How are things going with the release of the T-14 today?

T-14 "ARMATA"

Back in March 2017, due to a severe financial situation, into which the enterprise headed by him fell, the powers of Oleg Sienko were terminated ahead of schedule. And the number of T-14 tanks built here is still not in the thousands, but only in a few dozen vehicles. There were 12 tanks in the first pilot production batch (they passed through Red Square in 2015), after which another hundred tanks were ordered for "military trials."

In 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that tests of the T-14 Armata tank would end in 2018, and from next 2019, its experimental military operation would begin (for this, apparently, the aforementioned batch of hundreds tanks). Later, in February 2018, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov (since March 2018 Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Industry), confirmed that the Ministry of Defense has a contract for the supply of two battalions of T-14 tanks for testing. More detailed information sounded in the speech of Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko at the Army-2018 forum: “... as of today, a contract has been signed for 132 T-14 and T-15 vehicles. We will receive the first nine cars this year, production cars. The contract will be completed by the end of 2021 ”.

T-14 "Armata"

This means that by 2022 the Russian army will have at its disposal only about a hundred T-14s, and, accordingly, thousands of "Armats" are no longer being discussed. These tanks, most likely, will be sent to one of the heavy brigades (type B), in which the states are supposed to have tanks on the heavy Armata platform (73 units) and heavy infantry fighting vehicles.

The temporary freezing of the start of large-scale production of the T-14 is also confirmed by other statements by those responsible for the defense industry, who noted that the T-14 Armata tank is "too expensive for bulk purchases." So on July 30, 2018, Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Industry Yuri Borisov noted: “The Russian army does not feel a great need for Armata tanks, and current needs are covered by the modernization of the existing military equipment... We have no special need for this, these models are quite expensive in relation to the existing ones. ... if the existing armored vehicles, in particular the updated T-72, were inferior to a potential enemy, we would promote the procurement of new weapons. But they are not inferior, which means there is no need to buy something. "

As for the cost of the T-14, there are no exact figures yet. According to the information of the general director of Uralvagonzavod Oleg Sienko, relating to 2015, the cost of one T-14 Armata tank was slightly more than 250 million rubles (at the then exchange rate of about $ 3.7 million), although some experts estimated it at 8 million million dollars. According to later information, the cost of the tank "Armata" should be about 4 million dollars (this is 2 million
"Leopard" or Israeli tank "Merkava", and the French "Leclerc" generally pulls $ 8.5 million), however, the military counted on reducing the cost of T-14 tanks by 2020.

T-14 "Armata"

In the last month, the topic of possible export deliveries of T-14 has been quite lively in the media. As reported by the Indian news publication The Economic Times, India is considering purchasing T-14 Armata tanks to replace obsolete T-72 modifications within the framework of the Multipurpose future ready combat vehicles program. At the same time, the announced amount of a probable agreement of $ 4.5 billion (with an estimated volume of 1,770 tanks) indicates that the information on the export of "Armata" is unlikely to correspond to reality. If you believe the information of the Indian media, Delhi plans to pay a little more than $ 2.5 million for one tank, while even on the domestic market the price for "Armata" exceeds $ 3.7-4 million.

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Tanks became the strike force of the Second World War. In almost all states of the world, the dominant doctrine, at the present time, is considered to be the conduct of network-centric warfare. That is, achieving superiority over the enemy due to greater information content and communication, as well as the speed of making tactical decisions in a single center and the prompt receipt of orders by units. This concept is contradicted by several others, for example, there is the doctrine of point-strategic suppression, that is, finding weak points from the enemy, giving the order to the subunit and to perform the combat mission. They largely overlap and complement each other, but in one issue they are incompatible - the tactics and strategy of using tank formations. In the first concept, tanks are taken into account, and in the second, they are not.

It warms the soul that the "breakthrough" has been made in the Russian Federation, whose armed forces are already beginning to adopt the Russian T-14 Armata tank, which fits perfectly into the doctrine of network-centric warfare.

History of creation and prospects of application

At the beginning of this decade, not closed information appeared about the appearance in Russia of a long-developed new generation tank. It was noticed only by those interested. Therefore, the passage on 05/09/2015 through Red Square became a presentation of the Armata tank, produced in small quantities (up to 15 copies) as part of a pre-production package.

For a long time the secrecy label will not be removed from Russian program"Combat systems of the future" and the reasons why this particular tank was chosen. The only open information is the rejection of the production of the main tank of the fourth generation T-95.

By the way, at the stage of development, the Armata tank received the name - Object 148, and the number 14 in the final name was received by the year of the project implementation - 2014.

Perhaps the medium tank "Armata", the mass of which is about 50 tons, was chosen as the main one, as it is multifunctional and is intended to work as a "leader" in a group. It perfectly copes with the functions of a remote scout, target designator and fire spotter.

To do this, he has two detection systems (a surveillance radar with a range of one hundred kilometers and equipment operating in different "light" ranges), as well as a Pterodactyl drone with an unlimited duration of action, as it receives energy from the T-14 Armata "Via a special wire.

Having received operational data, "Pterodactyl" can transfer them to everyone (in the usual format and / or video) who needs it, including its escort:

  • heavy BMP T-15;
  • attack helicopters;
  • complexes of the "Pantsir-C1" type;
  • other technique included in the group.

By the way, the T14 "Armata" in the same format can receive data from its tactical group, command, other similar groups, as well as aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Versatile platform, propulsion and suspension

The fourth generation T-14 "Armata" is being developed in accordance with the network-centric concept, according to which it must have at least:

  • NeoBash with automatic charging and recharging;
  • insulated armored capsule for the crew;
  • part of fully automated functions (partly robotic tank).

By the way, the fifth generation will in fact be a tank without a crew, that is, completely robotic.


The platform of the tank "Armata" is made by "Uralvagonzavod" unified. Being a heavy tracked vehicle, it is suitable for transforming the T-14 "Armata" itself, for example, into something close to an ACS - a combat artillery vehicle. It is also suitable for the production of several dozen types of other military equipment, including cars. At the same time, many sections and even blocks installed on the armature (communication, control, active protection, and so on) can be installed on this technique.

The universal combat platform makes it possible to implement new tactical concepts and actions of the T-14 "Armata".

The T-14 is equipped with an engine common to the universal platform "Armata" with the following performance characteristics (hereinafter referred to as TTX):

P / p #Engine indicatorsNumerical parameters of the engine
1 Twelve-cylinder, diesel, turbochargedX-shaped
2 Power (maximum 1)1200 l / s
3 Power (maximum 2)1500 l / s
4 Speed ​​(maximum)90 km / h
5 Travel range (without refueling)500 km.
6 Time to replace the engine30 minutes
7 Weight (mass) (taking into account the additional "body kit" for combat in urban conditions)Up to 55 tons

On a universal platform, the engine can be installed in three places (front, back and center.). On the T-14 "Armata" it is customary to place the engine in the back, and, for example, on its combat "friend" the BMP T-15, which should always be near - in front.

Active suspension and BIUS

The active suspension, by means of automatic suspension of the T-14 "Armata", gives it the opportunity not to significantly reduce the speed of movement off-road. By reducing the pitching amplitude, the accuracy of the shot is improved by 2 times, which is not small in real combat conditions. Provided that the speed of the T14 tank at this moment will be no more than 30 km / h. The gearbox is semi-automatic, with 16 gears (half for forward movement and the same amount for backward).


The brain, the main element of it automated system"Digital board" is its information and control system (hereinafter referred to as CIUS). She controls almost everything until the commander or another member of the crew (in total, the Armata Tank is controlled by three tankmen) takes control of this equipment.

The BIUS device controls the engine and suspension, active protection and search for targets, constantly performs diagnostics, informing the crew about its results, if necessary, and even giving it voice commands. Add artificial intelligence to it and you're ready fighting machine fifth generation.

Protection complexes and armor

The main thing is armor. Its role increases even more with the increase in the cost of production and operation of a modern tank. Prototypes of the T-14 "Armata" were purchased for 0.5 billion rubles. for each copy.

The cost of a series of 100 units for testing, as estimated by the general director of Uralvagonzavod under the contract, is just over 25 billion rubles.

The unit price will decrease as supplies to the Russian troops for the T-14 "Armata" armament increase. The plant's capacities allow it to produce at least five hundred cars a year. But even now, in comparison with NATO tanks, the T-14 "Armata" is the cheapest tank.

Due to the enormous cost, it is very important to keep the T-14 Armata tank in battle. Everything has been done for this - it is difficult to get into the T-14, and it is even more difficult to break through all of its protective layers. Disabling is one thing, but completely destroying it with the entire crew is another.


The worst thing is if the ammunition is undermined (destruction of tracks, power plant and similar damage is repaired and / or replaced with appropriate blocks relatively easily). In this case, special screens are provided that divert the energy of the explosion from the armored capsule with the crew, and he will most likely survive.

Complex of active protection (hereinafter referred to as KAZ) "Afganit"

First, the means of protection of the Armata tank (a set of numerous radars, direction finders and cameras in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges, with a view of 3600) detect the enemy damaging agent Then KAZ "Afghanit" automatically turns NeoBash in this direction. This action is performed for:

  1. Blinding and / or changing the trajectory of guided projectiles and missiles by disorienting curtains, fired by heat traps, as well as by means of disabling electronics and their other "stuffing" (except mechanical), including laser guidance.
  2. Destruction and / or interception of the shock core of a missile (projectile) within a radius of twenty meters by appropriate means of active protection, including automated mortars installed under NeoBash (main fragmentation damage), and an automatic machine gun on the tower itself.
  3. Encounters a projectile if it is not destroyed before contact with the armor of the Armata tank, its frontal armor, which has the greatest protection (the thickness of the armor is equivalent to more than one meter of the reference armor).
  4. Retaliating against the attacking enemy.

Infrared cameras allow KAZ to:

  • to carry out their functions when the radar is disabled or disabled, as well as in the conditions of the use of electronic suppression by the enemy.
  • control and suppress the possibility of false alarms of the radar.
  • solve a very complex technical problem, detecting the irradiation of the T14 "Armata" with a laser.

Cellular protection, reactive armor complex (hereinafter referred to as KDZ) "Malachite"

The second level of protection of the "Armata" tank is the "Malachite" KDZ. Dynamic protection consists of three blocks, made up of containers with special filling, cells different sizes which can be refilled after use. In the automatic mode, the updated version of the Malakhit KDZ participates in the active protection of the Armata tank.

Induction current sensors react to the magnetic field of a damaging enemy means, "throwing" a special damaging cell cover towards it with an explosion. If this does not help or a "tandem" projectile is used, it is greeted by a special filling of the dynamic protection cell, which practically "grinds" the enemy ammunition, and disperses the cumulative jet.

KDZ "Malachite" allows the attachment of additional ERA units to the front of the T-14 "Armata". They cover NeoBash from above and the hull on the sides by about 2/3, with a tank length of 10.5 meters, and a height and width of 3 and 4 meters, respectively.

The blocks are filled with cells in several layers, and in different places there is a different number of layers of cells, and inside they are painted with the thinnest layer of a special coating.

Due to this, in comparison with the 3rd generation of tanks, the Malachite should better "cope" with American and NATO feathered sub-caliber shells and heavy missiles.

The complex is safe for the infantry if, in compliance with the requirements of the Charter, it moves behind the T-14 "Armata" tank (without armor cover) at a distance of more than 50 meters. Active protection is focused on disabling missiles with more "anti-electronic" means and the use of various "curtains", and with grenade fragments - only within 20 meters from the T14 "Armata".

Armor of the turret, hull and compartments

The third and last line of defense is the T-14 Armata's own armor, improved (by at least 10-15 %%) compared to the 3rd generation tanks. In some places it is reinforced with armored partitions inside the hull. The armor was specially created for maximum withdrawal of guided and unguided missiles from an axial strike into the plane of the armor.

Their penetration does not exceed today 700 mm in armor equivalent, while the armor of the T-14 "Armata" hull is close to 1 meter of homogeneous metal armor (expert assessment, the data is naturally classified), and NeoBash is significantly higher.

Ceramic inserts into the armor, collapsing, absorb almost all the kinetic force of the ammunition and shift the axis of its momentum.

The crew of three is located in the front of the T-14 Armata hull in a well-armored and insulated tank compartment - an armored capsule. It is believed that it will not only withstand the hit of any type of ammunition, but will protect the crew from the explosion of ammunition and from the effects of the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion (except for hitting its epicenter).

This truth or "sweet" lie will be shown by the ongoing "field" tests and maneuvers close to combat conditions after the start of delivery of at least several hundred T14 tanks to the Russian troops. Participation in any local conflict type of "civil war" in Syria.

In addition to the semi-automated electronic and mechanical equipment required for the T-14 "Armata" to perform its functions, the armored capsule has an air conditioner and several all-round viewing screens that provide a high-resolution "picture" regardless of the weather and time of day. It is argued that in an armored capsule it is freer than in modern car Mercedes-Benz brand, only poorer design.


Armored screens located above the tracks cover the dynamic protection of seven blocks for about 2/3 of the tank's length, and the aft part of the NeoBash and the hull are covered with lattice screens. All this additional protection weighs just over one ton, which is only 2% and practically does not reduce the maneuverability of the Armata tank. For greater invulnerability in urban combat, dynamic "armor" in soft packaging is hung on top of the side armor plates, as well as on the back and sides of the NeoBash.

The lower part of the T-14 Armata is well protected by armor. Also, in order to disperse the shock impulse of anti-tank mines, it has a V-shape. In addition, it is equipped with a unique system for determining the location of mines with magnetic fuses and their remote detonation due to the distortion of the magnetic field. So the danger of the T-14 "Armata" does not seem to threaten from below. But the design of the seats for the crew includes elements that partially absorb, and also divert most of the explosion energy aside.

Fuel compartment protection

For the first time, fuel tanks have been made non-removable. They are located on the sides of the T-14 Armata and in the center of the hull in front of the engine. They are protected from fire by a special filler, and from the ingress of enemy ammunition, in addition to the above-described protection, an additional anti-cumulative shield.

It is separated from the engine compartment and the compartment with "shots" by an armored partition, which rather gives additional protection to these sections of the hull, and from the compartment with the crew, accordingly, the armor of the "capsule" of the crew.

From the inside, the T-14 "Armata" hull is divided into four parts, in the middle of which is the fuel compartment, bordering the engine compartment, the crew's armored capsule, as well as around the sides of the ammunition compartment. It is believed that such an arrangement, at least slightly, will reduce the impact on the crew and the engine when the ammunition is detonated, which is up to 45 rounds.

The total capacity of the fuel system is 2 tons (with additional tanks). About half of the fuel is inside the hull, and the rest is located outside the hull on its sides on the fenders. All compartments of the T-14 "Armata" are equipped with fire extinguishers that are automatically triggered when an open fire appears and corresponds to this temperature.

Applied stealth development

In order to make the "Armata" tank as invisible as possible for the means of detecting the enemy, a lot of developments in the line of stealth technology have been applied. At present, the strength of the Russian army consists not so much in firepower as in the difficulty of detecting its combat vehicles by the enemy, which significantly increases their survivability.

For this there is:

  1. Flat reflective edges of the hull with a unique coating, not only hiding the Armata tank in a wide range of radio waves, but also preventing it from receiving a solar “hit”.
  2. Thermal insulation of the hull and heat traps make it difficult to search for the T-14 "Armata" in the infrared wavelength range and radically change its appearance if it is "exposed".
  3. A lightweight cover on the turret that reduces visibility and distorts enemy radar data.
  4. Equipment for distorting the magnetic field around the T14 "Armata", which interferes with determining its exact location if the enemy has a magnetometric weapon.
  5. "Mixer" exhaust gases with the external environment, as well as imitation of non-existing exhaust pipes, to disorient weapons and detection equipment operating in the thermal range.

Detection complexes (hereinafter referred to as KO)

The most important function of the T-14 "Armata" is to establish the location of enemy forces both on the near "approaches" within a radius of 10 km, and on the distant ones - up to 100 kilometers. For this, it is equipped with a 4-section aerotype radar and cameras synchronized with it, operating in other ranges.


The phased array of the radar can detect and "guide" up to 40 ground and 25 air targets. If the target is carefully camouflaged, then human intervention is needed in the operation of the automation for controlling the infrared sight. Automation also controls conventional panoramic sights, which are included in the KO, in order to clarify the correctness of detecting and "tracking" targets without "losing" them from the counteraction of enemy counter-electronic warfare means.

KO panels are covered with light armor screens.

Available optical periscopes are needed for driving, including at night. The headlights also have the option of infrared illumination.

T-14 "Jurassic"

In addition, for the first time in Russia, short-range reconnaissance will be launched, but not in free flight, but for the length of the cable shielded from electronic reconnaissance equipment (up to 100 meters), unmanned vehicle"Pterodactyl". He constantly transmits a video picture to the screen of the commander of the T-14 "Armata", and receives energy for work via the same cable.

"Pterodactyl", the visibility horizon of which is 10 km, gives a unique opportunity T-14 "Armata" to fire from a "closed" position or from a cloud of special suspension concealing it. The drone can be in touch and transmit a picture to the entire tactical group, an individual combat vehicle or a support and logistics vehicle. Naturally, all this can be done in relation to your command and / or tactical groups and subunits operating a number of them.

When determining the target's KO at a distance of up to six kilometers, a deviation of up to 10 m is permissible, and at ten kilometers - 17 m. It is quite enough to hit infantry and lightly armored targets with artillery or tank ammunition. T-14 "Armata" is also valuable as a spotter of fire, as it clearly records the place of the explosion.

In addition, according to the flight path of the enemy ammunition, KOs can calculate the place from which the shot was fired and even open return fire in automatic mode, although it is more effective to reconnoiter the target. After "capturing" an air target, the data can be transmitted to destroy it:

  • the accompanying BMP T-15, which has a good anti-aircraft gun;
  • a unit equipped with portable anti-aircraft missile systems;
  • SAM "Pantsir-S1" (he, hitting the target, does not unmask himself by using his own means of detection).

Weapon systems

While the "Armata" defense systems operate in automatic mode and crew intervention is required only in exceptional cases, the attacking actions of the T-14 itself are carried out in a semi-automatic mode, with the active use of various types of sighting devices by the commander and gunner.

In addition to conventional optical sights and rangefinders with a twelvefold magnification, modern electronic equipment is used to target enemy equipment and manpower, operating in all available ranges, including laser-type sights. Target "capture" by the heat emitted by it occurs if it is not more than 3.5 km away, and by rangefinders - 7.5 km.


Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government Rogozin, listing the characteristics of the T-14, as if jokingly said that the crews for the Armata tank should be recruited among fans of the online game World of Tanks, since they already have almost all the skills to control the tank. As they say - in a joke there is only a fraction of a joke. Indeed, the scheme of the management process is similar.

The commander hovers over the target, locks it by pressing the button and sends the data to the gunner. He also presses the button - the target will most likely be hit. Moreover, it is possible to note the sequence of hitting several targets. Whether everything will be so simple and whether the tank and its fate in a real battle is so good - time will tell.

Cannon

Currently, a 125 mm remote-controlled gun is installed in NeoBash. In terms of the range of destruction, this gun is significantly superior to the analogs installed on NATO tanks. When aiming, even the bend from the heating of the chrome-plated and autofreted barrel from the inside is taken into account. The corresponding sensor is located on the barrel of the tank and placed in a container.

The new ammunition load, which includes both guided and non-guided missiles launched through the barrel, doubles the power of military equipment equipped with this gun.

In addition, the T14 "Armata" from this gun now has the ability to shoot down drones and helicopters with air-to-air missiles, and with controlled detonation in flight ammunition - to hit targets in equipped and natural shelters.


The universal combat platform "Armata" allows the installation of a heavy 152 mm gun on the T-14. Advantage over the currently installed gun:

  1. This is her power. It is enough for the projectile to hit the enemy tank. It doesn't matter where it is, since if he doesn't break through the armor, he will demolish the tower. And for the destruction or serious damage of little armored, and even less armored vehicles, it is enough to hit the corresponding ammunition near the target. As such, the T-14 turns into a "fire support" tank.
  2. The final transformation of the Armata tank into a kind of control center for its tactical group, which, in addition to coordinating actions, provides direct fire support, being at positions remote from direct contact with opponents.
  3. Possibility of launching long-range anti-aircraft missiles with twice the "travel" reserve.

Disadvantages in front of the currently installed gun:

  1. Reduction of ammunition by 10%, by 25% of the automatic loader, therefore, it is necessary to have more equipment nearby, transporting ammunition.
  2. The absence of a fourth generation "breakthrough tank" and, therefore, the need to take action in this direction.

TTX guns

№№
p / p
Tool indicatorsImplement parameters
1 Service staff, people1
2 Anti-tank barrel caliber 1, mm.125
3 Barrel caliber 2, mm.152
4
(barrel caliber 1), km
up to 5
5 Target hitting range by surface-to-surface missile (barrel caliber 1), km.up to 8
6 Target hitting range by surface-to-air missile (barrel caliber 1), km.up to 5 km.
7 Target hitting range by projectile
(barrel caliber 2), km
more than 5
8 Target hitting range by surface-to-surface missile (barrel caliber 2), km.up to 20
9 Target hitting range by surface-to-air missile (barrel caliber 2), km.up to 9
10 Barrel armor piercing 1, meter of reference armorup to 1
11 Barrel armor-piercing 2, meter of reference armorup to 1.4
12 Rate of fire (barrel caliber 1), rds / minup to 15
13 Rate of fire (barrel caliber 2) rds / minup to 12
14 Ammunition (barrel caliber 1), rds.up to 45
15 Automatic loader (barrel caliber 1), rds.32
16 Ammunition (barrel caliber 2), rds.up to 40
17 Automatic loader (barrel caliber 2), round24

Ammunition

The very idea and practice of launching missiles through the barrel was implemented even in third-generation tanks. New in this matter is the controllability and range of missiles. From the above list it can be seen that a 152 mm cannon “shoots” missiles at much greater distances. This also applies to air targets. Unlike a 125 mm cannon, a rocket can also shoot down airplanes and missiles flying at speeds of up to nine hundred kilometers per hour.


It should be noted that the feathered shells included in the ammunition load in the case of a 152 mm cannon caliber can also be guided. They are clearly not preparing for use against enemy armored vehicles. Their targets are command and control structures, anti-aircraft missile systems and similar "valuable" objects. It is possible that over time, the T-14 "Armata" will be equipped with "shots" being developed at the present time, having a flight range of up to 50 km due to its active-reactive nature.

Western publications admit the possibility of including "nuclear" shells and / or missiles with a capacity of up to one kiloton in the T-14 "Armata" ammunition.

For the Armata tank, their use is relatively safe at a distance of more than 6 km. Common sense dictates that this kind of ammunition (even if it is available) can be used only if a nuclear conflict has already begun, which is carefully avoided by all countries that have such weapons.

Machine gun armament

The modernized tank machine gun of our genius - Kalashnikov. It was his standard and the smallest caliber that was chosen to equip the Russian Armata tank. Of course, it is integrated with all systems, it can work both in automatic mode and under the control of the crew. Located on NeoBash in an armored hull that increases the height and visibility of the T-14 "Armata".


A spare tape for an additional 1000 rounds is also in a protected place, and charging is done automatically. But there is a double impression - either this is a very cunning idea (here's a very noticeable turret, aim at it - it's not a pity to lose it), or they argued until they were hoarse, decided nothing and left it for later. But it was necessary to put something and at the last moment they decided to install this machine gun.

Conclusion

"Armata" is the Russian name for the guns brought to Russia (Moscow, Tver) in 1389 from Europe. In Latin, weapons are arma, but we added a suffix and an ending. All officials in relation to the T-14 "Armata" state in different terms, but the same information. This tank made a "revolutionary" breakthrough and surpasses the tanks of the leading military powers of the world by at least 10 ... 40%. The existing backlog will ensure Russia's advantage for a long time, even considering that Western counterparts will soon begin to appear.

In 2018, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation began accepting the first batch of T-14 "Armata" and it is expected that at least a hundred copies will be accepted. In total, by 2021 (for various reasons, the period may be extended until 2025), more than 2,000 of these tanks should enter service (the number may also vary).

The task is strategically set (no dates are specified or named) to create a whole "Armata family" by replacing about 30 combat vehicles, as well as support and support vehicles on the corresponding universal platform.

In addition to the roar of fanfare and a stream of praises, in interested circles "flare up" controversy about the directions of improvement of the T-14 "Armata", the elimination of obvious shortcomings and shortcomings, as well as the comprehension of critical remarks. In the T-14 "Armata" is criticized:

  1. Increase in size, and most importantly, height.
  2. Narrow field of view of the commander in the event of complete or partial destruction of electronics.
  3. Unclear functions of the machine gun, as well as the lack of anti-aircraft weapons in the "Armata" tank.
  4. Uncomfortable working posture of the crew.

Our designers and production workers are working on a fifth generation tank - fully robotic. And as a first step in this direction, it is planned to reduce the crew of the T-14 "Armata" to two people, and allocate the vacated space to increase the ammunition load. Time will tell whether this is correct or not. Perhaps the freed up space will be allocated for new "brains", there are never many of them.

Video

The question


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

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

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

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

In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, the Kharkiv 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 configurations considered in the 80s are discussed 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 that remained in Russia set about creating a promising tank based on the existing reserve. Of the most advanced, one can mention the Leningrad Object 299 (OJSC "Spetsmash"), which had a very daring layout. Which, along with objective reasons characteristic of the 90s, prevented its implementation.

Omsk Object 640 "Black Eagle" was also a project with very ambiguous advantages, therefore it was chosen for demonstration (VTTV 1997) and even promoted 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 the production, since the solutions laid down in it could be implemented during the modernization.

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

In 2009, the closure of these projects was announced.

At the beginning, there is a 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 T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle with a front-mounted MTO.

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

Layout

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

When placing 3 crew members shoulder to shoulder, as is done, the crew is accommodated in a fairly comfortable environment. But at the same time, it is not possible to implement sufficient protection of the onboard part of the crew compartment. Even with a decrease in the width of the space allocated for each crew member from 70 to 60 cm, the possibilities to provide protection during shelling into 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 of the tank commander, which in a number of countries, despite the development of technical vision, is considered important quality... Read more - Development of a promising tank in the United States.

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

Crew capsule. The driver's seat is on the left in the direction of the tank.

The display complex of the driver-mechanic (DKMV) installed on the tank is designed to replace the dial gauges and ensure the solution of control tasks, monitoring the functioning, 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 movement parameters is displayed directly on the remote display on the steering wheel. The monitor displays an image from a forward-looking thermal imaging device located on the upper part of the body's nose assembly.


video inspection 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


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

On the left in the photo is the gunner's remote control.

Products PMF-5.0 (5.1) have an extended set of interfaces, including a touch panel with multitouch function, etc.
Developed by the Instrument Engineering Design Bureau (UKBP), which is part of the Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies.

The information control system displays information on 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, standard messages in white.


View of the commander's and gunner's places. Commander's 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, issuance of navigational cartographic information, as well as input and transmission of information to control the main tank systems. 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).

Manufacturing and assembly of devices is still done by hand, but their reliability is increasing.

It is on these devices that tank control is based.

The place of the commander. A visual survey of the terrain is carried out through three viewing devices. The main information is supposed to be received through TV cameras located around the perimeter of the tank and a multichannel panaramic sight-observation device.

This decision can be called quite daring, especially for ground vehicles where conditions are much harsher than in aviation. On the right is the AVSKU-E control panel (intercom, switching and control equipment). Under the control panel there is an optical sensor of the fire-fighting equipment system (OD1-1S). Installation of optical sensors and high-speed cylinders in the fighting compartment provides fire detection and release of a fire-extinguishing agent in a time not exceeding 150 ms. Such sensors are installed around the entire perimeter of the capsule.


Rear view of the crew capsule. Ventilation and air conditioning systems visible


Despite the many digital innovations, some traditions in post-Soviet tank building are unshakable, for example, not very neat welds.

Comfortable seating is a big step forward compared to tanks of the previous generation


View of the side of the crew capsule from the gunner's seat. Crew seats have a wide range of adjustments, providing crew comfort

Protection

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

Increasing the security and survivability of the crew in the module is achieved by reducing the total area of ​​the internal surfaces of the control module (in comparison with the manned compartment of classic tanks).

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.


General layout schematic
tank T-14 "Armata" (similar to T-95)

The advantage indicated by the authors of the patent, along with the above, has one more disadvantage - insufficient protection of the tower. This question will come, as did the developers of a promising Soviet-era tank - "Hammer", "Nota".

The tank protection complex includes combined and dynamic protection installed in the protection of the front 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 remote control, 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 hinged for ease of maintenance of the chassis. In general, the solutions for the installation of DZ resemble its installation on the Nota tank (KMDB).

The tower is covered from above with reactive armor, and a DZ is also installed to protect the capsule, including the hatches. Part of the hull side in the MTO area is covered with lattice screens.


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

Externally, the DZ is similar to that installed on the T-95. the working surface of the throwing 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 can be clearly seen in the photographs, it can be assumed that this requirement has been met.

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

To shoot false IR and radar targets quickly and accurately in the direction of the attack vehicle from wherever it flies up, without turning the turret, the use of fast-turning grenade launchers is required.

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

An electromagnetic mine protection system is also installed.

Tank protection complex against WTO

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

Radars with HEADLIGHTS for detection and target designation of KAZ are located under the front indicators of irradiation and missile launch. On the roof of the tower, a system for launching multispectral interference in rotary and fixed installations


The irradiation and trigger indicators in the photo and during the demonstration at the parade are covered with shutters. Next to the front-view and side-view TV camera indicator block

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


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

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


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

Firepower

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

7.62mm PKTM machine gun in a remotely controlled installation on a platform combined with a panaramic sight-observation device. Ammunition of 2000 rounds in a continuous tape.

The absence of a machine gun paired 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 projectiles, to distract the commander from observing the battlefield when using a single machine gun. Some kind of justification for this may be in the form of an automated ammunition load increased by 10 shots compared to the T-72. An automatic cannon of 30 mm caliber, as it was on the "Molot" and the T-95, is also absent.


Scheme of the AZ of an uninhabited tower.

Projectiles and charges are placed vertically.

The conveyor is raised above the bottom of the body to prevent jamming during bottom deflection (mine explosion).

The idea of ​​installing such a gun arose long ago, back in the late 70s (D-91T) and continued later, including the "Object 187". In terms of its potential, it exceeds the standard one by 30%.

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 compared to the standard (3BM44 "Mango" - 440 mm) by 100-150 mm. The advanced BPS developed for the Armata will likely reach over 800 mm (450/60 °). The possibility of using both standard ammunition and newly developed ammunition of increased power is provided.

The truth is whether the open question has been reached, all these topics have been under way for more than two decades. So the same "Lead-1" and "Lead-2" formally in the ammunition of the modernized T-72BA, T-80UA, T-80UE1 since 2004.

To combat the infantry, the 3VOF128 "Telnik" -1 round was developed (Completion of the ROC - 2014). The projectile has a trajectory rupture on the approach to the target (at a lead-in point) with the target hit by the axial flow of the GGE; trajectory rupture over the target with the target hitting with a circular field of body fragments; shock ground rupture with installation for instant (fragmentation) action; shock ground rupture with installation for high-explosive fragmentation action (low deceleration); shock ground rupture with a setting for a penetrating high-explosive action (large deceleration).

Armament stabilizer 2E58 - electromechanical with an electric drive for vertical and horizontal guidance. Has lower 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 (DWD). The capacitive type sensor provides measurement of longitudinal, crosswind and atmospheric pressure.

Mobility


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

Engine power 1200 horsepower. According to the developers, there is a possibility of forcing up to 1500-1800 hp. in perspective.

The total fuel system capacity 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 placed inside the hull (816 liters), the rest is in the fuel tanks on the fenders in the aft part of the hull.

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

Suspension stiffness is 167 ... 206 kN / m, and the resistance of the hydraulic shock absorber on forward and reverse travel does not exceed 55 kN and 120 kN, respectively.

the torsion shaft has a working stress level of more than 147 × 104 kN / m2 and a permissible twist angle of more than 80 °.

The damping characteristic of the hydraulic shock absorber is speed, that is, it is the dependence of the resistance force on the speed on the lever. The kinematic connection of the hydraulic shock absorber with the suspension is made with the possibility of ensuring the gear ratio of the vertical speed of the track roller of the caterpillar propeller of the tracked vehicle to the movement speed of the hydraulic shock absorber arm 0.15 ... 3.5 with an increase at the end of the road roller stroke.

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


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


Shown are the progressive characteristics of the suspension, compared to the suspension characteristics of the Leopard 2 tank.

Project evaluation

The positive side of the project is that it was still implemented, to a greater extent than any of the existing projects of a promising tank 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 (I&C, LMS, etc.), the development of which can become a serious impetus in the development of the electronic industry.

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

Ergonomics meets modern requirements.

Negative features of the tank stem from the choice of its layout, this is the impossibility of ensuring a sufficient size of the capsule's side armor due to the placement of the crew shoulder to shoulder, the vulnerability of the tower from the fire of modern automatic cannons, 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 tank's IR signature.

Of the removable shortcomings, it is possible to note the absence of a machine gun paired with a cannon. And the gunner's double sight.

And the main thing that can still be added is that the tank is being tested, a small number of them have been released at the moment. Most of the systems installed in "Armata" are not yet sufficiently mastered, undoubtedly it will be required big time to cure "childhood diseases". So, to be or not to be "Armata" time will tell.

Tank T-14 (GBTU index - Object 148) is a main battle tank equipped with a 125-mm 2A82 smoothbore cannon (with the possibility of installing 152-mm 2A83) with a remote (uninhabited tower), fully digital control. In front, behind a very powerful frontal armor, there is a protected isolated armored capsule with a crew sitting in a row on all sides. The gun will be controlled from an isolated armored capsule. The tank will be able to withstand a frontal hit of most modern and promising types of anti-tank shells and missiles. A spokesman for Uralvagonzavod said that deliveries of the tank to the troops should begin in 2015. The tank will contain up to 40 rounds for various purposes in an automatic loader, and will also have machine guns and sights that are superior to existing models, be able to fire on the move, and so on. Part of the developments, including the "carriage layout", the tank will acquire from the development of the promising T-95 and Black Eagle tanks, while it will be much cheaper than its "progenitors". According to some reports, it is planned to equip the tank with a diesel engine with a capacity of 1500-2000 horsepower, a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon with ammunition carried outside the habitable compartment. However, most of the tactical and technical characteristics of the tank are secret. The rollers are borrowed from the T-80, due to their lighter weight, due to which the platform weight is less per ton.

Layout

The hull is elongated and has seven road wheels, which means that the tank has an increased mass. Perhaps about 50 tons.

Combat information and control systems are built on modern digital technologies and domestic solid-state element base. The probability of hitting the target with the first shot is close to one hundred percent. For vital elements, constant monitoring of their condition is provided. This allows you to anticipate a possible malfunction even before it occurs. This, in turn, significantly increases the reliability and maintainability of a complex armored vehicle.

The body is crammed with video cameras. They allow the crew to observe the circular environment around the tank. If required, zoom is activated, and a distant object can be seen in detail. There is the possibility of thermal and infrared vision in any weather conditions day and night.


Armor

The new 44S-sv-Sh armored steel will be used on the new Russian Armata tank. The steel was created by the specialists of JSC "Research Institute of Steel".

The use of this steel on the promising Armata platform will make it possible to “remove” hundreds of kilograms of weight from the vehicle, where it will also be used not only for armored purposes, but also as a structural material.

The new steel was developed according to the technical assignment of the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering, which is part of NPK Uralvagonzavod, which acted as a customer. Development and industrial development fell on the shoulders of one of the flagships of Russian metallurgy - the Volgograd Metallurgical Plant "Red October", which is also part of the structure of "Uralvagonzavod".

Although the hardness of the steel is not less than 54HRC, its plastic characteristics remain at the level of serial steels with a hardness of 45-48HRC. It is this combination that makes it possible to reduce the thickness and, accordingly, the weight of armored structures made of new steel by 15% without reducing the protective characteristics and survivability at low temperatures.

Power point

The power plant is a single 1200-horsepower diesel turbo-piston engine A-85-3A (sometimes referred to as 2A12-3, 12ChN15 / 16 or 12N360) for front and rear-mounted MTO. Motor resource not less than 2000 hours. Weight up to 5 tons. The volume of MTU is up to 4 m3. There is a possibility of modernization. In terms of overall, mass and power characteristics, the novelty should surpass the best foreign models of engine-transmission units. It should be noted that the rated power of the engine is 1500 HP, up to 1200 HP. a restriction was introduced, which significantly increased the service life.

The engine was developed by the Chelyabinsk GSKB "Transdiesel", and will be produced at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. Diesel four-stroke, X-shaped, 12-cylinder with gas turbine turbocharging and intercooling of air, liquid-cooled engine 12N360 passed the whole series of tests, from service life to running gear back in 2011.

Tactical and technical characteristics

Video


T-14 (GBTU Index - Object 148) is the newest Russian main battle tank with an uninhabited turret based on the Armata universal tracked platform. The T-14 was presented to the general public at the Victory Day parade in 2015, along with other products based on Armata.

Tank T-14 "Armata" - video

Within the framework of the state armaments program, a state order was placed for the manufacture of 2,300 T-14 tanks until 2020-2025. In 2015, a pilot batch of 20 tanks was manufactured. In 2016, it began mass production tanks, which is not planned to be reduced even in times of crisis. At the same time, the procedure for military acceptance and elimination of deficiencies was started.

The T-14 is the first tank in the world within the framework of the concept of "network-centric warfare", where the T-14, due to the medium-range circular AFAR radar used in the tank, and infrared HD surveillance cameras with 360 ° circular coverage, is used as a reconnaissance vehicle, target designation and fire adjustment of self-propelled guns, air defense systems and an escort from T-90 tanks of its tactical echelon.

The T-14 is the world's first "stealth tank" not only with a dramatic decrease in visibility in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges, but also with the use of innovative technologies of "signature distortion", that is, distortion of its visual image in the specified ranges making it difficult to find the tank GOS ATGM class Javelin, Spike or JAGM among ejected infrared traps and clouds of dipoles. It is equipped with a new generation of the Afghanit active protection system, capable of intercepting even anti-tank shells and, safely for the infantry and equipment surrounding the tank, blinding anti-tank guided missiles by using smoke curtains or burning out the electronics of their homing heads using electromagnetic weapons.

The T-14 is equipped with the fourth-generation Malachite dynamic armor, capable of repelling, with a probability of more than 95%, shots from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, as well as destroying modern sub-caliber anti-tank shells, even fired at the side of a tank.
The multilayer metal-ceramic frontal armor of the tank cannot be penetrated with existing shells and anti-tank missiles. The world's first tank with an armored capsule for the crew, guaranteeing its survival even if the ammunition load detonates.

The history of the creation of the T-14 is associated with the continuation of the USSR's developments on tanks with an uninhabited turret, as well as the competition between the Russian Federation and the United States for the creation of a tank for the concept of "network-centric war", where the Future Combat Systems program was the competitor of the Armata project. The authoritative American publication National Interest, assessing the competition between the Armata and Future Combat Systems programs, notes that the American military-industrial complex suffered a serious defeat for the national prestige of the United States, having failed to complete the development of a replacement for the Abrams tank.

Unlike traditional tanks, the T-14 is a "network tank", that is, it is intended not for single combat, but for working with a group of different combat vehicles in one tactical link, performing the functions of reconnaissance, target designation and remote control via unified system control of the tactical link from the Sozvezdie concern, which allows all machines of the Armata platform to receive the operational situation in real time and automatically calculate ballistic data for fire control systems in the scenario of hitting targets not by one Armata, but target attacks by the whole group at once, which includes in itself, in addition to the T-14, a few more heavy infantry fighting vehicles T-15, ACS 2S35 "Coalition-SV" and an attack helicopter.

On the T-14 there is a GLONASS navigation antenna and a radio communication system protected from electronic warfare, which is described in more detail in the article on ESU TZ.

Since the T-14 radar is declared Ka-band, this means that it has a theoretical accuracy of up to 5 arc minutes (0.08 °). In practice, for similar radars like "Credo-1E" it is possible to achieve an accuracy of the order of 10 meters in range and 0.1 ° in azimuth. The T-14 panoramic infrared sight with independent rotation can clarify the azimuth of the detected target with even greater accuracy, as was done on a similar machine XM1209 in the Future Combat Systems program. However, even without taking into account the clarification of the coordinates of targets by optical methods, the radar allows you to effectively adjust the fire of the self-propelled guns following the T-14, and, in general, conduct its own fire quite effectively with high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. Indeed, a radar with an accuracy of 0.1 ° at 6 km can provide coordinates with an accuracy of about 10 meters. At 10 km, the error will be about 17 meters, which is enough for shelling infantry and lightly armored vehicles from self-propelled guns with 152 mm shells. Note that even small Doppler radars can also see well explosions of shells by flying debris, so they can be used to adjust artillery fire, reporting a correction to firing. An important fact is that even after specifying the azimuth of the panoramic sight, the tank commander may not use the laser rangefinder and the target will not be able to take self-defense measures like a smoke screen.

Some experts point out that the T-14 pulse-Doppler radar can calculate the trajectory of projectiles like a radar. artillery reconnaissance, that is, it is capable of automatically calculating the coordinates of the positions of enemy tanks and artillery along the trajectories of shells flying past the T-14 and performing automatic shelling of them. Indeed, in a similar radar as the ELM-2133 from Trophy, the calculation of the coordinates of an ATGM, RPG or projectile shot with the transfer of data to the LMS for opening return fire is supported. However, following the example of a similar system in Merkava, one can expect that the accuracy of determining the coordinates by this method of the missile launch site may be insufficient to deliver a retaliatory artillery strike only on them, additional reconnaissance of the target by optical means will be required.

Since the T-14 uses a pulse-Doppler radar capable of calculating the target's velocity vector, the radar can provide very accurate angular coordinates of a helicopter or aircraft to the air to indicate the sector for launching missiles for light air defense systems of the Sosna class, Strela-10M4 or OSA air defense systems that do not have their own survey circular radars, but equipped with equipment for external target designation and radio control. For more powerful Pantsir-C1-class air defense systems, such a scenario of external target designation is also of extreme value, since it allows you to avoid unmasking the air defense system by operating your own radar with the risk of being destroyed by an anti-radar missile.

Experts report that the T-14 will be able to indicate targets and its escort from numerous old T-90MS tanks, modernized with the installation of anti-jamming communications and GPS / GLONASS navigators. Obviously, the accuracy of the T-14 radar is redundant for such a scenario, since the T-90MS will perform the final precise aiming with their infrared sights. However, the very implementation of such a scenario is much more important, since it allows the T-14, being the most valuable control vehicle, to evade contact combat, and by entering into contact combat, not to destroy its own tanks.

The concept of "network-centric war" leads to the massive introduction of robotics, for example, Uralvagonzavod reported that the T-14 will be remotely controlled, and by 2017-2018 prototypes of the T-14 without a crew and controlled by a robot with artificial intelligence... As the first stage in the creation of the "unmanned" T-14, the crew should be reduced to 2 people in the production version of the tank, the vacated space is planned to be used for additional ammunition. Chinese information Agency Sina, commenting on this, notes that the T-14 can thus become a "battle droid", automatically destroying detected targets without human intervention, where the operator issues only general tactical tasks. Note that such modes of automatic destruction of all targets that have not responded to the request "friend or foe" have been working in air defense systems for many years, so the novelty of the technology is only in the application for tanks.

Complex of active protection Afganit

The location of cameras and radars KAZ Afganit on the turret of the T-14 tank

Complex of active protection (KAZ) "Afganit" has long-range warning radars, therefore it is also used for reconnaissance of targets. Afghani defense scenarios also include the integration of a fire control system for an aggressive fire response in the event of an attack on protected armored vehicles. Including Afganit controls the automatic rotation of the tower in the direction of the approaching ammunition to deploy more powerful armor and protective equipment in its direction, and, most importantly, strike - according to the calculation of the ATGM.

Survey radio-optical radar Afganita consists of four AFAR panels of pulse-Doppler radar and integrated with it HD circular cameras of far and near infrared range. Due to the integration with infrared surveillance equipment, Afganit has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can also be only in passive mode with the cameras on, but with the radar turned off for camouflage. The complex is safe for the surrounding infantry, as it is focused on disabling missiles more by means of smoke curtains, an electromagnetic pulse from a stationary generator on an SOS diode and EMP grenades. To enhance the effectiveness of the camouflage curtains, the T-14 is equipped with stealth devices, such as thermal insulation of the hull and reduced visibility in the radio range.

Afghanit has the ability to control a robotic machine gun to destroy incoming ammunition. Afghanit can destroy even shells attacking armored vehicles due to the additional 2x high-speed short-range Doppler radars made using PFAR technology and working on illumination from a constant source.

Complex of dynamic reservation Malachite

A new version of dynamic booking has been installed on the T-14, which can be implemented, among other things, on electronic control. At the moment, the developers have disclosed only the data that the Malachite VDZ is capable of breaking shells inside itself and reflecting heavy ATGMs. The safety of the VDZ for the tank and infantry is declared by reducing the amount of explosive used by the VDZ for the destruction of ammunition.

Radar complex

AFAR radar N036B-1-01 created on LTCC technology applied for T-14 radars

The T-14 radar is used for reconnaissance of targets of all types, from enemy armored vehicles to the identification of an ATGM flight. The radar itself is part of the Afghanit active defense system, although it can be used in attack scenarios.

According to the terms of reference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the purchase of the T-14, the tank for the first time in the world will use a radar on an active phased antenna array, made using the same technology as that of the fifth generation fighter T-50 - on low-temperature ceramics for the Ka-band 26.5- 40 GHz (LTCC technology). The peculiarity of the AFAR technology at LTCC is the moderate cost of the radar and its reliability. AFAR-radar consists of 4 LTCC-panels on the tank turret and provides 360-degree observation of targets without radar rotation. In general, the design of the radar resembles four panels of the ELM-2133 radar from the Trophy active protection complex for the Merkava tank. The radar panels are also covered with bulletproof and anti-fragmentation screens. Plastic hinges are provided for quick removal and replacement of shields or a damaged radar module.

AFAR radars T-14 visible on the turret of the tank

Surveillance radar T-14 can simultaneously track 40 ground-based dynamic and 25 air aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 100 km. Earlier, manufacturers of radars for KAZ, before the release of Afganit, even fought with the target detection range, reducing as much as possible the power and range of the radar. The Arena KAZ has a built-in mode for reducing the power of impulses as the ammunition approaches. But all such measures in general turned out to be ineffective against the supersensitive antennas of electronic intelligence systems, and especially AWACS aircraft, which automatically calculated the positions of tanks at a long distance immediately after they turned on the KAZ radars, even with a weak signal. In the concept of the T-14, they decided not to fight this, but to make the disadvantage an advantage, that is, to increase the power of the radar, making it even more noticeable, but turning it into a means of reconnaissance of targets in the scenario of "network-centric war", to issue targets for destruction in the first place other combat vehicles.

In addition to the four surveillance radar panels on the T-14, there are also two ultra-fast response radars for short distance... These radars are needed to trigger the destructive elements of the KAZ against projectiles (BOPS), as well as for camouflage purposes when the main surveillance radar of the T-14 is turned off, this technology is described in more detail in the section on the active protection complex. The surveillance radar of 4 panels controls the setting of multispectral curtains, and also performs the functions of target reconnaissance.

Infrared target detection complex

The turret of the T-14 tank with highly visible infrared devices

The turret with a machine gun mount has a panoramic sight with 180 ° independent rotation from the machine gun axis with a highly sensitive and high-precision infrared system with cryogenic cooling produced by the Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant. The infrared camera is paired with a visible spectrum camera and a laser rangefinder. Together with the machine gun mount, the panoramic sight can rotate 360 ​​°. The mode of independent rotation of the sight and machine gun was first publicly demonstrated on April 2, 2016 during the tests of the T-14. In general, the joint movement of the mechanics of the panoramic sight independent of the machine gun is classic and the same solutions can be seen in demonstrations from Raytheon.

Traditionally, panoramic sights are used by tank commanders to detect target coordinates. In the case of a "network-centric tank" like the T-14, the panoramic sight, like the XM1209, is integrated with the tank's radar and the robotic mechanics quickly rotates the panoramic sight to survey in turn targets detected by the tank's radar or infrared all-round cameras described below. Thus, the coordinates of the targets are refined, the low resolution of the radar and the possible loss of contact with the target of the radar due to the use of electronic warfare are compensated.

The tank commander receives a tactical situation map on a computer monitor, on which the coordinates of targets are superimposed, and gives commands to the gunner which targets to examine or fire in more detail. The identified coordinates of ground and air targets are also broadcast from the T-14 to the ESU TZ command vehicle, which will choose the means of destruction.

The infrared sight of the tank is designed to accurately aim the gun at the target and is used as part of the fire control system described below, as well as to survey the target received from the tank commander by the gunner operator. Moreover, the gunner, using the touch screen, can specify the coordinates of the target by pressing his finger on the image, which is necessary for target designation to carefully disguised targets when the computer requires human assistance.

Since the device is automatically closed with armored shutters, it does not participate in the automatic system of continuous search for targets. The only non-electronic optical periscopes on the T-14 are available to the driver and tank commander for viewing for driving purposes. For driving at night, the driver uses a night vision device, and the tank's LED headlights allow switching to the infrared road illumination mode so as not to unmask the tank at night. Since the device is automatically closed with an armored cover, it does not participate in the automatic system of continuous search for targets.

Complex of circular target detection in infrared and ultraviolet spectra

Infrared observation camera T-14 with crystalline germanium lens. Hydrotreating tube on the left

In the T-14, in addition to the optical devices included in the LMS, it is equipped with six HD-resolution cameras on the tank turret, which allows the crew to observe the situation around the tank at 360 degrees without leaving it. The cameras are equipped with autonomous power supply and a system for hydrotreating the optics from dust and dirt.

HD all-round cameras are connected to the Afghanit active protection system, allowing it to:

    Work with the radar off

    Avoid triggering errors

    Work in electronic warfare conditions

    Determine laser irradiation of a tank

Microbolometer video cameras also allow you to find targets in the infrared range through fog and smoke, which is important given that the T-14 is heavily focused on blinding opponents with smoke screens. For example, a T-14, when surrounded by enemy infantry, can put a smoke screen around itself, making it invisible to grenade launchers, and shoot them from a machine-gun installation according to infrared devices.

Armament T-14 "Armata"

Fire control system

The fire control system receives data for firing targets from the radio-optical means for detecting their coordinates, described above. To guide the armament of the tank, the ballistic computer also uses the data of the following sensors mounted on the roof of the tank.

  • Own position of the tank from GLONASS-receiver and inertial navigation system
  • Gyroscopic sensors for the angular orientation of the tank in space
  • Wind direction and speed sensor
  • Air temperature and humidity sensor
  • Barrel bending sensor from heating

T-14 "Armata" gun

The first copies of the tank were equipped with a 125-mm smoothbore cannon 2A82-1M (in an uninhabited tower, with fully remote digital control), developed by Plant No. 9, which has the ability to fire on the move. In the presence of a barrel bending sensor from heating for accounting in ballistic calculations (fixed in a small container above the barrel). The target destruction range is up to 7000 meters and the rate of fire is 10-12 rounds per minute. The 2A82 gun has 17% higher muzzle energy and 20% higher accuracy than the best NATO gun on the Leopard 2 tank. A feature of the 2A82 automatic loader is the ability to shoot long ammunition up to 1 meter long, which is critical for high-power APCR shells, such as the "Vacuum-1" similar to the M829A3 for Abrams. Given that the T-14 will most likely be practically used in local wars against old tanks of third world countries, the 2A82-1M will most likely remain the main weapon due to the advantage of twice the ammunition load over other 152-mm guns. , which is likely to have a smaller number of copies of the T-14.

Some of the production copies of the T-14 will also be equipped with a 152-mm 2A83 gun. In February 2016, the procedure for military acceptance of the T-14 began, including a version of the tank with a 152 mm gun. The 2A83 gun has an armor-piercing projectile of more than 1000 mm, which obviously exceeds the booking of modern tanks, and therefore experts assess the gun as redundant relative to the most powerful 2A82-1M among tank guns in the world. For comparison, the Abrams of the latest modification M1A2 has the equivalent of armor from BOPS ~ 900 mm (not to be confused with the equivalent of 1350 mm from monoblock ATGMs). Analysts of the US Department of Defense in their report note that for the 152 mm gun, Rosatom is developing a new armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile made of depleted uranium, which makes it possible to destroy the strongest armor steel. Vyacheslav Khalitov, deputy general director of Uralvagonzavod corporation, also noted that 152 mm shells often do not require armor-piercing in the classical sense of the word, since the kinetic energy of the shell is enough to tear off the entire tower of an enemy tank even without penetrating its armor. The projectile flight speed is 1980 m / s due to the use of a number of new developments.

The tank can easily be re-equipped with a 152 mm gun, but a 152 mm gun has the disadvantage of a smaller ammunition load compared to a 125 mm one, but it is possible to use a tower niche to transport additional ammunition.

T-14 "Armata" with a 152-mm gun

The original known standard shells of the "Slate" family for the 2A83 gun, like any armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber shells, were unguided. However, since the 152-mm 2A83 gun was developed on the basis of the 2A65 gun, a modification of which is used in the heavy 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled guns, some experts suggested the possibility of using guided Msta-S projectiles of the Krasnopol type. Lev Romanov noted that if guided missiles are created for the T-14, they will be, unlike Krasnopol, radio-controlled, taking into account the presence of a radar on the T-14. In general, the idea that the T-14 will be equipped with a 152-mm gun and guided projectiles are available for combat use scenarios, which are more reminiscent of self-propelled guns, is supported by Viktor Murakhovsky, who points to the effectiveness of the fight against infantry due to high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with remote detonation over its position. and calls the T-14 in such a scenario a "fire support tank." The designers of Uralvagonzavod also note that the T-14 with a 152 mm cannon turns into a hybrid of a tank and a self-propelled artillery installation, therefore, this version of the T-14 is called not a tank, but a "combat artillery vehicle" (BAM).

Experts' assumptions about the presence of guided projectiles for the T-14 were also confirmed by the statement of the specialized design bureau NTIIM, which announced the launch of the Trajectory test complex of new guided 152-mm projectiles for the T-14 and the Coalition-SV self-propelled guns, but the developers refuse to tell them. accurate performance characteristics, noting only that these ammunition will have a means of bypassing promising air defense systems capable of shooting down projectiles, and will also be capable of bypassing means of countering electronic warfare interference, which indicates that this ammunition is not designed for tank duels, but for the defeat of highly protected objects like anti-aircraft missile systems or command posts, which were within the reach of the T-14 during tank breakthroughs. Judging by the disclosure of data on the manufacturer's website, the guided T-14 projectiles will be corrected active-jet projectiles, since the "Trajectory" is designed to monitor the jet engines of active-rocket projectiles. Active-rocket projectiles are distinguished by a long range, judging by the fact that test firing of T-14 guided projectiles is carried out at a range converted for them for distances of 30-50 km, then this is probably the range of this high-precision ammunition.

Missile armament T-14 "Armata"

Like its predecessors, the T-14 will have the ability to launch missiles through the barrel of a cannon using the next version. missile complex Reflex-M. The presence of the ability to fire the T-14 guided missiles is confirmed by the report of experts from the US Department of Defense magazine OE Watch.

Viktor Murakhovsky also notes that the 152 mm caliber coincides with the Kornet ATGM and allows the use of its missiles, which have twice the range (10 km versus 5 km) and armor-piercing (1400 mm versus 850 mm) than the 125 mm missiles at “ Reflex-M ". The Kornet range also includes the 9M133FM-3 air defense missile, which significantly surpasses the capabilities of the Invar-M air defense missile for Reflex-M, which, although it can hit a hovering helicopter, the 9M133FM-3 range is twice as high (10 km) and Most importantly, this missile is specially designed to destroy air targets at altitudes up to 9 km and aircraft at speeds up to 900 km / h. Many domestic experts advocate 152 mm caliber precisely because of the ability to launch anti-aircraft missiles and perform air defense functions.

Note that there is no critical need to launch 152 mm missiles in the T-14, since the T-14 tank is designed to work in a tactical group with a heavy BMP T-15, which is already armed with the Kornet ATGM and is more effective in firing at air targets from his anti-aircraft gun.

Machine gun armament

The machine-gun armament consists of an anti-aircraft mount with a Kord machine gun, remotely controlled by the commander or gunner, and paired with the PKTM gun. The Kord anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted in its own robotic tower, integrated with the tank's AFAR radar, thermal imagers and is capable of hitting even high-speed targets at a distance of up to 1500 meters, therefore, in addition to the air defense function, it is integrated into the tank's active protection complex.

Tower armor

Presumably, the armor of the T-14 turret consists of the main armor and an anti-splinter casing, the instruments on the turret are located between the armor layers. The casing protects the tank's devices from shrapnel, high-explosive and bullet damage, and is also used to reduce radio signature against the most advanced ATGMs with radar guidance in various frequency ranges. In addition, the tower casing, performing the function of the "Faraday cage", is one of the means of ensuring the declared resistance of the devices to electromagnetic impulses. The casing is collapsible with latches allowing quick access to the instruments underneath for repair and maintenance. Some of the equipment on the tower, such as KAZ surveillance radars, can be quickly replaced in field conditions without disassembling the tower casing through exhaust plastic cables.

On the T-14, it is likely that storage of a part of the ammunition in the rear of the tower was used, like the Leopard-2 and the Merkava, which makes it possible to throw out blast wave with the help of overhead panels without serious damage to the tank, as well as additionally cover the MTO separation from the ATGM attacking the roof of the tank. It is quite possible that in the aft part of the tower there is a stock of long BOPSs of increased power "Vacuum-1", which, due to the meter length, may not fit into a floor carousel with other shells. Sources confirm that there is spare ammunition for the machine gun in the rear of the T-14 turret. At the same time, it is stated that there is a special robot for reloading a machine gun with this ammunition without the need for the crew to leave the tank.

An analysis of the first experiments with uninhabited towers as Object 477 can give some idea about the main armor of the T-14 tower by the casing. The exact structure of the tower under the casing is classified in detail, but experts offer various options for visualizing the structure, based on their assumptions.

Hull booking

The T-14 uses common passive booking elements for the Armata platform:

    Frontal composite armor impenetrable for modern ATGMs up to 150mm caliber and BOPS up to 120mm caliber

    The MTO compartment, the ammunition compartment and the fuel compartment are isolated from each other by armored bulkheads

    Additional fuel tanks are protected from fire by an open cell filler, as well as armor and an anti-cumulative shield

Stealth tools

The T-14 uses common stealth devices for the Armata platform in infrared, radio and magnetic observation ranges:

  • The body is thermally insulated from the inside
  • There is a cold air exhaust mixing system
  • To reduce radio signature, flat reflective edges are used in the design of the case
  • Painting of the T-14 reduces the heating of the tank in the sun and has radio-absorbing properties.
  • There is a system for distorting the magnetic field of the tank

A system of mixing exhaust with cold air and simulating exhaust holes for disorienting ATGM with IR seeker like Javelin

Engine and active suspension

The T-14 uses a common engine and active suspension for the Armata platform with the following characteristics

  • Engine with automatic transmission and variable power from 1200 to 1800 hp. provides movement up to 90 km / h and a cruising range of up to 500 km
  • The active suspension provides a dramatic reduction in tank swaying on the move, which increases the accuracy of fire on the move and the speed of movement on the move.
  • rough terrain
  • The tank's BIUS controls the engine, transmission and active suspension devices automatically making decisions on tank maintenance and giving voice commands to the crew

Comparison of the T-14 "Armata" with other tanks

When comparing the T-14 with NATO tanks, it should be noted that the general analytical agency FMSO under the US Department of Defense notes in its report that the T-14 is the next generation tank relative to the existing ones. As FMSO analyst Charles Bartles notes in this report, the T-14 has a number of advantages over existing NATO tanks: a long-range radar, an active suspension that increases the speed and accuracy of the tank's fire, frontal armor impenetrable by modern missiles and shells, and an active defense system. capable of intercepting even shells.

At the moment, only two tanks in the world are supplied with a standard active protection system equipped with an AFAR radar with the function of automatically calculating the position of a shot at a tank with a rocket or a projectile: the T-14 and the Israeli Merkava tank. Although the frontal armor of the Merkava is weaker than that of the T-14, the engine located in front of the tank guarantees the protection of the crew, albeit at the cost of losing the tank's mobility. Active protection of both the Merkava and other promising NATO tanks is not able to reflect the shells.

The opinion of the British General Staff officers that the Challenger 2 main battle tank cannot penetrate the T-14's defenses with its gun and therefore needs to be replaced.

Die Welt newspaper published information from the conclusion of the German Defense Ministry on the urgent need to replace the Leopard 2 in connection with the appearance of the Armata T-14, which led to the creation of a Franco-German joint tank concern. The press reports that the main reason for the fears of the German military coincides with the British, namely the inability of the Leopard 2 to break through the T-14's defenses.

Chinese tank builders claim that their VT-4 is superior to the Armata T-14, but as an argument they suggest that their implementation of the transmission is better. At the same time, the PRC government showed interest in the procurement of T-14.

According to the Polish media, the T-14 surpasses all existing tanks in the world in terms of its combat power.

It should be noted that the comparison of the T-14 with other tanks goes beyond just tables with performance characteristics. The National Interest magazine compares the T-14 and the Abrams, notes that the T-14 has many protective technologies that are not found not only in the Abrams, but also in any tank in the world. However, the expert believes that after completing the upgrades, the Abrams will be able to hit the T-14. The expert believes that the key criterion is not even the defensive or attacking means of the T-14 and Abrams, but the ability of the tank to see its opponent earlier, that is, the ability of radars and stealth technologies, since the one who was able to see the opponent first, according to the expert, will win the battle ...

The second key criterion, according to the National Interest expert, is the ability of the Russian military-industrial complex to produce a sufficient amount of T-14 in the context of the economic crisis. The National Interest experts are supported by renowned economist Rick Smith, who notes that the Pentagon failed with the Future Combat Systems program, trying to create a tank platform like the Armata, and spending $ 16.1 billion on research. The US military realized they needed another $ 300 billion and couldn't afford it. However, economically, the Armata program looks, according to Smith, not so expensive.

By itself, the release of the T-14 requires expanding the criteria for comparing the performance characteristics of tanks due to new technologies in a new generation tank:

  • It is required to take into account not just the speed of the tank on the highway, but the speed of the tank over rough terrain, which, due to the active suspension of the T-14, reaches 90 km / h, which is a record, and also the accuracy of shooting from movement over rough terrain should not seriously suffer.
  • The presence of AFAR radar for detecting threats and targets is becoming a mandatory attribute of a modern tank.
  • A modern tank should have various stealth technologies in infrared, radio and magnetic ranges.
  • A modern tank should have not just stealth technology as a reduction in visibility, but technologies of "dynamic change of signatures" in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges to block the recognition systems of the tank among jammers and traps using the signature library.
  • A modern tank should have the means of automatically setting not just smoke screens that are transparent in the infrared and radio ranges, but for the automatic setting of opaque multispectral curtains in the infrared and millimeter ranges.
  • It requires not only the presence of an active defense complex, but the ability of active defense to reflect not only missile attacks, but also to shoot down subcaliber armor-piercing projectiles.
  • It takes more than just availability anti-aircraft machine gun, but a high-precision robotic anti-aircraft gun, capable of shooting down, including missiles and even shells, according to AFAR radar data.
  • A modern tank should be equipped with electromagnetic weapons at least against missiles.
  • Frontal armor of the tank must exceed 1000 mm equivalent.
  • Dynamic armoring of a tank should be virtually invulnerable to hand grenade launchers and with a high probability of repelling attacks with heavy anti-tank missiles with tandem warheads.
  • The turret of a modern tank should require not just armor penetration, but serious destruction to disable the turret. Ammunition designed to defeat the loader and the shooter with small fragments in the turret should be ineffective against a modern tank.

Comparison of the dimensions of the T-14 and T-90

Purchases of T-14 "Armata" for the Russian Armed Forces

The manufacturing plant said that as of 2015, the cost of the tank is 250 million rubles. Due to the depreciation of the ruble and the use of components of Russian origin, the T-14, despite more powerful equipment than that of Western tanks, costs 1.5-2 times cheaper. According to the director of the Uralvagonzavod Oleg Sienko, the company received an order for the manufacture of 2,300 copies of the T-14 until 2020, but in the event of a reduction in the military budget of the Russian Federation, the plan can be expanded until 2025. According to expert Viktor Murakhovsky, financing of the T-14 project will be a priority for the RF Ministry of Defense, even to the detriment of other projects, since it is obvious that possible local wars, in which Russia can take part, will have the character of land battles near its borders.

This point of view is supported by analysts from the FMSO of the US Department of Defense, who point to multiple references in the analytical report on the State Arms Program of the Russian Federation on the effectiveness of arms procurement, issued for the public council under the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the scientific expert council under the Committee State Duma RF on defense, analysis of lessons from the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine with conclusions about the need for massive purchases of T-14 tanks. It is assumed that "the deployment of mass purchases of brigade sets of tanks" Armata "should become one of the main directions of the State Program of Armaments of the Russian Federation ... Platform" Armata "as providing quality superiority over any modern tank should be seen as an absolute priority program for supply to production and procurement. " At the same time, with the lack of budget of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, it is proposed to aggressively increase purchases land weapons while reducing purchases of the Navy, including the new Yasen-M nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, any analogues of the Mistral large landing craft and others.

In April 2016, the media reported on an order for a limited batch of 100 tanks for military trials. A batch of 100 test tanks will allow you to detect possible flaws, as well as give engineers tasks to improve some of the characteristics. Already now, the military are putting forward demands to strengthen the engine up to 1500 l / s and increase the caliber of the gun to 152 mm. In the future, it is possible to create a robot tank on the basis of this tank, operating without placing a crew in it.

Export

Export of tanks based on Armata is possible after meeting the needs of the state defense order. Uralvagonzavod announced that in order to obtain permission for the export of the T-14, the secrecy label would be removed from it in the future.

India, China, Egypt and the countries of Southeast Asia showed interest in the tank.

India may purchase 1,000 T-14 tanks. The Thai Ministry of Defense is considering the purchase of the T-14 in connection with the termination of the contract for the purchase of the Ukrainian Oplot tank, but the T-90S will most likely be purchased, as the Thai military is looking for offers in the lower price category of tanks.

National Interest, having interviewed experts, received a positive opinion on the export prospects of the T-14 on the following reasoning:

  • The modularity of the Armata allows you to quickly create different export configurations of the T-14 for the specific needs of different customers, flexibly vary the price in various configurations and provide customers with rich prospects for modernization
  • The emphasis on the security of the crew will certainly attract the military as customers.
  • Their own Chinese and Indian tanks are actually just upgrades of tanks from the 1980s, and new options for upgrades cause criticism from the military in terms of reliability and combat effectiveness.

The performance characteristics of the T-14 "Armata"

Combat weight, t ………………………… 48
Layout diagram ………………………… "monitor"
Crew, people ………………………… .3

Developer ………………………… UKBTM
Manufacturer ………………………… Uralvagonzavod
Years of development ………………………… 2009 - n / a
Production years ………………………… since 2015

Armor type ………………………… Combined multilayer
Active defense ………………………… "Afghanite"
Dynamic protection ………………………… "Malachite"

Armament
Caliber and brand of the gun ...................... 125-mm 2A82-1M
Cannon type ………………………… Smoothbore gun
Cannon ammunition ………………………… 45 rounds (32 in AZ)
Machine guns ………………………… 1 × 12.7 mm Cord; 1 × 7.62 mm PKTM +

Engine power, hp from ………………………… .1500
Highway speed, km / h ………………………… 70-90
Speed ​​over rough terrain, km / h …………………. 40-60
Cruising on the highway, km ………………………… 500
Specific power, hp s. / t ………………………… 31
Suspension type ………………………… Active