Ground mobile complex Krasuha 4. Russian military exercises

Modern battle tanks Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures 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, others have already become museum pieces. And just for 10 years! The authors considered it unfair to follow in the footsteps of the Jane’s reference book and not consider this combat vehicle (very interesting in design and fiercely discussed in its time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet of the last quarter of the 20th century.

Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of weapon ground forces. The tank was and will probably remain a modern weapon for a long time due to its 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 technology accumulated over decades predetermine new frontiers in combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the eternal confrontation between “projectile and armor”, as practice shows, protection against projectiles is increasingly being improved, acquiring new qualities: activity, multi-layeredness, self-defense. 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 make quick maneuvers on off-road, contaminated terrain, can “walk” through territory occupied by the enemy, seize a decisive bridgehead, cause panic in the rear and suppress the enemy with fire and tracks . The war of 1939-1945 became the most difficult test for all humanity, since almost all countries of the world were involved in it. It was a clash of the titans - the most unique period that theorists debated in the early 1930s and during which tanks were used in large numbers by almost all belligerents. At this time, a “test 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 that are most affected by all this.

Tanks in battle have become a symbol of the past war, the backbone of the Soviet armored forces? Who created them and under what conditions? How did the USSR, which had lost most of its European territories and had difficulty recruiting tanks for the defense of Moscow, was able to release powerful tank formations onto the battlefields already in 1943? This book is intended to answer these questions, telling about the development of Soviet tanks “during the testing days ", from 1937 to the beginning of 1943. When writing the book, materials from Russian archives and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that remained in my memory with some kind of depressing feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and only stopped at the beginning of forty-three,” said former general designer of self-propelled guns L. Gorlitsky, “some kind of pre-storm state was felt.

Tanks of the Second World War It was M. Koshkin, almost underground (but, of course, with the support of “the wisest of the wise leaders of all nations”), who was able to create the tank that a few years later would shock the German tank generals. And not only that, he not only created it, the designer managed to prove to these military fools that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not just another wheeled-tracked "motor vehicle." The author is in slightly different positions, which formed in him after meeting the pre-war documents from the Russian State Military Academy and the Russian State Academy of Economics. 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 the entire activity of design bureaus and people's commissariats in general, during the frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, the transfer of industry to wartime rails and evacuation.

Tanks Wikipedia the author would like to express his special gratitude to M. Kolomiets for his help in selecting and processing materials, and also thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors reference book"Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941", since this book helped to understand the fate of some projects, which was previously unclear. I would also like to remember 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. Patriotic War Soviet Union. For some reason today it is common for us to talk about 1937-1938. only from the point of view of repression, 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. Gorlinky.

Soviet tanks, a detailed assessment of them at that time was heard 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 and 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 transform from “mechanized cavalry” (in which one of its combat qualities was emphasized at the expense of others) into a balanced combat vehicle, simultaneously possessing powerful weapons, sufficient to suppress most targets, good maneuverability and mobility with armor protection capable of maintaining its combat effectiveness when fired upon by the most massive anti-tank weapons of a potential enemy.

It was recommended that large tanks be supplemented with only special tanks - amphibious tanks, chemical tanks. The brigade now had 4 separate battalions of 54 tanks each and was strengthened by moving from three-tank platoons to five-tank ones. In addition, D. Pavlov justified the refusal to form three additional mechanized corps in addition to the four existing mechanized corps in 1938, believing that these formations were immobile and difficult to control, and most importantly, they required a different rear organization. The tactical and technical requirements for promising tanks, as expected, were adjusted. In particular, in a letter dated December 23 to the head of the design bureau of plant No. 185 named after. CM. Kirov new boss demanded that the armor of new tanks be strengthened so that at a distance of 600-800 meters (effective range).

The newest 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 stage...” 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 not difficult to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially strengthened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its durability by 1.2-1.5 times. It was this path (the use of especially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

Tanks of the USSR at the dawn of tank production, armor was most widely used, the properties of which were identical in all areas. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of armor making, craftsmen sought to create just such armor, because homogeneity ensured stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of an 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. This is how heterogeneous (non-uniform) armor came into use.

For 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 consequence) to an increase in fragility. Thus, the most durable armor, all other things being equal, turned out to be very fragile and often chipped even from the explosions of high-explosive fragmentation shells. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production, when producing homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the maximum possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-hardened armor with carbon and silicon saturation was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But cementation is a complex, harmful process (for example, treating a hot plate with a jet of illuminating gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required large expenses and improved production standards.

Wartime tanks, 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 level of protection to the same one, but covered with 22-30 mm sheets, without a significant increase in weight.
Also, by the mid-1930s, tank building had learned to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known from late XIX 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 fire video up to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than cementation, since while the hardness of the surface layer was higher than with cementation, 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 slightly more than cementation. But the hardening technology that was used for thick naval armor was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost not used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.

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

Types of tanks photos so that even one shell hit can reliably disable an anti-tank gun or machine gun; and thirdly, to increase the penetrating effect of a tank gun on the armor of a potential enemy, since using the example of French tanks (which already had an armor thickness of about 40-42 mm), it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly strengthened. There was a sure way for 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 with a higher initial velocity over a greater distance without correcting the aiming.

The best tanks in the world had a large-caliber cannon, and 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, placing large-sized rounds in a closed tank volume led to a decrease in transportable ammunition.
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 the 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 in the wild, who, since the beginning of 1935, had been trying to develop his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the staff of Plant No. 8 was slowly finishing the “forty-five”.

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

New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine, required a reorganization of engine production for serial production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (they did not yet have their own machines of the required accuracy), financial investments and strengthening of personnel. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel would produce 180 hp. will go to production tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to determine the causes of tank engine failures, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not implemented. 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 had specific indicators that suited tank builders quite well. The tanks were tested using a new technique, 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 driving) with a one-day break for technical inspection and production 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, “swimming” in water with an additional load that simulated an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for inspection.

Super tanks online, after improvement work, seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the overall progress 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 testing, 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 turret with improved protection. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank more ammunition for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (previously there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one production 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 the way for itself in the course of further work. Obstacles to overcome: climbs of at least 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, covered 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 the wheeled-tracked non-floating reconnaissance aircraft (factory designation 101 or 10-1), as well as the amphibious tank variant (factory designation 102 or 10-2), are a compromise solution, since it is not possible to fully satisfy the ABTU requirements. Option 101 was a tank weighing 7.5 tons with a hull. according to the type of hull, but with vertical side sheets of cemented armor 10-13 mm thick, since: “The inclined sides, causing serious weighting of the suspension and hull, require a significant (up to 300 mm) widening of the hull, not to mention the complication of the tank.

Video reviews of tanks in which power unit The design of the tank was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was being developed by industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. 1st grade gasoline was placed in the tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully corresponded to the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK 12.7 mm caliber and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS is listed) 7.62 mm caliber. The combat weight of the tank with torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with spring suspension - 5.26 tons. Tests took place from July 9 to August 21 according to the methodology approved in 1938, with special attention being paid to tanks.

T-80UD Birch - tank of the Ukrainian soul.

The main battle tank T-80UD Bereza was developed by the Ukrainian State Enterprise "KhKBM" in the early 80s and entered serial production at the state enterprise "Plant named after V.A. Malyshev" in 1985.

The best units of the Soviet Army, such as the Kantemirovskaya Tank Division, were equipped with new tanks.

During the Soviet Union, from May 1987 to November 1988, experimental military operation of a tank battalion of the motorized rifle regiment of the Kantemirovsky Division with a staff of 45 T-80UD Bereza tanks took place at the Gorokhovets training center of the Moscow Military District.

Experimental military operation of T-80UD tanks was carried out with the aim of identifying design and production deficiencies of the tanks; determining indicators for mastering T-80UD tanks by personnel and developing methods for crews; determining the timing and ways of modifying the tank.

With crews from the State Enterprise "KMDB" and the State Enterprise "Plant named after V.A. Malyshev" initial training was carried out on the features of the design and operation of the T-80UD tank; before that, the crews were trained for the T-64B tanks.

A number of shortcomings of the experimental T-80UD tanks were eliminated directly during experimental military operation. During the year of experimental military operation, 4 onboard gearboxes and 8 engines were replaced: 4 engines due to the same factory defect - a crack in one of the fuel supply pipes in the sixth cylinder and 4 engines due to the fault of operation (one - overheating, three - operation "without oil"). And this is for the first half of the year. In the second half of the experimental military operation - not a single repair that would go beyond the concept of routine repair!

The average mileage of the tanks exceeded 5000 kilometers and was in the range of 5200...5500 km, the operating time of the 6TD-1 engines was 650...700 hours.

During the first period from May to November 1987, 12 firings were carried out with a standard projectile during the day and 10 firings at night. Both gunner-operators and commanders fired in the “Double” mode. During the second period from December 1987 to May 1988, 10 shootings were carried out during the day and 8 at night.

Thus, each firing crew member fired 120 rounds with a standard projectile during the year.

For reference, in linear Soviet units, subject to 100% implementation of the combat training program (from fire to live firing of a platoon, company, tactical exercises with live firing of a battalion and regiment (divisional - once every two years)), only 21 artillery pieces were issued per soldier shot.

During experimental military operation, 5-6 guided missile launches were carried out for each T-80UD Bereza tank.

By the beginning of the 2nd period, the personnel had perfectly mastered the T-80UD Bereza tanks, the rules of their operation and maintenance.

Based on the results of experimental military operation, improvements were carried out at the State Enterprise "Kharkiv Design Bureau" and in production, such as design documentation, and the production technology of the T-80UD Bereza tanks.

The T-80UD Bereza tank is equipped modern complex fire control, ensuring that the gunner and commander fire at stationary and moving targets from a standstill and on the move with a high probability of hitting with the first shot.

The fire control complex of the T-80UD Bereza tank provides a so-called “shot resolution zone”, that is, after pressing the fire button, the shot will only occur if the mismatch between the line of sight and the axis of the barrel bore does not exceed a specified value. The size of the “shot resolution zone” is adjusted when setting up the fire control complex within the tank.

The fire control complex consists of a 1G46M gunner's day sight, a TO1-KO1E gunner's night sight, a PNK-4S commander's sighting and observation system, a PZU-7 anti-aircraft sight, a 1ETs29 anti-aircraft gun control system, a 1V528-1 ballistic computer with input information sensors, and a weapon stabilizer 2E42 and other devices.

The 1G46M gunner's day sight has a line of sight stabilized in two planes, a built-in laser rangefinder and a guided missile control channel.

With the standard configuration of the T-80UD Bereza tank, the gunner is equipped with a TO1-KO1E night sighting system with a TPN-4E sight with an electro-optical converter, but it is possible to install a Buran-Katrin-E thermal imaging sight.

The tank commander conducts observation and gives target designations to the gunner using the PNK-4S sighting and observation day-night complex, stabilized in the vertical plane.

The PNK-4S commander's sighting and observation system consists of a TKN-4S commander's combined day-night sight and a gun position sensor. The TKN-4S commander's combined sight is stabilized in the vertical plane and has three channels: a single day channel, a multiple day channel with a magnification of 8x, and a night channel with a magnification of 5.4x. The commander can switch from the day channel to the night channel with an electro-optical converter and back using a lever.

The 1B528-1 ballistic computer is designed to calculate ballistic corrections and automatically takes into account signals coming from the following sensors: tank speed, angular speed of the target, roll angle of the gun trunnion axis, transverse component of wind speed, range to the target, heading angle.

Additionally, for the calculation, the following parameters are manually entered: ambient air temperature, charge temperature, barrel bore wear, ambient air pressure. The computer also calculates the moment in time when a high-explosive fragmentation projectile explodes over the target.

In order to ensure the possibility of observing the terrain in a wide sector, the crew members have single-use observation devices.

The armament of the T-80UD tank consists of a 125 mm KBA-3 cannon, a 7.62 mm KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm KT-12.7 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. The tank crew also has machine guns, grenades and a signal pistol.

The 125 mm KBA-3 smoothbore gun of the T-80UD Bereza tank is equipped with a powder gas ejector and a thermal casing. The gun barrel is quick-detachable and can be replaced in the field without removing the gun from the tank.

The rate of fire of the T-80UD Bereza tank is up to 8 rounds per minute when moving.

The ammunition load for the KBA-3 cannon of the T-80UD tank is 45 rounds of separate loading - a projectile and a charge, of which 28 are placed in the conveyor of the carousel-type loading mechanism, and the rest are in the control compartment and in the fighting compartment.

Ammunition used for the KBA-3 cannon of the T-80UD tank: armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation and tank guided missiles "KOMBAT", guided by a laser beam.

A special feature of the T-80UD Bereza tank is the presence of guided weapons, which allows firing laser-guided COMBAT missiles from the cannon at ranges of up to 5000 m. The COMBAT missile consists of two parts. The first part includes a throwing device and a hardware compartment with a steering device. The second part consists of a propulsion engine and a tandem warhead. Both parts are stored in the loading mechanism conveyor in the same way as conventional ammunition. The joining of the two parts of the rocket occurs in the barrel when fired.

Although the main purpose of the KOMBAT missile is to destroy tanks located at distances beyond the maximum firing range of the 125 mm KBA-3 cannon with conventional ammunition, the KOMBAT tank guided missile can also be used to fire at other types of targets, such as low-speed helicopters and long-term firing points.

The KT-7.62 machine gun, coaxial with the KBA-3 cannon, can be fired from the position of the gunner-operator or tank commander.

The KT-12.7 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun is located on the commander's hatch, has a remote control and is designed for firing at air and ground targets with the tank hatches closed from the commander's seat.

The built-in dynamic protection “Knife” covers more than 60% of the surface at firing angles of ±20° (on the hull) and ±35° (on the turret). The combination of improved multi-layer combined armor and built-in dynamic protection reduces the threat of destruction of the T-80UD Bereza tank by the most widespread cumulative and kinetic weapons.

The turret of the T-80UD Birch tank of late production is made of armor steel of increased hardness obtained by electroslag remelting.

Steel with electroslag remelting provides an increase in durability in equal structures by 10-15% compared to medium-hard rolled steel of the Russian T-90S tank.

Thus, the turret of the T-80UD Bereza tank with a base made of rolled products with electroslag remelting has significant advantages in armor resistance compared to a turret with a cast base.

The roof of the turret of the T-80UD Bereza tank is made entirely stamped, which increased its rigidity, ensuring manufacturability and stable quality in mass production conditions.

The welded turret of the T-80UD Bereza tank consists of two removable protective modules installed on a welded base. Each protective module is securely attached to the main turret armor.

The modular design of the armor of the T-80UD Bereza tank allows, without changing the thickness and weight of the armor, to increase the resistance to projectiles, and provides the opportunity to improve the armor throughout life cycle tank and the ability to replace old modules with new ones made from armor created taking into account the latest technological advances. Protective armor modules can be quickly replaced if damaged. Moreover, these works can be performed in the field.

The T-80UD tank can hide its location on the battlefield by setting up a smoke or aerosol screen. There are four smoke grenade launchers installed on the sides of the tower, which are electrically activated.

The T-80UD can also install a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the engine exhaust system using thermal smoke equipment.

In order to reduce the thermal signature of the tank on the battlefield, the roof of the T-80UD engine compartment is equipped with special thermal protection.

The main battle tank T-80UD is equipped with a Ukrainian 6-cylinder diesel engine 6TD-1 with a power of 1000 hp.

In terms of specific indicators and layout characteristics, the engine and transmission compartment of the T-80UD Bereza tank, powered by a 6TD-1 engine, has no analogues in the global tank building industry. The specific power of the engine and transmission compartment of the T-80UD tank is 387 hp/m3 versus 333 hp/m3 and 258 hp/m3, respectively, for the Leopard-2A6 and Abrams M1A2 SEP Version 2 tanks.

The engine air intake ensures that air enters the engine from the least dusty point in the tank.

Underwater driving equipment allows the T-80UD Bereza tank to overcome water obstacles up to 5 m deep.

The T-80UD tank overcomes water obstacles up to 1.8 m deep without prior preparation!

The upper part of the suspension of the T-80UD tank is protected by on-board rubber-fabric screens, which are armored in the bow of the hull with the installation of built-in dynamic protection “Knife”.

At the bottom of the bow of the T-80UD Bereza tank there is a rubber screen attached to prevent the spread of dust.

Two barrels with an additional supply of fuel, as well as a log for self-pulling the tank, can be mounted on the stern of the T-80UD Bereza tank.

An important advantage of the T-80UD was its advanced protection system against weapons of mass destruction, superior to that of the best foreign NATO tanks.

The collective protection system of the T-80UD Bereza tank provides protection for the crew and internal equipment of the tank from the effects of nuclear explosions, radioactive dust, toxic and bacteriological substances.

The T-80UD Bereza tank uses a lining and a lining made of hydrogen-containing polymers with the addition of lead, lithium and boron, local protection screens made of heavy metals and a system for automatic sealing of habitable compartments and air purification.

Increased survivability is facilitated by the use of a self-entrenching system on the tank with a 2140 mm wide bulldozer blade. Self-digging equipment allows the T-80UD tank to dig a tank caponier within 15-40 minutes, depending on the type of soil.

The T-80UD Bereza tank is equipped with a fire extinguishing system, which ensures the detection and extinguishing of internal fires both in the habitable compartment and in the engine compartment of the tank.

The main battle tank T-80UD can be equipped with various types of mine trawls that prevent the explosion of mines under the bottom and tracks of the tank, including the KMT-6 knife-type mine trawl and the KMT-7 roller-type mine trawl.

The system allows the T-80UD Bereza tank to be operated in hot and dusty conditions for a range of 1000 kilometers without the need to change filters, as well as in conditions of radioactive contamination.

With an average air dust content of 2.5 g/kg, the T-80UD Bereza tank can travel 1000 km through the desert before the next maintenance of the cassettes, which is equal to 20 hours of engine operation. The critical value of aerodynamic drag equal to 1300+50 kgf/m2 is achieved within 35 hours of operation.

For comparison, in the Russian T-90S tank, the between-wash life of the air purifier cassettes when operating in the desert is only 400 km.

With a decrease in air dust content from 2.5 g/kg to 2 g/kg, the inter-wash service life of the air cleaner cassettes of the T-80UD Bereza tank increases to 3000 km when operating in the desert!

High performance of the T-80UD Birch in the desert is achieved thanks to a unique air purification system. The air purifier of the T-80UD Bereza tank uses high-efficiency cyclones with low aerodynamic resistance, with a transmission coefficient of no worse than 0.2 +0.02%.

The T-80UD Bereza air purifier has no analogues in the global tank building industry, as it can operate in any aggressive soil and climatic zones with or without cassettes.

The Ukrainian main battle tank T-80UD in the amount of 2 units was demonstrated and tested in Pakistan in 1993 and 1995 as part of a tender for the supply of a new tank for the Pakistani army.

The T-80UD tank (object 478DU) with an experimental chassis similar to the T-64 tank has a more advanced chassis in relation to the T-80UD and T-64 tanks. Such a chassis was tested on promising Ukrainian tanks (objects 490B, 477A1).

The experimental chassis of the T-80UD tank, similar to the T-64, uses torsion bars of differentiated rigidity, increasing the smoothness and speed of the tank.

In the T-80UD tank (object 478DU) of the T-64 type, the diameter of the first, second and sixth torsion bars is 55 mm, the third, fourth and fifth torsion bars are 50 mm.

For comparison, the diameter of the torsons in the T-80UD tank (object 478B) is 53 mm, and in the Russian T-90S tank it is only 47 mm. Hydraulic shock absorbers with two-stage characteristics. Rollers of the T-80UD tank (object 478DU) with an intermediate shock absorber between the rims.

In addition, the cross-country ability of the T-80UD chassis (object 478DU) in conditions of spring-autumn thaw and in conditions of clay and swampy terrain is also higher than the cross-country ability of the T-80UD chassis (object 478B).

The cost of the T-80UD chassis elements (object 478DU) is also up to 2 times lower than the T-80UD chassis (object 478B), the weight is more than 1.5 tons lower. Power consumption in the chassis of the T-80UD tank (object 478DU) is one third lower compared to the T-80UD tank (object 478B).

Two T-80UD tanks were sent to Pakistan, differing from each other - the first of them was T-80UD Object 478DU, sometimes it was simply called No. 1 with a chassis with metal rollers and internal shock absorption like the T-64, the second T-80UD Object 478DU1 was called No. 2 with a chassis traditional for the T-80UD.

Test results showed that due to the reduction in the total weight of the tank, due to the chassis, maximum speed tank T-80UD Object 478DU increased by 3-4 km/h, however, during prolonged movement at such high speeds, due to the high speed of the road wheel, its bearings overheated.

Based on the experience of developing and operating the T-80UD, Object 478DU, it was proven that on tanks of the T-80UD Bereza, T-84 Oplot family it is possible to install various chassis options depending on operating conditions and customer requirements. Moreover, the replacementchassis elements are carried out without significant modifications to the mating parts of the body and does not require changes in the design of the power transmission.

During the entire service life of the T-80UD Bereza tanks, State enterprise"KhKBM", as the developer of the tank and the State Enterprise "Plant named after V.A. Malisheva, as a tank manufacturer, provides the Customer of the T-80UD Bereza tank with all types of assistance to ensure the normal operation of tanks in the country of the foreign customer-operator. Namely, they provide on the customer’s territory: organization of training for crews of T-80UD Bereza tanks; supply of training materials; assistance and advice on the operation of tanks; technical and other assistance in the customer’s country; provide technical and other documentation; provide the supply of spare parts, and also provide services for the subsequent modernization of T-80UD Bereza tanks.

T-80 tanks are the main combat vehicles mass-produced in the USSR, starting in 1978. Operation was carried out until 1998. This combat unit was the first of its kind equipped with a system of dynamic protection against projectiles, as well as a power plant based on a gas turbine.

T-80 light tanks were also produced between 1942 and 1943. Only 70 samples were produced. Subsequently, its “stamping” at the plant was replaced by the production of SU-76M artillery systems. T-80 light tanks were no longer produced.

History of creation

The history of the tank dates back to 1964, when at a meeting of the CPSU Central Committee it was decided to develop a new combat vehicle, using the T-64 as a basis. The innovative tank was conceived as a carrier of a gas turbine engine, which would contribute to a cruising range of 450 kilometers with 1000 horsepower and service life. warranty work at 500 hours.

The reason for making this decision is due to the obsolescence of the T-64. The management relied on as a means of increasing performance characteristics combat unit. A special feature of this mechanism was that there was no need to warm up before starting work, which significantly reduced the time it took to bring the tank crew into combat readiness. Especially in harsh winter conditions.

First tests

From approximately 1968 to 1974, experimental T-80 tanks (then still bearing modest experimental names like “Object-219”) underwent a series of tests. Some showed unsatisfactory results in the operation of the new type of engine, some completely failed.

After a number of modifications, the equipment was tested again - either in highly dusty conditions or during maneuvers on virgin snow.

T-80 tanks with a diesel engine were noted for their high maneuverability when interacting with the vehicle. The vehicle easily moved to the front positions in order to attack the enemy, developing a speed of 20 to 30 km/h.

On different types of terrain, these tanks showed average speeds from 20 to 40 km/h, while oil consumption tended to zero, and fuel consumption ranged from 435 to 840 liters.

Tank T-80. Characteristics and modernization

In 1976, the Object-219 was put into service under the T-80 designation. This is how the first tanks with a gas turbine engine appeared. For comparison: the American Abrams tank was put into production only in 1980.

The T-80 tank (photo below) had a hull made of welded armor plates, largely similar in design to its predecessors - the T-72 and T-64A.

The turret is completely cast from armored steel, has a complex configuration and is equipped with a range finder. The caliber of the gun is 125 mm, the gun is equipped with a casing at the base of the barrel, the charging mechanism and the projectile loading system are in many ways similar to the T-64A. Also on the tower were the Utes anti-aircraft machine gun and the infantry PKT.

Rolled and cast steel, as well as combined. The weight of the T-80 tank was 42 tons. Length (including the gun) - approximately 9656 mm, hull - 6780 mm, width - 3525 mm, height (from the lowest point to the top of the turret) - 3525 mm.

T-80BV and other upgrades

Technological progress did not stand still. In 1978, an improved version appeared - T-80B. It was distinguished by the presence of a controlled weapon complex “Cobra”, tactical system launching “Cloud” smoke bombs and reinforced armor for both the hull and turret.

At the same time, the T-80BK model was developed at the Omsk plant.

In 1985, the T-80BV model entered service. It differs from its predecessor in the presence of dynamic protection on the turret and hull.

The last and most successful modification was the T-80U model, developed in the same 1985. The design principles were inherited from previous 80 models. The weight increased to 46 tons.

The fire control system has received a number of improvements, such as a night and day gunner's aiming complex and a commander's computer-sighting mechanism.

Innovations made it possible to fight not only against armored targets, but also against low-flying helicopters thanks to the integrated Reflex missile guidance control system. The fired projectile is aimed at the pointer by a laser beam at a distance of 100 to 5000 meters.

Performance characteristics of new products

T-80 tanks were rightfully considered one of the most advanced achievements of domestic design thought. For comparison, their tactical and technical characteristics should be considered.

The T-80BV had a mass of 43.7 tons, while the T-80U was heavier and weighed as much as 46.

The length of the first, including the cannon, was 9651 mm, while the improved model was shorter - 9556 mm.

As for the body itself, it’s the other way around. The T-80B had a length of 6982 mm and a width of 3582 mm, while the T-80U had characteristics of 7012 mm and 3603 mm, respectively.

The difference in height is almost invisible to the naked eye. The numbers indicate the difference only in the documentation - 2219 versus 2215 mm.

Discontinuation of production

The T-80 tank (photo below) had a number of modifications intended for export to different countries of the world. There are countless of them. For example, the model “eighty” with a diesel engine, produced in Kharkov under the marking T-80UD, formed the basis of the military equipment of Ukraine: “Oplot”, BM “Oplot” and T-84.

Production of the "eighty" was discontinued in 1998. The reasons, unfortunately, are unknown. Nevertheless, the combat vehicle is still in service with the army of the Russian Federation.

"Armata"

On May 5, 2016, at a parade on Red Square, the new generation T-14 tank on the Armata platform was presented to the general public.

It was developed as part of the “Future Combat Systems” project, as well as for participation in “network-centric warfare.” This term refers to a military doctrine proclaimed by NATO countries, which represents the coordination of the actions of offensive or defensive forces united into a single information network.

The T-14 became Russia's first stealth tank. The body of the vehicle is constructed of a special material that makes it difficult for vehicles to be recognized by the main known radar waves and significantly reduces the distance required to lock on a target with Javelin or Brimstone-type missile guidance systems.

The peculiarity of the tank is that the crew is located entirely in the hull. The tower remains uninhabited, which also helps to protect crew members in combat conditions.

The Armata complex is equipped with the Afganit system, which allows it to intercept projectiles. The built-in system for forming smoke-metal curtains allows you to “blind” radio-controlled drones and mines due to signal distortion by the mentioned particles. This, in turn, does not harm the infantry and equipment accompanying the combat vehicle.

The T-14 is equipped with dynamic armor, the principle of which is based on firing an armor plate towards an incoming projectile. It is believed that this method of armoring is also capable of reflecting shots from an anti-tank grenade launcher.

Technical progress does not stand still; new types of weapons are being developed every day in secret laboratories. It is known that “Armata” has been put into production until 2020. And they do not plan to interrupt the “stamping” of innovative technology even in times of crisis.

But what new product will be capable of surpassing the T-14, futuristic walking tanks? Time will show.