Kazakhs want to get amphibious tanks
On April 28 this year, Lieutenant General Y. Kovalenko, the former 1st Deputy Head of the Main Armored Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, talking about Russian tanks, said that the Russian military industry has a lot to offer even the most demanding customer. So, he noted that not so long ago the Kazakh military department turned to the Russian Federation with a request to produce floating T-72s for Kazakhstan. This request somewhat surprised Russian experts. Why and where did the Kazakhs decide to sail in tanks?
According to Y. Kovalenko, there is only one option - the Kazakhs are preparing to divide the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan is not lucky with its fleet. So, in the late 90s, Kazakh sailors managed to lose five patrol “Dontles” (free gifts from the USA and Germany) - the boats sank at the time of the storm. Undoubtedly, the fleet of Kazakhstan has since strengthened, but, according to experts, its combat effectiveness is not very high. And here is a new, rather original attempt to increase the country's position on the Caspian Sea. Will the Kazakh military succeed in navigating the seas in tanks, let's see.
So, at the beginning of 1951, in the USSR, work began on designing individual systems for tanks. Prototypes for the T-54 tanks have already been created in the 1952 year. In the same year on Oka they passed the first river tests. During the 1953-1954 period, individual swimming facilities for tanks were tested at sea. In 1957, the boat, called PST-54, was adopted by the Soviet army. According to the staffing of the motorized rifle division, there must be such systems in it by the presence of tanks, i.e. up to 187 units. Production of PST-54 was conducted at the plant number 342 in the city of Navashino. Additional equipment for the T-54 tanks for mounting the PST-54 was carried out in Kharkov, at plant No. XXUMX. Tank T-75, which was adapted for use PST-54, received the code name "object 54".
At the same time, the design offices were working to create individual floating systems for the new T-55 tanks and the ZSU-57 self-propelled anti-aircraft installation. These systems were called PST-55 for T-55 and for the modified ZSU-57, which received the factory index "510 object", PST. In 59, the Leningrad State Tank Plant No. XXUMX and the 174 Mechanical Plant in Domodedovo PST were unified. Already in the 342 year of the last century, the improved PST-U was in service with the USSR Army.
Structurally, the PST-U system consisted of five steel pontoons (two main pontoons were located on the sides, two folding pontoons, which were also located on the sides, and one stern). The filling of the pontoons with foam plastic provided 40% buoyancy of the PST-U tank T-54. The total mass of PST-U was 10 tons. The drive wheels of the tank set in motion two propellers, providing a maximum afloat speed on the order of 12 km / h. On land, the maximum speed of the T-54 equipped with PST-U was about 19 km / h. The 500 liters of fuel tanks of the floating craft ensured a range of about 60-80 km, while the fuel of the tank was not used.
The tank, equipped with PST-U, could move on the water surface, the excitement of which reached five points. Shooting from a tank gun was possible with excitement at 1,5 points. In addition, along with the tank, the landing of up to 25 people was permitted (for the ZSU-57, the landing could be up to 40 people. The crew of the tank would hang the vessel on the tank for 35 minutes. PST was carried out on 4-x cars ZIS-151.
The development of special floating systems continued its development. So, already in the 62 year, a lightweight PS-1 floating craft, intended for T-55 tanks and BTS tank tractors, was tested. The weight of the new PS-1 was already a little over 5,5 tons. Weight reduction was achieved through the use of aluminum alloys in the construction of the pontoons. The BTS with the PS-1 afloat developed a maximum speed of over 13 km / h, and when reversing about 8 km / h. When towing on water, the speed of the system reached 19 km / h. On land, the BTS tractor with PS-1 could move at speeds up to 25 km / h. To 100 km. The power reserve of the system has been increased. The PS-1 was transported by two cars of the brand ZIL-157В.
PS-1, on the basis of the tests performed, was superior to PST-U and PST-54 in its nautical qualities. Already in the 65 year, after minor modifications, the PST-63 (new designation PS-1) was adopted by the SA of the USSR.
Further work to improve the floating systems for the T-55 and T-62 tanks led to the emergence of new modifications, called PST-64 and PST-63М.
Not deprived of attention and Soviet heavy tanks. For example, in the 1955-1957, the Leningrad TsKB-50 developed the “755 project”, which was a similar floating craft for a heavy T-10 tank. Three prototypes of the “755 project” were built in Gorky, at the Krasnoe Sormovo shipbuilding enterprise. However, the further development of this project was not.
Simultaneously with the displacement craft for tanks at the end of the 50-s, work was carried out on the design of high-speed amphibious amphibious assault systems on hydrofoils. Thus, at the Navashino shipyard in 1958, a high-speed hydrofoil tank landing system was developed, called the “80 project”. The system included 2 boats with folding hydrofoils. Each boat had a displacement of 12 tons. "Project 80" allowed to transport an average tank for removal up to 400 kilometers at speeds up to 30 nodes. Each pontoon boat had its own 1000-strong motor. In 61, a prototype complex was created.
In the 1967-1968, the two leading specimens were tested and mass production of floating facilities began. "The 80 project" was equipped with two battalions - one each in the Black Sea and the Baltic.
You can read more about the 80 project. here.
According to Y. Kovalenko, there is only one option - the Kazakhs are preparing to divide the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan is not lucky with its fleet. So, in the late 90s, Kazakh sailors managed to lose five patrol “Dontles” (free gifts from the USA and Germany) - the boats sank at the time of the storm. Undoubtedly, the fleet of Kazakhstan has since strengthened, but, according to experts, its combat effectiveness is not very high. And here is a new, rather original attempt to increase the country's position on the Caspian Sea. Will the Kazakh military succeed in navigating the seas in tanks, let's see.
So, at the beginning of 1951, in the USSR, work began on designing individual systems for tanks. Prototypes for the T-54 tanks have already been created in the 1952 year. In the same year on Oka they passed the first river tests. During the 1953-1954 period, individual swimming facilities for tanks were tested at sea. In 1957, the boat, called PST-54, was adopted by the Soviet army. According to the staffing of the motorized rifle division, there must be such systems in it by the presence of tanks, i.e. up to 187 units. Production of PST-54 was conducted at the plant number 342 in the city of Navashino. Additional equipment for the T-54 tanks for mounting the PST-54 was carried out in Kharkov, at plant No. XXUMX. Tank T-75, which was adapted for use PST-54, received the code name "object 54".
Tank T-54, equipped with a set of PST-54. Photo from 1952
At the same time, the design offices were working to create individual floating systems for the new T-55 tanks and the ZSU-57 self-propelled anti-aircraft installation. These systems were called PST-55 for T-55 and for the modified ZSU-57, which received the factory index "510 object", PST. In 59, the Leningrad State Tank Plant No. XXUMX and the 174 Mechanical Plant in Domodedovo PST were unified. Already in the 342 year of the last century, the improved PST-U was in service with the USSR Army.
Tank T-54B with unified watercraft PST-U
Structurally, the PST-U system consisted of five steel pontoons (two main pontoons were located on the sides, two folding pontoons, which were also located on the sides, and one stern). The filling of the pontoons with foam plastic provided 40% buoyancy of the PST-U tank T-54. The total mass of PST-U was 10 tons. The drive wheels of the tank set in motion two propellers, providing a maximum afloat speed on the order of 12 km / h. On land, the maximum speed of the T-54 equipped with PST-U was about 19 km / h. The 500 liters of fuel tanks of the floating craft ensured a range of about 60-80 km, while the fuel of the tank was not used.
T-54B tank equipped with ПСТ-У
Tests of the T-55 tank equipped with PST-U
The tank, equipped with PST-U, could move on the water surface, the excitement of which reached five points. Shooting from a tank gun was possible with excitement at 1,5 points. In addition, along with the tank, the landing of up to 25 people was permitted (for the ZSU-57, the landing could be up to 40 people. The crew of the tank would hang the vessel on the tank for 35 minutes. PST was carried out on 4-x cars ZIS-151.
The ZSU-57 installation with the hung PST
ZSU-57 on tests on the Black Sea
The development of special floating systems continued its development. So, already in the 62 year, a lightweight PS-1 floating craft, intended for T-55 tanks and BTS tank tractors, was tested. The weight of the new PS-1 was already a little over 5,5 tons. Weight reduction was achieved through the use of aluminum alloys in the construction of the pontoons. The BTS with the PS-1 afloat developed a maximum speed of over 13 km / h, and when reversing about 8 km / h. When towing on water, the speed of the system reached 19 km / h. On land, the BTS tractor with PS-1 could move at speeds up to 25 km / h. To 100 km. The power reserve of the system has been increased. The PS-1 was transported by two cars of the brand ZIL-157В.
Tank tractor BTS equipped with PS-1
PS-1, on the basis of the tests performed, was superior to PST-U and PST-54 in its nautical qualities. Already in the 65 year, after minor modifications, the PST-63 (new designation PS-1) was adopted by the SA of the USSR.
Further work to improve the floating systems for the T-55 and T-62 tanks led to the emergence of new modifications, called PST-64 and PST-63М.
Tank T-55 with the new system PST-63
Not deprived of attention and Soviet heavy tanks. For example, in the 1955-1957, the Leningrad TsKB-50 developed the “755 project”, which was a similar floating craft for a heavy T-10 tank. Three prototypes of the “755 project” were built in Gorky, at the Krasnoe Sormovo shipbuilding enterprise. However, the further development of this project was not.
T-10 with a prototype of the "755 project".
Simultaneously with the displacement craft for tanks at the end of the 50-s, work was carried out on the design of high-speed amphibious amphibious assault systems on hydrofoils. Thus, at the Navashino shipyard in 1958, a high-speed hydrofoil tank landing system was developed, called the “80 project”. The system included 2 boats with folding hydrofoils. Each boat had a displacement of 12 tons. "Project 80" allowed to transport an average tank for removal up to 400 kilometers at speeds up to 30 nodes. Each pontoon boat had its own 1000-strong motor. In 61, a prototype complex was created.
In the 1967-1968, the two leading specimens were tested and mass production of floating facilities began. "The 80 project" was equipped with two battalions - one each in the Black Sea and the Baltic.
Tank T-55 on the floating facility "project 80"
80 Project.
You can read more about the 80 project. here.
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