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Domestic weapons and military equipment. Domestic weapons and military equipment What modernization has given

T-72B "object 184" is an improved modification of the T-72A tank, mass production began in 1984.

The vehicle was equipped with hinged dynamic protection, a V-84-1 (V-84M) diesel engine with a power of 840 hp, and a 9K120 Svir guided weapon system with laser-guided missiles at the target.

Already at the time of its creation, the T-72B turned out to be outdated in terms of the fire control complex (1A40-1).

There was no automated control system on it at all. The T-72B lagged behind both the foreign Leopard-2 and Abrams tanks and the domestic T-80BV, T-64BV, T-80U and T-80UD.

The tank protection was developed taking into account the tests in the USSR of the Israeli BPS M111, which pierced the upper frontal part of the T-72A tank. The design abandoned fiberglass, replacing it with a design from a set of steel plates. Later, the so-called. "semi-active" armor with "reflective" sheets.

The mobility of the tank also increased very slightly (from 760 hp on the T-72A to 840 hp)

In general, the growth of the tank's performance in terms of protection against BPS was 20% compared to the T-72AV, engine power - 10%. Due to restrictions on the growth of the mass of the tank and the lack of a modern engine, the weak potential of the design bureau itself, the improvement of the T-72A tank was very slow. As a result, in the mid-80s, an obsolete tank entered service. The main achievement of the new modification of the T-72 was a guided weapon system.

The complex was an effective and simple tank missile armament, which was comparable in characteristics to the Cobra, but was much simpler in design and operation.

Layout

The tank has a classic overall layout with a crew of three and a transverse engine. The layout completely repeats the one adopted on the T-72, T-72A tanks, which was borrowed from the T-64.


Frame. Front right view: 1 - upper nasal leaf; 2 - booms for the installation of DZ containers; 3 - headlight guard bracket; 4 - front towing hook; 5 - lower nasal leaf; 6 - balancer bracket.


Frame. Rear view on the left: 1 - protective turret bar; 2 - caterpillar strip chipper; 3 - outlet pipe; 4 - brackets and stops for laying cables; 5 - beam with exit blinds; 6 - barrel mounting bracket; 7 - bracket for fastening the spare parts box to trawls and PSK cassettes; 8 - log mounting bracket; 9- mounts for spare tracks; 10 - fan hatch cover; 11 - fodder sheet; 12 - towing hook; 13 - case of emergency socket and marker lamp; 14 - chipper of the caterpillar fingers; 15 - gearbox housing; 16 - emphasis of the balancer; 17 - support roller bracket; 18 - hydraulic shock absorber bracket; 19 - guide wheel crank bracket.


Tower: 1 - commander's cupola; 2 - overhead; 3 - roof; 4 - housing for installing a gunner's observation device; 5 - flange for mounting the sight 1K13-49; 6 - tubes for electrical wires;

7, 25 - headlight mounting brackets; 8 - protective head of the rangefinder sight; 9, 15, 18, 27 - mounting hooks; 10 - bar; 11 - arc cheeks; 12, 13 - groove for attaching the outer protective cover of the gun; 14 - bracket searchlight L-4A; 16-clamp for fastening the box with ammunition for the NSV machine gun; 17, 19, 22, 24 - brackets for fastening OPVT boxes; 20 - antenna mounting flange; 21,

26 - copiers; 23 — hatch ejection and removal of the pallet; 28 - bracket for installing smoke grenade launchers; 29 - gunner's hatch; a - a hole for the rear suspension of the sight-rangefinder; b - boring under the trunnion; in - the embrasure of the PKT machine gun; g - a hole for installing a landing socket.

Firepower

The main armament is a 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun-launcher. The design of the gun makes it possible to replace the barrel in the field without dismantling it from the turret. To improve the accuracy of shooting, the cylinders of the two recoil brakes are fixed symmetrically with respect to the bore in the upper right and lower left corners of the breech.


Tank gun 2A46M: 1 - thermal protective casing; 2 - trunk; 3 - cradle; 4 - shutter; 5 - fence; 6 - lifting mechanism; 7 - brake of sliding parts; 8 - knurler; 9 - strap; 10 - screw; 11 - wire; 12 - compensating weight; B - gap 8-13 mm; B - gap 8-12 mm.


Firing is carried out with separate-sleeve loading shots with armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation shells and shots with a guided missile that has a cumulative warhead.

The automatic loader is similar to that used on the T-72, the mechanized ammunition load is 22 shots.

This is less than

and is located in a very vulnerable place for mines, which, when detonated, will disable the tank without the possibility of recovery


Location of nodes A3: 1 - rammer; 2 - cassette lifting mechanism; 3 - ejection hatch; 4 - trap; 5 - ejection hatch drive; 6 - drive to the catcher; 7 - hand drive handle to the stopper VT; 8 - electromagnetic stopper VT; 9 - flooring VT; 10 - roller; 11 - frame; 12 - support roller; 13 - top shoulder strap; 14 - lower shoulder strap; 15 - glass; 16-cassette; 17-capture; 18 - pallet stop; 19 - frame; 20 - electromagnetic catcher stopper; 21 - cable.


The cyclogram characterizes the process of a full cycle of automatic loading of a tank gun.

It can be seen from the cyclogram that in order to reduce the duration of the cycle, and, consequently, to increase the technical rate of fire, the action of some mechanisms is partially or completely combined in time. For example, bringing the gun to the loading angle, its locking and rotation of the BT.

The cyclogram shows that the full cycle of loading and firing when turning the VT into two cassettes lasts< 8 с.

If the next shots are on the loading line, then the technical rate of fire will be higher, since in this case the full cycle of loading and firing without turning the BT will be > 7 s.

Ammunition for the gun is 45 rounds and is stacked as follows: 22 rounds in the rotating conveyor of the automatic loader, 23 - in non-mechanized stacking.

In VT, shots by type can be stacked in any ratio. In non-mechanized stacking, shots are stacked regardless of their type, with the exception of places specifically specified. As the ammunition load from the BT is used, the crew replenishes the VT with shots from the ammunition racks, if the situation allows, or manually loads the gun directly from the ammunition racks.

Shots posted:

5 shells in the turret, of which: 2 - on the rotating floor behind the commander's seat, 1 - armor-piercing sub-caliber on the rotating floor behind the cannon and 2 - armor-piercing sub-caliber in the niche of the tower behind the gunner's seat;

18 shells in the hull, of which: 3 - high-explosive fragmentation or cumulative - in the front tank-rack, 4 - in laying on the MTO partition on the starboard side, 4 - in laying on the MTO partition on the port side, 3 - on the left side behind the gunner's seat , 1 - armor-piercing sub-caliber behind the AB rack, 3 - on the left side behind the AB rack;

4 charges in the tower, of which: 1 - in front of the commander's seat, 2 - behind the commander's seat, 1 - in front of the gunner's seat;

19 charges in the case, of which: 1 - at the front tank rack on the starboard side, 3 - in the front tank rack, 12 - in the middle tank rack near the MTO partition and 3 - behind the AB rack.

Ammunition for the PKT machine gun is 2000 rounds (8 belts of 250 rounds each).


The ammunition load for the AKMS-74 assault rifle is 300 rounds, 120 of which are loaded into four magazines of 30 rounds each and placed in a regular bag. 180 rounds are in a box on the starboard side of the turret outside. F-1 hand grenades (10 pcs.) Are stacked in five bags. The ammunition load of the NSV-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun is 300 rounds.


Ammunition layout: 1- charge; 2 - projectile; 3 - box with cartridges for the PKT machine gun; 4 - cartridges for the AKMS-74 assault rifle; 5 - a bag with F-1 hand grenades; 6 - boxes for 120 cartridges for the NSV-12.7 machine gun; 7 - placement of cartridges in a box for cartridges and clothing - 180 pieces; 8 - bandolier with cartridges for a signal pistol


A 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (with manual control from the tank commander) are used as auxiliary weapons. The anti-aircraft machine gun does not have a remote control, the tank commander is forced to get out of the tank to the waist in order to use it, putting himself in danger.


Anti-aircraft machine gun installation: 1 - NSV-12.7 machine gun; 2 - balancing mechanism; 3 - cradle; 4 - tape collector; 5 - sight box; 6 - handlemachine gun platoon; 7 - pins; 8 - fork; 9 - machine gun fastening pin; 10 - recoil damping spring; 11 - toothed sector of the cradle; 12 - clamping screw of the hatch socket; 13 - fixing boltplugs in the socket; 14 magazine for cartridges; 15 - vertical guidance handle; 16 - machine gun release lever; 17 - handle stopper; 18 - cable; 19 - machine gun release key; 20 - horizontal guidance handle; 21 - cradle stopper; 22 - stopper of the middle shoulder strap; 23 - flywheel brake key.

Sighting system 1А40-1

On the T-72B tank, the 1A40-1 sighting system is installed, the basis of which is the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder sight used on the T-72A tanks, with a field of view stabilized in a vertical plane.


1 - sight-rangefinder (control device); 2 - blockindications; 3 - range input block; 4 - electric block; five -power unit; 6 - protective glass; 7 - plate (nomograms); 8 - a single set of spare parts and accessories; nine -desiccant; 10 - correction potentiometer; eleven -parallelogram mechanism.

The sighting system includes a ballistic corrector, which automatically introduces corrections for the temperature of the charge and air, atmospheric pressure, the angular velocity of the target and the tank, the speed of the tank and other firing conditions, which increases the probability of hitting the first shot. However, the ballistic corrector does not take into account all the changing firing conditions, as happens when there is an automated control system with a ballistic computer in the tank, because takes into account only the total correction, which is entered into it manually before the start of firing, calculated from the nomograms fixed on the breech of the gun by the tank commander.

Shooting at night is carried out using the 1K13-49 combined sight, which can operate in active or passive mode.

Target detection at night in passive mode (with ENO 0.005 LK) is provided at a distance of at least 500 m, in active mode when the target is illuminated by an infrared searchlight - up to 1200 m.


Searchlight L-4A: 1 - base; 2 - bracket; 3 - landing nest; 4 - trunnion; 5 - adjustable traction; 6 - traction unregulated; 7 - bonk; 8 - axis; 9 - slip clutch; 10, 12 - lock nuts; 11 - adjusting bolt; 13 - set screw; 14 - bolt; 15 - back cover; 16 - front frame; 17 - screw; 18 - protective cover; 19, 21 - screws; 20 - jumper; 22 - DK lamp with L-250; 23 - cartridge; 24 - IR filter; 25 - pressure ring; 26 - captive bolt; 27 - mirror parabolic reflector.


Sight-guidance device 1K13-49

Hull armor

The upper part of the T-72B hull of the first modifications consisted of spaced obstacles made of steel of increased hardness. Later, a more complex booking option was used using "reflective sheets" on the principle of functioning similar to the package used in the tank turret. The equivalent resistance of passive armor has increased compared to the T-72A from 360 to 490 mm.


Photo of assembly of T-72S hulls in Iran. The VLD filler package is visible.

Starting in 1988, the VLD and the tower were reinforced with the Kontakt-V DZ complex, which provides protection not only from cumulative PTS, but also from BPS.


On board the T-72, the DZ containers were installed directly on rubber-fabric screens. This negatively affected its operation, the DZ containers on the side screens fell off during operation, the screens deformed.

Vulnerable areas

The dimensions of the turret armor of the T-72B tank have increased compared to the T-72A due to the installation of a massive filler. This led to an increase in the weakened zones of the tower roof.

Schemes of weakened zones of the main armor of the frontal projection of the T-72B: 1 - weakened zone during the shelling of 100-mm BPS BM-8; 2 - weakened zone during the shelling of 125-mm BPS BM-26

The resistance of weakened zones is much lower than the resistance of the main armor parts, so they are penetrated from long distances and with a large margin of armor penetration, which leads to severe, often irreversible damage to the combat vehicle. As shown by shelling tests on the hull and turret of the T-72B tank, carried out with BM-26 shells with armor penetration of 200 mm of steel armor of medium hardness at an angle of 60 ° from a distance of 2 km and BM-22 with armor penetration of 170 mm / 60 ° from 2 km, weakened zones made their way from a distance:
Driver zone (along the middle line of the weakened zone) - 1,700 m.
Tower roof - 3,700 m.
Commander's hatch - 3,900 m.
The zone weakened by the trunnions of the gun is 1,650 m.


The gun embrasure is protected only from the B-32 armor-piercing bullet of 12.7 mm caliber from a distance of 100 m.

Dynamic protection

The increase in resistance to cumulative ammunition was achieved by installing a hinged dynamic protection complex. The tank has 227 containers, of which 61 are on the hull, 70 on the turret and 96 on the side screens.

Moreover, the containers are installed directly on the tower without giving them an angle that ensures the most efficient operation of the remote sensing.

It is known that the effectiveness of the impact on the cumulative jet of the dynamic protection device depends significantly on the angle of impact of the cumulative jet with the container. At meeting angles (the angle is measured from the normal to the surface of the container) 60 ... 70 degrees, the greatest efficiency of the movement of the metal plates of the container on the cumulative jet is achieved.

At meeting angles close to the normal to the surface of the container, the device loses most of its effectiveness and, as a rule, cannot protect the main armor barrier from a cumulative jet. As a result of this, the effectiveness of the remote sensing system installed on the tower was significantly reduced.


Built-in universal remote control "Contact-5"

Since 1988, built-in dynamic protection has been used on serial T-72B tanks.Tanks equipped with the built-in dynamic protection "Contact-5" according to the Research Institute of Steel provide protection against the M829 armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile.


Installation of dynamic protection on the tower: 1, 2 - blocks; 3, 4, 12, 16 - covers; 5 - bolt M8; 6 - bolt M16; 7 - bonk; 8 - M12 bolt; 9 - gasket; 10 - element of dynamic protection; 11 - body; 13 - bulletproof bar; 14 - axis; 15 - cotter pin.

Installation of dynamic protection on the bow sheet of the tank: 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - sections of dynamic protection; 9, 10 - covers; 11 - element;

12 - pallet; 13 - nut, 14 - screw; 15 - rubber stop; 16, 20 - cork; 17 - spring washer; 18 - bolt; 19 - laying

Installation of dynamic protection on board: 1 - screens; 2 - side shields; 3 - loop; 4 - pallet; 5 - armor cover; 5th element; 7 - cork;

8 - bolt; 9 - torsion bar; 10 - stopper axis; 11 - bracket; 12 - spring cotter pin; 13 - bar; 14 - axis.

Mobility

The tank is equipped with the V-84-1 engine, which is a modernization of the previously used V-46-6 engine. Both motors are interchangeable in installation.

The B-84-1 engine is distinguished by increased power, additional inertial boost due to the division of each intake manifold into two sections and a piston configuration.

The V-84-1 engine is multi-fuel, the main fuel is diesel. The engine also runs on T-1, T-2 and TS-1 fuels, low-octane gasoline.

The engine is installed in the power compartment of the tank perpendicular to its longitudinal axis on a foundation welded to the bottom. The engine legs are attached to the foundation with eight bolts and nuts. The first left bolt and nut are extended. Gaskets of various thicknesses can be installed under the paws, with the help of which the toe of the engine crankshaft is centered with the guitar's drive gear.

The launch is carried out using an electric starter, an air start system, as well as from an external current source or from a tug. For an emergency start of a cold engine in winter, there is an intake air heating system.

The mechanical planetary transmission consists of an input gearbox, two final gearboxes and two final gearboxes.

The suspension system uses an individual torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers of lever-blade type on 1, 2 and 6 suspension units of each side. The track roller discs are made of aluminum alloy. The track rollers have external rubber coating, and the supporting rollers have internal shock absorption. To protect the caterpillar from dropping when the tank turns, restrictive disks are welded on the drive wheels.

The total capacity of the fuel system with two and two barrels with a capacity of 275 liters. is 1750 liters. The capacity of the internal fuel tanks is 705 liters.


Fuel supply system: 1 -right bow tank; 2,4 - filling necks; 3, 6, 7, 11, 14 - external tanks; 5 - front tank rack; 8 -heater fuel pump; 9 - fuel filterheater; 10 - valve for shutting off external tanks; 12 -expansion tank; 13 - float valve; 15 - adapter for connecting barrels; 16 - equipment for connecting barrels; 17 - barrels; 18 - nozzle; 19 - high pressure pipeline; 20 - pipeline of the combined drain of fuel from the injectors; 21 - fuel pump NK-12M; 22 - fine fuel filter; 23 - fuel priming pump NTP-46; 24 - medium tank rack; 25 - coarse fuel filter; 26 - left bow tank; 27 - manual fuel priming pump; 28-fuel priming pump BCN-1; 29 - fuel distribution valve; 30 - drain fitting; 31 - air release valve; 32, 36 - hoses; 33 - fitting; 34 - sludge drain hose; 35 - tee; 37 - fuel meter

Means of communication

The tank is equipped with underwater driving equipment that allows it to overcome water obstacles up to five meters deep and about 1000 meters wide. The tank uses the Paragraph communications complex, which includes the R-173 VHF radio station, the R-173P radio receiver, the antenna filter unit and the throat amplifier. The radio station operates in the frequency range of 30-76 MHz and has a memory device that allows you to prepare ten communication frequencies in advance. It provides a communication range of at least 20 km both on the spot and on the move over medium rough terrain.

The performance characteristics of the T-72B

Tactical and technical characteristics T-72B

Parameter

Unit of measurement

Full mass

4 4,5+2%

Crew

people

Specific power

hp/t

18,876

V-84MS engine

hp

Ground pressure

kgf / cm 2

0,8 98

Temperature mode of operation

°С

40…+ 4 0

Tank length

with gun forward

mm

9530

corps

mm

6860

Tank width

along the caterpillar

mm

removable protective screens

mm

tower roof height

mm

bearing surface length

mm

4270

ground clearance

mm

428…470

track width

mm

2730

Travel speed

Average on a dry dirt road

km/h

Maximum on paved road

km/h

In reverse gear, maximum

km/h

4, 18

Fuel consumption per 100 km

On a dry dirt road

l, up to

300…450

On paved road

l, up to

170…200

on the main fuel tanks (on a paved road)

km

225…360 (500…600)

with additional barrels (on paved road)

km

310…450 (700)

Tank capacity

1270 + 370

Ammunition

Shots to the cannon

PCS

(of which in the conveyor of the loading mechanism)

PCS

Cartridges:

to machine gun (7.62 mm)

PCS

to machine gun (12.7 mm)

PCS

Aerosol grenades Modernization

The T-72B tank, created more than three decades ago, still remains the basis of the Russian tank fleet, where modernization programs for this tank have been developed that can compensate for its lagging behind the tanks of NATO countries (M1A1, Leopard-2, etc.).

It is proposed to use a modernized 2A46M5 gun, an automatic loader with the possibility of using a BPS with increased elongation, a motor-transmission unit with a V-92S2 engine (1000hp), a running gear used on the T-90A, as well as Relikt dynamic protection.


It is proposed to install an SLA on the tank with the Sosna-U sight developed by the Belarusian OJSC Peleng, the 1A40-1 sighting system is retained as a backup sight


T-72 "Ural" - the most massive Soviet main battle tank of the second generation. Adopted by the Soviet Army on August 7, 1973.
Below is a brief overview of the features of the Russian modifications of the T-72 tank, produced by UralVagonZavod, prepared on the pikabu.ru forum by blogger zhuravkofff, for which many thanks to him.
Abbreviations used: NKDZ (Hinged Set of Dynamic Protection), VDZ (Built-in Dynamic Protection), VLD (Upper Frontal Part), NLD (Lower Frontal Part), TPN (Night Tank Sight), OPTV (Double Tank Driving Equipment).

T-72A

T-72B (sample 1984), T-72B
adopted in 1984


(T-72B mod. 1989)


T-72BM (photo by V. Kuzmin,)


serial rms()


In addition to the above:

T-72B3 is a major overhaul with a budget upgrade of previously produced vehicles.
In Alabino, at the training ground of the training complex of the Tamanskaya division, the latest modification of the “seventy-two” was demonstrated - the T-72B3 tank, outwardly distinguished by the latest Sosna-U multi-channel gunner's sight and the absence of the L-4A Luna IR searchlight next to the gun mask. Compared to the T-72B3 of the first series, the tower in place of the L-4A "Luna" IR searchlight is covered with VDZ "Contact-5" units.
The tank received a new 125-mm 2A46M-5 cannon, a new VHF radio station R-168-25U-2 "Akveduk", new fire-fighting equipment (PPO) and a new multi-channel gunner's sight (PNM) "Sosna-U". The sight has 4 channels: optical, thermal imaging, laser rangefinder channel and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) control channel. PNM "Sosna-U" is installed instead of the standard sight-guidance device 1K-13-49. The old gunner's sight 1A40-1 was left in its original place as a spare.


Place of installation of PNM "Sosna-U" in the T-72B3 tank
()

The commander received the TKN-3MK device with the Double system, which provides the commander with the ability to fire. The T-72B3 tank has built-in dynamic protection (VDZ) "Kontakt-5", and not the new DZ "Relikt", which protects the tank from modern tandem ammunition; the tank did not receive a closed anti-aircraft machine gun installation (ZPU) - an open, manually operated ZPU remained. Instead of the 1000-horsepower V-92S2 engine, which is installed on the T-90A (Object 188A) and on the modernized T-72BA (Object 184A), the overhauled V-84-1 with 840 hp remained on the T-72B3. Therefore, the mobility characteristics did not increase. The tank is not equipped with GLONASS/GPS receivers.

T-72B3 at the Alabino training ground, August 2013 (

T-72B3- Russian main battle tank of the T-72 family. The modification was developed as a cheap alternative to the T-90A until the Russian army received a new generation of tanks. It is a relatively simple upgrade of the T-72B tank.

Means of observation and communication

The tank is equipped with a multi-channel sight "Sosna-U" developed by the Belarusian enterprise "Peleng". The VSUO left the TPD-K1 sight of the 1A40 complex from the T-72B tank. Tank commander's sight - TKN-3MK, which is a modernization of the Soviet sight TKN-3 with the "Double" system and image intensifier tube of the 2nd generation. The communication system consists of a VHF radio station R-168-25U-2 "Aqueduct". It includes 2 transceivers. Provides open, masked or classified radio communications. Produced by the Ryazan Radio Plant since 2005.

Chassis and engine

Caterpillar tracks traditional for the T-72 family have been replaced with new ones with a parallel hinge to improve performance and increase service life. The tank is equipped with four-stroke V-shaped 12-cylinder multi-fuel diesel engines with liquid cooling V-84-1 with a capacity of 840 hp. from. with a specific power of 18.88 liters. s./t., overhauled.

Armament

The gun is a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun. The gun received improved lead-type sub-caliber shells. The anti-aircraft machine gun mount lost its remote control and was switched to manual mode.

Project evaluation

In total, of the innovations, only the Belarusian Sosna-U sight and modern digital communication systems, everything else is 30 years old from the base model. There are no GLONASS receivers for determining the location of the tank by the crew. Instead of new V-92S2 engines (1000 hp), there are V-84-1 engines with a capacity of 840 hp. from. after a major overhaul. According to the GABTU, the installation of old engines in tanks was due to the late conclusion of a contract with Uralvagonzavod. Instead of modern dynamic protection "Relic", there is an old "Contact-5". The T-72M1, destined for Algeria at the same price, is much better equipped. In the Russian version of modernization, electronics lags far behind modern tanks.

In the future, it is possible to equip the Kalina control system, which is installed on the T-90SM tank and the V-93 engine with a power of 1130 hp

Specifications

Video

A few days ago, an interesting article appeared in the Izvestia newspaper, which is rapidly raising the level of its publications on defense topics, under the heading "". The article, once again, is interesting, but not without errors and not indisputable. Let's try to figure it out.

Upgraded tank T-72B3

1. «… so while tanks with old engines arrive in the districts "- however, the installation of the V-92S2 engine in this configuration was not originally planned;

2. « According to the GABTU, the disruption in the supply of T-72B-3 ... "- what kind of disruption in supply are we talking about if UVZ, at the request of the same GABTU, in 2012 shipped a batch of tanks ahead of schedule - from the backlog already in 2013? We look at the UVZ report on the implementation of the State Defense Order-2012;

3. « The troops are surprised that the T-72M1 model, intended for Algeria, also costs 50 million ." - since when did the troops know the cost of upgrading an export sample? This is the first thing that confuses in the statement. Secondly, Algeria does not dismantle its tank "to the screw." Actually, the work on the "capital" is carried out by local specialists at their local TRZ. The Russian side only supplies components and carries out work directly on their installation and adjustment-adjustment.

At the same time, one should not forget that from the point of view of production, the labor costs for, in fact, repairs, that of the T-72M1, that of the T-72B do not differ much. Moreover, for the T-72B they will be higher due to its slightly greater complexity. That's where the price comes from. After all, it is clearly said that 30 million out of 52 million rubles is actually "capital". The modernization package, it turns out, costs only 22 million rubles. If you want an ASC, an air conditioner, a closed ZPU - pay like Algerians (and the sensors, by the way, are the same here and there);

Modernized T-72M1 tank of the Algerian Ground Forces

4. « 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. ”- since I understand a little about the economy of the military-industrial complex, I have repeatedly spoken about exactly the same thing both at the GSPO forum and at the Power of Russia forum. But, just like the UVZ representatives, no one listened to me. They said exactly the opposite - that " deep modernization is economically justified and expedient". The consolidated Ukrainian faction was especially successful in this. Why? Yes, because she had a clear order to promote this dead-end and, in fact, very unprofitable, costly path;

Modernized tank T-72B3 in the army

5. « He noted that the then leadership of the Ministry of Defense considered that the selected equipment was ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. "And that's also true. The selected equipment is really optimal. Especially if we ignore pure technology and think about the economy. The T-72B tank, but with the Sosna-U sight, is quite adequate in the current situation. Or an unnamed officer seriously believes that " March 17, 2013 "Abrams" will be in Khimki"? In my opinion, statements about the dissatisfaction of this officer, I note, are only at the brigade level, nothing more than “Yaroslavna’s cry” about the beloved “eighties” taken away. And the more “gas turbine workers” we put on diesel engines, the more such cries will only grow;

6. « He added that in addition to the T-90, UVZ also produces a modernized version of this tank - the T-90S. ." - it seems that the words were simply distorted during the publication. The representative of UVZ could not say so, unless, of course, he is a complete oaf. The fact is that this is an export version of the “domestic Russian” T-90A. In terms of their level, they are almost the same, with some optional differences. So, for example, the same Algeria orders an ASC and an air conditioner, but refuses the Shtora OTSHU, and the RF Ministry of Defense, on the contrary, takes a complete set with the Shtora, but without an air conditioner and all the same ASC, but again with a new gun 2A46M5 and an automatic loader for new and more powerful ammunition, which Russia simply does not supply for export yet.

But India generally takes the most modest equipment - the 2A46M gun, without ACS, without air conditioning, without Curtains at all, but the Indian Bishma has an increased level of protection against radiation. In a word, the modern T-90 is like a big Lego constructor - what you order, what you pay for, you get. As for the "", which is "a cut above" - ​​this is not about the T-90 or T-90S, but about the T-90MS, which last week was shown in all its glory at an exhibition in the UAE. At the same time, it must be remembered that the T-90MS is again an export version!

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation puts forward its own requirements for the modernization of the T-90. As a result, yes, UVZ can offer something similar to the T-90MS, but even more advanced and powerful, to the native Russian army. What this tank will be called is not important. Maybe T-90AM, maybe (which would be more logical) T-90MA. Something else is important - for what exactly is the RF Ministry of Defense ready to pay and how much?

And now a few words without specific reference to the questions, just on the topic.

Ordering weapons is mostly a political matter, even within the country.. In particular, wars between industry and the army have not stopped for a long time (although now they have somewhat subsided). Industry wants a guaranteed state defense order, long-term and with payment guarantees. At the same time, industry, by and large, doesn’t care what to produce: new tanks, or modernizing old ones - if only the money goes into your pocket. The army naturally wants to get something with better quality and characteristics, but at a cheaper price.

In general, it would be great if the new equipment went on, but somehow, for nothing - the Minister of Defense will always find something to spend the money "released" at the same time. Moreover, under the now former minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, our army began to become commercialized. Under the Ministry of Defense, a now well-known "black hole" called "Oboronservis" was created. There was a fight for orders and money.

For example, Oboronservis managed to snatch out a piece of the export modernization of the T-72B (a contract for the supply of tanks to Venezuela), and UVZ tore off the modernization for the Moscow Region, although it would be more logical to do everything the other way around. In the former, relatively stable, or back in Soviet times, how was it? Almost everything related to exports went through industrial plants, even what was supplied "from the presence of the Moscow Region" still passed through industrial plants.

At the same time, internal modernization and capital was developed by the defense industry, while the defense industry produced components, but the work was carried out at specialized enterprises of the Moscow Region - BTRZ. At the same time, everyone was happy. A good piece (sometimes such that they could not digest) fell to the defense industry, and the Moscow Region was satisfied - both with the level of work and prices, since they were produced at their own military repair plants. Everything changed in the early 2000s (before that, as before they lived together, everyone died in the same way), when MONEY appeared in the country. The starving defense industrial complex began to pull the blanket over itself (it is understandable - the workers want to eat, entire cities stand around the factories).

The military perfectly understood the situation and "entered the position", feeding the design bureau with R&D, incl. for modernization, and the industry with orders for repairs, with partial modernization. There was still no money for the purchase of new equipment or a full-fledged modernization. So we got such "masterpieces" as the modernized T-72BA tank (serial modernization) and T-72B2 (experimental vehicle). The first one was wretchedly simple, but it fed both the tank design bureau with the plant, and the engine engineers - in general, supported the industry so that it would not completely die. The second one was magnificent both in concept and execution, but ... expensive.

Modernization option for the T-72M1 tank developed by UKBTM

When, with the appearance of A. Serdyukov on the ministerial Olympus, money poured in for defense purposes, they immediately forgot about any modernization - it’s completely logical, albeit a little, but they began to buy new cars. The same T-90A, and then the T-90A with PTK. At the same moment, Oboronservis arose, which pulled all the armored personnel carriers under it. If before that BTRZ, being essentially budgetary enterprises on the balance sheet of the Moscow Region, at the very least, but lived, now some of them, in order to “optimize” costs, have been put under the knife. The rest began to be used as a pump for pumping money from the budget of the Moscow Region into the private pockets of the leaders of OAO Oboronservis. Fortunately, by the decision of the board of directors (where everyone is their own), they are free to independently manage their income as they please - this is not a FKP or even a federal state unitary enterprise, where they also steal, but with an eye to the treasury and the accounting chamber.

Naturally, the "surviving" BTRZ began to receive orders. For example, for a major overhaul of the T-80s, which, in theory, should have been operated until the resource was exhausted, and then written off. And then, for some reason, they suddenly began to capitalize them in commercial quantities, and without modernization, because the documentation for it and components remained in the hands of defense industry enterprises, with which they no longer wanted to share. Naturally, repairs at the BTRZ that suddenly became “commercial” were no longer as cheap as before - JSCs need to “roll in” profits, “cut the loot”.

It got to the point that Oboronservis began to grab foreign exchange earnings, which previously legally went to the defense industry. They write that modernized tanks were delivered to Venezuela. Aha! All their "modernization" was to replace the radio and track. And everything else is a mediocre “capital”, because the Atamanovsky BTRZ, the performer of the work, has never been distinguished by the quality of the repair (according to some reports, it was still different, but in the opposite direction). The order of the same order to the same Atamanovka for the conversion of decommissioned T-72Bs into BMR-3 minesweepers was of the same order. This is despite the fact that the BMR-3 did not pass state tests at one time, just according to the criterion of mine resistance of the bottom. Then - in the 1990s, a similar machine was created at UVZ, completely in accordance with the TTZ - BMR-3M. I wrote about this in the "series" "Mine-sweeping suffering."

And now the Ministry of Defense orders and pays for the car, but not at UVZ, but at Oboronservis, and everyone wanted to sneeze there that the BMR-3 does not provide protection and security - the money “does not smell”. I will not talk about plans to purchase imported military equipment through Oboronservis and its licensed assembly at “their” enterprises - the prosecutor’s office is now engaged in this matter. Naturally, the defense industry enterprises raised a "screech-squeak".

In response, the Ministry of Defense set out to finally “squeeze” them, “cut off the oxygen”, cutting down a number of the most important R & D, and reducing the range of the State Defense Order. So, all the same UVZ lost an order for new T-90s, although a version with a PTK was already on the assembly line (that is, equipped with all these JPSs, which the “officers” are now moaning about, integrated into an automated tactical control system) . Angry, the defense industry, taking advantage of the pre-election situation, struck back - created a "party of working people", declaring itself in such a way that the Defense Ministry had nothing left to do but to resume the state defense order, at least under the "modernization" article (the purchase of new equipment had already been crossed out adopted and approved by that time SAP).

Previously, for greater persuasiveness, the defense industry called for "science" to help - if you remember, there were several articles signed by the head of VNIITM, about how good it would be, if not to produce new tanks, then at least to modernize the old ones. This is how we first got the “modernized T-72B of the 2011 model”, and then, after the formal passage of this GI, the “T-72B3”. Do you think that someone in the Moscow Region in this situation thought about “rationality”, “efficiency”, or thought first of all about how to “sit”, and then about “cost”?

Indeed, logically, the previously modernized T-72BA should have been returned to UVZ first of all, which no longer needed major repairs, had new 1000-horsepower engines and new running gear, but did not have normal sights, and the protection, as it were, was already on the verge. Having saved 30 million rubles on the "capital" - this money could be directed to the installation of a modern control system, DZ "Relikt", PTK, and maybe even KAZ.

But it’s not in vain that I write that in the Moscow Region, first of all, they thought about how to sit in their chairs, because no one removed the presidential plan for rearmament from them. And the report for its implementation is written in% and units that have undergone modernization - what kind of modernization it is and what its real effectiveness is, as a rule, such reports do not indicate. That is why those who ordered and accepted the T-72B3 say that the machine is “balanced” according to the criteria of “cost-effectiveness”. It really turns out that it is, but it is still necessary to take into account the criteria of "bureaucratic perseverance" and "quantitative mass character".

Modernization option for the T-72M1 tank developed by UKBTM

In general, in this case it is worth noting the great role of "independent experts" and the media. In the entire “civilized and democratic” world, most decisions are made by the government with an eye to the reaction of the masses, who have recently been led not by “hegemons”, but by “media moguls”, or, paradoxically, sometimes ordinary bloggers. Look at the wave of rolling on the T-72B3 right now. The fact that this is “bad” is repeated by all and sundry, but individual media, or rather, individual personalities, armed with keyboards and sitting at monitors, direct and direct the process in the right direction.

In criticism of the T-72B3, the vector of the efforts of the patriots of the Russian armed forces, the military themselves, the interests of Uralvagonzavod (which is the most interested here and to which this “wave” of performances rolls just for free) coincides, and even Russophobic competitors, loudly squealing about the "backwardness of Russian tanks", "clumsy protection", etc. etc. As a result, statements by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and members of the Government of the Russian Federation that, probably, the purchase of the T-90A will be resumed in 2014, perhaps even in an advanced modernized version of the T-90MA (or something else). Well, isn't it weird?

The domestic T-72B3 tank is an improved modification of the seventy-second model, which successfully proved itself in Afghanistan. The new combat vehicle was put into service in two thousand and twelve. The main difference from its predecessor is increased mobility, a more powerful propulsion system, increased firepower and an upgrade of the loading system, allowing the use of the most modern ammunition. Also, a powerful combat unit is equipped with modern radio transmitters that provide high-quality broadcasting of classified and direct communications.

Purpose and protection system

T-72B3 is designed to perform various combat operations. Among them:

  • elimination of enemy armored vehicles;
  • destruction of enemy personnel;
  • destruction of various types of fortifications and firing points;
  • escort and support of ground forces during the offensive and in defense.

The vehicle can perform the assigned combat mission at any time of the day, regardless of weather conditions.

The type of armor of the modification in question provides reliable protection for the crew. The hull and turret are made of complex rolled steel, able to withstand most armor-piercing and sub-caliber projectiles, as well as any type of armor-piercing bullets.

The tank is protected from cumulative damage by a special complex "Contact-5". The tower has eight Tucha grenade launchers, and the Shtora system can also be mounted, which protects against laser-guided anti-tank missiles.

Chassis and engine T-72B3

The model under consideration had tracked tracks replaced. Compared to its predecessor, the new tank received running elements with a parallel hinge, which serves to increase operational performance and increase the movement resource. The transmission unit remained identical to the T-72 model.

The updated version is equipped with a more powerful multi-fuel power unit. Its power reaches 1130 horsepower. The motor allows the car to reach speeds of up to sixty kilometers per hour over rough terrain, 70 km / h on the highway. Full refueling of fuel tanks is enough to overcome the path of five hundred kilometers. The tank is quite capable of water barriers up to 2.8 meters.

Combat module device

The T-72B3 is equipped with a modernized 2A45 M5 gun, which is an improved modification of the D-81M barrel. The gun has increased structural rigidity and better accuracy.

Clips trunnion type now have a wedge-shaped mount. The support for retractable devices is located in the rear of the cradle with an enlarged neck by one hundred and sixty millimeters. This element has also become an order of magnitude more rigid, and its guides are made in the form of a prism. This decision made it possible to reduce the dispersion factor when fired by fifteen percent. The spread of shells when firing on the move has decreased by half. As a result, the T-72B3 tank became much more accurate and faster at hitting targets.

The combat vehicle is equipped with a reflector lock that allows you to calculate the angle of the barrel bend. Information is transmitted to the gunner's panel in digital format. This additionally improves accuracy by filtering out the consequences of all kinds of interference that periodically occurs during the combat operation of the tank. All information goes to the ballistics numerator, which greatly simplifies the work of the gunner, allowing you to quickly aim the gun at the intended target.

T-72B3: weapons

The main weapon of the tank in question is a 2A-46M5 cannon launcher, 125 mm in caliber, which can hold four dozen rounds of ammunition. The gun aggregates with modern armor-piercing, cumulative and sub-caliber, fragmentation and high-explosive shells. The maximum distance of defeat reaches four kilometers.

In addition, the T-72B3 combat vehicle is equipped with the following types of weapons:

  • anti-tank guided missiles of the ZVBM-22/23 type;
  • machine gun brand PKTM, firing bullets of 7.62 mm caliber;
  • anti-aircraft machine gun for combating airborne vehicles (brand - NSV, caliber - 12.7 mm).

The total stock of machine gun cartridges is 2750 pieces.

The main battle tank can fire several types of specially designed, increased in length projectiles, such as "Lead", with both variations available. This increases not only the maximum distance to hit the target, but also the degree of armor penetration, regardless of the distance. The accuracy of loading new ammunition is provided by a modified and improved automatic device.

Technical plan parameters

The T-72B3 combat vehicle, whose characteristics are superior in many aspects to its predecessor, has the following main indicators:

  • crew composition - three people (commander, mechanic and gunner);
  • weight in combat condition - forty-six tons;
  • main gun (caliber / brand) - 125 mm / 2A45-6M5;
  • power plant capacity is 840 horsepower;
  • hull length (with and without a gun) - 9.53 / 6.86 m;
  • power reserve - at least five hundred kilometers;
  • machine height - 2.22 m;
  • ground clearance - 49 centimeters.

It is also worth noting that the T-72B3 unit, whose maximum speed is up to seventy kilometers per hour, is equipped with the latest aiming, radio communication and fire extinguishing systems.

Communication system

In this area, the main battle tank under the 72B3 brand is in many ways superior to its predecessor and many world analogues. The package includes a radio station on ultrashort waves, the Aqueduct system, as well as independent channels for transporting information.

Thanks to this equipment, the tank can perform sessions in three modes, namely:

  • hidden;
  • open;
  • secret.

A standard combat vehicle is equipped with a pair of independent transmitters.

Separately, it is worth noting the possibility of encrypted communication. The system was developed in Ryazan, includes a remote control for data collection, although it does not always please with stability.

Tangential elements with an individual volume control have proven themselves not from the best side. This is due to their fragility and unreliability. Tankers testing vehicles say that the old elements withstood significant mechanical loads, and new samples, even after falling from a short distance, can fail.

Optics and scope

To the question: "T-72B3 combat tank - what kind of animal is this?" - can be answered in different ways. He also has weaknesses. For example, the developers equipped the car with an antediluvian combined periscope sight, which has not changed since 1991. Its characteristics leave much to be desired.

This is evidenced by the fact that already in the first field tests, eye injuries were recorded among the crew members. This is due to the fact that if the head is not removed from the sight in time during the shot, then a short-term shell shock to the gunner is provided, since the system has a large return. The advantages of TKN-ZMK include the ability to rebuild automatically, depending on the position of the tower. At the same time, the “commander” indicator lights up, which indicates that the aiming is under the control of a senior crew member.

Here again a dilemma arises. If at night the gunner observes the target at a distance of up to three and a half kilometers, then the commander will be able to coordinate actions only at five hundred meters. In terms of guidance and visibility, especially at night, the modernized T-72B3 is not the best example to follow.

Additional equipment

TTX T-72b3 include additional systems, namely:

  1. Upgraded device for extinguishing fires "Hoarfrost". It allows you to automatically identify and extinguish areas of fire in the combat and motor parts of the vehicle. The system has a double action, includes four refrigerant tanks, detects fires using optical and thermal indicators.
  2. The possibility of armament with improved shells, as well as an anti-aircraft gun, which is devoid of remote control.
  3. The driver's window is closed with an armored curtain, which can only be opened from the outside. In combat, this is a big disadvantage.

About the disadvantages

The sight and aiming system immediately begs for criticism. In addition to the fact that the node used was outdated for a long time, it also received an addition in the form of a French thermal imager. In the current political light, such a decision is, to put it mildly, strange. To this it must be added that by improving the guidance system, the developers tried to save as much as possible. This is evidenced by the following:

  1. Installation of a well-established sight in the nineties, but outdated at that time.
  2. Installation of the "Pine" and "Whirlwind" systems (not particularly relevant).
  3. Manual drive for an anti-aircraft machine gun.
  4. Unfinished viewing video device.

As a result, the line of sight of the bore has shifted significantly in relation to the sight itself, which in real combat conditions significantly complicates aiming the gun at the target.

The tankers themselves say that it has become more difficult for the gunner to use the sight. In order to bring the "Pine" to a normal position, you have to bend to the left, excessively straining the spinal section. The video device is placed extremely unsuccessfully. When landing the crew, it is often smashed with a foot. The external optical unit is not just closed with a lid, but also screwed with four bolts. In the field, this is a real threat to the entire crew of the T-72B3 tank.

Positive points

For the sake of objectivity, it is worth noting the advantages of the combat vehicle in question:

  1. In the general configuration, the TPD-K1 sight remained, which was equipped with protection against laser attacks. This allows, in case of damage to one inducing node, to use its analogue.
  2. Behind the gunner's place, extremely necessary devices were mounted (temperature sensors, wind direction, air flow speed).
  3. The ability to install additional weapons, including the most modern shells.
  4. More powerful power unit.

The main battle tank T-72 loses to the modernized "brother" in many respects, however, the updated copy did not show itself in the best light.

Practical tests

The domestic modern tank T-72B3 took an active part in the recent tank biathlon competitions in Alabino. The attention of specialists was focused on the operational and combat capabilities of the vehicle. It is worth noting that during these tests, this modification was first presented to the general public.

Sadly, but the novelty did not cause much excitement among eyewitnesses. Firstly, in appearance it is difficult to distinguish between the upgraded model and its predecessor. Secondly, many were interested in the T-90A prototype, which is supposed to be the next model in service with the Russian army.

In practice, the combat vehicle in question showed good results. However, it cannot be said that it fully met the expectations of specialists. This is largely due to the structural elements in terms of aiming and aiming. As for traction and maneuvers, there are practically no questions here.

The domestically produced tank T-72B3, the characteristics of which are indicated above, was created as a budget, but modernized version of the T-72B. No wonder they have a lot in common. The cost of improving the predecessor was about fifty-two million rubles per unit. Approximately half of them go to the overhaul of the machine, and the second part - to the purchase and installation of new equipment.

During the overhaul and modernization, the serial tank of the T-72B model receives a number of new devices. The main ones include:

  1. Multi-level sight with optical and thermal imaging guidance "Sosna-U".
  2. The ability to use a laser rangefinder and a control system for armor-piercing missiles.
  3. The versatility of the gunner's operations.
  4. Improved powertrain.

Unfortunately, when implementing the T-72B3 project, tank builders applied an ambiguous technical solution. The outer parts of the Sosna-U sight are located inside a lightly armored casing that protects them from bullets and shrapnel. In the stowed position, the front window of the casing is closed with a lid and fixed with bolts, which provides for the mechanic to leave the cab before the battle and unscrew the mount manually. It is worth noting that there are several variations that allow you to discard the cover without leaving the working compartment. They are actively used both throughout the world and in Russia. Why the developers chose an impractical option is anyone's guess.

Comparative characteristics

Let's draw an analogy between the base tank and the T-72B3 combat vehicle. The crew also consists of three people, driving performance remained at the same level, there is a built-in dynamic protection of the Contact-5 format.

The running elements have undergone changes (the caterpillars were equipped with a hinged parallel element). The range and accuracy of the shot, although not drastically, has increased. Overcoming water obstacles increased to 2.8 meters, subject to the use of special devices. However, the overall level of protection of the T-72B3 tank has become a little better. Unlike its predecessor, which used a searchlight and an active-passive sight, in the model under consideration, the place of the light element was taken by a night vision device with a thermal imager. The part of the frontal hull where the searchlight was located is covered with an additional armored module, which increases frontal protection.

The weapon system of the T-72B3 combat vehicle has been partially changed. A new autoloader has appeared, aggregating with new types of shells. The outline of the main gun remained the same, as did the anti-aircraft machine gun. There is also a turret with a large-caliber NSV gun. It was also affected by savings, since the machine gun lacks remote control, which further reduces the safety of crew members.

What did the modernization give?

The conversion of serial T-72B tanks into an upgraded version of the T-72B3 made it possible to increase the combat potential of the vehicle. However, this decision causes a lot of controversy and reasoning. On the one hand, overhaul and partial improvement allows you to strengthen the army at minimal cost. Another point of view is based on the fact that it is inefficient and impractical to combine illogical things, including a bolted optics cover and an open machine gun platform.

As a result, shortcomings can nullify all objective advantages. It seems that the developers were just trying to meet a certain estimate, which is why they left so many “black holes”. In the meantime, all that remains is to wait and believe that the designers will take into account all the mistakes and be able to level them in subsequent projects.

In conclusion

The question of how many T-72B3 tanks Russia has is difficult to answer, since military secrets are rarely fully revealed. It can be assumed that there are not very many such machines. This is due to the original purpose of the machine in the form of an experimental innovation. Judging by the specifics of production and taking into account the opinion of experts, the modification in question serves more as a transitional model between obsolete samples and future developments. This is necessary in order to strengthen the armored power of the armed forces, while not wasting financial resources.

I would like to believe that the release of a new modification is not far off. If it is equipped with all the innovative developments, of which there are many in Russia, and also absorbs all the best from its predecessors, then it will certainly become one of the most combat-ready in the world. Unfortunately, the financial side, as often happens, plays a predominant role. Despite this, domestic military equipment is becoming more perfect every year. Russian tanks are not much inferior, and in many ways they are superior to their foreign counterparts. Still, it is not for nothing that domestic weapons are one of the most formidable in the world.