Tank T-72B3: technical characteristics, type of armor, weapons, crew

The domestic tank T-72B3 is an improved modification of the seventy-second model, which successfully showed 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 power plant, enhanced firepower and modernization of the charging system, allowing the use of the most modern ammunition. The powerful combat unit is also equipped with modern radio transmitters that provide high-quality broadcast 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 defense.

The vehicle can carry out its 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 all types of armor-piercing bullets.

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

Chassis and engine T-72B3

The model in question had its track tracks replaced. Compared to its predecessor, the new tank received running gear with a parallel hinge, which serves to improve performance and increase the service life. 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 engine allows the car to reach speeds of up to sixty kilometers per hour over rough terrain, and 70 km/h on the highway. Fully filling the fuel tanks is enough to cover a distance of half a thousand kilometers. The tank is quite capable of water obstacles up to 2.8 meters.

Engine and transmission

The T-72 tank is driven by a four-stroke multi-fuel diesel engine with a V-shaped arrangement of twelve cylinders and a rated power of 760 hp. The working volume of the V-46 power plant is 38.88 liters. The engine of the machine has a longitudinal arrangement. It is installed in the aft engine compartment.

Nine fuel tanks form a single fuel system. Moreover, five of them are external, and four are internal. The total capacity of the internal tanks is 705 liters. The external ones can accommodate 495 liters of fuel. If necessary, it is also possible to attach two additional barrels.

The powerful engine is coupled with a seven-speed gearbox, available in a mechanical version. The gearbox is equipped with a friction engagement option. The hydraulic drives used facilitate the gear shifting process.

Combat module design

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

Trunnion-type clips now have a wedge-shaped mount. The support for the sliding 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 stiffer, and its guides are made in the shape of a prism. This solution made it possible to reduce the dispersion factor when firing by fifteen percent. The dispersion 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 barrel bending angle. Information is transmitted to the gunner's panel in digital format. This further increases accuracy by eliminating the effects of all kinds of interference that periodically arise during combat operation of the tank. All information is fed into the ballistics numerator, which significantly simplifies the gunner’s work, allowing the gun to be aimed at the intended target faster.

T-72B3: weapons

The main weapon of the tank in question is the 2A-46M5 cannon launcher, with a caliber of one hundred and twenty-five millimeters, the ammunition capacity of which can accommodate four dozen shells. The gun can be used with modern armor-piercing, cumulative and sub-caliber, fragmentation and high-explosive shells. The maximum destruction distance reaches four kilometers.

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

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

The total supply of machine gun cartridges is 2,750 pieces.

The main battle tank can fire several types of specially designed, extended-length projectiles, such as the “Lead” type, 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 the new ammunition is ensured by a modified and improved automatic device.

T-72B3 main battle tank

The domestic tank T-72B3 is an improved modification of the seventy-second model, which successfully showed 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 power plant, enhanced firepower and modernization of the charging system, allowing the use of the most modern ammunition. The powerful combat unit is also equipped with modern radio transmitters that provide high-quality broadcast 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 defense.

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

Chassis and engine T-72B3

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

T-72B3: weapons

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

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

The total supply of machine gun cartridges is 2,750 pieces.

Technical plan parameters

The T-72B3 combat vehicle, the characteristics of which are superior to its predecessor in many aspects, 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; the power of the power plant is 840 horsepower; hull length (with and without 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 branded 72B3 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 configuration, 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 possibilities of encrypted communication. The system was developed in Ryazan, includes a remote control panel for data collection, although it is not always pleased with its stability.

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

To the question: “T-72B3 combat tank - what kind of beast is this?” - you can answer in different ways. It 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 even during the first field tests, eye injuries were recorded among crew members. This is due to the fact that if you do not remove your head from the sight in time when firing, then the gunner will suffer a short-term concussion, since the system has a high recoil. The advantages of TKN-ZMK include the ability to change lanes automatically, depending on the position of the tower. At the same time, the “commander” indicator lights up, which indicates that aiming comes under the control of the senior-ranking crew member.

Here again a dilemma arises. If at night the gunner observes a 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 includes additional systems, namely:

Modernized device for extinguishing fires "Rime". It allows you to automatically detect and extinguish fire areas in the combat and engine parts of the vehicle. The system has a double action, includes four reservoirs with refrigerant, and detects fires using optical and thermal indicators. Possibility of arming with improved shells, as well as an anti-aircraft gun that does not have remote control. The driver's window is covered with an armored curtain, which can only be opened from the outside. This is a big disadvantage in battle.

Next, we will consider the objective pros and cons of the combat vehicle in question.

About the disadvantages

The sight and aiming system immediately invite criticism. In addition to the fact that the unit used is long outdated, 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 we must add that by improving the guidance system, the developers tried to save as much as possible. This is evidenced by the following:

Installation of a sight that was well proven in the nineties, but outdated at that time. Installation of the “Pine” and “Whirlwind” systems (not particularly relevant). Manual drive of an anti-aircraft machine gun. Unfinished video viewing device.

As a result, the aiming line of the barrel bore has shifted greatly 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. To bring Sosna to its normal position, you have to bend to the left, excessively straining the spinal region. The video device is placed extremely poorly. When boarding the crew, it is often kicked. The external optical assembly is not only closed with a lid, but also secured with four bolts. In field conditions, 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:

The TPD-K1 sight remained in the general configuration, which was equipped with protection against laser attacks. This allows you to use its analogue if one guidance unit is damaged. Extremely necessary instruments (temperature sensors, wind direction, air flow speed) were installed behind the gunner's position. Possibility of installing additional weapons, including the most modern shells. More powerful power unit.

The T-72 main battle tank is inferior to its 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 competition 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 presented to the general public for the first time.

Sadly, the new product did not cause much excitement among eyewitnesses. Firstly, it is difficult to distinguish between the modernized model and its predecessor in appearance. 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 one hundred percent met the expectations of specialists. This is largely due to design elements in terms of aiming and aiming. As for traction qualities and maneuvers, there are practically no questions here.

This is interesting

The domestically produced T-72B3 tank, the characteristics of which are indicated above, was created as a budget but modernized version of the T-72B. It's no surprise that 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 towards a major overhaul of the machine, and the second part goes towards the purchase and installation of new equipment.

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

Multi-level sight with optical and thermal imaging guidance "Sosna-U". Possibility of using a laser range finder and control system for armor-piercing missiles. Multifunctionality of gunner operations. Improved power unit.

Unfortunately, when implementing the T-72B3 project, tank builders used 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 exit the cab before the battle and unscrew the fastening manually. It is worth noting that there are several variations that allow you to drop the lid 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 remains at the same level, and there is built-in dynamic protection of the Kontakt-5 format.

The running elements have undergone changes (the tracks are equipped with a hinged parallel element). The range and accuracy of the shot, although not dramatically, 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 slightly 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 housing 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 partially changed. A new loading machine has appeared that can be combined with new types of projectiles. 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 is not remote controlled, which further reduces the safety of crew members.

What did modernization give?

The conversion of serial T-72B tanks into a modernized version of the T-72B3 made it possible to enhance the combat potential of the vehicle. However, such a decision causes a lot of controversy and speculation. On the one hand, major repairs and partial improvements make it possible to strengthen the army at minimal cost. Another point of view is that it is ineffective and impractical to combine counterintuitive things, including a bolt-on optic cover and an open machine gun platform.

As a result, shortcomings can negate all objective advantages. It seems that the developers were simply trying to meet a certain budget, which is why they left so many “black holes”. In the meantime, we can only wait and believe that the designers will take into account all the mistakes and will be able to level them out 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 as an experimental innovation. Judging by the specifics of production and taking into account the opinion of experts, the modification in question serves rather as a transitional model between outdated models and future developments. This is necessary in order to strengthen the armored power of the armed forces, without 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, 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 advanced every year. Russian tanks are not much inferior, and in many ways superior to their foreign counterparts. Still, it is not for nothing that domestic weapons are one of the most formidable in the world.

Technical plan parameters

The T-72B3 combat vehicle, the characteristics of which are superior to its predecessor in many aspects, 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;
the power of the power plant is 840 horsepower;
hull length (with and without 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.

T-72 "Ural" - main battle tank

Tanks

Description

Historical information

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Year of manufacture: 1973 Year of adoption: 1973
Characteristics	Send to a friend

Total information
Combat weight, t	41
Dimensions, mm:
length with gun forward	9530
body length	6860
total width	3460
track width	3370
tower roof height	2190
Ground clearance, mm	470
Volume of control compartment, m3	2
Fighting compartment volume, m3	5,9
MTO volume, m3	3,1
Crew, people	3

Armament
A gun	D-81TM (2A46)
Caliber, mm	125
Barrel length, mm (calibers)	6000 (48)
Horizontal angle, degrees	360
Vertical aiming angle, degrees	-6°13’…+13°47′
Ammunition, shots:
Total	39
in AZ	22
Shot type	separate-sleeve
Ammunition types	BPS, KS, OFS
Maximum firing range using a rangefinder sight, m:
BPS and KS	4000
OFS	5000
Maximum firing range using a night sight, m	800
Maximum firing range of the OFS using the god level, m	9400
Direct shot range at a target 2 m high:
BPS	2100
KS	960
Combat rate of fire, rds/min:
with automatic charging	up to 8
with manual loading	1-2
Coaxial machine gun	PCT
Caliber, mm	7,62
Ammunition, cartridges	2000
Anti-aircraft installation	NSV-12.7
Caliber, mm	12,7
Ammunition, cartridges	300
Additional weapons	AKMS, signal pistol, F-1 grenades

Security
Tower, armor type	monolithic
Horizontal thickness of frontal armor in sector ±30°, mm	410
Hull, armor type	combined
Horizontal thickness of frontal armor, mm	550

Mobility
Maximum speed, km/h	60
Average speed, km/h:
along the highway	Up to 50
along a dirt road	35-45
Power reserve, km:
along the highway	700
along a dirt road	460-650
Fuel tank capacity, l:
internal	705
outdoor	495
additional	390
Obstacles to be overcome:
ditch width, m	2,6-2,8
wall height, m	0,85
elevation angle, degrees	30
roll angle, degrees	25
ford depth (without preparation), m	1,2
ford depth (with preparation), m	1,8
ford depth (with OPVT), m	5

Power point
Engine type	four-stroke, multi-fuel diesel
Brand	B-46
Number of cylinders	12
Cylinder arrangement	V-shaped
Camber angle, degrees	60
Piston stroke, mm	180; 186,7
Cylinder diameter, mm	150
Working volume, l	38,88
Maximum power, hp (kW)	760 (574)
Engine weight, kg	980
Dimensions, mm:
length	1480
width	896
height	902
Cooling system, type	liquid closed with forced circulation
Fan type	centrifugal
Air purification system	2-speed
Starting system	the main one is air; additional – electric

Transmission
Type	mechanical, planetary
Gearboxes, type	onboard, planetary
Number of forward/reverse gears	7/1

Chassis
Suspension type	individual torsion bar
Shock absorbers, type	hydraulic, vane
Quantity, pcs	6
Track joint type	RMS or OMS
Number of tracks, pcs	97
Track width, mm	580
Caterpillar weight, kg:
with RMS	1780
with OMS	1430
Number of road wheels per side, pcs.	6
Diameter of track roller, mm	750
Number of support rollers on board, pcs.	3

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Communication system

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

hidden;
open;
secret.

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

Optics and sight

CHAPTER 16. CHASSIS

CHAPTER 16.

CHASSIS

Our chassis has exhausted itself in terms of weight. We need to think about something.

(From the diary of the chief tank designer A.A. Morozov) [18].

Far-sighted chief designers, when designing a new tank, pay central attention to ensuring a high reserve of the load-bearing capacity of its chassis. This indicator determines the reliability of the chassis assembly units, the mobility of the tank, and the prospects of the tank, designed for its multi-stage modernization without radically destroying its design and manufacturing technology. A good illustration of what has been said is the brilliant foresight of M.I. Koshkin in the need to reserve safety margins for the transmission and chassis for the expected increase in the mass of the T-34 tank in the process of its subsequent modernizations.

This is how Yu.P. writes about it. Kostenko [19]: “Once in one of the books about tank building I read the following:

“Standing at the origins of the formation of M.I. Koshkin as a designer Nikolai Vsevolodovich Barykov correctly noted: “All his designs were designed with a reserve for weight... This vehicle (T-34) was conceived as the lead in a family of tanks to increase weight. This, I think, is Koshkin’s great merit.”[12] And then Yu.P. Kostenko continues:

“At first glance, N.V. Barykov did not say anything fundamentally new... But if instead of general words we move on to a specific quantitative assessment of the safety margins of components and assemblies laid down by M.I. Koshkin into the design of the T-34, then we will learn the main secret of the design of this tank, which made it inaccessible to all other tanks during the war.

The resistance to rolling of rubber-coated road wheels of the T-90 tank with a diameter of 750 mm on a metal track is 1.5 times lower than that of the T-80 tank

To increase the service life of road wheels with a diameter of 670 mm and reduce the level of vibrations transmitted by the chassis to the gas turbine engine of the T-80 tank, an expensive caterpillar with a rubber-coated treadmill is used.

Several years ago, while dealing with the issues of modernizing tanks - increasing the combat characteristics of a vehicle during its mass production, I (Yu.P. Kostenko - Author's note) decided to calculate what weight reserve specific samples had based on the results of their modernization. The result was the following: T-34 (USSR) - weight increase 23%; T-III (Germany) - 14.3; M60 (USA) - 8.5; T-64 (USSR) - 8.3 and Leopard-1 (Germany) - 6.0%.

Now let's see what 23% is for the T-34 in terms of increasing its combat characteristics. In 1939, the T-34 had a 76 mm gun and 45 mm armor thickness; in 1944 - an 85 mm gun and 90 mm armor. The German T-III (reserve 14.3%) in 1939 had a 37 mm cannon and 30 mm armor, in 1941 - a 50 mm cannon and 50 mm armor; its chassis and transmission did not allow any increase in loads, and the German During the war, designers had to create completely new tanks, which for mass production resulted in a restructuring of the entire technological chain and a sharp drop in tank production.

From the point of view of modernization possibilities, it is apparently not worth talking seriously about the M60, T-64 and Leopard-1. In the above list, two tanks are Soviet: T-34 - the main designer of the MM. Koshkin and T-64 - chief designer A.A. Morozov. As we see, Morozov did not take into account Koshkin’s experience, and life has shown that this had a negative impact on the fate of the T-64.”

As will be shown below, these lessons were well learned when creating the chassis of the T-72, T-90 tanks and all their modifications.

I would like to dwell on the next question.

Currently, there are no books or detailed articles in the open press that reflect a systematic presentation of the current state of domestic tank building. Young people interested in this issue have to turn to the Internet to find the necessary information. “The Internet has everything!” - this statement is quite fair. Using a search engine, you can find the site “History of domestic tank building in the post-war period” [20] of a certain incognito hiding under the pseudonym “Andrey”. Let us immediately note that the author of the specified article site is a compiler speaking from a “foreign language”. He is an ardent enemy of the T-72 (T-90) tanks.

A site with the specified name exists. This means they are reading it. It gives a distorted idea of the current state of domestic technology and the ways of its development.

Consequently, we will have to quote the invisible author and convince him of the fallacy of his opinions on a number of issues. Here is one of the quotes from “Andrey” related to the topic of this chapter:

“Recently, the tank (T-64A. - Author’s note) has received constant streams of unfounded criticism, and often simply slander (for example, “the rollers of this tank turned out to be small, and without (there should be a “y” - Approx. auth.) there was no reserve for modernization of such a chassis"). The main statement is that the T-64 chassis allegedly does not have a mass reserve for modernization. Time has refuted this (all selections were made by “Andrey.” - Author’s note). During the years of production of the first T-64 in 1963 until its latest modification, which entered service with the Ukrainian army in 2005, the mass of the tank increased by 9 tons. For example, the mass of the T-72 tank with its advertised chassis increased during mass production only 4.5 tons.”

The small-sized road wheels of the M1 Abrams tank (diameter 635 mm) are characterized by low reliability. This drawback is also inherent in the T-80/T-84 tanks.

Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers of the T-80 tank

Diagram of a bladed hydraulic shock absorber for T-72/T-90 tanks

The “unique” cross-country ability of the T-80U tank has been compromised. The T-72B tank is preparing to tow a T-80U stuck in the mud

As arguments in the dispute with “Andrey” we use the “Diary” of the chief designer of the T-64 tank A.A. Morozov [18]. Many people spoke about the unreliability of the T-64A chassis (object 434) and the need to improve it:

— wrote A.A. Morozov on March 5, 1973 and believed that the T-64A chassis was a “bone of contention” between the Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant named after. Malyshev (KhZTM) and the Leningrad Kirov Plant (LKZ). (The latter was instructed to install a gas turbine engine in the T-64 tank, and LKZ insisted on using its own chassis instead of the unreliable Kharkov one with metal rims of road wheels with a diameter of 550 mm and a metal caterpillar treadmill. In 1971, a new one began to be installed on the T-80 tank chassis with rubber-coated support rollers with a diameter of 670 mm and a caterpillar with a rubber-coated treadmill. Since 1985, Kharkov residents had to start using the chassis of the T-80 tank on the T-80UD tank) [21, 22];

— said the director of KhZTM O.V. twice at meetings. Soich. He owns the words: “The chassis of the “434” is unacceptable for the future and modernization; it is impossible to develop a car on this chassis” (“The director is aggressive,” noted A. Morozov);

- insisted Deputy Minister of Defense Industry L.A. Voronin, who proposed taking the UVZ or LKZ chassis as the basis for the advanced tank being developed by the Morozov Design Bureau - object "450";

- argued the director of the main tank institute VNII-100 (VNIITM) V.B. Proskuryakov and E.K. Potemkin. Proskuryakov, reporting at a meeting with the Minister of Defense Industry on April 4, 1974 on testing the institute's mock-up of a tank weighing 45-46 tons in order to test promising structural elements of the chassis, listed its components, highlighting road wheels with a diameter of 750 mm, six pieces on each side (like on the T-72 tank!).

Potemkin: “ The T-72 tank has a reserve for weight development. The T-64A doesn’t have this, especially in terms of the chassis... ”

Finally, there is the competent opinion of Yu.P. Kostenko, given above, that the weight reserve of the T-64 tank was initially only 8.3%. And the increase in the mass of the Ukrainian tank by 2005 compared to the T-64A was 27.6%! (T-64A has a mass of 38 tons; T-84 has 48.5 tons [22]).

It turned out that “Andrey” did not know that during the historical period of development of tanks in Ukraine from the T-64A to the T-84, Kharkov designers had to switch to the chassis of the T-80U tank with a better, but insufficient load-bearing capacity for the T-84 . Therefore, the actual reliability characteristics of the overloaded T-84 chassis, due to the large mass of the tank, will be even lower than those of the T-80U.

In addition, the low potential of the chassis of the T-84 and T-80U tanks prevents the creation on their basis of combat and special vehicles designed for increased loads.

It seems to us that the reader will agree with our conviction about the advantages of the chassis of the T-72 (T-90) tanks compared to tanks like the T-64 and T-80 in terms of load-bearing capacity.

As for “Andrey’s” remark about the higher rate of weight growth of the T-64 tank as an advantage over the T-72, this indicates his poor training in the field of tank design. All chief designers developing military equipment (and, to a lesser extent, civilian) are fighting to reduce the weight of their products. For example, UKBTM announced competitions to achieve the best performance in reducing the weight of parts, assemblies, and systems. For every kilogram of weight reduction, the authors of designs put into mass production were paid decent bonuses. It is not the mass of the tank that is an indicator of its perfection, but the indicators of the military-technical level of the tank, determined using a special methodology.

In this indicator, Russian T-90s are not inferior to Ukrainian T-84s, and in a number of indicators, including chassis reliability, they are superior to them.

The design of the chassis of the T-72 and T-90 tanks is simpler and at the same time more advanced than that of the T-80 (T-84) tank. The advantage in reliability of the bladed hydraulic shock absorbers (HA) of the T-72 and T-90 tanks compared to the telescopic HA of the T-80 tank is especially important. The main advantages of bladed HA are better layout capabilities, lower temperature stress, higher reliability, and lower lethality during mine explosions. The use of bladed propellers made it possible to more fully use engine power when driving T-72 and T-90 tanks over uneven surfaces at high speeds due to the implementation of larger dynamic strokes of the road wheels than on T-80 tanks with telescopic shock absorbers. Blade HAs are installed in the bores of the tank hull. Due to the transfer of heat to the walls of the housing, the total area of heat dissipation increases, which reduces the thermal stress of the hydraulic shock absorbers.

The telescopic HA of the T-80 tank overheats when moving at high speeds over rough terrain, as a result of which special thermal valves turn them off, protecting them from failure, which leads to a decrease in the damping characteristics of the shock absorbers. At the same time, overloads increase in the place of the driver, who is forced to reduce speed due to the strong rocking of the tank, thereby limiting the mobility of the tank.

The designs of the suspension system components of the T-72 and T-90 tanks have superior survivability in the event of a mine explosion of the chassis, as well as better maintainability in comparison with the T-80 tank. This is due to the higher mine resistance of the suspension and hydraulic shock absorbers. The most severe damage to the chassis of the T-80 tank is the tearing of the balancer axis from the tank body (the suspension units are structurally designed with one short balancer support). To fully restore this damage, factory repair is required, because Under military conditions, it is not possible to repair seats.

The suspension unit of the T-72 (T-90) tanks is attached with four bolts to the outside of the hull and has a longer embedment of the balancer axis in the hull. On the T-72 and T-90 tanks there were no cases of suspension tearing out during an explosion. The bladed HA of the T-72 and T-90 tanks, hidden in the tank body, also have higher mine resistance compared to telescopic ones, which are more likely to fail during detonation - destruction of the rod and compensation chamber.

The load-bearing capacity of the chassis of the T-80 tanks is limited by the lower permissible load on the tires with a diameter of 670 mm of the road wheels compared to 750 mm for the T-90. To ensure the necessary service life of the road wheels and reduce the level of vibrations transmitted by the chassis to the gas turbine engine, the T-80 is forced to use a more expensive caterpillar with a rubber-coated treadmill. The power loss in the tracked propulsion system when the road wheels roll on such a track is significantly higher than on the T-72 and T-90 tanks, which have a non-rubber track. The resistance to rolling of rubber-coated road wheels on a rubber-coated track is 1.5 times higher than the resistance to rolling on a metal track [b].

The results of tests and operation of propulsors show that the most preferable are a support roller with external shock absorption and a caterpillar with a non-rubber tread. The combination of the characteristics of these components provides acceptable dynamic characteristics and acceptable resistance in the chassis. At the same time, the technology for manufacturing non-rubber track tracks is simpler and more economical.

The evacuation suitability of T-72 (T-90) tanks without tracks when towing them on relatively soft soils is incomparably higher than that of T-64 (T-84) tanks and tanks of the T-80 family, which have narrow road wheels of reduced diameter in comparison with the chassis part of the T-72 (T-90) tanks. An important positive factor is the interchangeability of the chassis components of the T-90 tank with previously produced tanks of the entire T-72 family (and tracks and drive wheel rims, in addition, can be installed on tanks of the T-55 and T-62 families). Taking into account the existing reserves of strength, reliability and increased load-bearing capacity, this allows them to be used both for the modernization of old tanks and in the development of promising tanks with increased weight.

The designs of the main elements of the chassis of Tagil tanks were constantly improved in the process of mass production and tested during mass long-term military operation, as well as in combat operations of tanks in various regions of the world (T 55, T-62, T-72 tanks). The T-80 family tanks do not have such extensive and long-term experience, including combat use.

Let us once again note several important figures and conclusions.

According to data from the controlled military operation of main battle tanks in military units, a clear advantage of the chassis of T-72 type tanks in comparison with T-80 type tanks has been established :

— in terms of durability (based on 90 percent service life) [7, 8]: for the caterpillar — 1.26–1.38 times; for road wheels - 1.2-1.97 times;

— in terms of replacement of similar assembly units during operating hours in the ranges up to warranty operating time and overhaul, respectively [7]: for caterpillars — 8.75/2.8 times; for road wheels - 13.7/2.1 times; at the crowns of the drive wheels - 15/2.65 times; for hydraulic shock absorbers - 5.4 times[13].

From the given data it follows:

1) for the main chassis assembly units, to maintain the combat readiness of T-80 type tanks before overhaul, 2.1-5.4 times more spare parts are required than for the same type of T-72 type tank assembly units;

2) in terms of the durability of the main chassis assembly units, T-72 type tanks, compared to T-80 type tanks, have reserves for further modernization and improvement of the design due to the greater load-bearing capacity of the chassis.

The book by St. Petersburg authors talks about the T-80’s super cross-country ability compared to the T-72. It is alleged that in 1972, during military tests, T-72 tanks got stuck in the swamp of Belarusian Polesie, and the T-80 calmly overcame it [21].

In this place of the book there is especially a lot of pathos - it talks about the features of the technical capabilities of a gas turbine engine, quoting the words of one of the authors of the book: “I am absolutely convinced that only a gas turbine engine with an RSA of a power turbine could do this...” After such words, the reader may form the opinion that that the T-72 tanks never crossed this ill-fated swamp.

In reality it was like this. On that day, two formed incomplete companies of T-72 tanks (15 units in total) were released first (maybe deliberately, according to the plan of the commission that lobbied for the T-80 tank, since the tanks of the first company - T-80) were always the first to start moving . Having reached the swamp, the first two T-72 tanks got stuck in it without proper reconnaissance, which caused the entire T-72 column to stop. Having turned off the engines, the tank crews were then unable to start them for a long time, since gasoline was filled into the fuel systems of diesel tanks for the first time , and the Tagil residents were faced with a problem that was completely solved only a year later, having learned to deal with the formation of gasoline vapor locks in a hot high-pressure fuel pump engine and eliminating the increase in gasoline vapor pressure in the supply tank, leading to the displacement of fuel from it in the direction opposite to normal fuel production.

The approaching T-80 tanks, after careful reconnaissance and prompting from the T-72 tank crews, found a ford through which they themselves successfully passed, and later all the T-72s followed them.

One of the authors of this publication was a direct eyewitness to these events, since that day he was solving the problem of starting diesel engines on gasoline.

“Tanks are not afraid of dirt.” Malaysia, 2000. T-90S tank overcomes the test track

It is difficult to imagine that the head of KB-3 and co-author of the book [21], being a member of the commission for conducting military tests of the T-80 and T-72 tanks, did not have reliable information about what problems the Tagil residents faced.

The Soviet writer I. Ehrenburg was right when he said: “ When eyewitnesses are silent, legends are born.”

».

* * *

Literature and sources

1. Leykovsky Yu.A. Gas turbine engine. Prospects for use in armored vehicles//85 years of domestic tank building (September 7-8). - N. Tagil, 2005.

2. Morozov V., Tsyrulnikov V., Izotov D. What is better than diesel? // NVO. - 2001, No. 27.

3. V. Kozishkurt V., Efremov A. Tank Waltz. The future of domestic tank building // Tomorrow. - 2007, No. 46 (730).

4. Dzyavgo A. Basic requirements for a battle tank of the XXI century // Military Industrial Complex. - 2005, No. 13 (80).

5. Information guide on the reliability of tanks T-72B, T-80B, T-80BV, T-80U, T-90... based on the results of military operation and testing. - St. Petersburg: VNIITM, 1994.

6. Archives of OJSC UKBTM.

7. Information guide to the analysis, assessment of the reliability and efficiency of maintenance of products 219РВ, 219АС, 184, 188... based on the results of military operation and testing. - St. Petersburg: VNIITM, 1996.

8. Information and analytical guide to the analysis, assessment of the reliability and efficiency of maintenance of main armored vehicles (219R, 219RV, 219AS, 184, 188...), based on the results of military operation and testing. - St. Petersburg: VNIITM, 1999.

9. Efremov A.P. It’s impossible without noise // HBO. - 2004, No. 27.

10. Bakhmetov A., Mikhailov D. T-90 - a start in life // Tankmaster. - 1999, No. 4.

11. Appendix to the information and analytical reference book “Analysis, assessment of the reliability and efficiency of maintenance of main armored vehicles (219R, 219RV, 219AS, 184, 188...), based on the results of military operation and testing,” Book 2. - St. Petersburg: VNIITM, 1999.

12. Appendix to the information and analytical reference book “Analysis, assessment of the reliability and efficiency of maintenance of main armored vehicles (219R, 219RV, 219AS, 184, 188...) based on the results of military operation and testing” - St. Petersburg: VNIITM, 1999.

13. Berezkin V. Diesel “eightieth” // Equipment and weapons. - 2007, No. 11.

14. Sergeev V.N. The best tanks in the world // Military Industrial Complex. - 2003, No. 14.

15. Ovsyannikov B. The future is for the gas turbine engine // NVO. - 2002, No. 11.

16. Vavilonsky E.B. How it happened... Part 1, Gas turbine tank - object 167T. - N. Tagil, 2001.

17. Kostenko Yu.P. Tanks (tactics, technology, economics). - M.: Scientific and Technical Center "Informatics", 1992.

18. Tank and people: Diary of the chief designer A.A. Morozova - Kharkov: NTU "KhPI". 2007.

19. Kostenko Yu.P. Tanks. (Memories and Reflections). - M., 2006

20. Internet site “History of domestic tank building in the post-war period” (www:BTVT.narod.ru).

21. Ashik M.V., Efremov A.S., Popov N.S. A tank that defied time. - St. Petersburg, 2001.

22. Ustyantsev S., Kolmakov D. Combat vehicles of Uralvagonzavod. Tank T-72. - N. Tagil: Media-Print, 2004.

Additional equipment

TTX T-72b3 includes additional systems, namely:

Modernized device for extinguishing fires "Rime". It allows you to automatically detect and extinguish fire areas in the combat and engine parts of the vehicle. The system has a double action, includes four reservoirs with refrigerant, and detects fires using optical and thermal indicators.
Possibility of arming with improved shells, as well as an anti-aircraft gun that does not have remote control.
The driver's window is covered with an armored curtain, which can only be opened from the outside. This is a big disadvantage in battle.

Next, we will consider the objective pros and cons of the combat vehicle in question.

The history of the creation of LEGEND - 40 years of the T-72 tank

40 years ago, on August 7, 1973, the 172M object was put into service.

The process of creating the T-72 tank began with the decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated August 15, 1967 “On equipping the Soviet Army with new medium T-64 tanks and developing capacities for their production,” according to which it was planned to organize serial production of T-64 tanks not only at the Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant named after Malyshev (KZTM), but also at other enterprises in the industry, including Uralvagonzavod (UVZ)

The T-64 was at that time a truly revolutionary vehicle in the field of world tank building. The development of objects 430, 432 and 434 was not easy, and the T-64A was born, armed with a 125-mm D-81 cannon. It entered service in May 1968.

The resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers dated August 15, 1967 also discussed the release of a “reserve” version of the T-64 tank. There was also an order from the Minister of Defense Industry dated January 5, 1968 on the creation of a tank of a “special” period.

UVZ (Nizhny Tagil) and LKZ (Leningrad), based on the technological solutions of the T-64 and based on their own experience in creating combat vehicles, began designing promising models.

Under the leadership of Leonid Nikolaevich Kartsev and his deputy Valery Nikolaevich Venediktov, the mobilization version of the T-64A was developed. By the end of 1965, UVZ already had developments on a modified automatic loading system based on the T-62, tested on experimental tanks “object 167”, “object 167M” (a variant of the T-62 modernization). It was a rotating conveyor with a double-row shot arrangement, completely located under the floor of the fighting compartment on electric traction.

Object 167, advanced modernization of the T-62

And also the new Chelyabinsk diesel engine V-45K, developing a power of 730 hp. with fan cooling system.

Basically, these changes were introduced into the created machine. Other developments for objects 166, 167, 167m were rejected by the Ministry of Defense Industry, as was the idea of installing a HMT (hydromechanical transmission).

The first vehicles were created by simply converting serial T-64As. Two prototypes were ready in 1968. In the same year they were tested in the Turkestan Military District. The main design flaws were defects in the chassis. Total until 1970 According to various sources, about 17-20 tanks were built, participating in factory and army tests, which indicated the seriousness of the approach to this vehicle. The vehicle was assigned the index “Object 172”.

Object 172

Drawings of the tank "Object 172" UKBTM Archive

ASSESSMENT, COMPARISON

(based on the materials of the report on topic 70055. military unit 68054, 1970)

• - The installation of the V-45K engine and automatic loader in object 172 provided, in comparison with object 434: - improved combat performance of the crew; — reduction of time for maintenance and preparation of the tank to overcome water obstacles; — the ability to operate the engine on different types of fuel.

The remaining main performance characteristics remained almost the same, with the exception of combat weight and power reserve.

• - The reliability of object 172 within the warranty period (3000 km) is still insufficient for the following reasons: - in objects 172 presented for field testing, not all developed design measures for the V-45K engine, the engine air supply system, and cooling system connections were implemented. engine and power supply system of the tank, which caused failures and malfunctions similar to those identified during field tests in 1969; - a number of components and assemblies borrowed from object 434 (stabilizer, rangefinder sight, gun hydraulic lifting mechanism, chassis elements), as in object 434, worked unreliably and, thereby, sharply reduced the overall reliability of the tank.

•-The combat weight of tanks object 172 (tank No. 4 - 38650 kg; tank No. 5 - 38890 kg; tank No. 6 -38900 kg) exceeds the combat weight of tank object 434 (equal in technical specifications 37.0t -1.5%) by 2 .9 – 3.6% (maximum difference 1350 kg – approx. A.Kh.).

•-Acceleration of object 172 is more intense than acceleration of object 434 (when running on diesel fuel).

• - The target rate of fire from the object 172 and object 434 tanks was almost the same. The time to shoot all ammunition at object 172 is 23 minutes, at object 434 - 27 minutes.

•-The automatic loader at object 172 has a number of significant advantages over the loading mechanism of object 434. The design of the automatic loader ensures the transition of crew members from the control compartment to the combat compartment and back without preparatory work, loading the gun manually from all and non-mechanized installations both on site and in the movement of the tank, as well as replenishing the AZ conveyor with shots without turning the turret to the stern and without the help of the driver.

•-The loading angle of the gun in the Object 172 tank is 2° greater than in the Object 434 tank, which reduces the likelihood of the barrel sticking during loading when the tank is moving over rough terrain.

•-The largest number of failures and malfunctions occur in the chassis: 29.9% of failures and 53% of malfunctions.

• - The downtime of the tank for maintenance and the labor intensity of maintenance obtained as a result of tests when performing work with a regular crew are shown in the table and compared with the downtime of the tank object 434 according to the report of military unit 68054 inv.3793 for 1969:

The time and labor intensity of maintenance including washing the air cleaner are indicated in parentheses.

The table data shows that the downtime of tanks object 172, submitted for testing, for all types of maintenance is less than the downtime of tank object 434, which is explained by the simpler and more convenient design of the loading mechanism, the maintenance of which takes 40-45 minutes, and on object 434 - 5 -7 hours, and also some improvement in access to serviced units and components.

•-Unit 68054 considers it expedient to speed up the refinement of the power plant, weapon stabilizer, power supply system, as well as carrying out a radical redesign of the chassis, hydraulic lifting mechanism of the gun, collective defense system, while simultaneously continuing testing of three prototypes of object 172 in military unit 68054 research of individual units and systems, and conducting control field tests after the implementation of all constructive measures as proposed by military unit 68054.

Work with the Object 172 tanks continued until the beginning of February 1971. By this time, the components and assemblies developed in Nizhny Tagil had been brought to a high level of reliability. The automatic loaders had one failure per 448 loading cycles, that is, their reliability approximately corresponded to the average survivability of the 125-mm D-81T cannon (600 rounds with a caliber projectile and 150 with a sabot). The only problem with “object 172” was the unreliability of the chassis “due to the systematic failure of hydraulic shock absorbers, road wheels, pins and tracks, torsion bars and idler wheels.”

On May 12, 1970, Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 326-113 “On carrying out work to further improve the Object 172 tank” was issued. This document opened the way for work to improve the machine and to introduce on it the chassis tested on prototypes of the Object 167.

Then at the UVZ design bureau, which was headed by Valery Nikolaevich Venediktov from January 7, 1970, it was decided to use on “object 172” the chassis from “object 167” with rubberized support rollers of increased diameter and more powerful tracks with an open metal hinge, similar to the tracks of the T- tank. 62. Testing of such a tank was carried out under the designation “object 172M” and by the end of the year three such tanks were built. The engine, boosted to 780 hp, received the index B-46. A two-stage cassette air purification system was introduced, similar to that used on the T-62 tank. The weight of the “172M object” increased to 41 tons. But the dynamic characteristics remained at the same level due to an increase in engine power by 80 hp, fuel tank capacity by 100 liters and track width by 40 mm. From the T-64A tank, only the well-proven structural elements of the armored hull with combined and differentiated armor and the transmission were retained.

Comparison of “Object 172” and “Object 172m”

From November 1970 to April 1971, the Object 172M tanks underwent a full cycle of factory tests and then on May 6, 1971 they were presented to the Minister of Defense A.A. Grechko and defense industry S.A. Zverev. By the beginning of summer, an initial batch of 15 vehicles was produced, which, together with the T-64A and T-80 tanks, underwent months of testing in 1972.

Extract from the tests:

Three factory samples of the 172m object (with a new chassis and a V-46 engine with a power of 780 hp) in the period from November 1970. Until April 1971 Intensive tests were carried out in various climatic conditions (Nizhny Tagil region, ZabVO, military unit 6054) in order to test the reliability of the tank’s components and mechanisms.

Tests of these samples in the amount of 10,000 + 13,004 km (the engines worked 414 + 685.7 hours) showed the effectiveness of the modifications introduced during the testing, the reliable operation of the chassis components, the engine and its systems, the power transmission and the automatic loader, which allowed in the 2nd quarter 1971 Submit 172m samples for field testing.

Conducted field tests of 172m tanks in various operating conditions (BVO, MVO, and TurkVO) in the amount of 8458 + 11662 km (engines worked 393.7 + 510.7 hours), also showed reliable operation of the V-45 engine (? typo, pom . author), power transmission, chassis as a whole.

Based on observations identified during field tests and, in particular, during tests in the high-mountainous conditions of the ZakVO, the plant has implemented, as well as are being developed, which will be implemented in the process of preparing serial production of the 172m object, carried out by the plant in accordance with the Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 326-113 dated May 12, 1970

Tank "Object 172m" No. 1 passed the 1st stage of testing in accordance with the program agreed with VP No. 47, in the period from 26.11 to 06.1270. The tests were carried out at the plant's tankodrome along a highly rugged ring road with frozen soil, frequent potholes and potholes. Sea trials were carried out intensively with an operating time of 19.8 hours per day and a daily travel length of up to 418 km at the maximum possible speeds for the given road conditions. During the first stage of testing, the tank traveled 3000 km, the engine worked for 154 hours. The tests showed the following results:

— the V-46 engine worked reliably, its parameters were within the specifications and practically did not change; — power transmission units worked reliably.

After carrying out maintenance No. 2 and eliminating the comments, the “Object 172m” tank No. 1 was subjected to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th (additional) stages of testing. Before the start of the 2nd stage of testing, experimental caterpillar tracks 613.44.22sb, drive wheels 175.54sb-1 with rims for track tracks 613.44.22sb were installed, brackets 175.01.148-1 for fastening the support rollers were welded from special steel and bolts for fastening the support rollers rollers with M30x2 thread, and before the 4th stage (after 10,004 km) - a modified fan drive. Sea trials of the 3rd and 4th stages were carried out from 12/09/1970 to 04/16/1971 at the plant’s tankodrome under the same conditions as at the 1st stage.

During the entire testing period, the tank covered 13,004 km, the engine worked for 685.7 hours, and 1,027 loadings of the gun were made with an automatic loader, including 170 shots. As a result of the tests, it was revealed: - the engine and its systems worked reliably. During testing, there were A) minor oil leaks through the head cover seals; B) slight release of oil vapor through the engine breather; C) formation of cracks on the left exhaust manifold (441.9 hours worked); D) due to the destruction of the cooling system fan drive, the engine was overheated for 451.2 hours; therefore, the sealing rubber bands of the water channels and alloy gaskets in the block head connector were replaced.

— the guitar and gearboxes with final drives worked reliably and had no complaints. The angular gearbox of the fan drive worked unreliably due to the destruction of the gear driven unit of the bevel gearbox of the fan drive and the fan clutch bearing, caused by significant misalignment of the drive. Installed1 after 10,004 km, a modified drive allowing increased misalignments, when tested over 3,000 km with pre-set misalignments, had no comments and remained in working condition.

— the undercarriage components showed the following results: A) the destruction of the torsion bars that took place was associated with the contamination of the steel with non-metallic inclusions and the lack of development of the technology; the torsion bars made of electroslag remelted steel installed after 7053 km had no comments until the end of the tests; B) the destruction of the balancer bushings is caused by their insufficient strength; the reinforced bushings installed after 7053 km had no comments and remained in working condition; C) during the testing process, the design of the seal at the hydraulic shock absorber connector was worked out, the working fluid and working pressure in the hydraulic shock absorber were selected, hydraulic shock absorbers tested at a distance of 3000 km (installed after 10,004 km) with a modified design of the seal of the body, partition and cover, as well as modified locking of the pins in the connection rods with a hydraulic shock absorber lever, had no comments; D) during the testing, there were cases of tire locking rings falling out and the supporting roller hub locking rings being destroyed; modified rings introduced after 368 km ensured testing to the specified extent; D) the support rollers of the sixth suspensions were replaced after 7971 km due to the destruction of the rubber masses, the remaining support rollers were tested until the end of the tests, after changing the alignment of the torsion bars according to the twist angle, the newly installed rollers of the front and rear suspensions worked at a distance of 5033 km without destruction of the rubber mass; E) caterpillar tracks 613.44.22сб (without technological and design improvements) ensured serviceability up to 3972 km, serial caterpillar tracks 166.44сб-1В with an open hinge worked for 3000 km and remained suitable for further operation; G) the idler disks and the hubs of the drive wheels had cracks along the ribs; subsequently, a modified design was installed on subsequent samples. — the automatic loader with a capacity of 1027 loadings, including 170 shots, had 4 failures and 2 delays. — the TPD-2 sight and 2E28 stabilizer worked for 54.3 hours and had no comments. Based on comments identified during testing of “Object 172m” No. 1, the plant developed design measures that were implemented on factory samples No. 2 and No. 3 before the start of testing or during testing as development progressed. Tests of “Object 172m” No. 2 and No. No. were carried out in the period from January 14 to April 17, 1971. in three stages in volumes of 3000 km - stage 1, 4000 km - stage 2, 3000 km - stage 3 in accordance with the program agreed with VP No. 47.

The 1st stage of testing was carried out at the plant's tankodrome from January 14 to January 29, 1971. along the same route and under the same conditions as tests of control test sites No. 8 and No. 9 of “Object 172m” were carried out. Stage 2 of testing was carried out in ZabVO (Mirnaya station) from 16.02 to 26.02.1971. Stage 3 of testing was carried out at the plant's tankodrome from March 30 to April 17, 1971.

The purpose of the tests was to check the reliability and performance of the units and components of the chassis, the systems of the engine and transmission compartment of the tank as a whole, as well as the effectiveness of the design measures taken.

The following design measures were implemented at “Object 172m” No. 2 and No. 3: A. Before testing began: 1. Reinforced drive wheels 175.54sb-2; 2. Torsion shafts made of steel 45HNMFA-Sh; 3. Support rollers 175.53sb-1 with a modified tire stopper on the hub, filled with TsNATIM-203 lubricant; 4. Reinforced balancer bushings; 5.Hydraulic shock absorbers with improved traction locking 175.52.012, filled with MSZP-5 oil; 6. Sloths with reinforced discs. B. Before the 2nd stage of testing: 1. Track belts 613.44.22сб. - on tank No. 2 - with technological improvements; - on tank No. 3 - with reinforced transverse ribs of the tracks (from 8mm to 10mm in thickness and from 16mm to 20mm in height). B. Before the 3rd stage of testing: 1. The alignment of the torsion shafts according to the twist angle was changed in order to unload the first and sixth road wheels; 2. Cast discs of guide wheels made of special steel with reinforced ribs; 3. Serial (T-62 tank) steel necks of guide wheels - for tank No. 3; 4. In connection with the changed alignment of the torsion bars, new support rollers were installed in the first and sixth suspensions. During the testing process, the tanks passed through three stages: - tank No. 2 - 10,000 km; -tank No. 3 – 10012 km; The engines worked for 419.1 and 414 hours, respectively.

The tests were carried out intensively with a daily operating time of up to 20.7 hours and a daily travel length of up to 732 km. Sea trials of 10,000 km were completed in 31 calendar days (9-11 days per stage). Average speeds during tests at the plant's tankodrome were 20.8 km/h, and during tests in ZabVO - 40.3 km/h.

During the tests, the modified components and mechanisms worked reliably, confirmed the effectiveness of design and technological measures and ensured the implementation of the program in the amount of 10,000 km.

In the future, the engines have a service life of up to 500 hours, as well as checking experimental activities, tank No. 3 in accordance with the joint decision of the organization of post office B-2968 and military unit 52682 dated 05/08/1971. continued testing on the route of military unit 68054, and tank No. 2, based on letter 562/3/005085 dated 04/16/1971, military unit 52682 - to TurkVO (training). Taking into account additional tests, tank No. 2 covered 13,686 km, and tank No. 3 – 11,388 km; the engines worked for 572 and 536 hours, respectively. The tanks are in working order.

Tests of “Objects 172m” No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 carried out in various climatic and geographical conditions showed high dynamic and maneuverable qualities and operational and technical characteristics, sufficient reliability of the operation of units, components, mechanisms and systems of the engine-transmission compartment, chassis and control within the distance of 11388+13686 km traveled.

The engines of these tanks worked reliably for 697.7 (tank No. 1), 572 (tank No. 2) and 536 (tank No. 3) hours. The modified automatic loader on control samples of “Object 172m” No. 8 and No. 9 also showed high reliability - 448 loads per failure. The resulting degree of refinement of components, mechanisms, engine-transmission compartment units, chassis and automatic loader, along with modifications carried out by co-executors for weapons and TPD-2, made it possible to submit samples for field testing.

Tests of test site samples of the “Object 172m” in various climatic conditions (BVO, TurkVO, Moscow Military District) confirmed the high degree of design development of the “Object 172m”, with an operating time of 8458 + 11662 km, engines 393.7 + 510.7 hours and an automatic loader 619+ 2000 gun loadings.

The engine, guitar, gearboxes and other components and power transmission mechanisms showed reliable operation within the operating time of the tanks. The leak of water that occurred on the Object 172M engine No. 5 from the back space of the fifth liner of the right block was caused by a manufacturing defect - during assembly, one of the three rubber rings for sealing the lower belt of the liner was not installed. After installing the rubber ring, the engine ensured that the tank carried out the program to the specified extent.

The automatic loader showed reliable operation within 377+539 loadings per failure. The chassis components showed the following performance: 1. Torsion shafts - 8458+11662 km. 2. Balancers – 8458+11662 km. 3. Guide wheels – 6000 km. 4. Caterpillar tracks – 5000+8096 km. 5. Drive wheel disks – 8458+11662 km. 6. Drive wheel crowns – 5000+10004 km. 7. Shock absorbers - 8458 km. 8. Support rollers - 5890 km (modified design in TurkVO). 9. Track rollers – 4237+11662 km.

Based on comments and defects identified during testing of test site samples, the plant promptly carried out design improvements, the effectiveness of which was verified by tests under the same conditions. The support rollers, which worked unreliably at the 1st stage of testing in TurkVO, were modified and tested at “Object 172m” No. 7 during the 2nd stage of testing under the same conditions.

The support rollers worked for 5,890 km (before the tank's operating time was 10,004 km) and remained in working condition. At the 2nd stage of testing of “Object 172m” No. 7 in TurkVO, the effectiveness of the new arrangement of road wheels with a modified twist of the torsion bars was also tested. The track rollers worked for 6387 km and remained in working condition, except for the 4th left one, which was replaced after the specified mileage due to the destruction of the rubber mass. Based on a number of comments, constructive improvements are being carried out, measures for which will be implemented in the process of further production of “Object 172m”.

After the tests were completed, a “Report on the results of military tests of 15 172M tanks manufactured by Uralvagon1” appeared. The tanks passed the test, but the track life of 4500-5000 km is insufficient and does not provide the required tank range of 6500-7000 km without replacing the tracks. 2. The 172M tank (warranty period - 3000 km) and the V-46 engine - (350 m/h) worked reliably. During further testing up to 10,000-11,000 km, most components and assemblies, including the B-46 engine, worked reliably, but a number of serious components and assemblies showed insufficient resources and reliability. 3. The tank is recommended for adoption and mass production, subject to the elimination of identified deficiencies and verification of the effectiveness of their elimination before mass production. The scope and timing of modifications and inspections must be agreed upon between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense Industry.”

Experimental tank "object 172M" 1971

In the first half of 1973, another successful control test of the pilot batch of ob.172M took place. During this period, the shortcomings identified in the previous ones were eliminated. This gave every reason for the tank to be put into service.

By Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 554-172 of August 7, 1973, “object 172M” was adopted by the Soviet Army under the name T-72 “Ural” (name in 1975). The corresponding order of the USSR Minister of Defense was issued on August 13, 1973. In the same year, an installation batch of 30 vehicles was produced.

Serial production of the machine began in 1974. During this year, Uralvagonzavod produced 220 T-72 tanks.

For critics of the machine: If you carefully analyze the history of the creation of the T-72, it becomes clear that the plant and the designers created what the Ministry of Defense wanted, given the existing capabilities of the defense industry to produce a mass tank, and not what the designers themselves would have wanted.

The design bureau’s fantasies always remain in the background; first of all, the vehicle is built according to the tactical and technical specifications and the customer’s requirements, which was strictly done. Those. The “cigarette lighter” is located where the customer wants, and not where it will be convenient for him to use it.

Drawing of the tank "Object 172m"

MODIFICATIONS

• Object 172M of the experimental and military series - the turret was made by converting the turret of the T-64A tank • T-72K (Object 172MK) "Ural-K" - a command version of the linear tank T-72 (ob. 172M), on which a short-wave radio was additionally installed radio station, navigation equipment, charger, but reduced ammunition • T-72 (Object 172M) model 1975 • T-72 (Object 172M) model 1976 • T-72 (Object 172M) model 1978 • T-72 (Object 172M) model 1979 • T-72 (Object 172M-E) – export modification • T-72 (Object 172M-E1) – export modification • T-72 (Object 172M-E2) – export modification • T-72K (Object 172MK-E) – export modification of the command version of a linear tank • T-72K (Object 172MK-E1) – export modification of the commander version of a linear tank • T-72K (Object 172MK-E2) – export modification of the commander version of a linear tank

• Object 172MN - a prototype of the T-72 tank (volume 172M), on which a 130 mm 2A50 (LP-36E) rifled gun was installed. Tested in 1972-1974. In mid-October 1975, it was demonstrated to Marshal A.A. Grechko. during his visit to the research institute in Kubinka. Not accepted for service • Object 172MD - a prototype of the T-72 tank (volume 172M) with a 125 mm high-power smoothbore gun 2A49 (D-89T). Not accepted for service • Object 172MP - a prototype of the T-72 tank (volume 172M) with a 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun. Manufactured in May-July 1977 for the purpose of conducting acceptance tests of the system. Based on the results of these tests, the 2A46M gun was found to meet the specified tactical and technical requirements and was recommended for further testing. • Object 175 – the result of work carried out in 1970-75 to improve object 172M. It was not accepted for service and a prototype was not produced. Some developments on the vehicle of this specification, as well as on the ob.172-2M, were used to improve the design of the production vehicles ob.172M (T-72)

T-72 first modifications

Afterword

And this was only the BEGINNING of the glorious journey of the legendary car. In order to talk about the stages of its further modernization, we need a series of articles, with a story about the layout and equipment of further modernizations, where a special place will be occupied by the “Object 184”, which entered service under the designation T-72B, on which the author of these lines had an honor to serve for quite a portion of my life.

And modifications of the first releases of the T-72 with simplified unclassified armor, an ancient optical rangefinder, a mechanical ballistic computer, an analog radio station R-123 and a B-46 engine fought in the Middle East, where they were kissed by the Syrians, in Iraq, where the Abrams avoided them, hesitating engage in oncoming combat without a barrage of aviation and artillery fire. They are still fighting in Syria now; if you look closely, in the video footage of the use of Syrian vehicles you can see a hump stretched out along the front of the tank commander’s turret; this is an element of the optical rangefinder. If the optics are muted, then the quantum equipment was installed later, but this is the same “old man”.

In this article, I specifically did not describe all the squabbles of the three design bureaus among themselves, especially between Kharkov and Tagil, personal agreements with the highest echelons of power and lobbying by the designers of their brainchildren.

Why write about this? The authors of unique machines fought for their inventions not for money and power, but for an IDEA. They rooted with all their hearts for the Great Cause - the creation of the most powerful armored fist of their country.

HONOR AND PRAISE TO THEM

This article is simply about the history of the creation of the vehicle, which became the workhorse of tank units.

I hope the discussion will not include the usual comparison of tank building schools, which is rarely done by tankers themselves.

For us, the crews, after long and exhausting work, there is no sweeter music than the CORRECT roar or whistle of the engine, the rumble or howl of the systems we turn on.

There is no better feeling when YOUR “hardware” consistently “sings” its song under the influence of your hands or feet. And it doesn’t matter what model of tank you are currently in.

In this “symphony” YOU FEEL YOURSELF AS A HUMAN, one cast organism with a multi-ton beast. This is how the agreement between the crew and the technology is born and they are inseparable.

And a “living” tank is born. He is INVINCIBLE.

T-72 is worthy of respect. He still adequately defends his country on his tracks and with his armor.

Prepared by Aleks TV[/i

Based on materials from the sites: https://otvaga2004.ru https://gurkhan.blogspot.ru https://pro-tank.ru https://btvt.narod.ru

About the disadvantages

Installation of a sight that was well proven in the nineties, but outdated at that time.
Installation of the “Pine” and “Whirlwind” systems (not particularly relevant).
Manual drive of an anti-aircraft machine gun.
Unfinished video viewing device.

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

Features of T-72 modeling

The tank's turret is cast and has a complex configuration. On its roof there are hatches and hatches for observation and aiming devices, an antenna and a mechanism for ejecting fireproof trays of cartridges, entry and exit of the crew. On the outside of the turret, brackets are welded for attaching pipes and OPVT boxes, for headlights and searchlights - sight illuminators, brackets for attaching a tank tarpaulin and four hooks for dismantling the turret. A large-caliber NSV anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the rotating chase of the commander's cupola. The PKT coaxial machine gun is located in an oval embrasure to the right of the gun. The gun mask is sealed with a special waterproof material. A heat-insulating casing is placed on its barrel, eliminating the influence of temperature bending of the barrel bore on shooting accuracy. Unlike all other modern Soviet tanks, on the T-72, in the stowed position, the gun is locked not along the axis of the vehicle, but deployed on the left side. This is due to the fact that the driver’s seat is located in the center of the car and the gun barrel would not allow him to sit in the “stowed” position.

The tank hull is welded, made of rolled armor plates. The bottom of the hull is trough-shaped, with longitudinal and transverse stampings to increase rigidity. On the front lower frontal sheet along the axis of the body there is a stamping for placing pedals and control rods. On the upper frontal sheet, brackets for “wings” are welded, laying the cable, fastening mud-fighting boards and headlight guards. Towing hooks are attached to the lower part of the sheet, and in the top there is a driver's observation device, in front of which protective armor strips are welded. The hull cover in the aft part has removable armor plates for access to the engine and power transmission units. On the aft hull plate there are brackets for fastening barrels, logs for self-extracting, spare tracks and towing hooks. In the middle of the sheet there is a bulge for access to the cooling system fan.

The T-72 chassis consists of twelve road wheels, six support rollers, two guide wheels and two drive wheels. The tracks have 96 tracks. The suspension is a torsion bar, and therefore the left side support rollers are shifted forward relative to the right side by 110 mm. Hydraulic shock absorbers and balancer stops are installed on the suspensions of the 1st, 2nd and 6th road wheels. The guides, support and drive rollers are cast, double-disc. The track rollers are equipped with rubber bands. Single-disk support rollers, with internal shock absorption, are installed on short axles. Track cleaners are bolted to the rear of the drive gears on the sides of the hull, protecting the over-track butts from damage. The chassis is covered with rubber bulwarks. A metal screen is attached to the left bulwark under the exhaust pipes.

The tank model is painted in a protective color. The road wheel tires are black. The gun muzzle, tow rope and track chains are the color of unpainted metal. Spare tracks are black (for bitumen varnish). Observation devices are simulated with pieces of plexiglass. The sight illuminator and the commander's searchlight are covered with protective-colored shields. The left headlight has a blackout attachment. Three-digit numbers and identification marks in white are painted on the front cheekbones of the tower.

1 - shock absorber, 2 rangefinder sight, 3 - night sight, 4 - headlight of the commander's observation device, 5 - commander's cupola, 6 - OPVT pipe, and a heavy machine gun, 8 - taillight, 9 - bulwark, 10 - barrels with fuel reserve, 11 — log for self-pulling, 12 — driver’s hopper, 13 — external fuel tanks, 14 — OPVT hatch, 15 — gunner’s hatch, 16 — hatch for ejecting trays of cartridges, 17— OPVT stowage box, 18 — boxes Spare parts, 19 — coaxial machine gun, 20 — illuminator and other aisle, 21 — driver observation device, 22 — headlights, 23 — barrel mounting brackets, 24 — log mounting brackets 25 — rear light, 26 — spare tracks, 27 - track cleaner. In view B, barrels with fuel reserves and a log for self-pulling are not shown.

Positive points

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

The TPD-K1 sight remained in the general configuration, which was equipped with protection against laser attacks. This allows you to use its analogue if one guidance unit is damaged.
Extremely necessary instruments (temperature sensors, wind direction, air flow speed) were installed behind the gunner's position.
Possibility of installing additional weapons, including the most modern shells.
More powerful power unit.

The T-72 main battle tank is inferior to its modernized “brother” in many respects, however, the updated copy did not show itself in the best light.

Layout of the T-72 tank

The T-72 tank model is served by a crew of three people. The control compartment is limited by the fuel tank located on the right side. On the right it is also limited by the fuel tank and the dashboard. This part of the machine also contains steering elements, compressed air cylinders and engine air starting equipment. The power compartment is designed to accommodate the component unit and transmission. At the location of the power plant, the thickness of the housing is reduced to 7 cm.

The middle part of the hull and turret form the fighting compartment of the tank. The design features of the fighting compartment ensure a comfortable transition for crew members from this part of the vehicle to the control compartment and back.

Practical tests

This is interesting

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

Multi-level sight with optical and thermal imaging guidance "Sosna-U".
Possibility of using a laser range finder and control system for armor-piercing missiles.
Multifunctionality of gunner operations.
Improved power unit.

Test drive of the T-72B3 tank. Severe biathlon

What's in the news these days? Lada Vesta with its first steps in Russia and advertising showdowns with the “Brides”, and also the excitement from the twists and turns in the strange relationship between the tiger Amur and the goat Timur. The intensity of passions is off the charts, and the falling price for a little-understood, but still very important barrel of oil adds to the fire. We need to lose steam, so we make a 180-degree turn and head for a military training ground in Alabino, near Moscow. Just on this February morning, training and selection for the 2016 tank biathlon competition are taking place there.

Are you afraid of the euro exchange rate under one hundred, rapidly rising prices for cars and expensive gasoline? I beg you: the cost of modifying the car we will drive today exceeds 50 million rubles, and fuel consumption is calculated per kilometer traveled. Today we are testing the T-72B3 main battle tank.

Main battle tank (MBT) is a term in the modern tank classification denoting a combat vehicle - a multi-purpose tank. It combines high firepower, protection and mobility. Thus, one MBT replaces the heavy, medium and light tanks that were in abundance after World War II

First, a little history. The T-72B3 is the fruit of the development of the T-72, the most popular tank of the second generation, which was put into service back in 1973. The B3 model was created as a cheap alternative to the T-90A and is a simple modernization of the T-72B tank, the main difference of which is the new Sosna-U multi-channel sight. Thanks to it, the new tank can conduct combat operations in any weather and geographical conditions, and most importantly, in the dark! Using one device, the gunner performs several operations during the battle: using an optical or thermal imaging channel, he fires a gun and controls anti-tank missiles.

But we're a little distracted, it's time to return to the training ground. 46 tons of armored steel roar past, followed by more and more: driver mechanics train with all their might, “piloting” the tank on a special track at a speed of 50 km/h. It frightens and fascinates, but when the earth trembles under your feet, some pleasant sensations even appear. Watching how the T-72B3 overcomes a ditch with water and an overpass, you begin to fantasize that a traffic jam, for example, on the Entuziastov Highway to the center during the morning rush hour would not be scary for it. The field referee brings me back to the real world. He makes it clear that with my camera and tripod I am in a life-threatening place: in the snow dust I might not be noticed and simply crushed, and it’s time for me to “get out” of here as quickly as possible.

The car overcomes the maximum 30-degree climb quickly and with reserve. A ford 1.2 m deep is not a problem for a tank, and with pre-sealing and a special installation for air intake, the tank will pass under water

I see how ahead, shrouded in clouds of bluish smoke from the engine, three more T-72B3s take off towards their tank directors. They go to the firing position, and I follow them. The “legend” of the training is as follows: the tank approaches the position, the driver, commander and gunner leave the vehicle. The latter takes shells and charges out of the boxes, loads them into the T-72, and the rest of the crew is “packed” after him. Then the tank drives up to the flags and fires a shot. A blank ejects from a 125-mm 2A46M-5 gun with a whipping sound wave. The sound of a shot is not as sharp as, for example, the 100-mm gun on the BMP-3, but also not as bassy as that of the 152-mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, with which the T-72 shares part of the chassis. The shock wave noticeably hits my chest, I even unconsciously let out a stupid cry, but the embarrassment was hidden behind the rolling echo. But it’s still better to open your mouth when firing: a recommendation from the artmaster helped me get rid of ear pain. Timely advice, otherwise I would not have heard him say that a break had been announced and a tank would soon arrive for a test. Great!

The 125mm gun is also a missile launcher; The barrel is chrome-plated, thereby increasing the service life. The gun is equipped with an interesting system: the ballistic computer of the fire control system automatically introduces corrections when aiming in conditions of deformation of the barrel due to heating during firing.

And here he is. In appearance, the car is as simple as a brick. The layout is standard, tank-like, with a control compartment at the bow, a combat compartment in the center and a power compartment at the stern with a log. On the turret is the same 125-mm 2A46M-5 gun, coaxial with a 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun. On the roof is a 12.7-mm NSV anti-aircraft machine gun, and the list of weapons ends with a standard “option” - tubes with the Tucha-U smoke grenade firing system.

The question arises, where did 52 million rubles go for the modernization from 72B to B3? After all, an inexperienced person cannot distinguish between T-72B, B3 and T-80. The answer lies in the details: a major overhaul of a combat vehicle costs about 30 million, and the remaining funds are spent on the purchase and installation of new equipment.

It's time to take a look at what's inside? Is it cozy for tankers? We are trying to penetrate the tower. Only an experienced “acrobat” will be able to get into the gunner’s and commander’s hatches, and even inside, with my dimensions, you won’t be able to get around much. You look around only by turning your head: sights, guidance systems, a huge breech of the gun and an automatic loader with a conveyor. It's a bit cramped, but you can live there. Well, how is the driver mechanic?

Here the situation is much worse. In the movies, we have all seen footage of the crew gracefully jumping into their seats and the car taking off. Well, this requires some skill. I don’t have such experience, so first, having felt the seat with my feet, I stood on it and began to slowly “strain” my body inside. With all my might, having simultaneously hit my bones with all the compartment mechanisms, I nevertheless closed the hatch of the driver’s compartment behind me. Of course, there are no belts, and the abundance of protruding metal parts suggests that in the NCAP crash test such a car would not score even one “star”, breaking all the driver’s bones. But we still managed to find the controls. Sensors, scales and control units are tightly screwed to the body. Ergonomics? What are you talking about? In relation to armored vehicles, the rating categories familiar to motorists do not work, and the view into triplexes resembles peeping through a keyhole, so we will move in a camping manner, with the hatch open.

Despite all the apparent complexity, controlling the tank does not cause any problems, and the brake pedal is only needed for emergency braking or for the final stop. The tank is easy to siege by simply lowering the gears

I press two buttons at the same time - starter and engine start. The mighty V12 roars to life. There is a trembling throughout the entire structure, and the engine, having “coughed out” a lot of smoke, the engine reaches even speed. “Parkinson's disease” announces itself immediately - teeth chatter to the beat of the engine. After the piercing wind that blows through the training ground, it’s warm in the car, and the involuntarily said “Oh, it’s getting warm” causes a fit of laughter from the mechanic driver, who hears me through the headset.

Under the armored cover of the power compartment is a reliable diesel V12 with a volume of 38.8 liters with the index B-84-1 and a power of 840 hp. Here it is, the real “No replacement for displacement”, the very sound of its launch makes the veins shake.

You must sound the horn before driving. Then we press the clutch pedal “somewhere into space”, engage first gear with a clang, slightly press down the heavy accelerator, gently release the clutch and, voila, without jerking or jerking, the T-72B3 smoothly moves away.

I was very surprised by the smoothness of the ride: the T-72 does not ride as smoothly as, say, the BMD-4M, which can be called a premium SUV with air suspension among armored vehicles, but still the operation of the torsion bar suspension of the tank is reminiscent of an old Suburban. The car has seven forward gears and one reverse gear, the T-72 accelerates approximately like some Nissan Micra with an automatic transmission with a 1.2 liter engine. But what a roar! At a maximum speed of 50 km/h on the ground, you get the feeling that you are a horseman of the apocalypse.

Rotation is carried out using levers that block special track clutches. Moreover, they need to be pulled a fair distance, and the machine responds to commands at the very end of the lever stroke: it gently changes course without sudden jerks. He pulled the left lever and turned left, and the right lever turned right. As easy as pie! But maneuvering at speed has its nuances. Since the clutches completely block the tracks, there is an option to “drift” the 46-ton monster and then remove the tracks. And God forbid they repeat the “feat” of foreign tankers who made “ears” on their car at the 2015 biathlon.

One of the obstacle tests is a moat with water. It must be passed at a certain speed: if it is very low, then the tank will get stuck, if it is too high, then you can “slam” into the other side of the ditch with all that it entails. But “tanks are not afraid of mud,” so I managed to overcome the ditch at low speed and the first time, cutting through the waves to the accompaniment of a diesel V12.

Well, what if you have to “hand over” backwards? In principle, on such a machine such a “trifle” should not particularly worry: the limit is felt with the help of a log for digging yourself out - this is such a harsh “parking sensors”. But jokes aside, maneuvering in reverse cannot be done without an assistant who stands outside and, with simple hand movements, directs it to “park.”

The cruising range of the T-72B3 tank is about 500 km. I don’t know if I could make a forced march on it - it’s too shaky. But tankers say it's a matter of habit

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end quickly. Discipline and time are inexorable, it’s time to turn off the engine and give the tank to the guys in black overalls. They need to train in order to once again “punish” their foreign colleagues in a fair sports tank fight at the biathlon range. True, at competitions Russian crews compete in a slightly different tank - the T-72B3 with a semi-automatic gearbox and an engine boosted to 1130 hp.

Technical characteristics of the T-72B3 tank (manufacturer data)

Body
Type	Armored car (SUV)
Number of seats/hatches	3/3
Engine
Type	Diesel
Number and arrangement of cylinders	12, V-shape
Working volume, l	38,8
Power, hp	840
Transmission
Drive unit	Crawler, full
Transmission	Two mechanical seven-speed (7+1) planetary gearboxes with friction engagement and control by hydraulic drives, simultaneously performing the functions of a turning mechanism
Roller suspension	Independent, torsion bar
Dimensions, volume, weight
Length/width/height, mm	6860x3370x2226
Ground clearance, mm	490
Curb weight, kg	48 800
Volume of fuel tanks, l	1200 + 500
Dynamic characteristics and fuel consumption, l/100 km
Maximum speed, km/h	50 on dirt, 65 on highway
Fuel consumption Combined, l/1 km	4
Environmental class	Euro-0
Cost of the tank, rub.
Test instance	52 000 000

Photobonus

Comparative characteristics

Armament

The main weapon of the T-72 tank is the D-81TM cannon with a caliber of 125 mm. The maximum firing range can reach 5000 m. And the maximum direct shot range at a target up to 2 meters high is 2100 m. The function of additional weapons is performed by a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and an NSVT-12.7 Utes anti-aircraft machine gun.

On our website you can buy a T-72 tank

, which was previously demilitarized and repaired. We offer repair and sales services for specialized equipment.

What did modernization give?

Tank T-72 in motion

The T-72 tank, a photo of which is presented on our website, is capable of accelerating to 60 km/h. The average speed on the highway is 50 km/h. On unpaved surfaces the machine moves at a speed of 35-45 km/h.

The machine has an active suspension system, which allows you to smooth out uneven road surfaces. The track roller discs are made of aluminum alloy, so they are characterized by maximum strength with minimal weight characteristics.

The presence of equipment for underwater driving allows you to overcome water obstacles, the depth of which reaches 5 meters. The width of such obstacles can reach 1000 meters.