The main battle tank T-90M. Technical details of the project
Last week, Army Standard magazine published an interview with Deputy Minister of Defense Dmitry Bulgakov; The theme of this material was the development of domestic armored combat vehicles, including the newest project T-90M. The Deputy Minister revealed the main features of the perspective tank, and also told what changes were made to the existing structure. Thus, now specialists and amateurs of technology have the opportunity to evaluate innovations not only in the area of the exterior, but also in terms of internal equipment. D. Bulgakov also spoke about the current work under the new project.
According to the Deputy Minister of Defense, the currently updated T-90M type tank is being tested, to confirm the real characteristics and capabilities. When creating the project, everything possible was done to make full use of the existing modernization potential. As a result, it was possible to maximize the combat qualities of the machine through the use of certain new components and assemblies.
According to previously published and new data, the T-90M project envisages the use of a mass of ready-made units and devices previously created for a base modification tank. At the same time, completely new systems of one kind or another, which are necessary for solving certain tasks and increasing the basic characteristics, are mounted on them. As a result, the T-90M tank has a significant external and technical similarity with the previous T-90, but has higher performance and enhanced capabilities.
One of the goals of the T-90M project was to enhance protection. Available armor supplemented with new overhead elements. The frontal projection and a significant part of the sides are covered with the “Relic” dynamic protection blocks. The aft elements of the hull, providing protection for the engine compartment, are additionally closed with lattice screens. A mesh screen is mounted along the perimeter of the tower, with a gain at the intersections of the filaments. Metal armor, dynamic protection and screens can also be supplemented by a complex of active protection.
When creating a complex of additional protective equipment, features of previous projects were taken into account. This resulted in a certain reduction in the weakened zones of additional protection, which positively affected the overall survivability of the equipment. In combination with active protection, all this should give a significant increase in real efficiency.
Mobility measures taken. To improve these characteristics, it is proposed to use the new B-92C2 engine with 1000 horsepower. The engine is equipped with a programmable preheater, which starts at low temperatures. The project also involves the use of a diesel generator set to power electrical appliances when the main engine is off.
The workplace of the driver is located a new display complex. The control equipment has the functions of monitoring the technical condition of the power plant as a whole and its individual systems. Also, the driver's work is somewhat simplified by installing a rear view camera.
Receiving new equipment, the T-90M tank retains the main components of the weapon system. The main weapons The armored car is a 125-mm smooth-bore gun launcher 2A46М-4. This system is able to use all existing tank ammunition, and is also used with the 9K119 "Reflex" guided weapon system. The project also provides for the use of a coiled PKTM machine gun with a caliber 7,62 mm and an anti-aircraft 12,7-mm NSV.
The smooth-bore gun in the new project does not undergo any noticeable changes, but it is completed with an improved automatic loader. The latter was modified in accordance with the need to use advanced armor-piercing sabots projectiles. At the same time, full compatibility with old types of ammunition is maintained.
The fire control system was reworked and supplemented with new devices. To increase the informational awareness of the crew, an external video surveillance system is used. A set of video cameras provides tracking of the entire surrounding space. The commander now has a multi-channel panoramic sight at his disposal, which ensures target search and weapon guidance at any time of the day.
In view of current trends and challenges, the T-90M tank received a remote-controlled combat module for an anti-aircraft machine gun. Large-caliber NSV is mounted on a mobile unit with mechanical drives controlled from crew consoles. To control the combat module in the OMS there is a separate channel.
In the course of the modernization, the tank receives a software-technical communication complex, with the help of which the machine is integrated into the automated tactical control system. This increases the efficiency of the tank as part of the unit. First of all, the exchange of data with other combat vehicles and command is simplified.
Also, according to D. Bulgakov, the T-90M project provides for the use of a number of other innovations of one kind or another. However, the representative of the military department did not specify which particular improvements are being discussed in this case.
The Deputy Minister believes that the expected serial modernization of existing T-90 family tanks under the T-90M project will lead to noticeable positive consequences for armored units. In his opinion, equipping the ground forces with modernized T-90M tanks will ensure, at a minimum, parity with foreign armies. A similar situation will persist during the future transition period, up to the deployment of mass production of promising next-generation T-14 Armata tanks.
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Over the past few months, the military has made the T-90M project a "hero" of fresh News. So, at the end of August this year, during the Army-2017 international military-technical forum, the Ministry of Defense signed several major contracts for the construction and modernization of armored combat vehicles. One of such agreements stipulated serial modernization of the existing T-90 tanks under the project with the letter "M".
In early September, celebrations on the Day of the Tankman were held at the 33 Combined Range Training Ground in the Leningrad Region. During this holiday, the first open demonstration of several updated tanks, including an experienced T-90M, took place. A sign was presented with basic information about the car, but some of the information was not announced then.
Also at the beginning of autumn, Lieutenant-General Alexander Shevchenko, Chief of the Main Armored Directorate, said that the T-90M tank was developed as part of the Breakthrough-3 development work. By that time, an experienced armored vehicle had time to enter state tests. At the same time, preparations were under way for testing another renewed machine, the T-80BVM.
According to the latest statements of the Deputy Minister of Defense D. Bulgakov, published by the Army Standard, the tests of the T-90М are currently ongoing. When it will be possible to complete the required checks - until it is specified. At the same time, however, a contract for the future serial production of new equipment was already signed. Details of the contract from 24 August have not yet been disclosed. There is reason to believe that while it is a question of modernizing several dozen tanks, with the help of which it will be possible to re-equip at least one battalion.
According to various sources, the serial production of T-90M tanks and other armored vehicles of recent projects will be carried out without the construction of new vehicles. Deliveries will be carried out based on the results of repair and modernization of the main tanks taken from the combat units of the ground forces. Currently, the Russian army has a significant number of tanks of several types, some of which need repair. Restoration of technical readiness will be accompanied by the replacement of certain units. A similar approach is already used in the framework of the T-72B3 project and fully justified itself. Now it seems to be used in upgrading other types of armored vehicles.
Earlier, during the exhibition "Army-2017", the leadership of the Ministry of Defense announced new plans for the development of the fleet of armored vehicles. According to officials, the existing tanks, such as the T-90, still retain a large modernization potential, and also did not have time to waste all their resources. As a result, repairs and upgrades will not only keep this equipment in service, but also bring its potential to a level that meets the requirements of the times. Thus, T-90M and other upgraded tanks will be able to remain in service until the appearance of a sufficient number of promising T-14. Due to this, it will be possible to obtain the desired combat capability of the troops at an acceptable cost for fleet renewal.
According to recent reports, the Ministry of Defense has already ordered the first batch of upgraded T-90M tanks. At the same time, a prototype of such a machine is still at the test site and participates in state trials. Thus, the customer has already decided the fate of the project, although he still does not specify the dates for the start of a serial restructuring of the existing tanks. The number of necessary equipment was also not announced. According to well-known estimates, the first batch of upgraded machines will not be very large. In the future, however, a full-fledged mass update of equipment will be launched.
With the help of several projects for the modernization of the main tanks of various types, including the T-90M program, it is planned to seriously upgrade the fleet of armored vehicles of the ground forces, which will be accompanied by an increase in their potential. The first projects of this kind have already reached the serial restructuring of armored vehicles, while new ones are still at the testing stage. However, the necessary checks will be completed in the near future, after which the army will receive serial equipment of new types.
On the materials of the sites:
https://tvzvezda.ru/
https://rg.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.fr/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/
- Ryabov Kirill
- Gurkhan.blogspot.fr, Decoder / otvaga2004.mybb.ru
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