T-99 "Priority" or T-14 "Armata"

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

Discussions about the creation of fourth-generation tanks have been going on for quite a long time. A certain obsolescence of third-generation equipment became noticeable already in the 1990s in connection with the improvement of anti-tank warfare and the transition to hybrid wars. Accordingly, not only the requirements for the best survivability and firepower, as in the era of the Cold War, apply to fourth-generation tanks. In modern local wars, the maneuverability of equipment and the availability of modern surveillance systems are very important. This is due to the fact that the main enemy is usually not tanks, but mobile infantry formations with light anti-tank weapons. The requirements for crew survival are also increasing. To a certain extent, these problems are solved by modernization, but not completely.

Backstory

The T-99 "Priority" tank did not appear from scratch, but became the successor of several promising developments at once. Sovietthe T-72 and T-80 tanks were perfectly suited to repel a massive tank attack of a hypothetical enemy, surpassing their Western counterparts in terms of price-quality ratio. However, their serious shortcomings were quickly revealed in local conflicts.

First of all, this is the poor survivability of the crew after breaking through the armor, since the ammunition is not isolated by the armored partition. And the second problem was the lag in terms of equipment with modern electronics.

Created on the basis of the T-72 chassis and the T-80 turret, the new T-90 tank was only a temporary solution. To replace it, a promising Black Eagle tank was developed in Omsk, and the T-95 project was developed in Chelyabinsk. Both developments were eventually scrapped. But many of them have found their application in the T-99 "Priority" or T-14 "Armata" tanks. Currently, the second version of the name is more common. But until the equipment passes all the tests and is not accepted into service in the final version, the name can still be changed.

General information

The named tank is still classified, but certain information about it is gradually accumulating.

The newest Russian T-99 tank is currently the only fourth-generation tank fully embodied in metal. Its layout is radically different from all Soviet combat vehicles.

The tower is completely uninhabited, which greatly increased the safety of the command staff of the crew. The team is in an isolated armored capsule. Crew members, who, according to one information, are two, and according toothers, three, sit shoulder to shoulder in front of the tank. The main succession of the T-99 "Priority" in relation to previous tanks is the rear-mounted engine, a relatively small mass and a standard gun caliber of 125 mm.

Knotting and armor

1200-horsepower engine and transmission are isolated from each other as much as possible. In a separate armored compartment there is also an automatic loader with ammunition. All this is designed to protect equipment as much as possible in case of penetration of armor from fire and detonation of ammunition.

The armor of the T-99 "Priority", like any modern tank, is made according to the composite principle. It alternates layers of steel, composites and air gaps, which allows you to maximize the resistance of the reservation with a small thickness. With the same thickness, the armor resistance of composite armor can be two or more times higher than that of classical homogeneous.

In the armor of the tank, a new steel grade 44S-sv-Sh was used, which is characterized by high hardness combined with high toughness. It is assumed that this is medium carbon steel with the addition of silicon. Additives of vanadium and molybdenum are also likely. On top of the composite armor, the built-in multi-layer dynamic protection of the Malachite type is reinforced, covered with a five-millimeter armor plate to protect it from triggering when hit by bullets. In addition, the T-99 Priority is equipped with the latest Afghanit active defense system.

Armaments

The tank is equipped with a fully automated 125-mm 2A82-1C gun, which is a further development of the guns of the T-72 family of tanks, and two machine guns, course and anti-aircraft. It should be noted that the issue of equipping the tank with a 152 mm cannon was repeatedly raised, and the design of the tank allows this to be done

But the caliber of 152 mm will significantly make the tank heavier, reduce the ammunition load and rate of fire. And its main advantages are only in the battle of a tank against a tank. In modern hybrid wars, mobility and rate of fire are much more important. Fortunately, a 125 mm gun is enough to destroy Western tanks at a distance of up to 1.5 kilometers.

Possible disadvantages

The design of the T-99 "Priority" is still being finalized. But there are some controversial points to be noted. First of all, this is an excessive emphasis on electronics, the survivability of which in combat conditions is not yet clear. In the event of failure of even a small unit, the crew sitting in the armored capsule will not be able to do anything. In addition, it perfectly protects the crew, but makes it difficult for them to evacuate if the tank is still hit.

Obviously, the newest Russian tank T-99 "Priority" or T-14 "Armata" was a breakthrough. However, at this stage, it is very important to conduct comprehensive tests to eliminate all childhood diseases of a formidable machine, since after the start of mass production it will be quite difficult to change an expensive design.