With regard to new modifications of the MBT T-72, in recent years there have been many rumors, some of which are openly enthusiastic, and in the other case, it almost comes to frank abuse. And when at the end of 2013 it was decided to refuse to purchase the 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 parts where T-80 tanks were used before. The real work of the equipment is more important for the tankers, and the opinion of the “experts” does not really care. So, what is good or not too good T-72B3? Differences from previous modifications are in our material.
Serdyukov’s works will not be forgotten ...
The order of weapons for the army at the present time is a tremendous action in which each side strives to grab a larger chunk of profit. Here are the main interests:
- Design bureaus are trying to sell their developments and receive grants for further research.
- Industry in general does not care what is to be produced, if only there is a long-term state order and there are funds for the remuneration of 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.
However, quite the lyrics. We need a T-72B3. What kind of beast will nevertheless begin to enter our troops (this year’s decision)?
Key Modified Nodes
Let's dwell on those nodes that have really been upgraded:
- OMS, changed observational instruments and aiming equipment for the crew.
- New radio communication system.
- Updated weapons.
- Improvements in fire fighting mechanisms.
- The T-72B3 tank received tracks with the new RMSh.
What's new for the gunner?
In the role of the sight for the gunner is the device "Pine-U". It was originally developed by the Belarusian "Bearing". Today it is produced by Vologda enterprises. Key features are as follows:
- Standard optical channel for daytime conditions.
- Thermal imager for night aiming.
- Standard range finder with a laser channel.
- Laser range finder for aiming at firing missiles.
- Detection of enemy tanks in the daytime - up to 5 kilometers, in the night - up to 3.5 km.
- Image stabilization in two planes.
- The ability to use KUV (this is a complex of guided weapons) on the go, without the need to stop the machine in battle.
- There is an automatic target tracking.
- Displays the operating mode and type of ammunition used.
- There is equipment that allows you to make corrections during combat shooting.
Negative points
Our troops have known this sight for a long time, and it has earned a lot of positive reviews. Here are just a thermal imager made on the basis of the French Catherine-FC camera, produced by Tomcon-CSF. How can one equip MBT T-72B3 Petrel with components from a country whose political will is like a weather vane under strong winds? There is no exact information about the current situation, but in 2014 the French components continued to arrive ... The modernization of the instruments for the gunner was carried out quite ... let's 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 KUV 9K120 Svir).
- Put on the vacant seat "Pine".
Such a strange approach has many disadvantages, and all of them are serious:
- The line of sight and the line of the barrel channel are strongly offset in relation to the sight itself, which in the field makes it extremely difficult for the gun to aim normally at the target.
- Obviously, no one thought about the work of the gunner, who was even more uncomfortable to use the scope. Tankers say that for the normal use of "Pine" you have to "mow" heavily on the left side, simultaneously bending your back.
- The gunner’s video viewing device was located “at random”, which is why the troops constantly need new ones: the tanker simply smashes it with his left boot when boarding the car.
- Finally - the most "delicious". The external optical unit is closed ... with a solid metal cover, which is screwed (!) Immediately with four bolts.
The last circumstance for the main combat vehicle, which is the T-72B3 tank, is complete surrealism. Yes, optics on
modern tanks should be protected, but at what cost? Of course, the cover can hypothetically be removed before the start of the battle ... But only when will this very battle begin? Or should tankers wrench bolts while the enemy politely agrees to wait for them !? Indeed, in all MBTs of the world, the opening of the armored gate occurs remotely, from the gunner’s workplace. Yes, and in domestic tanks such a solution was used repeatedly! What prevented the establishment of such a mechanism here?
Positive decisions
Fortunately, there are positive aspects. In the OMS, they left (in a complete set) a TPD-K1 sight, which is part of 1A40, and even equipped it with protection from laser radiation. Simply put, the T-72B3 is equipped with two main sights at once. Even if one is damaged in battle, the tanker can always use the second.
Behind the gunner’s hatch, they finally installed what was supposed to be there for a long time: sensors for ambient temperature and wind characteristics (speed and direction). From now on, the gunner no longer needs to risk his life, leaning out of the hatch and performing the work of the Hydrometeorological Center. By the way, many experts express a quite reasonable opinion that the “akhovy” shooting at the tank biathlon of 2013 was due precisely to the lack of these devices. So the T-72B3, the characteristics of which we are considering in the framework of this article, at biathlon so far has not demonstrated all of its abilities that it can show.
On the difficulties of commander’s work
Alas, the designers, for whatever reason only they knew, left a real antiques in the tank - TKN-3 (combined periscopic binocular sight). Recall that when it was already installed in 1991 on the latest in those days BMP-3, it looked like a real anachronism! Yes, in the "old man" stuck an electron-optical converter (EOP), belonging to the second generation, but it became better from this very little. Why install this miracle on the T-72B3?
And further. Already during the first field trials, damage to the eyes of gape tankers was recorded. "Slingshot" when fired, beats with such force that a couple of minutes of dizziness is ensured (if you do not remove your head in time). It has a positive feature. If you click on the end, then the tank tower will automatically deploy in the direction where the TKN-3 “looks”. At the same time, the commander indicator lights up at the gunner’s workplace. In general, this same T-72B3 commander will not be able to do anything in battle.
Absurdity when aiming at a target
It is very interesting that during night work the tank gunner will see 3.5 km, but the commander will have to be content with either the same duplicate picture, or try to “pierce” the night with his 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 the upgraded TKN from domestic companies in which the commander can at least measure the distance to the target! In any case, our main battle tank continues to sparkle no worse than the Christmas tree in infrared observation devices, which, without a doubt, pleases potential opponents.
Communication system modernization
Here is more fun. The tank was supplied with the VHF radio station R-168-25U-2 "Aqueduct". It has long been asked by the military. 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 ASAs is required. Two independent transceivers are supplied as standard.
I am glad that the tankers finally got the coded connection. The release of this model was started by the Ryazan Radio Engineering Plant back in 2005. It is worth noting that the developers of the station provided an excellent reserve for the modernization of this equipment: now you can 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, this was not without tar too - tankers say that under military conditions this station often junk. Apparently, she has not yet been brought to an absolutely reliable state.
Tangents with individual volume control also did not work too well. They themselves are not very reliable, they are also characterized by increased fragility. But this is the main battle tank. From iron. Solid. Tankers say that it was even possible to back the hatch with the old tangents, but it was undesirable even to drop the new one ... What else does the modernization of the T-72B3 imply?
Main caliber
Until now, official sources write that the gun 2A46M or 2A46M-5 is put on the upgraded version. It is hoped that the last option will be put in the database. This gun is nothing but a deep modernization of the well-established D-81TM (2A46M) model. At the same time, the rigidity of the structure itself was significantly increased, which provides better accuracy. In addition, in its manufacture, it is much tougher than the quality control system, which ensures the supply of only those tools whose wall thickness difference does not exceed 0.4 mm.
The trunnion clips are now secured with a reverse wedge. The support of the sliding parts is located at the rear of the cradle, the neck of which has been increased by 160 mm. At the same time, she herself also became much tougher. The cradle guides are in the shape of a prism. All this allowed to reduce dispersion when shooting immediately by 15%. When shooting immediately, the spread of shells decreased almost twice. Based on this, we can conclude that the T-72B3, whose TTX we are considering, can hit all available targets much more accurately and quickly.
Mounting the reflector is provided to take into account the degree of bending of the barrel. The obtained data is transmitted to the gunner’s place in the original digital form, which again provides better firing accuracy, eliminates the effects of various interference that inevitably arise during the combat operation of the machine. 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 chosen target.
Amplification of 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 distance of the ultimate shooting, the degree of armor penetration at all distances increases. To ensure the normal loading of new shells, the automatic loader was slightly modified. However, a similar mechanism has already been put on our tanks, starting with the T-72BA, so there is nothing new here.
Coaxial machine gun and zpu
There are no changes in this respect - FCT / PKTm. There was information about the tank Pechenegs, but so far there is no confirmation. Here are just no data on the normal mechanism for collecting spent cartridges. The fact is that rupture of a standard canvas bag with the subsequent scattering of hot cases on the container AZ (automatic loader) can lead to extremely sad results. Apparently, the energy of the designers (and the money) was completely over on this, because it is difficult to come up with something more inappropriate for a battle tank than open to all the winds of the ZPU ...
Apparently, the crew needs a full-time suicide bomber who will cover the T-72B3. Reviews of the tankers themselves are generally better not to give because of their complete indecency.
Key weapon system findings
- This time, the upgrade really improves the performance of the machine: a new gun and improved ammunition. All these components give a chance for a quick and guaranteed suppression of the enemy.
- PKT - no comment, hit at all times.
- ZPU without remote control - blatant neglect of the life of crew members. Since the weight of the T-72B3 tank still increased to 46 tons (a simple T-72 weighs 42 tons), a couple of hundred kilograms could be allocated for a normal remotely controlled installation.
Automatic fire extinguishing systems
NPO Elektromashina specifically for this modernization has developed the Frost system. This is an automatic installation for detecting and extinguishing fires that may occur in the combat and engine rooms. Main characteristics:
- Double action.
- Four cylinders with Freon are included.
- Optical and thermal sensors are used to detect a source of ignition.
Powertrain and transmission
B-84-1 was left in place. Of course, all diesels are used to tankers accustomed to the T-80, but this engine is really good. B-84 is very reliable and tested in combat operation. The acting parts are full of specialists who are well aware of this motor. The B-92, which was originally supposed to be installed, still needs versatile tests. Since the power plant has remained the same, the transmission has not undergone any changes. BKP was not subjected to reinforcement; the number of friction pairs in the friction elements did not increase. So the engine and transmission remained almost the same.
Chassis
A caterpillar with a sequential arrangement of RMSh was used. This option has been used on both the T-72BA and the T-90 since 1996. The chassis, which is equipped with the Russian T-72B3, is also undergoing relevant changes. No other innovations in this area are reported.
Main conclusions
- The gunner’s capabilities are really impressive: he has two sights, a new gun with improved control systems for bending the barrel, as well as other “highlights”.
- Alas, because of the frankly archaic means of observation, the commander of the new tank is simply not able to conduct a normal battle at night.
- Communication systems are good, but they should be brought up.
- “Hoarfrost” is good, only double operation is not enough, and it is desirable to have more cylinders with the mixture.
- Protection of the tower and the hull is a complete failure.
- Engine, chassis and transmission - no change.
There is a lasting impression that the modernization was simply abandoned halfway. Many unfinished elements can be improved without spending phenomenal funds on it. That, in general, is all. In principle, the modernization of the tank turned out to be very good, but some points openly hurt the eye.