reduces the likelihood of hitting the crew in the module.

The fire and explosion safety of the module and the survival of the crew are achieved by the complete separation of the crew's workplaces from the sealed volume of fuel and from the ammunition load.

Schematic representation of the general layout
tank T-14 "Armata" (similar to T-95)

The advantage indicated by the authors of the patent, along with the above, has one more drawback - insufficient protection of the tower. They will come to this question, as did the developers of the promising Soviet-era tank - the Hammer, the Note.

The tank protection complex includes combined and dynamic protection installed in the front part of the hull with the crew capsule.

Also, dynamic protection is installed on the sides of the hull (up to the engine compartment). In front, the caterpillar branches are blocked by the DZ, which is especially important when placing the crew in the hull. In the front part of the side of the hull, the DZ blocks are made folding for ease of maintenance of the undercarriage. In general, the solutions for installing DZ are reminiscent of its installation on the Nota tank (KMDB).

A tower is covered from above with dynamic protection, and a remote sensing is also installed to protect the capsule, including hatches. Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.

DZ covers both the upper and lower parts of the nose assembly of the hull.

Externally, the DZ is similar to that installed on the T-95. the working surface of the thrown plate is significantly increased

The technical requirements for a promising tank, set back in the days of the USSR, required protection from above from cumulative ammunition with an armor-piercing ability of 250-300 mm. Despite the small size of the roof and hatches, which is clearly visible in the photographs, it can be assumed that this requirement is met.

The most important feature of the tank is the use of a set of means to protect against high-precision weapons. They include an active protection complex that provides cover in the range of 120 ° in the direction of the tank turret and a complex for setting up multispectral curtains and a complex of laser and UV radiation indicators installed along the perimeter of the turret.

In order to fire false IR and RL targets quickly and accurately in the direction of the means of attack from wherever it flies up, without turning the turret, the use of rapidly turning grenade launchers is required.

Thus, protection from attacking ammunition in a horizontal projection is provided by the KAZ and the jamming complex (in two rotary installations on the tower). And from the attackers from above - a jamming complex (in two fixed installations directed upwards).

An anti-mine electromagnetic protection system is also installed.

Tank protection complex from WTO

Along the perimeter of the tower are indicators of laser irradiation and ultraviolet radiation (missile launch detection system).

Under the front indicators of irradiation and missile launch, there are radars with headlight detection and target designation KAZ. On the roof of the tower, a system for launching multispectral interference in rotary and fixed installations

Irradiation and launch indicators in the photo and during the demonstration at the parade are covered with shutters. Next to the block of indicators of the TV camera of the front and side view

KAZ launchers are installed under the radar block. KAZ "Afganit" is the development of the "Drozd" system. This development of TsKIB SOO dates back to the 80s. The difference from Drozd is the possibility of correcting the fired counter-munition in azimuth (~ 0.5 m) and vertically (± 4 °). The complex has the ability to destroy anti-tank missiles attacking a target in flight, but does not protect against attackers from above

To reduce the visibility of the tank, a light casing is installed on the turret with geometric characteristics that are optimal for reducing visibility in the radar wavelength range.

Side view of the T-14 Armata, in the central third of the hull, DZ blocks are installed optimized for protection against cumulative warheads at an angle of impact close to normal

Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.
Fuel barrels are visible. At the parade in Moscow, "Armata" were without them. Apparently they think it's not fashionable

Firepower

The tank is equipped with a 125mm 2A82-1M high power cannon. Judging by the patents, the gun can use both regular shots and newly developed shots with an increased powder charge. Ammunition 40 shots (of which 32 in the automatic loader, 8 - transportable). The AZ ideology has been retained from the "Object 195", but the small 152 mm ammunition load has been increased to an acceptable value.

7.62mm PKTM machine gun in a remotely controlled installation on a platform combined with a panoramic sight-surveillance device. Ammunition 2000 rounds in a continuous belt.

The absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon is a strange and undoubtedly wrong decision. This will lead to an increased consumption of ammunition by the gunner on targets that do not correspond to 125 mm shells, to distract the commander from observing the battlefield when using a single machine gun. Some justification for this may be in the form of an automated ammunition load increased by 10 shots compared to the T-72. The 30 mm automatic cannon, as was the case on the Molot and T-95, is also missing.

Diagram of the AZ of an uninhabited tower.

Projectiles and charges are arranged vertically.

The conveyor is raised above the bottom of the hull to prevent jamming when the bottom deflects (undermining a mine).

The idea of ​​installing such a gun arose long ago, back in the late 70s (D-91T) and continued in the future, including the "Object 187". In terms of its potential, it is 30% higher than the regular one.

It is known that shots of increased power 3VBM22 with BPS 3BM59 "Lead-1" and 3VBM23 with BPS 3BM60 "Lead-2" with L = 740 mm have increased armor penetration by 100-150 mm. Improved BPS developed for the "Armata" will probably reach the level of more than 800 mm (450/60 °). EFFECT: possibility of using both regular ammunition and newly developed ammunition of increased power is provided.

Whether the truth is reached is an open question, all these topics have been underway for more than two decades. So the same "Lead-1" and "Lead-2" have been formally part of the ammunition load of the modernized T-72BA, T-80UA, T-80UE1 since 2004.

To combat infantry, a shot 3VOF128 "Telnik" -1 was developed (Completion of the R & D - 2014). The projectile implemented a trajectory gap on approach to the target (at a preemptive point) with the target being hit by the axial flow of the GGE; trajectory gap over the target with the defeat of the target by a circular field of hull fragments; shock ground break with installation for instantaneous (fragmentation) action; shock ground break with installation for high-explosive fragmentation action (small deceleration); shock ground break with a setting for a penetrating high-explosive action (large deceleration).

Armament stabilizer 2E58 - electromechanical with electric drive for vertical and horizontal guidance. It has reduced power consumption, increased accuracy and less fire hazard.

The UUI-2 transceiver is installed at the base of the barrel. Provides automatic measurement of barrel bending during firing.
Wind and pressure sensor (DVD). Capacitive type sensor provides measurement of longitudinal, transverse wind and atmospheric pressure.

Mobility

"Armata" is equipped with a 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped turbocharged diesel engine 2V-12-3A. Swing mechanism with GOP

Engine power 1200 horsepower. According to the developers, there are opportunities for forcing up to 1500-1800 hp. in perspective.

The total capacity of the fuel system of the tank is 2015 liters with two connected barrels. Of these, 1615 liters are in the internal and external fuel tanks of the tank, the fuel is partially located inside the hull (816 liters), the rest is in the fuel tanks on the fenders in the rear of the hull.

The transmission is mechanical with a planetary central gearbox with automatic shifting. The built-in reverser can provide an equal number of forward and reverse gears, which is important when unifying the chassis with the rear and front MTOs. The cooling fan drive is two-stage controlled.

The suspension rigidity is 167…206 kN/m, and the resistance of the hydraulic shock absorber in forward and reverse strokes does not exceed 55 kN and 120 kN, respectively.

the torsion shaft has an operating stress level of more than 147 104 kN/m2 and an allowable twist angle of more than 80°.

The damping characteristic of the hydraulic shock absorber is speed, that is, it represents the dependence of the resistance force on the speed on the lever. The kinematic connection of the hydraulic shock absorber with the suspension is designed to provide a gear ratio of the vertical speed of the track roller of the caterpillar mover of the tracked vehicle to the speed of movement of the hydraulic shock absorber lever 0.15 ... 3.5 with an increase at the end of the track roller travel.

EFFECT: increased progressivity of suspension characteristics of the suspension system and smooth running of tracked vehicles weighing up to 55 tons.

1 - guide wheel; 2 - caterpillars; 3 - track rollers; 4 - supporting rollers;
5 - torsion shaft; 6 - balancer; 7 - hydraulic shock absorbers; 8 thrust

The progressive suspension characteristic is shown in comparison with the suspension characteristic of the Leopard 2 tank.

Project evaluation

The positive side of the project is that it was nevertheless implemented, to a greater extent than any of the existing promising tank projects in the post-Soviet space after the creation of the T-64 tank.

Positive for the industry in the Russian Federation is the development of new technologies (touch panels), a new element base in tank control systems (IMS, FCS, etc.), the development of which can become a serious impetus to the development of the electronics industry.

Sufficient attention has been paid to the complex protection of the tank - KOEP, KAZ, DZ, etc.

Ergonomics meets modern requirements.

The negative features of the tank stem from the choice of its layout, these are the impossibility of providing a sufficient size of the side armor of the capsule due to the placement of the crew shoulder to shoulder, the vulnerability of the turret from the fire of modern automatic guns, the lack of a visual channel of the commander and gunner sights, the impossibility of providing all-round visibility from the commander's seat. Exhaust on both sides increases the IR visibility of the tank.

Of the removable shortcomings, the absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon can be noted. And the sight-understudy gunner.

And most importantly, what else can be added, the tank is being tested, a small number of them have been released at the moment. Most of the systems installed in "Armata" have not yet been sufficiently mastered, it will undoubtedly take a long time to cure "childhood diseases". So to be or not to be "Armata" time will tell.