The heaviest tank in the world during the Second World War. How much does a tank weigh How much does a 90 ton weigh with full armament

Modern battle tanks of Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures to watch online. This article gives an idea of ​​the modern tank fleet. It is based on the classification principle 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 a museum exhibit. And all for 10 years! Follow in the footsteps of Jane's guide and not consider this combat vehicle (very curious in design and fiercely discussed at the time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet last quarter XX century, the authors considered unfair.

Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of armament of the ground forces. The tank was and probably will remain for a long time modern weapons due to the 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 technologies accumulated over decades predetermine new frontiers of combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the age-old confrontation "projectile - armor", as practice shows, protection from a projectile is being improved more and more, acquiring new qualities: activity, multilayeredness, self-protection. 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 perform quick maneuvers on impassable roads, contaminated terrain, can “walk” through the territory occupied by the enemy, seize a decisive bridgehead, induce panic in the rear and suppress the enemy with fire and caterpillars . The war of 1939-1945 was the most ordeal for all mankind, since almost all countries of the world were involved in it. It was the battle 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 "check for lice" and a deep reform of the first theories of the use of tank troops took place. And it is the Soviet tank forces all of which are the most affected.

Tanks in battle that became 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 lost most of his European territories and with difficulty recruiting tanks for the defense of Moscow, was he able to release powerful tank formations on the battlefield already in 1943? This book, which tells about the development of Soviet tanks "in the days of trials", from 1937 to early 1943. When writing the book, materials from the archives of Russia and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that was deposited in my memory with some depressing feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and stopped only at the beginning of forty-third, - said the former general designer of self-propelled guns L. Gorlitsky, - there was some kind of pre-stormy state.

Tanks of the Second World War, it was M. Koshkin, almost underground (but, of course, with the support of "the wisest of the wise leader of all peoples"), who was able to create that tank that, a few years later, would shock German tank generals. And what’s more, he didn’t just create it, the designer managed to prove to these stupid military men that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not just another wheeled-tracked “highway”. The author is in slightly different positions that he formed after meeting with the pre-war documents RGVA and RGAE 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 all the activities of design bureaus and people's commissariats as a whole, during a frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, the transfer of industry to wartime rails and evacuation.

Tanks Wikipedia the author wants to express his special gratitude for the help in the selection and processing of materials to M. Kolomiyets, and also to thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors of the reference publication "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941" because this book helped to understand the fate of some projects, unclear before. I would also like to recall 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 Soviet Union. Today, for some reason, it is customary to talk about 1937-1938 in our country. only from the point of view of repressions, 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. Gorlinkogo.

Soviet tanks detailed assessment about them of that time sounded from many mouths. Many old people recalled that it was from the events in Spain that it became clear to everyone that the war was getting 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 a "mechanized cavalry" (in which one of its combat qualities was emphasized by reducing others) into a balanced combat vehicle, possessing at the same time powerful weapons, sufficient to suppress most targets, good maneuverability and mobility with armor protection, capable of maintaining its combat effectiveness when fired upon by the most massive anti-tank weapons of a potential enemy.

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

The latest 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 step ... "This problem could be solved in two ways: First, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly," by using increased armor resistance". It is easy to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially hardened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its resistance by 1.2-1.5 It was this path (the use of specially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

Tanks of the USSR at dawn tank production armor was used most massively, the properties of which were identical in all directions. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of the armor business, the craftsmen strove to create just such armor, because uniformity ensured stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of the 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. So heterogeneous (heterogeneous) armor came into use.

In 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 result) to an increase in brittleness. Thus, the most durable armor, ceteris paribus, turned out to be very fragile and often pricked even from breaks. high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production in the manufacture of homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the highest possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-hardened by saturation with carbon and silicon armor was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But cementation is a complex, harmful process (for example, processing a hot plate with a jet of lighting gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required high costs and an increase in production culture.

Tank of the war years, 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 still, it was expected that a tank protected by 15-20 mm cemented armor would be equivalent in terms of protection to the same, but covered with 22-30 mm sheets, without a significant increase in mass.
Also, by the mid-1930s, in tank building, they learned how to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known from late XIX century in shipbuilding as the "Krupp method". Surface hardening led to a significant increase in the hardness of the front side of the sheet, leaving the main thickness of the armor viscous.

How tanks shoot videos up to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than carburizing, since despite the fact that the hardness of the surface layer was higher than during carburizing, 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 somewhat more than carburizing. But the hardening technology that was used for sea armor of large thicknesses was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost never used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.

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

Types of tanks photo so that even one hit of a projectile reliably disables 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, as in the example French tanks(already having an armor thickness of the order of 40-42 mm) it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly strengthened. There was a right way to do this - an increase in the caliber of tank guns and a simultaneous increase in the length of their barrel, since a long gun of a larger caliber fires heavier shells with a larger initial speed over a longer distance without correcting the pickup.

The best tanks in the world had a large caliber gun, also had a large breech, significantly more weight and increased recoil response. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, the placement of large shots in the closed volume of the tank led to a decrease in the ammunition load.
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 an 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 free, who from the beginning of 1935 tried to bring his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the team of plant No. 8 slowly brought the "forty-five".

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

New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine required for serial production reorganization of engine production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (there were no machines of the required accuracy yet), financial investments and strengthening of personnel. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel engine with a capacity of 180 hp. will go to serial tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to find out the causes of tank engine accidents, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not fulfilled. 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 with specific indicators that suited the tank builders quite well. Tank tests were carried out according to a new methodology, specially developed at the insistence of the new head of the ABTU D. Pavlov in relation to combat service in war time. The basis of the tests was a run of 3-4 days (at least 10-12 hours of daily non-stop traffic) 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, "bathing" in the water with an additional load, simulating an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for examination.

Super tanks online after the improvement work seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the general course 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 the tests, numerous minor defects again appeared in the tanks. The chief designer N. Astrov was suspended from work and was under arrest and investigation for several months. In addition, the tank received a new improved protection turret. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank a larger ammunition load for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (before there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one serial 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 in tests did not show enough nice results, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately pave its way in the course of further work. Obstacles to be overcome: rises not less than 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, overlapping ditch 2-2.5 m.

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

Video reviews of tanks in which the power unit of the tank was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was mastered by the industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. Gasoline of the 1st grade was placed in a tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully met the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK caliber 12.7 mm and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS appears) caliber 7.62 mm. The combat weight of a tank with a torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with a spring suspension - 5.26 tons. The tests were carried out from July 9 to August 21 according to the methodology approved in 1938, and Special attention given to tanks.

Tank T-90, which is an improved tank T-72B, entered service in 1993. The appearance of the tank was caused by the need to modernize existing models, taking into account the experience of the war in Persian Gulf, as well as reorientation of production to Russian components. In the middle part of the T-90, a low flat tower with a commander's cupola shifted to the right was installed. The frontal part of the turret is reinforced with second-generation active slab armor. Mounted armor blocks can also be installed on the roof of the tower, creating additional protection against air strikes.

The driver's seat is located in front of the tank hull. Above it is a hatch and a wide-angle optical system. The bow of the tank is equipped with an acute-angled blade equipped with a mount for the KMT-6 mine trawl. As the main armament, the T-90 is equipped with a 125-mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, equipped with a removable heat-insulating casing.

Introduced into the ammunition load of the T-90 gun high-explosive projectile with electronic remote fuse. To prepare the fuse for operation in the remote detonation mode, a time interval setter is used. To the right of the gun is a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. The tower is placed 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun NSVT equipped with a 1Ts29 remote control system with vertical stabilization. The 125-mm cannon of the tank is adapted to fire laser-guided AT-11 ATGMs. The ATGM firing range is 4000 m. The 1A45 fire control system allows the gunner and commander to conduct aimed fire with artillery shots from a cannon day and night from a place and on the move, guided missiles from a place.

The complex includes the 1A42 fire control system, the 9K119 "Reflex" guided weapon system, the PNK-4S commander's instrumentation and observation system, and the T01-P02T thermal imaging tank system. Thus, the T-90 tank is capable of hitting most enemy tanks and helicopters while remaining out of range. The digital ballistic computer 1V528-1 with a capacitive wind sensor DVE-BS and a laser rangefinder included in the fire control system make it possible to high precision hit targets at night.

The TShU-2 "Shtora" optoelectronic suppression complex provides additional protection for the T-90 tank by creating optical interference to the control lines of ATGMs (shells, bombs, aircraft missiles) with optical feedback or with laser guidance (illumination). This system consists of two IR illuminators located next to the cannon barrel. The searchlights are constantly on and emit a coded IR signal that prevents the enemy's ATGMs from being accurately aimed. On the turret of the tank are 12 grenade launchers for setting aerosol curtains.

The armor protection of the frontal part of the hull and turret of the T-90 is a multi-layered combined armor barriers that provide invulnerability from most types of armor-piercing sub-caliber and cumulative shells of tank (anti-tank) guns. High durability from cumulative ammunition achieved by installing hinged dynamic protection. 227 containers were installed on the tank: 61 on the hull, 70 on the turret and 96 on the side screens. production tanks T-90 (T-72B) uses built-in dynamic protection. The hull of the tank is welded, its upper frontal part is inclined at an angle of 63 ° from the vertical. The tower is cast, its frontal part has variable angles of inclination from 10° to 25°. The sides of the hull are protected by anti-cumulative screens. The T-90 tank is different high level anti-radiation protection through the use of undercutting and overcutting, a system of collective protection and local protection of crew members.

The survivability of the tank on the battlefield is increased due to the low silhouette, the use of a TDA and the 902B "Tucha" system for setting smoke screens, a napalm protection system and high-speed fire fighting equipment ZETs13 "Hoarfrost". The T-90 tank has a camouflage color and is equipped with equipment for self-digging and for hanging a KMT-6 mine trawl. The machine is equipped with a multi-fuel four-stroke high-speed diesel engine V-84-1, liquid-cooled, supercharged from a driven centrifugal supercharger. In addition, inertial (wave) boost is used.

Engine power is 840 hp. from. It is adapted to work on diesel fuel, jet fuel (T-1, TS-1, T-2) and motor gasoline (A-66, A-72). Starting is carried out using an electric starter, a system air launch, as well as from an external source of current or from a tug. For an emergency start of a cold engine in winter, there is an intake air heating system. The mechanical planetary transmission consists of an input gearbox, two final gearboxes and two final gearboxes. It has hydro-servo control and its own oil system.

Tank India T-90 "Bhishma"

In 2006, the Government of India signed a $2.5 billion contract for the licensed production of 1,000 T-90 Bhishma tanks (named after legendary hero ancient Indian epic Mahabharata)

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

The T-90 tank has several modifications and is supplied in different countries peace

The T-90 tank is equipped with underwater driving equipment, which allows it to overcome water obstacles up to five meters deep and about 1000 meters wide. The tank uses the Paragraph communications complex, which includes an R-173 VHF radio station, an R-173P radio receiver, an antenna filter unit and a laryngophone amplifier. The radio station operates in the frequency range of 30-76 MHz and has a memory device that allows you to prepare 10 communication frequencies in advance. It provides a communication range of at least 20 km both on the spot and on the move over medium rough terrain.

The performance characteristics of the main battle tank T-90:

Modifications of the main battle tank T-90

• T-90 - the first serial modification of the tank.
• T-90K - commander's version of the T-90, with additional communication (R-163-50K radio station) and navigation equipment (TNA-4-3).
• T-90A - modification of the T-90, with a new welded turret, 1000 hp engine. with., improved thermal imaging equipment, new elements of dynamic protection and a number of other improvements.
• T-90S - export version of the T-90, without the "Shtora-1" system and with additional dynamic protection.
• T-90SK - Command version of the T-90S, with additional communication and navigation equipment.
• T-90CA - export version of the T-90A, with a cooling system for night vision equipment and a modified laser radiation detection system.
• T-90SKA - commander's version of the T-90CA, with additional communication and navigation equipment.
• T-90A - modernization (2006) T-90A: a second-generation Essa thermal imaging sight was installed, the automatic loader was improved, the tank was increased by 100 liters.
• T-90AM - the latest modification of the T-90A. The old turret was replaced with a new combat module with a fire control system "Kalina" with an integrated combat information and control system of the tactical level, new machine loading and upgraded gun 2A46M-5, as well as a remotely controlled anti-aircraft gun "UDP T05BV-1". Dynamic protection "Relic". A helm-based control and an automatic gear shifting system with the possibility of switching to manual are used. A monoblock power plant V-92S2F with a capacity of 1130 liters is installed on the tank. s., developed on the basis of the V-92S2.
• T-90SM - export version of the T-90AM tank.

Sources:

• Christopher F. Foss. "Reference Jane. Tanks and fighting vehicles";
• G. L. Kholyavsky. "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Tanks 1915 - 2000";
• Murakhovsky V. I., Pavlov M. V., Safonov B. S., Solyankin A. G. "Modern tanks";
• Philip Truitt. "Tanks and self-propelled guns";
• Equipment and weapons 2010 - 06.

The T-34-85 tank was developed and put into service in December 1943 in connection with the advent of the enemy T-V "Panther" and T-VI "Tiger" with strong anti-ballistic armor and powerful weapons. The T-34-85 was created on the basis of the T-34 tank with the installation of a new cast turret with an 85-mm gun.

On the first production vehicles, an 85-mm D-5T cannon was installed, which was subsequently replaced by a ZIS-S-53 cannon of the same caliber. Her armor-piercing projectile weighing 9.2 kg from a distance of 500 and 1000 meters pierced respectively 111-mm and 102-mm armor, and sub-caliber projectile from a distance of 500 meters it pierced armor 138 mm thick. (The thickness of the Panther's armor was 80 - 110 mm, and the "Tiger" - 100 mm.) A fixed commander's turret with viewing devices was installed on the roof of the tower. All vehicles were equipped with a 9RS radio station, a TSh-16 sight, and means for setting smoke screens. Although due to the installation of a more powerful gun and increased armor protection, the weight of the tank increased slightly, thanks to the powerful diesel engine, the tank's mobility did not decrease. The tank was widely used in all the battles of the final stage of the war.

Description of the design of the T-34-85 tank

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION.
On the T-34-85 tank, a 12-cylinder four-stroke uncompressed diesel V-2-34 was installed. The rated power of the engine was 450 hp. at 1750 rpm, operational - 400 hp at 1700 rpm, maximum - 500 hp at 1800 rpm. The mass of a dry engine with an electric generator without exhaust manifolds is 750 kg.
Fuel - diesel, brand DT. Fuel tank capacity 545 l. Outside, on the sides of the hull, two fuel tanks of 90 liters each were installed. outdoor fuel tanks not connected to the engine power system. The fuel supply is forced, using the fuel pump NK-1.

The cooling system is liquid, closed, with forced circulation. Radiators - two, tubular, installed on both sides of the engine with an inclination towards it. Radiator capacity 95 l. To clean the air entering the engine cylinders, two Multicyclone air cleaners were installed. The engine was started by an electric starter or compressed air (two cylinders were installed in the control compartment).

The transmission consisted of a multi-disk main clutch of dry friction (steel on steel), a gearbox, side clutches, brakes and final drives. Gearbox - five-speed.

CHASSIS.
As applied to one side, it consisted of five double rubber-coated road wheels with a diameter of 830 mm. Suspension - individual, spring. The rear drive wheels had six rollers for engagement with the ridges of the caterpillar tracks. The guide wheels are cast, with a crank mechanism for tensioning the tracks. Caterpillars - steel, small-link, with ridge engagement, 72 tracks in each (36 with a ridge and 36 without a ridge). Track width 500 mm, track pitch 172 mm. The mass of one caterpillar is 1150 kg.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
Made in single wire. Voltage 24 and 12 V. Consumers: electric starter ST-700, electric motor of the rotary mechanism of the tower, electric motors of fans, control devices, equipment for external and internal lighting, electric signal, radio station umformer and TPU lamps.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
The T-34-85 was equipped with a short-wave transceiver simplex telephone radio station 9-RS and an internal tank intercom TPU-3-bisF.

From the history of the creation (modernization) of the medium tank T-34-85

The production of the T-34 tank armed with an 85-mm cannon began in the fall of 1943 at the plant number 112 "Krasnoye Sormovo". An 85-mm D-5T cannon designed by F.F. Petrov and a DT machine gun coaxial with it were installed in a cast three-man turret of a new form. The turret ring diameter was increased from 1420 mm to 1600 mm. On the roof of the tower there was a commander's cupola, the double-leaf cover of which rotated on a ball bearing. A viewing periscope device MK-4 was fixed in the lid, which made it possible to conduct a circular one. For firing from a cannon and a coaxial machine gun, a telescopic articulated sight and a PTK-5 panorama were installed. Ammunition consisted of 56 rounds and 1953 rounds. The radio station was located in the hull, and the output of its antenna was on the starboard side - just like the T-34-76. Power plant, transmission and chassis practically did not change.

All changes in the design of the T-34 tank could only be made with the consent of two instances - the Office of the Commander of the Armored and Mechanized Troops of the Red Army and the Main Design Bureau (GKB-34) at plant No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil.

The layout of the medium tank T-34-85.

1 - gun ZIS-S-53; 2 - armored mask; 3 - telescopic sight TSh-16; 4 - gun lifting mechanism; 5 - observation device MK-4 loader; 6 - fixed gun guard; 7 - observation device MK-4 commander; 8 - glass block; 9 - folding fence (gilzoulavtvatep); 10 - fan armored cap; 11 - rack ammunition in the niche of the tower; 12 - covering tarpaulin; 13 - clamp stowage for two artillery rounds; 14 - engine; 15 - main clutch; 16 - air cleaner "Multicyclone"; 17- starter; 18 - smoke bomb BDSH; 19 - gearbox; 20 - final drive; 21 - batteries; 22 - stacking shots on the floor of the fighting compartment; 23 - gunner's seat; 24 - VKU; 25 - suspension shaft; 26 - driver's seat; 27 - laying machine-gun magazines in the department of management; 28 - clutch lever; 29 - main clutch pedal; 30 - cylinders with compressed air; 31 - driver's hatch cover; 32 - DT machine gun; 33 - collar stacking shots in the control compartment.

TsAKB (Central Artillery design department), led by V. G. Grabin, and the Design Bureau of Plant No. 92 in Gorky. The first developed the S-53 cannon. V. G. Grabin made an attempt to install the S-53 cannon in the T-34 turret of the 1942 model without widening the turret ring, for which the frontal part of the turret was completely redone: the cannon trunnions had to be pushed forward by 200 mm. Shooting tests at the Gorokhovetsky training ground showed the complete failure of this installation. In addition, the tests revealed design flaws in both the S-53 and LB-85 guns. As a result, a synthesized version, the ZIS-C-53 gun, was adopted for service and mass production. Its ballistic characteristics were identical to the D-5T gun. But the latter was already mass-produced and, in addition to the T-34, was installed in the KV-85, IS-1 and in the D-5S variant in the SU-85.

GKO Decree of January 23, 1944 tank The T-34-85 with the ZIS-S-53 cannon was adopted by the Red Army. In March, the first cars began to roll off the assembly line of the 183rd plant. On them, the commander's cupola was moved closer to the rear of the tower, which saved the gunner from having to sit literally in the commander's lap. The electric drive of the turret traverse mechanism with two speeds was replaced by an electric drive with commander's control, which ensures the rotation of the turret both from the gunner and from the crew commander. The radio station was moved from the building to the tower. Viewing devices began to install only a new type - MK-4. The commander's panorama PTK-5 was seized. The rest of the units and systems remained largely unchanged.

Tank turret manufactured by the Krasnoye Sormovo plant.

1 - hatch cover loader; 2 - caps over fans; 3 - hole for installing a tank commander's observation device; 4 - manhole cover commander's cupola; 5 - commander's cupola; 6 - viewing slot; 7 - glass antenna input; 8 - handrail; 9 - hole for installing a gunner's observation device; 10 - hole for firing from personal weapons; 11 - eye; 12 - sight embrasure; 13 - visor; 14 - trunnion tide; 15 - machine gun embrasure; 16 - hole for installing the loader's observation device.

The undercarriage of the tank consisted of five rubber-coated road wheels on board, a rear drive wheel with ridge gearing and a guide wheel with a tensioner. The track rollers were suspended individually on cylindrical coil springs. The transmission included: a multi-plate main dry friction clutch, a five-speed gearbox, side clutches and final drives.

In 1945, the double hatch cover of the commander's cupola was replaced with a single-leaf one of two fans. installed in the stern of the tower, moved to its central part, which contributed to better ventilation of the fighting compartment.

The production of the T-34-85 tank was carried out at three plants: No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil No. 112 "Krasnoe Sormovo" and No. 174 in Omsk. In just three quarters of 1945 (that is, until the end of World War II), 21,048 tanks of this type were built, including the T-034-85 flamethrower version. Part of the combat vehicles was equipped with a PT-3 roller mine trawl.

General production of T-34-85 tanks

The T-90 Vladimir is a Russian main battle tank. Produced at the turn of the 80-90s and is a major modernization of the T-72B. Originally called "T-72B improved", it was renamed in 1992. When it chief designer died, the tank was given his name, "Vladimir".

During 2001-2010, the T-90 was the best-selling new main battle tank on Earth.

The purchase price of the T-90 under contracts for the supply of the RF Armed Forces in 2010 was 70 million rubles. The following year, it became more expensive by 48 million. Since the end of 2011, the RF Armed Forces have stopped buying tanks.

1. Photos

2.Video

3. History of creation and production

Work on the development of the Object 188 ("T-72B advanced") was carried out simultaneously with its superior performance characteristics experimental tank Object 187. All these objects were created under the program to bring the T-72B to the level of T-80U / UD. In terms of booking, the T-72B was brought to this level in 1989, but it did not have an automated fire control system. The 1A40-1 sighting system, whose advantages consisted in reliability and simplicity, despite this, was already obsolete by that time. As a result, the 1A45 Irtysh fire control complex was installed, which has already shown itself on the T-80UD and T-80U. It has been modified to function simultaneously with the T-72 automatic loader. After that, he was assigned the designation 1A455T.

At the beginning of 1989, the "Object 188" passed state tests, as a result of which it proved to be highly reliable. In the spring of 1991, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense Industry recommended that it be adopted by the USSR Armed Forces. After that, it was decided to curtail the "Object 187". But the subsequent difficulties in the life of the state and the conclusions drawn after the use of the T-72 in Desert Storm made it impossible to make a final decision.

The management of UVZ Design Bureau decided to make the "Object 188" more secure. To do this, the tank was supplemented with the TSHU-1 Shtora-1 optoelectronic suppression complex, and it was also subjected to new tests. In the fall of 1992, the first "Object 188" of the installation series passed the run tests, and a week later, in accordance with the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, it was accepted into the Armed Forces. It was also allowed to export it. The president Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin gave the tank the name T-90.

Serial production of the T-90 began in the same year. Over the next six years, 120 units were produced. After that, due to a decrease in funding for the Armed Forces, the production of tanks was stopped and resumed when a supply contract was signed with India in early 2001.

By 2012, according to official data, the total number of produced T-90 tanks and its modifications for the RF Armed Forces was 500.

In accordance with them, as of 2012, the total number of T-90s and its modifications was at least 1335 tanks. This number does not include tanks produced in India under license.

4. Tactical and technical characteristics

4.1 Dimensions

• Case length, mm: 6860
• Length with gun forward, mm: 9530
• Hull width, mm: 3780
• Height, mm: 2230 (on the roof of the tower)
• Base, mm: 4270
• Track, mm: 2790
• Clearance, mm: T-90A (SA): 404..467; T-90(S): 426..492.

4.2 Booking

• Type of armor: anti-projectile combined (with a filler in the form of inserts made of steel of increased hardness and other materials, as well as plane-parallel plates)
• Active protection: KOEP Shtora-1/1M
• Dynamic protection: T-90SM: "Relic"; T-90 (A, C): "Contact-5".

4.3 Armament

• Gun caliber and brand: 125 mm; T-90A(M): 2A46M-5; T-90(S):2A46M
• Gun type: smoothbore
• Barrel length, calibers: 51
• Gun ammunition: T-90SM: 40 (22 in AZ); T-90(S): 43 (22 in AZ); T-90A(SA): 42 (22 in AZ)
• Angles HV, degrees: -5..+16
• Angles GN, degrees: 360
• Firing range, km: ATGM: 5.0
• Sights: Gunner (night): Buran-PA, M or "ESSA"; Gunner (day): 1G46; Commander (day/night): T01-KO4
• Machine guns: 1 × 7.62 mm PKT; 1 × 12.7 mm NSVT or Kord
• Other weapons: "Reflex-M".

4.4 Mobility

• Engine type: V-84MS or V-92S2
• Engine power, l. s.: T-90A(SA): 1000; T-90(S):840
• Highway speed, km/h: 60
• Cross-country speed, km/h: 35-45
• Power reserve on the highway, km: 550 (700 with external tanks)
• Power reserve over rough terrain, km: 345..520
• Specific power, l. s./t: T-90SM: 24; T-90(C): 18.6; T-90A(SA): 21.5
• Suspension type: individual torsion bar
• Specific ground pressure, kg/cm²: T-90A(SA): 0.97; T-90(C): 0.938
• Climbability, degrees: 30
• Overcoming wall, m: 0.85
• Crossable ditch, m: 2.6..2.8
• Crossable ford, m: 1.2 (1.8 with preliminary preparation; 5.0 with OPVT)

4.5 Other parameters

• Combat weight, t: 46.5
• Layout scheme: classic
• Crew, people: 3

5. Design

The T-90 is a tank with a classic layout. The control compartment in it is located in the frontal part, in the middle is located fighting compartment, and in the stern is the engine compartment. The crew consists of a gunner, driver and commander.

6. Modifications

• T-90MS - in the protective kit "Cape"
• T-90 - the first serial modification
• T-90S is a variant of the T-90 for export. This modification is deprived of OTSHU Curtain spotlights, their place was taken by additional blocks of built-in dynamic protection
• T-90K - Command version of the T-90. Installed navigation (THA-4-3) and communications equipment (radio station R-163-50K)
• T-90SK - Command version of the T-90S. Additional navigation and communication equipment has been installed.
• T-90A - modified T-90. The thermal imaging equipment was improved, the V-92S2 engine was installed, the cast tower was replaced by a welded one, a new PPO system
• T-90AK - commander's version of the T-90A. Installed additional navigation and communication equipment, system tactical control combat and upgraded the protection of fuel tanks.
• T-90CA is a variant of the T-90A for export. The system for detecting laser radiation has been improved, a cooling system for night vision equipment has been equipped. New PPO system. This modification does not have OTSHU Shtor spotlights, their place was taken by additional blocks of built-in dynamic protection
• T-90SKA - commander's version of the T-90CA. Installed additional navigation and communications equipment, equipped with a tactical battle management system "T-BMS"
• T-90A - modernized T-90A. The automatic loader has been improved, the Essa second-generation thermal imaging sight has been equipped, the tank volume has been increased by 100 liters
• T-90AM - modified T-90A. The UDP T05BV-1 remotely controlled anti-aircraft gun, the upgraded 2A46M-5 gun and a new automatic loader were equipped. The obsolete turret was replaced by a combat module with a Kalina fire control system with a built-in combat information and control system for a tactical level. Installed dynamic protection "Relic". A V-92S2F monoblock power plant and an automatic gear shifting system with the possibility of switching to manual were installed. Management is carried out using the steering wheel
• T-90SM is a variant of the T-90AM for export.

7. Cars based on the T-90

• BMR-3M - armored demining vehicle
• BREM-1M - armored recovery vehicle
• TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" - MLRS
• IMR-3M - engineering clearing vehicle
• MTU-90 - bridgelayer
• "Frame" - fighting machine tank support
• E300 - universal tracked chassis

8. In service

• Azerbaijan: an agreement was signed for the purchase of three battalions of 94 T-90S. Plus, there is an option for another 94 tanks of the same modification. At the request of Azerbaijan, the vehicles were supplemented with Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression systems
• Algeria: 185 T-90SA. On top of that, 120 units of the same modification have been ordered.
• India: 780 T-90S/SA. This number includes tanks made in the Russian Federation and tank kits assembled in India.
• Russia: over 500 T-90 and T-90A. About 200 units are in storage.
• Turkmenistan: 10 T-90SA. 30 more units ordered.
• Uganda: 44 T-90SA.

9. Combat use

IN official sources there is no information about the participation of the T-90 in hostilities. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation did not give any statements about this. Only Uralvagonzavod keeps a certificate indicating that one of the units in the Chechen conflict disposed of one tank of the 1992 model. But it does not say that he participated in the hostilities.