How much does 14 tons weigh. Russia has just announced how many deadly Armata tanks it will build. Terrible dream "Armata"

It is too early to evaluate or analyze anything at the expense of the latest Russian T-14 tank. Therefore, for now, I’ll just lay out in one place all the currently available photos of him.

Judging by the appearance, the car is somewhat different from the previously discussed concepts. Something like this was expected:

and even this:

In practice, the machine turned out to be somewhat different:

In terms of physical dimensions, the T-14 "Armata" is somewhat longer and taller, if we consider the maximum dimensions.

For reference, the performance characteristics of the main modern tanks are as follows

However, if you look at really significant parameters, for example, compare the height along the tower, then the Armata turned out to be only 30 cm higher than the Abrams. Which is hardly so fundamentally important, given the firing range of modern weapons.

The overall layout of the machine as a whole also coincided with the forecasts. Something like this was expected:

In reality, it turned out to be close:

The engine compartment is at the back, the armored capsule with the crew is at the front. True, the presence of only two hatches suggests that the size of the tank crew has been reduced to two people. Theoretically, one more crew member can be placed between the commander and the mechanic. But do not forget that he needs a place not just to sit, but also space to accommodate equipment “to work”. So, the presence of the volume necessary for the third crew member in the armored case raises some doubts. However, to combine the functionality of a tank commander and a gunner in one person ... also does not look like the right decision. This was convincingly shown by WWII. It is unlikely that the designers decided to ignore this experience. So it's worth waiting for more information.

As for the tower, it is indeed completely uninhabited.

Judging by the absence of standard attachment points for any external additional elements on the turret armor, their installation “in the field” is not provided. However, it is too early to draw conclusions from this fact.

Firstly, the uninhabitedness of the tower dramatically reduces the requirements for the minimum armored volume. This means, relatively speaking, it can all be one big solid piece of metal. Including - to provide for the installation of some protection elements behind the external decorative casings. In the end, the design of the sides clearly indicates the presence of remote sensing there.

Secondly, one should not exclude the possibility of an attempt to deliberately mislead. It is quite obvious that this demonstration of the newest Russian tank has attracted the extremely close attention of all the intelligence services of “our potential conditional friends.” Those. the towers of production vehicles will look a little different. Although, I emphasize, this is just an assumption. More precisely - one of the possible options. More data needs to be collected to reach final conclusions.

Excellent in my opinion general analysis currently available facts about the design of the T-14 "Armata", was carried out on the website "VPK News" in the article "Tank T-14 "Armata" or T-99 "Priority". I recommend reading. There are many interesting things there. Here I will allow myself to quote only a few selected passages.

Armor

The new armor steel grade 44S-sv-Sh will be used on the new Russian tank "Armata". The steel was created by the specialists of OAO Research Institute of Steel.

A sample of steel 44S-sv-Sh 25 mm thick after successful tests with a B32 armor-piercing bullet of 12.7 mm caliber Photo: JSC "Steel Research Institute"

The use of this steel on the promising Armata platform will make it possible to “remove” hundreds of kilograms of weight from the vehicle, where it will also be used not only for armor purposes, but also as a structural material.

Although the hardness of the steel is not less than 54HRC, its plastic characteristics remain at the level of serial steels having a hardness of 45-48HRC. It is this combination that makes it possible to reduce the thickness and, accordingly, the weight of armored structures made of new steel by 15% without reducing the protective characteristics and survivability at low temperatures.

Power point

The power plant is a single 1200-horsepower diesel turbo piston engine A-85-3A (sometimes referred to as 2A12-3, 12ChN15 / 16 or 12H360) for front- and rear-located MTO. Motor resource not less than 2000 hours. Weight up to 5 tons. MTU volume up to 4 m3. There is a possibility of modernization. In terms of size, weight and power characteristics, the novelty should surpass the best foreign models of motor-transmission units. it should be noted that the rated power of the engine is 1500 hp, up to 1200 hp. a restriction was introduced, which significantly increased the motor resource.

Technical characteristics of the A-85-3A (12N360) engine for the promising Russian platform Armata:

Engine type - four-stroke, X-shaped, 12-cylinder with gas turbine turbine supercharging and intermediate air cooling.

Mixing system - direct fuel injection

Engine power without resistance at the inlet and outlet, kW (hp) - 1103 (1500)

Rotation frequency, s-1 (rpm) - 33.3 (2000)

Torque reserve,% - 25

Specific fuel consumption, g/kW*h (g/hp*h) - 217.9 (160)

Weight, kg - 1550

Specific power, kW / kg (hp / kg) - 0.74 (1.0)

Overall power, kW/kg (hp/kg) - 1026 (1395)

Specific gravity, kg / kW - 1.32

Length, mm - 813

Width, mm - 1300

Height, mm - 820

The 12N360 engine is a fully mastered engine, by no means a bench engine, it was exactly the same on our promising tanks (object 195), which passed state tests not so long ago. In terms of the power plant, the GI was completed successfully, the engine had no complaints - despite the fact that the tests were very tough.

A gun

Based on reports about the refusal to bring the T-95 tank with a 152-mm gun to the series, it can be argued that new car planned to be equipped with a regular main 125-mm gun

Until recently, the main domestic cannon there were versions of the well-known 2A46M tank gun. The latest modification 2A46M-5 has a firing accuracy of 15-20% higher, the total dispersion when firing from the move has decreased by 1.7 times. Thanks to improvements, the gun acquired the ability to fire new armor-piercing sub-caliber shells of increased power.

The best Western gun is currently considered the 120-mm L 55 smoothbore gun with a barrel length of 55 calibers of the Leopard-2A6 tank. Compared to the old 120 mm L-44 smoothbore gun, the L-55 barrel length has been increased by 130 cm.

The DM-53 and DM-63 shells used on this gun have very high armor penetration characteristics. And this is despite the fact that, unlike American ammunition, the Germans do not use depleted uranium as a core material.

Of course, when creating a Russian main battle tank based on a heavy unified platform, much attention was paid to ensuring high performance in terms of firepower.

In the 2000s, a new 125 mm 2A82 tank gun was created in Russia. By the fall of 2006, 787, 613 and 554 shots were fired from the prototype and two prototypes at Zavod No. 9, respectively.

The system, with an auto-bonded and partially chrome-plated barrel, is capable of firing both existing and advanced ammunition. In terms of technical level, it surpasses all existing tank guns by 1.2-1.25 times.

The muzzle energy of the 2A82 gun is 1.17 times greater than the best NATO gun - the 120-mm system of the Leopard-2A6 tank, while the tube length of our gun is 60 cm shorter.

Mounting of trunnion clips in the turret with a reverse wedge has been introduced. The rear support of the retractable parts is located in the cage part of the cradle. The neck of the cradle is extended by 160 mm. In the neck of the cradle, the rigidity of which is increased, there are two additional backlash-selecting devices. Both guide cradles are made as a prism.

These measures made it possible to reduce the average technical dispersion for all types of projectiles by 15% against the table values.

It was decided to modernize the 2A82 gun for "Armata" by lengthening the barrel by a whole meter - up to 7m. To automatically take into account the bending of the bore on the muzzle of the barrel tube, a reflector of the bending accounting device (CUI) is provided.

The digital signal processing adopted in the device ensures the measurement of the required barrel parameters in a wide range of interference and operational impacts. The received data are issued as corrections to the ballistic computer, which improves the accuracy of shooting.

"Armata" will shoot like shells various types(high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative), and ground-to-ground guided missiles with optoelectronic, infrared and satellite guidance, as well as surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles. In fact, this is not a tank, but a universal shock machine. ground forces, which includes a full-fledged tactical missile system, anti-aircraft system air defense, a complex of army intelligence and target designation and, in fact, a tank.

fire control system

Aiming complex:

The main gunner's sight is multi-channel with sighting and thermal imaging channels, a laser rangefinder, and a built-in laser control channel.

Enlargement of the sighting channel, multiplicity - 4; 12.

Target recognition range of the "tank" type through the sighting channel, m - up to 5000.

Target recognition range of the "tank" type through the TP channel, m not less than 3500.

The maximum range measured by the rangefinder, m - 7500.

The commander's sight is a combined panoramic sight with television and thermal imaging channels, a laser rangefinder.

Target recognition range of the "tank" type through the TV channel, m up to 5000.

Target recognition range of the "tank" type at night through the TP channel, m not less than 3500.

Sight-understudy with a dependent line of sight.

Target recognition range of the “tank” type, m:

a day at least 2000,

at twilight at least 1000.

Ballistic calculator with a set of sensors for meteorological and topographical conditions and a sensor for accounting for the bending of the barrel electronic digital

The possibility of automatic tracking of targets is provided independently from the gunner's position and from the commander's position with the implementation of the “hunter-shooter” mode.

Armament stabilizer improved two-plane with electromechanical drive GN and electro-hydraulic VN.

The promising Armata tank will be equipped with radars of the same technology as the fifth-generation T-50 fighter. According to the terms of reference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Armata will receive Ka-band radars (26.5-40 GHz) based on an active phased antenna array (AFAR), made using low-temperature ceramic technology.

The body is crammed with video cameras. They allow the crew to observe the circular situation around the tank. If required, the zoom is turned on, and the distant object can be considered in detail. There is the possibility of thermal imaging and infrared vision in any weather conditions day and night.

An active phased array antenna consists of many cells - microwave transmitters. Such an antenna is capable of quickly changing the direction of the location (no mechanical movement of the "dish" of the locator is required) and is highly reliable - the failure of one element does not lead to a significant drop in power and beam distortion. Such a radar in armored vehicles will be indispensable in solving both defensive and offensive tasks. There are two options for its use - as part of a fire control system or as an active protection complex. It includes an antenna that detects weapons flying up to the tank. AFAR will determine the coordinates and parameters of such a threat, and the tank will destroy these targets.

The system is capable of simultaneously "leading" up to 40 dynamic and up to 25 aerodynamic targets - a completely unattainable indicator for all radars in service with other armies. The system will control the territory within a radius of up to 100 kilometers and will be able to automatically destroy targets up to 0.3 meters in size in this territory.

TTX of a promising Russian tank "Armata"

Armored crew capsule - yes

Main gun mm. - 125 (2A82)

Gun ammunition in pcs. - 45

Automatic loader pcs. - 32

Combat rate of fire in min. - 10-12

Target detection range m. - over 5000

Target range m. - 7000-8000

Fire on the move - yes

Commander's panoramic sight - yes

Surround cameras - yes

Aiming and fire control system - yes

Combat control and navigation system - yes

Thermal imager - yes

Mine protection - active

Active Defense - Afghanite

Dynamic protection - yes

HP engine - 1200-2000

Engine replacement hour. - 0.5

Additional power plant - yes

Maximum weight t. - 48

Maximum speed km / h - 80-90

Power reserve km. - over 500

Length mm. -

Width mm. -

Height mm. -

Crew - 3

Number of track rollers, pcs. - 7

Armor resistance mm. - over 900

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T-14 (Index GBTU - Object 148) is the latest Russian main battle tank with an uninhabited turret based on the Armata universal tracked platform. The T-14 was presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in 2015 along with other products based on the Armata.

Tank T-14 "Armata" - video

As part of the state armaments program, a state order has been placed for the manufacture of 2,300 T-14 tanks until 2020-2025. In 2015, a pilot batch of 20 tanks was manufactured. In 2016, the mass production tanks, which is not planned to be reduced even in a crisis. At the same time, the procedure for military acceptance and elimination of shortcomings was launched.

The T-14 is the first tank in the world within the framework of the concept of "network-centric warfare", where the T-14, due to the medium-range circular AFAR radar used in the tank, and infrared HD surveillance cameras with 360 ° circular coverage, is used as a reconnaissance vehicle, target designation and fire adjustment of self-propelled guns, air defense systems and escorts from T-90 tanks of their tactical level.

The T-14 is the world's first "stealth tank" not only with a drastic reduction in visibility in the infrared, radio and magnetic range, but also with the use of innovative technologies“signature distortion”, that is, distortion of its visual image in the indicated ranges of the Javelin, Spike or JAGM-class GOS ATGM tank that makes it difficult to search among the thrown infrared traps and clouds of dipoles. It is equipped with a new generation of the Afganit active protection complex, capable of intercepting even anti-tank shells and, safely for the infantry and equipment surrounding the tank, blind anti-tank guided missiles by using smoke-metal curtains or burning out the electronics of their homing heads through the use of electromagnetic weapons.

The T-14 is equipped with fourth-generation dynamic armor "Malachite", which is capable of repelling shots from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers with a probability of more than 95%, as well as destroying modern anti-tank sub-caliber projectiles, even fired into the side of a tank.
The multi-layer ceramic-metal frontal armor of the tank cannot be penetrated by existing projectiles and anti-tank missiles. The world's first tank with an armored crew capsule, which guarantees its survival even with the detonation of ammunition.

The history of the creation of the T-14 is connected with the continuation of the developments of the USSR on tanks with an uninhabited turret, as well as the competition between the Russian Federation and the United States for the creation of a tank for the concept of "network-centric warfare", where the Future Combat Systems program was a competitor to the Armata project. The authoritative American publication National Interest, assessing the competition between the Armata and Future Combat Systems programs, notes that the American military-industrial complex suffered a serious defeat for the national prestige of the United States, failing to complete the development of a replacement for the Abrams tank.

Unlike traditional tanks, the T-14 is a "network tank", that is, it is designed not for a single battle, but to work with a group of different combat vehicles in one tactical level, performing the functions of reconnaissance, target designation and remote control through a single tactical level control system from the Sozvezdie concern, which allows all machines of the Armata platform to receive the operational situation in real time and automatically calculate ballistic data for fire control systems in the scenario of hitting targets not with one Armata, but attacking the target with the whole group at once, which includes, in addition to the T-14, several more heavy infantry fighting vehicles T-15, self-propelled guns 2S35 "Coalition-SV" and an attack helicopter.

The T-14 has a GLONASS navigation antenna protected from electronic warfare and a radio communication system, which is described in more detail in the article on ESU TK.

Since the T-14 radar is declared Ka-band, this means that it has a theoretical accuracy of up to 5 minutes of arc(0.08°). In practice, for similar radars like Credo-1E, it is possible to achieve an accuracy of about 10 meters in range and 0.1 ° in azimuth. The T-14 panoramic infrared sight with independent rotation can refine the azimuth of the detected target with even greater accuracy, as was done on a similar XM1209 machine in the Future Combat Systems program. However, even without taking into account the refinement of the coordinates of targets by optical methods, the radar allows you to effectively correct the fire of self-propelled guns following the T-14, and, in general, conduct your own fire with high-explosive fragmentation shells quite effectively. Indeed, the radar, with an accuracy of 0.1 ° at 6 km, can give out coordinates with an accuracy of about 10 meters. At 10 km, the error will be about 17 meters, which is enough to shell infantry and lightly armored vehicles from self-propelled guns with 152 mm shells. Note that even small Doppler radars also see well the explosions of shells on flying fragments, so they can be used to correct artillery fire, reporting an amendment to the shooting. An important fact is that even having specified the azimuth using the panoramic sight, the tank commander may not use the laser rangefinder and the target will not be able to take self-defense measures like a smoke screen.

Some experts point out that the T-14 pulse-Doppler radar is able to calculate the trajectories of projectiles like an artillery reconnaissance radar, that is, it is capable of automatically calculating the coordinates of the positions of enemy tanks and artillery from the trajectories of projectiles flying past the T-14 and performing automatic shelling. Indeed, in a similar radar as the ELM-2133 from Trophy, the calculation of the coordinates of an ATGM, RPG or projectile shot is supported with data transmission to the FCS for opening return fire. However, following the example of a similar system in the Merkava, it can be expected that the accuracy of determining the coordinates of the missile launch site by this method may not be sufficient for inflicting a retaliatory artillery strike only on them, additional reconnaissance of the target by optical means will be required.

Since the T-14 uses a pulse-Doppler radar capable of calculating the target's velocity vector, the radar can provide very accurate angular coordinates of a helicopter or aircraft in the air to indicate the sector for launching missiles for light SAMs of the Sosna, Strela-10M4 class or OSA SAMs that do not have their own surveillance circular radars, but equipped with equipment for external target designation and radio control. For more powerful Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, such an external target designation scenario is also of extreme value, since it allows you to avoid unmasking the air defense system due to the operation of your own radar with the risk of being destroyed by an anti-radar missile.

Experts report that the T-14 will be able to indicate targets to its escort from numerous old T-90MS tanks modernized with the installation of jamming-proof communications and GPS / GLONASS navigators. Obviously, the accuracy of the T-14 radar is overkill for such a scenario, since the T-90MS will perform the final fine targeting of their infrared sights. However, the very implementation of such a scenario is much more important, since it allows the T-14, being the most valuable control vehicle, to evade contact combat, and, having entered into contact combat, not destroy its own tanks.

The concept of "network-centric warfare" leads to the massive introduction of robotics, so Uralvagonzavod announced that the T-14 will be remotely controlled, and by 2017-2018 prototypes of the T-14 will be produced without a crew and controlled by a robot with artificial intelligence. As the first stage in the creation of the "unmanned" T-14, the crew should be reduced to 2 people in the serial version of the tank, the vacated space is planned to be used for additional ammunition. The Chinese news agency Sina, commenting on this, notes that the T-14 can thus become a “combat droid”, automatically destroying detected targets without human intervention, where the operator issues only general tactical tasks. It should be noted that such modes of automatic destruction of all targets that did not respond to the “friend or foe” request have been working in air defense systems for many years, so the novelty of the technology is only in application for tanks.

Active protection complex Afghanit

The location of the cameras and radars KAZ Afganit on the tower of the T-14 tank

The Afghanit active protection complex (KAZ) has long-range threat warning radars, therefore it is also used for reconnaissance purposes. Afghanistan defense scenarios also include the integration of a fire control system for an aggressive fire response in the event of an attack on the protected armored vehicles. Including Afghanit controls the automatic rotation of the tower in the direction of the incoming ammunition to deploy more powerful armor and protective equipment in its direction, and most importantly, striking - according to the calculation of the ATGM.

Afganit's surveillance radio-optical radar consists of four AFAR panels of a pulse-Doppler radar and circular HD-cameras integrated with it in the far and near infrared range. Due to integration with infrared surveillance equipment, Afganit has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can also only be in passive mode with cameras turned on, but with the radar turned off for masking. The complex is safe for the surrounding infantry, as it is focused on disabling missiles more by means of smoke-metal curtains, an electromagnetic pulse from a stationary generator on an SOS diode and EMP grenades. To enhance the effectiveness of the camouflage curtains, the T-14 is equipped with stealth tools, such as thermal insulation of the hull and reduced visibility in the radio range.

Afganit has the ability to control a robotic machine gun to destroy incoming ammunition. Afghanit can destroy even shells attacking armored vehicles due to additional 2 high-speed short-range Doppler radars made using PFAR technology and working on illumination from a constant source.

Complex of dynamic booking Malachite

The T-14 has a new version of dynamic armor, which can also be implemented on electronic control. At the moment, the developers have disclosed only the data that the Malachite VDZ is capable of breaking shells inside itself and reflecting heavy ATGMs. The safety of the VDZ for the tank and infantry is declared by reducing the number explosive used by the VDZ for the destruction of ammunition.

Radar complex

AFAR radar N036B-1-01 created on the LTCC technology used for T-14 radars

The T-14 radar is used for reconnaissance of all types of targets from enemy armored vehicles to the identification of an ATGM flight. The radar itself is part of the Afghanit active defense system, although it can be used in offensive scenarios.

According to the terms of reference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the purchase of the T-14, for the first time in the world, the tank will use an active phased array radar, made using the same technology as the fifth generation T-50 fighter - on low-temperature ceramics for the Ka-band 26.5- 40 GHz (LTCC technology). A feature of the AFAR technology at LTCC is the moderate cost of the radar and reliability. The AFAR radar consists of 4 LTCC panels on the tank turret and provides 360-degree target surveillance without radar rotation. In general, the radar resembles in design the four panels of the ELM-2133 radar from the Trophy active protection complex for the Merkava tank. The radar panels are also covered with bulletproof and anti-fragmentation screens. Entire plastic loops are provided for quick removal and replacement of protective shields or a damaged radar module.

AFAR T-14 radars are visible on the tank turret

The T-14 surveillance radar can simultaneously track 40 ground dynamic and 25 airborne aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 100 km. Previously, manufacturers of radars for KAZ, before the release of Afganit, even struggled with the target detection range, reducing the power and range of the radar as much as possible. In KAZ "Arena" a mode was built in to reduce the power of pulses as the ammunition approached. But all such measures as a whole turned out to be ineffective against ultra-sensitive antennas of electronic intelligence systems and, in particular, AWACS aircraft, which automatically calculated the positions of tanks at a great distance immediately after turning on the KAZ radars, even with a weak signal. In the T-14 concept, they decided not to fight this, but to make a disadvantage a virtue, that is, to increase the power of the radar, making it even more noticeable, but turning it into a means of reconnaissance of targets in a “network-centric war” scenario, for issuing targets for destruction in the first place other combat vehicles.

In addition to the four surveillance radar panels, the T-14 also has two ultra-fast response radars for short range. These radars are needed to trigger the destructive elements of the KAZ against shells (BOPS), as well as for the purpose of masking when the main T-14 surveillance radar is turned off, this technology is described in more detail in the section on the active protection complex. A surveillance radar of 4 panels controls the setting of multispectral curtains, and also performs the functions of reconnaissance of targets.

Infrared target detection complex

Turret of the T-14 tank with clearly visible infrared devices

On the turret with a machine gun mount there is a panoramic sight with independent rotation from the axis of the machine gun by 180 ° with a highly sensitive and high-precision infrared system with cryogenic cooling manufactured by the Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant. The infrared camera is paired with a camera in the visible light spectrum and a laser rangefinder. Together with the machine gun mount, the panoramic sight can rotate 360°. The independent rotation mode of the sight and machine gun was first publicly demonstrated on April 2, 2016 during the T-14 tests. In general, the joint movement of the mechanics of the panoramic sight independent of the machine gun is classic and the same solutions can be seen in demonstrations from Raytheon.

Traditionally panoramic sights are used by tank commanders to locate target coordinates. In the case of a "network-centric tank" like the T-14, the panoramic sight, similar to the XM1209, is integrated with the tank's radar and the robotic mechanics quickly rotates the panoramic sight to examine in turn the targets detected by the tank's radar or by the circular infrared cameras described below. Thus, the coordinates of the targets are specified, the low resolution of the radar and the possible loss of contact with the radar target due to the use of electronic warfare are compensated.

The tank commander receives a map of the tactical situation on a computer monitor, on which the coordinates of the targets are superimposed, and gives commands to the gunner which targets to inspect or fire in more detail. The identified coordinates of ground and air targets are also broadcast from the T-14 to the ESU TZ command vehicle, which will select the means of destruction.

The infrared sight of the tank is designed for precise aiming of the gun at the target and is used as part of the fire control system described below, as well as for examining the target received from the tank commander by the gunner. Moreover, the gunner, using the touch screen, can, by pressing a finger on the image, clarify the coordinates of the target, which is necessary for target designation on carefully camouflaged targets when the computer needs human assistance.

Since the device is automatically closed by armored shutters, it does not participate in the automatic continuous search for targets. The only non-electronic optical periscopes on the T-14 are available to the driver and tank commander for viewing for driving purposes. For driving at night, the driver uses a night vision device, as well as the tank’s LED headlights, which allow you to switch to infrared road illumination mode so as not to unmask the tank at night. Since the device is automatically closed by an armored cap, it does not participate in the automatic continuous search for targets.

Complex of circular target detection in infrared and ultraviolet spectra

Infrared surveillance camera T-14 with a lens made of crystalline germanium. Left tube hydrotreating

The T-14, in addition to the optical instruments included in the FCS, is equipped with six HD-resolution cameras on the tank turret, which allows the crew to observe the situation around the tank 360 degrees without leaving it. The cameras are equipped with self-contained power supply and a system for hydro-cleaning optics from dust and dirt.

All-round HD cameras are connected to the Afghanit active protection system, allowing it to:

Work with the radar turned off

Avoid operation errors

Work in EW conditions

Determine the irradiation of the tank with a laser

Video cameras on microbolometers also allow you to find targets in the infrared range through fog and smoke, which is important given that the T-14 is heavily focused on blinding opponents with smoke screens. For example, the T-14, when surrounded by enemy infantry, can put a smoke screen around itself, making it invisible to grenade launchers, and shoot them from a machine gun mount according to IR devices.

Armament T-14 "Armata"

fire control system

The fire control system receives data for shelling targets from radio-optical means of detecting their coordinates, described above. To guide the armament of the tank, the ballistic computer also uses data from the following sensors mounted on the roof of the tank.

• Own position of the tank from the GLONASS receiver and inertial navigation system
• Gyroscopic sensors of the tank's angular orientation in space
• Wind direction and speed sensor
• Temperature and humidity sensor
• Barrel bend sensor from heating

Gun T-14 "Armata"

The first copies of the tank were equipped with a 125-mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun (in an uninhabited turret, with full remote digital control), developed by Plant No. 9, which has the ability to fire on the move. In the presence of a sensor for bending the barrel from heating for accounting in ballistic calculations (fixed in a small container above the barrel). The range of hitting targets is up to 7000 meters and the rate of fire is 10-12 rounds per minute. The 2A82 gun has 17% more muzzle energy and 20% more accuracy than the best NATO gun on the Leopard-2 tank. A feature of the 2A82 autoloader is the ability to fire long ammunition up to 1 meter long, which is critical for armor-piercing sub-caliber shells of increased power, such as the "Vacuum-1" similar to the M829A3 for Abrams. Taking into account the fact that the T-14 will most likely be used in local wars against old tanks of third world countries, it is likely that the 2A82-1M will remain the main weapon due to the advantage of twice as much ammunition over other variants of the 152-mm caliber gun , which is likely to have a smaller number of copies of the T-14.

A part of serial copies of the T-14 will also be equipped with a 152-mm 2A83 gun. In February 2016, the procedure began military acceptance T-14, including a version of the tank with a 152 mm gun. The 2A83 gun has an armor-piercing piercing projectile of more than 1000 mm, which obviously exceeds the armor of modern tanks, and therefore experts assess the gun as redundant relative to the most powerful 2A82-1M among tank guns in the world. For comparison, the latest modification of the M1A2 Abrams has a booking equivalent of BOPS ~ 900 mm (not to be confused with the equivalent of 1350 mm from monobloc ATGMs). US Department of Defense analysts in their report note that for the 152 mm gun, Rosatom is developing a new armor-piercing depleted uranium sub-caliber projectile, which allows destroying the strongest armored steel. Vyacheslav Khalitov, Deputy Director General of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, also noted that 152 mm shells often do not require armor-piercing in the classical sense of the word, since the kinetic energy of the shell is enough to tear off the entire enemy tank turret even without breaking through its armor. Projectile flight speed 1980 m / s due to the use of a number of new developments.

The tank can easily be re-equipped with a 152 mm gun, however, the 152 mm gun has the disadvantage of a smaller ammunition load compared to the 125 mm gun, however, it is possible to use a turret niche to carry additional ammunition.

T-14 "Armata" with a 152-mm gun

The original known regular shells of the Grifel family for the 2A83 gun, like any armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber shells were uncontrollable. However, since the 152-mm 2A83 gun was developed on the basis of the 2A65 gun, a modification of which is used in the 2S19 Msta-S heavy self-propelled guns, some experts suggested the possibility of using Krasnopol-type Msta-S guided projectiles. Lev Romanov noted that if guided missiles for the T-14 are created, they will, unlike the Krasnopol, be radio-controlled, taking into account the presence of a radar on the T-14. In general, the idea that the T-14s will be equipped with a 152-mm gun and guided projectiles will have combat use scenarios that are more reminiscent of self-propelled guns, and is supported by Viktor Murakhovsky, who points out the effectiveness of the fight against infantry due to fragmentation high-explosive shells with a remote detonation over her position, and calls the T-14 in such a scenario a "fire support tank". The designers of "Uralvagonzavod" also note that the T-14 with a 152 mm gun turns into some kind of hybrid of a tank and a self-propelled artillery mount, therefore they call this version of the T-14 not a tank, but a "combat artillery vehicle"(BAM).

Experts' assumptions about the presence of guided projectiles for the T-14 were also confirmed by the statement of the specialized design bureau NTIIM, which announced the launch of the Trajectory test complex for new guided 152-mm projectiles for the T-14 and the Koalition-SV self-propelled guns, but the developers refuse to report them accurate performance characteristics, noting only that these ammunition will have the means to bypass advanced air defense systems capable of shooting down projectiles, and will also be capable of bypassing electronic warfare countermeasures, which indicates that this ammunition is not designed for tank duels, but for defeating highly protected objects like anti-aircraft missile systems or command posts that were within the reach of the T-14 during tank breakthroughs. Judging by the disclosure of data on the manufacturer's website, the T-14 guided projectiles will be corrected active-reactive, since the "Trajectory" is designed to monitor the jet engines of active-reactive projectiles. Active-rocket projectiles have a long range, judging by the fact that test firing of T-14 guided projectiles is carried out at a training ground converted for them for distances of 30-50 km, then this is probably the range of this precision-guided munition.

Missile weapons T-14 "Armata"

Like its predecessors, the T-14 will have the ability to launch missiles through the gun barrel using the next version of the Reflex-M missile system. The presence of the T-14's ability to fire guided missiles is confirmed by the report of experts from the US Department of Defense magazine OE Watch.

Viktor Murakhovsky also notes that the 152 mm caliber matches the Kornet ATGM and allows the use of its missiles, which have twice the longer range(10 km versus 5 km) and armor-piercing (1400 mm versus 850 mm) than 125 mm caliber rockets from Reflex-M. Also in the Kornet nomenclature is the 9M133FM-3 air defense missile, which significantly exceeds the capabilities of the Invar-M air defense missile for Reflex-M, which, although it can hit a hovering helicopter, the 9M133FM-3 range is twice as high (10 km) and , most importantly, this missile is specially designed to destroy air targets at an altitude of up to 9 km and aircraft at speeds up to 900 km / h. Many domestic experts advocate 152 mm caliber precisely because of the ability to launch anti-aircraft missiles and perform air defense functions.

Note that there is no critical need to launch 152 mm missiles in the T-14, since the T-14 tank is designed to work in a tactical group with a heavy T-15 infantry fighting vehicle, which is already armed with the Kornet ATGM and is more effective in firing air targets from his anti-aircraft gun.

Machine gun armament

The machine gun armament consists of an anti-aircraft mount with a Kord machine gun, remotely controlled by a commander or gunner, and paired with a PKTM gun. The Kord anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted in its own robotic turret, integrated with the tank’s AFAR radar, thermal imagers and is capable of hitting even high-speed targets at a distance of up to 1500 meters, therefore, in addition to the air defense function, it is integrated into the tank’s active protection complex.

Tower armor

Presumably, the armor of the T-14 tower consists of the main armor and anti-fragmentation casing, the devices on the tower are located between the armor layers. The casing also protects the tank's instruments from shrapnel, high-explosive and bullet damage, and is also used to reduce radio visibility against the most advanced radar-guided ATGMs in various frequency bands. In addition, the casing of the tower, performing the function of the "Faraday Cage", is one of the means of ensuring the declared resistance of devices to an electromagnetic pulse. The casing is collapsible with the help of latches, which allows you to get quick access to the devices under it for the purpose of repair and maintenance. Some of the equipment on the turret, such as KAZ surveillance radars, can be quickly replaced in field conditions without disassembling the turret casing through plastic pull-out cables.

The T-14 probably used the storage of a part of the ammunition in the aft part of the turret, similar to the Leopard-2 and Merkava, which makes it possible to throw out an explosive wave with the help of lifting panels when the ammunition is detonated without serious damage to the tank, and also additionally cover the separation of the MTO from ATGMs attacking in tank roof. It is quite possible that a supply of long BOPS of increased power "Vacuum-1" is stored in the aft part of the tower, which, due to their meter length, may not fit into a floor carousel with other shells. Sources confirm that in the aft part of the T-14 turret there is a spare ammunition load for a machine gun. At the same time, it is stated that there is a special robot for reloading a machine gun with this ammunition load without the need for the crew to leave the tank.

An analysis of the first experiments with uninhabited towers as "Object 477" can give some idea about the main armor of the T-14 turret on the casing.

Hull armor

T-14 uses common elements of passive armor for the Armata platform:

Frontal composite armor impenetrable for modern ATGMs up to 150mm caliber and BOPS up to 120mm caliber

MTO compartment, ammunition compartment and fuel compartment are isolated from each other by armored bulkheads

Additional fuel tanks are protected from fire by an open-cell filler, and are also protected by armor and an anti-cumulative screen

stealth tools

T-14 uses common stealth tools for the Armata platform in infrared, radio and magnetic observation ranges:

• The body is thermally insulated from the inside
• There is an exhaust mixing system with cold air
• To reduce radio visibility, flat reflective edges were used in the hull design
• Painting the T-14 reduces the heating of the tank in the sun and has radio absorbing properties
• There is a system of distortion of the magnetic field of the tank

System for mixing exhaust with cold air and simulating exhaust holes to disorient ATGMs with IR seeker like Javelin

Engine and active suspension

T-14 uses a common engine and active suspension for the Armata platform with the following characteristics

• Engine with automatic transmission gears and variable power from 1200 to 1800 hp. provides movement up to 90 km/h and range up to 500 km
• The active suspension provides a radical reduction in tank sway on the move, which increases the accuracy of shooting on the move and the speed of movement along
• rough terrain
• The CICS of the tank controls the engine, transmission and active suspension devices, automatically making decisions on tank maintenance and giving voice commands to the crew

Comparison of the T-14 "Armata" with other tanks

When comparing the T-14 with NATO tanks, it should be noted that the general analytical agency FMSO under the US Department of Defense in its report notes that the T-14 is the next generation tank in relation to the existing ones. As FMSO analyst Charles Bartlez notes in this report, the T-14 has a number of advantages over existing NATO tanks: long-range radar, active suspension, which increases the speed and accuracy of the tank, frontal armor that is impenetrable by modern missiles and projectiles, as well as an active protection system. capable of intercepting even shells.

At the moment, only two tanks in the world are supplied with a standard active defense system equipped with an AFAR radar with the function of automatically calculating the position of a rocket or projectile fired at a tank: the T-14 and the Israeli Merkava tank. Although the frontal armor of the Merkava is weaker than that of the T-14, but the engine located in front of the tank guarantees the protection of the crew, however, at the cost of losing the tank's mobility. The active protection of both the Merkava and other promising NATO tanks is not able to reflect shells.

The opinion of the officers of the British General Staff that the main combat Challenger tank 2 cannot penetrate the T-14's defenses with its gun and therefore needs to be replaced.

The Die Welt newspaper published information from the conclusion of the German Ministry of Defense on the need for an urgent replacement of the Leopard 2 in connection with the advent of the T-14 Armata, which led to the creation of a Franco-German joint tank concern. The press reports that the main motive for the fears of the German military coincides with the British, namely the inability of the Leopard 2 to break through the protection of the T-14.

Chinese tank builders claim that their VT-4 is superior to the Armata T-14, but as an argument, they suggest that their transmission implementation is better. At the same time, the PRC government has shown interest in purchasing T-14s.

According to the Polish media, the T-14 surpasses all tanks in the world in terms of its combat power.

It should be noted that the comparison of the T-14 with other tanks goes beyond just tables with performance characteristics. The National Interest magazine, in comparing the T-14 and Abrams, notes that the T-14 has many protective technologies that are not only in the Abrams, but in no other tank in the world. However, the expert believes that after completing the upgrades, Abrams will be able to hit the T-14. The expert considers that the key criterion is not even the protective or attacking means of the T-14 and Abrams, but the ability of the tank to see its opponent earlier, that is, the ability of radars and stealth technologies, since the one who was able to see the opponent first, according to the expert, will win the battle .

The second key criterion, according to the National Interest expert, is the ability of the Russian military-industrial complex to produce a sufficient number of T-14s in the conditions of the economic crisis. The experts at the National Interest are backed by prominent economist Rick Smith, who notes that the Pentagon failed with the Future Combat Systems program, trying to create a tank platform like the Armata, and spending $16.1 billion on research. The US military realized they needed another $300 billion and couldn't afford it. However, economically, the Almaty program looks, according to Smith, not so expensive.

By itself, the release of the T-14 requires expanding the criteria for comparing the performance characteristics of tanks due to new technologies in a new generation tank:

• It is required to take into account not just the speed of the tank on the highway, but the speed of the tank over rough terrain, which, due to the active suspension of the T-14, reaches 90 km/h, which is a record, and the accuracy of shooting should not seriously suffer from moving over rough terrain.
• The presence of an AFAR radar for detecting threats and targets is becoming an indispensable attribute of a modern tank.
• A modern tank should have various stealth technologies in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges.
• A modern tank should have not just stealth technology like visibility reduction, but “dynamic signature change” technologies in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges to block tank recognition systems among interference and traps using a signature library.
• A modern tank should have the means to automatically deploy not just smoke screens that are transparent in the infrared and radio ranges, but to automatically deploy multispectral curtains that are opaque in the infrared and millimeter ranges.
• It requires not only the presence of an active defense complex, but the ability of active defense to repel not only missile attacks, but also shoot down sub-caliber armor-piercing shells.
• It requires not just the presence of an anti-aircraft machine gun, but a high-precision robotic anti-aircraft installation capable of shooting down missiles and even shells according to the AFAR radar.
• A modern tank should be equipped with electromagnetic weapons at least against missiles.
• The frontal armor of the tank must exceed 1000 mm equivalent.
• The dynamic armor of the tank should be virtually invulnerable to hand grenade launchers and with a high probability of repelling attacks by heavy anti-tank missiles with tandem warheads.
• The turret of a modern tank should require not just breaking through the armor, but serious destruction to disable the turret. Ammunition designed to hit the loader and gunner with small fragments in the turret should be ineffective against a modern tank.

Comparison of dimensions T-14 and T-90

Purchases of T-14 "Armata" for the Russian Armed Forces

The manufacturing plant stated that as of 2015 the cost of the tank is 250 million rubles. Due to the depreciation of the ruble and the use of components of Russian origin, the T-14, despite more powerful equipment than western tanks, costs 1.5-2 times cheaper. According to the director of Uralvagonzavod Oleg Sienko, the company received an order for the production of 2,300 T-14s by 2020, but in the event of a reduction in the military budget of the Russian Federation, the plan can be expanded until 2025. According to expert Viktor Murakhovsky, financing of the T-14 project will be a priority for the Russian Defense Ministry, even to the detriment of other projects, since it is obvious that possible local wars in which Russia may take part will be in the nature of land battles near its borders.

This point of view is supported by FMSO analysts of the US Department of Defense, who point to the repeated mention in the analytical report on the State Arms Program of the Russian Federation on the effectiveness of arms procurement, issued for the public council under the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the scientific expert council under the Committee State Duma RF for Defense, analyzing lessons from the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine with conclusions about the need for mass purchases of T-14 tanks. It is assumed that "the deployment of mass purchases of brigade sets of Armata tanks should become one of the main directions of the State Armaments Program of the Russian Federation ... The Armata platform, as providing a qualitative superiority over any modern tank, should be considered as an absolutely priority program for delivery to production and purchases." At the same time, given the lack of the budget of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, it is proposed to aggressively increase purchases of ground weapons, while reducing purchases of the Navy, including the new Yasen-M nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, any analogues of the Mistral large landing craft and others.

In April 2016, the media reported on the order of a limited batch of 100 tanks for military trials. A batch of 100 test tanks will allow us to detect possible flaws, as well as give engineers tasks to improve some characteristics. Already, the military is putting forward demands for strengthening the engine to 1500 l / s and increasing the caliber of the gun to 152 mm. In the future, it is possible to create a tank-robot based on this tank, operating without placing a crew in it.

Export

The export of tanks based on Almaty is possible after meeting the needs of the state defense order. Uralvagonzavod said that in order to obtain permission to export the T-14, the secrecy stamp would be removed from it in the future.

Interest in the tank was shown by India, China, Egypt and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Purchase of 1000 T-14 tanks by India is possible. The Thai Ministry of Defense is considering the purchase of the T-14 in connection with the termination of the contract for the purchase of the Ukrainian Oplot tank, but the T-90S will most likely be purchased, as the Thai military is looking for offers in the lower price category of tanks.

National Interest, after interviewing experts, received a positive opinion on the export prospects of the T-14 on the following reasoning:

• The modularity of the Armata allows you to quickly create different export configurations of the T-14 for the specific needs of different customers, flexibly vary the price in various configurations and provide customers with rich modernization prospects
• The emphasis on crew security will certainly attract the military as customers
• Own Chinese and Indian tanks are in fact only the modernization of the tanks of the 1980s, and new options for modernization are criticized by the military in terms of reliability and combat effectiveness.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-14 "Armata"

Combat weight, t…………………………48
Layout scheme………………………… “monitor”
Crew, people………………………….3

Developer…………………………UKBTM
Manufacturer…………………………Uralvagonzavod
Years of development…………………………2009 - n/a
Years of production…………………………since 2015

Type of armor…………………………Combined multilayer
Active defense………………………… “Afghanit”
Dynamic protection………………………… “Malachite”

Armament
Caliber and brand of gun…………………………125-mm 2A82-1M
Type of gun…………………………Smoothbore gun
Gun ammunition…………………………45 shells (32 in AZ)
Machine guns…………………………1 × 12.7 mm Cord; 1 × 7.62 mm PKTM+

Engine power, l. from………………………….1500
Highway speed, km/h…………………………70-90
Cross-country speed, km/h…………………..40-60
Range on the highway, km…………………………500
Specific power, l. s./t…………………………31
Suspension type…………………………Active

23:03 — REGNUM According to the latest statement of the Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, The Russian Armed Forces will not massively receive a new generation of armored vehicles - T-14 tanks based on the Armata heavy tracked platform and armored personnel carriers (APCs) on the Boomerang wheeled platform. Instead, in order to save money, it is planned to continue the modernization of the available Soviet armored vehicles. How correct is this approach?

Ivan Shilov © IA REGNUM

Grandiose rearmament plans collide with economic crisis

For the first time, new generation land vehicles were officially demonstrated at the Victory Parade in 2015, while the development of these machines began much earlier than 2014 (before the economic crisis caused by falling oil prices and anti-Russian sanctions). Then, T-14 tanks and T-15 infantry fighting vehicles (BMPs) based on the Armata heavy tracked platform, infantry fighting vehicles based on the Kurganets-25 medium tracked platform, armored personnel carriers based on the Boomerang wheeled platform passed along the pavement of Red Square ” and 152-mm self-propelled artillery mounts (ACS) “Coalition-SV”.

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

In the future, this really promising and modern armored vehicles were regularly demonstrated at the Victory parades in Moscow. In addition, it is undergoing military tests, and there is already a contract for the same T-14 tank - it is planned to supply the first series of 100 vehicles. Now the question becomes whether this contract will also be fulfilled. As for the plans that existed before, the need to supply 2,000 T-14 tanks was also discussed.

The main argument in favor of reducing purchases new technology budget savings become, because the same T-14 is noticeably more expensive than the T-90, even in the latest modification, and even more expensive than the upgrade package for Soviet T-72 tanks to the level of T-72B3 or T-72B3M. Another argument that Borisov cites is the lack of tanks in potential opponents that are superior in capabilities to the upgraded T-72s.

Daria Antonova © IA REGNUM

To some extent, we can agree with this, but only in part. For example, the modernization of the T-72 does not include the installation of an active protection complex (KAZ), and this is one of the main directions in the development of armored vehicles. These systems are capable of detecting and shooting down ammunition flying towards the tank. For example, Israeli Merkava Mk.4 tanks have been equipped with the Trophy KAZ for quite a long time, which proved to be quite good in the fight against grenade launchers and anti-tank guided missiles. The T-14 is also equipped with a KAZ system called "Afghanit". The real test results of the Afganit are unknown to the general public, but, according to official information, it is capable of shooting down even armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber shells (BOPS) - the main weapon of enemy tanks. No other known system is capable of dealing with such ammunition.

I must say that it is precisely such advanced electronics and sensors that greatly increase the cost of the T-14, and their installation on the same modernized T-72s will greatly increase the cost of upgrade packages. However, the installation of KAZ is a necessary thing, especially considering the fact that Russia actually participates only in local conflicts, where crew survival plays a key role, and a huge amount of armored vehicles is not needed.

What is the best way?

A complete rejection of the T-14 tank and other promising ground weapons is fundamentally wrong. First, it took a lot of time and money to develop them. Secondly, in terms of categories such as infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, Russia has a serious backlog. The Russian army mainly uses the Soviet BMP-1 and BMP-2, which are very outdated in terms of weapons, and especially protection. The existing BMP-3s also have problems with security, and in general are much less convenient for use by motorized rifles than their Western counterparts. It is the new models of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers that can solve this problem - although they have large dimensions (according to some experts, they become more noticeable to the enemy, which is becoming less relevant in the age of drones and other modern intelligence systems), but due to this, a noticeably better level is provided security and ergonomics. Upgrading the existing BMP-1 to the level of "Basurmanin" and BMP-2 with the installation of the "Berezhok" module only partially solves the problem - the security of the vehicles still remains low. The same can be said about the modernization of the BTR-80.

Daria Antonova © IA REGNUM

At the same time, in no case should one refuse to modernize a huge fleet of armored vehicles, however, it is also necessary to have a sufficiently significant amount of new modern armored vehicles that can be used in real local conflicts, making the crews as safe as possible. In this sense, it would be worth finding a "golden mean" - 2000 "Armat" today is really a lot for the Russian budget, but it's worth having 200-300 cars of this type, the same goes for Kurganets-25 and Boomerang. Do not forget about the export potential of these machines - it is unlikely that someone will acquire them if the Russian Ministry of Defense does not first. At the same time, the cost of vehicles is high precisely in Russian realities - in fact, promising vehicles are close in cost to Western models of armored vehicles.

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 consider 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.

Basic information about the T-14 Armata tank

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 “14” index, as usual, according to the year of the project implementation - 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.

First, let's take a quick look at what this new tank"Armata", what Constructive decisions embodied in it by our design engineers, 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.

• The 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.

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

• All modules of the tank 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 “Armaty” 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.

• In the event that a projectile flying into a 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.

• In the tank "Armata" applied a large number of effective stealth technologies that make it virtually invisible or difficult to detect for many types of weapons.

TTX tank T-14 "Armata"

To view the table on mobile devices, move it left or right.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-14 "Armata" tank
Crew	3 persons
Weight	48 tons
main gun	125 mm 2A82-1M
Ammunition	45 shells
Automatic loader	32 shells
rate of fire	12 shots/min
machine guns	12.7 mm Kord and 7.62 mm PKTM
Target detection range	about 5000 m
Target range	about 7000 m
Engine	12-cylinder diesel
Engine power	1200-1800 hp
Specific power	31 hp/t
suspension type	Active
Max speed	90 km/h
Cross country speed	40-60 km/h
Power reserve	500 km
Armor	Combined multilayer
Armor Thickness Equivalent	about 1000 mm
Active protection	"Afghanite"
Dynamic protection	"Malachite"
Length (with cannon)	10.8 m
Width (with shields)	3.9 m
Height	3.3 m

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:

Well, now let's talk about the T-14 Armata tank in more detail and discuss the history and background of its creation, its armament and armor, the characteristics of its main systems, as well as the possibility of using it in real combat operations.

The 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 - the T-90. One of them - "Object 460" or "Black Eagle" (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 power density more than 30 hp / t and made it one of the most dynamic tanks in the world.

The second project - "Object 195" or "T-95" (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, which are 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 way 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 its 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:

• The first generation includes 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.
• The second generation is associated with the appearance of the so-called main battle tanks(OBT). 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.
• The third generation includes 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 , Italian “Ariete” and German “Leopard-2” (By the way, you can read more about third-generation tanks in our article).

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 used to design a wide variety of 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", but 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 an armored recovery vehicle BREM T-16 (so far only as a project), an infantry fighting vehicle BMP T-15 and, of course, the main battle tank T-14 " Armata”, which we could already see at the Victory Parade in Moscow.

Overview of the T-14 "Armata" tank

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 splinterproof 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, a panoramic sight is installed on the same axis as the machine gun mount, which serves to determine the coordinates of targets received by various observation 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 rotates 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 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 smoke screens (in infrared spectrum), giving a significant advantage to "Armata", using this species disguise. This gives the following example:

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

Active protection complex “Afganit”

And 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 it detects an enemy shell approaching the tank, Afghanit automatically turns the tank's turret in the direction of this shell 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 shell.
• When shells approaching the tank are detected, Afghanit automatically controls the machine gun mount to destroy them.
• In case of need for increased camouflage, 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 approaching the tank at speeds up to 1,700 m/s. But our designers are already developing a new active protection - "Barrier", which will be able to intercept shells flying up at speeds up to 3000 m/s.

Complex of dynamic protection "Malachite"

The T-14 tank is also equipped with the Malachite dynamic protection complex. Here are the features it has:

• "Malachite" successfully resists not only various HEAT 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 Afganit active protection system and its radio-optical modules. With their help, the tank's weapons are guided to the detected targets. In addition, when aiming, data from the following sensors is used:

• Gyroscopic sensors of the tank's angular orientation in space
• Temperature and humidity sensor
• Wind direction and speed sensor
• Barrel bend sensor from heating

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

As we wrote above, the T-14 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 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 that can be used 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 indicated 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 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. In addition, 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 hits on the forehead of any modern ammunition and capable of withstanding such formidable anti-tank weapons as the American TOW heavy anti-tank missile system and the American Javelin man-portable anti-tank missile system.

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.
• Reduced radio visibility to counter radar-guided ATGMs.
• 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":

• A unique GALS coating that 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 inside hull, which also reduces the visibility of the T-14 in the infrared 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, due to which a cruising range of 500 km without refueling is provided.

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 on the Armata platform it 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 undeniable advantage of the "Armata" in the event of a possible "meeting" with such quite probable opponents as the "Leopard-2" or "Abrams", which still use an uncontrolled hydropneumatic suspension developed by over 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, the public was presented with T-14s from the first pilot batch (20 tanks). Serial production of "Armata" began in 2016 and by its end it is planned to produce about 100 more machines that will be actively used in various tests and exercises to identify shortcomings and determine the necessary improvements.

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 combat tracked platform, it is planned to produce an armored combat vehicle infantry T-15, 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 Russian Army. Its tank level of armor is impenetrable for modern ATGMs up to 150mm caliber and BOPS up to 120mm caliber, as well as the presence of Afganit active protection 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 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 BMP T-15 to have several combat configurations:

• The main version with the Boomerang-BM combat module, whose armament includes the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, a 30 mm 2A42 automatic anti-aircraft gun and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, allows it to successfully withstand various ground and air targets on distances up to 4 km (Universal air defense configuration).
• A variant with the Baikal combat module, whose armament 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).
• Variant with 120 mm heavy mortar (anti-personnel configuration)

Self-propelled artillery mount (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 heavy combat platform "Armata" and our latest self-propelled artillery mount 2S35 "Coalition-SV", which replaced the outdated self-propelled guns 2S3 "Acacia" and 2S19 "Msta-S". Developed by the Central Research Institute Burevestnik and produced at the Uraltransmash plant, 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 it fortifications before counteracting his manpower and technology.

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 one.

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.

In addition, 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)
• Multipurpose 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 already wrote above, the T-14 Armata tank was developed as part of a network-centric concept, therefore it is designed to conduct combat operations as part of a tactical grouping, including equipment and systems of a very different nature: other Armata tanks or tanks modernized 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 reconnaissance, target designator and command tank, controlling 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 of recent 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.

Modern battle tanks of Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures to watch online. This article gives an idea of ​​the modern tank fleet. It is based on the principle of classification used in the most authoritative reference book to date, but in a slightly modified and improved form. And if the latter in its original form can still be found in the armies of a number of countries, then others have already become a museum exhibit. And all for 10 years! To follow in the footsteps of the Jane's guide and not consider this combat vehicle (quite by the way, curious in design and fiercely discussed at the time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet of the last quarter of the 20th century, the authors considered it unfair.

Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of armament of the ground forces. The tank was and probably will remain a modern weapon for a long time due to the ability to combine such seemingly contradictory qualities as high mobility, powerful weapons and reliable crew protection. These unique qualities of tanks continue to be constantly improved, and the experience and technologies accumulated over decades predetermine new frontiers of combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the age-old confrontation "projectile - armor", as practice shows, protection from a projectile is being improved more and more, acquiring new qualities: activity, multilayeredness, self-protection. At the same time, the projectile becomes more accurate and powerful.

Russian tanks are specific in that they allow you to destroy the enemy from a safe distance, have the ability to perform quick maneuvers on impassable roads, contaminated terrain, can “walk” through the territory occupied by the enemy, seize a decisive bridgehead, induce panic in the rear and suppress the enemy with fire and caterpillars . The war of 1939-1945 became the most difficult test for all mankind, since almost all countries of the world were involved in it. It was the battle of the titans - the most unique period that theorists argued about in the early 1930s and during which tanks were used in large quantities virtually all warring parties. At this time, a "check for lice" and a deep reform of the first theories of the use of tank troops took place. And it is the Soviet tank forces all of which are the most affected.

Tanks in battle that became a symbol of the past war, the backbone of the Soviet armored forces? Who created them and under what conditions? How did the USSR, having lost most of its European territories and having difficulty recruiting tanks for the defense of Moscow, be able to launch powerful tank formations on the battlefield already in 1943? This book, which tells about the development of Soviet tanks "in the days of testing ", from 1937 to the beginning of 1943. When writing the book, materials from the archives of Russia and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that was deposited in my memory with some depressing feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and stopped only at the beginning of forty-third, - said the former general designer of self-propelled guns L. Gorlitsky, - there was some kind of pre-stormy state.

Tanks of the Second World War, it was M. Koshkin, almost underground (but, of course, with the support of "the wisest of the wise leader of all peoples"), who was able to create that tank that, a few years later, would shock German tank generals. And what’s more, he didn’t just create it, the designer managed to prove to these stupid military men that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not just another wheeled-tracked “highway”. The author is in slightly different positions that he formed after meeting with the pre-war documents of the RGVA and RGAE. Therefore, working on this segment of the history of the Soviet tank, the author will inevitably contradict something "generally accepted". This work describes the history of Soviet tank building in the most difficult years - from the beginning of a radical restructuring of all the activities of design bureaus and people's commissariats in general, during a frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, the transfer of industry to wartime rails and evacuation.

Tanks Wikipedia the author wants to express his special gratitude for the help in the selection and processing of materials to M. Kolomiyets, and also to thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors of the reference publication "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941" because this book helped to understand the fate of some projects, unclear before. I would also like to recall with gratitude those conversations with Lev Izraelevich Gorlitsky, the former Chief Designer of UZTM, which helped to take a fresh look at the entire history of the Soviet tank during the Great Patriotic War Soviet Union. Today, for some reason, it is customary to talk about 1937-1938 in our country. only from the point of view of repressions, but few people remember that it was during this period that those tanks were born that became legends of the wartime ... "From the memoirs of L.I. Gorlinkogo.

Soviet tanks, a detailed assessment of them at that time sounded from many lips. Many old people recalled that it was from the events in Spain that it became clear to everyone that the war was getting closer to the threshold and it was Hitler who would have to fight. In 1937, mass purges and repressions began in the USSR, and against the backdrop of these difficult events, the Soviet tank began to turn from a "mechanized cavalry" (in which one of its combat qualities protruded by reducing others) into a balanced combat vehicle, which simultaneously had powerful weapons, sufficient to suppress most targets, good cross-country ability and mobility with armor protection, capable of maintaining its combat capability when shelling a potential enemy with the most massive anti-tank weapons.

Large tanks were recommended to be added to the composition only special tanks- floating, chemical. The brigade now had 4 separate battalions of 54 tanks each and was reinforced by the transition from three-tank platoons to five-tank ones. In addition, D. Pavlov justified the refusal to form in 1938 to the four existing mechanized corps three more additionally, believing that these formations are immobile and difficult to control, and most importantly, they require a different rear organization. The tactical and technical requirements for promising tanks, as expected, have been adjusted. In particular, in a letter dated December 23 to the head of the design bureau of plant No. 185 named after. CM. Kirov, the new chief demanded to strengthen the armor of new tanks so that at a distance of 600-800 meters (effective range).

The latest tanks in the world when designing new tanks, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of increasing the level of armor protection during modernization by at least one step ... "This problem could be solved in two ways. Firstly, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly," by using increased armor resistance". It is easy to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially hardened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its resistance by 1.2-1.5 It was this path (the use of specially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

Tanks of the USSR at dawn tank production armor was used most massively, the properties of which were identical in all directions. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of the armor business, the craftsmen strove to create just such armor, because uniformity ensured stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of the armor plate was saturated (to a depth of several tenths to several millimeters) with carbon and silicon, its surface strength increased sharply, while the rest of the plate remained viscous. So heterogeneous (heterogeneous) armor came into use.

In military tanks, the use of heterogeneous armor was very important, since an increase in the hardness of the entire thickness of the armor plate led to a decrease in its elasticity and (as a result) to an increase in brittleness. Thus, the most durable armor, other things being equal, turned out to be very fragile and often pricked even from bursts of high-explosive fragmentation shells. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production in the manufacture of homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the highest possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-hardened by saturation with carbon and silicon armor was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But cementation is a complex, harmful process (for example, processing a hot plate with a jet of lighting gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required high costs and an increase in production culture.

Tank of the war years, even in operation, these hulls were less successful than homogeneous ones, since for no apparent reason cracks formed in them (mainly in loaded seams), and it was very difficult to put patches on holes in cemented slabs during repairs. But it was still expected that a tank protected by 15-20 mm cemented armor would be equivalent in terms of protection to the same, but covered with 22-30 mm sheets, without a significant increase in mass.
Also, by the mid-1930s, in tank building, they learned how to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known since the end of the 19th century in shipbuilding as the "Krupp method". Surface hardening led to a significant increase in the hardness of the front side of the sheet, leaving the main thickness of the armor viscous.

How tanks shoot videos up to half the thickness of the plate, which, of course, was worse than carburizing, since despite the fact that the hardness of the surface layer was higher than during carburizing, the elasticity of the hull sheets was significantly reduced. So the "Krupp method" in tank building made it possible to increase the strength of armor even somewhat more than carburizing. But the hardening technology that was used for sea armor of large thicknesses was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost never used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.

Combat use of tanks The most developed for tanks was the 45-mm tank gun mod 1932/34. (20K), and before the event in Spain, it was believed that its power was enough to perform most tank tasks. But the battles in Spain showed that the 45-mm gun could only satisfy the task of fighting enemy tanks, since even the shelling of manpower in the mountains and forests turned out to be ineffective, and it was possible to disable a dug-in enemy firing point only in the event of a direct hit . Shooting at shelters and bunkers was ineffective due to the small high-explosive action of a projectile weighing only about two kg.

Types of tanks photo so that even one hit of a projectile reliably disables an anti-tank gun or machine gun; and thirdly, in order to increase the penetrating effect of a tank gun on the armor of a potential enemy, since, using the example of French tanks (already having an armor thickness of the order of 40-42 mm), it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly increased. There was a right way to do this - increasing the caliber of tank guns and simultaneously increasing the length of their barrel, since a long gun of a larger caliber fires heavier projectiles at a higher muzzle velocity over a greater distance without correcting the pickup.

The best tanks in the world had a large caliber gun, also had a large breech, significantly more weight and increased recoil response. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, the placement of large shots in the closed volume of the tank led to a decrease in the ammunition load.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that at the beginning of 1938 it suddenly turned out that there was simply no one to give an order for the design of a new, more powerful tank gun. P. Syachintov and his entire design team were repressed, as well as the core of the Bolshevik Design Bureau under the leadership of G. Magdesiev. Only the group of S. Makhanov remained at liberty, who from the beginning of 1935 tried to bring his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the team of plant No. 8 slowly brought the "forty-five".

Photos of tanks with names The number of developments is large, but in mass production in the period 1933-1937. not a single one was accepted ... "In fact, none of the five air-cooled tank diesel engines, which were worked on in 1933-1937 in the engine department of plant No. 185, was brought to the series. Moreover, despite the decisions on the highest levels of the transition in tank building exclusively to diesel engines, this process was held back by a number of factors.Of course, diesel had significant efficiency.It consumed less fuel per unit of power per hour.Diesel fuel is less prone to ignition, since the flash point of its vapors was very high.

New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine required for serial production reorganization of engine production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (there were no machines of the required accuracy yet), financial investments and strengthening of personnel. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel engine with a capacity of 180 hp. will go to production tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to find out the causes of tank engine accidents, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not fulfilled. The development of a slightly increased six-cylinder gasoline engine No. 745 with a power of 130-150 hp was also started.

Brands of tanks with specific indicators that suited the tank builders quite well. Tank tests were carried out according to a new methodology, specially developed at the insistence of the new head of the ABTU D. Pavlov in relation to combat service in wartime. The basis of the tests was a run of 3-4 days (at least 10-12 hours of daily non-stop traffic) with a one-day break for technical inspection and restoration work. Moreover, repairs were allowed to be carried out only by field workshops without the involvement of factory specialists. This was followed by a "platform" with obstacles, "bathing" in the water with an additional load, simulating an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for examination.

Super tanks online after the improvement work seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the general course of the tests confirmed the fundamental correctness of the main design changes - an increase in displacement by 450-600 kg, the use of the GAZ-M1 engine, as well as the Komsomolets transmission and suspension. But during the tests, numerous minor defects again appeared in the tanks. Chief designer N. Astrov was suspended from work and was in custody and under investigation for several months. In addition, the tank received a new improved protection turret. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank a larger ammunition load for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (before there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one serial model of the tank in 1938-1939. the torsion bar suspension developed by the designer of the Design Bureau of Plant No. 185 V. Kulikov was tested. It was distinguished by the design of a composite short coaxial torsion bar (long monotorsion bars could not be used coaxially). However, such a short torsion bar did not show good enough results in tests, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately pave its way in the course of further work. Obstacles to be overcome: rises not less than 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, overlapping ditch 2-2.5 m.

YouTube about tanks work on the production of prototypes of D-180 and D-200 engines for reconnaissance tanks is not being carried out, jeopardizing the production of prototypes. "Justifying his choice, N. Astrov said that a wheeled-tracked non-floating reconnaissance aircraft (factory designation 101 10-1), as well as the amphibious tank version (factory designation 102 or 10-2), are a compromise solution, since it is not possible to fully meet the requirements of the ABTU.Variant 101 was a tank weighing 7.5 tons with a hull according to the type of hull, but with vertical side sheets of case-hardened armor 10-13 mm thick, because: "Sloping sides, causing serious weighting of the suspension and hull, require a significant (up to 300 mm) broadening of the hull, not to mention the complication of the tank.

Video reviews of tanks in which the power unit of the tank was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was mastered by the industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. Gasoline of the 1st grade was placed in a tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully met the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK caliber 12.7 mm and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS appears) caliber 7.62 mm. The combat weight of a tank with a torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with a spring suspension - 5.26 tons. The tests were carried out from July 9 to August 21 according to the methodology approved in 1938, and Special attention given to tanks.