The presence in more than thirty countries of the world of about tens of thousands of tanks of the T-72 type, as well as the huge modernization potential of the vehicle, is pushing many design bureaus to develop programs for the modernization of this tank. In Russia, such programs have been developed at the Nizhny Tagil UKBTM. Ukrainian and Israeli companies are also very active in the development and implementation of T-72 modernization programs. Many programs have been developed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and even South Africa.

The implementation of comprehensive modernization programs agreed with the developer company provides a significant increase in the combat characteristics of the vehicles, bringing the upgraded T-72 to the same level as the tanks of the latest Western designs. Other programs, which involve the replacement of individual sighting devices, power plant units, and the installation of navigation systems on tanks, as a rule, only slightly increase individual indicators combat effectiveness, and even then not always. There are cases when, after the installation of the latest automated fire control systems (AFCS) of Italian design on the T-72, the accuracy of shooting became lower than on the basic version of the machine. This is due to the fact that often the developers of such automated control systems do not have a complete set of technical documentation to ensure the interface of the control system with the drives for guiding and stabilizing the weapons of the tank's armament complex. As a result, shooting errors that occur when aiming a weapon at a target do not decrease, but only increase.

In the Republic of Belarus, a new look of the Belarusian tank has now been approved, which was the result of the implementation of the T-72B tank modernization program developed by specialists from 140 armored personnel carriers together with engineers from OAO Peleng. Since Soviet times, these enterprises have been engaged in the production of overhaul of T-72 vehicles and the development of fire control systems for all tanks of Soviet and Russian design.

It is assumed that in the course of the modernization of the T-72B tank in service, firepower, security and command controllability will be improved and brought to a higher level. To do this, the machine is installed modern systems fire control, communications and navigation. In particular, instead of PPN 1K13-49 in the T-72B tank, the Sosna-U sighting system developed by Peleng OJSC is installed, which is also successfully used in the modernization Russian tanks T-72B and T-90. The Sosna-U multi-channel sighting system combines a sighting optical channel, a thermal imaging channel, a laser rangefinder channel and a laser control channel for a guided weapon system. In addition, the new highly automated control system of the T-72B tank modernized in Belarus includes a ballistic computer and a target tracking machine. The regular sighting system 1A40-1 now serves as a backup sighting device.

Installed on the tank in the course of modernization, a modern FCS with a multi-channel sight allows you to detect a target and fire at it both for the gunner-operator and the tank commander from the main weapon with all types of ammunition. Including a guided missile from a place and on the move, day and night, at a distance of up to five kilometers. And the presence of a target tracking machine significantly increases the likelihood of hitting when shooting at moving targets and on the move.

To improve the security of the tank, a set of measures is being implemented, including the installation of new armor modules, an automatic system for setting aerosol curtains.

At the last in the capital of Kazakhstan in May 2012, two more upgrades of the T-72 tank were demonstrated - one developed by Ukrainian engineers of the Kiev tank repair plant, the second - by Israeli and Kazakh specialists.

The Ukrainian modernization of the tank was presented under the name T-72UA4. The vehicle has an improved commander's sighting and observation system with a closed-type anti-aircraft machine gun mount, borrowed from the T-80UD tank, produced in the mid-80s. at the factory. Malyshev in Kharkov. The commander received at his disposal a combined sight TKN-4S with stabilization of the field of view in the vertical plane, with the help of which he has the ability to conduct aimed fire from an anti-aircraft machine gun at ground targets on the move. Judging by the fact that only the night sight has changed in the FCS of the upgraded T-72UA4 (TPN4 is installed instead of TPN1-49), there is no possibility of firing from the main weapon of the tank from the commander's seat. The main aiming device for the gunner was the 1A40-1 TPD-K1 sighting system. There is no guided missile weapon system.

The main feature of this tank is a modernized power plant with a turbo piston two-stroke diesel engine 5TDFMA-1 with an HP 1050 power. while retaining the original fan cooling system, which significantly improves the mobility characteristics of the upgraded tank.

Also on the T-72UA4, the vehicle’s security indicators were increased due to the installation of the Varta optoelectronic countermeasures complex, which includes a curtain installation system and an optoelectronic interference station, which are analogues Russian system optoelectronic suppression "Shtora-1". The elements of the hinged dynamic protection of the "Contact-1" hull remained unchanged.

It’s actually strange why Ukrainian developers brought this particular T-72 upgrade - T-72UA4 to Kazakhstan? It is unlikely that it can compete with the Kazakh modernization of the T-72, not to mention the Russian one. The machine has almost the worst firepower compared to the regular T-72B, which is in service with the army of Kazakhstan. It is strange, especially since Ukraine a year earlier in Nizhny Tagil demonstrated a more advanced version of the T-72 modernization - the T-72AG.

On the T-72AG, the SLA is identical to the one installed on the T-90 tank (1G46 gunner's sighting system, TPN4-49 night sighting system, PNK-4G commander's sighting system, the possibility of duplicated fire control from the tank commander's seat, ballistic computer, weapon stabilizer 2E42M ), there is a complex of guided missile weapons 9K119 with a guided missile "Kombat".

The power plant is the same as on the T-72UA4 - with a 5TDFMA-1 turbo piston two-stroke diesel engine with an HP 1050 power. However, the T-72AG also has an EA-10 auxiliary power unit with a power of 10 kW.

The T-72AG tank protection system includes the same Varta optoelectronic countermeasures complex as on the T-72UA4, a new Knife built-in dynamic protection system, a napalm protection system, and a new high-speed fire fighting system.

To improve the efficiency of the crew, especially in combat conditions, the vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system.

The project of modernization of the T-72 tank - T-72KZ "Shygys" (east), developed by Kazakh, Israeli and Turkish engineers, is interesting in its own way.

According to the modernization scheme, the T-72KZ is close to the infamous Georgian version of the T-72 SIM-I, which could not show any advantages over the regular Russian T-72A and T-72B during the war in South Ossetia in 2008, but outwardly differing in the installation of new elements of dynamic protection on the tower and the frontal part of the hull. The sides of the hull are covered with rubber-fabric and reinforced with additional lattice screens. However, the anti-cumulative grids on the sides will not work properly in any way, since they are installed close to the rubber-fabric screen.

During the modernization, the T-72KZ Shygys tank retained its standard 840-horsepower V-84 engine of the T-72B tank, which is quite enough to ensure sufficient mobility for a vehicle of this weight category (initially, it was planned to install Finnish Wartsila diesel engines on the T-72 tanks being modernized in Kazakhstan ). Mobility indicators at night are increased by installing a driver's thermal imaging device (similar to that used on the upgrade version of the Leopard 2 tank developed in Turkey), which provides a range of vision at night, as well as in difficult visibility conditions (fog, snow, dust, smoke, etc. ) up to 400 m. Installing asphalt shoes on a regular T-72 track with sequential RMSH reduces the already low cross-country ability of the old track.

To increase the fire capabilities of the tank, a new system fire control using new aiming and observation devices manufactured by the Turkish company Aselsan. The SLA includes a combined round-the-clock gunner's sight with a thermal imaging channel with duplication of the "picture" from it in the place of the tank commander, as well as a ballistic computer. This made it possible to conduct aimed fire from the tank commander's seat in the "Double" mode. However, the T-72 variant upgraded in Kazakhstan has lost such a fire advantage as the ability to fire a guided missile. The weapon stabilizer remained the same - 2E28M.

What is significantly increased on the Kazakh-Israeli-Turkish version of the T-72 modernization is the command controllability. They have been upgraded by installing a navigation system on the vehicle, new digital communications, and a combat command and control system based on the BMS on-board computer, which can be integrated into the automated tactical command and control system.

As a navigation system on the T-72KZ Shygys, the Israeli Azimuth Comet navigation system is used with a characteristic elongated GPS receiver antenna on the stern of the tower (as on the Georgian T-72 SIM-I tanks), while supplemented by a GLONASS receiver. Radio communication systems include the Israeli CNR-990 two-unit VHF radio and Tadiran's VIC-500 digital intercom system.

To ensure the work of the increased number of electricity consumers, an Israeli-made auxiliary power unit with a capacity of 7.5 kW was installed on the machine.

Officially, five companies, all Kazakh or joint, took part in the modernization of the T-72KZ Shygys: the Unified Center for the Implementation of Weapons Control Systems (concept development, development of technical specifications), Semey Engineering (repairs, installation of DZ), Kazakhstan Aselsan Engineering "(SLA, driver's night vision device)," Kazakhstan-Israeli joint venture "Delta IT" (communication systems, navigation, control of units in battle, power supply), "811 Automobile Repair Plant KI" (production and installation of caterpillars with asphalt ).

No matter how attractive the modernization programs for the T-72 tank, developed by foreign colleagues, the most modern version of the modernization of this tank was the version developed in the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (UKBTM) - the cradle of the T-72. The modernization of the machine in this design bureau was approached comprehensively.

On the modernized tank, it was possible to significantly increase: firepower (accuracy and range of actual fire), security, mobility and command controllability. In addition, the performance of the upgraded machine has been significantly improved.

The increase in firepower was ensured through the introduction of a new SLA, the installation of a new 125-mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, the use of new, more powerful ammunition and closed-type air defense systems with remote control.

The improved 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M-5, together with a modified automatic loader for the use of a new armor-piercing sub-caliber shot, provides firing with all the latest samples of 125-mm rounds of increased power.

The control system of the modernized T-72 tank has become automated with a digital ballistic computer and a barrel bend control system. Even in comparison with the 2A46M cannon, the accuracy of firing from the 2A46M-5 cannon increased by 15-20%, and the total dispersion during firing immediately decreased by 1.7 times.

The structure of the control system of the modernized T-72 includes a multi-channel (optical, thermal imaging, laser rangefinder and missile control channels) gunner's sight "Sosna-U" with independent stabilization of the field of view in two planes. The new sight ensures effective engagement of targets at ranges over 3000 m day and night, as well as in poor visibility conditions (dust, fog, snow, etc.). It became possible to fire a guided missile at night and immediately.

In order to ensure high efficiency of firing from a tank on the move, a new weapon stabilizer 2E42-4 with an electric machine amplifier was installed on the vehicle. In addition to improving the accuracy of shooting, such a stabilizer also reduces the fire hazard due to the lack of hydraulic drives with high pressure of a flammable working fluid.

The new ZPU allows the tank commander to conduct aimed fire from the anti-aircraft 12.7-mm machine gun "KORD" (NSVT-12.7) using remote control drives at air targets, and in stabilized mode at ground targets, while remaining under reliable armor protection. It also increases the survivability of the tank on the battlefield, especially in difficult battle conditions (in the city, in the forest, in the mountains) due to the timely suppression or destruction of tank-dangerous manpower.

At the request of the customer, it is possible to place an open type ZPU with manual guidance on the modernized T-72 tank.

The protection of the tank has been significantly increased by installing a new modular-type remote sensing system "Relikt". It has a number of advantages in countering modern anti-tank munitions in comparison with the DZ systems that were previously used. To protect the side and aft projections, the tank is equipped with special screens with remote sensing elements and lattice screens. Latticed screens ensure the destruction of warheads of cumulative ammunition falling into them, reducing the likelihood of them penetrating armor by 70-100%.

To protect against anti-tank mines with magnetic fuses, an electromagnetic protection system (SEMS) is installed on the modernized T-72 tank, which ensures the premature detonation of such mines.

The “Cape” camouflage kit, another “know-how” of Russian developers, makes the tank practically invulnerable when trying to destroy it with modern Western-made precision weapons. The probability and range of detection of a tank equipped with the "Cape" means of detecting modern high-precision weapons in the radar detection range will be reduced by 6 or more times. In the IR range, the probability of detecting and capturing a tank in the Cape with infrared seekers is reduced by 2-3 times.

The modernized T-72 has an automated system for setting curtains of the Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression complex. It protects the combat vehicle from high-precision weapons with a semi-active laser seeker, warns the crew about laser irradiation of the tank (when measuring the range with laser rangefinders and illuminating with laser designators). The system deploys multi-spectral aerosol curtains that hide the position of the tank and blind the control systems of anti-tank systems and other high-precision weapons.

In order to increase the mobility of the vehicle, a V-92S2 multi-fuel diesel engine with a capacity of 1000 hp was installed on the tank. and advanced cooling system.

Chassis components have been improved. The machine received new tracks with tracks with a parallel rubber-metal hinge, providing it with better traction and good handling. Reinforced, as well as increased rigidity of shock absorbers, reinforced onboard gearboxes.

Command controllability was improved by equipping the tank with a new R-168-25UE-2 VHF radio station, R-168 AVSK-U intercom and switching equipment, and combined (satellite and odometer) navigation equipment.

Thus, the T-72 modernization program developed in Russia is the most mature and balanced option for improving the combat properties of T-72 tanks. At the same time, depending on the wishes of customers, not all improvements can be carried out on the machine at once, but only a part of them, by choice, which can expand the circle of potential customers. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the T-72 modernization program developed by Russian designers takes into account all the nuances of the machine's design and is not limited to half-measures offered by many foreign developers.

Another modernization of the T-72B tank was presented at the last in June - July 2012 in Zhukovsky near Moscow, specialists from the Oboronservis company. As a result of the modernization carried out by the company, the firepower and command controllability of the tank were increased.

Firepower has been increased by installing a new gunner's sighting system and a commander's panoramic multi-channel sighting system. Apparently, other elements of the fire control system (FCS) have also been improved. One thing is clear - the commander got the opportunity to effectively detect targets day and night, as well as to conduct aimed fire from the main and additional weapons with all types of ammunition, including guided missiles, day and night, from a place and on the move.

Command controllability has been improved by installing a new set of communications equipment and the Trona topographic orientation system using GPS / GLONASS and inertial subsystems developed at the Kovrov Electromechanical Plant KEMZ, installing new digital communications equipment, and an automated tactical command and control system.

In general, if we consider the T-72 tank modernization programs currently offered on the world market, only Russian engineers have developed and implemented the most balanced, comprehensive programs that meet modern combat requirements.

Comparative performance characteristics of the T-72B tanks and the modernized T-72

Parameter		T-72 modernized
Combat weight, t		no more than 46
Gun, brand
Caliber, mm
Anti-aircraft gun mount	open type	closed type with remote control
Modular remote control	"Contact-V"	"Relic"
Automated Curtain Setting System
electromagnetic system protection
day sight	Sighting system 1А40-1	Sosna-U multi-channel gunner's sight with reticle and TPV channels, laser rangefinder and laser missile control channel
night sight	PPN 1K13-49 electro-optical monocular periscope
Range of detection and recognition of a tank-type target at night, m		at least 3300
Duplicated weapon control mode from the commander's seat
Double sight		rangefinder sight TPD-K1
ballistic computer		electronic digital with a set of sensors
Target tracking machine		electronic digital with video image processing from the TPV channel of the Sosna-U sight
Missile control information channel	is part of PPN 1K13-49	part of the multi-channel gunner's sight "Sosna-U"
Maximum range guided missile firing, m	up to 4000 (in the afternoon, from a place)	up to 5000 (day and night, from a place and on the move)
Radio station, brand
Availability of pre-prepared frequencies
Technical mode masking
Frequency hopping mode (software tuning of the operating frequency)
Speed ​​of transmission and reception of digital information, bit/s	no digital communication channel
Navigation equipment, type		combined (GPS and odometric)
Intercom and switching equipment, brand		R-168 AVSK-B
Verbal intelligibility, %
Maximum number of subscribers connected to the intercom network
Engine brand
Power, hp
Specific power, hp/t		not less than 21.8
Max speed on the highway, km/h

With regard to new modifications of the T-72 MBT in last years there are many rumors, some of them openly enthusiastic, and in another case it comes almost to outright abuse. And when, at the end of 2013, a decision was made to refuse to purchase the T-72B3 for the needs of the army, this message had the effect of an exploding grenade.

It should be mentioned here that this decision was made on the basis of real experience in operating prototypes in units where T-80 tanks were previously used. The real work of the equipment is more important for tankers, and they frankly do not care about the opinion of the "experts". So, why is the T-72B3 good or not too good? Differences from previous modifications - in our material.

The works of Serdyukov will not be forgotten...

Ordering weapons for the army at the present time is a huge undertaking in which each of the parties strives to snatch a larger piece of profit. Here are the main interests:

• Design bureaus are trying to sell their developments and get grants for further research.
• In general, industry does not care what is to be produced, as long as there is a long-term state order and there are funds to pay workers.
• Army. Previously, she simply wanted to get reliable equipment in large quantities, but in the time of Serdyukov, everything changed somewhat, and not for the better.

However, enough lyrics. We need a T-72B3. What kind of beast will still begin to enter our troops (this year's decision)?

Main changed nodes

Let's focus on those nodes that have really been upgraded:

• SLA, changed observation devices and aiming aids for the crew.
• New radio communication system.
• Updated weapons.
• Improvements in fire extinguishing mechanisms.
• The T-72B3 tank received tracks with a new RMSH.

What's new for the gunner?

The Sosna-U device acts as a sight for the gunner. It was originally developed by the Belarusian Peleng. Today it is produced by Vologda enterprises. The main characteristics are as follows:

• Standard optical channel for daytime conditions.
• Thermal imager for night sighting.
• Standard rangefinder with laser channel.
• Laser rangefinder for aiming when firing missiles.
• Detection of enemy tanks in the daytime - up to 5 kilometers, at night - up to 3.5 km.
• Image stabilization in two planes.
• The ability to use the KUV (this is a complex of guided weapons) on the move, without the need to stop the vehicle in combat conditions.
• There is automatic target tracking.
• Display of the operating mode and the type of ammunition used.
• There is equipment that allows you to make adjustments during combat shooting.

Negative points

This sight itself has been known in our troops for a long time, and it has earned a lot of positive feedback. But the thermal imager is made on the basis of the French camera Catherine-FC, which is produced by Tomcon-CSF. How can the T-72B3 Burevestnik MBT be equipped with components from a country whose political will is like a weather vane under strong wind? There is no exact information about the current situation, but in 2014, French components continued to arrive ... The very modernization of the instruments for the gunner was carried out quite ... let's just say, the designers tried to save as much as possible:

• They pulled out the well-proven sight PPN 1K-13-49 (which was previously a component of the KUV 9K120 "Svir").
• They put "Pine" in the vacant place.

There are many disadvantages to such a strange approach, and all of them are serious:

• The line of sight and the line of the bore are strongly displaced in relation to the sight itself, which in the field makes it extremely difficult to aim the gun at the target normally.
• Obviously, no one thought about the work of the gunner, who became even more uncomfortable using the sight. Tankers say that for the normal use of the "Pine" you have to strongly "mow" on the left side, arching your back along the way.
• The gunner's video viewing device was placed "at random", which is why the troops constantly need new ones: the tanker simply breaks it with his left boot when getting into the car.
• Finally - the most "delicious". The external optical unit is closed with a… solid metal cover, which is screwed (!) with four bolts at once.

The last circumstance for the main combat vehicle, which is the T-72B3 tank, is complete surrealism. Yes, optics should not be protected, but at what cost? Of course, hypothetically, the lid can be removed before the start of the battle ... But when will this very battle begin? Or should tankers turn the bolts with a wrench until the enemy politely agrees to wait for them!? Indeed, on all MBTs of the world, the opening of the armored shutter occurs remotely, from the gunner's workplace. Yes, and in domestic tanks, this solution was used repeatedly! What prevented such a mechanism from being installed here?

Positive Decisions

Fortunately, there are also positives. In the MSA they left (in a complete set) the sight of the TPD-K1 type, which is part of the 1A40, and even equipped it with protection against laser radiation. Simply put, the T-72B3 is equipped with two main sights at once. Even if one is damaged in battle, the tanker will always be able to use the second.

Behind the gunner's hatch, they finally installed what should have been there for a long time: sensors for ambient air temperature and wind characteristics (speed and direction). From now on, the gunner no longer needs to risk his life by leaning out of the hatch and doing the work of the Hydrometeorological Center. By the way, many experts express a well-founded opinion that the “awful” shooting at the tank biathlon in 2013 was due precisely to the absence of these devices. So the T-72B3, whose characteristics we are considering in the framework of this article, has so far demonstrated far from all of its abilities that it can show in biathlons.

On the difficulties of the commander's work

Alas, the designers, for some reason known only to them, left a real antique in the tank - TKN-3 (combined periscopic binocular sight). Recall that when it was already installed in 1991 on the newest BMP-3 at that time, it looked like a real anachronism! Yes, a second-generation image intensifier tube (EOC) was inserted into the "old man", but it got a little better from this. Why was it necessary to install this miracle on the T-72B3?

And further. Already during the first field tests, eye injuries were recorded in gaping tankers. When fired, the "slingshot" hits with such force that a couple of minutes of dizziness is guaranteed (if you do not remove your head in time). It also has a positive feature. If you press on the butt, the tank turret will automatically turn in the direction where the TKN-3 “looks”. At the same time, the “commander” indicator will light up at the gunner’s workplace. In general, this same T-72B3 commander will not be able to do anything else in battle.

Absurdity when aiming at a target

A very interesting fact is that when working at night, the tank gunner will see at 3.5 km, but the commander will have to be content either with the same duplicated picture, or try to “pierce” the night with his TKN-3MK, which allows you to see as much as 500 meters . What valuable commands will he give to the crew, if his working conditions are so inferior? After all, there are options for a modernized TKN from domestic companies in which the commander can at least measure the range to the target! In any case, our main battle tank continues to sparkle like a Christmas tree in IR surveillance devices, which, no doubt, pleases potential opponents.

Modernization of the communication system

Here everything is more fun. The VHF radio station R-168-25U-2 "Aqueduct" was put on the tank. The military has been asking for it for a long time. It has independent channels for sending and transmitting data. Can conduct open, hidden and secret communication sessions. In the latter case, the use of external AAS is required. The factory delivery set includes two independent transceivers.

I am glad that the tankers have finally received a coded communication. The release of this model was launched by the Ryazan Radio Engineering Plant back in 2005. It is worth noting that the developers of the station have provided an excellent groundwork for upgrading this equipment: it is already possible to connect a remote control for data collection, which can also be used as the main control tool if the main control devices are damaged. Alas, but here it was not without "tar" - tankers say that in military conditions this station often junk. Apparently, it has not yet been brought to an absolutely reliable state.

PTTs with individual volume control didn't do too well either. They themselves are not very reliable, but they are also distinguished by increased fragility. But this is the main battle tank. From iron. Solid. Tankers say that with the old tangents it was even possible to prop up the hatch, but it is undesirable to even drop the new one ... What else does the modernization of the T-72B3 imply?

Main caliber

Until now, official sources write that the 2A46M or 2A46M-5 gun is being installed on the upgraded version. It remains to be hoped that the last option will be put in the database. This gun is nothing more than a deep modernization of the well-proven D-81TM (2A46M) model. At the same time, the rigidity of the structure itself was significantly increased, which ensures better accuracy. In addition, during its manufacture it is much more rigid than the OTK, which ensures the supply of only those guns whose wall thickness difference does not exceed 0.4 mm.

The trunnion clips are now secured with a reverse wedge. The support of the sliding parts is located in the rear of the cradle, the neck of which was increased by 160 mm. At the same time, she also became much tougher. Guides for a cradle have the form of a prism. All this made it possible to reduce dispersion during firing by 15% at once. When firing immediately, the dispersion of shells decreased by almost half. Based on this, we can conclude that the T-72B3, the performance characteristics of which we are considering, can hit all available targets much more accurately and faster.

A reflector mount is provided to take into account the degree of barrel bending. The received data is transmitted to the gunner's place in an initially digital form, which again provides better shooting accuracy, levels out the consequences of various interferences that inevitably arise during the combat operation of the vehicle. It should be noted that all this information goes directly to the ballistic computer. This device greatly facilitates the work of the gunner and allows him to quickly aim the gun at the selected target.

Strengthening the standard ammunition

Several types of "long" shells were introduced at once. ZVBM22 with BPS ZBM59 "Lead-1" and "Lead-2" were developed. With a simultaneous increase in the maximum firing distance, the degree of armor penetration at all distances increases. To ensure the normal loading of new shells, the automatic loader has been slightly modified. However, a similar mechanism has already been installed on our tanks, starting with the T-72BA, so there is nothing new here.

Coaxial machine gun and ZPU

There are no changes in this respect - PKT/PKTm. There was information about tank "Pechenegs", but there is no confirmation yet. But there is still no data on the normal mechanism for collecting spent cartridges. The fact is that tearing a standard canvas bag with subsequent spilling of red-hot shells onto an AZ container (automatic loader) can lead to extremely sad results. Apparently, the energy of the designers (and money) completely ended on this, because how to come up with something more inappropriate for battle tank than a ZPU open to all winds, it’s difficult ...

Apparently, the crew needs a full-time suicide bomber who will cover the T-72B3. Reviews of the tankers themselves are generally better not to give due to their complete obscenity.

Main conclusions on the weapons system

• This time, the upgrade really improves the performance of the vehicle: a new cannon and improved ammunition. All these components give a chance for a quick and guaranteed suppression of the enemy.
• PKT - no comment, a hit for all times.
• ZPU without remote control is an undisguised disregard for the lives of crew members. Since the weight of the T-72B3 tank still increased to 46 tons (a simple T-72 weighs 42 tons), another couple of hundred kilograms could be allocated for a normal remote-controlled installation.

Automatic fire extinguishing systems

NPO Elektromashina developed the Hoarfrost system especially for this modernization. This is an automatic installation for detecting and extinguishing fires that may occur in the combat and engine compartments. Main characteristics:

• Double action.
• The kit comes with four cylinders with Freon.
• Optical and thermal sensors are used to detect a fire source.

Power plant and transmission

B-84-1 was left in place. Of course, all diesels kill tankers accustomed to the T-80, but this engine is really good. The B-84 is very reliable and has been field tested. The operating parts are full of specialists who know this motor very well. The B-92, which was originally supposed to be installed, still needs versatile tests. Since the power plant has remained the same, the transmission has not undergone any changes. The BKP was not subjected to strengthening, the number of friction pairs in the clutch elements was not increased. So the engine and transmission remained virtually the same.

Chassis

A caterpillar with a sequential arrangement of RMS was used. This option has been used on both the T-72BA and T-90 since 1996. The undercarriage, which is equipped with the Russian T-72B3, is also subject to corresponding changes. No other innovations in this area are reported.

Main conclusions

• The gunner's capabilities are really impressive: he has two sights, a new gun with improved barrel bend control systems, and other “highlights” at his service.
• Alas, due to frankly archaic means of observation, the commander of the new tank is simply not able to fight normally at night.
• Communication systems are good, but they need to be improved.
• "Hoarfrost" is good, only double operation is not enough, and it is desirable to have more cylinders with a mixture.
• Tower and hull defense is a complete failure.
• Engine, chassis and transmission - no changes.

There remains a strong impression that modernization was simply abandoned halfway. Many unfinished elements can be improved without spending phenomenal money on it. Here, in general, and all. In principle, the modernization of the tank turned out to be quite good, but some moments frankly hurt the eyes.

The command of the Western Military District (ZVO) has prepared a report to Sergei Shoigu and the Main Armored Directorate (GABTU) of the Ministry of Defense with a request to refuse to purchase modernized T-72B-3 tanks. A source in the Western Military District told Izvestia that the document summarizes the military operation of these vehicles, including during exercises and during everyday combat training.

The head of the GABTU, General Alexander Shevchenko, has already been informed of the results of military operation, and the current report has been supplemented with a detailed justification for abandoning the T-72B-3. We hope that the ministry will take action and prefer the new T-90A,” he said.

The T-72B-3 modification is replacing the T-80 tanks. The first to receive them was the 138th separate motorized rifle brigade in the village of Kamenka. Leningrad region and almost immediately discovered shortcomings in running operation, especially in firing.

An interlocutor in the Western Military District says that the T-72B-3 does not justify its cost, taking into account additional equipment for 52 million rubles, which the brigade hoped to see a more powerful and advanced machine. A tank can fight an early 1990s-style enemy, and modern armored vehicles, including Georgian modifications of the T-72, which the Israelis brought to mind, will simply tear it apart, the officer believes.

Of all the innovations in the tank, only a good Belarusian Sosna-U sight and modern digital communication systems appeared, everything else is from the basic model, that is, 30 years ago, he added.

According to him, the "new" tanks do not have GLONASS / GPS receivers, by which tankers could determine their location in conditions of visual blindness (the tank has a very limited view). Also, there is no practically obligatory system of automatic target tracking in modern conditions, which automatically keeps the enemy’s car or tank at gunpoint, even while moving. In addition, the tank has old weather sensors, barrel wear sensors and other important mechanisms.

In particular, instead of new V-92S2 engines with a capacity of 1 thousand hp. there are “overhauled” old B-84 engines with 840 hp, and instead of the modern Relict dynamic protection complex, there is the old Contact-5, which does not save from tandem ammunition.

The representative of Uralvagonzavod explained to Izvestia that the military themselves chose the equipment, which they are now dissatisfied with.

We have more than 15 upgrade options - you can change almost everything, from the chassis to weapons and protection. The Russian military has chosen far from everything. Whatever they chose, we installed. The decision was made by Vladimir Popovkin, when he was chief of armaments, and Nikolai Makarov, ex-head of the General Staff, - explained the representative of the only tank manufacturer.

He noted that the then leadership of the Ministry of Defense considered that the selected equipment was ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. Now it turns out that the officers are unhappy with this.

The representative of UVZ stressed that out of 52 million rubles that the modernization of the T-72B-3 costs, about 30 million are spent on the overhaul of the tank - the vehicles are completely dismantled, all parts are examined and outdated are replaced with new ones. The rest of the money is spent on modernization - the purchase and installation of new equipment and other complexes that the customer has chosen.

A full set of upgrade options makes the T-72 almost the same as the T-90, and even better in some respects. However, the cost of such an upgrade is comparable to the construction of a new T-90. At the same time, the residual resource and modernization potential new car much more than the refurbished one.

Two years ago we convinced the military that if they want a qualitatively new tank, then they need to buy T-90s, and not upgrade 20-30-year-old T-72s. But no one listened to us, they believed that we were trying to sell the old tank for new money, although, I emphasize, the T-90 is a different tank, bringing the T-72 to its level is not much cheaper for objective reasons, - the UVZ representative explained.

In 2014, we will be able to start its mass production. Let's hope that the new leadership of the Ministry of Defense will reconsider the decision of their predecessors. We are ready to fulfill the order of the military both for production and for their modernization, - said the UVZ representative.

According to the GABTU, the disruption in the supply of T-72B-3 with new engines occurred due to the late conclusion of a contract with Uralvagonzavod, so tanks with old engines are still being delivered to the districts.

The troops are surprised that the T-72M1 model, intended for Algeria at a price of 50 million, is also equipped with an automatic target tracking system, digital sensors for corrections and weather conditions, remote anti-aircraft installation and air conditioning. In Russian models, electronics are "at the level of the last century."

Even in overseas ratings, Leopard-2 is often ahead of the American M1A2 Abrams. Military experts, of course, have reason to conclude German car in first place. But the title of "best tank in the world" should be treated with a healthy degree of skepticism. Take a look at the Leopard-2 tower, does the anti-aircraft machine gun remind you of anything? That's right, this is the MG3A1 - a direct descendant, more precisely adapted to the modern MG-42 cartridge from the Second World War. I understand, a very successful "machine", but not for the third millennium! Only recently, on Bundeswehr tanks, did they begin to replace the legendary machine gun with a modern Heckler & Koch MG5 or a remote-controlled module with a 12.7 mm “barrel”.

In the animal kingdom, the large cat leopard belongs to the genus Panther, just like the tiger. It's funny - in German armored vehicles these animal generic features are easily traced. Leopard-2, like the tanks of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, is distinguished by the vertical installation of armor plates. Rational angles of inclination of the armor on the hull and on the turret are at a minimum, especially on early modifications. Moreover, the huge Leopard is oversized in width and quite heavy - typical "tiger" problems that make it difficult to transport by rail.

It turns out that the Germans are stepping on the same rake with enviable persistence? Not in everything. During the war with the USSR, the machines of the cat tribe had problems with the resource, engine power, and, most importantly, the Germans were unable to repair their complex tanks in the field. So, the mileage of Leopard-2 before the overhaul is 10 thousand kilometers. The power plant is a 1500 hp turbodiesel united in a single unit with a hydromechanical transmission. In addition to high power-to-weight ratio, such a technical solution also gives good maintainability - power plant assembled even in the field can be changed in 35 minutes. Excellent indicator!

The tank also has other advantages. Leopard-2 has acceptable mobility. The armament is powerful: a 120 mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun with modern ammunition and two machine guns. The gun is stabilized in two planes. But there is no automatic loader. Therefore, there are 3 people in the habitable turret of the tank: commander, gunner and loader. And that's not all - part of the ammunition is located in the stern of the tower. The niche where the shells lie is equipped with knockout panels. It is believed that when a projectile hits a “powder magazine” of this design, people have a higher chance of surviving (by the way, the rest of the ammunition and fuel are well isolated from the crew). Minus one - the incredible size of the tower and the accompanying weight.

And after the flat mantlet of the gun (starting with the 2A5 modification) gave way to a modernized version with rational armor inclination angles, the turret's electro-hydraulic drive had to be replaced with an electric one. And still, the speed of the turret does not appear among the main virtues of the Leopard-2. But the tank is equipped with an excellent Zeiss sight, efficient system fire control, thermal imaging cameras that provide all-round visibility to all crew members, a fire extinguishing system, multi-layer armor lined on the inside with anti-fragmentation mats.

Leopard-2 has been in service since 1979 and belongs to the third generation tanks. Over the years of operation, it has been improved more than once, re-equipped and even subjected to a facelift. The most recent and relevant modifications are 2A5, 2A6, 2A7 +. The latter was announced in 2010 and, most likely, there will be no radical improvements in the future - the modernization potential of the tank has been exhausted.

Thirty-four heir

Our T-72 is smaller, lower and significantly lighter than the Leopard-2. It was put into service in 1973 and is an almost perfect example of a simple and, most importantly, massive tank. Over the years of production, it has been modernized several times. The latest version under the T-72B3 index was put into service in 2011 and today has managed to acquire a number of additional improvements in 2014 and 2016. Why bother with an old-style tank? Saturating the army with fourth-generation combat vehicles is not a matter of one day or even a year. The best way to maintain the combat capability of the armored forces in the transitional period - to bring a vehicle with a good modernization potential to modern requirements.

Compared to the "German" domestic tank- the embodiment of a completely different concept: a low silhouette, powerful weapons on a compact and maneuverable chassis. The Russian smoothbore gun 2A46M-5 with a caliber of 125 millimeters, perhaps, will give odds to the leopard one. This is the latest upgrade of the 2A46M gun with a 20 percent improvement in accuracy and a 1.7-fold reduction in dispersion when firing on the move. The automatic loader has been modified for the new armor-piercing sub-caliber shells Lead 1.2.

This is where a digression is needed. Thanks to the automatic loader, there are only two people in the turret - the commander and the gunner. This means that the tower is smaller and lighter than in the German combat vehicle. Add here a rounded shape, optimal for the ricochet of enemy shells, good armor, dynamic protection (in the early modifications of Contact-5, in the later ones - Relic) and an anti-aircraft machine gun with a caliber of 12.7 mm. Thus, in terms of the "tops" of the T-72BZ, at least it is no worse than the Leopard. And this despite the fact that in order to achieve decent firepower on our tank, we did not have to fence a huge "attic" with an electric drive.

Of course, it is difficult to compete with Zeiss sights and foreign electronics. But the modernization has significantly improved the equipment of our tank. He received a new Sosna-U gunner's sight with a thermal imaging channel, a target tracking machine, a modern digital ballistic computer, and a driver's display system with a rear-view camera. On the latest modifications, a panoramic stabilized commander's sight also appeared.

Unfortunately, the introduction of new equipment was not without annoying blunders related to ergonomics and ease of use. But in general, the accuracy of shooting both from a standstill and on the move has become better, the guidance devices work reliably in any weather and at any time of the day. And the firing range is at the level of the best world samples. We will assume that in terms of optics and electronics with the Leopard, the T-72B3 of fresh modifications has a parity.

The protection of our car is in many ways even better than that of the German one. The lower weight of the T-72B3 does not mean "thinner" armor, but a total smaller amount of protected space (the tank itself is not so elephantine). There is also a fire extinguishing system on our tank. Until recently, things were worse with dynamic protection - the Contact-5 complex is frankly outdated. The situation was corrected by the Relic protection, which is installed on the latest modifications of the T-72B3. Particularly good are the side panels with integrated dynamic protection modules and lattice screens covering the engine compartment. Moreover, as part of the tank's standard accessories there are additional modules and screens for installation on the tower instead of spare parts boxes.

And finally, . Let's do some fun math. The specific power of the Leopard-2 with a 1500-horsepower engine is 23.8 hp. per ton. The T-72B3 of early samples with the good old V-84-1 diesel engine with a capacity of 840 horses had an indicator of 18.3. Noticeable delay! The latest modifications of the machine are equipped with a new V-92S2F engine with a power of 1130 hp, which gives a specific power of 24.5 hp / t. In such cases, it is customary to say - caught up and overtaken.

And now the big picture. In general, Leopard-2 and T-72B3 are equal rivals, despite different concepts and not infantile design. It is difficult to predict who will be stronger in a face-to-face meeting - each has its own advantages and disadvantages. But, as usual, with equal forces, success combat use more depends on the ability of large commanders and specific crews to sensibly dispose of the available materiel.

As for the commercial success, both tanks are in service with many countries. But the price-quality ratio is clearly behind our car. For the entire period of production of Leopard-2 of various modifications, a little less than 3.5 thousand copies were made. The circulation of T-72 is about 30 thousand!

Characteristics of Russian and German tanks

T-72B3	Leopard 2А6
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length Width Height 6860/3460/2226 mm Ground clearance 490 mm Crew 3 people Weight 46000 kg Max speed 65 km/h Highway range 500–700 km

T-72B "object 184" is an improved modification of the T-72A tank, serial production began in 1984.

The vehicle was equipped with hinged dynamic protection, a V-84-1 (V-84M) diesel engine with a power of 840 hp, and a 9K120 Svir guided weapon system with laser-guided missiles at the target.

Already at the time of its creation, the T-72B turned out to be outdated in terms of the fire control complex (1A40-1).

There was no automated control system on it at all. The T-72B lagged behind both the foreign Leopard-2 and Abrams tanks and the domestic T-80BV, T-64BV, T-80U and T-80UD.

Tank protection was developed taking into account the tests in the USSR of the Israeli M111 BPS, which pierced the upper frontal part of the T-72A tank. The design abandoned fiberglass, replacing it with a design from a set of steel plates. Later, the so-called. "semi-active" armor with "reflective" sheets.

The mobility of the tank also increased very slightly (from 760 hp on the T-72A to 840 hp)

In general, the growth of the tank's performance in terms of protection against BPS was 20% compared to the T-72AV, engine power - 10%. Due to restrictions on the growth of the mass of the tank and the lack of a modern engine, the weak potential of the design bureau itself, the improvement of the T-72A tank was very slow. As a result, in the mid-80s, an obsolete tank entered service. The main achievement of the new modification of the T-72 was a guided weapon system.

The complex was an effective and simple missile armament tank, which in terms of characteristics was comparable to the Cobra, but in terms of design and operation it was much simpler.

Layout

The tank has a classic overall layout with a crew of three and a transverse engine. The layout completely repeats the one adopted on the T-72, T-72A tanks, which was borrowed from the T-64.

Frame. Front right view: 1 - upper nasal leaf; 2 - booms for the installation of DZ containers; 3 - headlight guard bracket; 4 - front towing hook; 5 - lower nasal leaf; 6 - balancer bracket.

Frame. Rear view on the left: 1 - protective turret bar; 2 - caterpillar strip chipper; 3 - outlet pipe; 4 - brackets and stops for laying cables; 5 - beam with exit blinds; 6 - barrel mounting bracket; 7 - bracket for fastening the spare parts box to trawls and PSK cassettes; 8 - log mounting bracket; 9- mounts for spare tracks; 10 - fan hatch cover; 11 - fodder sheet; 12 - towing hook; 13 - case of emergency socket and marker lamp; 14 - chipper of the caterpillar fingers; 15 - gearbox housing; 16 - emphasis of the balancer; 17 - support roller bracket; 18 - hydraulic shock absorber bracket; 19 - guide wheel crank bracket.

Tower: 1 - commander's cupola; 2 - overhead; 3 - roof; 4 - housing for installing a gunner's observation device; 5 - flange for mounting the sight 1K13-49; 6 - tubes for electrical wires;

7, 25 - headlight mounting brackets; 8 - protective head of the rangefinder sight; 9, 15, 18, 27 - mounting hooks; 10 - strap; 11 - arc cheeks; 12, 13 - groove for attaching the outer protective cover of the gun; 14 - bracket searchlight L-4A; 16-clamp for fastening the box with ammunition for the NSV machine gun; 17, 19, 22, 24 - brackets for fastening OPVT boxes; 20 - antenna mounting flange; 21,

26 - copiers; 23 — hatch ejection and removal of the pallet; 28 - mounting bracket launchers smoke grenades; 29 - gunner's hatch; a - a hole for the rear suspension of the sight-rangefinder; b - boring under the trunnion; in - the embrasure of the PKT machine gun; g - a hole for installing a landing socket.

Firepower

The main armament is a 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun-launcher. The design of the gun makes it possible to replace the barrel in the field without dismantling it from the turret. To improve the accuracy of shooting, the cylinders of the two recoil brakes are fixed symmetrically with respect to the bore in the upper right and lower left corners of the breech.

Tank gun 2A46M: 1 - thermal protective casing; 2 - trunk; 3 - cradle; 4 - shutter; 5 - fence; 6 - lifting mechanism; 7 - brake of sliding parts; 8 - knurler; 9 - bar; 10 - screw; 11 - wire; 12 - compensating weight; B - gap 8-13 mm; B - gap 8-12 mm.

Firing is carried out with separate-sleeve loading shots with armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation shells and shots with a guided missile that has a cumulative warhead.

The automatic loader is similar to that used on the T-72, the mechanized ammunition load is 22 shots.

This is less than

and is located in a very vulnerable place for mines, which, when detonated, will disable the tank without the possibility of recovery

Location of nodes A3: 1 - rammer; 2 - cassette lifting mechanism; 3 - ejection hatch; 4 - trap; 5 - ejection hatch drive; 6 - drive to the catcher; 7 - hand drive handle to the stopper VT; 8 - electromagnetic stopper VT; 9 - flooring BT; 10 - roller; 11 - frame; 12 - support roller; 13 - top shoulder strap; 14 - lower shoulder strap; 15 - glass; 16-cassette; 17-capture; 18 - pallet stop; 19 - frame; 20 - electromagnetic catcher stopper; 21 - cable.

The cyclogram characterizes the process of a full cycle of automatic loading of a tank gun.

It can be seen from the cyclogram that in order to reduce the duration of the cycle, and, consequently, to increase the technical rate of fire, the action of some mechanisms is partially or completely combined in time. For example, bringing the gun to the loading angle, its locking and rotation of the BT.

The cyclogram shows that the full cycle of loading and firing when turning the VT into two cassettes lasts< 8 с.

If the next shots are on the loading line, then the technical rate of fire will be higher, since in this case the full cycle of loading and firing without turning the BT will be > 7 s.

Ammunition for the gun is 45 rounds and is stacked as follows: 22 rounds in the rotating conveyor of the automatic loader, 23 - in non-mechanized stacking.

In VT, shots by type can be stacked in any ratio. In non-mechanized stacking, shots are stacked regardless of their type, with the exception of places specifically specified. As the ammunition from the BT is used, the crew replenishes the BT with shots from the ammunition racks, if the situation allows, or manually loads the gun directly from the ammunition racks.

Shots posted:

5 shells in the turret, of which: 2 - on the rotating floor behind the commander's seat, 1 - armor-piercing sub-caliber on the rotating floor behind the cannon and 2 - armor-piercing sub-caliber in the niche of the tower behind the gunner's seat;

18 shells in the hull, of which: 3 - high-explosive fragmentation or cumulative - in the front tank-rack, 4 - in laying on the MTO partition on the starboard side, 4 - in laying on the MTO partition on the port side, 3 - on the left side behind the gunner's seat , 1 - armor-piercing sub-caliber behind the AB rack, 3 - on the left side behind the AB rack;

4 charges in the tower, of which: 1 - in front of the commander's seat, 2 - behind the commander's seat, 1 - in front of the gunner's seat;

19 charges in the case, of which: 1 - at the front tank rack on the starboard side, 3 - in the front tank rack, 12 - in the middle tank rack near the MTO partition and 3 - behind the AB rack.

Ammunition for the PKT machine gun is 2000 rounds (8 belts of 250 rounds each).

The ammunition load for the AKMS-74 assault rifle is 300 rounds, 120 of which are loaded into four magazines of 30 rounds each and placed in a regular bag. 180 rounds are in a box on the starboard side of the turret outside. F-1 hand grenades (10 pcs.) Are stacked in five bags. The ammunition load of the NSV-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun is 300 rounds.

Ammunition layout: 1- charge; 2 - projectile; 3 - box with cartridges for the PKT machine gun; 4 - cartridges for the AKMS-74 assault rifle; 5 - a bag with F-1 hand grenades; 6 - boxes for 120 cartridges for the NSV-12.7 machine gun; 7 - placement of cartridges in a box for cartridges and clothing - 180 pieces; 8 - bandolier with cartridges for a signal pistol

A 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (with manual control from the tank commander) are used as auxiliary weapons. The anti-aircraft machine gun does not have a remote control, the tank commander is forced to get out of the tank to the waist in order to use it, putting himself in danger.

Anti-aircraft machine gun installation: 1 - NSV-12.7 machine gun; 2 - balancing mechanism; 3 - cradle; 4 - tape collector; 5 - sight box; 6 - handlemachine gun platoon; 7 - pins; 8 - fork; 9 - machine gun fastening pin; 10 - recoil damping spring; 11 - toothed sector of the cradle; 12 - clamping screw of the hatch socket; 13 - fixing boltplugs in the socket; 14 magazine for cartridges; 15 - vertical guidance handle; 16 - machine gun release lever; 17 - handle stopper; 18 - cable; 19 - machine gun release key; 20 - horizontal guidance handle; 21 - cradle stopper; 22 - stopper of the middle shoulder strap; 23 - flywheel brake key.

Sighting system 1А40-1

On the T-72B tank, the 1A40-1 sighting system is installed, the basis of which is the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder sight used on the T-72A tanks, with a field of view stabilized in a vertical plane.

1 - sight-rangefinder (control device); 2 - blockindications; 3 - range input block; 4 - electric block; 5 -power unit; 6 - protective glass; 7 - plate (nomograms); 8 - a single set of spare parts and accessories; nine -desiccant; 10 - correction potentiometer; eleven -parallelogram mechanism.

The sighting system includes a ballistic corrector, which automatically introduces corrections for the temperature of the charge and air, Atmosphere pressure, the angular velocity of the target and the tank, the speed of the tank and other shooting conditions, which increases the probability of hitting the first shot. However, the ballistic corrector does not take into account all the changing firing conditions, as happens when there is an automated control system with a ballistic computer in the tank, because takes into account only the total correction, which is entered into it manually before the start of firing, calculated from the nomograms fixed on the breech of the gun by the tank commander.

Shooting at night is carried out using the 1K13-49 combined sight, which can operate in active or passive mode.

Target detection at night in passive mode (with ENO 0.005 LK) is provided at a distance of at least 500 m, in active mode when the target is illuminated by an infrared searchlight - up to 1200 m.

Searchlight L-4A: 1 - base; 2 - bracket; 3 - landing nest; 4 - trunnion; 5 - adjustable traction; 6 - traction unregulated; 7 - bonk; 8 - axis; 9 - slip clutch; 10, 12 - lock nuts; 11 - adjusting bolt; 13 - set screw; 14 - bolt; 15 - back cover; 16 - front frame; 17 - screw; 18 - protective cover; 19, 21 - screws; 20 - jumper; 22 - DK lamp with L-250; 23 - cartridge; 24 - IR filter; 25 - pressure ring; 26 - captive bolt; 27 - mirror parabolic reflector.

Sight-guidance device 1K13-49

Hull armor

The upper part of the T-72B hull of the first modifications consisted of spaced obstacles made of steel of increased hardness. Subsequently, more difficult option reservations using "reflective sheets" on the principle of functioning similar to the package used in the tank turret. The equivalent resistance of passive armor has increased compared to the T-72A from 360 to 490 mm.

Photo of assembly of T-72S hulls in Iran. The VLD filler package is visible.

Starting in 1988, the VLD and the tower were reinforced with the Kontakt-V DZ complex, which provides protection not only from cumulative PTS, but also from BPS.

On board the T-72, the DZ containers were installed directly on rubber-fabric screens. This negatively affected its operation, the DZ containers on the side screens fell off during operation, the screens deformed.

Vulnerable areas

The dimensions of the turret armor of the T-72B tank have increased compared to the T-72A due to the installation of a massive filler. This led to an increase in the weakened zones of the tower roof.

Schemes of weakened zones of the main armor of the frontal projection of the T-72B: 1 - weakened zone during the shelling of 100-mm BPS BM-8; 2 - weakened zone during the shelling of 125-mm BPS BM-26

The resistance of weakened zones is much lower than the resistance of the main armor parts, so they are penetrated from long distances and with large stock armor penetration, which leads to severe, often irreversible damage to the combat vehicle. As shown by shelling tests on the hull and turret of the T-72B tank, conducted by BM-26 shells with armor penetration of 200 mm steel armor medium hardness at an angle of 60 ° from a distance of 2 km and BM-22 with armor penetration of 170 mm / 60 ° from 2 km, weakened zones made their way from distances:
Driver zone (along the middle line of the weakened zone) - 1,700 m.
Tower roof - 3,700 m.
Commander's hatch - 3,900 m.
The zone weakened by the trunnions of the gun is 1,650 m.

The gun embrasure is protected only from the B-32 armor-piercing bullet of 12.7 mm caliber from a distance of 100 m.

Dynamic protection

The increase in resistance to cumulative ammunition was achieved by installing a hinged dynamic protection complex. The tank has 227 containers, of which 61 are on the hull, 70 on the turret and 96 on the side screens.

Moreover, the containers are installed directly on the tower without giving them an angle that ensures the most efficient operation of the remote sensing.

It is known that the effectiveness of the impact on the cumulative jet of the dynamic protection device depends significantly on the angle of impact of the cumulative jet with the container. At meeting angles (the angle is measured from the normal to the surface of the container) 60 ... 70 degrees, the greatest efficiency of the movement of the metal plates of the container on the cumulative jet is achieved.

At meeting angles close to the normal to the surface of the container, the device loses most of its effectiveness and, as a rule, cannot protect the main armor barrier from a cumulative jet. As a result of this, the effectiveness of the remote sensing system installed on the tower was significantly reduced.

Built-in universal remote control "Contact-5"

Since 1988, built-in dynamic protection has been used on serial T-72B tanks.Tanks equipped with the built-in dynamic protection "Contact-5" according to the Research Institute of Steel provide protection against the M829 armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile.

Installation of dynamic protection on the tower: 1, 2 - blocks; 3, 4, 12, 16 - covers; 5 - bolt M8; 6 - bolt M16; 7 - bonk; 8 - M12 bolt; 9 - gasket; 10 - element of dynamic protection; 11 - body; 13 - bulletproof bar; 14 - axis; 15 - cotter pin.

Installation of dynamic protection on the bow sheet of the tank: 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - sections of dynamic protection; 9, 10 - covers; 11 - element;

12 - pallet; 13 - nut, 14 - screw; 15 - rubber stop; 16, 20 - cork; 17 - spring washer; 18 - bolt; 19 - laying

Installation of dynamic protection on board: 1 - screens; 2 - side shields; 3 - loop; 4 - pallet; 5 - armor cover; 5th element; 7 - cork;

8 - bolt; 9 - torsion bar; 10 - stopper axis; 11 - bracket; 12 - spring cotter pin; 13 - bar; 14 - axis.

Mobility

The tank is equipped with the V-84-1 engine, which is a modernization of the previously used V-46-6 engine. Both motors are interchangeable in installation.

The V-84-1 engine is distinguished by increased power, additional inertial boost due to the division of each intake manifold into two sections and a piston configuration.

The V-84-1 engine is multi-fuel, the main fuel is diesel. The engine also runs on T-1, T-2 and TS-1 fuels, low-octane gasoline.

The engine is installed in the power compartment of the tank perpendicular to its longitudinal axis on a foundation welded to the bottom. The engine legs are attached to the foundation with eight bolts and nuts. The first left bolt and nut are extended. Gaskets of various thicknesses can be installed under the paws, with the help of which the toe of the engine crankshaft is centered with the guitar's drive gear.

The launch is carried out using an electric starter, an air start system, as well as from an external current source or from a tug. For an emergency start of a cold engine in winter, there is an intake air heating system.

The mechanical planetary transmission consists of an input gearbox, two final gearboxes and two final gearboxes.

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

The total capacity of the fuel system with two and two barrels with a capacity of 275 liters. is 1750 liters. The capacity of the internal fuel tanks is 705 liters.

Fuel supply system: 1 -right bow tank; 2,4 - filling necks; 3, 6, 7, 11, 14 - external tanks; 5 - front tank rack; eight -heater fuel pump; 9 - fuel filterheater; 10 - valve for shutting off external tanks; 12 -expansion tank; 13 - float valve; 15 - adapter for connecting barrels; 16 - equipment for connecting barrels; 17 - barrels; 18 - nozzle; 19 - high pressure pipeline; 20 - pipeline of the combined drain of fuel from the injectors; 21 - fuel pump NK-12M; 22 - fine fuel filter; 23 - fuel priming pump NTP-46; 24 - medium tank rack; 25 - coarse fuel filter; 26 - left bow tank; 27 - manual fuel priming pump; 28-fuel priming pump BCN-1; 29 - fuel distribution valve; 30 - drain fitting; 31 - air release valve; 32, 36 - hoses; 33 - fitting; 34 - sludge drain hose; 35 - tee; 37 - fuel meter

Means of communication

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

Tactical and technical characteristics T-72B

Tactical and technical characteristics T-72B
Parameter	Unit of measurement
Full mass		4 4,5+2%
Crew	people
Specific power	hp/t	18,876
V-84MS engine	hp
Ground pressure	kgf / cm 2	0,8 98
Temperature mode of operation	°С	40…+ 4 0
Tank length
with gun forward	mm	9530
corps	mm	6860
Tank width
along the caterpillar	mm
removable protective screens	mm
tower roof height	mm
bearing surface length	mm	4270
ground clearance	mm	428…470
track gauge	mm	2730
Travel speed
Average on a dry dirt road	km/h
Maximum on paved road	km/h
In reverse gear, maximum	km/h	4, 18
Fuel consumption per 100 km
On a dry dirt road	l, up to	300…450
On paved road	l, up to	170…200
on the main fuel tanks (on a paved road)	km	225…360 (500…600)
with additional barrels (on paved road)	km	310…450 (700)
Tank capacity		1270 + 370
Ammunition
Shots to the cannon	PCS
(of which in the conveyor of the loading mechanism)	PCS
Cartridges:
to machine gun (7.62 mm)	PCS
to machine gun (12.7 mm)	PCS
Aerosol grenades Modernization The T-72B tank, created more than three decades ago, still remains the basis of the Russian tank fleet, where modernization programs for this tank have been developed that can compensate for its lagging behind the tanks of NATO countries (M1A1, Leopard-2, etc.). It is proposed to use a modernized 2A46M5 gun, an automatic loader with the possibility of using a BPS with increased elongation, a motor-transmission unit with a V-92S2 engine (1000hp), a running gear used on the T-90A, as well as Relikt dynamic protection. It is proposed to install an SLA on the tank with the Sosna-U sight developed by the Belarusian OJSC Peleng, the 1A40-1 sighting system is retained as a backup sight