Better adapted to the special operation: a new modification of the T-62M tank
They do not allow to retire - a very accurate wording that characterizes the combat service of the T-62M. It would seem that the recent hostilities in Syria were the last item on the track record of these tanks, but began a special military operation in Ukraine. And even there, these machines found a place as an armored fist of volunteer and republican formations. But age takes its toll: "sixty-twos" are already rather outdated and do not meet all the requirements of our time. Based on this, the question of expanding the combat capabilities of the T-62M is once again raised. And it really can be expanded. An example of this is a tank modification developed several years ago, which was recently shown at the Army-2022 forum.
Sharp thermal eye
The changes did not affect the main armament of the modernized "sixty-two", however, its sighting and observation system underwent a serious processing. You may notice that the laser rangefinder mounted above the gun has disappeared from the turret. Instead, a simple armored plug was installed. The thing is that the tank got a new sight 1PN-96MT-02. It includes a thermal imaging channel and a range finder.
Assembled on a domestic element base, this sight, of course, has slightly worse indicators of the detection and identification range of targets in conditions of poor visibility (at night) than the same French Thales thermal imagers installed on T-90A tanks, but it works out in full. Its capabilities make it possible to detect an enemy tank at a distance of up to 3 meters. Considering that the "night lights" of the old T-000Ms, built on image intensifier tubes, provide several times less visibility, the 62PN-1MT-96 installation does not even look like a step forward, but a whole jump.
View of the left side of the upgraded T-62M. The folding mast of the MGOES is visible in the rear of the tower. Source: nevskii-bastion.ru
In combination with an electronic ballistic computer, the new thermal imaging sight greatly expands the firing capabilities of the T-62M, and we are not even talking about enemy armored vehicles. In today's realities, the use of these tanks is mainly limited to the fight against openly located and sheltered manpower, where the "teplak" can provide invaluable assistance, since the infantry is a rather difficult target to detect, not only at night, but also during the day.
The expansion of visibility from the tank does not end there. The upgraded T-62M was equipped with the MGOES system. This abbreviation stands for multispectral gyro-stabilized optoelectronic system. It is a fully stabilized unit, movable vertically and horizontally, mounted on a retractable mast in the rear of the tower. When folded, the height of the mast is 1,3 meters, and when fully extended it is 5 meters. The MGOES block combines a laser range finder and three channels: television, infrared medium wave and infrared near range.
Block MGOES. Source: nevskii-bastion.ru
If everything is more or less clear with television and medium-wave infrared (a conventional thermal imager), then the near-range IR sensor is a rather interesting thing. Unlike classical thermal imagers that react to thermal radiation from a target, near-IR cameras are able to register reflected infrared radiation from an object and transmit a very clear and detailed image to the display. Therefore, where a conventional thermal imager will display a luminous blurry spot in the shape of a person or some kind of tank on the screen, the near-range sensor will allow you to see almost chevrons or identification symbols on the sides (exaggerated). It also feels much better in really difficult conditions: in fog, dust, smoke and other curtains blocking visibility.
An example of a near-IR camera in fog. Source: www.habr.com
Working in pairs as part of the MGOES, cameras of both infrared ranges significantly expand the T-62M's ability to monitor the area. And not only in range, but, taking into account the extended mast, it can be 4 km or more. Here, the term “high-quality amplification” provided by a dual-band module is more suitable.
Armor and mobility
As for security, here, apparently, they did not reinvent the wheel and went along the path of minimal changes.
The frontal projections of the hull and turret are already equipped with traditional overhead armor modules, which have become an indispensable attribute of the T-62M since it was put into service in 1983. They consist of a 30 mm thick outer steel cover and 5 mm steel sheets installed behind it, the space between which is filled with polyurethane. In this version, the tank is able to withstand hits from HEAT ammunition with a penetration of up to 450 mm, as well as feathered sub-caliber shells with a penetration of up to 350–380 mm in steel equivalent.
View from above. The mast of the MGOES and the right block of the hinged protection of the tower are visible. Source: rg.ru
In fact, although with slight discrepancies, the level of this armor corresponds to the early modifications of the T-64, as well as the T-72M tanks, actively used by the Ukrainian side during a special military operation. Of course, such protection is not enough to perform tasks in close fire contact with enemy units armed to the teeth with modern anti-tank weapons. Nevertheless, it is quite enough where a heavy, mobile and armored "sledgehammer" is required, capable of knocking out enemy positions from safe distances.
But the sides were more fortunate - they were strengthened with the help of hinged dynamic protection "Contact", installed on the side screens. Here, of course, an interesting combination turned out, since earlier “reactive” armor was not found on the factory modifications of the T-62M. And this is bearing fruit. Based on open data, the side armor, together with the Kontakt, can withstand a 125-mm cumulative projectile from a tank gun in the course angles of maneuvering, and the arrival of stale single-block grenades and ATGMs will also end without much damage.
Hinged dynamic protection "Contact" and side / stern lattice screens. Source: rg.ru
Also, the sides in the area of the engine compartment and the stern received lattice screens as reinforcement, designed to protect against anti-tank grenades of the PG-7 type. The principle of their operation is widely known and is based on the destruction / damage of the cumulative funnel (lining) of these ammunition. The Research Institute of Steel in its open data indicates a 50% probability of destroying a grenade without breaking through the armor.
Separately, it is worth dwelling on the mobility of the new T-62M. The fact is that this car in its original version of the 1983 model was already extremely overweight. If the T-62 itself weighed 37,5 tons, then the additional armor blocks, mine protection of the bottom of 20-mm steel sheets and other minor changes brought its mass to 40,5 tons. The 620-horsepower tank engine coped with this load, frankly, with difficulty. In the new version, the T-62M has gained more weight due to dynamic protection, grilles and other equipment. In this regard, the tank was equipped with a V-46-5 diesel engine with a capacity of 780 horsepower.
Conclusions
If we move away from talking about the need for the T-62 in the SVO and take it for granted, then, whatever one may say, the modernized T-62M seems to be the most adapted to the modern realities of the combat use of these tanks. Basically, of course, because of the thermal imaging sight, which has long been an indispensable attribute of this class of equipment. In the current conditions, the rules of the game are as follows: who first saw, he struck. The new "sixty-two" fully complies with this requirement. Yes, there are comments on the base. The T-62MV, devoid of additional armor blocks, but having a full set of dynamic protection in frontal and side projections, would have looked more advantageous, but even in this version the tank has an overwhelming advantage over its unmodified counterparts.
As for the MGOES, the expediency of this decision can be confirmed or refuted only by practical application. In full performance, this system will not let a mosquito pass by without notifying the crew about it. But how it will show itself from an operational and financial point of view is a question. Although the product was not used in military trials, on the whole it looks promising and is not being demonstrated for the first time. Here, as they say, there would be money, and there would be application.
Information