Tanks T-14 "Armata" / Photo: www.soyuzmash.ru

After the closure of the T-95 and Burlak projects, one gets the feeling that a promising tank in the post-Soviet space will never be created. But in 2015, at the Victory Parade, products based on the Armata platform were presented to the general public - a new generation T-14 tank and a heavy T-15 infantry fighting vehicle with a front-mounted MTO. With the advent of the first shots of the "Armata", a lot of speculation appeared about this tank. Someone gave it embellished qualities, someone called it plywood and invented non-existent flaws. Material about the layout features, protection, mobility and firepower of the new Russian tank "Armata". Photos and descriptions of crew jobs and their equipment are provided. Opinions are given about the advantages and disadvantages of the new tank. A historical background is given on the development of promising tanks on the territory of the former USSR since the 70s.

T-13 "Armata" / Photo: btvt.info

Background

The development of a new (third post-war) generation tank began in the USSR a little later than the creation of the new main tank T-64A in the 70s. Leningrad, Chelyabinsk and, later, Kharkov designers participated in the work called "Theme 101".

A number of projects were implemented, both with traditional and new layouts, most of which remained on the drawings or in the form of layouts.

Tanks with traditional solutions, such as "Object 255" and "Object 480" did not provide a significant advantage over the upgraded versions of the T-64A, T-72 and the tank with a gas turbine engine. Tanks with a new layout (Object 450) required a long search for both layout solutions and the creation of fundamentally new components.

In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, the Kharkov Design Bureau was chosen as the lead one on the topic of creating a promising tank of the 90s. These events are considered from the point of view of one of the developers of the tank, responsible for its electronic component - The last breakthrough of Soviet tank builders (diary of a participant in the development of the Boxer tank). Variants of the layouts considered in the 80s are considered in the material - Tanks "Rebel", "Boxer", "Hammer" (object 490, object 490A, object 477).

The development of a promising tank was never completed until the collapse of the USSR.

The design bureaus remaining in Russia set about creating a promising tank based on the existing backlog. Of the most advanced, we can mention the Leningrad Object 299 (JSC "Spetsmash"), which had a very bold layout. Which, along with objective reasons characteristic of the 90s, prevented its implementation.

The Omsk Object 640 "Black Eagle" was also a project with very ambiguous advantages, which is why it was chosen for demonstration (VTTV 1997) and even moved abroad.

Nizhny Tagil (UKBTM) had a project for the evolutionary development of the T-72, which did not give significant reasons for replacing the T-72 in production, since the solutions incorporated in it could also be implemented during modernization.

With the improvement of the economic situation, work has intensified. Here, as in the 70s, two projects were implemented, one of them with a high technical risk, the other with traditional and less risky solutions. The first is the Nizhny Tagil Object 195 "T-95" (JSC "UKBTM") and the second Omsk project Development of a unified combat compartment, the theme "Burlak" (JSC "KBTM").

In 2009, the closure of these projects was announced.

At the beginning, one gets the feeling that a promising tank in the post-Soviet space will never be created.

But in 2015, at the Victory Parade, products based on the Armata platform were presented to the general public - a new generation T-14 tank and a heavy T-15 infantry fighting vehicle with a front-mounted MTO.

With the advent of the first shots of the "Armata", a lot of speculation appeared about this tank. Someone gave it embellished qualities, someone called it plywood and invented non-existent flaws.

Layout

The scheme with the concentration of the crew in front of the hull requires maximum automation of the control of weapons installed in the fighting compartment, creating a number of technical difficulties. Such a scheme is of interest due to the large opportunities for enhancing the protection of the crew, including from means mass destruction, as well as improving the conditions for interaction between personnel.

When placing 3 crew members shoulder to shoulder, as is done, the crew is accommodated in fairly comfortable conditions. But at the same time, it is not possible to realize sufficient protection of the onboard part of the crew compartment. Even with a reduction in the width of the space allocated for each crew member from 70 to 60 cm, the opportunities to provide protection during shelling in the side areas are minimal. At the same time, the railway dimensions do not allow increasing the width of the hull.

Such a scheme has been considered more than once, since the 70s in different countries, but did not find application in tank building with the exception of experimental models, such as the American FTTB.

Crew capsule. The driver's seat is on the left along the tank / Photo: btvt.info

The display complex of the driver (DKMV) installed on the tank is designed to replace the pointer instrumentation and provide solutions for control tasks, monitoring the operation, operational technical diagnostics of chassis systems and assemblies and issuing recommendations for the operation of the facility.

Gear shifting is carried out by buttons on the steering wheel. The most important information about the parameters of the movement is displayed directly on the remote display on the steering wheel. The monitor displays an image from a front-view thermal imaging device located on the upper part of the nose assembly of the hull.

Video viewing device and block of control buttons/ Photo: btvt.info

View of the driver's seat from the gunner's seat, located in the center of the crew capsule/ Photo: btvt.info

PMF-5.0 monitors with LCD panels high definition from a series of multifunctional panels "5". On the left in the photo is the gunner's console/ Photo: btvt.info

Products PMF-5.0 (5.1) have an extended set of interfaces, including a touch panel with a multi-touch function, etc.

Development of the Instrument Design Bureau (UKBP), which is part of the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern.

The information management system displays information about the state of weapons systems, security, mobility, etc.

Informational messages are displayed on the screen below, critical messages are shown in red, important ones in yellow, regular ones in white.

View of the commander's and gunner's positions. Commander panels (3) right side/ Photo: btvt.info

They display video information from external sources, synthesized video information of devices (TV cameras, sighting systems), information exchange, the issuance of navigation cartographic information, as well as the input and transmission of information to control the main systems of the tank. The control panels are installed under the panels, the gunner and the commander have similar devices.

Photo: btvt.info

The devices are manufactured in the Russian Federation and are unified for the entire line of promising ground vehicles (Armata, Kurganets, Boomerang). Devices are still manufactured and assembled by hand, but their reliability is growing.

It is on these devices that tank control is based.

Photo: btvt.info

Commander's place. A visual overview of the terrain is carried out through three viewing devices. The main information is supposed to be received through the TV cameras located along the perimeter of the tank and a multi-channel panoramic sight-surveillance device.

Such a decision can be called very bold, especially for ground equipment where conditions are much more stringent than in aviation. On the right is the AVSKU-E control panel (equipment intercom, switching and control). Under the control panel is an optical sensor of the fire-fighting equipment system (OD1-1S). The installation of optical sensors and high-speed cylinders in the fighting compartment ensures fire detection and the release of fire extinguishing composition in no more than 150 ms. Such sensors are installed around the entire perimeter of the capsule.

View of the back of the crew capsule. Visible ventilation and air conditioning systems/ Photo: btvt.info

Photo: btvt.info

Despite many digital innovations, some traditions in post-Soviet tank building are unshakable, for example, not very accurate welding seams.

Comfortable seats are a big step forward compared to the tanks of the previous generation.

Protection

The layout of the "Armata" is similar to that worked out on the "Object 195". Increased crew security is achieved by transferring the crew jobs located in the turret to a highly protected forward hull module, the protection mass of which can be increased by the amount of the reduction in the turret defense mass due to a decrease in its dimensions and internal volume intended for crew jobs.

Improving the security and survival of the crew in the module is achieved by reducing the total area of the internal surfaces of the control module (compared to the habitable compartment of tanks of the classical layout).

The weapon module is separated from the transverse bulkhead control module, which reduces the likelihood of hitting the crew in the module.

The fire and explosion safety of the module and the survival of the crew are achieved by the complete separation of the crew's workplaces from the sealed volume of fuel and from the ammunition load.

Schematic representation of the general layout of the T-14 "Armata" tank (similar to the T-95) /Image btvt.info

The advantage indicated by the authors of the patent, along with the above, has one more drawback - insufficient protection of the tower. They will come to this question, as did the developers of the promising Soviet-era tank - the Hammer, the Note.

The tank protection complex includes combined and dynamic protection installed in the front part of the hull with the crew capsule.

Also, dynamic protection is installed on the sides of the hull (up to the engine compartment). In front, the caterpillar branches are blocked by the DZ, which is especially important when placing the crew in the hull. In the front part of the side of the hull, the DZ blocks are made folding for ease of maintenance of the undercarriage. In general, the solutions for installing DZ are reminiscent of its installation on the Nota tank (KhKBM).

The turret is covered with super-dynamic protection, and the DZ is also installed to protect the capsule, including hatches. Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.

Photo: btvt.info

DZ covers both the upper and lower parts of the nose assembly of the hull. Externally, the DZ is similar to that installed on the T-95. the working surface of the thrown plate is significantly increased.

The technical requirements for a promising tank, set back in the days of the USSR, required protection from above against cumulative ammunition with an armor-piercing ability of 250-300 mm. Despite the small size of the roof and hatches, which is clearly visible in the photographs, it can be assumed that this requirement is met.

The most important feature of the tank is the use of a set of means to protect against high-precision weapons. They include an active protection complex that provides cover in the range of 120 ° in the direction of the tank turret and a complex for setting up multispectral curtains and a complex of laser and UV radiation indicators installed along the perimeter of the turret.

In order to fire false IR and RL targets quickly and accurately in the direction of the means of attack from wherever it flies up, without turning the turret, the use of rapidly turning grenade launchers is required.

Thus, protection from attacking ammunition in a horizontal projection is provided by the KAZ and the jamming complex (in two rotary installations on the tower). And from the attackers from above - a jamming complex (in two fixed installations directed upwards).

An anti-mine electromagnetic protection system is also installed.

Tank protection complex from WTO/ Image btvt.info

Along the perimeter of the tower are indicators of laser irradiation and ultraviolet radiation (missile launch detection system). Under the front indicators of irradiation and missile launch, there are radars with headlight detection and target designation KAZ. On the roof of the tower, a system for launching multispectral interference in rotary and fixed installations.

Irradiation and launch indicators in the photo and during the demonstration at the parade are covered with shutters. Next to the block of indicators of the TV camera of the front and side view/ Photo: btvt.info

KAZ launchers are installed under the radar block. KAZ "Afganit" is the development of the "Drozd" system. This development of TsKIB SOO dates back to the 80s. The difference from Drozd is the possibility of correcting the fired counter-munition in azimuth (~ 0.5 m) and vertically (± 4 °). The complex has the ability to defeat anti-tank missiles attacking the target on the span, but does not protect against attackers from above

Photo: btvt.info

To reduce the visibility of the tank, a light casing with optimal geometric characteristics is installed on the turret. to reduce visibility in the radar wavelength range.

Side view of the T-14 Armata, in the central third of the hull, DZ blocks are installed optimized for protection against cumulative warheads at an angle of impact close to normal / Photo: btvt.info

Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens /Photo: btvt.info

Fuel barrels are visible. At the parade in Moscow, "Armata" were without them. Apparently they think it's not fashionable.

Firepower

The tank is equipped with a 125mm high-powered 2A82-1M cannon. Judging by the patents, the gun can use both regular shots and newly developed shots with an increased powder charge. Ammunition 40 shots (of which 32 in the automatic loader, 8 - transportable). The AZ ideology has been retained from the "Object 195", but the small 152 mm ammunition load has been increased to an acceptable value.

7.62mm PKTM machine gun in a remotely controlled installation on a platform combined with a panoramic sight-surveillance device. Ammunition 2000 rounds in a continuous belt.

The absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon is a strange and undoubtedly wrong decision. This will lead to an increased consumption of ammunition by the gunner on targets that do not correspond to 125 mm shells, to distract the commander from monitoring the battlefield when using a single machine gun. Some justification for this may be in the form of an automated ammunition load increased by 10 shots compared to the T-72. The 30 mm automatic cannon, as was the case on the Molot and T-95, is also missing.

Scheme AZ uninhabited tower/ Image btvt.info

Projectiles and charges are arranged vertically. The conveyor is raised above the bottom of the hull to prevent jamming when the bottom deflects (undermining a mine).

The idea of installing such a gun arose long ago, back in the late 70s (D-91T) and continued in the future, including the "Object 187". In terms of its potential, it is 30% higher than the regular one.

It is known that shots of increased power 3VBM22 with BPS 3BM59 "Lead-1" and 3VBM23 with BPS 3BM60 "Lead-2" with L = 740 mm have increased armor penetration by 100-150 mm. Improved BPSs designed for the "Armata" are likely to reach levels in excess of 800mm (450/60°). EFFECT: possibility of using both regular ammunition and newly developed ammunition of increased power is provided.

Whether the truth is reached is an open question, all these topics have been underway for more than two decades. So the same "Lead-1" and "Lead-2" have been formally part of the ammunition load of the modernized T-72BA, T-80UA, T-80UE1 since 2004.

To combat infantry, a shot 3VOF128 "Telnik" -1 was developed (Completion of the R & D - 2014). The projectile implemented a trajectory gap on approach to the target (at a preemptive point) with the target being hit by the axial flow of the GGE; trajectory gap over the target with the defeat of the target by a circular field of hull fragments; shock ground break with installation for instantaneous (fragmentation) action; shock ground break with installation for high-explosive fragmentation action (small deceleration); shock ground break with a setting for a penetrating high-explosive action (large deceleration).

Armament stabilizer 2E58 - electromechanical with electric drive for vertical and horizontal guidance. It has reduced power consumption, increased accuracy and less fire hazard.

The UUI-2 transceiver is installed at the base of the barrel. Provides automatic measurement of barrel bending during firing./ Photo: btvt.info

Engine power 1200 Horse power. According to the developers, there are opportunities for forcing up to 1500-1800 hp. in perspective.

The total capacity of the fuel system of the tank is 2015 liters with two connected barrels. Of these, 1615 liters are in the internal and external fuel tanks of the tank, the fuel is partially located inside the hull (816 liters), the rest is in the fuel tanks on the fenders in the rear of the hull.

The transmission is mechanical with a planetary central gearbox with automatic shifting. The built-in reverser can provide an equal number of forward and reverse gears, which is important when unifying the chassis with the rear and front MTOs. The cooling fan drive is two-stage controlled.

The damping characteristic of the hydraulic shock absorber is speed, that is, it represents the dependence of the resistance force on the speed on the lever. The kinematic connection of the hydraulic shock absorber with the suspension is designed to provide a gear ratio of the vertical speed of the track roller of the caterpillar mover of the tracked vehicle to the speed of movement of the hydraulic shock absorber lever 0.15 ... 3.5 with an increase at the end of the track roller travel.

EFFECT: increased progressivity of suspension characteristics of the suspension system and smooth running of tracked vehicles weighing up to 55 tons.

/ Image btvt.info

Project evaluation

The positive side of the project is that it was nevertheless implemented, to a greater extent than any of the existing promising tank projects in the post-Soviet space after the creation of the T-64 tank.

Positive for the industry in the Russian Federation is the development of new technologies (touch panels), a new element base in tank control systems (IMS, FCS, etc.), the development of which can become a serious impetus to the development of the electronics industry.

Sufficient attention has been paid to the complex protection of the tank - KOEP, KAZ, DZ, etc.

Ergonomics meets modern requirements.

The negative features of the tank stem from the choice of its layout, this is the impossibility of providing a sufficient size of the onboard armor of the capsule due to the placement of the crew shoulder to shoulder, the vulnerability of the turret from the fire of modern automatic guns, the lack of a visual channel of the commander's and gunner's sights, the impossibility of providing all-round visibility from the commander's seat. Exhaust on both sides increases the IR visibility of the tank.

Of the removable shortcomings, the absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon can be noted. And the sight-understudy gunner.

And most importantly, what else can be added, the tank is being tested, they have been released for this moment a small amount of. Most of the systems installed in the "Armata" have not yet been sufficiently mastered, undoubtedly it will be required big time to cure childhood illnesses. So to be or not to be "Armata" time will tell.

MOSCOW, edition "Tank power. Steel and fire"
12

question

A number of projects were implemented, both with traditional and new layouts, most of which remained on the drawings or in the form of layouts.

Tanks with traditional solutions, such as the "Object 255" and "Object 480" did not provide a significant advantage over the upgraded versions of the T-64A, T-72 and the tank with a gas turbine engine. Tanks with a new layout (Object 450) required a long search for both layout solutions and the creation of fundamentally new components.

These works are described in detail in the material TANKS AND PEOPLE. Diary of the chief designer Alexander Alexandrovich Morozov. Part 2.

In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, the Kharkov Design Bureau was chosen as the lead one on the topic of creating a promising tank of the 90s. These events are considered from the point of view of one of the developers of the tank, responsible for its electronic component - The last spurt of Soviet tank builders (diary of a participant in the development of the Boxer tank). Variants of the layouts considered in the 80s are considered in the material - Tanks "Rebel", "Boxer", "Hammer" (object 490, object 490A, object 477).

The development of a promising tank was never completed until the collapse of the USSR.

The Omsk Object 640 "Black Eagle" was also a project with very ambiguous advantages, which is why it was chosen for demonstration (VTTV 1997) and even moved abroad.

With the improvement of the economic situation, work has intensified. Here, as in the 70s, two projects were implemented, one of them with a high technical risk, the other with traditional and less risky solutions. The first is the Nizhny Tagil Object 195 "T-95" (OJSC "UKBTM") and the second Omsk project Development of a unified combat compartment, the theme "Burlak" (OJSC "KBTM").

In 2009, the closure of these projects was announced.

At the beginning, one gets the feeling that a promising tank in the post-Soviet space will never be created.

With the advent of the first shots of the "Armata", a lot of speculation appeared about this tank. Someone gave it embellished qualities, someone called it plywood and invented non-existent flaws.

Layout

The scheme with the concentration of the crew in front of the hull requires maximum automation of the controls installed in the fighting compartment, creating a number of technical difficulties. Such a scheme is of interest due to the great opportunities for enhancing the protection of the crew, including from weapons of mass destruction, as well as improving the conditions for interaction between personnel.

When placing 3 crew members shoulder to shoulder, as is done, the crew is accommodated in fairly comfortable conditions. But at the same time, it is not possible to realize sufficient protection of the onboard part of the crew compartment. Even with a reduction in the width of the space allocated for each crew member from 70 to 60 cm, the opportunities to provide protection during shelling in the side areas are minimal. Wherein
railway dimensions do not allow to increase the width of the hull.

In addition, such a scheme does not provide a good all-round view to the tank commander, which in a number of countries, despite the development of technical vision, is considered an important quality. More details - Development of a promising tank in the USA.

Such a scheme has been considered more than once, since the 70s in different countries, but it has not found application in tank building, with the exception of experimental models, such as the American FTTB.

Crew capsule. The driver's seat is on the left along the tank.

video viewing device and block of control buttons

View of the driver's seat from the gunner's seat, located in the center of the crew capsule

PMF-5.0 monitors with high-resolution LCD panels from the "5" series of multifunctional panels.

On the left in the photo is the gunner's console.

Products PMF-5.0 (5.1) have an extended set of interfaces, including a touch panel with a multi-touch function, etc.
Development of the Instrument Design Bureau (UKBP), which is part of the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern.

The information management system displays information about the state of weapons systems, security, mobility, etc.
Informational messages are displayed on the screen below, critical messages are shown in red, important ones in yellow, regular ones in white.

View of the commander's and gunner's positions. Commander panels (3) right side of the photo.

They display video information from external sources, synthesized video information of devices (TV cameras, sighting systems), information exchange, the issuance of navigation cartographic information, as well as the input and transmission of information to control the main systems of the tank. Control panels are installed under the panels, the gunner and commander have similar devices

The devices are manufactured in the Russian Federation and are unified for the entire line of promising ground vehicles (Armata, Kurganets, Boomerang).

Devices are still manufactured and assembled by hand, but their reliability is growing.

It is on these devices that tank control is based.

Such a decision can be called very bold, especially for ground vehicles, where conditions are much more severe than in aviation. On the right is the AVSKU-E control panel (intercom, switching and control equipment). Under the control panel is an optical sensor of the fire-fighting equipment system (OD1-1S). The installation of optical sensors and high-speed cylinders in the fighting compartment ensures fire detection and the release of fire extinguishing composition in no more than 150 ms. Such sensors are installed around the entire perimeter of the capsule.

View of the back of the crew capsule. Visible ventilation and air conditioning systems

Despite many digital innovations, some traditions in post-Soviet tank building are unshakable, for example, not very accurate welding seams.

Comfortable seats - a big step forward compared to the tanks of the previous generation

Side view of the crew capsule from the gunner's seat. Crew seats have a wide range of adjustments, ensuring the comfort of the crew

Protection

The weapon module is separated from the transverse bulkhead control module, which reduces the likelihood of hitting the crew in the module.

The fire and explosion safety of the module and the survival of the crew are achieved by the complete separation of the crew's workplaces from the sealed volume of fuel and from the ammunition load.

Schematic representation of the general layout
tank T-14 "Armata" (similar to T-95)

The tank protection complex includes combined and dynamic protection installed in the front part of the hull with the crew capsule.

A tower is covered from above with dynamic protection, and a remote sensing is also installed to protect the capsule, including hatches. Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.

DZ covers both the upper and lower parts of the nose assembly of the hull.

Externally, the DZ is similar to that installed on the T-95. the working surface of the thrown plate is significantly increased

The technical requirements for a promising tank, set back in the days of the USSR, required protection from above from cumulative ammunition with an armor-piercing ability of 250-300 mm. Despite the small size of the roof and hatches, which is clearly visible in the photographs, it can be assumed that this requirement is met.

An anti-mine electromagnetic protection system is also installed.

Tank protection complex from WTO

Along the perimeter of the tower are indicators of laser irradiation and ultraviolet radiation (missile launch detection system).

Under the front indicators of irradiation and missile launch, there are radars with headlight detection and target designation KAZ. On the roof of the tower, a system for launching multispectral interference in rotary and fixed installations

Irradiation and launch indicators in the photo and during the demonstration at the parade are covered with shutters. Next to the block of indicators of the TV camera of the front and side view

KAZ launchers are installed under the radar block. KAZ "Afganit" is the development of the "Drozd" system. This development of TsKIB SOO dates back to the 80s. The difference from Drozd is the possibility of correcting the fired counter-munition in azimuth (~ 0.5 m) and vertically (± 4 °). The complex has the ability to destroy anti-tank missiles attacking a target in flight, but does not protect against attackers from above

To reduce the visibility of the tank, a light casing is installed on the turret with geometric characteristics that are optimal for reducing visibility in the radar wavelength range.

Side view of the T-14 Armata, in the central third of the hull, DZ blocks are installed optimized for protection against cumulative warheads at an angle of impact close to normal

Part of the side of the hull in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.
Fuel barrels are visible. At the parade in Moscow, "Armata" were without them. Apparently they think it's not fashionable

Firepower

The tank is equipped with a 125mm 2A82-1M high power cannon. Judging by the patents, the gun can use both regular shots and newly developed shots with an increased powder charge. Ammunition 40 shots (of which 32 in the automatic loader, 8 - transportable). The AZ ideology has been retained from the "Object 195", but the small 152 mm ammunition load has been increased to an acceptable value.

7.62mm PKTM machine gun in a remotely controlled installation on a platform combined with a panoramic sight-surveillance device. Ammunition 2000 rounds in a continuous belt.

Diagram of the AZ of an uninhabited tower.

Projectiles and charges are arranged vertically.

The conveyor is raised above the bottom of the hull to prevent jamming when the bottom deflects (undermining a mine).

It is known that shots of increased power 3VBM22 with BPS 3BM59 "Lead-1" and 3VBM23 with BPS 3BM60 "Lead-2" with L = 740 mm have increased armor penetration by 100-150 mm. Improved BPS developed for the "Armata" will probably reach the level of more than 800 mm (450/60 °). EFFECT: possibility of using both regular ammunition and newly developed ammunition of increased power is provided.

Armament stabilizer 2E58 - electromechanical with electric drive for vertical and horizontal guidance. It has reduced power consumption, increased accuracy and less fire hazard.

The UUI-2 transceiver is installed at the base of the barrel. Provides automatic measurement of barrel bending during firing.
Wind and pressure sensor (DVD). Capacitive type sensor provides measurement of longitudinal, transverse wind and atmospheric pressure.

Mobility

"Armata" is equipped with a 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped diesel engine turbocharged 2V-12-3A. Swing mechanism with GOP

Engine power 1200 horsepower. According to the developers, there are opportunities for forcing up to 1500-1800 hp. in perspective.

The suspension stiffness is 167…206 kN/m, and the resistance of the hydraulic shock absorber in forward and reverse strokes does not exceed 55 kN and 120 kN, respectively.

the torsion shaft has an operating stress level of more than 147 104 kN/m2 and an allowable twist angle of more than 80°.

EFFECT: increased progressivity of suspension characteristics of the suspension system and smooth running of tracked vehicles weighing up to 55 tons.

1 - guide wheel; 2 - caterpillars; 3 - track rollers; 4 - supporting rollers;
5 - torsion shaft; 6 - balancer; 7 - hydraulic shock absorbers; 8 thrust

The progressive suspension characteristic is shown in comparison with the suspension characteristic of the Leopard 2 tank.

Project evaluation

Sufficient attention has been paid to the complex protection of the tank - KOEP, KAZ, DZ, etc.

Ergonomics meets modern requirements.

Of the removable shortcomings, the absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon can be noted. And the sight-understudy gunner.

And most importantly, what else can be added, the tank is being tested, a small number of them have been released at the moment. Most of the systems installed in "Armata" have not yet been sufficiently mastered, it will undoubtedly take a long time to cure "childhood diseases". So to be or not to be "Armata" time will tell.

Serious passions flared up around the Russian T-14 Armata tank. A number of foreign and domestic media reported that the Russian authorities allegedly abandoned the latest combat vehicle, in the development of which hundreds of millions of dollars were invested.

The reason for unequivocal conclusions was the statement of the curator of the national defense industry, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov. The official said that the "Armata" turned out to be quite expensive for the army, and for this reason it makes sense to bet on the modernization of the current tank fleet.

“Well, why flood everything with “Armata” armed forces? Our T-72 is in great demand on the market, everyone takes it, compared to the Abrams, Leclercs and Leopards, it significantly surpasses them in price, efficiency and quality, ”Borisov said.

In his opinion, in the coming years, the army can do without a massive supply of new generation vehicles, which are "rather expensive in relation to existing ones."

“We are already succeeding, having a budget ten times smaller than the NATO countries, due to such effective decisions, when we look at the modernization potential of old models, to solve the tasks,” Borisov emphasized.

Truth and deceit of Borisov

Currently, the Russian army is armed with about 1.8 thousand tanks, most of them are modernized versions of the T-72. Borisov was not cunning when he said that the domestic tank is not inferior in terms of price and quality to the American Abrams, the German Leopard and the French Leclerc.

The T-72B3 has the worst firepower, security and automation indicators compared to foreign vehicles. At the same time, the Russian tank is significantly superior to Western competitors in terms of mobility and reliability.

On the side of the T-72 and the economy. The cost of a brand new T-72B3 is about $2 million, and the modernization of each tank costs only $200,000.

At the same time, the price for one "Abrams", "Leclerc" and "Leopard" exceeds 5-6 million dollars. In unpretentious conditions local conflicts T-72B3 will undoubtedly be stronger. In addition, the purchase and maintenance of a Russian tank does not require large expenses. By the way, "Armata" is not worth quite sky-high money. In the media, you can find a figure of 250 million rubles and 4 million dollars per unit.

Borisov did not distort reality when he emphasized the advantages of the T-72, but he can be safely reproached for changing ideas about development tank troops. In 2013, in an interview for Ekho Moskvy, while in the position of Deputy Minister of Defense, he stated the following: “Our army can no longer live with the equipment that has remained from the USSR. We must do big jump and create a new combat vehicle before 2015. And we will do it."

Obviously, it was about "Armata". Nevertheless, Borisov's former peremptory attitude towards the Soviet legacy is justified by the factor of acute economic crisis that hit our country in 2014. The Ministry of Defense and the government were forced to adjust their procurement plans and sequester military spending.

In 2017, Borisov's predecessor, Dmitry Rogozin, announced that the State Armament Program for 2018-2027 envisages "serial deliveries" of T-14s. Most likely, last year the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation decided to equip several units with the Armata, which, as we figured out, is completely uncritical for the Russian army.

T-14 was ahead of its time

Since 2017, the gas turbine T-80 and diesel T-90 have been in the process of modernization (development work "Proryv-3"). The start of the renewal of the fleet, in fact, of Soviet vehicles, was perceived by experts as the result of a slippage in the process of adopting the T-14.

And yet, it is unreasonable to conclude from Borisov's statement that Russia is abandoning the T-14. An example is the situation with the T-90 "Vladimir", which was considered the most advanced combat vehicle in the world as of the early 1990s. For a quarter of a century, the Russian army received only 350 of these tanks (about 20% of the tank fleet).

At first glance, the T-90 project seems to be a failure, since there was no truly large-scale supply of the latest tanks to the troops. However, for 25 years, the RF Armed Forces have not experienced any urgent need for these machines. What was the point then to invest in the creation of the T-90?

Firstly, Russia was able to make good money on Vladimir. In the 2000s, the T-90 became the best-selling tank on the international market. Secondly, on the basis of some technological innovations embodied in the T-90, the Armata was created. It is possible that in in general terms T-14 can repeat the fate of "Vladimir".

It is worth adding that the "Armata" project was developed to conduct a "network-centric war", which distinguishes high degree automation of battle management processes. T-14 should be included in a single information loop, which will allow you to receive information from multiple sources. This is the key advantage of the tank over its predecessors.

However, the Russian army still lacks drones, and the formation of a single information circuit is at an early stage. "Armata" was simply ahead of its time. And this fact cannot be the basis for asserting that Russia does not need a car. With a high probability, within the framework of the SAP, the Russian troops will receive several dozen T-14s, and if the economic situation improves, the Ministry of Defense will increase the volume of purchases.

It seems that the main problem with the latest domestic tank lies in the fact that he was praised too early by the federal media at the suggestion of the military and politicians. Against such an information background, any, even a not very serious problem with the T-14, is recklessly perceived as a disaster.

The newest tank of Russian designers T-14 on the tracked universal platform "Armata", even being a prototype, caused a sensation. Many experts, military observers, authoritative media and millions of ordinary people consider the Object-148 to be the best promising tank in the world. According to the assurances of the developers of Uralvagonzavod, the T-14 is head and shoulders ahead in terms of performance characteristics of the existing ones (Leopard-2, Merkava-4, Black Panther, Abrams) and designed competitors.

background

Even Soviet gunsmiths were working on the idea of creating a highly maneuverable tank with all-round protection, a modern weapons control system based on digital technologies and adapted to combat in conditions of saturation of the battlefield modern means anti-tank defense.

Since the 60s, experimental promising ROC models "Advanced", "Malachite", "Rebel", "Boxer", "Hammer", T-95 have been consistently developed. The industry leader with priority supply and financing was Kharkov KBM. However, more than others, the “Object 299” of the Leningrad designers is similar to the “Armata”. However, it was in Nizhny Tagil, which was considered the third most important development center (after Kharkov and present-day St. Petersburg), that the unique T-14 was created.

Chronology of work on the T-14 "Armata":

Year of opening of the experimental design development of the universal platform "Armata": 2010.
Year of state testing: 2015-16.
Planned for 2015-2017 the number of production of pre-production vehicles: 48 (16 per year).

Protective complex

To ensure proper protection of the crew in the T-14 tank, Constructive decisions, worked out on the ROC T-95. The entire crew is located in the heart of the hull (special control compartment) in one row. This is due to the fact that in the course of modern hostilities, the armored vehicle corps is covered by a terrain mask and shelters on the battlefield. According to statistics accumulated over the past 40 years, 65% of hits during combat use tanks had to tank turret.

The use of a crewless combat module made it possible to reduce the volume and weight of the tower, increasing the passive protection of the frontal projection. The dimensions of the Armata MBT are limited by the T02 railway gauge, and the weight is limited by the requirements of air transport.

The protective complex T-14 consists of:

passive protection - armoring of the hull and turret, elements of systems located on the hull and turret;
dynamic protection of the hull and turret of a new generation;
a complex of active protection of the tank, which consists of two subsystems - the actual system for the destruction of ammunition classified as dangerous, and the system for countering guided munitions.

Passive Defense

It must be taken into account that the exact performance characteristics"Object 148" are classified. When determining the effectiveness of certain blocks, specialists are guided by the data of previous R&D projects, the technological capabilities of enterprises, the developments of scientists, and leaked data.

Reservation of the tank hull simultaneously acts as a supporting structure for all systems. The upper frontal part (as on the tanks of the third generation Molot and T-95) is combined. The estimated thickness of the turret zone in the area of the control compartment is 800 millimeters of homogeneous armored steel (GBS). Perhaps the same thickness of the side of the T-14 in the area of \u200b\u200bthe vertical parts of the hull. According to information leaks, frontal booking reaches the equivalent of 1000 mm GBS. The aft hull sheet is thinner and has an additional armor plate.

The use of an unmanned turret made it possible to reduce the passive protection of the modules of the "Armata" systems placed on the turret to a level that provides protection against 30-mm armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles. For the same purpose, all tower modules are additionally protected by a 5-mm screen of 44C armor steel or its equivalent in order to change the direction of flight of armor-piercing projectiles, destroy the cores of armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles, deflect other types of projectiles and protect external electrical cables, water and air ducts from splinters and fire small arms. All debris reaching the modules of the tank systems placed on the turret will be neutralized by the armor of the modules themselves.

The passive defense of the T-14 tower consists of several elements, namely:

Armor mask of the gun and turret hull.
Armor casing of the gunner's sight module.
Armor casing of the module of the panoramic sight-device for observations of the tank commander.
Armor casing of remote machine gun module.
External armor screens that are easy to remove if necessary.

Dynamic protection

A unique dynamic protection is a design in which a thin layer of explosive (about hundredths of a millimeter) is deposited on an outer plate made of a special material by spraying. When an explosive layer is triggered, provoked by the action of a cumulative jet or an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile core, there is no traditional throwing of plates towards the jet, as in NDZ Kontakt-1 or VDZ Kontakt-5. Such dynamic protection modern ammunition anti-tank missile systems"learned" to overcome by forming a double jet. In the case of the Armata, most of the explosion energy of the sprayed explosive causes the plate to vibrate, which begins to interact with the cumulative jet or armor-piercing sub-caliber core and destroy them, while simultaneously destroying itself.

The protective module may have one protective plate or several one above the other. The use of several protective plates provides protection against cumulative ammunition with a tandem warhead and against armor-piercing sub-caliber cores of great length.

The new dynamic protection is resistant to rifle caliber ammunition. It covers the upper and lower frontal parts of the hull, the sides of the tank in the area of the vertical parts of the sides, where dynamic protection is built into the side screens, and the roof of the tower.

The dynamic protection modules for the roof of the hull and turret are small, because the ammunition intended to destroy tanks from the upper hemisphere is not very powerful combat elements, but there can be a lot of them. The height dimensions of the roof module make it possible to place protective plates in two layers.

Active protection

The Afganit Active Protection Complex (KAZ) using the AFAR system consists of 4 phased antenna arrays that track all air and ground targets in the radar range around the tank. When classifying a target as a dangerous unguided one (shells, unguided missiles), a launcher with striking elements is activated. There are 10 such launchers and they block the frontal and flank projections of the tank.

When a target is classified as dangerous, controlled by a laser or radio channel, a launcher is activated that shoots up an explosive generator of electromagnetic pulses or passive aerosol interference that makes it difficult to aim a guided munition at a tank. There are 32 such launchers (16 per block). When an explosive generator of electromagnetic pulses is triggered, it is necessary to protect one's own headlamps for a short time.

Armament

The T-14 is armed with a 125-mm 2A82 cannon with design characteristics of muzzle energy exceeding the domestic 2A46M (intended for T-72, T-80, T-90 tanks) by one and a half times and the German Rh120 by 1.2 times. Work is underway to equip tank version"Armaty" 152-mm gun.

The 2A82 gun does not have an ejector, a partial chrome plating of the barrel is used, and the dimensions of the casing that fastens the barrel in the area of the charging pantry are increased. An unresolved problem of the gun is the lack of mass production of shells that would provide the declared characteristics of the gun.

The T-14 fire control complex is being actively developed. The Belarusian enterprise "Peleng" was involved in the development. An experimental automatic loader with a vertical layout of warheads and shells with a capacity of 32 artillery rounds has already been tested by the troops. The shells themselves are placed in an armored box behind the turret.

The gunner's sight and the tank commander's panoramic sight-device for observations do not have optical channels and, in the event of failure of the electrical components of the fire control system, do not ensure the functioning of the system and the conduct of aimed fire from the tank's armament.

The prospects for increasing the caliber of the T-14 tank by replacing the 2A82 (125 mm) gun with the 2A83 (152 mm) gun have a number of difficulties due to the low bearing capacity of the chassis, the limited height of the hull and the low capacity of the developed automatic loader for 152 mm shells (22 artillery rounds) . In case of overcoming structural inconsistencies, firepower"Armata" will become phenomenal.

As an auxiliary firing system, they plan to use a new automatic 30-mm gun in a module with remote control. The barrel and ammunition for it are under development. The absence of a machine gun coaxial with a cannon indicates the difficulties in ensuring its functioning in a crewless combat module.

Engine

In order to ensure high maneuverability on the battlefield, tactical and strategic maneuverability, the T-14 is equipped with a 2V-12 X-shaped engine and a robotic transmission. The history of the creation of the X-shaped engine stretches for several decades. The idea of the power unit and the circuit diagram were borrowed from the Austrians, who developed and tested the so-called Siemering engine.

The main advantage of the motor is compactness. Its dimensions make it possible to place the unit in the engine compartment (MTO) of the tank in front of the crew. Experts also note excellent power (estimated at least 1500 horsepower) with a fairly light weight of the tank (48 tons).

For almost 30 years, the problem of heat removal from the engine and a decrease in the volume of lubrication and cooling systems have not been solved, which led to an increase in the volume of MTO. Also relevant is the problem of creating a modern fuel system using electronic control of the formation of the fuel mixture (engine with abrupt changes rpm, when starting, warming up, it smokes in a gray-blue spectrum).

During parking in the cylinder heads located in the lower row, oil accumulates, which flows from the lubrication system. When starting, it is thrown into the exhaust tract of the engine. During long-term storage without starting, this can lead to oil flowing into the cylinders until the cylinders are completely filled and the engine is hydraulically hammered.

Transmission and suspension

The "Armata" transmission provides a smooth turn of the tank in the range of all speeds, robotic gear shifting, eight gears and reverse, the ability to turn on the spot, fast acceleration and reliable braking. At the same time, the presence in the transmission of a mechanical drive to the fans of the cooling system and a drive to the compressor of the air system in the tank complicates its structure and reduces reliability as a whole.

The presence of a mechanical drive of the ventilation system indicates the insufficient power of the generator to provide the electric drive of the fans. That is, the work of consumers electric current will be limited by the power of the generator and the ability of the battery to deliver current during peak grid loads.

The T-14 suspension is adaptive, which provides improved vehicle controllability and creates favorable conditions for improving shooting conditions. Cylindrical shock absorbers with controlled characteristics are used as shock absorbers. The shock absorbers are controlled by a sensor system and a controller.

Refinement

It will take about two years to complete the development, conduct factory tests, eliminate the identified deficiencies, conduct state tests, and experimental military operation. After the start of serial production (2018) and active operation in parts, there is usually an accumulation of data on typical failures and breakdowns of components and assemblies, the elimination of which will require an additional 2-3 years. Thus, the T-14 "Armata" will become the main battle tank - reliable, relatively cheap to manufacture, with well-established crew training - no earlier than 2020.

Known Features:

Crew: 3 people. Comfortable continuous operation time - 72 hours.
Weight (t): declared - 48, with a set for fighting in settlements – 53.
Main armament: 2A82-1M 125 mm cannon with 45 rounds of ammunition. Remote PKTM machine gun 7.62 mm, 2000 rounds of ammunition in the belt.
Power unit: multi-fuel turbocharged X-shaped engine 2V12-3 with an estimated power of 1200-1500 hp.
Speed (km / h): road - 80-90, off-road - 40-50. Power reserve with standard tanks 500 km.

According to a senior Russian military official, Moscow will build 100 Armata main battle tanks by 2020. Thus, he put an end to extravagant fantasies, the authors of which claimed that by this time the Kremlin would have created a whole armada of new formidable machines in the amount of 2,300 units.

“Today, experimental and combat operation of the created products is being carried out. We have a contract for 100 units that will be delivered to us by 2020,” said Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov, speaking at the Army-2017 trade forum in Kubinka, as reported by information Agency TASS.

Most serious military analysts studying the Russian military, including Michael Kofman of the Center for Naval Analyzes, have long dismissed claims that Moscow will build 2,300 tanks by 2020 as preposterous. T-14. Russia has neither the production capacity nor the financial capacity to build so many new and expensive tanks. Even if the Russians produce 120 tanks a year, it will take them about two decades to build that many vehicles.

The Armata universal combat platform is the base for the T-14 main battle tank, the T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle, the T-16 repair and recovery vehicle, and many other vehicles. And the Armata family can also include a heavy self-propelled artillery mount with a larger caliber gun. The T-14 packs serious firepower, with a new 125mm 2A82-1M cannon housed in a remote-controlled uninhabited turret. This so-called "tank killer" may in the future be equipped with a 152-millimeter gun, which is currently used in self-propelled howitzer 2S35 "Coalition-SV". However, analysts have serious doubts that this option will ever be built.

Context

Should I be worried about the Russian Armata tank?

BBC 05/30/2017

The collapse of the Russian "Armata"

Dialog.ua 09.05.2017

How to beat "Armata"

The National Interest 02.04.2017

Terrible dream "Armata"

Newspaper in Ukrainian 19.01.2017

Meanwhile, it is clear from Russian television footage that the T-14 main battle tank, part of the Armata family, has an armored capsule for a three-man crew, which is equipped with touch screen displays. The video shows that the interface of this tank is simple and intuitive. It also seems that the Russians have developed a combat network linking the T-14 and T-90MS tanks, through which messages can be instantly transmitted to other crews, including video and photographs. This tank is also equipped with GLONASS and NAVSTAR GPS.

Perhaps the biggest impression in the Armata series is made by the Afghanit active protection complex. This complex uses a phased array radar that performs circular scanning, as well as powerful electronic warfare equipment used to jam radio-controlled ATGMs. There is also a complex to counter enemy laser guidance systems.

In addition, the tank is equipped with means of intercepting projectiles included in the active protection complex and having the ability to intercept the impact core from gliding ammunition in flight. This means that KAZ "Armata" can be effectively used against armor-piercing projectiles. Most analysts do not believe in the effectiveness of this system against this type of ammunition, although it is possible that it can deflect a sub-caliber projectile. KAZ is usually most effective when used against grenade rounds and rockets.

"The most revolutionary element of the Armata-based T-14 MBT is the uninhabited turret. Much attention has been paid to protecting people on all platforms, including through active protection systems (KAZ). This suggests that the Russians have learned the lessons of past wars and the concept future battles, the report notes. International Institute strategic research (ISIS) Military Balance 2016. - When the Armata is adopted, it will be the first tank with an uninhabited turret and KAZ. If the Armata is successfully adopted, the effectiveness of ATGMs and shoulder-fired weapons, such as RPG. This will change the dynamics of the battle and increase the importance of guns, anti-tank guns and tanks.”

But The best way to survive on the battlefield is to become invisible. And the Russians have taken a number of measures to reduce the thermal and radar tell-tale signs of tanks, making them harder to spot and track.

In case the Armata is nevertheless detected and the projectile overcomes its active protection system, the vehicle is equipped not only with powerful passive armor, but also with a two-layer Malachite dynamic protection. The composition of the armor is unknown, but it is possible that it is some form of composite materials with ceramic plates. The tank also has barred armor to protect certain areas that are vulnerable to rocket-propelled grenades.

"Armata" causes serious concern among the armies Western countries. As a direct response to the creation of the T-14, Germany began equipping the Leopard-2 tank with a new 130 mm cannon, as well as developing plans for a new MBT, called the "main ground combat system» (Main Ground Combat System).

Dave Majumdar is the National Interest's military editor.

The materials of InoSMI contain only assessments of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.