When will the new datalife newspaper be published? Novaya Gazeta newspaper charges of libel and disinformation

This article examines the features of the new Russian tank T-14 Armata, but do not forget that its characteristics are not disclosed at this time, and the design itself may be refined for several more years.

Therefore, the text does not pretend to be true, but is only reasoning based on information in open sources.

Armored crew capsule

Let's start with the capsule, which, together with the uninhabited tower, is the most interesting feature Almaty. It should protect the crew much better than the simple hull of the MBT we are used to.

But let's figure out if this is true. Conventional armor can protect you from ordinary destructive weapons such as shells or shrapnel; you just need to make it thicker or stronger using new materials. In addition, if we assume that the crew is sitting shoulder to shoulder, then the capsule occupies almost the entire width of the hull, leaving no room for the onboard armor, which is very weak and can only protect, together with active armor, from not all destructive weapons.

The capsule will not save you from the explosion of the ammunition, which has become a sad association with Soviet MBTs, so all that remains is the fire of the ammunition as a result of its damage.

Yes, quite often there is not an instantaneous detonation, but a fire, leaving time for the crew to escape. But on tanks like the T-64 or T-72, the ammunition is separated only by polycom, which practically does not protect against high temperature and fire, and here the capsule becomes an excellent solution that saves the lives of the crew.

Perhaps it would be worthwhile to place the ammunition itself, along with the automatic loader, in an armored capsule, reliably separating them from the crew?

Hatches in Armata

If you are interested in Armata, you have probably already read about the insufficient thickness of the hatches, due to which modern anti-tank weapons can easily hit the new vehicle. I’m sure that the designers couldn’t just ignore such a drawback, so let’s talk about something else.

In the tanks we are used to, the hatches on the turret folded forward, protecting people during evacuation from small arms fire. In addition, the driver had his own, and in the bottom of the hull there was a special escape hatch. Of course, this did not provide any guarantee of survival for the crew of the damaged tank, but there were chances to escape the bullets.

The T-14 Armata has only 2 hatches in the front, and their covers do not in any way protect people leaving the tank. Imagine a situation in which the crew is trying to get out of a tank that is under fire and becomes an excellent target for the enemy. It is possible that Armata will receive an escape hatch, but the presence of an armored capsule makes this option unlikely. I'd like to be wrong.

Armored capsule and electronics

The abundance of electronics in the Armata is presented as an advantage, but this is also the Achilles heel of the new tank. What will happen to it if the electrical systems fail? A blind and deaf tin in which people sit, and this is by no means an exaggeration.

All old MBTs allow you to correct minor malfunctions such as a misfire or failure to fire a projectile even during a battle, or to fire a cannon or at least a machine gun manually.

The Armata has an uninhabited turret completely separated from the crew, eliminating this possibility.

The view from the tank is also provided by cameras; let’s assume that their resolution and the resolution of the screens are enough for normal vision, not inferior to optical vision. But such a design requires a constant supply of electricity even to an ambushed MBT, which can unmask it.

Well, it’s worth returning to the topic of crew evacuation. He will not only be forced to get out through the hatches in front of the tank, not only will he not have the opportunity to fight off enemy infantry with at least a machine gun, but he will also be practically blind in his capsule, not seeing what is happening outside.

The Armata's electronics, which provide excellent visibility, are certainly needed, and this is what our previous tanks lacked, but it would be better to also have the usual observation devices.

It seems that the T-14 Armata capsule has been sorted out. Now there is a contradictory impression that the capsule preserves the life of the crew only in certain conditions, and only then in order to then deprive them of the capabilities of self-defense and evacuation.

Tower

The Armata tower turned out to be controversial, or the model of the tower. Its body kit, and just a body kit, and not cardboard or something else, as they write in stupid gossip, is typical of most modern tanks, which do not have the main armor on the outside.

The shape of this body kit raises questions, since in some places it is very similar to cone-shaped bullet catchers, which will lead to bullets along with fragments getting into the optics, antennas and other important elements of the T-14 Armata.

A coaxial machine gun with a cannon is not noticeable, and the existing 7.62 mm will be insufficient in areas with various buildings, where various concrete slabs and walls can serve as cover from it, while a 12.7 mm or even an automatic 20-30 mm cannon allowed to hit targets behind cover.

Side screens

I would also like to note the unsuccessful installation of the side screens on the Armata. To the uninitiated, this may seem like a trifle, but the screens are the heavy legacy of the T-72, due to which it was lost a large number of tanks.

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

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

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

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

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

Tanks Wikipedia the author would like to express his special gratitude to M. Kolomiets for his help in selecting and processing materials, and also thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors reference book"Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941", since this book helped to understand the fate of some projects, which was previously unclear. I would also like to remember with gratitude those conversations with Lev Izraelevich Gorlitsky, the former chief designer of UZTM, which helped to take a fresh look at the entire history of the Soviet tank during the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. For some reason today it is common for us to talk about 1937-1938. only from the point of view of repression, but few people remember that it was during this period that those tanks were born that became legends of the wartime...” From the memoirs of L.I. Gorlinky.

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

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

The newest tanks in the world, when designing new tanks, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of increasing the level of armor protection during modernization by at least one stage...” This problem could be solved in two ways: Firstly, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly, by “using increased armor resistance." It is not difficult to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially strengthened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its durability by 1.2-1.5 It was this path (the use of especially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

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

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

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

How tanks fire video up to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than cementation, since while the hardness of the surface layer was higher than with cementation, the elasticity of the hull sheets was significantly reduced. So the “Krupp method” in tank building made it possible to increase the strength of armor even slightly more than cementation. But the hardening technology that was used for thick naval armor was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost not used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.

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

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

The best tanks in the world had a large-caliber gun, also had a larger breech, significantly greater weight and increased recoil reaction. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, placing large-sized rounds in a closed tank volume led to a decrease in transportable ammunition.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that at the beginning of 1938 it suddenly turned out that there was simply no one to give the order for the design of a new, more powerful tank gun. P. Syachintov and his entire design team were repressed, as well as the core of the Bolshevik design bureau under the leadership of G. Magdesiev. Only the group of S. Makhanov remained in the wild, who, since the beginning of 1935, had been trying to develop his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the staff of plant No. 8 was slowly finishing the “forty-five”.

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

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

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

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

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one production model of the tank in 1938-1939. The torsion bar suspension developed by the designer of the design bureau of plant No. 185 V. Kulikov was tested. It was distinguished by the design of a composite short coaxial torsion bar (long monotorsion bars could not be used coaxially). However, such a short torsion bar did not show enough in tests good results, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately pave the way for itself in the course of further work. Obstacles to overcome: climbs of at least 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, covered ditch 2-2.5 m."

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

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

In 2010, the Ministry of Defense announced the termination of 17 years of work on the T-95 tank, which was planned to be the main vehicle of the tank forces. Russian Federation. Despite many years of development and billions spent, the new T-95 is never close to mass production. It was decided to abandon the unpromising development and start absolutely new project, called "Armata".

Although the designers who were involved in the development of the T-95 tank were tasked with establishing mass production by 2015, the newest Armata tank has not yet gone into production, but is produced only in single copies, which can be seen on May 9 at the parade. I would like to believe that OJSC NPK Uralvagonzavod will not continue the tradition of producing the T-95, and the T-14 Armata tank will not be improved for 17 years.

According to the latest information, the T-14 Armata tank should enter production line production before 2020, and Armed forces The Russian Federation will receive 2,300 of these vehicles.

Since the characteristics of the new T-14 Armata tank are superior to all other analogues, the Ministry of Defense, in anticipation of the new product, refused to purchase T-90 tanks. So far, updates to the armored vehicle fleet are limited to deep modernization of the T-72 tank, which is considered the best combat vehicle of the late 20th century. JSC NPK Uralvagonzavod received a contract for the deep modernization of the T-72, the cost of this issue amounted to more than 6 billion rubles. However, testing of the T-14 is in full swing, so tankers hope to receive new generation models in the next couple of years.

Main characteristics and goals of creating the T-14 "Armata" tank

All technical information related to the development of the newest T-14 Armata tank is strictly classified. However, by analyzing various open sources, one can understand what the new Armata platform is, on which it is planned to produce not only the T-14 tank, but also a whole series of various military vehicles. Project characteristics can also be found in open sources.

The Armata platform is the latest Russian-developed tracked platform (4 generations). The plant plans to produce the following equipment on this platform:

• The T-14 battle tank, which is a priority military vehicle;
• The latest infantry fighting vehicle;
• Special combat vehicle for supporting tank forces;
• A repair vehicle equipped with armor;
• Various tracked chassis for artillery installations and the like.

The Armata platform is perfect for vehicles whose weight ranges from 30 to 65 tons. The purpose of creating a new platform was not only to produce the latest tank, which has no analogues in the world, but also to unify all military armored vehicles on a single platform. Unification should be as complete as possible and include the following common elements:

• Platform;
• Engine and transmission;
• Electrical equipment;
• Chassis;
• Controls;
• Life support systems.

Such unification is not found in any army in the world, so the Ministry of Defense placed its bets on this platform. The platform itself can be manufactured in 3 engine and transmission configurations:

• Front location;
• Central;
• Rear position.

Driving characteristics do not depend on the layout of the engine compartment, but this helps to place any special equipment or weapons on the chassis.

The platform suspension is controlled by vane shock absorbers, has 7 rollers on each side and a 12-speed automatic transmission, which can operate in manual mode.

Controls include:

• Steering wheel;
• Brake and gas pedals;
• Gear shift lever.

The Armata tank is planned to be equipped with a digital board system. This system is a powerful on-board computer capable of not only detecting breakdowns, but also using protection, startup, diagnostics and adjustment functions. This system is assembled on the basis of Russian production and uses the latest digital technologies.

The Armata tank will be able to be controlled not only by its crew. Its design included and implemented a system of complete remote control. This system brings the Armata tank closer to robotic technology that will be able to participate in combat operations without a crew. Complete robotization has not yet been achieved, since it is not possible to create artificial intelligence capable of making independent decisions in battle.

The task of remote control is to evacuate the tank from the battlefield in the event of loss of the crew or loss of control by the crew over the control of the tank.

The ammunition is protected from detonation by a special module, which will help keep the ammunition intact when an enemy shell hits the tank’s hull.

The T-14 tank will fire not only traditional shells (high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative or armor-piercing sub-caliber), but also several types of missiles:

• Surface-to-surface guided missiles, which are equipped with infrared and satellite guidance systems;
• Conventional surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles.

Firing various types of missiles turns a tank into a multifunctional military complex that can perform various combat missions:

• Launch tactical missiles;
• Serve as a mobile air defense system;
• Act as the army's intelligence complex (thanks to the latest systems radio communications and surveillance);
• Perform tasks traditionally performed by conventional tanks.

A group of such tanks is capable of quickly responding to changes in the combat situation and effectively dealing with them.

The total weight of the Armata tank is more than 50 tons, although other figures are found in different sources. The speed that the T-14 tank engine is capable of reaching can reach 90 km per hour on the highway.

The latest surveillance systems of the Armata tank

All tanks of the Armata series are equipped with a unique software and hardware complex (PTK) for radio communications. This complex allows tank crews to communicate with each other and act as a single crew, quickly responding to changes in the combat situation. Thanks to this complex, the tank commander can see the entire surrounding situation in real time, quickly process information and, together with the crews of tanks of the same class, solve combat missions. In addition to the Armata tanks, it is planned to equip other models of tanks and military equipment.

There are many video cameras built into the tank's hull, which allow you to monitor the entire situation around the tank. If necessary, it is possible to turn on the zoom mode, thermal imaging and infrared modes, which allow viewing at any time of the day, in any weather.

An antenna array can perform two main functions:

• Used in the tank combat power control system;
• Used in a protection complex in which it will determine the parameters and coordinates of a possible threat.

This system is unique, and its features are kept secret.

Armor of the new Armata tank

The armor of the T-14 tank is made of the latest armor steel grade 44S-sv-Sh. This steel was created by engineers from the Steel Research Institute of OJSC Research Institute of Steel specifically for the new tank. This steel can significantly reduce the overall weight of the Armata tank, while the overall strength will not be affected. The new steel has a wide range of properties, so it will be used not only as armor, but also as elements of the tank frame.

Although the hardness of the new steel is higher than that of older tank armor, its toughness remains at the same level. This made it possible to reduce the thickness of the armor plates, which helped to significantly reduce the weight of the tank. Reducing the overall weight had a positive effect on the dynamics of the combat vehicle.

The new armor of the T-14 tank is capable of withstanding a direct hit from any modern tank shell that exists in the world. In addition, the armor successfully resists anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers up to 150 caliber.

Engine installed on the Armata tank

The engine, which is standardly installed on new tank, is a powerful turbo-piston diesel engine developing 1,200 horsepower. Its weight is an impressive 5 tons, and its service life is stated to be at least 2,000 hours. This should not be taken literally, since it can last much longer, but the manufacturer vouches 100 percent for these indicators.

This development of the Chelyabinsk GSKB Transdiesel, which is produced at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant, surpasses all foreign analogues in its characteristics. It should be especially noted that the engine can be deeply modernized, since there is an opportunity for this. The engine power is forcibly reduced, since nominally it is 1,500 hp. With. This was done in order to increase engine life.

The engine, which goes under the designation 12N360, is a standard and tested engine that has passed all stages of testing and has long been installed on new models of Russian tanks (the same engines were equipped with Object 195, which were never included in the series). In tests carried out under extremely harsh conditions, this engine has proven itself to be excellent.

The main gun of the Armata tank

Since the T-95 series tanks, which were equipped with 152 mm caliber guns, were removed from further development, the well-proven 125 mm caliber guns became the main tank gun.

This gun is known under the symbol 2A46M. The gun has undergone several upgrades, with the latest model known as 2A46M-5. It has increased accuracy and exceeds the standard model in shooting accuracy by 20 percent. In addition, dispersion when firing on the move decreased by 1.7 times. Due to the use latest technologies, the latest modification of the 125 mm cannon is capable of firing high-power projectiles.

Since the Leopard tank gun, known under the symbol L 55, is considered the best tank gun in the world, it was decided to install a new gun on the Armata tanks, which would surpass the L 55 in its parameters.

Back in the distant 2000s, the Russian military industry released the newest 125-mm tank gun, known under the symbol 2A82. In the fall of 2006, it passed all tests, the results of which revealed that its characteristics exceeded all known tank guns by at least 1.2 times.

For the Armata project, this gun was modernized by lengthening the barrel by 1 meter. In addition, the latest ammunition was developed specifically for the new gun.

Military technology does not stand still, and the German military is making a new weapon based on the L 55, which will work on the principle of electrothermochemical throwing. In this regard, military designers have been tasked with making a domestic model of a weapon operating on a similar throwing principle. It is known from open sources that work in this direction is being carried out quite successfully, and practical experiments are already being carried out, yielding positive results.

The latest ammunition for 2A82 type guns was tested in 2013 and adopted for service. 2A82 guns are produced at a plant in Yekaterinburg.

After May 9, 2015, it became known that the gun that was developed for the T-95 tank (152-mm 2A83 cannon) had not gone anywhere and was already ready for installation on Armata series tanks. It was decided that the new Armata tanks, which will be released after 2015, will be equipped with a 152-mm gun, which is more powerful and promising. The pressure of the powder gases in the barrel of the new gun alone can reach 7,700 atmospheres, which is more than twice as high as those of other modern tank guns.

Machine guns of the T-14 "Armata" tank

The main machine gun that is installed on the Armata tank is a 7.62 mm caliber weapon (PKTM-6P7K), which is connected by a drive to the main gun. The machine gun is placed on a pastel. Its ammunition capacity is 1,000 rounds; in addition, additional reserves are stored in belts at the rear of the tank's turret. Additional ammunition is also 1,000 rounds.

In addition to the main machine gun, the Armata tank is equipped with an additional Kord machine gun, which is synchronized with the commander’s panorama. It is capable of fully monitoring the mirror's vertical stabilization and horizontal rotation. Its ammunition load is not as impressive as that of the main machine gun, and amounts to 300 rounds. Spare parts for this machine gun are stored next to additional ammunition for the main machine gun - at the rear of the tank turret in a box.

Protection system of the T-14 "Armata" tank

The protective system of the Armata tank is represented by a four-level protective complex, each level of which is responsible for its own tasks:

• All first-level defense systems have a common task, which is expressed in camouflage of the combat vehicle. For this, the latest GALS technologies are used, which are directly related to coating the tank with a special composition. This coating creates a reflective effect, which makes the vehicle invisible to enemy radar systems. The tank is almost impossible to detect using optical, radar and infrared search technologies;
• Level two protection is an active protection system that is capable of detecting and destroying all enemy shells and missiles that directly threaten the tank. This system is able to protect the car even from air strikes;
• The third level of protection destroys those shells and missiles that were somehow able to overcome the first two levels of the protective system;
• The task of the fourth level of protection is to directly monitor the condition of the tank and its crew.

Active protection complex "Afganit"

The Afghanit active protection complex (APS) is designed to protect tanks built on the Armata platform from enemy shells and missiles that are intended to destroy or damage a combat vehicle. This system is equipped with special charges designed to directly destroy enemy shells and missiles. This system is an analogue of individual missile defense, protecting the tank from most types of standard attacks.

Active protection completely covers the front hemisphere and the entire perimeter of the tank turret. It is located at different levels, which helps ensure a better system response in case of danger.

Currently, new active protection systems are being developed, which in the future are planned to be installed on combat vehicles of the Armata platform. The new systems will have such a fast response that they can intercept even high-speed kinetic missiles at a distance of at least 4 meters from the tank. It follows from this that not a single shell or missile that flies into the radius of action of the tank’s protective complex can harm it.

Dynamic protection system of the Armata tank

The dynamic protection of the Armata tank consists of special blocks, some of which are installed on the tank before direct participation in hostilities. Blocks are containers that are filled with armor elements. Between them there is a special filler, the task of which is to retain shell fragments that are able to break through the active protection system. These blocks are permanently stored in containers, but if damaged they can be replaced with new ones.

Dynamic containers are placed on the following tank elements:

• On each of the sides of the tower there are 3 protective blocks, which are installed permanently, but are equipped with protective elements only before the battle;
• The fenders are also protected by dynamic protection units. On each side they are hung in the amount of 7 pieces. In their design, these blocks are no different from the blocks located on the tower;
• The front part of the tank hull is also protected by removable blocks;
• The rear of the tank is protected by lattice screens.

The total weight of the protective blocks is 1 ton, but since it is installed before the battle, this does not affect the dynamics of the vehicle.

Sighting system of the T-14 "Armata" tank

The sighting system of the Armata tank consists of the following elements:

• The gunner's main multi-channel sight, which is equipped with a laser rangefinder and a built-in laser control channel. In addition, the sight has a sighting and thermal imaging channels. The maximum range that the gunner's sight can recognize is 7,500 meters. During the day, it is able to recognize another tank at a distance of up to 5,000 meters, and at night up to 3,500 meters;
• Commander's sight;
• A ballistic computer, which is equipped with a whole complex of various weather and topological sensors. The ballistic computer is also equipped with barrel counting sensors;
• A weapon stabilizer, which is equipped with two types of drives - electromechanical and electrohydraulic.

Any target can be automatically tracked from both the gunner’s and commander’s positions, thereby using the “hunter-shooter” mode.

All surveillance devices installed on the T-14 Armata tank are cleaned thanks to a special hydropneumatic cleaning system.

Although the serial production of tanks on the Armata platform is a big question, they should still be delivered en masse to the Tank Forces of the Russian Federation by 2020. Introduction of tanks the latest development will not only raise armored forces to new level, but will also allow us to reconsider the entire tactics of using tanks on the battlefield.

In 2015, at a military parade in Moscow dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the newest Russian development- T-14 Armata tank, which should radically affect the equipment of the Russian ground armies and determine the concept of their use for the coming decades. This tank, positioned as a 4th generation tank, has aroused great interest both in our country and throughout the world.

In this article we will look at the history and background of the creation of the Armata tank, its distinctive features And specifications, as well as prospects for use in real combat operations.

History and background for the creation of the new Armata tank

Another way

At the turn of the 2000s, Russia was developing 2 projects of a promising main battle tank, which would be a replacement for the current Russian MBT - the T-90. One of them is “Object 460” or “Black Eagle”(see photo above) - was developed by the Omsk Design Bureau. It had an extended modified chassis from the T-80U tank, in which another one was added to the six rollers, as well as a narrowed turret of a new design, armed with the already proven standard 125 mm smoothbore gun. It was assumed that the mass of the tank would be about 48 tons, and it would be equipped with a 1500-horsepower gas turbine engine, which would give it a specific power of more than 30 hp/t and make it one of the most dynamic tanks in the world.

The second project is “Object 195” or “T-95”(see photo below) - was developed by the Ural Design Bureau and the Uralvagonzavod corporation. It was an “ubertank” for its time, which also featured an uninhabited (unmanned) turret armed with a formidable 152 mm smoothbore gun on a seven-wheel chassis. The tank's crew (only 2 people) was housed in an isolated armored capsule in the front of the hull. The weight of the tank was not small - about 55 tons, and it was supposed to be equipped with a 1650 hp diesel engine, which would also give it good dynamic characteristics.

It was assumed that the kinetic energy of a projectile fired from the 152 mm smoothbore gun of the Object 195 was so great that if it hit the turret of an enemy tank, it would simply tear it off.

But in 2009-2010, both projects had to be curtailed for several reasons. Firstly, the development of both tanks was not very active and during the design and testing period (which is about 15-20 years) they simply became obsolete. Secondly, the transition to the use of such supertanks as the T-95 - quite expensive and resource-intensive to produce - would, to some extent, be a transition to the German path of development of tank construction during the Second World War, i.e. the “path of the royal tigers and mice” that absolutely did not justify itself. We needed a universal, mass-produced tank, with the best price-quality ratio, like our famous T-34. And thirdly, both of these tanks did not quite correspond to the concept of network-centric warfare.

Network-centric warfare concept

Network-centric warfare is a modern military doctrine aimed at increasing the combat effectiveness of various military formations participating in armed conflicts or modern wars by combining all combat and support units into a single information network and, as a result, achieving infocommunication superiority over the enemy.

Those. it turns out that by combining and almost instantaneously communicating command and control means, reconnaissance means, as well as means of destruction and suppression, more accelerated control of forces and means is achieved, increasing the effectiveness of defeating enemy forces and the survivability of one’s own troops, and each participant in combat operations receives full and timely information about the real combat situation.

Tank formations must also be adapted to the modern realities of network-centric warfare; for this, the tanks themselves must be able to connect to a unified information network and be able to almost instantly transmit to it information received by the tank from the outside through their own “survey” modules. In fact, this is practically one of the requirements for the new 4th generation tanks.

4th generation tank

"Object 195" as imagined by the artist.

The classification of tanks by generation is actually not official, it is very arbitrary and looks something like this:

To the first generation These include tanks from the 1950s-1960s, such as the Soviet T-44 and T-54, the German Panther, the English Centurion and the American Pershing.

Second generation associated with the advent of the so-called main battle tanks (MBT). It includes tanks from 1960-1980, such as the Soviet T-62, American M-60, English Chieftain, German Leopard and French AMX-30.

To the third generation include the latest modern tanks, such as the Soviet T-80 and Russian T-90, the American Abrams, the French Leclerc, the English Challenger, the Ukrainian Oplot, the South Korean Black Panther, the Israeli Merkava, the Italian " Ariete" and the German "Leopard-2".

It is clear that later generations of tanks were distinguished by more durable armor, more advanced protection and more formidable weapons. This also applies to the 4th generation of tanks, the appearance of which is long overdue. But besides this, as mentioned above, 4th generation tanks should be maximally adapted to network-centric warfare, and also, if possible, meet a number of other requirements:

• have an uninhabited turret and an automatic loader;
• the crew must be isolated in an armored capsule;
• the tank must be partially robotic.

By the way, a fully robotic unmanned tank can be considered a 5th generation tank.

Our designers approached the development of a new tank with approximately the same list of requirements when, in 2010, after the winding up of the Object 195 and Object 640 projects, they received the task of designing a new generation tank as quickly as possible.

Platform "Armata"

The order for the design, testing and production of the new tank was received by the state corporation UralVagonZavod, located in Nizhny Tagil and engaged in the development and production of various military equipment. When developing a new tank, the Ural Design Bureau, affiliated with UralVagonZavod, actively used ready-made advanced developments on the “Object 195” that was already being developed here, as well as on the project of the Omsk Design Bureau - “Object 640”. Both closed projects greatly helped our designers to quickly cope with the task.

But the most important thing is that this time our designers (as well as our military leadership) saw the problem of building a new tank more broadly, and it was decided to develop not just a 4th generation tank, but a universal tracked platform that could be used for the design of a wide variety of military equipment, which would solve the above-described problem of universality, mass availability and price-quality ratio.

Thus, Uralvagonzavod designed and implemented the so-called unified combat heavy tracked platform "Armata", on the basis of which it is planned to create about 30 different types of military equipment. Moreover, they will have in common not only the platform, but also general system battle control, a general communication system, a general active protection system and many other components and modules.

The universal heavy combat platform "Armata" has three engine layout options: front, rear and middle. This allows the platform to be used for the design of almost any type of military equipment. For a tank, for example, they use a rear-mounted engine, but for an infantry fighting vehicle, on the contrary, a front-mounted one.

At the moment, our defense industry has already received the first units of equipment based on the new platform - this armored repair and recovery vehicle BREM T-16(for now only as a project), BMP T-15 infantry fighting vehicle and of course the main combat tank T-14 "Armata", which we could already see at the Victory Parade in Moscow.

The T-14 tank is the latest Russian tank of the 4th generation on the Armata universal heavy combat tracked platform. The tank received the index “14”, as usual, according to the year the project was implemented - 2014. At the project stage, the tank had the designation “Object 148”.

It is believed that the T-14 "Armata" tank is the world's first 4th generation tank, the first tank within the framework of the concept of network-centric warfare and that it has no analogues at all. In general, according to many of our and foreign experts, today the Armata is the best tank in the world.

First, let's take a quick look at what this new Armata tank is, what design solutions our design engineers implemented in it, and what main features it has:

Main features of the T-14 "Armata" tank

• The tank has an uninhabited turret. It is equipped with a proven remote-controlled 125 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loader.
• The design of the tank allows it to be equipped with a 152 mm gun, already tested on the Object 195.
• The tank's crew is housed in an isolated armored capsule that can withstand direct hits from all existing modern anti-tank shells.
• The armored capsule with the crew is securely separated from the ammunition and fuel tanks.
• The active suspension will allow the tank to conduct accurate aimed fire at speeds of up to 40-50 km/h.
• It is assumed that the active suspension will allow the tank to move at speeds of up to 90 km/h not only on the highway, but also over rough terrain.
• Used in tank the new kind combined multilayer armor is 15% different than that used in domestic 3rd generation tanks. The equivalent thickness of the armor is about 1000 mm.
• All tank modules are controlled by the latest tank information and control system (TIUS), which, if any malfunction is detected, notifies the crew about it with an appropriate voice message.
• The Armata radar complex uses active phased array radars capable of tracking about 40 ground and 25 air targets at a distance of up to 100 km.
• If a projectile is detected flying at a tank, the Afghanit active protection complex automatically turns the tank's turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful frontal armor and be ready to strike back at the enemy who fired this projectile.
• The destruction range of a 125 mm gun is up to 7000 m, while the best Western models have this parameter of 5000 m.
• The Armata tank uses a large number of effective stealth technologies that make it practically invisible or difficult to detect for many types of weapons.

Performance characteristics of the T-14 "Armata" tank

Infographics and arrangement of modules in the T-14 tank

A good infographic of the T-14 tank with the location of the modules was made by the RIA Novosti agency:

Video review “T-14 multi-purpose tank on the Armata tracked platform”

For the 80th anniversary of Uralvagonzavod, an interesting mini-video review about the T-14 Armata tank was released:

Radar complex

The T-14 is the first tank in the world to use an active phased array radar (AFAR radar). Radars of the same type are installed on new Russian multi-role fighters fifth generation T-50, which should replace the SU-27. Unlike radars with a passive array, AFAR radars consist of a large number of independently adjustable active modules, which significantly increases tracking ability and reliability, since if one of the radar modules fails, we will only get a slight distortion of the “picture”. It is true that the cost of such radars is somewhat higher.

The Armata uses 4 AFAR radar panels located around the perimeter of the tower (see photo above). They are protected by bulletproof and anti-fragmentation shields, but, nevertheless, can be easily replaced in the field (plastic hinges for removing radar panels are visible in the photo).

The radar complex of the T-14 tank can simultaneously track up to 40 ground moving and up to 25 aerial aerodynamic targets, which makes it one of the key elements on the battlefield within the concept of network-centric warfare. Target tracking distance is up to 100 km.

If, for camouflage purposes, the main surveillance radar of the tank is turned off, then at close range it is replaced by two ultra-fast response radars, which are also used to trigger destructive elements of active protection against shells fired at the tank.

Target detection systems in the infrared and ultraviolet range

On the T-14 turret, a panoramic sight is installed on the same axis with the machine gun mount, which serves to determine the coordinates of targets received by various surveillance modules, while it rotates 360 degrees regardless of the machine gun.

The panoramic sight includes a visible camera, an infrared camera and a laser rangefinder. When each new target is captured by the radar, the panoramic sight automatically turns in its direction to determine its exact coordinates. The received information is displayed on the monitors of the tank crew in the form of a tactical map with the coordinates of recorded targets, and if necessary, you can press your finger on the image on the touch screen to clarify the coordinates of a particular target.

In addition to the panoramic sight, the T-14 tank is equipped with six autonomous high-definition cameras that allow the crew to monitor the situation around the tank along its entire perimeter. These cameras allow tank crews to assess the situation when the radar is turned off and in conditions of enemy electronic warfare, and also record laser pointers aimed at the tank.

In addition, these HD cameras can see through a smoke screen (in the infrared spectrum), giving a significant advantage to the Armata, which uses this type camouflage. The following example is given:

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

Active protection complex "Afganit"

And a radar complex of 4 AFAR radars and 2 high-speed radars, and infrared HD cameras are part of the tank’s active protection complex, which serves not only for reconnaissance of targets, but also for the timely detection of threats to the tank and their elimination. These are the features of the Afghanit active protection complex installed on the Armata:

• When detecting an enemy projectile approaching the tank, the Afghanit automatically turns the tank's turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful armor on the one hand, and on the other hand to be ready to strike a counter-strike at the object that fired this projectile.
• When detecting shells approaching the tank, the Afghanit automatically controls the machine gun mount to destroy them.
• If increased camouflage is required, Afganit can operate in passive mode with the radar turned off, relying on data from HD cameras.
• "Afganit" is safe for friendly infantry located near the tank, since it uses electronic warfare and smoke-metal curtains to a greater extent to counter enemy missiles.
• In addition, according to the latest data, "Afganit" successfully resists modern armor-piercing shells with cores.

The Afghanit active protection complex is capable of hitting projectiles approaching the tank at speeds of up to 1,700 m/s. But our designers are already developing a new active protection - “Zaslon”, which will be able to intercept projectiles approaching at speeds of up to 3000 m/s.

Dynamic protection complex "Malachite"

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

• “Malachite” successfully resists not only various cumulative projectiles, but is also capable of destroying the latest NATO sub-caliber projectiles, which were specially designed to penetrate such dynamic protections that preceded “Malachite”, such as “Relikt” and “Kontakt-5”.
• "Malachite" is much better able to withstand the most advanced anti-tank missile systems (ATGM).
• By reducing the amount explosive In the Malachite dynamic protection, the possibility of hitting your own infantry and damaging the tank's observation devices is practically excluded.

Armament of the T-14 tank

The fire control system of the T-14 tank is connected to the Afghanit active protection complex and its radio-optical modules. With their help, the tank's weapons are aimed at detected targets. Besides, When aiming, data coming from the following sensors is used:

• gyroscopic sensors for the angular orientation of the tank in space;
• air temperature and humidity sensor;
• wind direction and speed sensor;
• sensor for barrel bending due to heating.

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

As we already wrote above, the T-14 tank can be equipped with either a standard 125 mm gun or a 152 mm cannon. As standard, the Armata is equipped with the already proven 125 mm smoothbore gun 2A82-1C, which has 17% higher muzzle energy and 20% greater accuracy than the best examples of Western guns mounted on tanks.

It should also be noted that the destruction range of this gun is about 7000 m, which exceeds the performance of foreign tank guns, most of which have a destruction range of no more than 5000 m. This again gives the Armata a significant advantage - it is our tank that will have the right to “long hands", i.e. he will be able to shoot enemy tanks without even getting close to them at their effective range.

In addition, the 2A82 gun has the ability to fire ammunition up to 1 meter in length (for example, such as the high-power “Vacuum-1” sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles). The T-14 is equipped with an automatic loader for 32 rounds, which achieves a rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute.

Some of the Armata tanks are going to be equipped with a 152 mm 2A83 gun, whose armor-piercing sub-caliber shells are more than 1000 mm, and their speed is 2000 m/s, which leaves no chance for all known modern tanks. In addition, as the leaders of the Uralvagonzavod corporation state, the kinetic energy of a 152 mm gun projectile is such that it will more often than not simply tear off the turret of a targeted enemy tank.

Both guns allow you to use their barrel to launch guided missiles. It is assumed that the 152 mm gun can use missiles with armor-piercing power up to 1500 mm and a range of up to 10000 m, which can hit both ground and air targets.

Some experts point to the possibility of using guided active-missile projectiles with a range of up to 30 km on T-14 tanks armed with a 152 mm gun, which turns such an “Armata” into a fire support tank for use both against enemy infantry and against heavily protected enemy objects.

The Armata's machine gun armament includes a large-caliber 12.7 mm Kord machine gun, controlled remotely by the crew and included in the Afghanit active defense complex, as well as a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun, coaxial with a tank gun. Moreover, for reloading the Kord there is a special automated system that does not require the participation of crew members.

T-14 tank armor

As we indicated above, one of the main features of the Armata tank is the presence of a special isolated armored capsule, separated from the rest of the tank by armored partitions and used to accommodate the entire crew with control computers. In addition, the armored capsule protects against weapons of mass destruction and has an air conditioning system and a fire extinguishing system. All this significantly increases both the survivability of the crew and the survivability of the tank itself. It is stated that the maximum duration of continuous stay of the crew in the armored capsule is about 3 days.

In the production of Armata tanks, a new type of armored steel with ceramic inserts is used, which has increased armor resistance. This made it possible, with the same armor thickness, to achieve a smaller tank mass and, accordingly, better dynamics. However, in frontal projection the T-14 is expected to have an armor equivalent of over 1,000mm against sub-caliber rounds and about 1,300mm against HEAT rounds. This makes the tank resistant to head-on hits from any modern ammunition and capable of withstanding such formidable anti-tank weapons as the American heavy anti-tank missile system"TOW" and American portable anti-tank missile system "Javelin".

T-14 turret

The structure of the turret is classified information, however, it is assumed that it consists of an external anti-fragmentation casing, under which the main armor of the turret is hidden. The anti-fragmentation casing performs several functions:

Protection of tank instruments from fragments, high-explosive shells and bullet penetrations;
- reduction of radio signature to counter radar-guided ATGMs;
- shielding of external electronic fields, which makes the tower devices resistant to various kinds of magnetic pulses.

Below is a video with a possible design of the T-14 tank turret:

Stealth technologies

Another significant feature of the T-14 is the use of various stealth technologies, which radically reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared, radar and magnetic surveillance spectra. Here are the stealth tools used in Armata:

• a unique GALS coating that helps reflect a wide range of waves and protects the tank from overheating in the sun;
• flat reflective edges of the hull, reducing the visibility of the tank in the radio range;
• a system for mixing exhaust gases with ambient air, reducing the visibility of the tank in the infrared range;
• thermal insulation on the inside of the body, which also reduces the visibility of the T-14 in the IR range;
• heat traps that distort the “signature” (visual image of the tank) in the infrared range;
• distortion of its own magnetic field, making it difficult to determine the location of the tank for magnetometric weapons.

All this causes significant difficulties for the enemy when detecting the Armata, determining its coordinates, and generally identifying it as a tank.

Many experts believe that the T-14 Armata is the world's first stealth tank.

Engine

The T-14 tank is equipped with a multi-fuel 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped turbocharged diesel engine (12N360), which was designed in Chelyabinsk and produced there - at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The engine has a switching power from 1200 to 1500 hp, but on production vehicles it is expected to install an engine with a maximum power of 1800 hp. This will provide the tank with excellent dynamic characteristics - so maximum speed on the highway it will reach 90 km/h. In addition, this four-stroke engine is much more economical than the old two-stroke engines, which ensures a cruising range of 500 km without refueling.

The gearbox on the T-14 is automatic robotic with the ability to switch to manual control.

It should also be noted that exhaust gases are discharged through pipes passing through the additional fuel tanks. This provides them with additional cooling and ultimately reduces the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. The tanks themselves are covered with armor plates and anti-cumulative screens, and they are protected from fire by open-cell filler.

The engine and transmission are combined into a separate module, which allows you to replace a failed power unit in less than an hour.

Active suspension

If previously Russian tanks used a 6-roller chassis, then the Armata platform has a 7-roller chassis, which makes it possible to build on its basis equipment with a maximum weight of up to 60 tons. Therefore, the T-14 tank remains huge potential for all kinds of upgrades.

The suspension used in the T-14 tank is active, that is, it is capable of detecting unevenness under the tracks using sensors and automatically adjusting the height of the rollers. This feature not only increases the speed of the tank over rough terrain, but also significantly (by about 1.5 - 2.0 times) increases the accuracy of aiming while moving. High-precision shooting while quickly moving across the battlefield is another undeniable advantage"Armata" in case of a possible "meeting" with such quite probable opponents as "Leopard-2" or Abrams, which still use uncontrolled hydropneumatic suspension, developed more than 30 years ago.

Tank information and control system

The Armata is equipped with one of the best tank information management systems (TIUS), which monitors all tank modules in real time and automatically checks them for malfunctions. If any problems are detected, the TIUS system informs the crew about this in voice mode and gives recommendations on how to eliminate them.

Defense order

At the parade in Moscow in 2015, T-14s from the first pilot production batch (20 tanks) were presented to the public. Serial production of the Armata began in 2016 and by its end it is planned to produce about 100 more vehicles, which will be actively used in various types of tests and exercises to identify shortcomings and determine the necessary improvements.

In total, by 2020 it is planned to commission 2,300 T-14 Armata tanks. This is exactly how the state order was presented by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to the Uralvagonzavod state corporation. Moreover, it was separately indicated that serial production of Armata tanks will not be stopped even in conditions of a severe economic crisis.

By the way, the management of Uralvagonzavod indicates the cost of the tank at 250 million rubles (this is about 4-5 million dollars). This means that the entire batch of T-14 tanks of 2300 tanks will cost our state 10 billion dollars.

Other combat vehicles on the Armata platform

T-15 Armata infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

In addition to the T-14 tank, it is planned to produce the T-15 armored infantry fighting vehicle on a unified heavy combat tracked platform, the first copies of which were also demonstrated at the Victory Parade in Moscow. It must be said that this is the first heavily armored infantry fighting vehicle in the Russian army. Its tank level of armor is impenetrable to modern ATGMs with a caliber of up to 150 mm and BOPS with a caliber of up to 120 mm, as well as the presence of the Afghanit active protection allows it to operate in the same tactical group together with T-14 tanks and makes it a “network-centric” combat vehicle.

The weight of the T-15 infantry fighting vehicle is about 50 tons, the crew is 3 people, in addition, it has a landing module for 9 people at the rear.

The versatility and modularity of the Armata platform allows the T-15 BMP to have several combat configurations:

• The main version with the Boomerang-BM combat module, the armament of which includes the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, a 30 mm 2A42 automatic anti-aircraft gun and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, allows it to successfully counter various ground and air targets. distances up to 4 km (universal air defense configuration).
• Option with the Baikal combat module, the armament of which includes a modified shipborne 57 mm anti-aircraft gun with higher firepower and a destruction range of up to 8 km (long-range air defense configuration).
• Variant with 120 mm heavy mortar (anti-personnel configuration).

Below is an infographic with the performance characteristics of the T-15 Armata infantry fighting vehicle:

Armored repair and recovery vehicle (ARV) T-16 "Armata"

Above is a photo of the BREM-1M armored repair and recovery vehicle, created on the basis of the T-72 tank chassis and intended for the evacuation of damaged or stuck equipment in combat conditions. Based on the universal heavy platform "Armata", it is planned to release a new ARV under the designation T-16, which will be equipped with a more powerful cargo crane and a whole range of various special equipment.

Self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) "Coalition-SV"

In order to include in one group with the T-14 tanks and T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, equipment with powerful and long-range fire support is planned to be transferred to the heavy combat platform "Armata" and our newest self-propelled artillery mount 2S35 "Coalition-SV", which replaced the outdated self-propelled guns 2S3 "Acacia" and 2S19 "Msta-S". Developed by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute and produced at the Uraltransmash plant, also part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, the 152 mm self-propelled howitzer has a wide variety of purposes: from the destruction of the enemy’s tactical nuclear weapons and the destruction of his fortifications to countering his manpower and equipment.

When designing the Coalition-SV, we also adhered to the principle of modularity and versatility, so this howitzer can be installed on almost any platform, including a ship’s one.

The main feature of the new self-propelled gun is its range - up to 70 km, which significantly exceeds all known foreign analogues in this parameter. The Coalition-SV's ammunition capacity is 70 rounds, and its rate of fire is 10-15 rounds per minute.

Besides, It is also planned to build the following types of equipment on the basis of the universal Armata platform:

• Flamethrower combat vehicle (BMO-2)
• Heavy flamethrower system (TOS BM-2)
• Multi-Purpose Engineering Vehicle (MIM-A)
• Transport-loading vehicle of the heavy flamethrower system (TZM-2)
• Minelayer (UMZ-A)
• Floating conveyor (PTS-A)
• Bridgelayer (MT-A)

Prospects for the use of the Armata tank

As we wrote above, the T-14 Armata tank was developed within the framework of a network-centric concept, therefore it is intended for combat operations as part of a tactical group, including equipment and systems of a very different nature: other Armata tanks or tanks modernized for network-centric warfare T-90S, several T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, a battery of Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled guns, KA-52 Alligator attack helicopters and other equipment. At the same time, the T-14 “Armata” in this group is assigned one of the key roles, namely the role of a reconnaissance officer, target designator and command tank, controlling the battle through unified system management.

Conclusion

It’s all good that in terms of military projects we are not lagging behind, and in some cases even ahead of other leading military powers of the world, and the development and implementation of the universal heavy platform “Armata” should significantly improve our country’s defense capability in the event of a major (third world) war. The only question is what kind of big war it will be and will it even be possible to emerge victorious from it?

P.S. Below is a video about modern history of our tank forces, presented by the Ministry of Defense on Tanker Day, in which you can see the hero of our review - the T-14 Armata tank.

/Based on materials from in-rating.ru/

Tank troops are considered one of the most powerful components of the modern army. Developers all over the world are paying special attention to improving tanks and other heavy armored vehicles so that they can carry out a large number of assigned combat missions.
Russia was no exception, where specialists decided to create powerful combat vehicles based on the special Armata tracked platform, which will allow unifying armored units and units.

Of the entire Armata family, the most anticipated new product in military engineering was the main tank - a new combat vehicle, on the creation of which Uralvagonzavod specialists, engineers and designers worked hard.

Technical characteristics of the Armata T-14 tank

1. Combat weight 48 tons
2. Crew - 3 people
3. Booking
- combined multilayer armor
- Afghanit active protection complex
- dynamic protection Malachite
4. Weapons
- Smoothbore gun 125 mm 2A82-1M (152 mm 2A83)
- Gun ammunition: 45 shells (32 in the automatic loader)
- Machine guns - 1 × 12.7 mm Kord; 1 × 7.62 mm PKTM
5. Engine
- multi-fuel A-85-3A (12N360)
- Engine power 1500 hp.
6. Highway speed - 80 - 90 km/h
7. Speed ​​over rough terrain - about 70 km/h
8. Cruising range on the highway - over 500 km
9. Specific power - 31 liters. s./t
10. Suspension type - active.

Multi-level protection of the Armata tank

The main feature of the T-14 tank is the uninhabited turret of the tank - the crew is located in an isolated armored capsule; among other things, a multi-layer combined armor barrier is installed in the front projection of the combat vehicle, protecting tank crews during frontal hits from anti-tank shells and missiles. This approach to tank design allows the combat vehicle to withstand hits from most modern and future ATGMs and anti-tank shells, while preserving the lives of tank crews. The manned armored capsule also houses control computers, which makes the tank more survivable in modern combat conditions.

Location of components and modules of Almata

The engine, transmission, as well as the automatic loader with ammunition are isolated from each other, which dramatically increases the survivability of the Almata even if the armor of the turret or engine/transmission compartments of the tank is penetrated. That is, if there is no direct hit in the compartment with ammunition and automatic loader, then there will be no detonation of the ammunition. Even with multiple penetrations of the tank, the armored capsule will protect the crew and fire control systems, allowing the robotic uninhabited turret to fire. Another original solution is that the crew is positioned in a row, which reduces the area of ​​the side projection of the manned armored capsule, sharply reducing the likelihood of being hit.

The T-14 tank uses a new mine-resistant V-shaped armor; remote mine detectors are installed on the tank, which are connected to an anti-tank mine destruction system, which allows the tank to overcome minefields.

Turret of the T-14 Armata tank

The turret of the Armata T-14 tank, as we wrote above, is uninhabited; its armor consists of anti-fragmentation casings to protect instruments and weapons. The steel casing protects the turret instruments, as well as dynamic protection modules from light fragmentation damage; an additional function of the casing is to reduce the radio signature of the tank against ATGMs/ATGMs with radar guidance of the JAGM type, due to the geometry of the surface.

Active protection complex "Afganit"

But armor cannot 100% protect a tank from modern anti-tank weapons, so the T-14 is equipped with the Afghanit active protection complex, which has the ability to intercept modern ATGMs, cumulative grenades from RPGs, as well as sub-caliber armor-piercing shells while approaching the tank.
Defense Update experts, when analyzing the Afghanit system on the T-14, indicate that it consists of damaging and camouflage elements. The striking elements are located in shotgun pedestals under the turret, operating similarly to the Drozd KAZ, but more efficiently - the reaction time allows you to intercept even sub-caliber shells. The Afghanit developers also received patent RU 2263268 for an active protection system based on the “shock core” principle, which allows them to shoot down promising ammunition at speeds of up to 3000 m/s.
The camouflage elements of the Afghanit active protection complex are located in small mortars on the roof of the tank turret. Defense Update experts report that, presumably, the camouflage elements operate simultaneously as: a smoke screen, a multispectral curtain (including the IR range) and a curtain opaque to millimeter-wave radars (by releasing a cloud of miniature dipoles). According to Defense Update, this completely blocks anti-tank systems built on the principle of laser (ATGM Hellfire, TOW, Fagot, Skif, Stugna-P), IR guidance (ATGM Javelin, Spike) and with its own MW radar (ATGM JAGM, Brimstone) , making Armata protected from these anti-tank missiles, as well as from gliding homing charges (“roofbreakers”).

To counteract guidance radars and AWACS aircraft, the T-14 tank uses modern elements of stealth technology with characteristic flat edges (see, for example, the casing on the turret of the Armata tank). Defense Update experts indicate that the combined destructive and camouflage KAZ "Afganit" is triggered by an AFAR radar, which is divided into 4 separate matrices aimed at different sides, the rear matrices are turned upward to control the upper hemisphere, so the AFAR radar has all-round coverage. The tank's optical surveillance equipment is also integrated with a system for proactive delivery of curtains.
Previously, the developers of the T-14 also reported that the machine gun mount, based on data from the AFAR radar, is capable of protecting the tank not only by shooting down incoming anti-tank missiles, but also having a significant probability of hitting anti-tank shells in order to change the flight path of sub-caliber shells or damage cumulative ammunition.

New steel for armor of the Armata tank

For combined multilayer armor, specialists from the Research Institute of Steel have developed a new armor steel grade 44S-SV-Sh of high resistance electroslag remelting, as well as new materials and filler designs. This made it possible to reduce the total weight of the tank's armor protection by 15% while maintaining armor resistance. Dynamic protection of the T-14 was created according to the principle of design and configuration changes to suit the scenario combat use tank. On the march, dynamic protection can be removed, and additional modules can be installed for an urban combat scenario.

Chassis and engine of Almaty

The new Armata medium tank is equipped with a 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped turbocharged diesel engine A-85-3A (12N360) with a power of 1,500 horsepower. The 12N360 multi-fuel engine, with direct injection, was developed by the Chelyabinsk Transdiesel design bureau and is produced at ChTZ (Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant).
The tank has a 7-roller active suspension on vane shock absorbers with a differential steering mechanism with hydrostatic transmission. The new active suspension eliminates the swaying of the tank while moving, which makes it possible to reduce the time of target acquisition by optical-electronic guidance means by 2.2 times, reducing the time of hitting a “tank” type target by 1.45 times!
The T-14 Armata is equipped with a tank information and control system (TIUS), which monitors all components and assemblies, controls on-board systems, and diagnoses faults, which allows the driver to control the engine and chassis without leaving the armored capsule for inspection and diagnostics - the need for repairs is determined electronics.
In the T-14, the design of additional fuel tanks was changed; for the first time for Soviet and Russian tanks, they became non-removable and recessed behind the armor and anti-cumulative shield. In this case, the tanks participate in additional protection engine, taking on shock deformations. The exhaust of Almaty engines is produced through pipes running through additional fuel tanks, which, taking into account the high heat capacity of hundreds of liters of fuel, reduces the visibility of the tank in the infrared range.
Although the new tank is being created according to all the standards of Russian tank building and is quite often compared to the Black Eagle, the model is an absolute novelty that has no analogues. Important distinctive feature can be called development high level safety of the crew, which will be housed in a special armored capsule.

Armata tracked platform - a universal combat transformer

"Armata" is a heavy tracked platform, which was developed by the Uralvagonzavod enterprise and can be used unified in production various types modern heavy armored vehicles. Based on this unique project, it is planned to create several types of armored vehicles, the development of which Russian specialists have already begun to engage in. The main positions are:
T-14 (object 148) - Main battle tank;
BMP-T T-15 (GBTU index - object 149) Infantry fighting vehicle;
BREM-T T-16 (object 152) - repair and recovery vehicle;
BMO-2 - flamethrower combat vehicle;
TOS BM-2 - heavy flamethrower system;
TZM-2 - transport-loading vehicle for a heavy flamethrower system;
2S35 "Coalition-SV" - self-propelled artillery unit;
USM-A1 - mining system;
UMZ-A - minelayer (project);
MIM-A - multi-purpose engineering vehicle;
MT-A - bridge laying machine (project);
PTS-A - floating conveyor (project).
Also, the Armata universal tank tracked platform can serve as the basis for creating a chassis for self-propelled artillery units and various types of specialized engineering vehicles. The general public first met the Armata at the Victory Parade on May 9, 2015. The participation of the new T-14 Armata tank attracted the attention of not only Russians; great amount military specialists from all over the planet.
Update: according to the statement of the head of Uralvagonzavod Oleg Sienko, the Russian Ministry of Defense has agreed on the cost and volume of the order of new T-14 Armata tanks until 2035. The previous volume of supplies of Armat to the troops, approved until 2020, will be adjusted. According to Sienko, the first batch of Armata tanks will arrive in tank units of the Russian Armed Forces by 2018. The total need of the ground forces for a new combat vehicle is 2000 - 2300 units.

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