Visual differences between T-64, T-72 and T-80 series of tanks.

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Plenty of people apparently have difficulties in discern various modifications of soviet armor. So this thread will help, I hope.

Let's start from most frequent models of each:

Upper left - T-64BV, upper right - T-72B, bottom - T-80BV.

The easiest way to discern different T-series is by looking on chassis and sizes/shape of roadwheels. This is T-64:

6 small-sized (555 mm) stamped road-wheels without outer rubber bandages.
This is T-72:

6 larger (750 mm) broad roadwheels with thick outer rubber cover and distinct stiffeners.

This is T-80:

Also six medium-sized (670 mm) roadwheels with outer rubber cover with distinct central dome surrounded by bolts.

This is usually enough to identify a model of tank, but sometimes you cannot see the chassis, so there are another signs. T-64:

T-64 have a infra-red spotlight on the left of the turret. Driver have single triplex (vision port).

T-64 also have an exhaust port on the upper part of the rear armorplate. And it usually equipped with a single large box for tools/sparparts installed on the rear of the turret together with one or two tubes of underwater crossing equipment. Toolboxes on the sides of the turret are either small or not installed at all.
"Kontakt" ERA blocks on the "cheekbones" of turret have distinct mount type with double row of blocks on the top.

T-72B:

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

IR spotlight is on the right side of the turret. Driver have a single triplex as on T-64.

Exhaust port is on the left side of the hull.

There are three toolboxes of equal size with a single underwater crossing equipment tube. Also T-72 have a distinct small hatch for discarding shell pallets.

Kontakt ERA blocks are mounted diffrently from T-64 and they are also placed on the top of T-72 turret.

And at last - T-80BV:

IR spotlight is placed on the right of the turret. Driver have three smaller-sized triplexes. Kontakt ERA blocks are placed at the turret in a similar way to T-64BV but there is only one row of blocks on the top.

Most T-80s also have two distinctive rubber-fabric skirts covering lower frontal glacis.

Exhaust port of T-80 is similar to one of T-64 and also placed on the rear of the vehicle. But it is broader and shorter.

This is a first part. I will cover the visual differences between various modifications of T-72s later. Of course if any one interested in such information.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Well. Second part about early T-72 variants. It is a baseline T-72 as it was accepted into service in 1973:

Distinct "bare" turret without any additional equipment, sights or ERA.
This is a next stage - T-72A which was accepted into service in 1979:

1. Rubber-fabric side skirts.
2. 12 smoke dispensers "Tucha" (Cloud) were installed on "cheekbones" of turret.
But this are not very reliable signs because sideskirts can be easily lost and some baseline T-72 were equipped with them later. Smoke dispensers also weren't installed on all T-72A.
More distict traits are different gunner sights. Baseline T-72 had a TPD-2-49 (Tank Sight/Rangefinder) and TPN-1 (Tank Night Sight)

but I did not find a good photo of it on T-72 turret, so there is a photo of rare baseline T-72 with later TPD-K1 sight. TPD-2-49 is slightly smaller and narrower. There is a photo of it on T-64A:

This is a T-72A turret. It also have TPD-K1 sight but night sight is TPN-3-49:

There are closeups on two different night sights. Upper is TPN-1 and lower is TPN-3-49:

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

TPN-3-49 have distinct cover on 4 bolts. Two round thingies are mounts for anti-neutron patch. Also TPN-3-49 have a small headlight with IR filter (no filter on photo).

The next modification is T-72AV which is a T-72A with Kontakt ERA.

The "V" (В) letter in index is always means that the tank recieved an ERA upgrade. This is true for T-64, T-72 and T-80. The distinct sign of T-72AV is complex ERA on turret "cheekbones":

Next modification was T-72B accepted into service in 1985. Note the simplified ERA layout on turret sides:

The main difference (besides a new more powerful engine B-84 (840 hp) and Kontakt ERA as standart issue) was a new fire control system 1A40 with guided weaponry complex 9K120"Svir'" (it is a name of the river), The visual difference is a new 1K13 night sight instead older TPN-3. The daysight is the same old TPD-K1:

1K13 is very distinct with clearly visible drive for opening protective cover.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

T-72B1 variant was in production at the same time as T-72B. The sole difference was the lack of "Svir" guided weaponry complex, therefore 1K13 was replaced by simplier TPN-3-49:

The other difference between T-72A and T-72B(B1) was different toolbox and underwater crossing equipment layout:

The next variant is T-72B model 1989 (also known as T-72BM):

The primary difference is distinctive Kontakt-V ERA. Note that Kontakt-V is integrated into T-72BM frontal glacis and not mounted on it. And this is T-72B1 modernized in similar way:

The nightsights are different.

T-72BA (model 1999). This is russian and not a soviet modernization. This variant can be oftenly mistaken with T-72BM or even T-72B because it was an upgrade package for all T-72B variants. First BAs were equipped with old Kontakt ERA as on this photo:

While later were equipped with Kontakt-V:

The distinctive sign of this modernisation is this:

This is a wind sensor array.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Don't forget the massively thicker armor on the turret compared to the T-72A. Also, Kontakt ERA wasn't standard issue from the very outset, though I understand it was intended to be. Here's one without Kontakt ERA, showing the hugely thicker turret armor:

Smoke dispensers were relocated to the turret sides as well.

There are a fair few photos of T-72B tanks without ERA (or mountings for ERA) floating around from the 1980s. Most of them are from parades (different years), which may be indicative of something.

Its common enough that many model kits of them have been manufactured by different companies.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Another definite sign of russian and not soviet T-72 variants are different tracks:

Upper variant - older track with consecutive rubber-metallic hinge common to soviet-era T-72A/T-72B.
Lower variant - newer track with parallel rubber-metallic hinge common to russian produced/modernized T-72BA, T-72B2 and T-72B3.
Another difference is different exhaust ports:

Upper variant is exhaust port of standart (for T-72s) B-84 diesel engine. Lower is exhaust port of B-92S2 diesel engine which was installed on later T-72BA.

This is most advanced T-72 variant for the current moment: T-72B2 Rogatka (Slingshot).

New fire control system "Sosna-U" (Pine-tree U):

Note that old trusty TPD-K1 gunsight is still here, but now it is only secondary/reserve one.
B2 variant also have a new Relikt ERA but it is somewhat hard to see at the upper photo because of "Nakidka" (Cape) camouflage kit, so there are photos of Kontakt-V on T-90A and Relikt on T-90SM:

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Turret elements of both ERA systems are visually similar.

Another main differences are: rubber skirts on turret ERA, "Nakidka" cover on frontal glacis, lattice screens on sides in additional to usual rubber-fabric ones and auxillary power unit at the rear of the vehicle. Also note the absense of IR spotlight "Luna" (Moon) at the front of the turret.

And the latest modification - T-72B3 which is a downgrade in comparsion with T-72B2 but at least it is in mass production now.

T-72B3 have older Kontakt-V instead Relikt ERA and B-84 engine instead B-92S2. Again main visual difference between T-72BA (or older variants) and T-72B3 is absent IR spotlight.

Special variant of T-72B3 was created for the russian team of Tank Biathlon'2014. The differences are: panoramic commader sight (close up of it is on thrid photo of the collage bellow), new automatic transmission an more powerful B-92S2F engine (1130 hp). AFAIK there is no official designation. It is called T-72B3M (Modernized) commonly.

T-80BV again:

Definitive signs: Kontakt ERA, three driver's triplexes instead a single one on T-72.
T-80U:

Main difference is Kontakt-V ERA.

T-90A is only modification which is present in russian army (and probably will be in the future as no further purchases of any T-90s are planned):

Kontakt-V ERA and most distinctive sign is twin "Shtora" (Curtain) Optical-Electronic Suppression System spotlights at the front of the turret.
Another (but rather hard to see) difference is that turret of T-90 is welded and not cast:

 

[Manticore]

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

T-64 "TANK-GUARANTOR OF PEACE" OR "KILLER OF CIVILIANS"?



The talent of the great designer Alexander Alexandrovich Morozov tanks were created many different samples of armored. But the most famous of them are: created together with Mikhail Ilyich Koshkin and subsequently repeatedly improved the best tank of the Second World War T-34 - tank-liberator. Another tank AA Morozov, a famous revolutionary T-64. In the 70-80-ies of the last century, this machine provides the preservation of peace, along with a nuclear shield of the USSR. T-64 tank could be so, and go down in history as one of the important arguments of deterrence NATO times "cold war", but events in Ukraine in 2014 made this car "tank killer of civilians." Thank God, Alexander did not live up to that time.


How was the T-64


In the early 1950s, a team of leading tank design bureaus of the Soviet Union began to develop a second tank of the postwar generation. This was due to the fact that in the arsenals of the most developed countries of the West and the Soviet Union already had a sufficient number of nuclear weapons, and planned future war waged with the widespread use of these weapons. Under the conditions of use of nuclear weapons, the tanks remain one of the most important tools in the arsenals of the ground forces to achieve success on the battlefield. In addition, at the same time in many armies of the world was taken into service a new effective means of combating tanks - anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). Available by the time the Soviet Army medium tanks T-54 (and later T-55), embodied in himself all the best practices of domestic and world tank building, based on the experience of the Second World War, no longer fully meet the requirements of combined arms combat with using the above means of warfare.

That is why the army was necessary tank capable of "survive" in the conditions of use on the battlefield nuclear weapons and anti-tank, as well as to deal effectively with tanks and other fire weapons. And by the mid-1960s this tank was established in Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB) under the leadership of General Designer AAMorozov. It was a completely new tank "Object 432", who later became the medium tank T-64 - the world's first tank of the postwar generation. The appearance of the T-64 can be compared with the appearance at the time of the legendary "Thirty" - just as it was new and unusual for that time. Applied on the tank design and new technical solutions were new not only in domestic but also in the world tank manufacturing. Layout, loading mechanism, transmission, chassis design and towers with small changes are still being used in domestic and foreign tank building on the different versions of the T-80, T-84 and partly on the T-72 and its modifications. The veil of secrecy that hid the tank T-64 during its mass production in 1970-80 (and it was something to hide), this unique car pushed into the background, giving the "palm" machines such as the T-72, which is exported to many countries of the world, and a little later, and T-80 tanks. Moreover, the lack of reliable information about the car has generated a lot of rumors and tales about its strengths and weaknesses, which, of course, the T-64 had, as is their any other tank.

The development of this machine, which received the designation "object 430" started in 1951 on its own initiative at the Kharkov plant №75 after returning AA Morozov and part designers, headed by him KB, from Nizhny Tagil.



Predeskizny project promising medium tank was developed already in 1953 "Object 430" was designed as a brand new car with a powerful armor protection, a new multi-fuel turbo-piston two-stroke diesel engine 4TD with horizontal cylinders and ejection cooling system specially designed under the supervision of ADCharomskogo diesel KB Kharkov plant №75. Such a cooling system as compared with a conventional fan in those years, consumed 12-15% less power, occupy less volume in the separation force, had a lower weight, has a simpler structure and more reliable, since it did not have moving parts.


In Kharkov, in parallel with the development of the "object 430" the initiative to go to work "object 430U", that is "enhanced". According to the project it was planned to gain firepower and protection to the level of heavy tanks through the installation of 122 or 130-mm tank gun, increasing the thickness of the frontal part of the armor pieces to 160-180 mm, 120 mm against the "object 430". In all of this tank was supposed to be at the level of the average size of the tank. In addition, considering options tank sensor radar rangefinder TRLD, working in conjunction with an optical sight T-2C. However, with the advent of NS Khrushchev's work on heavy tanks in the USSR were gradually phased out, and in the early 1960s and were stopped altogether. Therefore, work on a strengthened version of the tank, as not fit for mass under the definition of "average", were discontinued, and the staff of the Kharkov KB-60 switched to work on a medium tank.

Draft project "Object 430" was ready by the end of 1954. In accordance with it, the tank must have had a classic layout, but a number of brand-new, one might even say "revolutionary" decisions. These include the installation of a two-stroke turbo-piston tank diesel engine 4TD a counter stroke and horizontal their location. Work on these engines were started during the Great Patriotic War on the basis of the study design purchased before the war in Germany of aircraft engines Jumo-205. Studies were conducted on the engine in the Department of oil engines (since 1958 Research Institute of engines - NIID) under the leadership of A.D.Charomskogo - creator of the most powerful diesel aviation wartime AH-1. In combination with the small-sized planetary final transmissions use of this engine led to the volume of the engine compartment (MTO) has been reduced by half compared with MTO T-54 tank. The fact that the planetary transmission side (BCP) and replace the main clutch, and the rotation of the planetary mechanisms and their arrangement on both sides of the engine in its "pass" and crankshaft eliminates the use of a guitar. In addition, the tank to be used instead of the fan - ejection cooling system radiator, which also reduces the amount of MSW and consequently saves a lot of tanks.Weight savings can be used to enhance the armor protection of the machine. By the way on the prepared since 1956 in the UK tank "Chieftain", also planned to install (and later this engine was installed on it) two-stroke turbo-piston diesel L60 with a counter-stroke produced by «Leyland», just installed this engine in the "Chiftene "vertically, rather than horizontally as in the T-64.



In 1955, the draft of a new medium tank was approved by the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of Ministers Resolution of the Council of Ministers on May 6, 1955 № 880-524 and the Order of the Minister of Transport Engineering on May 13, 1955 № 0096. In accordance with these documents, the Scientific Technical Committee of the Main armored management USSR Ministry of Defense (NTC HBTU) formulated and June 8, 1955 issued the tactical and technical requirements (TTT) in the promising medium tank.


In accordance with the TTT promising medium tank was significantly greater than on the basic parameters (firepower, protection and mobility) serial T-54. Increasing the firepower planned to achieve through the installation of the machine more powerful tank gun D-54TS developed under the program "Rainbow" led by FF Petrov and increase ammo machine artvystrelov to 50 to 34 to T-54. Planned to significantly increase the range and effectiveness of fire from tanks on the move and at night by installing two-plane stabilizer optical rangefinder sight and night sight.

A significant increase in protected tanks planned to provide for the expense of some increase in the thickness of the armor parts to install them at large angles of inclination, the application of new structural forms of the hull and turret, hull sides bent parts of rolled sections, allowing to increase the strength of the entire body as a whole. All this together can reduce the frontal area and the projection of the tank, which greatly improves its resistance against shock wave of a nuclear explosion.

Increasing mobility planned to achieve the installation of a tank of new, more powerful engine and transmission, suspension chassis improvements and increased by almost 1.5 times reserve.

The hull and turret of the tank had to have large angles of inclination armor parts, and as a primary weapon was chosen 100-mm tank gun D-54TS.

In July 1956 in Kharkov MSC was developed already and technical design of a new medium tank "Object 430". This project has benefited from comments STC HBTU and adjusted TTT. According to them, planned to install on the tank more powerful diesel engine 5TD.

After the approval of the technical project began manufacturing parts of the tank at the Kharkov plant №75 (HZTM).Parallel tests were conducted separate units on special stands and on the navigation layout, and test firing of experienced hull and turret. And in 1957, were prepared two prototype "object 430" for factory testing, as well as an order for three more production machines for landfills and military trials.

Hard tactical and technical requirements relating to weight characteristics of the machine (weight of the tank should not exceed 36 m) forced AA Morozova renounce the use of a tank chassis with large-diameter road wheels with external rubber tires. Under his leadership, was designed chassis with reduced diameter road wheels, aluminum alloy with internal shock absorbers, rollers for the upper branch of the caterpillars. Rollers also had internal cushioning. By the way, as experience has shown, on the chassis without the support rollers with large diameter road wheels when the tank speeds of 55-60 km / h the upper branch of the caterpillar begins to beat on the fenders. Caterpillar tracks had a sequence of open metal hinge.



Innovation was the fact that the suspension chassis are telescopic hydraulic shock applied to the first and sixth suspension units, rather than a lever or vane-piston, as in all the previous domestic tanks. In addition to reducing weight chassis, reducing the diameter of the support roller is allowed to increase its dynamic course, which, in combination with telescopic shock absorbers, ultimately, improves ride and allows you to increase the average speed of the tank over rough terrain.


By 1960, it was built several prototypes of the "object 430", where extensive tests carried out on the ground near the factory and Kharkov range SRI armored vehicles in a Moscow Kubinka in the 1957-59 biennium. showed that the experimental tank on the basic parameters exceeds production tanks T-54 and T-55, just put into service. But, despite the fact that the TTT NTC HBTU were performed, the superiority of the "object 430" over the series of tanks was not very significant. Therefore, AA Morozov decides to modernize the "Object 430" and one of the samples of the prototype in 1960 was upgraded under the project "object 430m." Modernization mostly in the chassis and powertrain, as well as anti-aircraft machine gun tank removed KPVT. Yet AA Morozov knew that this car is not yet ripe for mass production.

In the West, too, did not sit idly by. According to the GRU, it became known that the UK has developed a new 105-mm rifled tank gun L7A1 for installation on tanks «Centurion» Mk.IX modifications and Mk.X, mass production is expected in 1958-1960. The gun could be used feathered armor-piercing projectiles with detachable tray with an initial velocity 1475 m / s. In 1956, the British firm «Vickers» started to develop even more powerful tank «Chieftain», which was planned to install a 120 mm rifled gun L11. Serial production of this car was expected in early 1960.

In the US, the beginning of 1960 is ready for serial production of the new tank M60, with improved, compared to its predecessors M47 and M48, armor protection, as well as 105-mm rifled gun M68, which is a licensed copy of the British L7A1.

In this regard, the military leadership of the Soviet Union demanded as soon as possible to increase the firepower and protection of our future tanks. A prototype "object 430" did not meet these requirements.

Installing rifled tank gun larger caliber inevitably would entail an increase in the size of the tower and the crew compartment and, as a consequence, the entire mass of the tank, which is not allowed TTT. Nevertheless, the solution was found.



In 1958, the chief designer of the Nizhny Tagil KB Leonid Karcev proposed the idea to cut rifling in the barrel of a 100-mm gun D-54 and, thus, make a few more smoothbore gun caliber. In KB F.Petrova conducted research in accordance with this idea and came to the conclusion that in this case the caliber of guns may be not less than 112 mm. In the same design bureau program began under the code "Hammer", whose aim was to develop a smoothbore tank gun based on the D-54 guns. It was lengthened barrel, which increased the initial velocity armor-piercing projectile. And in a short time the gun was ready. However, Morozov put in rigid frames by weight of the new tank, personally supervised the weight of all components and systems. So he refused to negotiate drawings and design documentation, while Petrov will not reduce the weight of the new guns per 100 kg. Ultimately, these requirements have been met, despite the fact that it took extra time. So, in 1959, came to light a new tank smoothbore gun U-5TS (2A20). It differed from the D-54TS lack of muzzle brake, a new pipe smoothbore barrel with increased up to 115 mm caliber receiver mechanism for purging the barrel, shifted closer to the middle. The remaining elements and mechanisms of guns have been completely borrowed from its predecessor.


For firing a gun U-5TS used unitary shots with armor-piercing, cumulative and high-explosive projectiles feathered.This gun was mounted on one of the "430 objects" in Kharkov and in one of the experimental samples Nizhny Tagil tank, which received the designation "object 166".

During the testing of the "object 166" and "Object 430" with a gun-5TS have found that not everyone is able to physically provide charging rate of 4-5 rounds per minute. The reason for this increased to 37 kg weight of the shot and the increase of its length.

Given the results of tests in Kharkiv KB-60 on its own initiative, work began on a significant increase in performance characteristics of the "object 430". These works were carried out on ways to further improve "object 430", which had the most dense arrangement of the engine compartment (ITO), the time spent and proven enough in the engine, transmission, chassis and other components and assemblies. Under the new project FF Petrov was developed 115-mm smoothbore gun D-68 (2A21), which was installed on one of the prototypes of the "object 430". For the shooting of her shots used separately loaded with armor-piercing, cumulative and high-explosive shells with feathered partially burned sleeve.



The prototype interested in the military, in February 1961 the Chief of armored forces, Colonel-General PP Poluboyarova TTT were approved for the development of the new tank, developed by STC HBTU. The main ones were: increasing firepower by installing a 115-mm smoothbore tank gun D-68 mechanized charging; increase in anti-nuclear and protivokumulyativnymi protection; increasing the maneuverability of the tank; combat weight up to 34 tons; crew - three people.


In a short time to the middle of 1961 in the KB-60 was a technical project of the new tank, the index "object 432", and in September 1962 out of the gate experienced shop Kharkov plant transport engineering them. Malyshev (HZTM) released the first prototype tank. A little later, this car was involved in showing promising models of armored vehicles at the site near Moscow Research Institute of armored vehicles in Kubinka, which was attended by NS Khrushchev. On NS Khrushchev's car made a good impression.

The first production models of the machine "object 432" came out of the factory gate of the VA Malyshev in October 1963. A year later, ie, By October 1964 the plant has already produced 54 tank, and a year later the number had increased to 218 cars. The first such machines were sent to Kharkov Guards Tank Command School (1966 - Higher Tank Command School) and 41 th Guards Tank Division in trial operation. Dislocation division in Chuguev, 40 km from Kharkov, as the location of the tank school, close to the factory, which provide by experts KB and factory assistance in the development and operation of new machines.

Military tests "object 432" was a success and the Council of Ministers of the USSR on December 30, 1966 was adopted as a medium tank T-64. Serial production of the T-64 lasted until 1969



With respect to the T-64 in many respects we can say: "The world's first applied ...." In particular, this tank for the first time in the world was used multilayer composite booking the frontal part of the hull and turret installed and loading mechanism (MOH). The combined book significantly reduced the probability of hitting a tank when hit him with ammunition shaped-charge warhead, including anti-tank, and the Ministry of Health increased rate of fire fighting tank gun, the crew cut machines up to three people, allowed to reduce the size of the tower and the silhouette of the entire tank as a whole. The height of the tank on the roof of the tower was only 2,154 meters, while the height of the US main battle tank M60A1 in those years was 2.75 m. Set in the tank MH, moreover, made it possible to further increase the reservation tank. It should be noted that the automatic loading system on the western tanks first appeared only 30 years later.

According to various estimates for the period from 1964 to 1968. in the Soviet Union were produced from 900 to 1600 T-64, part of which later during the overhaul has been upgraded to the level of the T-64A. These tanks were designated T-64R ("object 432R").

According to Western experts "on many parameters and characteristics of the T-64 was at one time the most advanced tank in the world, when he joined the army of the USSR Supreme» (Jane's Armour and Artillery, 1992-1993).

Modernization

The continuing work on the machine at the Kharkov KB-60 (1966 KB-60 and experimental workshop 3190 HZTM were merged into KMDB) has led to the fact that already in 1969 the Soviet Army adopted the Machine T-64A "Object 434 "- which was the deep modernization of T-64 tank. Work on the "Object 434" were started in 1962 on the basis of "Object 432".

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

New car differed from its predecessor primarily increased firepower and security, as well as a number of operational parameters.

The firepower of the tank was increased by the installation of a new 125-mm smoothbore gun D-81 (2A26) with an initial velocity armor-piercing projectiles 1800 m / s and 150 mm armor penetration rolled homogenous armor at a range of 2000 m at an angle of 60 ° with respect to meeting the normal. In other words, the new gun at a range of up to 2000 m pierced the armor of any tank of all available at the time in the world. In this case, a single tank of the world of that time could not penetrate the frontal armor "shestdesyatchetverki" at a distance of more than 1000 m. The range is a direct shot armor-piercing projectiles on the tank type M60A1 was 2430 m, that is, the T-64A had almost double superiority in firepower before the American tanks and about one and a half before the West German «Leopard». Work on the new 125-mm smoothbore gun was started in KB F. Petrov back in 1961

Technical project "Object 434" was completed in 1964. To improve the efficiency of the new firing guns into the tank involves the installation of an optical rangefinder sight TPD-2 with improved characteristics.

Test by the experienced "object 434" began in 1966. After extensive testing machine was recommended to the adoption. Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of 20 May 1968 the tank was adopted by the Soviet Army under the designation "T-64". The new tank with a weight average (36.5 m), on arms and security settings was on a par with heavy tanks. Thus, its appearance predetermined erasing the line between medium and heavy tanks, and the birth of a new class of tanks - the main tank, while another was taken into service as average. For the development of the T-64A main designer Morozov KMDB was awarded the Lenin Prize.

The increase in the caliber of the gun on the T-64A inevitably entailed a reduction of ammunition and 37 artillery rounds. Number artvystrelov are in the pipeline MZ reduced from 30 to 28 pieces. The rest were located in the department of management and in the tower. In addition, the installation of a new gun resulted in the need to finalize the Ministry of Health, the installation of a new sight and stabilizer arms. At the T-64A was mounted stereoscopic optical rangefinder sight TPD-1.2 (and later TPD 2-49) with an optical base of 1500 mm and with 8x magnification and with an independent stabilized vertical line of sight, as well as a new regulator weapons 2E23 "Lilac".



On the basis of the "object 434" 1966 began testing prototypes of tanks "object 437" and "object 445". The ground was installed 125 mm smoothbore gun D-85 with a spherical shutter, and the second set of 12-cylinder V-type diesel engine B-45 power 780 hp Both tanks on arms were not accepted, and the "object 445" was the ancestor of the famous T-72.


Since 1972 the T-64A was the anti-aircraft gun mounted with 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun NSV-12.7 "The Rock." Installation mounted on the commander's cupola and had a remote drive which allowed firing a machine gun, without opening the lid of the tank hatch - a significant innovation, both in the domestic as well as in the world tank manufacturing. In case of failure of the drive, you can use the manual, too remote, drive and fire the gun again without opening the hatch. Machine gun has fired vertical angles from -5 ° to + 70 ° and 360 ° horizontally. A special lock prevents the firing of the gun "Utes" if it enters the zone of fire guns and tank radio station. Speed gun pointing at the target when using actuators is 0.4 ... 0.3 ... 35 and 65 deg / s in the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively. For firing from the commander of the tank on the commander's cupola was installed periscope sight ROM-5. The sight has a scale for aiming at ground and air targets and the width of the field of view of 50 °. Accurate firing range of it is 2000 m on land and 1500 m at air targets.

Ammunition anti-aircraft gun - 300 rounds, which are loaded with a two-tape and placed in a two-box store.

On the chassis of T-64A produced since 1972 as the steering wheel began to use support roller. This allowed in case of failure of the steering wheel used instead of any support roller or deploy balancer front suspension assembly with roller, who served in this case the function of the steering wheel. On these machines also began to install equipment for entrenching and mount for installation of track minesweepers KMT-6.

At the T-64A, which were issued in 1975 established a new gun D-81TM (2A46-1) with the insulation and mechanical (rather than hydraulic) hoist. Systems were installed "Brod", which allows to overcome water obstacles without preparation depth of 1.8 m (at the height of the tank on the roof of the tower 2.17 m), and the "Mountain" to operate the engine at high altitudes. Improvements were made and loading mechanism, in particular, it has been installed remote duplication that allows for any type of loading of the gun projectile semi-automatic failure of automation, installed a new mechanism for chambering, and change the hydraulic system and electrical system of the Ministry of Health. All this has led to a considerable increase of reliability of the whole MV. Manual hydraulic gun laying drive was replaced by a mechanical worm pair. By car became established and new stabilizer arms 2E28M2. He had improved element base and has been adapted to work with a mechanical lift guns type D-81TM (2A46-1).



At the T-64A produced since 1975 has been strengthened and the book tower through the use of an alumina filler.


At the T-64A has also been increased fuel capacity to 1,093 liters to 1,270 liters, resulting in the stern of the tower there was a box for packing of spare parts. In the track tensioning mechanism has been applied worm pair, which allowed its operation without maintenance throughout the life of the tank.

The performance characteristics of these machines have been greatly improved. For example, running next to the T01 and T02 was increased to 1500 and 3000 to 2500 km and 5,000 km, respectively.Warranty period 5TDF engine has been increased from 300 to 500 hours, and the warranty period of the whole machine is 5000 km.

In 1975 the project was created KMDB experienced tank "object 476" prototypes in the amount of three units were issued at the Kharkov MMT. Machine was created in order to develop a new two-stroke diesel engine of 1000 hp 6TD

In the mid-1960s, military scientists developed the concept of tanks gain, which is based on the use of tanks was initiated with missile weapons. Has developed a number of projects, but for various reasons they adopted were not accepted.

At the same time, the OKB-16 Nudelman, work began on the creation of guided missile weapons for the tank with the launch of a rocket through the barrel of the gun. A similar system was used in the US light tank "Sheridan", as well as on the tank M60A2, but later it was abandoned for various reasons. Designers OKB-16 was a complex, which could be used in the tank, while it did not reduce the ballistic performance of existing artillery weapons. It was guided weapons (IMC) 9K112 "Cobra".

In 1973 he was made the technical design of the T-64A with rocket and cannon guided weapons, get the index "object 447". The new machine had to be significant improvements in fire control system, which involves the installation of a laser range finder (rather than optical), ballistic computer, automatic sensor input to account for deviations from normal shooting conditions. High unification (95%) with serial T-64A's adoption of the new machine into service and enabled the plant to go on serial production of new tanks.



Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of 09/03/76, the T-64B ("Object 447A") and T-64B1 ("object 437a" - without elements IMC) were adopted by the Soviet Army.Compared with the T-64A combat effectiveness of the T-64B has increased 1.6 times. In the same year, the Kharkov factory transport engineering them. Malyshev began mass production of these machines.


The main difference from the T-64B T-64A was a significant increase in firepower by installing a set of guided weapons 9K112 "Cobra" (in the terminology of NATO - AT-8 «Songster») and automated fire control system (FCS) 1A33. MSA 1A33 includes quantum rangefinder sight tracking device (CPAP) 1G42 with an independent line of sight stabilized in two planes, 1V517 ballistic computer with automatic sensors lateral component of wind speed, roll angular velocity goals et al., Stabilizer arms 2E26M and block resolution shot 1G43.

Rangefinder sight tracking device with built-in 1G42 quantum rangefinder has a range ranging from 500 to 4000 m. The increase in sight varies smoothly with the help of zoom system in the range of 3.9 to 9x. When firing from the tank using the OMS during the preparation and production of the first shot fell almost twice.

Significantly increases the firepower of the tank guided missile weapons complex 9K112 "Cobra". Guided weapons T-64B has a radio command and control system of the missile is designed to: ensure maintenance of effective fire from the gun guided missiles at enemy tanks, other armored and small targets. The system allows to hit stationary and moving at speeds up to 70 km / h with a purpose and a place to go at a range of 100 to 4000 m, including low-flying helicopters enemy.

Yielding in speed (Combat rate of the complex is 2-3 shots per minute), it has a greater range of effective fire, high power action projectile at a target and a high accuracy. 9M112 missile armor penetration reaches 300 mm at an angle of 60 ° to meet normal throughout the firing range, and the total mean error when shooting on the move at moving targets vertically and horizontally at a distance of 4000 m does not exceed 50 cm. High effective range using a complex managed weapons can fire at enemy tanks in the absence of their return fire without unmasking himself at the same time as shot out of a cannon guided missile does not form a strong dust-smoke cloud, which is usually formed when firing from a tank conventional artillery ammunition.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

With some preparation gunners can significantly increase the performance of guided weapons by reducing the time to tip-in goal, that is, the guided missile shot is made to the guidance of the aiming mark on the target, and accurate pointing is carried out at a time when the missile is already flying to the target. With this method of firing speed SD guided weapons comparable to the speed of the tank armament by firing conventional ammunition, which was confirmed by the experimental firing.


The composition of ammunition of the T-64B typically include 6 SD, but in the presence of ammunition and in solving any special tasks can be downloaded guided missiles and the entire conveyor MOH. All of them are placed only in the pipeline MOH and charged only with the loading mechanism in an automatic or semi-automatic (using the remote duplication) modes. This is due to the need for mechanical joining of two parts missiles, which provide the Ministry of Health. In this regard, the design loading mechanism was added gidropnevmoakkumulyator (GPA), which increases the speed of chambering elements guided missile twice as compared to the speed ramming elements of customary artillery shot while charging cycle increases by one second - the time required to charge the GPA.

With the increase in power consumption when operating equipment guided weapons on the T-64B was a more powerful starter-generator - SG-18 power 18 kW instead of the SG-10, who had a power of 10 kW.

Since 1979, at the T-64B began to establish a new 125-mm gun 2A46M-1 with improved accuracy and performance.Performance characteristics guns were improved by thickening the tube walls of the barrel, thereby increasing its rigidity, use of the new design of the cradle gun recoil unbraked until the projectile leaving the barrel and located symmetrically on both sides of the bore axis of the two brake roll back. Pipe barrel has a threaded connection to the breech, which allows its replacement without dismantling the turret for no more than 3 hours. On the gun cradle has three lyuftovybirayuschih device which exclude the impact of gaps between the barrel and the guide surfaces of the cradle on accuracy at the expense of his monotonous position after rolling.



Together with the new gun on the T-64B were installed upgraded the OMS 1A33-1, IMC 9K112-1 and a new stabilizer arms 2E42.Gidropnevmoakkumulyator chambering mechanism was replaced by the Ministry of Health of the accumulator. Those changes have comprehended and T-64B1, except that guided weapons on them absent.


Suspension tank has also undergone some changes. Thus, for example, was increased twist angle of torsion shafts, telescopic shock absorbers have become a bit tougher, which eventually added comfortable ride and reduced her rocking to "comb".

Starting from 1983, the Kharkov MMT was launched modernization overhaul coming to T-64A and T-64B and T-64B1, which were designated after upgrading the T-64AM, T-64BM and T-64BM1 respectively. The machine is mounted on a new diesel 6TD, 1,000 hp and cast turret with ceramic filler.

Since 1985, the troops began to arrive in T-64B (T-64B1) with hinged ERA (NDZ) "Contact", consisting of 265 metal containers with an explosive charge and obliquely situated inside the element metal plate. T-64B and T-64B1 with NDZ were designated T and T-64BV 64BV1 respectively. Using NDZ can significantly reduce the impact on the effectiveness of the armor cumulative ammunition and ammunition with warheads, which acts as a shock core. Manufacture of tanks T-64BV stopped in 1987 because at the Kharkov plant transport engineering them. Malyshev started serial production of the T-80UD "Object 478B". One can argue, what is the tank: a deep modernization of T-64 or modernization of the T-80, but one thing is certain - he owes its birth to the unique experience of creation and operation of tanks T-64.

After the collapse of the USSR in Kharkov, work continued to improve the remaining fleet in Ukraine T-64 and T-80UD.At the T-64B, T-64BV and T-64BM during the overhaul strengthens protection hull and turret through the installation of built-in dynamic protection, including on-board screens. Has been improved and MSA - sighting systems installed 1A43U "Ros" and T01-K01E (night). In addition, IMC replaced 9K112-1 on 9K119 "Reflex".



Subsequently, during the upgrading of tanks T-64 family in Ukraine began to establish a better MSA 1A45U sensor side wind component type TWO-BS. As a complex missile managed to integrate the complex Ukrainian development "Combat" laser-guided missile flight path.


Remained in Russia after the collapse of the USSR tanks T-64 gradually decommissioning of the Armed Forces and transferred to the educational part where these machines were worked out initial driving skills future driver. Because of the lack of spare parts, especially engines 5TDF and 6TD, as resource generation car written off and sent for recycling. Currently, the battle of the Armed Forces of tanks T-64 is not listed.


War

Until 2014, the real battle tanks T-64 had to participate once - during the Transnistrian conflict in 1992. So in May of that year, local residents of Transnistria were captured 10 T-64BV returning from the landfill tank company of the 14th Army. Created from these machines and captured armored vehicles armored group was thrown to the suppression of the Moldavian artillery bombarded the Dubossary. During this fight one of the tanks had been destroyed - the car caught fire, ammunition exploded. This is the first recorded instance of combat employment of tanks T-64.

It should be noted that the defenders of Transnistria, captured at their disposal tanks, almost did not know "shestdesyatchetverok" and containers armor plates and had no explosives. Captured from the Russian Army tanks, most of them were absolutely not ready for combat use, most of them were no guns, not working means of communication. But, nevertheless, Transnistrians went to them in the fight - forced situation.


T-64BV from the tank regiment of the 14th Army. Transnistria, 1994

June 20, 1992, eight T-64BV defenders PMR stormed the Moldovan positions near Bender. Of the eight tanks two cars were destroyed by fire anti-tank guns MT-12 "Rapier". In all of this, both machines were affected in lateral projection - one armor-piercing projectiles into the boards, the second - in cumulative tower. And he and the other tanks burned. Two more tanks were damaged defenders PMR: one tank shot from a grenade launcher RPG-7 was broken caterpillar, another damaged engine. Both tanks were evacuated in Tiraspol, where then were restored.


At the end of July in Transnistria entered peacekeeping force from the 14th Russian Army. When entering these forces destroyed a T-64BV shot from the SPG-9. In the tank ammunition exploded. In the area of the bridge across the Dniester to other tanks from the 14th Army was fired from anti-tank gun MT-12 "Rapier" armor-piercing projectiles. Shell hit the protective glass commander observation device TKN-3 and tore the cover of the commander's hatch tank commander was killed, and the tank has retained its combat capability.

In the summer of 2014 during the Ukrainian army of the so-called "anti-terrorist operation" (ATO) tanks T-64 (they were mostly T and T-64BV 64BM2) applied on a larger scale. There was already at the expense of hundreds. Respectively, and increased loss of these machines.

Ukrainian army tanks were used to destroy the militia roadblocks put up on the outskirts of settlements, as well as for direct fire on homes, refugee convoys, on individual vehicles trying to flee the fighting civilians.



At the initial stage of ATU, when the Ukrainian army had absolute superiority in armored vehicles on the formation of the defenders of Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukrainian tankers acted arrogantly and with impunity. As nailing units armies DNR and LC, the capture of weapons and, above all, anti-tank weapons, tanks Ukrainian army is less and less became involved in the fighting. Moreover, in the armies of the DNI and LC tanks also began to appear - the same T-64BV seized from the Ukrainian military. The number of these tanks has increased steadily.


The best trained crews and armies DNR LC operated from ambushes, destroying weapons and equipment of the Ukrainian army and participated in raids to destroy the Ukrainian army artillery batteries that were shelling civilians.

Ukrainian T-64 tank destroyed defenders Lugansk and Donetsk, as a rule, anti-fire systems (ATRA) of the "Competition" and "Viola" melee widely used hand-held antitank grenade launchers such as the RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade RPG-22 type, RPG-26.

In most cases, getting out of ATRA and RPG led to the complete destruction of tanks as a result of the detonation of ammunition. This is due to the fact that the vast majority of the tanks used in the conflict zone Ukrainian military has a poor technical condition and are not prepared to fight. System of fire-fighting equipment (PPO) were not filled cylinder with extinguishing mixture. The fact that the replacement of these cylinders in tanks T-64 deal is quite time-consuming, so some commanders during inspections technology simply changed pyro cartridge, resulting in the fire suppression system electronics signaled its good and filling cylinders.




As events in the conflict zone, blocks mounted armor on tanks have been installed, but the metal plates and explosives they lacked that do not protect against chemical tanks, ammunition and RPG anti-tank systems. As a result of penetration of armor and ignition powder charges rounds of ammunition machines. Next - the detonation of ammunition.


During the counter-offensive armies LC and DNR majority of Ukrainian T-64 tank was destroyed by artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) "Grad" in the places of their accumulation or on routes departing in the columns. A direct hit in the tanks 152-mm high-explosive shells or 122-mm rockets, as a rule, led to the complete destruction of the tank (if it contains ammunition) or serious injury (in the absence of ammunition in tanks).

Thus, in this military conflict, confirmed truism about the necessity of careful preparation for combat use equipment and crew training. Also remember and elementary concepts and principles of combat use of tanks commanders at their disposal they are. This is the art of war commander. There is no bad equipment and weapons - there are bad commanders and untrained crews.

So in the course of armed confrontation Ukrainian army against his own people, the T-64 tanks from the guarantor of peace, with which they have been since 1976, before the collapse of the Soviet Union, suddenly turned into a "fighter civilian population." However, it is possible that the efforts of the armies of the DNI and LC these tanks become "Tanks liberators."


Main characteristics of the family of tanks T-64