Specialists of the State Enterprise "Kharkov Armored Repair Plant" proposed a deep modernization option tanks type T-64, T-72, T-80, which brings them to the line of modern machines. In particular, an option has been developed to significantly improve the performance characteristics of the T-64.
T-64 type tanks were called "home tanks" - these vehicles were never exported, even to the Warsaw Pact allies. For its time, it was, without exaggeration, a revolutionary tank: a combined reservation was used in its armor protection, which reliably protected it from most of the anti-tank weapons of that time, the fourth member of the tank crew, the loader, was replaced by a loading mechanism. The main armament of the T-64 is the 125 millimeter cannon-launcher, which, in addition to conventional projectiles, is capable of firing guided missiles. Auxiliary weapon represented by a twin PCT machine gun of caliber 7,62 mm and anti-aircraft machine-gun installation (ZPU) "Cliff" caliber 12,7 mm. A characteristic detail is that in the seventies, the T-64 TCDU received remote control, i.e. for firing from her tank commander there was no need to open the hatch and, leaning to the waist (often - under enemy fire), take up the handle of the machine gun control.
Naturally, for his nearly fifty years historyThe "sixty-four" order has lost its initial advantages: the armor is no longer reliably "held" by modern anti-tank ammunition, the small field of view of the LSD sight does not allow it to be used effectively to combat modern high-speed air targets, the engine power is clearly insufficient for the level of mobility requirements 21 century.
These, and other factors, were the reason for the initiative development in the deep modernization of the T-64. T-64E - so Kharkiv citizens "christened" the modernized tank, it is significantly different from its progenitor.
The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the T-64 is an unusual tower. Due to the use of the Knife, in its construction of the complex of dynamic protection, the tower slightly increased in size and “acquired” the panels inclined at an acute angle to the attacking ammunition. Similar protection blocks are mounted on the upper frontal part and the sides of the case, although it is not so noticeable there.
Another noticeable difference from the prototype is the formation of a new multi-channel fire complex based on an improved fire control system using thermal imaging, television, panoramic sighting and monitoring instruments, a modernized guided missile complex, a new ballistic calculating device with enhanced shooting conditions, the use of multifunctional combat modules installed in special mines of the turret.
On the machine exhibited on May 9, 2011, combat modules with the PKT machine gun and aviation double-barreled gun GSH-23L. In fact, the range of weapons that can be used as part of the modules is much wider. The design of the modules is easily removable, quick-changeable due to their unification according to the mounting parts of the installation, remote control drives, guidance, aiming. This technical solution appears to equip the machine with various weapon systems for a specific combat mission.
The use of an automatic tracking system, target identification in combination with an onboard information system, made it possible to significantly ease the crew’s combat work in reconnaissance and threat selection, minimized reaction time and defeat of priority targets. Moreover, the firing complex is able to recommend to any member of the crew (including the driver’s mechanics) of the tank an optimal firing channel, an outfit of ammunition for the speedy execution of firing tasks.
Thanks to this solution, the T-64E can serve as an infantry tank or a tank directly supporting infantry, thus embodying the concept of a prominent tank theorist Marshal Oleg Alexandrovich Losik. According to his theory, it is advisable to create two types of specialized tanks - artillery, armed with a large-caliber artillery system, and infantry, which, by arming with an automatic gun, can provide direct fire support to infantry units of a tactical platoon-company.
The special requirements of a modern tank are to the power supply system: the equipment is more and more complex, and therefore more and more energy-intensive equipment - this is the fire control system, KURV (guided missile complex), more and more sophisticated communications equipment, navigation equipment, optical-electronic complex suppression, installation of air conditioning, etc., necessitates having several sources on the machine. Capacities of tank batteries are not enough to maintain the functioning of all this equipment when the engine is not running (for example, in the parking lot, in ambush), and it is extremely inexpedient to “drive” the main engine, both from the point of view of developing its already limited lifespan and in order to save effective reserve fuel. The solution to this problem in the world "tank fashion" was the use of an auxiliary power unit (APU) - an autonomous engine with enough power to supply electricity to all onboard consumers. The T-64E didn’t stay away from this trend - the tank is equipped with a 10 kilowatt APU with a liquid diesel engine cooling system in the reserved bulk of the hull and a second air cooling unit with a 6 kilowatt cooling capacity in the turret niche. Thereby, guaranteed energy supply is provided in any possible situations.
Improving the survivability of the tank is achieved by using a high-speed system of fire-fighting equipment using optical sensors, their optimal placement in the branches of the machine.
Reduced visibility of the tank in the entire spectrum of electromagnetic, thermal and acoustic radiation is achieved by using special materials, shielding, creating surfaces of the structures of the necessary directions and shapes. Implemented a scheme of applying effective camouflage protective coating.
The implementation of the above design activities caused an increase in the weight of the machine to 42,5 tons, and, of course, the "native" engine of the sixty-four "5TDFA 700 hp power. no longer satisfied developers. The specialists of the state enterprise Kharkiv BTRZ, in collaboration with a number of scientific and design organizations, developed and manufactured their own forced version of 5TD - 5TDFE with 850 horsepower, resulting in the specific power of the T-64Е xNUMX hp / ton.
The calculations of the costs for implementing the T-64E project showed that, by the criterion of "combat effectiveness - cost", high rates were achieved. The tank itself is competitive in the external market and has the additional modernization potential. With the discontinuation of the BM Bulat theme, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine may be offered as a budget option for the restoration and deep modernization of the T-64 fleet, at a lower price, and at TTH at the level and higher than 447АМ1.
Specialists of the state enterprise "Kharkiv BTRZ" not only modernized the T-64, which had far from exhausted its potential, but also pushed the horizon of the use of the modern tank, made a new step in its development. Time shows how successful and effective the concepts incorporated in the design of the machine are. Now with confidence we can say one thing - the tank is still alive, and the appearance of such machines is another confirmation of this.