Gorilla
On the work to create a new Polish tank It became known in the mid 90's. This was reported by the Russian military periodicals, but the information was extremely scarce. Not even the name of the promising Polish car was known. Apparently, the first Russian magazine to open the curtain of secrecy was Tankomaster. In the third issue for 1997, a publication by L. Suslavichus “From Twarda to Gorilla” appeared. In it, in particular, it was written: “... Poland needs a new generation tank, and work on it was started in 1995 in the hope of mid-1998 (the creation of MBT in three years, under the conditions of underfunding of the Polish defense industry, looked too optimistic - approx. V.M.) conduct sea trials of the prototype, tentatively called the "Gorilla."
RT-91
Unlike RT-91, Gorilla will have a western-type tower with almost vertical walls, ceramic tiles and active armor should cover the main armor from the top (probably Suslavičus namudr, translating data from the magazine ATM, it was based on the materials of this edition the publication of “Tankmaster”, after all, we should talk about multi-layered armor with ceramic filler and dynamic protection (note: VM), protecting against subcounter and cumulative projectiles, as well as a special layer for electromagnetic absorption th radiation. Engine - diesel power about 1000 kW. The main armament is Russian: two machine guns, a smooth-bore 125-mm gun with automatic loading (capable of serving the same for launching the 9М119 ATGM) ... The fire control system and the power unit together with the transmission are specially designed for Gorilla, they must be computerized. The Poles are looking for cooperation in the creation of this 55-ton tank with the military industry of France, Israel and the South African Republic.
In the monograph by Sergey Suvorov “Tank T-72: yesterday, today, tomorrow”, also released by the highly respected “Tankmaster”, the updated characteristics of the combat vehicle were placed. Crew - 3 person. Combat weight - 55 tons. Engine power density - HP 24,72 per ton.
Tank PT-91A with dynamic protection of national development
Maximum speed - 70 km / h. Armament machine guns caliber 12,7 and 7,62 mm. 125-mm gun and guided weapons complex 9K120. In the same work of the tank officer it was reported that after Poland joined NATO, work on the Gorilla was stopped. The bet is made on the further modernization of the T-72 / РТ-91 checked by time and long-term operation. The possibility of “leopardization” of the RT-91 was also mentioned (installation of the Leopard-2 tower on the chassis of this tank).
According to experts in the field of armored vehicles, this is unlikely to happen. Most likely, the Poles will go the Ukrainian way, tested in the Kharkov version of the modernization of the Nizhny Tagil tank - T-72-120. It has an 120-mm gun, standardized for NATO ammunition with an automatic loader, located in the niche of the tower.
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