T-72B3 - what kind of animal? Specifications

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

In recent years, there have been many rumors about new modifications of the T-72 MBT, some of them frankly enthusiastic, and in another case it comes almost to outright abuse. And when at the end of 2013 it was decided to refuse to purchase T-72B3 for the needs of the army, this message produced the effect of an exploding grenade.

It should be mentioned here that this decision was made on the basis of real experience in operating prototypes in units where T-80 tanks were previously used. The real work of the equipment is more important for tankers, and they frankly do not care about the opinion of the "experts". So, why is the T-72B3 good or not too good? Differences from previous modifications - in our material.

Serdyukov's work will not be forgotten…

Ordering weapons for the army is currently a huge undertaking in which each side strives to snatch a larger piece of profit. Here are the main interests:

• KB are trying to sell their developments and get grants for further research.
• Industry doesn't care what's comingto produce, if only there was a long-term state order and there were funds to pay workers.
• Army. Previously, she simply wanted to get reliable equipment in large quantities, but in the time of Serdyukov, everything changed somewhat, and not for the better.

Enough of the lyrics though. We need a T-72B3. What kind of beast will still begin to enter our troops (this year's decision)?

Main modified nodes

Let's focus on those units that have actually been upgraded:

• SLA, changed observation devices and aiming aids for the crew.
• New radio communication system.
• Updated weapons.
• Improvements in fire fighting mechanisms.
• The T-72B3 tank received tracks with a new RMSH.

What's new for the gunner?

The Sosna-U device acts as a sight for the gunner. It was originally developed by the Belarusian Peleng. Today it is produced by Vologda enterprises. The main features are as follows:

• Standard optical channel for daytime conditions.
• Thermal imager for night sighting.
• Standard rangefinder with laser channel.
• Laser rangefinder for guidance when firing missiles.
• Detection of enemy tanks in the daytime - up to 5 kilometers, at night - up to 3.5 km.
• Bi-plane image stabilization.
• The ability to use the KUV (this is a guided weapon system) on the move, without the need to stop the car incombat conditions.
• There is automatic target tracking.
• Displaying the mode of operation and the type of ammunition used.
• There is equipment that allows you to make adjustments during live shooting.

Negative moments

This sight itself has been known in our troops for a long time, and it has earned a lot of positive feedback. But the thermal imager is made on the basis of the French camera Catherine-FC, which is produced by Tomcon-CSF. How can the T-72B3 Burevestnik MBT be equipped with components from a country whose political will is like a weather vane in a strong wind? There is no exact information about the current situation, but in 2014 French components continued to arrive … The very modernization of the instruments for the gunner was carried out quite … let's just say, the designers tried to save as much as possible:

• They pulled out the well-proven sight PPN 1K-13-49 (which was previously a component of the KUV 9K120 "Svir").
• Put "Pine" in the vacant seat.

There are many downsides to such a strange approach, and all of them are serious:

• The aiming line and the line of the bore are strongly displaced in relation to the sight itself, which makes it extremely difficult for the gun to aim normally at the target in field conditions.
• Obviously, no one thought about the work of the gunner, who became even more uncomfortable using the scope. Tankers say that for the normal use of the "Pine" you have to strongly "mow" on the left side, arching your back along the way.
• The gunner's video inspection device was placed "onmaybe, which is why the troops constantly need new ones: the tanker simply breaks it with his left boot when getting into the car.
• Finally - the most "delicious". The external optical block is closed with… a solid metal cover, which is screwed (!) with four bolts at once.

The last circumstance for the main combat vehicle, which is the T-72B3 tank, is complete surrealism. Yes, the optics on modern tanks should be protected, but at what cost? Of course, hypothetically, the lid can be removed before the start of the battle … But when will this very battle begin? Or should tankers turn the bolts with a wrench until the enemy politely agrees to wait for them!? Indeed, on all MBTs of the world, the opening of the armored shutter occurs remotely, from the gunner's workplace. Yes, and in domestic tanks, this solution was used repeatedly! What prevented such a mechanism from being installed here?

Positive Decisions

Fortunately, there are also positives. The TPD-K1 type sight, which is part of the 1A40, was left in the FCS (in a complete set), and even equipped with laser radiation protection. Simply put, the T-72B3 is equipped with two main sights at once. Even if one is damaged in battle, the tanker will always be able to use the second one.

Behind the gunner's hatch, they finally installed what should have been there for a long time: sensors for ambient air temperature and wind characteristics (speed and direction). From now on, the gunner no longer needs to risk his life by leaning out of the hatch and doing the work of the Hydrometeorological Center. By the way, many expertsexpress a well-founded opinion that the "awful" shooting at the tank biathlon in 2013 was due precisely to the absence of these devices. So the T-72B3, the characteristics of which we are considering in the framework of this article, has so far demonstrated far from all of its abilities that it can show in biathlons.

On the complexities of the commander's work

Alas, but the designers, for some reason known only to them, left a real antique in the tank - TKN-3 (combined periscopic binocular sight). Recall that when it was already installed in 1991 on the newest BMP-3 at that time, it looked like a real anachronism! Yes, a second-generation image intensifier tube (EOC) was inserted into the "old man", but it got a little better from this. What was the purpose of installing this miracle on the T-72B3?

And more. Already during the first field tests, eye injuries were recorded in gaping tankers. When fired, the "slingshot" strikes with such force that a couple of minutes of dizziness is guaranteed (if you do not remove your head in time). It also has a positive feature. If you press on the butt, then the tank turret will automatically turn in the direction where the TKN-3 “looks”. At the same time, the “commander” indicator will light up at the gunner’s workplace. In general, this very commander of the T-72B3 will not be able to do anything else in battle.

Absurdity when aiming at a target

Very interesting is the fact that when working at night, the tank gunner will see 3.5 km, but the commander will have tobe content either with the same duplicated picture, or try to “pierce” the night with your TKN-3MK, which allows you to see as much as 500 meters. What valuable commands will he give to the crew, if his working conditions are so inferior? After all, there are options for a modernized TKN from domestic companies in which the commander can at least measure the range to the target! In any case, our main battle tank continues to sparkle like a Christmas tree in IR surveillance devices, which, no doubt, pleases potential opponents.

Modernization of the communication system

This is where everything is more fun. The VHF radio station R-168-25U-2 "Aqueduct" was put on the tank. The military has been asking for it for a long time. It has independent channels for sending and transmitting data. Can conduct open, hidden and secret communication sessions. In the latter case, the use of external AAS is required. The factory package includes two independent transceivers.

I'm glad that the tankers finally got a coded communication. The release of this model was launched by the Ryazan Radio Engineering Plant back in 2005. It is worth noting that the developers of the station have provided an excellent groundwork for upgrading this equipment: it is already possible to connect a remote control for data collection, which can also be used as the main control tool if the main control devices are damaged. Alas, but here it was not without "tar" - tankers say that in military conditions this station often junk. Apparently, it has not yet been brought to an absolutely reliable state.

PTTs with individualvolume control also proved to be not too good. They themselves are not very reliable, but they are also characterized by increased fragility. But this is the main battle tank. From iron. Solid. Tankers say that with the old PTTs it was even possible to prop up the hatch, but it’s undesirable to even drop the new one … What else does the modernization of the T-72B3 imply?

Main Caliber

Until now, official sources write that the upgraded version is equipped with a 2A46M or 2A46M-5 gun. It remains to be hoped that the last option will be put in the database. This gun is nothing more than a deep modernization of the well-proven D-81TM (2A46M) model. At the same time, the rigidity of the structure itself was significantly increased, which ensures better accuracy. In addition, during its manufacture it is much more rigid than the OTC, which ensures the supply of only those guns whose wall thickness difference does not exceed 0.4 mm.

Capfen clips are now mounted with a reverse wedge. The support of the sliding parts is located in the rear of the cradle, the neck of which was increased by 160 mm. At the same time, she also became much tougher. Guides for a cradle have the form of a prism. All this made it possible to reduce dispersion during firing by 15% at once. When firing immediately, the dispersion of shells decreased by almost half. Based on this, we can conclude that the T-72B3, the performance characteristics of which we are considering, can hit all available targets much more accurately and faster.

Reflector mount is provided to take into account the degree of trunk bending. The received data is transmitted tothe gunner's position in an initially digital form, which again provides better shooting accuracy, levels out the consequences of various interferences that inevitably arise during the combat operation of the vehicle. It should be noted that all this information goes directly to the ballistic computer. This device greatly facilitates the work of the gunner and allows him to quickly aim the gun at the selected target.

Strengthening standard ammunition

Several types of "long" shells were introduced at once. ZVBM22 with BPS ZBM59 "Lead-1" and "Lead-2" were developed. With a simultaneous increase in the maximum firing distance, the degree of armor penetration at all distances increases. To ensure the normal loading of new projectiles, the automatic loader has been slightly modified. However, a similar mechanism has already been installed on our tanks, starting with the T-72BA, so there is nothing new here.

Coaxial machine gun and ZPU

No changes in this regard – PKT/PKTm. There was information about tank "Pechenegs", but there is no confirmation yet. But there is still no data on the normal mechanism for collecting spent cartridges. The fact is that tearing a standard canvas bag with subsequent spilling of red-hot shells onto an AZ container (automatic loader) can lead to extremely sad results. Apparently, the energy of the designers (and money) completely ended on this, because it’s difficult to come up with something more unsuitable for a battle tank than a ZPU open to all winds…

Apparently, the crew needs a full-time suicide bomber,which will cover the T-72B3. It’s generally better not to give reviews of the tankers themselves because of their complete obscenity.

Main conclusions on the weapons system

• This time the upgrade really improves the performance of the vehicle: a new cannon and improved ammo. All these components give a chance for a quick and guaranteed suppression of the enemy.
• PKT - no comment, hit all time.
• ZPU without remote control is an undisguised disregard for the lives of crew members. Since the weight of the T-72B3 tank still increased to 46 tons (a simple T-72 weighs 42 tons), it would be possible to allocate a couple of hundred more kilograms for a normal remote-controlled installation.

Automatic fire extinguishing systems

NPO Elektromashina developed the Hoarfrost system especially for this modernization. This is an automatic installation for detecting and extinguishing fires that may occur in the combat and engine compartments. Key Features:

• Double action.
• Comes with four bottles of Freon.
• Optical and thermal sensors are used to detect a fire.

Power plant and transmission

B-84-1 was left in place. Of course, all diesels kill tankers accustomed to the T-80, but this engine is really good. The B-84 is very reliable and has been field tested. The operating parts are full of specialists who know this motor very well. The B-92, which was originally supposed to be installed, still needs versatile tests. Since the powerthe installation remained the same, then the transmission did not undergo any changes. The BKP was not subjected to strengthening, the number of friction pairs in the clutch elements was not increased. So the engine and transmission are pretty much the same.

Chassis

Used caterpillar with sequential RMS. This option has been used on both the T-72BA and T-90 since 1996. The undercarriage, which is equipped with the Russian T-72B3, is also subject to corresponding changes. No other innovations in this area have been reported.

Key Findings

• The gunner's capabilities are really impressive: he has two sights, a new gun with improved barrel bend control systems, and other highlights.
• Alas, but due to frankly archaic means of observation, the commander of the new tank is simply unable to fight normally at night.
• Communication systems are good, but they need to be improved.
• "Hoarfrost" is good, only double operation is not enough, and it is desirable to have more cylinders with the mixture.
• Defending the turret and hull is a complete failure.
• Engine, chassis and transmission - no changes.

There is a strong impression that modernization was simply abandoned halfway. Many unfinished elements can be improved without spending phenomenal money on it. Here, in general, and all. In principle, the modernization of the tank turned out to be quite good, but some moments frankly hurt the eyes.