T-90AM, better known as Proryv, was presented to the public in 2011. It is this brainchild of Uralvagonzavod that will be discussed in the article.

A little history

It is known that the T-90AM tank is a direct descendant of the T-90, the development of which began back in 2004. The export version of the product, called the T-90 MS, was presented to the public in 2011. During production, the product was assigned such markings as “Object 188MS”, R&D “Proryv-2”, as well as T-90S (T-90MS).

The tank was conceived as the embodiment of advanced military technologies in the field of balancing combat and technical characteristics. The capabilities of the new combat unit allow you to conduct military operations in any climatic conditions, at any time of day and carry out assigned combat missions that correspond to modern realities of combat.

Device

The T-90AM tank has a V-shaped engine consisting of twelve cylinders, produced at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The engine is four-stroke and is marked V-92S2F. It differs from its predecessors in the quality of casting, connecting rods and pins of increased strength, reinforced pumps, crankcases and injectors.

Nitriding technology was used in the production of the crankshaft. The essence of the method is to coat the surface of parts with an alloy saturated with nitrogen, which can significantly increase resistance to corrosion and wear. In the event of a malfunction of the engine of the T-90AM tank, the crew is notified.

Innovative methods were also embodied in the implementation of the principles of nutrition V-92S2F. The engine is diesel and is capable of starting at minimum temperature at −20 °C. However, it is believed that the operating temperature range varies from −50 ° C to +50 ° C.

Highlights

The T-90AM has several design features.

Firstly, this is the location of the exhaust system in the pipes above the tracks. This is due to the desire of the designers to reduce the temperature of the body, which significantly complicates the task for location systems of a mock enemy operating on the basis of thermal energy recognition. For example, infrared guidance systems for missiles of various classes.

Secondly, for the successful operation of the T-90AM, the Russian army implemented a control system based on a steering wheel - similar to the system of aircraft and watercraft. The gearbox implies both an automated mode of operation and a transition to manual control.

Thirdly, the surveillance system has been modernized, including a modern set of night vision devices for the driver and a video camera for viewing from the rear.

Booking

T-90AM is partially equipped with units active protection"Afghanite". It is a set of measures to aggressively counter the enemy in the event of an attack by a combat unit.

The Afganit complex itself includes short- and long-range pulse-Doppler radars, ultraviolet direction finders, as well as a robotic controlled machine gun mount to counter incoming ground-to-ground and air-to-ground projectiles.

The Afghanit is fully equipped on the T-14 of the Armata family, partial installation, as mentioned above, is on the T-90AM, and on the export version of the T-90MS it is possible to integrate the Arena-E system, which is in many ways similar above, but has significant functional limitations. Thus, all the splendor of advanced technologies will not be exported, and members of the T-90AM crew in the Russian army will enjoy all the benefits.

"Relic"

Separately, it should be mentioned that domestic designers have abandoned the use of Kontakt-5 protective equipment, previously used for such models as T-90, T-90A, T-90S, starting in 1988.

The Relikt modular complex is a third-generation dynamic defense system designed to counter modern sub-caliber projectiles. For example, the Western-made M829. Installation is also provided for the T-90AM tank.

The system is based on the principle of “double throwing,” according to which two armor plates are fired at once towards an approaching projectile, thus reducing the damaging effect significantly. Advantages of the Relikt system using the example of the T-90AM Proryv:

• simplicity of design and operation, making it possible to easily replace or repair failed parts;
• the frontal armor of the turret has a significantly higher percentage of overlap (up to 68% compared to 45% for its predecessor);
• the possibility of further modernization is provided by simply replacing dynamic protection elements with modernized options;
• the transition from Contact-5 does not require the installation of additional equipment.

Armament

The Soviet model of the D-81TM gun (GRAU index - 2A46), produced once in 1970, has undergone modernization a significant number of times. The model marked 2A46M-5 was developed for the T-90AM tank. The technical characteristics allow the gun to be installed on both the T-90 and the progenitor of the series, the T-72. Moreover, the re-barrel does not require the mandatory dismantling of the tank turret.

Compared to previous models, the 2A46M-5 shoots 20% more accurately, and the accuracy and rigidity of the product design itself have been improved. In addition, the automatic loader already carries 22 shots. The remaining parts of the ammunition are located both inside the product and outside.

The Proryv kit includes a 7.62 mm guided anti-aircraft gun. The commander's target-finding capabilities have also been improved and refined, making targeting effortless both at night and in daytime days.

Communications and surveillance

It is known that the T-90AM has a turret with the Kalina multifunctional complex, which was first announced as an innovative development for the T-90.

Key details of the system:

• commander's Hawkeye panoramic sight;
• automated target tracking system;
• gunner's sight "Sosna-U", which includes a laser range finder and thermal imager;
• complex of tactical level control systems;
• target recognition functionality based on the “friend/foe” principle;
• software for interaction between combat units within a battalion;
• complex for controlling smoke screens;
• terrain orientation system based on GPS and GLONASS;
• radio equipment for internal communication and external interaction.

Evolutionary leaps

The T-90 tank entered service back in 1992, as a result of the modernization of the T-72. Since then, the combat vehicle has earned respect both in the ranks of the Russian army and abroad.

Meanwhile, the modernization of the T-90 did not stop for a minute. Both the firepower indicators and the armor and mobility coefficients of the combat unit grew upward. Research work (abbreviated as R&D) called “Breakthrough” aimed to create a universal type of weapon capable of rushing into the heat of battle and emerging victorious.

Russian designers have long abandoned imitation of the West in terms of implementing military equipment projects, and this is what happened with the T-90AM tank. Analogues of a product can only be predecessors that are somewhat similar, or modernized versions (for the same reason). Significant differences between the Proryv (T-90MS) and its predecessors were described above - these are a re-equipped surveillance system, weapons and booking principles.

The second Proryv (T-90AS) is distinguished by its external characteristics: it has a welded turret, the upper part of the frontal armor of which has been significantly strengthened.

The T-90AM Proryv-3 also has minor external differences: the developers paid more attention to the armor of the tracks, lengthening the side armor plates, providing protection for moving parts. An important aspect is the installation on the “third breakthrough” of a gun model marked 2A82-1M, whose wear resistance is designed for 900 rounds. The same sample is installed on combat platform T-14 of the Armata family.

More about the “third breakthrough”

It is known that the T-90AM Proryv-3 tank was renamed T-90M after completion of R&D. The ammunition load includes 45 shells, some of which are already located in the loading system, and the other in the rear of the tank’s turret. This is due to the fact that the product is designed to perform tasks in urban conditions (for this, the shells are positioned ready to be fed into the barrel) and in open areas.

In addition to the mentioned ammunition, the “third breakthrough” armament set includes a 9M 119M missile, which is used for disabling modern enemy tanks at a range of up to 5 kilometers.

TTX

Mention should be made of the tactical and technical characteristics of the T-90AM. The combat vehicle has a mass of 48 tons, the crew consists of three people: gunner, driver and signalman.

Both mentioned guns (2A46M-5 and 2A82-1M), mounted on the product model, are smooth-bore and have a caliber of 125 mm. The firing range of sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles reaches 3 km. If an attack is made with an anti-tank guided missile (the aforementioned 9M 119M), then the target can be hit at a distance of 5 km.

And also installed additional weapons "Reflex-M", designed to combat pillboxes, enemy tanks and helicopters.

The tank is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h on the highway and approximately 45 km/h over rough terrain.

"Reflex-M"

According to the GRAU index, the product is marked 9M 119 M. NATO also assigned its own classification - AT-11 Sniper. Projectile represents solid fuel rocket.

The warhead of the Invar or Invar-M projectile is cumulative. Inside the warhead there are two charges: the base and the leading. The principle of operation is as follows: first, the element of dynamic protection placed on the path between the armor of the enemy structure and the flying projectile is destroyed, then the armor is directly penetrated.

The Invar product was put into service in 1992, and Invar-M in 1990. There is also a version for destroying enemy personnel - with a thermobaric effect.

The composition of "Reflex-M" is as follows:

• Two rounds of Invar or Invar-M anti-tank guided missile for smoothbore guns with a caliber of 125 mm (the term “shot” in the army refers to the projectile itself).
• Static voltage converter labeled 9S831.
• A guidance device with a built-in rangefinder "Irtysh", which includes an information block.
• Automation unit 9С517-1С, which is responsible for collecting information about the controlled combat unit, intended to carry out assigned combat missions.

In the army

The T-90AM tank represents an innovation in the domestic defense industry. It serves as further proof that military design ideas do not stand still and the modernization of previously implemented projects does not stop for a minute.

There is no exact information about how many T-90AMs are currently in the Russian army (this information is at least secret). However, there are references to the fact that a certain number of “third breakthroughs” have been ordered, that is, T-90M. And this is logical! It's stupid to use conditional unfinished version T-90AM in the Russian army, if an advanced model already exists.

Abroad

In July 2017, information surfaced that practically “space” technologies embodied in the T-90M did not go unnoticed by the world press and governments of other countries.

An agreement was concluded with Iraq, in the first stages of implementation of which it is planned to export 73 T-90MS units to this country. The success of the transaction is due not only highly effective new combat units, but also a growing military threat in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia also paid attention to the new tank.

The T-90 model is also produced in India under a Russian license. It is known that about 70% of Indian weapons are produced in Russia.

The agreement for the supply of 100 T-90 units to Azerbaijan has almost been completed. Previously, more than 120 samples of the same model were exported to Algeria.

World market

According to a Western publication called The National Interest, the new combat vehicle is among the top five best tanks in the world.

Approximately 27% of the global market is captured by Russian-made weapons. This is an honorable second place (the first place still belongs to the USA). During recent years income from the export of domestic weapons is within $15 billion. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to calculate what share of this amount belongs to the Ural plant, but it is worth noting that the cost of the export model T-90MS is approximately 4 million US dollars. For comparison, the most advanced French tank, the AMX-56 Leclerc, is considered very expensive (about 12 million US dollars).

Even Ukrainian news about an armored tank plant in the city of Lvov in the media is accompanied by illustrations of the Russian T-90AM tank.

Conclusion

Abroad, military equipment is valued not only for the thickness of its armor, but also for its mobility and range to hit targets. Thanks to its advanced performance, the domestic T-90AM Breakthrough 3 tank was able to squeeze out foreign competitors and take its place in the arms market.

A very obvious fact is the trend that has become established in recent years towards the systematic conquest of the world market by Russian weapons. It's not just about the T-90MS. From the side of small arms samples, the Kalashnikov Concern is systematically advancing with their new RPK-16 machine guns with replaceable power supply.

The latter, in turn, have every chance of pushing back samples such as Ultimax 100 or FN Minimi from the world market. After all, the brainchild of domestic designers has all the advantages of these Western models. And in combination with lightness and compactness, it becomes a very convenient weapon for performing assigned tasks for special forces personnel.

Technical progress does not stand still; domestic design bureaus and tank factories are working on the implementation of new types of weapons. Perhaps, soon at the next tank biathlon it will be possible to see more advanced examples of military equipment, striking in their speed, maneuverability, shooting accuracy and balancing of a tank turret.

Perhaps such combat units already exist, but are kept in the strictest confidence, which is quite reasonable: in fact, the Cold War never ended, and the arms race does not stop for a minute. This is facilitated by the growing threat of global terrorism, provoking local conflicts in various areas of the world.

There is only one conclusion: Nikola Tesla was right in his judgment that countries will exist peacefully if each country can have weapons of equal strength and power. This bitter truth is contained in the proverb known to every person: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” But balance is impossible due to humanity’s natural desire for progress: ongoing military projects exceed previous ones in their performance.

We can only hope that such weapons as the T-90AM tank will remain a weapon for preserving peace. And may every person live in peace and prosperity.

None of the issues relating to the armament of the Russian army causes such heated debate as the future of domestic armored forces. Experts, journalists, professional military officers and simply people interested in military affairs are actively participating in this furious discussion. Articles on this issue appear in the Russian media with enviable regularity. Representatives of the top leadership of the Russian army do not tire of adding fuel to the fire.

The debate is surrounding the potential of Russian combat vehicles currently in service compared to their foreign counterparts. Recently, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, Postnikov, spoke extremely unflatteringly about the characteristics of the T-90 tank, comparing them with the characteristics of the German Leopard tank. According to him, the T-90 is not a technical breakthrough, but just another modernization of the T-72, in which there is nothing fundamentally new. He also mentioned that the price of the Russian tank is too high; according to him, for 120 million rubles (this is the cost of the T-90) you can buy several Leopard 2A7 tanks. On the other hand, many experts call the T-90 the best main tank in the world today. Where is the truth? In 2015, the new Russian Armata tank will be presented to the public; it should be a breakthrough and have significant differences from the tanks that began to be developed in the USSR.

The T-90 tank is a continuation of the T-72 and T-80 family of vehicles. The development and testing of the vehicle began in the late 80s of the last century, and it was put into service in 1992. The car does not contain any fundamental changes; it is almost completely conceptually the same as earlier cars. Of course, many changes were made to the T-90 tank, the fire control system was improved, the protection of the T-90 was improved, the vehicle received more advanced multi-layer armor and built-in dynamic protection, but we can say that the T-90 is just the latest modernization of the T-90. 72.

History of creation

In 1985, mass production of the new T-72B tank began, but already at that time the tank was outdated in comparison with advanced foreign analogues. This was especially true for the fire control system; in this regard, it was inferior not only to the Leopard and Abrams, but even to other Soviet tanks. Therefore, immediately after the start of serial production of the T-72B, work began on its modernization.

The 1A45 Irtysh fire control complex (FCS) was installed on the vehicle (this complex was well tested on T-80 tanks), it was combined with the tank’s automatic loader. The tank was also equipped with the latest optical-electronic suppression complex (KOEP) “Shtora”, which protected the vehicle from anti-tank weapons, especially those with a laser guidance head. It cannot be said that the new tank was a breakthrough in terms of its technical characteristics, but the protection and firepower of the vehicle were increased.

In 1989, state tests of the tank began. They were carried out at several training grounds in different parts of the USSR. Tests at the test site in Central Asia, in conditions high temperature and a lot of sand and dust. In 1992, the tests were successfully completed, and the new vehicle was put into service. In the same year, mass production of the machine began. The tank received the designation T-90. After the tragic death of Vladimir Ivanovich Potkin, who was the main designer of the tank, the T-90 was named “Vladimir” in his honor.

The T-90 in its various modifications has become the most popular and best-selling Russian tank on the world market. Until 1998, 120 units of the T-90 tank were manufactured for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense. In 2004, work began on modernizing the T-90, the T-90A and T-90AK vehicles appeared (they featured a more powerful engine, a new welded turret, an improved thermal imaging sight and a new gun stabilizer). The latest modification of the T-90 is the T-90AM tank, which is equipped with a new Kalina fire control system, an upgraded gun, a new automatic loader and a more powerful engine.

During the production of the T-90, several export modifications of the tank were created, which took into account customer requirements. The Russian Ministry of Defense has stopped purchasing the vehicle since the end of 2011.

Description of the T-90 tank

The T-90 main battle tank has a classic layout: the control compartment is located in the bow of the tank, the fighting compartment is in the middle of the vehicle, and the engine and transmission are in the rear of the tank. The tank's crew consists of three people: the driver is in the control compartment, and the commander and gunner are inside the turret, to the left and right of the gun.

The tank's hull is made of welded steel, the frontal part of the vehicle consists of multi-layer armor, using composite materials and with built-in dynamic protection.

The main armament of the T-90 is a smoothbore gun with a caliber of 125 mm. The gun is equipped with a stabilizer, chrome-plated, has a system for recording barrel deformation and a system for pumping out powder gases. The length of the gun is 48 calibers. The gun's rate of fire is eight shots in 56 seconds. The T-90 is also armed with a coaxial machine gun and anti-aircraft installation(NSVT, “Cliff”).

The tank's ammunition load is 43 rounds and includes various types of ammunition: 3BM42 armor-piercing sabot shells, 3BK29M armor-piercing cumulative shells, high-explosive fragmentation shells with an electronic remote fuse (increases the effectiveness of the fight against enemy personnel located in shelters), as well as 9M119 ATGM. The firing range of anti-tank missiles ranges from 100 to 5000 meters. No tank in the world has ammunition with such a range.

The T-90 is equipped with a four-stroke 12-cylinder diesel engine; in later versions of the vehicle it was replaced with a more advanced engine with a turbocharger, which increased its power from 840 hp. up to 1000 hp The engine provides greater mobility and maneuverability of the tank; it is not for nothing that the T-90 is called the “Russian flying tank.” Planetary transmission. The T-90 has 7 forward and one reverse gears.

The fire control system makes shooting as easy as possible. All data (firing range, wind direction and speed, air temperature, tank position) for firing are taken into account automatically and the gunner simply needs to aim the sight at the target and press the shutter button. The tank is equipped with a Buran-PA night sight, as well as an Agat-S sighting system for the tank commander.

The T-90 tank is protected by its multi-layer armor, with a built-in dynamic protection system, KOEP “Shtora”, which protects the vehicle from anti-tank weapons with a semi-automatic guidance system or laser homing. Laser radiation sensors ensure its reception within a 360° radius, the data is quickly processed, and an aerosol grenade is fired in the desired direction, blocking the laser beam. The tank also uses a modern fire extinguishing system.

The weak and vulnerable point of protection of the T-90 tank is the location of the fuel system. The fuel tanks are partially located in the combat compartment and are in no way separated from the crew. Another problem with the security of this vehicle is the placement of ammunition inside the fighting compartment, while it is also not isolated from the crew. Its detonation is guaranteed to lead to the destruction of the tank.

The T-90 uses the chassis of the T-72 tank. Combined with a new engine, reliable transmission and low weight of the vehicle, it gives the tank a high degree of mobility and maneuverability. Due to its ability to effectively overcome obstacles, some Western experts call the T-90 a “flying tank.”

Main performance characteristics of the T-90 tank

Main characteristics

Crew composition

3 persons

Tank weight, t

Tank hull width, m

Tower hatch height, m

Engine power, hp

800/1000 l. With. (diesel)

Number of cylinders

Cooling

Liquid

Transmission

Type: mechanical

Two final drives, input gearbox and coaxial final drives

Number of gears (forward/reverse)

Diesel fuel tank life on the highway; capacity

550 km; 1200 l

With mounted tanks; capacity

700 km; 400 l

Fuel consumption, l/100 km

Chassis

Suspension

Torsion bar

Highway speed, km/h

Speed ​​on arable land, km/h

Obstacle elevation angle

30 degrees

Obstacle barrier, m

Barrier ditch, m

Barrier ford, m

Tank armament

Gun type; caliber

Smoothbore; 125 mm

Guided missiles

Firing range

Loading

Automatic, manual

Number of ammunition, pcs.

42 (22 rounds in the automatic loader)

Rate of fire

8 rounds per minute

Ammunition types

BPS, BKS, OFS, UR

Coaxial machine gun

PTKM 7.62 mm; 2000 rounds

Heavy machine gun

CORD 12.7 mm; 300 rounds

Multi-layer combined armor, with Kontakt-5 dynamic protection. KOEP “SHTORA-1″

Advantages and disadvantages of the T-90

The T-90 tank is truly a modern tank, with characteristics that are not inferior to their foreign counterparts. Its strengths, undoubtedly, are good mobility and maneuverability, reliability of the engine and chassis, and a good level of security. The tank's relatively light weight and size make it less vulnerable to enemy fire. The disadvantages of the tank include the low reverse speed.

The negative aspects of the T-90 include the location of the ammunition and fuel tanks next to the crew. ERA is ineffective against tandem munitions (although the tank's protection system is effective against most anti-tank weapons). The fire control system on early modifications is outdated, although the Kalina fire control system installed on the latest models is not inferior to foreign analogues.

The undoubted advantage of the T-90 is the ability to fire guided missiles at a range of 5000 meters.

Tank modifications

• T-90S is a vehicle made for export.
• T-90SK - command version of the T-90S.
• T-90K - T-90 command tank, installed on the vehicle additional funds communications and navigation equipment.
• The T-90A is a vehicle with a more powerful power plant, a welded turret, a new automatic loader and a new thermal imaging sight.
• T-90AK - command T-90A.
• T-90SA - export version of the T-90A.
• T-90SKA - command version of the T-90SA.
• T-90AM is the latest modification of the T-90A. The Kalina fire control system, a new automatic loader and a new Relikt remote control system were installed. Power plant V-92S2F (1130 hp)

There are a number of vehicles developed on the basis of the T-90. These are machines for carrying out sapper work, bridge laying machines, and evacuation vehicles. Currently, the T-90 is in service with several countries around the world.

Last year marked twenty years since the Russian Armed Forces entered service. T-90 tank, which in 1996 was chosen by them as the main one. The T-90 was also successful in the international arena - today it is the most commercially successful and best-selling Russian tank in the world. Currently, the T-90 is in export version in service with India, Algeria, Uganda, and Turkmenistan. As of 2012, the total production of T-90s was at least 1,335 tanks.

Over the years of production, the T-90 has constantly developed and improved, keeping up with modern requirements. Many of its modifications and submodifications have been developed. The latest and so far the most advanced - the T-90MS - was first presented at the VIII international arms exhibition REA-2011.

The history of the T-90 began under the USSR - in the mid-80s. Then, in the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and in the Ministry of Defense Industry (MOP) of the USSR, a completely sensible idea prevailed about the need to develop a single promising main tank for the entire Soviet Army. With its adoption, an extremely distinctive period of Soviet tank building was supposed to end, when factories were simultaneously producing two or three types of main tanks - T-64, T-72 and T-80. They were similar in combat characteristics, but differed significantly in design, which extremely complicated the process of their operation among the troops due to the de-standardization of the tank fleet.

In accordance with the Government Decree “On measures to create a new tank” issued on February 7, 1986, the Kharkov T-80UD was to serve as the basis for it. It was an improved “eighty” with a compact two-stroke diesel engine 6TD instead of the expensive and power-hungry gas turbine GTD-1000. Gradually, the T-80UD would replace other types of tanks in the army. It was assumed that the “highlight” of the promising vehicle would be only the computerized control system for units and subunits, which was then becoming fashionable, and brought down to a separate tank.

However, while the promising tank was just a “pie in the sky”, the question arose of what to do with the “birds in the hand” - the numerous main tanks available in the troops, combat characteristics which no longer met the requirements of the time. This primarily applied to the T-72 early modifications. It is no secret that this tank was a variant of a combat vehicle for the mobilization period, and its design was simplified as much as possible for mass production and operation by poorly trained personnel. This is partly why “seventy-twos” were widely supplied abroad to the Middle East and African countries, and licenses for their production were sold to the Warsaw Pact allies - Poland and Czechoslovakia,

The main disadvantage of the T-72 was considered to be its primitive, although reliable, 1A40 sighting system, which no longer provided the effective fire required of modern tanks. The fact is that although the 1A40 complex measured the range to the target and determined the lateral lead angles (for a moving target), however, the introduction of corrections to the aiming angle for: deviation of the ambient air temperature, charge temperature, atmospheric pressure from normal, as well as a drop in the initial the projectile velocity as a result of wear of the gun bore had to be entered only manually before firing. The instructions described the introduction of amendments as follows: “The tank commander, if information is available (!), determines the amendments using the nomograms located on the right side of the gun panel and transmits the resulting value to the gunner.” Those. almost “hand to eye”.

It was necessary to “pull up” the characteristics of the “seventy-two” to a level not lower than the T-80U and, first of all, increase the firepower. It must be said that similar events have already been carried out by the Soviet defense industry. In the early 80s, a similar program to improve fire efficiency and protection was implemented for the T-55 medium tanks. The result was a modification of the T-55AM, the combat effectiveness of which corresponded to the level of the early T-64 and T-72. To do this, a new sight, laser rangefinder, and ballistic computer were installed on the T-55AM, and some of the vehicles received the Bastion guided weapon system.

On July 19, 1986, a Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was issued, which entrusted the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (UKBTM) with work on the topic “Improving the T-72B”, or, more simply put, bringing it to the level of more advanced Soviet tanks T-80U and T-80UD. The start of work on this resolution coincided with a change in the management of UKBTM - chief designer V.N. Venediktov, who headed the design bureau for almost two decades after L.N. Kartsev, retired, and V.I. was appointed in his place. Potkin.

To increase the firepower of the T-72B, it was necessary to equip it with a modern, effective fire control system (FCS). To speed up work, reduce the cost of modernization and increase the degree of unification of domestic tanks, UKBTM designers decided to use the 1A45 Irtysh fire control system, already tested on the T-80U and T-80UD tanks, for the modernized “seventy-two”. It was modified to function together with the automatic loader of the T-72 tank (the loading mechanism of the T-80 was significantly different from the automatic loader of the T-72, in the first the shells were placed horizontally and the charges vertically, in the second - both were horizontal). The modified fire control system was designated 1A45T.

In January 1989, a prototype version of the modernized T-72, which received the internal designation “Object 188,” entered the state testing stage. In various official documents and external correspondence, the vehicle was referred to first as the T-72BM (modernized), and later as the T-72BU (improved) - in all likelihood, the word “modernized” sounded too simple to the UVZ management.

In the USSR, testing new military equipment was taken very seriously. So, in the 70s, to test various types of tanks, runs of up to 10 thousand km were organized in various regions of the USSR. Tankers and designers jokingly called them “star runs.” It was no longer possible to organize such a large-scale event during Gorbachev’s perestroika, but nevertheless, four prototypes of the “Object 188” were tested for about a year in various climatic conditions, including at the Uralvagonzavod testing grounds in Siberia, as well as in the Moscow, Kemerovo and Dzhambul regions.

The vehicles, modified based on the test results, were once again driven through testing grounds, and at the end, to determine the level of security, one vehicle was shot. According to the recollections of A. Bakhmetov, a participant in these tests, at first a landmine corresponding to the most powerful anti-tank mines of foreign countries was placed under one of the tracks, but after the explosion the vehicle was brought back into working order by the crew within the required time, then the tank was subjected to brutal shell fire at “ weak points.

The tank successfully passed tests, and on March 27, 1991, by a joint decision of the USSR Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Defense, the “Object 188” was recommended for adoption by the Soviet Army. However, just six months later, neither the Soviet Army nor the Soviet Union itself disappeared, and the prospects for mass production of the improved T-72B became very vague. Nevertheless, despite the difficult economic situation, the management of Uralvagonzavod and UKBTM managed to push through the decision to accept the improved T-72 for service with the Russian Army. During this struggle for production, in order to emphasize the “Russian” origin of the tank and disassociate itself from the era of the “stagnant” USSR, the idea arose to change the name of the tank from the trivial improved-modernization T-72BU to something more sonorous and original. Initially, the name T-88 was proposed (obviously, by analogy with the object index 188). But fate decreed otherwise.

AND NOW T-90!

The first President of Russia, B. Yeltsin, who visited Uralvagonzavod in 1992, firmly promised to approve the resolution on the adoption of the tank for service - and he kept his promise. On October 5, 1992, by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 759-58, “Object 188” was adopted by the Russian Army, but under the name T-90. According to one version, the President of Russia personally ordered that the tank be given this name. The same decree allowed the sale abroad of the export modification of the T-90S.

Serial production of the T-90 began at Uralvagonzavod in November of the same year, but, unlike Soviet times, when tanks were produced in the hundreds, annual production volumes of the T-90 were only in the dozens. The T-90 was the first Russian tank in technological terms. It was necessary to restore production cooperation, destroyed after the collapse of the USSR, within the framework of the Russian defense industry alone. In total, from 1992 to 1998 (when production of the T-90 was suspended), about 120 vehicles were built. And the point here is not that Uralvagonzavod was unable to launch large-scale production, but that the Russian military did not have enough funds to purchase weapons in these troubled times.

The first T-90s were sent to a unit stationed closer to the manufacturing plant - the 821st Taganrog Red Banner Order of Suvorov motorized rifle division of the Siberian Military District, where they were formed into a tank regiment. Later, T-90s also ended up in the 5th Guards Don Tank Division in Buryatia (up to a battalion).

What was the T-90 model of 1992? The tank retained the classic layout of the T-72B with the placement of the control compartment in the frontal part, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine-transmission compartment in the rear. Compared to the T-72B, the protection was strengthened and an automated fire control complex was installed; the hull and turret were adapted to install a new built-in dynamic protection (EDP). Thanks to the use of an automatic gun loader (A3), the T-90 crew consisted of three people - a driver, a gunner and a commander.

The hulls of the T-90 and T-72B were almost identical. But the upper frontal part of the T-90 receives built-in dynamic protection. The turret remained cast with combined armor in the frontal part (at heading angles up to 35 degrees). It also had dynamic protection (DZ) - seven blocks and one container were installed in the frontal part, in addition, 20 blocks were installed on the roof of the tower.

Exact data on the effectiveness of the T-90's armor remains classified. However, numerous assessments by both domestic and foreign experts can be found in the public domain. The armor resistance of the frontal projection of the hull and turret against shelling by armor-piercing finned sabot projectiles (BOPS) is assessed in general, taking into account the built-in dynamic protection, as equivalent to 900-950 mm of rolled armor steel (without taking into account the built-in EPS: turret 700 mm; hull - 650 mm) . The armor resistance of the hull and turret against shelling by cumulative projectiles (CS), taking into account dynamic protection, is estimated at 1350-1450 mm (excluding built-in armor protection: turret - 850 mm; hull -750 mm).

Additional protection against damage from T-90 anti-tank guided missiles is provided by the Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression complex. The T-90 became the first production tank on which it was installed. The Shtora-1 complex includes an optical-electronic suppression station (SOEP) and a curtain installation system (SPS).

The main idea of ​​​​the complex’s operation is to generate a signal from the EPDS, similar to the signal from the tracers of Western ATGMs, which entails disruption of their guidance, and also reduces the likelihood of hitting the target with weapons that use laser target illumination.

The curtain system achieves the same result by setting a smoke screen. When irradiation of a tank by laser radiation is detected, the system for setting the curtains determines the direction of irradiation and notifies the crew, after which an aerosol grenade is fired automatically or at the direction of the tank commander, which, when exploded, creates an aerosol cloud that weakens and partially reflects the laser radiation, thereby disrupting the operation of the missile guidance systems. In addition, the aerosol cloud acts as a smoke screen, camouflaging the tank. It should be noted that some experts believe that the installation scheme for jamming searchlights of the Shtora-1 complex on the T-90 was implemented extremely poorly - because of them, a large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe tower projection in the most threatening sectors of fire was left without dynamic protection units.

The main armament of the T-90 is the 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M-2, which is a modification of the 2A46M-1 gun (installed on the T-80U) for the T-72 autoloader. The gun's ammunition, in addition to armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles (HEF), also includes 9M119 guided missiles. Thanks to the electromechanical automatic loader, the T-90's combat rate of fire is 6-8 rounds/min. The mechanized circular rotation arrangement includes 22 separate loading shots: the shells are placed horizontally on the bottom of the fighting compartment, under the powder charges. The minimum charging cycle is 6.5-7 seconds, the maximum is 15 seconds. The automatic loader is replenished by the crew in 15-20 minutes.

Tactical and technical characteristics (TTX) of T-90 tanks
Combat weight, t
Layout diagram	classical
Crew, people
Case length, mm
Length with gun forward, mm
Case width, mm
Height mm	2230 (on the turret roof), 2865 (on the machine gun)
Track, mm
Booking
Armor type	combined anti-ballistic
Active protection	KOEP "Shtora-1/1M"
Dynamic protection	T-90(A,S): “Contact-5”
Armament
Gun caliber
Gun type	Smoothbore
Gun ammunition	T-90(S): 43 (22 in AZ). T-90A(SA): 42 (22 in AZ)
	Gunner (day): 1G46; Gunner (night): Buran PA, M or "Essa"; Commander (day/night): T01-KO4
Machine guns	12.7 mm NSVT or “Kord” 14.7 mm; PCT
Other weapons	"Reflex-M"
Mobility
engine's type	diesel
Engine power, hp	T-90S: 840; T-90A(SA): 1000-1020
Highway speed, km/h
Cross-country speed, km/h
Cruising range on the highway, t	550 (700 with external tanks)
Cruising range over rough terrain, km
Specific ground pressure, kg/cm2	T-90(S): 0.938 T-90A(SA): 0.97
Climbability, degrees.
Wall to be overcome, m
Ditch to be overcome, m
Fordability, m	1.2 (1.8 with preliminary preparation); 5.0 with OPVT)

The 1A45T “Irtysh” fire control system includes the 1A42 fire control system (FCS) and the 9K119 “Reflex” guided weapon system (KW), the TPN-4-4E “Buran-PA” gunner’s night sight and the PNK-4S commander’s sighting and observation system with day/night sight TKN-4S "Agat-S".

The 1A42 fire control system includes a 1G46 rangefinder sight, a 1V528-1 electronic ballistic computer and a 2E42-4 stabilizer. The control system available on the T-90 allows you to introduce amendments to the firing parameters, taking into account the tank’s speed, range and angular velocity of the target, temperature, air pressure and wind speed (determined by the DVE-BS sensor), charge temperature, angle of inclination of the gun trunnions and wear of the barrel bore,

The 1G46 gunner's day sight has a line of sight stabilized in two planes, a built-in laser rangefinder and a guided missile control channel.

The 1B528-1 ballistic computer automatically takes into account signals coming from the following sensors: tank speed, angular speed of the target, roll angle of the gun trunnion axis, transverse component of wind speed, range to the target, heading angle. Additionally, for the calculation, the following parameters are manually entered: ambient air temperature, charge temperature, barrel bore wear, ambient air pressure, etc. Unlike the control system of all Soviet tanks, on the T-90 the ballistic computer performs the functions of a firing permission unit, i.e., when the axis of the barrel bore deviates from the direction given to it more than the threshold, a shot does not occur.

The PNK-4S commander's sighting and observation system consists of a TKN-4S commander's combined sight and a gun position sensor. The TKN-4S combined day-night commander trailer is stabilized in the vertical plane and has three channels: a single day channel, a multiple day channel with a magnification magnification of 8x, and a night channel with a magnification magnification of 5.4x.

The 9K119 "Reflex" guided weapon system provides firing at stationary and moving targets at speeds of up to 70 km/h (according to the manufacturer - even helicopters) at ranges of up to 5000 m, at a tank speed of up to 30 km/h, while Firing from the KUV 9K120 mounted on the T-72B could only be done from a standing position. In general, the presence of guided weapons provides the T-90 with a greater effective target engagement range than tanks equipped only with artillery weapons, for which, even with the most modern sighting systems, effective shooting at “tank” type targets at a distance of more than 2500 m is already seriously difficult.

The TPN-4-49 "Buran-PA" gunner's night sight operates in passive mode in natural night illumination of 0.0005 lux and above, while its electro-optical converter amplifies the reflected light of the stars and the moon. When illumination is less than 0.0005 lux, the sight operates in active mode, i.e. when illuminating the area with infrared rays. The T-90 uses infrared emitters of the Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression system as an infrared illuminator.

The T-90 is equipped with a closed anti-aircraft machine gun mount (ZPU) with remote electromechanical control, from which the commander does not need to leave the vehicle to fire. Similar remote-controlled launchers have been installed on the T-64 since the 70s, and later on the T-80, but all previously produced modifications of the T-72 had an open manually controlled launcher, to fire from which the commander had to stick out of his waist up to his waist. hatch.

The T-90 of the 1992 model was equipped with a multi-fuel diesel engine V-84MS with a power of 840 hp, developed by the Chelyabinsk Design Bureau "Transdiesel". The previous version of the B-84, installed on the T-72B, revealed a drawback during operation - overheating and burnout of the exhaust manifolds. Therefore, bellows were installed on the exhaust manifolds of the B-84MS, mixing exhaust gases with atmospheric air, which improved the thermal operating conditions of the manifolds and, in addition, reduced the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. The disadvantages of the engine include the significant time it takes to replace it - a team of qualified technicians needs 6 hours to do this (according to other sources, it takes even longer), while on the American M1A1 Abrams it takes only 2 hours.

With the V-84MS engine, the specific power of the T-90 is 18 hp/t, which by modern standards is considered insufficient, even in Soviet times a requirement was voiced for its minimum value - at least 20 hp/t.

The mechanical planetary transmission remains almost the same as on the T-72B; it provides 7 forward gears and one reverse gear. The machine is turned by engaging a low gear in the gearbox on the side of the lagging track. Due to this outdated turning pattern, the maneuverability of the T-90 is lower than that of foreign tanks. Another disadvantage of the T-90 transmission is the low reverse speed - 4.8 km/h. On modern Western tanks, which use hydrostatic turning mechanisms with digital automatic control systems, the reversing speed reaches 30 km/h.

The chassis also remained virtually unchanged, with the exception that the track rollers were widened by 10 mm - according to the designers, this improved the load distribution on the track.

TANK FOR COMMANDERS

Back in Soviet times, UKBTM received the task of developing, on the basis of Object 188, its command version, which was supposed to provide control of subordinate units during combat operations both day and night, as well as communication with higher commanders.

The tank received the name T-90K (commander's) and was equipped with special equipment - a short-wave radio station P-163-50K ("Ar6alet-50K"), tank navigation equipment TNA-4-3, a telescopic antenna mast, a PAB-2M artillery compass and an AB electrical unit -1-P with a power of 1 kW, which serves to provide power to the equipment during parking, with the tank engine turned off. With an 11-meter mast antenna, the shortwave radio station R-163-50K provides stable communication at a range of up to 350 km.

Despite the fact that a significant number of additional units of the fire control system and communications equipment had to be installed on the command vehicle, the combat characteristics of the T-90K were maintained at the level of the linear T-90.

EXPORT T-90

Almost simultaneously with the basic “Object 188”, its export version, the “Object 188C”, was also developed, mainly characterized by lower security and differences in configuration. Outwardly, they were practically no different. Although permission to export the T-90S was received simultaneously with the adoption of the basic vehicle in 1992, the vehicle was not able to immediately break through beyond Russia. At that time, officials from Rosvooruzhenie relied on the more advanced and expensive gas turbine T-80U, which, in their opinion, was more attractive for export. The military was of the same opinion. Even in 1996, when the T-90 was officially chosen as the tank for re-equipping units of the Russian Army, the then head of the GABTU, Colonel General A.A. Galkin spoke out against the T-90, considering the T-80U to be a more promising vehicle. True, only Cyprus and South Korea managed to sell T-80U tanks abroad, and then the latter to pay off the Russian debt to this country. A contract worth $172 million for the purchase of 41 T-80U/UK for arming the Cyprus National Guard was signed in April 1996. Delivery of the tanks began in the summer of that year and ended in June 1997. In 1996, Russia officially announced the export of 33 T-80U tanks to South Korea. For these deliveries, Russian debt in the amount of $210 million was written off. According to other sources, by 2007, South Korea already had 80 such tanks. In both cases, these were not newly produced vehicles, but vehicles from the Armed Forces.

The T-90S was first exported abroad only in 1997, when it was presented at the YuEX-97 arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, the search for foreign customers was ongoing, the export T-90C was slowly being improved. First of all, the characteristics of the night sighting system were improved. Even during the ground operation to liberate Kuwait - “Desert Sword”, in 1991, American and British tank crews, taking advantage of a significant advantage in target detection range in conditions of limited visibility, which provided them with the use of modern thermal imaging night vision systems, in a series of night battles 25 -February 26 inflicted heavy losses on Iraqi troops. Since during the day the movement of Iraqi tanks was practically impossible due to air supremacy of allied aviation, then tank battles, as a rule, took place at night. Thermal imaging sights also turned out to be useful during the day, since visibility was often limited due to smoke from burning oil fields, damaged equipment, dust squalls or rain.

Compared to the old second-generation infrared sights installed on the T-72 and T-90 tanks of the 1992 model, thermal imagers were devoid of many shortcomings. In particular, their performance did not deteriorate during bad times. weather, the sight was not “blind” from the flashes of shots, it did not need external illumination, which would unmask the tank (large infrared illumination spotlights disappeared from Western tanks back in the late 70s).

It is not surprising that foreign customers, when purchasing armored vehicles, paid great attention to the availability and quality of thermal imaging sights. But since Russia did not have its own production of thermal imaging sighting systems, the demonstration samples of the T-90S had to be equipped with Belarusian sights from the Peleng company, which used the French Catherine-FS thermal camera.

Another direction for improving the T-90 turned out to be forced. When in Russia in the second half of the 90s, due to lack of demand, large-scale production of tank turret casting at ZSO (the Sergo Ordzhonikidze plant in Chelyabinsk) “died” due to lack of demand, and tank turrets cast in small batches turned out to be extremely expensive, designers had to look for a way out . Fortunately, there was a “backlog” from the times of the USSR, when the design of a tank turret for the T-72, welded from rolled armor plates, was worked out. With the same strength and protection as cast, it had less weight, in addition, the internal volume increased slightly and projectile resistance increased. The grimace of the Soviet planned economy was that the welded tower was not put into production earlier because they did not want to disrupt the established production of cast towers. Now the welded tower has been given the green light. The first welded turrets for the T-90 were manufactured in 1998 and successfully passed full-scale shelling tests at the training ground. Since 2002, all produced T-90S have already received a welded turret.

A similar story happened in Ukraine. With the closure of the production of cast towers at the Mariupol plant, which equipped the T-80UD, in Kharkov at the plant named after. Malyshev also switched to a welded tower. As a result, 175 T-80UD tanks, out of 320 delivered to Pakistan under the contract signed between this country and Ukraine in 1996, were equipped with welded turrets.

INDIA - THE COUNTRY OF ELEPHANTS AND TANKS

Deliveries of the T-80UD to Pakistan greatly contributed to the export success of the T-90S. Pakistan's longtime rival India could not remain indifferent to its restless neighbor receiving a new tank division, this violated military parity in the region. On the other hand, there was no longer any hope of meeting the deadlines for the development program of India’s own Arjun tank. Therefore, given the significant number of Soviet T-72M and T-72M1 tanks available in India, the Indians naturally showed interest in the T-90. Preliminary negotiations, consultations and approvals lasted for more than two years, until in April 1999 an agreement was reached to test three T-90S in India. All three tanks were different from each other. Thermal imaging sights were different - “Nocturne” or “Essa”, only one tank had the “Shtora” system installed, two tanks had cast turrets, and the third had a welded one.

From May 8 to August, the T-90S underwent a test program in the Thar Desert, in extreme conditions - during the day the heat here reached 50 degrees Celsius. The vehicles traveled 2,000 km across this hot desert and then fired 150 rounds. The Indian military was satisfied with the test results, and a long process of agreeing on the terms of the contract began. In the east they love and know how to bargain, so the final signing of the contract took place only after almost a year and a half - on February 15, 2001 in Delhi. Under its terms, Russia undertook to supply India with 310 T-90S tanks, which was enough to rearm the tank division (by this time Pakistan has already received all 320 T-80UD tanks). Of these, 124 were assembled in Russia and delivered to the customer in finished form, and 186 tanks were to be assembled from assembly units in India itself at the state-owned HVF (Heavy Vehicles Factory) plant in the city of Avadi (Tamil Nadu). The total value of the contract was $800 million, and deliveries under it were fully completed in 2003.

So what did Indians get for their money? As a result of persistent demands, they received not just an export T-90S in its original 1992 configuration, but a vehicle that combined (in their opinion) all the best of the three models proposed for testing. It is interesting that this “Indian” T-90S was significantly superior to the T-90 of the 1992 model, supplied by Uralvagonzavod for the Russian Army. On Indian tanks, instead of the Buran-PA night sight, which was installed on Russian vehicles, a more advanced thermal imaging gunner's sight, Essa, jointly produced in France and Belarus, was installed. The commander received the PNK-4S "Agat-S" sighting and observation system. The Indians abandoned the Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression complex, and in place of its illuminators in the front part of the turret, additional trapezoidal containers of the Kontakt-5 dynamic protection complex were mounted, as a result of which the turret’s security increased compared to Russian tanks. Interestingly, the Indians also demanded that anti-nuclear defense be strengthened. At their request, the thickness of the anti-neutron lining was almost doubled, despite the fact that the anti-nuclear protection of the Russian T-90s was already considered quite powerful. Considering that the eternal enemies - India and Pakistan - are both members of the nuclear club, such a requirement suggests that the Indian military does not rule out the use of tactical nuclear weapons in a likely armed conflict with Pakistan. All Indian T-90S (except for the first forty vehicles) were equipped with welded turrets, a reinforced chassis, as well as a 1000-horsepower V-92S2 diesel engine (recall that the Russian T-90 at that time had a B-84 diesel engine with a power of 840 hp ).

MALAYSIAN FALSE START

In 2000, inspired by the emerging success in India, the Russians entered the T-90S to participate in an international tender for the purchase of tanks held by Malaysia. For testing, a T-90S copy, modernized after testing in India, with an air conditioner installed, was delivered to Kuala Lumpur airport. Together with the T-90S, the Polish RT-91 Twardy tank (which is a modernization of the Soviet T-72M), the Ukrainian T-84 and the Swedish light tank CV90 120. Tests took place from June 19 to August 21, with local military personnel mainly interested in the mobility and operational reliability of tanks in difficult local conditions. The vehicles were asked to travel about 2,800 km through the jungle, mountainous terrain, through wetlands and water obstacles. During this “race” in the very center of the jungle, the T-90, not without the “help” of a Malaysian driver (the tests were carried out by mixed Russian-Malaysian crews), was pulled off a washed-out clay road into a ditch, from where it could only be retrieved with effort, according to one version , two Hyundai excavators, and according to another, the T-90S was evacuated using a 50-ton Japanese KATO crane, paying 5 thousand dollars for this. But despite all the odds, the T-90S successfully reached the finish line.

True, the results of the Malaysian competition were quite unexpected. Despite the fact that during testing the Polish RT-91M was significantly inferior to both the Russian T-90S and Ukrainian T-84 in most key indicators, in April 2002 the Malaysian government announced its decision to purchase 48 PT-91MZ tanks and six ARVs. WZT-4" in Poland. The total contract amount was $370 million. Russian experts claim that one Polish tank cost Malaysia approximately $4 million, or 1.2 million more than the Russian T-90S that participated in this tender. According to one version, this decision was explained by a policy of diversification - Malaysia purchased Su-30MK fighters from Russia, and the contract for tanks was given to Poland; according to another, it was due to banal corruption.

“ALGERIAN MODIFICATION” – T-90SA

The failure in the Malaysian tender was more than compensated for by a large contract for the supply of 185 T-90 tanks to Algeria. Taking as a basis the design of the T-90S tank from 1999, supplied to India, UKBTM modified it in accordance with the requirements of the new buyer. The result was a version of the tank with the installation of an air conditioning system (given the hot climate of Algeria), as well as with an improved laser detection system, which received the factory index “Object 188CA” (“A” - Algerian) and the designation T-90CA. A prototype of the T-90SA successfully passed rigorous tests in the Algerian desert in 2005, and in January of the following year a contract was signed between Rosoboronexport and the Algerian side. Deliveries for it were fully completed in 2008, however, there was a scandal. According to press reports, the Algerians made complaints about the configuration of the vehicles - allegedly some of the equipment installed on them was not new, but already used.

In 2006, the leader of the Libyan Jamahiriya Muammar Gaddafi almost purchased the T-90S, but the cost of the T-90S was considered too high, and the Libyan military had to be content with purchasing modernized T-72s.

In the same 2006, the Indian government, probably deciding that “there are never enough tanks,” signed a contract for the licensed production of 1000 T-90SA tanks worth $2.5 billion (to be built by 2019), and a few months later There is also an additional contract for the supply of 330 T-90SA tanks during 2007-2008, with the assembly of part of this batch of tanks in India. The ordered tanks featured a modernized chassis, an improved fire control system with an Essa thermal imager, and Indian Kanchan dynamic armor. The tank was named "Bhishma" in honor of the legendary hero of the ancient Indian epic. The matter did not stop there, and in 2007 another contract was signed for the supply of 347 T-90SA worth $1.2 billion, in the form of 124 finished tanks and 223 tank kits for licensed production. The first ten T-90SA tanks, already made in India, entered service with the 73rd Regiment of the Indian Ground Forces in the summer of 2009. In total, India intends to increase the number of T-90s in its troops to 2000 by 2020. In 2008, Indian Defense Minister D. Singh called the T-90 “the second deterrent after nuclear weapons” in the conflict with Pakistan.

T-90 FOR THE RUSSIAN AF

But let's return to Russia. Here, in 2004, the next stage in the history of the T-90 development began. After a many-year break, the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered 14 tanks from Uralvagonzavod (as mentioned above, there has been no production of the T-90 for Russia since 1998). However, apparently, the Russian military, due to limited funding, was so unaccustomed to ordering weapons and out of touch with the realities of production that they ordered the “Object 188” of the 1992 model, which, naturally, over the past 12 years has already become significantly outdated and inferior even to export T- 90C supplied to India.

Although the Customer was eventually convinced to make changes to the design of the tank that had already been mastered by the plant, the matter was complicated by the fact that they were not ordered by the military department, and therefore were not tested or accepted. Therefore, in order to “legalize” new design solutions, we had to receive technical specifications from the Customer for ready-made components, coordinate the stages of ongoing development work, etc. and so on.

Modernized in 2004 for the Russian Army, the tank received the internal factory designation “Object 188A1” and had a number of important improvements compared to the “Object 188” of the 1992 model. First of all, instead of the 840-horsepower V-84 engine, a 1000-horsepower diesel engine was installed V-92S2 (the possibility of installing a 1200-horsepower V-99 diesel engine was also provided). The previous cast turret was replaced with a reinforced welded one with frontal parts measuring up to 950 mm, which significantly increased its resistance against BOPS/KS. The tank was armed with a modernized 125-mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun. This gun had half the thickness of the muzzle part of the pipe (0.4 mm instead of 0.8 mm), the cradle neck was extended by 160 mm with two play-selecting devices. In addition, both guides of the cradle were made as a prism. All this made it possible to reduce the average dispersion of projectiles by 15%.

The gun stabilizer was replaced, which doubled the aiming speed and improved the accuracy of firing on the move. The T01-K05 Buran-M thermal imager was used as a night sight. Based on an analysis of the experience of battles in Chechnya and other regional conflicts, a set of measures was implemented to strengthen the local protection of tank elements vulnerable to RPG fire, in particular, the protection of fuel tanks was improved. An upgraded Shtora optical-electronic countermeasures complex has also been installed.

In this form, the improved vehicle was put into service in 2005 under the army name T-90A. In 2004 and 2005, the military ordered and received 14 and 18 T-90A tanks (two of them with a cast turret in the commander's version). Most of the first T-90A entered service with the 2nd Guards Motorized Rifle Taman Order of the October Revolution Red Banner Order of Suvorov Division named after. Kalinin, stationed near Moscow.

Starting in 2006, a more modern second-generation Essa thermal imager with a Catherine FC matrix, integrated with the main sight and its rangefinder channel, began to be installed on all T-90As under construction, this made it possible to increase the night vision range from 1800 to 4000 m. In 2006 In 2007 and 2007, 31 tanks were produced, and in 2008 and 2009, production volume doubled - 62 vehicles were built per year. Thus, from 2004 to 2009 inclusive, 30 T-90A (with Buran-M), 180 T-90A (with Essa), 2 command T-90K (with Buran-M) and six command T-90AK (with Essa), or a total of 218 tanks. In 2010, purchases were increased to 63 T-90A tanks per year, but this was the “last push” - the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that from 2011 it would stop purchasing T-90A tanks for the Russian Army.

This decision was somewhat unexpected; after all, the T-90 tank had a good reputation in Russia, and by 2010 it had become the best-selling of the newly built tanks on the world market - the volume of export deliveries of T-90S was about 1000 units .

The position of the military was explained by the then Russian Minister of Defense A. Serdyukov, who said that the military decided to refuse to purchase T-90 tanks because of their high cost. In addition, according to Serdyukov, the army currently does not experience a shortage of heavy armored vehicles - the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have more than 10 thousand tanks, and, according to him, the Ministry of Defense no longer wants to purchase old developments. (One can only be amazed at the idiocy of the military authorities of Serdyukov’s time - editor’s note)

Here it is necessary to clarify that over the past years, the Russian Ministry of Defense has already curtailed several tank projects. Thus, in the spring of 2010, it was announced that funding for the UKBTM project to create the newest Russian T-95 tank was stopped, also due to its high cost. Previously, the work of the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering on the Black Eagle tank (modification T-80U) was stopped. So far, the Ministry of Defense has not abandoned only one tank project - after harsh statements addressed to tank builders, the department announced the creation of a fundamentally new tank based on the Armata universal tracked platform. The project was officially approved in March 2012. It is being developed by UKBTM.

The fundamental difference between the "Armata" and the T-90 should be the so-called carriage layout - the turret will house a remote-controlled gun along with ammunition. The crew will be housed in an armored capsule. Tankers will receive information about the situation on the battlefield from thermal imaging, television and laser sensors on the monitor screen. It is expected that delivery of the first main battle tanks on this platform to the troops will begin in 2015. In the future, the new Armata should replace all T-72 and T-80.

But let's return to the T-90. Indeed, its cost grew from year to year: in 2004 it was 36 million rubles, at the end of 2006 - 42 million rubles, and at the beginning of 2007 - the T-90A (“Object 188A1”) cost 56 million . rub. In 2010, the purchase price of the T-90 under contracts for the supply of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was 70 million rubles, and in 2011 the cost of the new T-90 increased noticeably and reached 118 million rubles.

During 2011, other high-ranking military officials also criticized the T-90. In March the commander in chief ground forces Colonel General A. Postnikov said that the T-90 cannot withstand competition with NATO and Chinese equipment and at the same time is so expensive that instead of one car for 118 million rubles you can buy as many as three higher quality German Leopards (though Postnikov did not specify from whom exactly he was going to buy three Leopards for 118 million rubles, since in 2011 the average cost of just one Leopard 2A6 was 6 million dollars, or about 172 million rubles). Also, according to him, the T-90 does not represent anything new and “is in fact the 17th modification of the Soviet T-72, produced since 1973.”

In September, the head of the Russian General Staff, Army General N. Makarov, for his part, attacked the T-90. He stated that the tank only partially meets the requirements of the Ministry of Defense and has a lot of shortcomings. According to the general, by and large, the designers succeeded only with the turret (probably referring to the T-90MS turret).

In addition to the financial and technical side, the refusal to purchase the T-90 was obviously associated with changed views on methods of conducting armed struggle. Evolution modern weapons led to the massive use of drones, robotic combat systems, smart missiles, etc. Accordingly, there is an opinion in the Russian General Staff that the time of tanks has generally passed and that tank formations in the structure of the army of the future have no prospects, although not all experts are sure that wars will very soon become “contactless.” It must be said that the discussion about the place and role of main battle tanks in modern armies is also ongoing in the United States. Previously, the United States planned to abandon the use of armored units altogether by 2030, switching first to Stryker brigade combat teams and then to new concept"Combat systems of the future." Based on the fact that the future US army will primarily be of an “expeditionary” nature, a number of US military personnel believe that there will be no need for a large number of heavy armored vehicles.

LATEST MODIFICATIONS OF T-90

Despite this position of the Russian Customer, Uralvagonzavod and UKBTM continued work on improving the T-90, conducting it on their own initiative. Their result was the export version of the promising tank T-90M, presented on September 9, 2011 at the Staratel training ground in Nizhny Tagil as part of the VIII international arms exhibition REA-2011.

A unified fighting compartment was developed for the tank (also suitable for modernizing all previously produced T-90s). It was first publicly demonstrated on December 8, 2009 to the then Prime Minister of the Russian Federation V. Putin, who attended a meeting on the development of Russian tank production, held in Nizhny Tagil.

The T-90MS tank is equipped with a modern highly automated Kalina fire control system with an integrated tactical level combat information and control system. The fire control system includes a multi-channel gunner's sight and a commander's panoramic sight, a digital ballistic computer with a set of weather and ballistic conditions sensors, and a backup sight. Special attention attention was paid to improving the commander's ability to search for targets and control weapons fire equally effectively day and night. At the same time, the equipment implements the functions of additional improvement of the background target environment in difficult weather conditions.

The efficiency of using the tank's weapons has been increased by ensuring equal search capabilities for the gunner and commander. This makes it possible to organize a highly effective “hunter-gunner” mode in the fire control system, when the commander, regardless of the time of day, monitors the target environment, detects and recognizes targets, and carries out their capture for automatic tracking. And then, through the target designation mode, it “transfers” them to the gunner for destruction, continuing the search for new targets.

The tank is equipped with a 2A46M-5 high-precision gun; the stability of the initial velocity and accuracy of the projectiles is ensured, among other things, by chrome-plating the barrel bore. Thanks to this, its resource increases by 1.7 times. It is also possible to install a completely new gun with significantly improved ballistic characteristics - 2A32. The high-power smoothbore gun with an auto-fastened and partially chrome-plated barrel 2A82 is a completely new development, only externally similar to the 125-mm tank guns of the previous generation. The achieved level of energy characteristics of the 2A82 gun allows it to provide significant superiority over serial and developed domestic and foreign analogues. The muzzle energy of the 2A82 cannon is significantly greater than the muzzle energy of the well-known Rheinmetall Rh 120/L55 cannon, installed on the German Leopard 2A6 tanks.

To realize the high fire capabilities of the 125 mm tank gun, the use of modern types of ammunition is ensured. For example, the new “long” (740 mm long) BOPS of increased power. The use of ZVBM22 rounds with ZBM59 Svinets-1 BOPS and ZVBM23 with ZBM60 Svinets-2 BOPS makes it possible to significantly increase armor penetration while simultaneously increasing the actual firing distance.

To increase the effectiveness of the fight against tank-dangerous manpower and anti-tank artillery, a new high-explosive fragmentation round ZVOF77V with a high-explosive fragmentation projectile ZOF54 was introduced into the ammunition load of the T-90MS tank, as well as a ZVSh7 round with a projectile with ready-made lethal elements 3Sh7 "Raven". The shells are equipped with electronic remote-contact fuses.

To ensure the firing of these ammunition, the T-90MS tank is equipped with the Ainet remote detonation system, which ensures detonation of the OFS in given point trajectories. This system allows the projectile to be effectively used against hovering helicopters, manpower and light armored vehicles located openly and in trenches, at distances of 4 km or more. The characteristics of the radius of fragmentation damage and the accuracy of fire at range are improved threefold, which reduces the average consumption of shells on a typical target by half.

It should be noted that the Ainet system, developed for the T-90 tank and put into service back in 1988, turned out to be insufficiently effective. One of its weak links was the low accuracy of the laser rangefinder included in the 1G46 tank sight. However, the more advanced Kalina fire control system of the modernized T-90MS tank significantly improved the characteristics of the Ainet system.

The T-90MS ammunition is placed in two stowage groups: inside the tank and outside, 22 shots are located in the automatic loader, in the lower part of the hull, the remaining shots and charges for them are transferred from the fighting compartment to an armored box at the rear of the turret.

The new machine gun mount "UDP T05BV-1" with a 7.62-mm 6P7K (PKTM) machine gun allows the commander, while inside the tank, to conduct effective fire from a place and on the move at stationary and moving targets. It has two-plane stabilization and vertical firing angles from -10 to +45 degrees. A 12.7 mm machine gun and a 30 mm AGS grenade launcher can be installed on the remote installation platform, depending on the customer’s wishes. Moreover, the digital ballistic path of the Kalina fire control system makes it possible to replace remotely mounted weapons in the field, depending on the assigned tasks.

The tank provides effective all-round protection against major anti-tank weapons. The traditionally weak turret roof protection of tanks has been significantly strengthened. Removable modules with built-in remote sensing of the latest generation “Relict” are installed. Also, the hull and turret have been modified to accommodate the installation of lattice screens that protect against anti-tank grenades. As a result, the tank is protected from BPS and hand-held anti-tank grenades from all angles.

The anti-neutron cap is replaced with fire-resistant anti-fragmentation material such as Kevlar (aramid fabric), which protects the crew and equipment from the secondary flow of fragments.

In addition to armor protection, the tank is equipped with an automated system for setting up a multispectral curtain against laser-guided missiles and an electromagnetic protection system against mines with magnetometric fuses. In addition, at the request of the customer, the Arena-E active tank protection complex can be installed, as well as the TShU- system 1-2M.

The T-90MS is equipped with a monoblock power plant with a forced V-92S2F2 engine with a power of 1130 hp. To improve mobility and maneuverability, a motion control system was used using a steering wheel and automatic gear shifting, with the ability to switch to manual mode. Thanks to its use, they reduce physical exercise per driver, fuel consumption is reduced, acceleration characteristics and the average speed of the tank are increased.

In addition to the main engine, the T-90MS is equipped with an auxiliary diesel generator set DGU7-27 5P-VM1 with a power of 7 kW, which is located on the left fender. When the main engine of the tank is not running, the installation ensures the operation of communications, control systems and other systems, lighting and charging batteries. Its use not only significantly reduces fuel consumption, but also significantly reduces the visibility of the tank in the infrared range.

The tank has a new combined night device driver vision and rear view camera. The commander and gunner are provided with all-round visibility through a 360-degree video surveillance system.

The firepower, protection and mobility of the tank have noticeably improved, the dimensions of the tank have not increased, and in terms of weight the T-90MS continues to remain in the class of up to 50 tons.

Well, we can only wish the new T-90MS the same volumes of export sales as its older brothers T-90S and T-90SA, because it is thanks to them that Russia takes first place in the ranking of the Center for Analysis of the World Arms Trade in terms of the number of planned for delivery new main battle tanks in 2011-2014. During this period, the Russian Federation intends to export 688 main battle tanks worth $1.979 billion. And the total volume of Russian tank exports in the period 2007-2014 is estimated at 1291 new car in the amount of 3.858 billion dollars. Russia's main competitors in this field are the USA and Germany. From 2011 to 2014, the United States exports 457 Abrams tanks worth $4.97 billion. During the same period, Germany will export 348 Leopards in various modifications worth $3.487 billion.

LIST OF MODIFICATIONS OF THE T-90 TANK

• T-90 is the first production modification.
• T-90K - command version of the T-90, with additional communications (radio station P-163-50K) and navigation (TNA-4-3) equipment.
• T-90A - modification of the T-90 (produced since 2004) with a 1000 hp V-92S2 engine, improved thermal imaging equipment and a welded turret.
• T-90 - command version of the T-90 with additional communications and navigation equipment, as well as a tactical battle management system.
• T-90A - modification of the T-90 (production since 2006). A second-generation thermal imaging sight "Essa" was installed, the automatic loader was improved, and the protection of fuel tanks was enhanced.
• T-90S - export version of the T-90. Instead of the spotlights of the missing Shtora system, additional ones were installed. VDZ blocks.
• T-90SK - command version of the T-90S with additional communications and navigation equipment.
• T-90SA is an export “Algerian” version of the T-90A with a cooling system for night vision equipment and a modified laser radiation detection system, a new PPO system is installed. The tank does not have OTSHU Shtora floodlights; instead, additional ones are installed. VDZ blocks.
• T-90SKA - command version of the T-90SA, with additional communications and navigation equipment and the T-BMS tactical battle management system.
• T-90AM is the latest modification of the T-90A. The old turret was replaced by a new combat module, with an improved Kalina fire control system with an integrated tactical level combat information and control system, a new automatic loader and an upgraded 2A46M-5 gun and a remote-controlled anti-aircraft gun "UDP T05B8-1". Dynamic protection "Relic" has been installed. Engine 1130 hp
• T-90SM - export version of the T-90AM tank.

(S. Shumilin, “Science and Technology”)

The T-90M is a medium or main tank that will soon be put into mass production and put into service with the Russian army. The vehicle has already been demonstrated to the general public during testing in September 2017.

Of course, the new tank can hardly be called an independent and unique unit of military equipment. Rather, we are talking about a deep modernization of the T-90 tank and its modifications. However, the designers made a number of serious changes to the usual layout of the vehicle, so the T-90M could well lay claim to an individual name. Let's take a closer look at the design features and combat capabilities of this equipment.

Project history

The date of creation of this vehicle can be considered 1989, when, under the leadership of chief engineer Vladimir Potkin, the first and very successful tests of the new T-90 tank took place. This model went into production in 1992, and during its production the tank was modernized several times.

If we talk specifically about the T-90M, this vehicle appeared as a result of the “Breakthrough” project, which was carried out by the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering in 2005. As part of this project, a unified combat module was developed, codenamed “Breakthrough-2”, and subsequently presented at the test site as a modernized T-90S tank.

However, the activities of UKBTM were not completed at this point, and the Breakthrough-3 project was launched, the goal of which was to create a combat vehicle superior in efficiency to the German Leopards and American Abrams. The prototype was created in the workshops of Uralvagonzavod, and clearly demonstrated that the designers of the design bureau coped with the task. By the way, the same company produces Armata-class combat vehicles, so work on the creation of the T-90M was carried out in parallel.

What's new

In general, the familiar appearance of the T-90 has changed little: the general layout has been preserved, the turret and hull have been slightly redesigned. However, the engineers did not engage in restyling; they increased the combat effectiveness of the vehicle and the ergonomics of production. As part of the modernization, fire control systems, command control, navigation and search equipment and other elements related to increasing efficiency and combat power have undergone major changes.

Significant changes include the reorganization of the fighting compartment. Now the crew has more free space and comfortable seats are installed. In addition, the tank received an automatic loading system. In general, this is a completely standard requirement for modern combat vehicles, however, Leopards and Abrams do not have auto-loading guns, so these are noticeably inferior to their Russian counterpart in terms of rate of fire and firepower.

Separately, we can highlight the economics of production. The Breakthrough-3 project is planned to be implemented without creating new machines. In particular, the main components and mechanisms of the T-90 will be used as a base. Therefore, the supply of new equipment for ground units will be carried out by re-equipping old vehicles.

Design features

Let's consider the characteristics of the main components.

Team controllability

The tank is equipped with an integrated BIUS system - on-board information control. As a result, constant monitoring and diagnostics of the main components is carried out, and erroneous actions of the driver are blocked. Thanks to the BIUS, the working life of the main components and electronics is significantly increased, and the likelihood of breakdowns is reduced.

In addition, a tactical level control system is installed here, which unites all the necessary equipment into a single multiplex network. As a result, the interaction of all on-board systems is simplified: loading, setting up smoke screens, topographical orientation, recognizing friend or foe signals. Radio equipment provides covert communication with the effect of producing protective interference. In addition, a programmable frequency change function is provided.

Mobility and maneuverability

The dynamics of the T-90M are at a high level. A new V-92S2F power plant with a capacity of 1,130 liters is installed here. With. Here it is necessary to clarify that the Russian tank outperforms all Western analogues in terms of dynamics and maneuverability, although it loses in terms of speed.

The driver's compartment is equipped with an informative LCD display, which displays data on the condition of the engine and transmission components. The automatic speed switching deserves special attention, which significantly reduces fatigue during long treks.

Protection

A key feature of the protection was the placement of the ammunition stowage outside the fighting compartment, which increases the level of crew safety in the event of shell detonation. In addition, the security deficiencies of tanks of previous models were taken into account.

In particular, the frontal projection of the turret and sides is covered by Relic-class dynamic protection kits. The engine compartment and the perimeter of the turret are protected by additional mesh screens. The inside of the fighting compartment is covered with anti-fragmentation lining based on aramid threads. It should be noted that dynamic protection is built on a modular principle, which allows you to variably change individual components depending on the assigned tasks.

Armament

The T-90M received a 125 mm 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun as its main armament. Additional weapons include missile system“Reflex” with a target engagement range of up to 5 kilometers, coaxial machine gun point.

The weapons are controlled by the highly efficient Kalina fire control system. The undoubted advantages include the commander's panoramic sight - an absolute novelty for Russian tanks. In addition, the fire control system is coupled with an automatic target indicator, which simplifies combat in the “Hunter-Killer” mode.

Specifications

The main tactical and technical characteristics of the modernized vehicle are still kept secret and not subject to disclosure. However, the following parameters are reliably known:

• Curb weight – 50,000 kg.
• Ground clearance 450 mm.
• Diesel power – 1,130 hp. With.
• The main gun is 125 mm.
• Coaxial machine gun – PKTM 7.62 mm caliber.
• NSV for suppressing firing points and air targets - 12.7 mm.
• Cruising range – 550 kilometers on the highway.
• Crew – 3 people.

According to preliminary data, the Russian Ministry of Defense has already signed a contract for the supply of about 400 T-90M units to the troops. It is assumed that these vehicles should support the combat effectiveness of the army until the more promising Armata tanks appear in sufficient quantities.

In the spring of 2011, A. Postnikov, who at that time was the head of the ground forces, spoke very harshly to the domestic defense industry. There have been statements that Russian equipment, especially tanks, are not only significantly inferior to NATO models, but also lag behind Chinese armored vehicles in terms of their characteristics. The head of the Army especially received the famous T-90 tank, which, according to Postnikov, is just another modification of the T-72 and began production in 1973. Even the new T-90MS is nothing more than another modification of the old model.

History of the T-90MS tank

The biggest hit in Postnikov's speech was the T-90MS tank, which was not only called a "restyling" of the T-72, but also incredibly expensive to produce. According to Postnikov, for the money that could buy 1 T-90MS tank, you could buy 3 German tank"Leopard-2". However, the check showed that instead of 1 T-90MS tank, you can buy only 1 Leopard-2, and even that in the “basic” configuration.

In those years it was very popular to criticize the Russian military equipment. Some military officials considered the possibility of opening a line for the assembly of Italian armored vehicles in Russia, and in the summer of 2011 a contract was signed with France for the purchase of 2 Mistral amphibious helicopter carriers. However, in 2015 this contract was terminated.

As for the T-90 tank, its history began on June 19, 1986, when the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the CPSU Central Committee issued a Resolution on the start of development of the T-90 tank. After 5 years, an experimental model of the tank was tested and recommended for adoption. The collapse of the USSR prevented this vehicle from entering the series, although a year later the tank was shown to Russian President B. Yeltsin. After 3 months, the tank was put into service under the name "T-90". Since the economic situation in Russia was very difficult in the early 90s, Uralvagonzavod, which produces the T-90 tank, received permission to produce an export model of the tank under the name T-90S.

Despite difficult economic conditions, by the end of 1995, 250 T-90 tanks were produced, many of which were tested in real battles in Chechnya. The militants could not do anything against the powerful armor of the T-90 tank. After 1995, the budget for the purchase of tanks was sharply reduced, after which Uralvagonzavod switched to export production, otherwise it simply could not survive.

The history of world recognition of the T-90 tank

The military exhibition that took place in the United Arab Emirates in 1997 was decisive for the T-90 tank. It was there that representatives of the Indian armed forces took a liking to the Russian tank. In order to war machine bought, it was necessary to fulfill a number of conditions set by the Indian military:

• Install a new engine on the tank;
• Install a thermal imaging sight;
• Conduct tests not only in Russia, but in India itself, so that partners can verify the quality of Russian tanks.

Since the economic situation at the Russian plant was not very simple, one can only guess how the plant workers managed to allocate funds for the production of 3 prototypes that meet the requirements of Indian customers. At the beginning of 1999, they were sent to India for testing, which was a huge triumph. Indian General Singh was so amazed by what he saw that he said the following: “The T-90 tank is the second factor in deterring enemy military forces after nuclear weapons.” Already in 2001, a contract for the supply of 310 units of the T-90S tank was signed. These vehicles proved to be very effective and reliable, so in 2005 Russia and India signed another contract for the supply of another 347 tanks.

After the tanks were delivered to India, other countries around the world became interested in the new combat vehicle. According to statistics, the T-90 tank became the best-selling newly manufactured tank in the world for the period from 2001 to 2015. The big money that Uralvagonzavod began to receive for sold T-90 tanks allowed it not only to actively increase production, but also to constantly modernize the combat vehicle, preparing it in accordance with changing global requirements and standards. Modifications of the T-90 tank were as follows:

• T-90A, which differed from the standard T-90 by the presence of a new welded turret and an engine capable of developing 1,000 l/s;
• Since 2006, the T-90 tank has received a thermal imaging sight;

It would seem that the latest model of the T-90 tank is its next modification, although in fact, the T90MS has received so many innovations that it is essentially a new model.

Main features of the new T-90MS tank

The main difference between the T-90MS was the turret, which was completely different from the turrets of previous T-90 models. The new turret received multi-layer armor and was equipped with entire complexes of the latest combat control systems, many of which were innovative. The search for the target was now carried out by the tank commander, handing over the found target to the gunner in fully automatic mode.

Even today, thanks to constant improvements to the model, the T-90MS tank is not only not inferior in search and target targeting parameters to the best tanks in the world, but also surpasses some of them in a number of parameters. The command control parameters of the T-90MS tank are perfectly balanced, and the ability to hit a target with the first shot puts this model on the leaderboards year after year.

Another huge advantage for the T-90M tank is the presence of a 125 mm cannon, for the creation of which metal was used, which has a huge margin of safety. This made it possible to significantly increase the service life of the gun, regardless of the rate of fire. If we compare the Russian tank with its closest competitor, the Leopard-2 tank, the T-90MS can fire more intensely without fear of gun failure. In general, the Russian tank is able to “work” more effectively in battle.

Dynamic protection of the T-90MS tank hull covers the most important modules of the tank. It is able to withstand almost all types of modern sub-caliber projectiles. If you believe the words of the tank’s creators, the dynamic protection can even withstand hits from modern anti-tank shells. The only miscalculation of the designers is the lack of dynamic armor on the lower frontal plate of the tank. Even the T-72B had one row of armor on the lower frontal plate.

As for the armor of the tank turret, not everything is so simple. The sides of the turret's aft niche do not have dynamic protection. Since the turret contains an ammunition rack, a shell hitting this area can cause serious damage to the tank. Perhaps in the future, this miscalculation will be eliminated by the developers.

The T-90MS tank is equipped with a modern fire control system. Such systems are a mandatory element of equipment for new tanks. All these systems work on the same principle; their main task is to detect the enemy and hit him with the first shot. In order to more effectively hit targets, the T-90MS tank has a target tracking system. Since modern tanks most often work as part of a group, they are equipped with a system for interacting with each other. At the same time, each tank can receive target instructions from the main tank of the group. It is planned to install the next generation Armata tanks as the command tank of the T-90MS group.

In addition to external changes, the T-90MS tank has also changed significantly internally. Now the driver controls a multi-ton combat vehicle not with the help of levers, but with the help of a multifunctional steering wheel. The T-90MS has an automatic transmission, which greatly facilitates the work of the driver-mechanic. All previous modifications of the T-90 had a manual transmission.

Another important innovation of the T-90MS tank is the presence of an electricity generator. Now the tank while parked is practically invisible to the enemy in the infrared range. This becomes possible due to the use of an autonomous generator.

T-90MS or tanks of the Armata project

Although most military experts now consider tanks created on the Armata platform to be the only prospect for the development of tank forces, this opinion can be challenged:

• The T-90MS tank is by far the best tank in terms of price/quality ratio;
• Testing of the Armata has not yet been completed, but the T-90 platform has long been mastered;
• The price of T-90MS tanks is significantly lower;
• T-90MS have comprehensive protection for the hull and turret, which is a huge plus in urban battles;
• The new T-90MS engine is capable of developing 1130 l/s. According to these indicators, the T-90MS engine is not inferior to the best foreign tank engines;
• In addition, the T-90MS tank has significantly improved ergonomics;
• Part of the ammunition of the T-90MS tank is placed in a box, which is located behind the turret.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-90MS

TTX T-90MS look like this:

• The mass of the tank is 48 tons;
• The total length with the gun is 9,530 mm;
• The case length is 6,860 mm;
• Width – 3,460 mm;
• The tank's crew consists of 3 people;
• The main armament on the T-90MS tank is the 125 mm 2A46M-5 cannon. Ammunition - 40 shots;
• Tank weapons are used as additional weapons. missile weapons and 2 machine guns, one of which is anti-aircraft, and the second is coaxial.

The tank is capable of traveling on highways at a speed of 60 km/h and has a range of 500 km.

Tanks must fight in groups, so in modern realities it would be optimal to give each combat group of T-90MS tanks the latest Armata tank as the main vehicle. Of course, in the future, the T-90MS will gradually be replaced by the Armata (although it is possible that some new tank model will appear), but this future is still very far away.