T-72 "Ural" what it is - the main battle tank of the USSR. The most popular main battle tank of the second generation. Adopted into service in the Armed Forces of the USSR since 1973. The T-72 was designed and produced by Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil. The chief designer of the machine is V. N. Venediktov. The Ural is in service with the CIS countries and was exported to the Warsaw Pact countries, Finland, India, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

Tank T-72 - video

Modifications of the T-72 were produced under license in Yugoslavia (M-84), Poland (PT-91), Czechoslovakia and India, which exported them.

Development of the T-72 began in 1967. In the course of further work, in 1968-69, comparative tests were carried out on T-64A tanks with a V-45 engine with an ejection cooling system (developed by the Kharkov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau) and samples with a V-45 engine with a fan cooling system (developed by the Kharkov Design Bureau in Nizhny Tagil) and an automatic gun loader for 22 shots. The latter showed better results. In November 1969, these vehicles began to be equipped with B-46 engines with a power of 573 kW (780 hp) and a new chassis design. The sample manufactured with the indicated changes was assigned the index “object 172M”. On August 7, 1973, by joint resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 554-172, the T-72 tank was adopted by the Soviet Army. Produced in the USSR and Russia from 1974 to 1992 at Uralvagonzavod and Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant.

Between 1974 and 1990, Uralvagonzavod alone produced 20,544 T-72 tanks of various modifications. In total, about 30,000 tanks were produced.

Construction

The T-72 has a classic layout, with the engine and transmission compartment located in the rear, the combat compartment in the middle, and the control compartment in the front of the vehicle. The tank's crew consists of three people: a driver, a gunner and a commander, who also serves as a loader after expending ammunition in the automatic loader. After the shot, the air in the fighting compartment is automatically cleared of gases and the trays from the cartridges are ejected through a hatch in the turret.

Armored hull and turret

The T-72 has differentiated ballistic armor protection. The tank's armored hull is a rigid box-shaped structure assembled from sheets and plates of rolled homogeneous armor steel and combined armor. The frontal part of the tank consists of two armor plates converging like a wedge: the upper one, located at an angle of 68° to the vertical, and the bottom, located at an angle of 60°. On the T-72, the top plate is made of combined armor, consisting of 80 mm steel outer, 105 mm fiberglass and 20 mm steel inner layers, and the bottom plate is made of rolled 85 mm homogeneous armor steel. The given thickness of the upper frontal part is 550 mm, and its protective ability, according to various sources, is equivalent to 305 to 410 mm (indicator of the resistance of the American M1 Abrams tank against sub-caliber shells, 400 mm on the forehead of the turret) of rolled homogeneous armor steel against sub-caliber and 450 to 600 mm against cumulative projectiles. The rest of the hull is made entirely of rolled homogeneous armor. The vertical sides of the hull are 80 mm thick in the area of ​​the control and fighting compartments and 70 mm in the area of ​​the engine and transmission compartment; the rear of the hull consists of upper and lower armor plates and two stamped gearbox housings. The roof of the hull consists of two armor plates, and the bottom is trough-shaped and consists of three stamped parts with a number of stampings to increase rigidity. The engine and transmission compartment is separated from the combat compartment by a transverse armored partition. Four rotating screens made of 3-mm stamped aluminum alloy sheets are installed on each side of the tank for protection against cumulative ammunition. The screens are fixed on the fenders and in the combat position are rotated at an angle of 60°, and in the stowed position, for safety, they are pressed against the dust shields. The armor of the turrets of tanks of the first series is monolithic. The monolithic armor of the T-72 turret was considered its main drawback, so in 1979 the T-72A tank with combined turret armor was put into service.

During serial production of the tank, its armor was repeatedly strengthened. On the T-72A, since 1980, the thickness of the layers of the upper frontal part was redistributed, amounting to 60 + 100 + 50 mm, in addition, the part was reinforced by welding a 30 mm armor plate. The upper frontal part of the T-72A hull is equivalent, according to various sources, from 360 to 420 mm of armor steel against sub-caliber projectiles and from 490 to 500 mm against cumulative ammunition. The folding anti-cumulative shields were replaced with a solid rubber-fabric screen along the entire length of the side. On the T-72B, the frontal armor was again strengthened, including by adding 20 mm armor plate. In addition, the T-72B received the Kontakt dynamic protection kit, which consisted of 227 containers installed on the upper frontal part of the hull, the forehead of the turret and the front half of the sides of the hull, turret and turret roof. A similar dynamic protection, differing in the arrangement of elements on the turret (in a wedge, as on other domestic tanks with the “B” index in the designation), was installed on the T-72A during their repair since 1985, after which the modernized tanks received the designation T-72AV. The armor resistance of the upper frontal part of the T-72B hull is estimated by Western experts as equal to 530 mm of armor steel against sub-caliber projectiles and 1100 mm against cumulative ammunition, taking into account the mounted Contact-type remote sensing device. The T-72BA modification was equipped with more advanced built-in dynamic protection.

On the T-72A, changes were also made to the turret; a filler made of heat-treated quartz (“sand rods”) appeared, aluminum shields were replaced with solid rubber-fabric side screens, and on the T-72B, the turret filler was replaced with blocks with reflective elements.

1 - driver, 2 - commander, 3 - gunner and 4 - ammunition

Armament

The main armament of the T-72 was the 125-mm smoothbore gun D-81TM (GRAU index - 2A26M). The length of the gun barrel is 48 (50.6 2A46m) calibers. A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun is paired with the cannon, the NSVT-12.7 “Utyos” on an open turret is used as an anti-aircraft machine gun, while in comparison with a similar installation of the T-64 tank, a significant simplification was made - the remote drive of the anti-aircraft machine gun was eliminated and The PZU-5 optical anti-aircraft sight has been abolished, so the vehicle commander can fire from an anti-aircraft gun only with the hatch open, aiming the gun manually, using an open sight stored “in the field” in a special stowage on the turret. The T-72A is equipped with a 2A46 gun; compared to the 2A26M, the accuracy and survivability of the barrel have been increased. The T-72B was equipped with the 9K120 Svir KUV (guided weapon system), which was not installed on all tanks.

Surveillance and communications equipment

T-72 - was equipped with a radio station R-123M (assembled according to a transceiver circuit, the operating frequency range of the radio station is divided into two sub-bands: 20.0 - 36.0 MHz and 36.0 - 51.0 MHz, the radio station can be tuned to 4 pre-prepared frequencies (PFC)), intercom R -124, for four subscribers, with a TPU-A device, and an A-4 device for connecting an external landing socket. The commander's cupola contains two TNP-160 devices, and a TKN-3 commander's observation device, a TPN-1-49-23 night sight, a TPD-2-49 rangefinder day sight, and an L-2AG "Luna" illuminator is used as an IR light source. with IR filter. NSVT is equipped with a K10-T collimator sight.

T-72A - a TPD-K1 rangefinder day sight was installed, a TPN-1-49-23 night sight (later replaced by TPN-3-49, the entire sighting system by 1A40), the illuminator was replaced by the L-4 "Luna-4".

T-72B - the R-173 radio station was installed (operating frequency range 30 - 75.9 MHz), the command version additionally, as before, had the R-130 HF station; a 1A40-1 sighting system was installed, which includes a TPD-K1 rangefinder day sight, a 1K13-49 complex (introduction of the 9K120 Svir KUV, missile guidance along a laser beam, the T-72B is quite easy to distinguish from the T-72B1 precisely by the night sight , on the T-72B1 there is no shaft for the emitter).

Modernization of the manufacturer's plant for the control system.

The gunner's main sight is a multi-channel combined with an optical channel, a thermal imaging channel, laser rangefinder and a laser missile control channel, independent two-plane stabilization, TPDK-1 backup sight. The gunner's night sight identifies the target at night using the thermal imaging channel of the main sight, 3000 ... 3500 meters.

The commander's device is a day-night sighting and observation system of the PNK-4SR or T01-04 type. Identification range, 4000 meters during the day, 1000 meters at night.

Engine and transmission

The T-72 was equipped with various models of V-shaped 12-cylinder multi-fuel four-stroke liquid-cooled diesel engines of the family, which is a development of the B-2. The T-72 was equipped with a V-46 engine with a driven centrifugal supercharger, developing a maximum power of 780 hp. With. at 2000 rpm. The T-72A was equipped with the V-46-6 engine, and since 1984 - the V-84 engine with a power of 840 hp. With. The T-72B was equipped with a V-84-1 model engine.

The engine is installed in the engine compartment at the rear of the tank across its longitudinal axis, on a foundation welded to the bottom. The fuel system includes four internal and five external fuel tanks. One of the internal tanks is located on the floor in the aft part of the fighting compartment, while the other three are located in the control compartment, on both sides of the driver. All five external tanks are located on the right fender. The capacity of the internal tanks is 705 liters, while the external ones are 495 liters. In addition to them, two additional barrels can be connected to the fuel system, mounted on the rear of the tank, with a total volume of 400 or 500 liters, depending on the volume of the barrel. Diesel fuel of DL, DZ and DA brands, A-66 and A-72 gasoline and T-1, TS-1 and TS-2 kerosene can be used as fuel.

The T-72 transmission includes:

A multiplier that transmits torque from the engine to the gearbox (“guitar”);
- Two mechanical seven-speed (7+1) planetary gearboxes with friction engagement and control by hydraulic drives, simultaneously performing the functions of a turning mechanism;
- Onboard single-stage planetary gears.

Chassis

The suspension of the rollers is independent, torsion bar. The chassis of each side consists of 3 support rollers and 6 rubber-coated support rollers with balancers and vane shock absorbers on the first, second and sixth, a guide roller and a rear drive wheel. The tank is equipped with a self-digging device, which is brought into working position in 2 minutes.

Object 172 (1968) - a pre-production prototype with a B-45K engine and a weight of 39 tons.

Object 172-2M (1972) - an experimental pre-production model with a more powerful V-46F engine and a weight of 42 tons.

T-72 "Ural"(object 172M; 1973) - basic sample.

Object 172MN is an experimental modification of the T-72 with the installation of a 130 mm 2A50 (LP-36E) rifled gun. Tested in 1972-1974. In mid-October 1975, it was demonstrated to Marshal A. A. Grechko during his visit to the research institute in Kubinka. It was not accepted for service.

Object 172MD is an experimental modification of the T-72 with the installation of a 125 mm 2A49 (D-89T) smoothbore gun.

Object 172MP is an experimental modification of the T-72 for testing the 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun. Manufactured in May-July 1977 for the purpose of conducting acceptance tests of the system. Based on the results of these tests, the 2A46M gun was found to meet the specified tactical and technical requirements and was recommended for further testing.

Object 175 is a modification project for the T-72; prototypes were not produced; subsequently, some developments on this vehicle were used on production T-72s.

Object 177 - experimental modification of the T-72 with laser-guided KUV "Svir".

Object 179 is an experimental modification of the T-72 with the Ob fire control system and the Cobra fire control system.

Object 186 is an experimental modification of the T-72, created as part of the second stage of the development work “Improving the T-72A”. The tank was equipped with a new 16-cylinder X-shaped diesel engine 2V-16, with a power of 1000-1200 hp. With. with fan cooling system.

T-72K "Ural-K"(object 172MK; 1973) - command version of the T-72 tank. It was distinguished by the presence of additional navigation equipment, an R-130M HF radio station and an autonomous power supply unit.

T-72K(Object 172MK-E) - export modification of the command version of the linear tank.

T-72(An object 172M-E, 1975) - export version, differed in the design of the armor protection of the frontal part of the turret, the PAZ system and the configuration of ammunition.

T-72A(object 176; 1979) - modernization of the T-72 tank. The main differences: TPD-K1 laser sight-rangefinder, TPN-3-49 gunner's night sight with L-4 illuminator, solid on-board anti-cumulative screens, 2A46 gun (instead of the 2A26M2 gun), 902B smoke grenade launch system, anti-napalm protection system, system road alarm, night device TVNE-4B for the driver, increased dynamic travel of the rollers, V-46-6 engine.

T-72AK(object 176K; 1979) - command version of the T-72A tank. It was distinguished by the presence of additional navigation equipment, a HF radio station and an autonomous power supply unit.

T-72M(1980) - export version of the T-72A tank. It was distinguished by its armored turret design, ammunition configuration, and collective defense system.

T-72M1(1982) - modernization of the T-72M tank. It featured an additional 16 mm armor plate on the upper frontal hull and combined turret armor with sand cores as filler.

T-72M1M(T-72M1K; object 172M2, not to be confused with object 172-M2/172M-2M "Buffalo") - export modernization of the T-72M1 tank equipped with remote control, a new control system, a satellite navigation system coupled with TIUS. Initially, it was equipped with the KAZT "Arena" and a mixed complex of remote sensing systems, "Contact 5" on the VLD, and "Relikt" on the turret (at that time the tank was probably only a running mock-up), later the full complex of remote sensing "Relikt" was installed, and the KAZT "Arena" was removed. . There is also an automatic target tracking machine. KUV 9K119 “Reflex” and SEMZ installed. The engine was replaced with a V92S2 with a power of 1000 hp. With.

T-72AV(object 176B; 1985) - a variant of the T-72A tank with the “Contact” mounted dynamic protection.

T-72B(object 184; 1985) - a modernized version of the T-72A tank with the 9K120 Svir guided weapon system, Kontakt dynamic protection, the B-84 engine and the 1A40 fire control system, replacing the 2A46 gun with the 2A46M gun-launcher.

(1989; the unofficial and incorrect name T-72BM is also common) - a modernized version of the T-72B tank with built-in Kontakt-V dynamic protection, similar to that installed on the T-80U tank.

T-72BK(object 184K; 1987) - command version of the T-72B tank. It was distinguished by the presence of additional navigation equipment, a HF radio station and an autonomous power supply unit.

T-72B1(object 184-1; 1985) - a variant of the T-72B tank without installing some elements of the guided weapons complex. It differs from the T-72B in the TPN-3-49 “Kristall-PA” night sight used instead of the 1K13.

T-72B1K(object 184K-1) - command version of the T-72B1 tank. It was distinguished by the presence of additional navigation equipment, a HF radio station and an autonomous power supply unit.

(1987) - export version of the T-72B tank. The original name was the T-72M1M tank. The main differences: 155 containers of mounted dynamic protection (instead of 227), lack of a bump on the turret, armor of the hull and turret kept at the level of the T-72M1 tank, a different set of ammunition for the gun. They came into service with the Russian army in 1993 after a number of export deliveries were disrupted.

T-72BU(1992) - modernization of the T-72B, adopted for service under the designation T-90 (a different version from the T-90).

(object 184A) \ T-72BA1 (object 184A1). Modernization during the overhaul of the T-72B at UVZ. The first batches of modernized vehicles were delivered back in 1999-2000. The modernization involved improving the 1A40-1 fire control system (later 1A40-1M, and since 2005 - 1A40-M2) to the level of the latest T-72B produced in 1991, installing a new weapon stabilizer 2E42-4 “Jasmine”, strengthening the mine resistance of the bottom additional armor plate in the area of ​​the driver's seat, replacement of the chassis and engine with those used on the first series of T-90 (model 1993, V-84MS engine), or from the T-90A (since 2003 - B- 92S2) and the installation of the Kontakt-5 VDZ (the first series of T-72BA partially retained the Kontakt-1). In addition to the tracks and airborne protection, the external appearance of the vehicle differs from the usual “B” modification by a clearly visible wind sensor on the turret, the installation of which made it possible to improve the tank’s sighting equipment.

T-72B2 "Slingshot"(also T-72BM according to other documents; object 184M) - modification with a modernized 2A46M5 gun, which increased the accuracy of fire; a device was also installed to increase the firing accuracy of artillery weapons, a multi-channel (sighting, rangefinder, thermal imaging channels and a channel combined with them for guiding guided missiles) gunner's sight "Sosna" manufactured by the Belarusian JSC "Peleng" is equipped with a second-generation thermal imaging camera of the French production CATHERINE from Thomson - CSF, the tank is equipped with a modular VDZ “Relikt”, a new V-92S2 engine with a power of 1000 hp. pp., in addition, the tank is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU), an electromagnetic protection system that provides protection against anti-tank mines with magnetic fuses.

T-72B3 (2011)- modernized version of the T-72; began being delivered to the Republic of Armenia in 2012. The tank is equipped with the latest control system, VDZ “Kontakt-5”, V-84-1 engine with a power of 840 hp. s., TsBV, Sosna-U multi-channel sight, wind sensor, the latest communications equipment, an improved weapons stabilizer and a complex for protection against weapons of mass destruction. The gun's automatic loader has been improved for new ammunition and the chassis has been improved, receiving caterpillar tracks with a parallel hinge. Since 2014, the T-72B3 modification for tank biathlon has been equipped with an engine with a capacity of 1130 hp. With.

T-72B3M arr. 2014 at Tank Biathlon 2014

T-72B3M (2014)- a modernized version of the T-72B3 for tank biathlon. It is distinguished by the presence of a panoramic thermal imaging device for the commander, a 1130 hp engine. p., automatic gear shifting and a motion control system with a voice informant for critical operating modes of components.

(2016) - modification with individual elements of the Relikt dynamic protection (side shields on the hull and remote protection on the sides of the turret), a 2A46M-5-01 cannon, a V-92S2F engine, an automated transmission, a digital display and a rearview television camera.

Foreign

T-72AG (T-72AG; Ukraine) - an export version of the tank modernization. The main components and assemblies of the T-80UD and T-84 tanks were used. The tank is equipped with a 6TD engine (6TD-1 with a power of 1000 hp or 6TD-2 with a power of 1200 hp), a new fire control system, a new built-in dynamic protection, and a modified MTO. It is possible to install a KBM-1M gun.

T-72-120 (Ukraine) - a tank modernization option offered for export to NATO countries. The tank is equipped with a 120 mm KBM-2 smoothbore tank gun (a 140 mm caliber gun can be installed). At the rear of the turret there is a niche in which an automatic loader with 22 unitary rounds is located, the rest of the ammunition (20 rounds) is located in the rear of the fighting compartment. The shots used comply with NATO standards. Received a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun remote control, similar to the T-80UD tank. The fire control system, auxiliary weapons, power plant and protection of the T-72-120 are completely similar to the T-72AG tank.

T-72MP (T-72-MR; Ukraine) is an export version of the tank modernization, developed with the participation of the Czech company Bohemia and the French company SAGEM. Further improvement of the T-72AG in accordance with NATO standards. The tank is equipped with a combined day-night laser sighting system with stabilization in two planes SAVAN 15MP from the French company SAGEM and a panoramic sight from the French company SFIM (similar to those installed on the Leclerc tank). At the customer's request, it is possible to install a protection system against ATGMs of the Shtora-2 type, modern radio and navigation equipment, a computer combat control system with a tactical situation display and other electronic equipment from leading Western companies. It is possible to install a KBM-1M gun.

T-72E (Ukraine) - a tank modernization option, created at the Kharkov Armored Repair Plant in collaboration with KhKBD, offered for export. A 5TDFE engine with a power of 900 hp is installed. With. (5TDFMA-1 with a power of 1050 hp for the T-72E1 variant), with the preservation of the old cooling system and without significant modification of the body, an autonomous electric unit EA-10 with a power of 10 kW, air conditioning, transmission with increased efficiency, built-in Knife remote control on tower and mounted on the hull.

T-72UA1 (Ukraine) - a modernization option for the Kyiv Mechanical Repair Plant tank, offered for export. A 5TDFMA-1 engine with a power of 1050 hp is installed. s., with the preservation of the old cooling system and without significant modifications to the hull, a transmission with increased efficiency, a 12.7-mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun, a built-in Knife remote control on the turret and mounted on the hull. It is possible to install an auxiliary power unit EA-10-2 with a power of 10 kW.

T-72UA4 (T-72UA4; Ukraine) - a tank modernization option similar to the T-72UA1, proposed for Kazakhstan. The vehicle has an improved commander's sighting and observation system with a closed-type anti-aircraft machine gun mount, and a Varta optical-electronic countermeasures system.

T-72BME (Belarus) - Belarusian version of the tank modernization, presented by the 140th Armored Plant.

T-72KZ (Kazakhstan) - a joint Kazakh-Israeli version of the tank modernization. It was equipped with dynamic protection and an Israeli-made fire control system.

T-72KZ “Shygyz” (Kazakhstan) - a modernization option with the participation of companies from Kazakhstan, Israel and Ukraine. First introduced in 2012. The tank is equipped with an improved TISAS control system with Israeli-made thermal imaging sights, TIUS, a GPS-based navigation system and a Tadiran radio station. The turret has a built-in and a hinged DS on the hull, and anti-cumulative grilles are installed on the side projections. The tracks are equipped with asphalt pads.

T-72 Aslan(Azerbaijan) - modernization option, developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. The tank is equipped with a computerized control system, a GPS-based navigation system, a “friend or foe” determination system, commander and gunner thermal imagers, and mounted remote sensing.

(Slovakia) - a 1993 modernization of the T-72M from ZTS-OTS, which did not go into production for financial reasons, designed jointly with the French company SFIM and the Belgian avionics manufacturer SABCA. The tank was equipped with a new computerized control system VEGA, a VS-580 sight (like the Leclerc tanks), and the power of the B-46 engine was increased to 850 hp. With. and given the name S-12U, the tank was also equipped with two automatic 20-mm anti-aircraft guns KAA-200 (in early versions), later they were replaced by one 30-mm cannon (2A42), and the new dynamic protection Dynas was also installed on the tank.

T-72 T 21 (Slovakia, France) - a joint Slovak-French tank modernization project by DMD Holding a.s. The tank is equipped with a new French T 21 turret, equipped with a 120-mm Model F1 cannon (CN-120-24 Lisse) with an automatic loader similar to the AMX-56 Leclerc, and a fire control system similar to the T-72M2.

T-72M4 CZ(Czech Republic) - Czech version of the comprehensive modernization of the T-72M and T-72M1 carried out by VOP CZ. What distinguishes it from the basic T-72M is the installation of a British CV-12 engine from Perkins Engines, an American XTG 4II-6 transmission from Allison Transmission, DYNA-72 dynamic protection produced by VOP CZ, and a TURMS-T fire control system from the Italian company Officine Galileo.

T-72M4 CZ-W (Czech Republic) - command version of the T-72M4CZ.

T-72 Vruboun (Czech Republic) - Modification of the T72 by the Czech company Excalibur - Vruboun (Scarab). The 12.7 mm machine gun was replaced with a remote-controlled anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. Ballistic protection has been significantly increased. In the front of the hull, the tank is equipped with ERA VDZ protection, in front and on the sides of the turret, the hull is equipped with passive armor, and the rear of the turret is protected by a lattice screen. A V-84 618 kW engine was installed instead of the V-46-6 engine installed initially. It can accelerate the tank to 60 km/h, with a maximum range of 500 km. Observation and aiming devices have been improved. They can now operate in passive mode, and laser filters have been added to some devices.

(Poland) - Polish modernization of the T-72M1.

PT-72U (Poland) - Polish modernization of the T-72. The upgrade package can also be installed on the PT-91 Twardy. Dynamic protection similar to the PT-91 Twardy is installed, and lattice protective screens are installed on the uncovered surface of the tank. Mine protection has been improved, air conditioning has been installed, a new remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun ZSMU-127 Kobuz, new electronics. The ammunition load has been reduced (the aft niche has been occupied by an air conditioner).

M-84 (Yugoslavia) - Yugoslav modernization of the T-72M. The main differences between the M-84 and the prototype are due to the use of components of our own design. The TPD-2-49 rangefinder sight and TPN-1 gunner's night sight were replaced with a combined DNNS-2 gunner's rangefinder sight and rangefinder, and the DNKS-2 commander's device was installed instead of the TKN-3 commander's device. The driver's night periscopic device PPV-2 is installed in the control compartment. A collective protection system DRHT, a fire control system SUV-M84, communications and internal switching equipment made in Yugoslavia were installed. Engine power increased to 1000 hp. With.

M-84AV1(Serbia) - Serbian version of the modernization of the M-84 tank, under the name M2001.

M-84A4 Snajper (Croatia) - a Croatian version of the modernization of the M-84 tank produced by JSC Djuro Djakovic from Slavonski Brod.

(Croatia) - Croatian version of the modernization of the M-84 tank.

M-84D (Croatia) - Croatian version of the modernization of the M-84 tank.

TR-125 (Romania) - Romanian version of the T-72. Seven-wheel chassis, completely redesigned MTO with a German engine, tank weight 50 tons.

T-72SIM-1 (Israel) - a modernization option for the Georgian T-72M from the Israeli company Elbit Systems. New Harris FALCON radios, a GPS-based navigation system, a “friend or foe” determination system, commander and gunner thermal imagers, and mounted remote sensing were installed.

Tank EX (India) - T-72 chassis with an installed turret from the Arjun tank; weight 48 tons; 2 prototypes built.

Combat use

Iraq - Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
- Syria - Lebanon War (1982)
- Libya - Chadian-Libyan conflict (1987-1990)
- India - peacekeeping mission in Sri Lanka (1987-1990)
- India - UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia
- Iraq, Kuwait (M-84) - “Gulf War” (1990-1991)
- USSR - Putsch August 19-21 (1991)
- Armenia, Azerbaijan - Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (1991-1994)
- Bosnian War (1992-1995)
- Russia, Tajikistan - Civil war in Tajikistan (1992-1995)
- Russia, Chechnya - Chechen wars (1994-1996, 1999-2002)
- Conflict in Kosovo (1998-1999)
- Iraq - Iraq War (2003)
- Terrorist attack in Beslan (2004)
- Russia, Georgia - war in South Ossetia (2008)
- Civil war in Libya (2011)
- Civil war in Syria (2011-ongoing)
- Sudan, South Sudan - Border conflict between Sudan and South Sudan (2012)
- Ukraine - Armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, used by both sides of the conflict.

Syria

The T-72 was first used in combat in 1982 in Lebanon, in the Bekaa Valley. On June 9, the 76th and 91st Syrian tank brigades of the 1st division, armed with T-62s, were surrounded south of Lake Karun. The Syrian command decided to send elite units of the 1st Armored Division from Damascus, which, according to one version, were armed with T-72 tanks (according to another version, there were no T-72s in this division) to counterattack the Israelis on the right flank. North of the city of Rashaya, Syrian T-72s engaged several units of Israeli M60s, destroying several companies of M60s, the Syrians broke through the encirclement without losses. After this, the elite units returned to the Syrian border, regrouped and continued moving towards Zahle.

Syrian sources claim that Israeli tank crews failed to shoot down a single Syrian T-72. According to Russian tank expert Mikhail Baryatinsky, the Syrians lost 11-12 T-72 tanks, one of them was allegedly hit by the Shot-Kal (Centurion) tank. Contrary to the myth about the T-72’s baptism of fire, which occurred in a battle with Merkava tanks, if you carefully trace the combat path of the Syrian T-72 tanks and Israeli Merkava tanks, the very possibility of their meeting in battle will seem doubtful. Baryatinsky came to the conclusion that “not a single Merkava knocked out a single T-72 and not a single T-72 knocked out a single Merkava, because they simply did not meet in battle.”

Following this, Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire at noon on June 11. Both sides rushed to attack to capture as much territory as possible. Early in the morning, Syrian T-72s of the 81st Brigade reached Shtavrakh, and then turned south along two parallel roads, directly at the positions of the 409th Anti-Tank Battalion and the M60 of the 767th Brigade (according to Israeli data, the 767th Brigade did not participated). Syrian tank crews, inspired by the successes of June 9, went on the offensive without conducting reconnaissance. As a result, they were ambushed, and a total of 9-12 T-72s were hit by TOW missiles. The Syrians claimed the defeat of up to 10 Israeli M60 tanks in this battle. The Syrians managed to tow away all the damaged T-72s, after which they returned to the Beirut-Damascus highway.

According to the CIA, there was not a single case of penetration of the frontal armor of Syrian T-72s.

Iraq

Another country that actively used the T-72 was Iraq. The first 100 Soviet-made vehicles were received by Iraq in 1979-80. Export modifications differed in the design of the armor protection of the front part of the turret, as well as the anti-nuclear protection system and ammunition configuration. After the start of the war with Iran, the Soviet leadership stopped providing military assistance to Iraq. But already in January 1982, Poland delivered 250 T-72M tanks. In September of the same year, the Soviet Union lifted the embargo on the supply of equipment. A total of 1,038 T-72 tanks were delivered to Iraq, which performed well in battle against Iranian tanks.

At the beginning of the war, Iraq had about 100 T-72s as part of the 10th Presidential Tank Brigade, which defended Baghdad and could be used only in the most extreme cases. In 1982, it was successfully used in the July battles of Basra and Kesre Shirin. Northeast of Basra, the 10th Iraqi brigade hit the flank of the Iranian division with T-72 tanks, as a result, the Iranians left several dozen Western-made tanks on the battlefield. In total, as a result of the battle, Iran captured 101 tanks and other armored vehicles (including 12 T-72s, which first fell into the hands of the Iranians), the Iraqis captured 400 tanks and other armored vehicles. In the Qesre-Shirin area, an Iraqi tank battalion, armed with T-72 tanks, in a short-lived battle completely defeated an Iranian tank battalion with Chieftain tanks, without suffering any losses. During the battles of 1982, it turned out that 105-mm shells from Iranian tanks and TOW ATGMs did not pose a threat to the frontal armor of the T-72. 120 mm shells were dangerous only at a distance of up to 1000 meters.

On February 8, 1983, two brigades of the Iranian 92nd Armored Division crossed the border and began an attack on Al-Amara. For defense, the Iraqis deployed a brigade of T-72 tanks. In the oncoming tank battle, the Iranians were defeated, losing more than 100 tanks, mostly Chieftains. The Iraqis lost up to 60 tanks, mostly T-55s and only a few T-72s. Captured Iranian tanks were displayed in Baghdad for journalists. This year, the 2nd Tank Brigade of the Republican Guard was formed from T-72 tanks. On April 7, 1984, the 1st Armored Division of the Republican Guard "Hammurabi" was formed from the 10th and 2nd Tank Brigades. In 1987, the 2nd armored division of the Republican Guard "Medina" and the mechanized 3rd "Tawakalna" and 6th "Nebuchadnezzar" were formed from the received T-72 tanks. Several Iraqi T-72s were shot down during the Iranian Operation Karbala-1 in the Battle of Mehran. The Iraqis were unable to hold the city.

In February 1988, Iraq launched a massive offensive led by the T-72s of the Republican Guard. They inflicted several heavy defeats on Iranian tanks. The last major battle of the Iran-Iraq War in which the T-72 participated was the capture of Majnoon Island by the Iraqi army in 1988. The island was defended by 60 Chieftain and Scorpion tanks; on the Iraqi side, 2,000 tanks were involved in the operation. The success of the Iraqi army was absolute - the island was liberated, all Iranian tanks were destroyed or captured as trophies. From February to July, the Iraqis drove all Iranian forces out of Iraq, and the Iranians lost more than half of their armored vehicles. By the end of the offensive, Iran had fewer than 200 combat-ready tanks left. Several hundred Iranian tanks and hundreds of other armored vehicles were destroyed and captured. Losses during the eight years of war amounted to 60 T-72 tanks.

In a post-war interview, the Iranian commander of the Chieftain tank, Adar Forouzian, considered the T-72 the most formidable enemy on the battlefield. In his first battle, he miraculously survived when a T-72 shell hit the engine of his tank and the crew had to abandon the vehicle. During the last battle, in October 1982, his company captured a checkpoint on the Iraqi border. For a counterattack the next day, the Iraqis deployed T-72 tanks. Adar's tank was hit and disabled. Iraqi tanks were attacked by volunteers from the “living waves.” Adar noted that the volunteers were ready to do anything, even clear a minefield with their bodies. 70 percent of them died in this battle, 5 tanks from his company were shot down, the rest did not fire. His company had good artillery support and under its hurricane fire, the Iraqis still retreated. Adar noted the high mobility of the Iraqi "seventy-two" when his own "Chieftain" had to long time cool due to insufficient engine power.

After the war, Iraq began its own production of T-72 tanks under the names “Saddam” and “Lion of Babylon”; the Iraqis only failed to establish the production of tank guns. Based on combat experience, the Iraqis modified the T-72 tanks to strengthen the front armor of the hull, installed Chinese optical jammers and French automatic fire extinguishers. Iran also began its own production of this tank.

Invasion of Kuwait

The next war in which Iraqi T-72 tanks participated was the capture of Kuwait in 1990. Kuwait also had such Yugoslav-made tanks (M-84). To carry out the operation, Iraq withdrew 690 tanks from 4 divisions, mainly T-72s. Kuwait had 281 tanks in 4 brigades, including 6 M-84s in the Emir's Guard and 165 Chieftains.

The Iraqi divisions of the Republican Guard "Hammurabi" and "Nebuchadnezzar" with a force of 350 tanks attacked Kuwait from the north, the "Medina" and "Tawakalna" divisions with a force of 340 tanks attacked from the west, blocking the retreat routes to Saudi Arabia. The first to cross the border was the 17th Tank Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Raad Hamdani of the Hammurabi Division. Near Mutla Pass, the 17th Brigade was ambushed by a unit of Vickers tanks from the Kuwaiti 6th Mechanized Brigade. Kuwaiti tanks knocked out one Iraqi tank from a distance of 300 meters, but this did not stop the Iraqis at all. Shooting on the move, the Iraqis destroyed the Kuwaiti detachment. Only a few Kuwaiti forces were able to put up a worthy resistance. This, for example, happened during the “Battle of the Bridges” in the southern suburbs of Kuwait City. Tank division "Hammurabi" entered Kuwait City. The Iraqis were moving in a marching column, and the meeting with the 35th Kuwaiti Tank Brigade came as a surprise to them. The advance of Iraqi forces in this area was stopped. Armored vehicle losses are unknown. M-84s of the Emir's Guard took part in the battle for the Dasman Palace. During the battle with Iraqi commandos, 2 M-84s were destroyed and 4 were captured. In total, during the war, Iraq lost 120 armored vehicles, some of them T-72. Of the 1,371 Kuwaiti armored vehicles, less than 100 managed to escape to Saudi Arabia; all the rest were destroyed and captured, including all M-84s.

Kuwaiti M-84 tank (Yugoslav modernization of the T-72M), Operation Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm

In terms of the total number of tanks involved, both sides were approximately equal, but Iraq had significantly fewer modern tanks, Iraq had about 1000 T-72s and about 300 Chieftains, the anti-Iraqi coalition of the Abrams alone deployed about 1800 units, and they could not count on air support. Kuwait used 70 received M-84 tanks in the operation. The first clash between Iraqi T-72s and coalition forces could have occurred during the Battle of Khafji. The invading group had no a large number of these tanks. Units armed with T-72s were used to divert the attention of coalition aircraft while the Iraqi 3rd Mechanized Division (T-55 tanks) launched the main attack on Khafji.

The main rival of the Iraqi T-72 was the American M1A1 Abrams main battle tank (the first modifications of the Abrams did not enter into battle with the 72s; this role was assigned to modernized vehicles with German 120 mm guns). Often, meetings between American and Iraqi tanks ended in victory for the former. Demoralized Iraqi tank crews, after 39 days of continuous bombing, were unable to provide worthy resistance. The Tawakalna and Medina divisions took part in the largest battles with the Abrams; these battles led to the defeat of the Iraqis. There is a known case when one Abrams, stuck in the mud and left waiting for a recovery vehicle, was attacked by three T-72s. During the ensuing battle, the Abrams received three hits from shells (2 HE and 1 BPS) with minimal damage; all three T-72s were destroyed. The Abrams that arrived to help decided to shoot the vehicle that was completely stuck in the mud; they fired three 120 mm shells (3 UBPS) at it, which also caused only superficial damage to the tank. After the vehicle was evacuated, the turret was replaced and the tank returned to service. According to official American data, Iraqi T-72s managed to hit only about 10 M1A1 tanks, of which 4 were disabled. There were also battles between T-72s and older M60s, in which at least 5 Iraqi tanks were destroyed. On February 26, Bradley Company, supported by M1 Abrams tanks, engaged dug-in Iraqi T-72s and infantry fighting vehicles; Within two hours, the American armored vehicles were defeated and retreated (all Bradley companies were hit by fire), and the defending Iraqis lost six T-72s. According to the latest American data, the number of T-72 tanks lost by Iraq did not exceed 150 units; according to American data, they disabled 4 Abrams tanks and more than 20 units of other armored vehicles and several trucks.
Kuwaiti M-84s performed well in battles against Iraqi tanks (they did not meet Iraqi T-72s).

A significant role was played by Iraq’s lack of modern armor-piercing shells (those in service were from the 1960s; in the USSR such shells were removed from service back in 1973). Also, all T-72 tanks of the Iraqi Army were export modifications (T-72M) and did not have multi-layer armored turrets. French automatic fire extinguishers and Chinese optical jammers were used as protection elements. The latter repeatedly protected tanks from guided missile fire.

Invasion of Iraq (2003)

Iraqi T-72s were used during the Multinational Force intervention in Iraq in 2003. Before the war, Iraq had about 850 T-72 tanks. On March 24, the American command prepared 31 AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 11th Aviation Regiment of the US Army to attack units of the 2nd Tank Division “Medina” in the city of Karbala. Iraqi intelligence revealed the American plans. During takeoff, one Apache crashed. When approaching the target, the helicopters were met by powerful barrage fire from tanks, anti-aircraft guns and peasants with rifles. After a half-hour battle, one Apache was shot down by fire from the ground (its crew was captured), all the others were damaged and began to return to base. The Iraqis lost 12 tanks, probably most or all of the T-72s, and several anti-aircraft installations. Of the 29 helicopters that returned, only 7 remained flightworthy; 2 damaged ones were written off.
On April 3, near Mahmudiya, T-72s met with American Abrams. The battle ended in favor of the Americans, who destroyed 7 Iraqi tanks without losses. Total number lost T-72s in the 2003 war have not been published. It is assumed that during the advance towards Baghdad, US troops destroyed about 200 tanks of this type.

According to the authors of the book “Combat vehicles of Uralvagonzavod. T-72 tank” the fact that T-72 tanks have performed poorly in the Azerbaijani and Georgian armies is not due to their design features, but to the low qualifications of the maintenance personnel, as well as low-quality spare parts and fuels and lubricants.

Chechen conflict

T-72 tanks, received by the Chechen opposition from Russia and operated by Russian crews, took part in the unsuccessful assault on Grozny in November 1994. 35 T-72A tanks took part in the operation, only four of them managed to leave the city after the failure of the assault, the rest were destroyed or abandoned. Among the tankers who surrendered were participants in the execution of the Supreme Soviet of Russia. Some of the damaged tanks were repaired and put into operation by the Chechens. T-72s, along with a small number of T-62s, were in service with the Shali Tank Regiment of the Armed Forces of the ChRI. November 23, even before the official start of the First Chechen war, Russian Mi-24 and Su-25 raided the regiment's positions, destroying 21 tanks. During the assault on Grozny Russian army From December 1994 to February 1995, about 230 T-72 and T-80 tanks were deployed. They were opposed by up to 25 Dudayev tanks and up to 80 artillery pieces, not counting other means. All the capabilities of tank weapons were used in the battles, including guided missiles that hit targets at a range of about 4 kilometers. In just 3 months of fighting, at least 33 T-72 tanks were irretrievably lost, including 15 T-72B and at least 18 T-72A. Overall losses in Russian tank units were quite heavy, for example, in the tank battalion of the 74th Guards. By the end of the battles in the center of Grozny, the OMSBR out of 31 T-72s had 4 tanks left in combat-ready condition. More than 10 Dudayev tanks were received as trophies. Of the 80 tanks of the North Caucasus Military District of the T-72 type, dynamic protection was installed on only 14 vehicles, while the containers themselves were not equipped with explosive elements. Due to errors in the tactical use of tank units, when armored vehicles were used in unreasonable quantities and without motorized rifle cover, there could be up to 6-7 grenade launchers per tank. There are no known cases of penetration of frontal armor.

In March 1996, a T-72B tank company from one of the motorized rifle regiments of the Ural Military District took part in the liberation of the village of Goyskoye, which was defended by more than 400 well-armed militants. During the attack, the enemy tried to repel a tank attack with fire from an anti-tank system. A total of 14 ATGM launches were carried out, of the 12 missiles that hit the tanks, only 1 was able to penetrate the armor, hitting the gunner's hatch area; one crew member was slightly injured. All tanks retained their combat capability. The ATGM launchers and their crews were destroyed by fire from tank guns. During the attack by Khattab militants on the town of the 136th motorized rifle brigade in Buinaksk (1997), two T-72 tanks were destroyed.

During the Second Chechen War, the tank proved to be much better; in 2003, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces N.V. Kormiltsev called the T-72 the most effective model of armored vehicle military equipment in real combat conditions, withstanding several RPG hits and demonstrating high fire efficiency. It was noted that during marches in mountainous conditions, the tanks worked almost flawlessly.

Armed conflict in South Ossetia (2008)

During the war in South Ossetia (2008), T-72s were used on both sides, being in service with Georgian and Russian troops. During the conflict, 2 T-72 tanks were lost from the Russian side, and 18 T-72 tanks from the Georgian side, of which 8 tanks were captured as trophies. On the morning of August 9, a tank battle took place between a group of Russian T-72s and numerically superior forces of Georgian armored vehicles. The battle continued until the withdrawal of Georgian troops from Tskhinvali. A tank under the command of Yakovlev destroyed at least 7 units of enemy armored vehicles, another tank under the command of Mylnikov destroyed 8 units of armored vehicles. From the group four Russian T-72, one tank was lost. The turret of one of the Georgian T-72s, torn off by the explosion, was installed as a monument.

Armed conflict in southeast Ukraine

T-72 tanks are used by both sides (according to other sources, only the DPR and LPR) in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. The armed forces of the DPR and LPR use T-72B mod tanks. 1989, T-72B3 T-72BA and T-72B1. In October 2014, Reuters journalists published photographs of burnt T-72s of several modifications that they found on the territory of Ukraine, 40 kilometers from Donetsk. Despite the fact that the T-72 tank was withdrawn from service by the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to a shortage of armored vehicles due to the losses of the Ukrainian army, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine issued an order for the return to service of the units that were in storage.

Other conflicts

India used the T-72 during a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka. The exact tank losses are unknown; There is a photograph showing two T-72s with torn off turrets that were blown up by mines.

T-72 of the Libyan army participated in civil war 2011. British aircraft used the latest Brimstone missiles against them; During the first strike, these missiles destroyed three T-72s in the Ajdabiya area.

Sudanese T-72s appear to be used in operations against the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group; this is confirmed by photographs published by the group of a T-72 with dynamic protection, destroyed in January 2014.

Project evaluation

In 1982, following the results of the fighting in Lebanon, Hafez al-Assad described the T-72 as best tank in the world, emphasizing that not a single T-72 was destroyed during battles with the Israelis, while a modification with an optical rangefinder and a mechanical ballistic computer was exported. According to Russian expert Mikhail Baryatinsky, during the half-day participation of the T-72 in the war, 11-12 tanks of this type were lost.

It is the high reliability and firepower of the T-72 tanks, as well as their large number in service with many countries, that are pushing designers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, France and Belgium, as well as a number of other countries, to develop projects for the deep modernization of this wonderful vehicle and bring its combat characteristics to the level of the latest NATO tanks.
- S. Suvorov. Tank T-72. Yesterday Today Tomorrow

It is appropriate to note here that some of our “specialists” consider the T-72 tank to be just a modification of the T-64A, which, to put it mildly, is not correct. In fact, only the guns on these tanks are the same. The T-72 tank, adopted by the Soviet Army on August 7, 1973, was intended for mass production at existing factories and equipment. It implemented the idea of ​​reliability of the vehicle as a whole and introduced improved living conditions for the crew. The design of the T-72 managed to include a significant reserve for modernization and the creation of special vehicles on its basis. This tank was created for combat. The undeniable advantages of the T-72 were appreciated by experts from all over the world - this fighting machine recognized as the best and most popular tank of the second half of the 20th century.
- Kartsev L.N. "Memoirs of the Chief Tank Designer"

T-72BA with built-in Kontakt-5 dynamic protection on the frontal upper part of the hull

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-72

Crew, people: 3
Developer: Uralvagonzavod
Years of production: from 1973 to 2005
Years of operation: since 1974
Number issued, pcs.: about 30,000
Layout scheme: classic

Weight of T-72

Dimensions T-72

Case length, mm: 6670
- Length with gun forward, mm: 9530
- Hull width, mm: 3460 (on side screens) / 3370 (on tracks)
- Height, mm: 2190
- Base, mm: 4270
- Track, mm: 2790
- Ground clearance, mm: 428–470

T-72 armor

Armor type: rolled and cast steel and combined steel-fiberglass-textolite-steel (hull forehead)
- Hull forehead, mm/deg.: From OBPS(KS) = from 310 (450) to 750 (1100) in various modifications.
- Body forehead (top), mm/deg.: from a total of 205 / 68° and the second layer 60°, combined
- Housing forehead (bottom), mm/deg.: 85 / 60°
- Hull side, mm/deg.: 70 and 80 mm
- Turret front, mm/deg.: From OBPS (KS) = from 410 (500) to 800 (1200) in various modifications

Armament of the T-72

Gun caliber and brand: 125 mm 2A46
- Gun type: smoothbore gun
- Barrel length, calibers: 48
- Gun ammunition: 39 (including 22 rounds in AZ)
- Firing range, km: up to 9.4
- Sights: rangefinder sight TPD-2-49, periscope night sight TPN-1-49-23, night sight TNP-1-49-23
- Machine guns: 1 × 12.7 NSVT; 1 × 7.62 mm PKT

T-72 engine

Engine type: V-46
- Engine power, l. p.: 780

Speed ​​T-72

Highway speed, km/h: 45-50
- Speed ​​over rough terrain, km/h: 35–45

Cruising range on the highway, km: 500–700
- Cruising range over rough terrain, km: 320–650
- Fuel tank capacity, l: 1200+400
- Specific power, l. s./t: 19
- Suspension type: individual torsion bar
- Specific ground pressure, kg/cm²: 0.83–0.87
- Climbability, degrees: 30
- Overcoming wall, m: 0.85
- Overcoming ditch, m: 2.6–2.8
- Fordability, m: 1.2 (1.8 s preliminary preparation, 5 with OPVT)

Photo T-72

Modern battle tanks Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures watch online. This article gives an idea of ​​the modern tank fleet. It is based on the principle of classification used in the most authoritative reference book to date, but in a slightly modified and improved form. And if the latter in its original form can still be found in the armies of a number of countries, then others have already become museum pieces. And just for 10 years! The authors considered it unfair to follow in the footsteps of the Jane’s reference book and not consider this combat vehicle (very interesting in design and fiercely discussed in its time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet of the last quarter of the 20th century.

Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of weapon for the ground forces. The tank was and will probably remain a modern weapon for a long time due to its ability to combine such seemingly contradictory qualities as high mobility, powerful weapons and reliable crew protection. These unique qualities of tanks continue to be constantly improved, and the experience and technology accumulated over decades predetermine new frontiers in combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the eternal confrontation between “projectile and armor”, as practice shows, protection against projectiles is increasingly being improved, acquiring new qualities: activity, multi-layeredness, self-defense. At the same time, the projectile becomes more accurate and powerful.

Russian tanks are specific in that they allow you to destroy the enemy from a safe distance, have the ability to make quick maneuvers on off-road, contaminated terrain, can “walk” through territory occupied by the enemy, seize a decisive bridgehead, cause panic in the rear and suppress the enemy with fire and tracks . The war of 1939-1945 became the most difficult test for all humanity, since almost all countries of the world were involved in it. It was a clash of the titans - the most unique period that theorists debated in the early 1930s and during which tanks were used in large numbers by almost all belligerents. At this time, a “lice test” and a deep reform of the first theories of the use of tank forces took place. And it is the Soviet tank forces that are most affected by all this.

Tanks in battle have become a symbol of the past war, the backbone of the Soviet armored forces? Who created them and under what conditions? How did the USSR, which had lost most of its European territories and had difficulty recruiting tanks for the defense of Moscow, was able to release powerful tank formations onto the battlefields already in 1943? This book is intended to answer these questions, telling about the development of Soviet tanks “during the testing days ", from 1937 to the beginning of 1943. When writing the book, materials from Russian archives and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that remained in my memory with some kind of depressing feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and only stopped at the beginning of forty-three,” said former general designer of self-propelled guns L. Gorlitsky, “some kind of pre-storm state was felt.

Tanks of the Second World War It was M. Koshkin, almost underground (but, of course, with the support of “the wisest of the wise leaders of all nations”), who was able to create the tank that a few years later would shock the German tank generals. And not only that, he not only created it, the designer managed to prove to these military fools that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not just another wheeled-tracked "motor vehicle." The author is in slightly different positions, which formed in him after meeting the pre-war documents of the Russian State Military Academy and the Russian State Academy of Economics. Therefore, working on this segment of the history of the Soviet tank, the author will inevitably contradict something “generally accepted.” This work describes the history of Soviet tank building in the most difficult years - from the beginning of a radical restructuring of the entire activity of design bureaus and people's commissariats in general. during the frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, transfer industry to wartime rails and evacuation.

Tanks Wikipedia, the author would like to express his special gratitude to M. Kolomiets for his assistance in selecting and processing materials, and also thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors of the reference publication “Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941” , since this book helped to understand the fate of some projects that was previously unclear. I would also like to remember with gratitude those conversations with Lev Izraelevich Gorlitsky, the former chief designer of UZTM, which helped to take a fresh look at the entire history of the Soviet tank during the Great Patriotic War. Patriotic War Soviet Union. For some reason, today it is common for us to talk about 1937-1938. only from the point of view of repression, but few people remember that it was during this period that those tanks were born that became legends of the wartime...” From the memoirs of L.I. Gorlinky.

Soviet tanks, a detailed assessment of them at that time was heard from many lips. Many old people recalled that it was from the events in Spain that it became clear to everyone that the war was getting closer and closer to the threshold and it was Hitler who would have to fight. In 1937, mass purges and repressions began in the USSR, and against the backdrop of these difficult events, the Soviet tank began to transform from “mechanized cavalry” (in which one of its combat qualities was emphasized at the expense of others) into a balanced combat vehicle, simultaneously possessing powerful weapons, sufficient to suppress most targets, good maneuverability and mobility with armor protection capable of maintaining its combat effectiveness when fired upon by the most massive anti-tank weapons of a potential enemy.

It was recommended that large tanks be supplemented with only special tanks - amphibious tanks, chemical tanks. The brigade now had 4 separate battalions of 54 tanks each and was strengthened by moving from three-tank platoons to five-tank ones. In addition, D. Pavlov justified the refusal to form three additional mechanized corps in addition to the four existing mechanized corps in 1938, believing that these formations were immobile and difficult to control, and most importantly, they required a different rear organization. The tactical and technical requirements for promising tanks, as expected, were adjusted. In particular, in a letter dated December 23 to the head of the design bureau of plant No. 185 named after. CM. Kirov, the new boss demanded that the armor of the new tanks be strengthened so that at a distance of 600-800 meters (effective range).

The newest tanks in the world, when designing new tanks, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of increasing the level of armor protection during modernization by at least one stage...” This problem could be solved in two ways: Firstly, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly, by “using increased armor resistance." It is not difficult to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially strengthened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its durability by 1.2-1.5 times. It was this path (the use of especially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

Tanks of the USSR at the dawn of tank production, armor was most widely used, the properties of which were identical in all areas. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of armor making, craftsmen sought to create just such armor, because homogeneity ensured stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of an armor plate was saturated (to a depth of several tenths to several millimeters) with carbon and silicon, its surface strength increased sharply, while the rest of the plate remained viscous. This is how heterogeneous (non-uniform) armor came into use.

For military tanks, the use of heterogeneous armor was very important, since an increase in the hardness of the entire thickness of the armor plate led to a decrease in its elasticity and (as a consequence) to an increase in fragility. Thus, the most durable armor, all other things being equal, turned out to be very fragile and often chipped even from the explosions of high-explosive fragmentation shells. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production, when producing homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the maximum possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-hardened armor with carbon and silicon saturation was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But cementation is a complex, harmful process (for example, treating a hot plate with a jet of illuminating gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required large expenses and improved production standards.

Wartime tanks, even in operation, these hulls were less successful than homogeneous ones, since for no apparent reason cracks formed in them (mainly in loaded seams), and it was very difficult to put patches on holes in cemented slabs during repairs. But it was still expected that a tank protected by 15-20 mm cemented armor would be equivalent in level of protection to the same one, but covered with 22-30 mm sheets, without a significant increase in weight.
Also, by the mid-1930s, tank building had learned to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known from late XIX century in shipbuilding as the "Krupp method". Surface hardening led to a significant increase in hardness front side sheet, leaving the main thickness of the armor viscous.

How tanks fire video up to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than cementation, since while the hardness of the surface layer was higher than with cementation, the elasticity of the hull sheets was significantly reduced. So the “Krupp method” in tank building made it possible to increase the strength of armor even slightly more than cementation. But the hardening technology that was used for thick naval armor was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost not used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.

Combat use of tanks The most proven tank gun was the 45-mm tank gun model 1932/34. (20K), and before the event in Spain it was believed that its power was quite sufficient to perform most tank tasks. But the battles in Spain showed that a 45-mm gun can only satisfy the task of fighting enemy tanks, since even shelling of manpower in the mountains and forests turned out to be ineffective, and it was only possible to disable a dug-in enemy firing point in the event of a direct hit . Firing at shelters and bunkers was ineffective due to the low high-explosive effect of a projectile weighing only about two kg.

Types of tanks photos so that even one shell hit can reliably disable an anti-tank gun or machine gun; and thirdly, to increase the penetrating effect of a tank gun on the armor of a potential enemy, since using the example of French tanks (which already had an armor thickness of about 40-42 mm), it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly strengthened. There was a sure way for this - increasing the caliber of tank guns and simultaneously increasing the length of their barrel, since a long gun of a larger caliber fires heavier projectiles with a higher initial velocity over a greater distance without correcting the aiming.

The best tanks in the world had a large-caliber gun, also had a larger breech, significantly greater weight and increased recoil reaction. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, placing large-sized rounds in a closed tank volume led to a decrease in transportable ammunition.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that at the beginning of 1938 it suddenly turned out that there was simply no one to give the order for the design of a new, more powerful tank gun. P. Syachintov and his entire design team were repressed, as well as the core of the Bolshevik design bureau under the leadership of G. Magdesiev. Only the group of S. Makhanov remained in the wild, who, since the beginning of 1935, had been trying to develop his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the staff of Plant No. 8 was slowly finishing the “forty-five”.

Photos of tanks with names The number of developments is large, but mass production in the period 1933-1937. not a single one has been accepted..." In fact, none of the five air-cooled tank diesel engines, work on which was carried out in 1933-1937 in the engine department of plant No. 185, was brought to series. Moreover, despite the decisions At the very top levels of the transition in tank construction exclusively to diesel engines, this process was constrained by a number of factors. Of course, diesel had significant efficiency. It consumed less fuel per unit of power per hour. Diesel fuel was less susceptible to fire, since the flash point of its vapor was very high. high.

New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine, required a reorganization of engine production for serial production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (they did not yet have their own machines of the required accuracy), financial investments and strengthening of personnel. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel would produce 180 hp. will go to production tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to determine the causes of tank engine failures, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not implemented. The development of a slightly increased six-cylinder gasoline engine No. 745 with a power of 130-150 hp was also started.

Brands of tanks had specific indicators that suited tank builders quite well. The tanks were tested using a new method, specially developed at the insistence of the new head of the ABTU, D. Pavlov, in relation to combat service in wartime. The basis of the tests was a run of 3-4 days (at least 10-12 hours of daily non-stop driving) with a one-day break for technical inspection and production restoration work. Moreover, repairs were allowed to be carried out only by field workshops without the involvement of factory specialists. This was followed by a “platform” with obstacles, “swimming” in water with an additional load that simulated an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for inspection.

Super tanks online, after improvement work, seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the general progress of the tests confirmed the fundamental correctness of the main design changes - an increase in displacement by 450-600 kg, the use of the GAZ-M1 engine, as well as the Komsomolets transmission and suspension. But during testing, numerous minor defects again appeared in the tanks. Chief designer N. Astrov was removed from work and was under arrest and investigation for several months. In addition, the tank received a new turret with improved protection. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank more ammunition for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (previously there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one production model of the tank in 1938-1939. The torsion bar suspension developed by the designer of the design bureau of plant No. 185 V. Kulikov was tested. It was distinguished by the design of a composite short coaxial torsion bar (long monotorsion bars could not be used coaxially). However, such a short torsion bar did not show good enough results in tests, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately pave the way for itself in the course of further work. Obstacles to overcome: climbs of at least 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, covered ditch 2-2.5 m."

YouTube about tanks, work on the production of prototypes of D-180 and D-200 engines for reconnaissance tanks are not being carried out, jeopardizing the production of prototypes." Justifying his choice, N. Astrov said that a wheeled-tracked non-floating reconnaissance aircraft (factory designation 101 or 10-1), as well as a variant of an amphibious tank (factory designation 102 or 10-1 2), are a compromise solution, since it is not possible to fully satisfy the requirements of the ABTU. Option 101 was a tank weighing 7.5 tons with a hull-type hull, but with vertical side sheets of cemented armor 10-13 mm thick, since. : “The inclined sides, causing serious weighting of the suspension and hull, require a significant (up to 300 mm) widening of the hull, not to mention the complication of the tank.

Video reviews of tanks in which the tank’s power unit was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was being developed by industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. 1st grade gasoline was placed in the tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully corresponded to the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK 12.7 mm caliber and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS is listed) 7.62 mm caliber. The combat weight of the tank with torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with spring suspension - 5.26 tons. Tests took place from July 9 to August 21 according to the methodology approved in 1938, with special attention being paid to tanks.

Main combat T a n k T 72 photos
The most popular and famous second generation tank in the world. It is in service with Russia and 30 other countries around the world.
Created on the basis T-64A tank . It was developed at the Uralvagonzavod design bureau from 1967 to 1972 as “object 172”, after modernization as “object 172M”. Factory tests since November. In 1972, an initial batch of 15 vehicles, together with T-64A and T-80 tanks, underwent many months of military tests. Based on their results, it was recommended for adoption under the designation T-72 “Ural”.

T-72 tank photos of all modifications about 30 thousand were produced over 25 years

The tank was mass-produced at UVZ from 1974 to 1992, and from 1978 to 1990 at ChTZ.
The total number of T-72s produced is estimated at 20,000-25,000. The car was also produced in Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, India, Iran and without a license in China.

The T-72 in the photo had nuclear, biological and chemical protection systems

The tank has a classic layout.

t 72 characteristics

The crew consists of three people.

The automatic loader replaced one of the crew members, the rate of fire was 8 rounds per minute

The T-72 hull is a box-shaped structure made of sheets and plates of rolled homogeneous and combined armor.
Basic T-72A tank photo. Early 1980s

T-72 on parade in East Berlin 1984

The combined hull armor consists of 80 mm steel outer, 105 mm fiberglass and 20 mm steel inner layers. For the T-72A tank it was changed to layers 60+100+50 mm thick and reinforced by welding a 30 mm armor plate. The T-72B's frontal hull armor has been further enhanced by adding 20mm armor plate. Later, the T-72B hull received the Kontakt, then Relikt, mounted dynamic protection system.

photo tank T-72, 41.5 tons of steel and composite armor

The engine and transmission compartment is separated from the combat compartment by an armored partition. But the ammunition is still in combat condition, the Achilles heel of all Soviet, and now Russian-built tanks. The combat weight of the T-72A tank is 41.5 tons.

T-72 is relatively short, there is little space inside the tank, as a result a very low profile, 125mm D-81TM, smoothbore gun, a pipe above the turret allows you to ford rivers

The towers of the first series were cast and had a complex design. In 1979, the T-72A tank with combined turret armor was put into service. Its front part had a thickness of 280 mm.

view of the commander's seat of the T-72AG tank

In the control compartment, to the right of the driver’s seat, there is a fuel tank and a storage tank, on the left is a fuel tank, control panel and batteries.

torsion bar suspension provides the car with excellent ride comfort t 72

There is an inspection hatch above his seat, and an emergency exit hatch in the bottom of the hull, behind the seat. The TNPO-168V operator-driver observation device is mounted in the upper inclined sheet of the housing.
In the tower tank t 72 photos , a 125-mm D-81TM smoothbore gun is installed. The tank's ammunition load includes 44 separate-loading rounds with armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation shells. The tank uses an electromechanical automatic loader. 22 artillery rounds from the ammunition load are placed in cassettes of a rotating ammunition rack.

T-72 tank lower front plate, self-entrenchment equipment (which when folded is additional armor protection)

To aim the gun at the target, a daytime sterioscopic sight-rangefinder is installed. The T-72 commander's cupola contains two TNP-160 observation devices, a TKN-3 commander's observation device and a night sight. The Luna illuminator is used as a source of infrared light. With a cannon there is a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun. On an open turret installation, an NSVT-12.7 “Utes” machine gun with a collimator sight and manual aiming is used as an anti-aircraft gun. Smoke grenade launchers are located on the tower. Their number depends on the modification of the machine.

the number of smoke grenade launchers depends on the modification of the T 72 vehicle

The tank is equipped with a 12-cylinder multi-fuel diesel engine V-46 with a transmission and a centrifugal supercharger with a power of 780 hp. Since 1984, the T-72A has been equipped with a V-84 diesel engine with a power of 840 hp. The engine is installed in the engine compartment across the axis of the tank.

Bram 1 was created on the basis of the chassis of the main tank T-72 photo, adopted for service in 1975

The roller suspension is independent torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers. The chassis consists of six rubber-coated support rollers, three support rollers on board, guide and drive wheels with removable rims.

T-72 tank poor protection of the side projection of this tank, the sides are protected by rubber screens, perhaps from flying dirt, but not from enemy shells

Caterpillars with rubber-metal joints. The track rollers are made of aluminum alloy, the rest are made of steel. Vehicle speed on the highway is up to 60 km/h. Power reserve 500 km.

T-72С, in order to maintain superiority on the battlefield, a more advanced model was created, it retains all positive features of the base tank, despite the presence of dynamic protection, the side projection is still vulnerable

The tank was equipped with an R-123M radio station, an intercom, an anti-nuclear protection system, an automatic fire extinguishing system, underwater driving equipment, and a device for self-entrenchment.

T-72M1M export modernization of the T-72M1 tank

It is possible to install rutted knife mine trawls on parts of the tanks.

T-72S is the world's first missile and gun tank, supplied to the market, superior to the T-72M1 tank in firepower, mobility protection, differs from its ancestors by installing fundamentally new components

"Seventy-second" was produced in a large number of modifications. To this day, its production has been completed.

During operation and combat use the extreme explosiveness of the T-72 was revealed, it seems this is becoming the hallmark of the entire series, the T-90 was created on the basis of the same seventy-second, has the same problems with the ammunition rack, is located in the fighting compartment

As of 2010, there were 2 thousand T-72 vehicles in operation in Russia and 7 thousand in reserve. Despite the modernization, the tank has several fundamental vulnerabilities. Weak side projection protection, the ammunition rack is combined with the fighting compartment crew (detonation leads to the complete destruction of the tank, along with the crew), low starting speed, acceleration 0-32 km/h in 12 seconds, French, Abrams 7.2 seconds, and in 10 seconds.

The Syrians are strengthening the protection of the sides of the T-72 tank by installing grilles

The militia from Donetsk and Lugansk also strengthens the protection of the sides of their tanks with bars. The improvised mounted protection of the T-72 tank is still as ineffective against a cumulative charge as during the Second World War

T-72B3 tank after being fired at by old RPGs near Illovaisk, the torn off turret seems to be becoming a hallmark of tank building

The modernized T-72B "White Eagle" tank from Oboronservis OJSC, the same design flaws, poor protection of the side projection, the sides are protected by rubber screens and dynamic protection modules up to the middle of the tank's side, the division of ammunition cannot be solved by modernization

T 72 moment of shot photo

Such a large production, most of them are still in operation, serve as objects for infusion into the modernization of the tank. This is done both by our enterprises and by Belarusian, Ukrainian, and various concerns from France, the USA, Canada and, of course, China.

Tank T-72

The T-72 is a main battle tank (MBT), which began mass production at the Nizhny Tagil plant in 1972. The tank was classified for 5 years foreign countries and only in 1977 was it shown to the French Minister of Defense.

In the West, they believed that the next tank was just an improvement on the T-64, but in fact the T-72 is a completely different combat vehicle, unlike the T-64.

The T-72 has powerful armor. The turret has an armor thickness of 27 cm, the front of the hull is 22 cm.

The hull has rectangular armor plates that protect the hydraulic shock absorbers at an angle of fire up to 60°. The fuel tank also has a protective skirt.

A scraper for digging a trench can be attached to the nose of the tank. IR illuminator installed on right side main gun, on the T-64 - on the left.

The chassis uses a torsion bar suspension system, which is traditional for Soviet tanks.

The T-72 has six road wheels on each side, which are slightly larger than those used on the T-64. Like the T-64, the T-72 is driven by a rear rotary sprocket.

The 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is paired with a cannon and can fire automatically. The turret houses a 12.7 mm DShKM machine gun, but it can only be used from an open hatch, making the machine gunner a target for snipers.

The turret is equipped with a 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun, which is also used on the T-64. The shells are fed from a carousel-type automatic loader.

Ammunition 39 rounds. Ammunition in the loading carousel is located on two levels, the powder charge is lower, the shells are higher.

The gun is stabilized, which allows the tank to fire while moving on the road or over rough terrain.

Booking

The T-72 has a package of complete nuclear and biological-chemical protection. The inside of the tank is lined with lead materials to protect against radiation and neutron pulses.

In 1982, during the Israeli army's invasion of Lebanon, Merkava tanks using a 105 mm cannon and rockets destroyed a large number of T-72S tanks operated by the Syrian tank forces.

Following this, an extensive upgrade program was carried out to improve armor efficiency and survivability.

During the period the tanks were in service, 17,000 copies of the T-72 tank were produced for the USSR and Russia, as well as about 13,000 for other countries of the world.

The T-72 was supplied to 15 countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It was produced in Czechoslovakia, India, Poland and Yugoslavia.
In 1984, the most modern modification of the T-72B tank was released. This tank featured a completely different armor protection system, namely a multi-layer one.

Engine

The T-72 tank is unique for its multi-fuel engine. Various engine modifications were installed on various tank models. So the first tanks were equipped with a 12-cylinder V-shaped B-46 engine, which developed a power of 780 hp.
The T-72B was equipped with the V-84-1 engine, developing 840 hp.
The engine was capable of running on diesel fuel, low-octane gasoline, and also on kerosene.

Technical characteristics of the T-72 tank:

Soviet main battle tank of the T-72 family. The tank was created in the process of improving the T-72A. Development work was carried out from 1981 to 1984. Adoption took place in 1984. Serial production started in 1985.

Main tank T-72
USSR

Its development began in 1967, when the first operational experience of the T-64 revealed the insufficient reliability of the engine, chassis and loading mechanism. Taking into account the limited capabilities for the production of 5TDF engines and the presence in sufficient quantities of four-stroke B-45 engines in reserve, it was decided to install them on the T-64. In the same place, an experimental model of such a tank was manufactured and tested.

In the field of further work, in 1968-69, comparative tests were carried out on T-64A tanks with a V-45 engine and an ejection cooling system (developed by a design bureau in Kharkov) and samples with a V-45 engine, an automatic gun loader for 22 shots and fan cooling system (developed by the design bureau in Nizhny Tagil). The latter showed better results.

In November 1969, these vehicles began to be equipped with B-46 engines with a power of 573 kW (780 hp) and a chassis of a new design. The sample manufactured with the indicated changes was assigned the index “object 172M”. In 1973, after military tests, it was put into service under the T-72 brand and soon received the name “Ural”.

In accordance with the technical specifications, combat and specifications T-72 are kept at the same level as the T-64A tank. Despite the fact that it was four tons heavier than the 64, the difference in weight was reflected in the characteristics of maximum speed, range and cross-country ability, since the capacity of the fuel tanks increased by 100 liters and the engine power increased by 80 hp. , and the track width was 40 mm. The tank was improved during mass production. In 1979, the modernized T-72A model was put into service, and in 1985, the T-72B tank.

Let's look at the latest modification in more detail. The tank has a classic general layout with a crew of three and a transverse engine. The driver is located in the control compartment along the axis of the tank. Despite the large angle of inclination of the upper frontal part of the body, it is placed in a sitting position in the combat position, since the lower part of the chair is installed in a special stamping of the bottom. The reserved volume of the control compartment is 2.0 cubic meters. m.

In the fighting compartment to the right of the gun is the tank commander, and to the left is the gunner. At the bottom of the fighting compartment there is a rotating automatic loader conveyor, the shape and dimensions of which allow crew members to move inside the vehicle from the fighting compartment to the control compartment and back. The use of an automatic loader made it possible to obtain a reserved volume of the fighting compartment of 5.9 cubic meters. m. and the height of the tank on the turret roof is up to 2226 mm.

The engine and transmission compartment occupies a volume of 3.1 cubic meters. To accommodate the engine, the thickness of the body sheets in the MTO area was reduced to 70 mm. Compared to the T-64A tank, the design of the rear part of the hull has been changed and the length of the MTO has been increased due to the use of a fan cooling system and an input gearbox connecting the engine to the onboard gearboxes. The total reserved volume of the tank is 11.0 cubic meters.

The main armament is a special tank 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M - launcher. It differs from the gun of the T-64BV tank in the presence of a mechanism for catching and ejecting pallets. The design of the gun allows the barrel tube to be replaced in the field without dismantling it from the turret. A mechanism was introduced into the bolt that allows the wedge to be opened manually in two steps, which significantly reduced the effort required. To improve shooting accuracy, the cylinders of the two recoil brakes are fixed symmetrically relative to the barrel bore in the upper right and lower left corners of the breech. The design of the recoil devices ensures uninhibited recoil before the projectile leaves the barrel and allows them to be checked in a short time.

To align the zero aiming line without the crew leaving the tank, the gun is equipped with a built-in alignment control device. Firing is carried out with separate-case-loading artillery rounds with armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation shells and shots with a guided missile, which has a cumulative combat part. All artillery rounds have a single charge with a partially burning cartridge case. After firing, the next time the gun is loaded, the cartridge case tray is automatically thrown out through a special hatch in the roof of the turret.

The ZUBK14 round consists of a 9M119 guided missile and a propellant device. It has the same dimensions as a regular artillery round, so loading it into the automatic loader conveyor cassette does not differ in any special ways. The gun's ammunition is placed in the rotating conveyor of the automatic loader (22 shots) and in the non-mechanized ammunition racks of the hull and turret (23 shots).

The 9K120 guided weapon system ensures firing of a guided missile during the day from a standstill and from short stops at ranges from 100 to 4000 meters. It has an anti-jam semi-automatic missile control system based on a laser beam. The fire control system includes the 1A40-1 sighting system, created on the basis of the TPD-K1 laser sight-rangefinder of the T-72A tank. The field of view of the sight is stabilized in the vertical plane. To fire an artillery round from a tank gun at night and a guided missile during the day, the 1K13-49 sight-guidance device, which is part of the 9K120 guided weapon system, is used. It can operate in active or passive modes.

The gun is equipped with a weapon stabilizer 2342-2 with an electro-hydraulic drive for vertical and electric machine horizontal guidance, which reduced the fire hazard in the tank compared to an electro-hydraulic drive. A 7.62-mm coaxial PKT machine gun and a 12.7-mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun are used as auxiliary weapons. with manual control from the sneaker commander). The ammunition capacity of the coaxial machine gun is 2,000 rounds, and that of the anti-aircraft machine gun is 300 rounds.

The armor protection of the frontal part of the hull and turret consists of multi-layer combined armor barriers that provide invulnerability from most types of armor-piercing sub-caliber and cumulative projectiles of tank (anti-tank) guns. High resistance against cumulative ammunition is achieved by installing mounted dynamic protection. There are 227 containers installed on the sneaker, of which 61 on the hull, 70 on the turret and 96 on the side screens. Since 1988, serial tanks T-72B uses built-in dynamic protection.

The body of the sneaker is welded, its upper frontal part is inclined at an angle of 68 degrees from the vertical. The tower is cast, its frontal part has variable inclination angles from ten to twenty-five degrees. The sides of the hull are protected by anti-cumulative shields. The tank is distinguished by a high level of anti-radiation protection due to the use of a lining and a lining, a collective protection system and local protection of crew members.

The survivability of the tank on the battlefield is increased due to the low silhouette, the use of TDA and the 902B “Tucha” system for setting up smoke screens, a napalm protection system and high-speed fire-fighting equipment 3ETS1Z “Iney”. The tank has a camouflage paint job and is equipped with equipment for self-digging and for attaching a KMT-b mine trawl.

The machine is equipped with a multi-fuel four-stroke high-speed diesel engine V-84-1, liquid-cooled and supercharged from a centrifugal supercharger. In addition, inertial (wave) charging is used. The engine power is 618 kW (840 hp). It is adapted to operate on diesel fuel, jet fuel (T-1, TS-1. T-2) and motor gasoline (A-66, A-72). Starting is carried out using an electric starter, an air starting system, as well as from an external power source or from a tug. For emergency starting of a cold engine in winter, there is an intake air heating system.

A mechanical planetary transmission consists of an input gearbox, two final drives and two final drives. It has hydraulic servo control and its own oil system. The suspension system uses an individual torsion bar suspension with lever-blade type hydraulic shock absorbers on 1, 2 and 6 suspension units of each side. The roller support disks are made of aluminum alloy. The support rollers have external rubber lining, and the support rollers have internal shock absorption. To protect the caterpillar from being thrown off when the tank turns, restrictive disks are welded to the drive wheels.

The tank is equipped with equipment for underwater driving, allowing it to overcome water obstacles up to five meters deep and about 1000 meters wide. The tank uses the “Paragraph” communications equipment complex, which includes a VHF radio station R-173, a radio receiver R-173P, a block of antenna filters and a laryngophone amplifier. The radio station operates in the frequency range 30-76 MHz and has a memory device that allows ten communication frequencies to be prepared in advance. It provides a communication range of at least 20 km both on the spot and while moving over moderately rough terrain.

Modifications of the T-72 tank

T-72 (1973)- basic sample.

T-72K (1973)- command tank.

T-72 (1975)- export version, differed in the design of the armor protection of the front part of the turret, the PAZ system and the configuration of ammunition.

T-72A (1979)- modernization of the T-72 tank. The main differences: laser sight-range finder TPDK-1, gunner's night sight TPN-3-49 with L-4 illuminator, solid on-board anti-cumulative screens, 2A46 gun (instead of the 2A26M2 gun), 9025 smoke grenade launch system, napalm protection system, system road alarm, night device TVNE-4B for the driver, increased dynamic travel of the rollers, V-46-6 engine.

T-72AK (1979)- command tank.

T-72M (1980)- export version of the T-72A tank. It was distinguished by its armored turret design, ammunition configuration, and collective defense system.

T-72M1 (1982)- modernization of the T-72M tank. It featured an additional 16 mm armor plate on the upper hull frontal part and a combined turret armor with sand cores as filler.

T-72AV (1985)- a version of the T-72A tank with mounted dynamic protection.

T-72B (1985)- a modernized version of the T-72A tank with a guided weapon system.

T-72B1(1985)- a version of the T-72B tank without installing some elements of the guided weapons complex.

T-72S (1987)- export version of the T-725 tank. The original name was the T-72M1M tank. Main differences: 155 containers of mounted dynamic protection (instead of 227), hull and turret armor kept at the same level as the T-72M1 tank, and a different set of ammunition for the gun.

Production and export supplies

Serial production of the tank was organized at a plant in Nizhny Tagil. From 1979 to 1985, the T-72A tank was in production. On its basis, the export version of the T-72M was produced, and then its further modification - the T-72M1 tank. Since 1985, the T-72B tank and its export version T-72S have been in production.

Tanks of the T-72 series were exported to the countries of the former Warsaw Pact, as well as to India, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Kuwait, Algeria and Finland. Based on the T-72 tank, the BREM-1 tank bridge laying vehicle was developed and put into serial production MTU-72, IMR-2 engineering clearing vehicle.

Characteristics of BREM-1: Weight - 40 t, crew - 3 people, armament - 12.7 mm machine gun, crane lifting capacity - 12 tf, winch traction force - 25 tf (with a pulley 100 tf), engine power - 618 kW (840 hp), maximum speed- 60 km/h.

In 1973, new tanks that fully met the requirements entered service with the Soviet Army. modern warfare and army doctrines of the USSR.

Photo of the T-72 "Ural" tank

Although the vehicle was a compromise, it had high combat effectiveness and, most importantly, manufacturability. This factor made it possible to produce the tank in mass quantities in the event of a “hot” war. The vehicle received the working name T-72 “Ural” or Object - 172M.

The T72 tank can be called a long-liver. Full production of the model started in 1973 and ended in 1992. Despite the fact that it is no longer produced, the combat vehicle has not been removed from service in the Russian Federation.

Modifications of already released samples are being carried out.

The latest versions of the T-72B3 are almost as good as the T90 in terms of tactical and technical parameters. Over the entire period of operation, approximately 30,000 units were produced, not counting those produced by other countries: Poland, Yugoslavia, India, etc.

History of the creation of the T-72 tank

After the introduction of the T-64A into mass production, key shortcomings of this vehicle were immediately revealed. First of all, problems with the engine and chassis. There were also complaints about the automatic loader. For example, in order for the driver to move to the fighting compartment, he needed to turn the turret 90 degrees relative to the tank’s movement vector and remove part of the ammunition rack.

But main problem there was a high cost and difficulty in setting up production at other factories in the country. This was the price of innovation applied by Kharkov engineers.

For the above reasons, the development of a new tank began, similar in combat effectiveness, but with a lower price and high manufacturability.

If we talk about the combat effectiveness of the tank, then the vehicle performed well in numerous conflicts of the 20th century across most of the Earth. Speaking about the experience of operation in the USSR and Russia, these are: Afghanistan, Chechnya, South Ossetia. It was these vehicles that formed the basis of the “tank fist”, which, according to the Soviet command, was supposed to reach Western Europe, regardless of losses.

Foreign production

The T-72 is in service in 40 countries around the world, but only a small part of them are engaged in production under license. For the most part, the exploiting countries are the former Soviet republics, the countries of the Middle East, India, Finland, and Poland. On this moment Modifications of the Ural are actively used in Syria on both sides.

The T-72 is in service in 40 countries around the world.

Some optimistic publications claim that the export seventy-twos adequately fought the American Abrams. In reality this is not the case. More technically advanced A1M1s destroyed T-72M1s in batches during the Iraq War.

Interesting fact is the possibility of supplying T-72 to North Korea. According to some sources, local designers, through reverse engineering, were able to copy the tank and set up production. At the same time, the first models were equipped with a 115 mm gun and had 4 crew members, which indicates the absence of an AZ. Later versions began to be equipped with it.

Producing countries:

Design Features

The T-72 tank is made according to the classic Soviet design with the division of the internal armor space into three parts: the control compartment, the fighting compartment and the MTO (engine and transmission compartment). In the front of the vehicle, behind the main armor, there is a driver's seat and traffic controls.

There are 3 crew members in total. The rest are located in the fighting compartment in the center of the tank. This is the commander and gunner. The power plant and transmission elements are installed in the stern.

There is also an automatic gun loader for 22 rounds. Unlike the T-64, the T-72 tank is not attached to the turret and there is no need to disassemble part of the ammunition rack to get to the control compartment. After the shot, the internal space is cleaned of powder gases by exhausting it to the outside with a fan.

The turret has a hatch for dumping a tray of spent cartridges, which burns out during the salvo. If the AZ carousel runs out of shells, the gun can be charged manually. This function is performed by the commander.

The average rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute.

The tower is driven by hydraulic and manual drive. In the upper left part there is the main hatch for loading and unloading the crew. A flashlight is installed on the front. Inside the turret there are surveillance devices, including sights, viewing devices, and night vision devices. Thermal imagers have begun to appear in recent modifications. For stabilization, a two-plane stabilizer is used.

Armor protection of the T-72 tank

The armored hull of the tank is welded, assembled from sheets of durable rolled homogeneous steel, as well as sheets with a combined layer of fiberglass. Armor - differentiated. This means that it is unevenly distributed on the sides. This makes the design easier. This concept can be seen on all modern tanks.

The thickest armor is at the front. It consists of two armor plates converging like a wedge at different angles:

• the angle of inclination of the upper frontal part is 68 degrees, the lower - 60;
• The VLD in cross section resembles a “sandwich” of 3 layers: the top one is 80 mm steel, the middle one is 105 mm fiberglass, the inner one is 20 mm armor;
• NLD - 85 mm plain armor steel without additional layers.

This armor arrangement allows it to withstand hits from sub-caliber shells with an armor penetration of 450 mm and cumulative shells with an armor penetration of 600 mm.

All other armoring is done entirely using homogeneous sheets. Along the sides:

• 80 mm sheets cover the crew and ammunition rack;
• 70 mm armor covers the MTO;
• a double part covers the rear of the tank.

In order to increase security, 3-mm aluminum screens are hung on the sides of the tank. The main task is to cover important parts from cumulative grenades and shells. The screens have two positions: combat and traveling. In the first case, they open forward at an angle of 60 degrees.

Subsequently, dynamic protection began to be attached to the tank. In various modifications it was: Contact-1, Contact-5 and Relic. It was planned to install active protection complexes (KAZ) "Arena". But such a module will appear only on versions B3 in 2018. There was also a practice of welding additional armor sheets up to 30 mm thick.

The first versions of the T-72 had a significant drawback - the armor of the cast turret was monolithic. In the T-72A this was corrected and a combined layer appeared in the frontal projection. In the T-72B model, the filler was replaced with reflective elements. The turret was additionally equipped with modules for firing smoke grenades.

Armament

In the front of the turret there is a gun with the index 2A26M.

• gun caliber - 125 mm;
• length is 50.5 calibers.

The gun is smooth-bore; it is possible to launch guided missiles using the Svir system. The main set of shells used consists of sub-caliber, high-explosive fragmentation and cumulative shells. The gun has separate-case loading, carried out by the AZ or the tank commander.

The additional weapon is a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, coaxial with the cannon. To suppress manpower, light armored vehicles and low-flying targets, a 12.7-mm Utes machine gun mounted on the turret roof is used. In order to reduce the cost of production, a remote control system is not provided.

To fire, the commander has to lean out of the hatch on the turret, which is a disadvantage.

Mobility

The tank's cross-country ability was at high level. Over rough terrain, the maximum speed of the T-72 is 30 km/h. The chassis resembles that of the T-62. It has 3 support rollers and 6 support rollers on each side. The drive and guide wheels are located at the rear. The suspension itself is individual, torsion bar.

An interesting addition is the presence of a self-digging device.

Using this device, the crew is able to dig a trench in 30 minutes. The device was placed on an NLD, which provided greater security.

Initially, the T-72 was equipped with a V-46 engine with a power of 780 l/s. The engine was a direct development of the famous B-2, first used on the T-34. It has 12 cylinders and a V-shape.

Capable of running on diesel, kerosene and gasoline.

In later modifications, more advanced power units were introduced into the T-72 tank. The fuel system consists of 4 internal tanks and 5 external ones. One internal tank is located in the aft part of the fighting compartment, the rest are located around the driver. Volume - 705 l. This arrangement is a signature feature of the Soviet tank school.

External tanks are integrated into the right fender. Volume - 495 liters. In addition, during long forced marches, additional tanks are installed on the tank. They are hung at the stern. Depending on the size it is 400-500 liters.

The transmission consists of:

• a multiplier through which torque is transmitted to the gearbox;
• pairs of gearboxes, each connected to clutches on the sides of the tank, which makes it possible to control the vehicle;
• planetary gears.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-72 tank (TTX)

Modifications

Soviet and Russian modifications:

	T-72	First production model
		Export option
		Evolutionary development of the first model. Better armor, different fire control systems, engine, etc. Prefix K - commander
		Export version
		Modification 1985. Installed KUV “Svir”. 2A46M gun installed
		Tank adopted for service under the name T-90
		Latest modification. The latest fire control system was installed, combat performance was improved, the engine was changed, and thermal imagers were added. In the future – KAZ “Arena”

Foreign options.