Tank t 72 b3 specifications. Domestic weapons and military equipment. Collective protection system

A digital fire control system, reinforced dynamic protection "Relikt" and the power of a new 1000-horsepower turbodiesel - two dozen T-72B3 tanks modernized by the Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Corporation (UVZ) have already been loaded onto railway platforms and are ready to be sent to the troops.

This was reported to RIA Novosti by a source in the military-industrial complex. The word "modernization" in this case means not just cosmetic repairs, but the complete re-equipment of the combat vehicle with new generation systems and units. The well-deserved tank was taught to "see" better, move faster and shoot more accurately. About how exactly the T-72B3 stands out from the T-72 family and why it has become less vulnerable to NATO tanks - in the material of RIA Novosti.

Cheap and with "Relic"

Initially, the B3 modification was conceived by the Ministry of Defense as an inexpensive and quick way to "refresh" the vast fleet of "seventy-seconds" in service, developed back in the early 1970s. They were not going to strongly alter the car, planning to limit themselves to replacing the most obsolete nodes with modern ones. As a result, they got carried away and quite seriously "shaken up" the tank, bringing it in terms of combat capabilities almost to the level of the T-90S. However, UVZ recommended not to compare these machines - different generations.

Earlier, the media had already reported that Uralvagonzavod received a state order for the modernization of 150 T-72B tanks to the level of T-72B3 in the amount of more than 2.5 billion rubles, and it was planned to invest 17 million rubles in each tank. Modernized tanks are delivered to the troops in batches.

The main advantage of the tanks of the T-72 "Ural" family is exceptional reliability and reliability even in the most difficult operating conditions, whether it be heat, frost, dust or high humidity. Breaking the T-72 is almost impossible, so the changes affected not so much the refinement of the basic design as the protection and fire control systems.

The updated tank was securely covered with all-round protection, which increased its survivability and efficiency. Including - in battle with the massive use of anti-tank weapons. On-board lattice screens and Relict dynamic protection modules on multi-layered armor turned the combat vehicle into a mobile fortress, resistant to hits from HEAT and, most importantly, sub-caliber armor-piercing shells.

“Thanks to Relikt, the protection of the T-72B3 from armor-piercing sub-caliber shells has significantly increased,” says a military expert, editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, Colonel Viktor Murakhovsky. “The fact is that the dynamic protection of the previous generation worked mainly against cumulative ammunition, but not effective enough - against kinetic ones. If we talk about NATO tank formations, then the main emphasis in the fight against heavily armored targets is placed on sub-caliber shells."

The expert noted that the T-72B3 can also be equipped with an active protection system similar to the export Arena-E, but such equipment increases the cost of the vehicle, so the Ministry of Defense is not ordering it yet, adhering to the optimal cost-effectiveness criterion.

New barrel and shells

The combat capabilities of the tank were significantly expanded by replacing its main weapon - the cannon. The T-72B3 was equipped with a 125-millimeter smoothbore gun capable of firing the new armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles "Lead" and "Lead-1".

"The key element of upgrading to the T-72B3 version is a significant increase in firepower, primarily due to a radical improvement in the fire control system," Murakhovsky told RIA Novosti. range limits".

The tank was taught to hit targets much more accurately thanks to a digital ballistic computer, firing conditions sensors and a target tracking machine. The calculator is a mini-computer that calculates the trajectory of the projectile, taking into account corrections for the movement of the target and the speed of the tank itself, takes into account the temperature of the air, the charge, and many other parameters. In fact, the gunner received a reliable electronic "assistant" at his disposal, due to which the aiming time was reduced several times. At night, guidance devices work through the thermal imaging channel of the main sight.

Breakthrough tool

Having re-equipped the car, the Urals did not forget about the chassis. The armored veteran survived the "heart transplant" perfectly, and now the V-92S2F engine from the T-90 is growling inside him, giving out a record 1130 "horses" against 780 for the old B-46, which was equipped with early versions of the T-72. The new "omnivorous" diesel engine with direct fuel injection and turbocharging is designed in such a way as to minimize the heating of the hull from the exhaust system and reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. Due to a significant increase in power, the tank has become much more dynamic, maneuverable and fast.

“Tanks don’t fight tanks. There are anti-tank units for this. And the task of tanks is to break through the enemy’s defenses, and not independently, but in close cooperation with infantry, artillery and under the cover of the military air defense system. Mechanized armored formations allow you to develop tactical success, quickly go to the enemy's flank and rear, destroy his headquarters, airfields, communication centers," Murakhovsky notes.

To prevent the powerful diesel engine from overheating and swallowing dust, the designers have provided a highly efficient cooling system and purification of the air coming from outside. Due to this, the geography of the combat use of the machine has expanded significantly: now it will not stall even in the epicenter of a sandstorm in extreme heat of +50 Celsius.

An important difference between the latest T-72B3s and the basic versions is an automatic transmission similar to that installed on the T-90MS. In addition, an automated control complex for the driver with a digital display and a rear-view camera is provided, which itself warns of malfunctions or damage to the chassis.

The commander of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov, said earlier that all military units of constant readiness will eventually switch to modern tanks T-72B3, T-80U and T-90A. By 2020, it is planned to provide 71 percent of modern tanks in the troops. In total, according to data for 2016, Russia has 2,700 tanks in service, and more than 10,000 are in storage.

A digital fire control system, enhanced dynamic protection "Relikt" and the power of a new 1000-horsepower turbodiesel - two dozen T-72B3 tanks modernized by the Scientific and Production Corporation "Uralvagonzavod" (UVZ) have already been loaded onto railway platforms and are ready to be sent to the troops.

This was reported to RIA Novosti by a source in the military-industrial complex. The word "modernization" in this case means not just cosmetic repairs, but the complete re-equipment of the combat vehicle with new generation systems and units. The well-deserved tank was taught to “see” better, move faster and shoot more accurately. About how exactly the T-72B3 stands out from the T-72 family and why it has become less vulnerable to NATO tanks - in the material of RIA Novosti.

Tank T-72B3 at the training ground in the Minsk region during the joint strategic exercises of Belarus and Russia "West-2017"

Cheap and with "Relic"

Initially, the B3 modification was conceived by the Russian Ministry of Defense as an inexpensive and quick way to “refresh” the vast fleet of “seventy-seconds” in service with the army, developed back in the early 1970s. They were not going to strongly alter the car, planning to limit themselves to replacing the most obsolete nodes with modern ones. As a result, they got carried away and quite seriously “shaken up” the tank, bringing it almost to the level of combat capabilities. However, UVZ recommended not to compare these machines - different generations.

Earlier, the media had already reported that the Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Company received a state order for the modernization of 150 T-72B tanks to the T-72B3 level in the amount of more than 2.5 billion rubles, and it was planned to invest 17 million rubles in each tank. Modernized tanks are delivered to the troops in batches.

The main advantage of the family of tanks of the Ural family is exceptional reliability and reliability even in the most difficult operating conditions, whether it be heat, frost, dust or high humidity. It is almost impossible to “break” the T-72, so the changes affected not so much the refinement of the basic design as the protection and fire control systems.

T-72B3 tanks during field training of tank units of the motorized rifle unit of the Southern Military District at the Molkino training ground in the Krasnodar Territory

The updated tank was securely covered with all-round protection, which increased its survivability and efficiency. Including - in battle with the massive use of anti-tank weapons. On-board lattice screens and Relict dynamic protection modules on multi-layered armor turned the combat vehicle into a mobile fortress, resistant to hits from HEAT and, most importantly, sub-caliber armor-piercing shells.

« Thanks to Relikt, the protection of the T-72B3 from armor-piercing sub-caliber shells has significantly increased, - says a military expert, editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, Colonel Viktor Murakhovsky. - The fact is that the dynamic protection of the previous generation worked mainly against cumulative ammunition, but not effectively enough - against kinetic ones. If we talk about NATO tank formations, then the main emphasis in the fight against heavily armored targets is placed just on sub-caliber shells«.

The expert noted that the T-72B3 can also be equipped with an active protection system similar to the export Arena-E, but this equipment increases the cost of the car, so the Ministry of Defense is not ordering it yet, adhering to the optimal cost-effectiveness criterion.

Driver-mechanic of the T-72B3 tank of the motorized rifle brigade of the 58th Army at the Guards training ground in the Shali district

New barrel and shells

The combat capabilities of the tank were significantly expanded by replacing its main weapon - the cannon. The T-72B3 was equipped with a 125-millimeter smoothbore gun capable of firing the new armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles "Lead" and "Lead-1".

“The key element of upgrading to the T-72B3 version is a significant increase in firepower, primarily due to a radical improvement in the fire control system,” Murakhovsky told RIA Novosti. - An all-weather sight "Sosna-U" was installed, which day and night ensures guidance of the gun at the maximum range."

Tank T-72B3 during exercises at the Pogonovo training ground in the Voronezh region

The tank was “taught” to hit targets much more accurately thanks to a digital ballistic computer, firing conditions sensors and an automatic target tracking machine. The calculator is a mini-computer that calculates the trajectory of the projectile, taking into account corrections for the movement of the target and the speed of the tank itself, takes into account the temperature of the air, the charge, and many other parameters. In fact, the gunner had at his disposal a reliable electronic "assistant", due to which the aiming time was reduced several times. At night, guidance devices work through the thermal imaging channel of the main sight.

Breakthrough tool

Having re-equipped the car, the Urals did not forget about the chassis. The armored veteran survived the “heart transplant” perfectly, and now the V-92S2F engine from the T-90 is growling inside him, issuing a record 1130 “horses” against 780 for the old B-46, which was equipped with early versions of the T-72. The new "omnivorous" diesel engine with direct fuel injection and turbocharging is designed in such a way as to minimize the heating of the hull from the exhaust system and reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. Due to a significant increase in power, the tank has become much more dynamic, maneuverable and fast.

T-72B3 tanks at a training ground in the Minsk region during the joint strategic exercises of Belarus and Russia "West-2017"

“Tanks don't fight tanks. For this there are anti-tank units. And the task of tanks is to break through the enemy's defenses, and not independently, but in close cooperation with infantry, artillery and under the cover of the military air defense system. Mechanized armored formations make it possible to develop tactical success, quickly reach the enemy in the flank and rear, destroy his headquarters, airfields, communication centers, ”Murakhovsky notes.

So that the powerful diesel does not overheat and does not “swallow dust”, the designers have provided a highly efficient cooling and cleaning system for the air coming from outside. Due to this, the geography of the combat use of the machine has expanded significantly: now it will not stall even in the epicenter of a sandstorm in extreme heat of +50 Celsius.

The crew of the T-72B3 tank of the motorized rifle brigade of the 58th army at the Guards training ground in the Shali district

An important difference between the latest T-72B3 and the basic versions is an automatic gearbox, similar to that installed on the T-90MS. In addition, an automated control system for the driver mechanic with a digital display and a rear-view camera is provided, which itself warns of malfunctions or damage to the chassis.

Tank T-72B3 at the Alabino training ground

The commander of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov, said earlier that all military units of constant readiness will eventually switch to modern tanks T-72B3, T-80U and T-90A. By 2020, it is planned to provide 71 percent of modern tanks in the troops. In total, according to data for 2016, Russia has 2,700 tanks in service, with more than 10,000 tanks in storage.

The command of the Western Military District (ZVO) has prepared a report to Sergei Shoigu and the Main Armored Directorate (GABTU) of the Ministry of Defense with a request to refuse to purchase modernized T-72B-3 tanks. A source in the Western Military District told Izvestia that the document summarizes the military operation of these vehicles, including during exercises and during everyday combat training.

The head of the GABTU, General Alexander Shevchenko, has already been informed of the results of military operation, and the current report has been supplemented with a detailed justification for abandoning the T-72B-3. We hope that the ministry will take action and prefer the new T-90A,” he said.

The T-72B-3 modification is replacing the T-80 tanks. The first to receive them was the 138th separate motorized rifle brigade in the village of Kamenka, Leningrad Region, and almost immediately discovered shortcomings in running operation, especially in firing.

An interlocutor in the Western Military District says that the T-72B-3 does not justify its cost, taking into account additional equipment for 52 million rubles, which the brigade hoped to see a more powerful and advanced machine. A tank can fight an early 1990s-style enemy, and modern armored vehicles, including Georgian modifications of the T-72, which the Israelis brought to perfection, will simply tear it apart, the officer believes.

Of all the innovations in the tank, only a good Belarusian Sosna-U sight and modern digital communication systems appeared, everything else is from the base model, that is, 30 years ago, he added.

According to him, the "new" tanks do not have GLONASS / GPS receivers, by which tankers could determine their location in conditions of visual blindness (the tank has a very limited view). Also, there is no practically obligatory system for automatic target tracking in modern conditions, which automatically keeps an enemy vehicle or tank at gunpoint, even while moving. In addition, the tank has old weather sensors, barrel wear sensors and other important mechanisms.

In particular, instead of new V-92S2 engines with a capacity of 1 thousand hp. there are “overhauled” old B-84 engines with 840 hp, and instead of the modern Relikt dynamic protection complex, there is the old Contact-5, which does not save from tandem ammunition.

The representative of Uralvagonzavod explained to Izvestia that the military themselves chose the equipment, which they are now dissatisfied with.

We have more than 15 upgrade options - you can change almost everything, from the chassis to weapons and protection. The Russian military has chosen far from everything. Whatever they chose, we installed. The decision was made by Vladimir Popovkin, when he was chief of armaments, and Nikolai Makarov, ex-head of the General Staff, - explained the representative of the only tank manufacturer.

He noted that the then leadership of the Ministry of Defense considered that the selected equipment was ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. Now it turns out that the officers are unhappy with this.

The UVZ representative emphasized that out of the 52 million rubles that the T-72B-3 modernization costs, about 30 million are spent on the overhaul of the tank - the vehicles are completely dismantled, all parts are examined and obsolete ones are replaced with new ones. The rest of the money is spent on modernization - the purchase and installation of new equipment and other complexes that the customer has chosen.

A full set of upgrade options makes the T-72 almost the same as the T-90, and even better in some respects. However, the cost of such an upgrade is comparable to the construction of a new T-90. At the same time, the residual resource and modernization potential of the new machine is much greater than that of the repaired one.

Two years ago we convinced the military that if they want a qualitatively new tank, then they need to buy T-90s, and not upgrade 20-30-year-old T-72s. But no one listened to us, they believed that we were trying to sell the old tank for new money, although, I emphasize, the T-90 is a different tank, bringing the T-72 to its level is not much cheaper for objective reasons, - the UVZ representative explained.

In 2014, we will be able to start its mass production. Let's hope that the new leadership of the Ministry of Defense will reconsider the decision of their predecessors. We are ready to fulfill the order of the military both for production and for their modernization, - said the UVZ representative.

According to the GABTU, the disruption in the supply of T-72B-3 with new engines occurred due to the late conclusion of a contract with Uralvagonzavod, so tanks with old engines are still being delivered to the districts.

The troops are surprised that the T-72M1 model, intended for Algeria at a price of 50 million, is also equipped with an automatic target tracking system, digital sensors for corrections and weather conditions, a remote anti-aircraft installation and air conditioning. In Russian models, electronics are "at the level of the last century."