T-90 - updated machine for the Russian Army

On September 1, 1999, V.B. Domnin, Colonel of the RF Armed Forces, talented engineer, head of the new formation. He was to continue work on tank T-90 The "Indian" contract stimulated work to improve the machine and did not let the tank production in Russia die. Uralvagonzavod worked out new technologies for the production of towers, began to rebuild the counterparty network and, in general, was ready to fulfill new orders, including for the Russian Army. Finally, in 2004, the military ordered ... 14 tanks, while sending the manufacturer in deep thought on the subject: “What does the customer want to get?” Adopted in 1992, the T-90 was clearly outdated, but the army did not test anything and did not accept it for service!

It should be recalled that in Soviet times, before adopting not only the new combat vehicle, but even its next modification, comprehensive and large-scale tests were carried out. This process was long and very difficult. And then the order for 14 units "Object 188" and no explanation. It is physically impossible to make T-90 (“188 object”) of the 1992 model, already physically impossible due to the absence of entire productions, but what then do the military mean by this object number? Started enhanced correspondence with the customer and obtaining additional technical tasks. As a result, the appearance of a new machine for the Russian Army began to take shape.

The design was based on the design of the tank for India. The situation was really somewhat paradoxical: for decades, the USSR drove for export the “trimmed” versions of the vehicles in service with its army, and here India gets a tank that is qualitatively superior to everything that Russia has!

UKBTM designers tried to invest in the new machine all the latest achievements, achievements and operating experience. The OMS of the new tank was built around the thermal sight of the Essa gunner and the upgraded aiming and observation complex of the commander of the 1-K04 Agat-MR. Applied advanced ballistic computer 1B216M. The diesel engine B-92C2, already tested in India, was adopted as a power plant.

The machine protection complex ensures frontal projection invisibility with all modern anti-tank weapons. The node VLD housing was strengthened. The reservation thickness of the front part of the hull roof has increased by about 20 mm, and the side and aft protection of domestic tanks of the post-war generations has traditionally been at a higher level compared to foreign models.

The machine has been installed a modernized complex of optical-electronic countermeasures "Curtain". Analyzing the experience of fighting in Chechnya and in other regional conflicts, the developers have implemented a set of measures to enhance the local protection of machine elements vulnerable to fire RPGs and thermal disguise. Firepower has increased due to the installation of an improved gun 2А46М5 with enhanced characteristics of internal and external ballistics.

By the time Uralvagonzavod received an order from the Russian Army, the implementation of all the measures envisaged had not yet been implemented. In addition, there were financial constraints. "Pseudo-serial" production of tanks had to lead, relying on temporary technical conditions agreed with the customer. At the same time, in the correspondence there were indicated separate points of the events of the ROC, which by all means should have been realized on the machines ordered. However, this solution is fully consistent with the ideology of the evolutionary development and production of armored vehicles in Nizhny Tagil. The entire ordered batch of 14 units, albeit with some delay, was handed over to military acceptance at the beginning of 2005. The Russian Army was replenished with really new tanks. In the same year, an improved modification was officially adopted. Machines that had the factory designation "Object 188А1", received the army name "T-90A".

Tank T-90A in the assembly shop Uralvagonzavod. January 2005

Tank T-90A with an "Essay" on field tests. June 2006

T-90A tanks on exercises in the suburbs

Tank T-90A of the 2004 release. The reservation of the Buran-M sight is clearly visible.

In 2005, Uralvagonzavod, in accordance with the provisions of the state budget, EXECUTED an order for X-NUMX T-18A [90] tanks. Distinctive features of these 4 linear machines (among the 30 tanks ordered in 32-2004. Two vehicles were in the commander's version) were the installation of the upgraded night vision system Т2005-К01 "Buran-M" and the implementation of the improved Curtain-05 COEP. Less radical changes were made to the hull structure.

Starting with 2006, the machine is in production with all the design improvements planned by the project. By this time, the debugging of the technology and the restoration of cooperation ties were basically completed. All this allowed Uralvagonzavod to complete the production program of 2006 in the number of battalion sets (31 machine) ahead of schedule. In 2007, the 31 tank was also released, and the following year, the completed order amounted to two battalion sets - the 62 vehicles; the same amount was produced in 2009. Order 2009, according to the press service of Uralvagonzavod, was also completed ahead of schedule - by early December [5]. Thus, for the period from 2004 to 2009, inclusive, 30Т-90А was collected (from Buran-M); 180 T-90A (from "Essay"); two T-90K (cast tower, with "Buran-M") and six T-90AK (welded tower, with "Essay).

2004-2006 Release Machines entered service 2 th guards motorized rifle Taman Order of the October Revolution of the Red Banner Order of Suvorov division named after MI. Kalinin, stationed in the suburbs. In the course of the transformations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, this division 15 of May 2009 was disbanded, and on its basis the 5-I motorized rifle brigade of the Moscow Military District was created. T-90 tanks of this division took part in parades on Red Square in 2008-2010.

T-90A release 2007-2009's. arrived at the recruitment of the 131-th Maikop motorized rifle brigade, hastily transferred to Abkhazia after the events of August 2008, the 141-th separate tank battalion (ot) 19-th honey and 428-nd rep 20-th honey SKVO. Part of the machines hit the training centers, in particular, the Omsk Tank Engineering Institute.

Tank T-90A with an "Essa" sight and a modernized TSHU complex.

Currently, T-90А is a perfect example of the main battle tank and meets all modern requirements for combat vehicles of this class. The T-90A is characterized by an optimal combination of combat, performance and cost. In terms of combat characteristics, it is on par with modern tanks produced by leading world powers: the USA, Germany, France and the UK. At the same time it compares favorably with the tanks of these countries both in terms of the cost of the vehicle itself and in terms of the cost of its operation. Serious competitors of the T-90A in the price niche are the Chinese, Pakistani and Ukrainian MBT, as well as tanks, obtained by upgrading the T-72 with the assistance of leading Western manufacturers of weapons. However, in this case, on the T-90A side, superiority in terms of protection and overall crew survival, as well as exceptional technical reliability, to which UKBTM traditionally pays the most attention. The combination of all the above qualities makes the T-90A the best serial tank of the first half of the XXI century.

T-90CA: security guarantee

In 2005, the representatives of Algeria, followed by Libya, lured by advertising promises of Ukraine, got acquainted with its proposals in the field of military-technical cooperation. However, the unstable political situation in Ukraine, on the one hand, and the successful implementation of the armored contract between Russia and India, on the other, forced the representatives of Algeria and Libya to pay attention to the products of Uralvagonzavod - T-90C tanks. It is appropriate to add that when studying the proposals of the Ukrainian side, potential customers were already well aware of similar proposals from Russia. During the visit of the Algerian president to Moscow in April 2001, the problem of the modernization of the T-72 tanks in service with the country's army was also discussed. 28 January 2004 in the territory of the Main Research and Development Center FSUE STIIM held a demonstration of the capabilities of the Russian technology to representatives of Libya, and 24-25 in March of the same year - the delegation of Algeria.

Tank T-90SA at the exhibition "Ural MetallExpo" in Nizhny Tagil. September 2006 of

The great advantage of Russian proposals was the availability of flexible but comprehensive solutions for MBT, a ready program for upgrading the fleet of previously produced machines, the possibility of supplying a complex of engineering machines and support machines on a single basis with improved characteristics (for example, increasing the load capacity and boom reach BREM). Taking as a basis the design of the tank T-90С of the model 1999 shipped to India, the Ural design bureau of transport engineering conducted its revision to the requirements of the new customer. Representatives of Algeria, negotiating through Rosoboronexport, were presented with about a dozen options for car assembly, based on different values ​​of the cost-effectiveness parameter.

Installation of a thermoelectric air conditioner on the tower of the T-90CA tank.

Given the operating experience of T-90C "Bishma" in the hot climate of India, the initial version of the machine was chosen with the installation of an air-conditioning system, as well as with a modified system for detecting laser radiation. This option received the factory index "Object 188CA" ("A" - for Algeria) and the military designation T-90CA. A prototype machine was made in May 2005 g. At the end of the same year, he successfully passed the tests in Algeria, including the harsh desert conditions. In January, 2006, during the visit of President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin in Algeria, the Russian "Rosoboronexport" signed a package of contracts for the supply of various weapons, including armored ones. For four years, the Russian side was to supply Algeria with X-NUMX T-185С tanks and their commander version T-90-SAC, as well as to modernize X-NUMX T-90М / М250 tanks to T-72Х1М by Russian specialists, but in local Algerian production areas . In addition, the contracts provided for the delivery of a batch of repair-evacuation machines BREM-72M, equipped with air conditioning, as well as simulators. The first batch of 1 tanks was supposed to be delivered by the end of 1.

However, the fulfillment of this condition encountered some organizational difficulties, as a result, instead of 40 machines, only 2006 T-30CA tanks were sent to 90. The following year, supplies to Algeria were 102 machines, and in 2008, the 53 tank. Thus, despite some complaints to the Russian side, the contract was executed ahead of time and quite successfully. The essence of the claims was reduced to a complete set of machines allegedly used equipment. The scandal caused by the delivery of sub-standard MiG fighter jets forced the Algerian side to be picky about accepting tanks. According to some sources, Algeria is currently negotiating the purchase of another batch of Russian cars.

In the summer of 2009, a contract was signed for the supply of several T-90C to Turkmenistan. Urgency became its peculiarity: the delivery of a batch of tanks was carried out already in August. Machines placed under the brand name "T-90С", in their technical appearance basically corresponded to the modifications for Algeria.

The next potential buyer of T-90C was Libya. The desire to acquire Russian tanks was finalized by the summer of 2006, also after a successful demonstration and test program at the customer’s premises. In addition to the above-mentioned improvements, cars destined for Libya are likely to have an SEMP (an electromagnetic mine protection system with magnetic fuses). It is planned to equip tanks with mine-sweepers with an electromagnetic attachment (protection from mines with radio fuses) and “Cape” camouflage kits. In any case, the car in a similar configuration was shown to Libyans at the exhibition “Russia Expo Arms-2006”.

At the same exhibition, the Libyan delegation showed great interest in the UBTF BMP-ZM military demining machine and the humanitarian demining machine of settlements MGR NP developed by SKB-200 of the Federal Research and Production Center Stanko Mash. This interest indicates the great attention of Libyan commanders to the threat of a mine war and an integrated approach to equipping armored troops with machines that have a single unified base.

But during the negotiation process, it turned out that the cost of the T-90C is somewhat high, as a result of which later on it was already a question of acquiring a modernized T-72 tank. For the same reason, Peru (in favor of the Chinese MBT-90Q20) and Venezuela (in favor of the modernized T-8) refused to buy T-72С, although in technical terms T-90С was preferred at all stages.

Almost simultaneously with Algeria and Libya, Saudi Arabia expressed interest in T-90C. Comparative tests with the participation of the Russian tank were carried out in the Arabian desert in 2006. Saudi side was satisfied with the results and is currently preparing a contract. Morocco, Yemen and Brazil were next in line for T-90C. According to unofficial data, Iran is showing interest in procurement and licensed production of the T-90C, while Bangladesh, the Philippines and the new Iraqi government have been studying the acquisition possibilities. According to the American research center Forecast International, which specializes in military research, the T-90 tanks will continue to dominate the international market for armored weapons in the next decade.

Evolution continues

Statements Forecast International is not a reason for complacency of the Ural tank builders. At present, the improvement of the basic model continues. The new modification of the T-90 is an initiative designed by the Ural Transport Engineering KB, which envisages the creation of a unified fighting compartment for the modernization of the T-90 tanks. MBT, which we conditionally call the "T-90M", is distinguished, first of all, by a completely new tower design, the protection of which is practically devoid of weakened vulnerable zones and is all-round. Not only frontal, but also side projection, as well as feed, are significantly better protected. The most relevant in terms of protection - enhanced roof protection.

The prospective vehicle has an improved fire control system. Its special feature is the inclusion of a three-channel thermal imaging panoramic sight for the commander. The development of the fire control system used the developments obtained during the very successful R&D projects "Ramka-99" and "Rogatka-1", as well as during the work on the T-90 variants for Algeria. The smaller dimensions of the sights and their very serious protection from small-caliber fire are noteworthy. artillery, bullets and fragments of large-caliber shells. This is especially noticeable against the background of the Ukrainian tank "Oplot-M" presented in March 2009. In general, special attention is paid to visibility on the "T-90M".

The crew has good working conditions - the ergonomics of the Tagil machines are constantly improving.
Both 2А46М5 and a completely new weapon with seriously improved ballistic characteristics - 2А82 can be mounted on the tank. The upgraded tank can be equipped with a new automatic loader designed for large elongation BPS, and a container for additional ammunition is provided in the stern of the turret. In our opinion, this is not the right decision, but it fully complies with the latest standards of international armored fashion.

A prototype model of a promising tank based on the T-90, presented at the Prospector testing range 8 in December 2009.

Not left without attention and auxiliary weapons. ZPU replaced by remote-controlled stand-alone machine gun installation caliber 7,62 mm. The "T-90M" also installed new secure communication systems, navigation system, provides for integration into automated control systems.

At present, only the tower is manufactured by the UKBTM pilot production. 8 December 2009. The tank "T-90M" was presented by V.V. Putin before the meeting on the development of Russian tank construction, which was held in the "tank capital" of Russia - the city of Nizhny Tagil. To demonstrate to the Prime Minister, the tower, as befits a combat module, was easily installed on the first available T-90 type chassis. This explains the presence on the body of the shown tank dynamic protection "Contact-V" instead of "Relic", which is one of the most promising in terms of upgrading tanks such as T-72 and T-90. This complex allows you to increase the already very strong counter-protective protection of T-90 1,4 times for BPS and 2,1 times increases protivokumulyativnuyu resistance.

today's realities is uniform MTO diesel B 92S2, however, for improved performance UKBTM together with the Chelyabinsk enterprises CTZ and "Electromashina" operates to introduce monobloc power plant based on V-shaped 1000-strong turbo B 92S2 (or its shape the version X-99 with power 1200 hp), motion control systems using a steering wheel and automatic gear shifting.

Chief Designer VB Domnin in the assembly shop of Uralvagonzavod demonstrates T-90 tanks to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin 8 December 2009

The next demonstration of the upgraded tank to the leadership of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense is planned to take place at the exhibition “Russian Defense Ехро-2010”, which will be held from 14 to 17 in July on the basis of the State demonstration and exhibition center of FKP NTIIM in Nizhny Tagil. Successful demonstration of the new Russian combat vehicle to the leadership of the state and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will undoubtedly give new impetus to the radical re-equipment of the Russian Army to high-quality equipment, which, in turn, contributes to strengthening the export potential of domestic engineering and increasing interest in Russian tanks. The display at the Eurosatory-2010 exhibition of new versions of the Leopard and Merkava tanks demonstrates a tendency towards a radical modernization of proven designs. Therefore, it can be argued that the Russian tank building industry is confidently and uninterruptedly running a parallel course with world leaders. Idealogy and solutions laid down in a promising new tank by designers from Nizhny Tagil, fully correspond to the innovations implemented by German tank builders in the design under the motto “MBT Revolution”.

In conclusion, it must be emphasized that the T-90 series of tanks are typical:
- optimal fitness for the conduct of hostilities in extreme situations;
- exceptional reliability of all components and assemblies, mechanisms and complexes;
- excellent mobility and maneuverability regardless of any climatic and road conditions, including in conditions of high dustiness and high altitude;
- The minimum cost of training highly qualified specialists.
The Russian rocket-gun tank T-90, embodied in its design the most advanced scientific and technical solutions, in terms of combat and technical characteristics and the ability to conduct modern combat in no way inferior to the best tanks in foreign countries, and in a number of essential parameters exceeds them.