T-62

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T-62
T-62 (Object 166)

T-62 (Object 166)
General properties
crew 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
length 9.33 m (with cannon in 12 o'clock position)
width 3.30 m
height 2.39 m
Dimensions 40 t
Armor and armament
Armor 242 mm RHA
Main armament 1 × 115 mm smoothbore cannon U-5TS (40 rounds)
Secondary armament 1 × 7.62 mm MG PKT (axially parallel, 2500 cartridges) and

1 × 12.7 mm MG DShKM (Fla-MG, 500 cartridges)

agility
drive V-12-cylinder diesel engine W-55W
425 kW (580 PS)
suspension Torsion bar
Top speed 50 km / h
Power / weight 10.7 kW / t (14.5 PS / t)
Range 450–650 km (320 km in the field)

The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank manufactured from 1962 to 1975 based on the T-55 with a 115 mm smoothbore cannon .

development

The T-62 was developed at the end of the 1950s from the T-54/55 series under the designation Object 166 in the Karzew design office of Uralwagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil ; it went into pre-production in 1961 and in series production from 1962. The T-62 was the end of the family that started with the T-44 . Production ran until 1975. Although it was only intended as a temporary solution, around 20,000 units were produced in total. Between 1973 and 1978, Czechoslovakia manufactured around 1,500 T-62s under license for export. Another license manufacturer was North Korea , which delivered around 200 vehicles to Iran.

technology

The T-62 was the world's first battle tank to be equipped with a smoothbore cannon . This type of cannon achieves a higher muzzle velocity and penetration power than drawbar weapons . The 115 mm cannon surpassed those of the western 105 mm drawbar cannon at the time . The weapon stabilization system was also superior to its western counterparts .

The main weapon is of the type U-5TS (GRAU index: 2A20) with a barrel length of 55 calibers. After two thirds of the pipe there is a smoke extractor for automatically blowing out the pipe after the shot.

A special feature of the T-62 is the world's first automatic case ejection system. After the shot, the cannon raises the barrel by 3.5 °, and the barrel and tower are lashed. The sleeve is automatically ejected and caught by the ejector. The ejector arm swings up until it is in line with the ejection opening on the rear wall of the tower. During this time the hatch of the ejection opening has opened and the case is ejected out of the tower. The frequently rumored story that sleeves could miss the opening and then roll around inside the tower is a modern legend . In contrast to this, the ejector has the task of reducing the obstacles to the crew caused by empty casings in the fighting compartment. This also includes the nuisance caused by residual powder gases that otherwise escape from the pods. The + 3.5 ° position of the barrel makes it easier for the loader to load the next round.

Another frequently found misinformation is the alleged contamination of the fighting area under NBC protection conditions through the ejection of the case. Under ABC conditions, the fighting area is pressurized with filtered air so that when the hatch is opened, air flows out of the fighting area, which largely prevents contamination of the fighting area.

The excellent shape of the tub and, above all, of the tower, which does not have any traps, is bought at the price of a severe narrowing of the fighting area, which makes it difficult to operate. The T-62 has a torsion bar sprung roller drive with five rubber bandaged rollers on each side. As with most Soviet tanks, the chain drive wheels are located at the rear of the vehicle, the guide rollers at the bow. The first and last pair of rollers are fitted with shock absorbers, the crawler track is a hinged chain .

The T-62 is powered by a 580 PS (427 kW) V12 diesel engine W-55W with a displacement of 38.88 l. The engine weighs about 1020 kg. The T-62 weighs 40 t and has a top speed of 50 km / h. Its range is less than that of the T-55. The crew consists of a commander, gunner, loader and driver.

The vehicle can be waded without preparation and can be deep-waded after four hours of preparation. Under water is controlled by a gyro compass and with a radio link to the shore. After the deep water operation, the tank is ready for use again in two minutes. It has an NBC protective ventilation of the type PAZ with RBZ-1m sensor to detect radioactivity .

In the later models, the interior is lined with Kevlar protective mats to catch splinters. The later models also have a simple fire extinguishing system.

ammunition

A deactivated 115mm OF-11 high explosive shell with cartridge
A deactivated 115 mm OF-11 FRAG-HE shell with cartridge. The tail unit of the grenade is located in the neck of the cartridge.

The ammunition is loaded manually by the loader. The tank can carry a total of 40 rounds of ammunition for this weapon, including sub-caliber bullets (APFSDS, KE-arrow projectile with sabot , v 0 = 1600–1680 m / s) , shaped charge grenades (HEAT) and fragmentation explosive shells (FRAG-HE, Осколочно-фугасный снаряд).

The T-62 was the world's first main battle tank to fire wing-stabilized cartridges. The 115 mm ammunition has been continuously developed for the U-5TS cannon of the T-62, which is still in use in many countries.

A normal combat set consists of the following types of projectiles:

  • 12 pieces of APFSDS bullets of the type BM-6 , penetration 237 mm armored steel at 1000 m
  • 6 pieces of HEAT shells of the type BK-4 , penetration 495 mm armored steel
  • 22 pieces of FRAG-HE shells of the type OF-27

The following ammunition can optionally be fired:

  • HEAT shells of the type BK-3 and BK-17
  • APFSDS bullets of the type BM-3 , BM-4 , BM-5 and BM-21
  • APFSDS bullet of type BM-28 with DU penetrator
  • APFSDS bullet of type BD / 36-2 from British production, penetration 520 mm armor steel at 1000 m
  • FRAG-HE shells of the type OF-11 and OF-18
  • Tube missile 9K116-2 Scheksna , range 4360 m, punch 600 mm armor steel

In addition, the T-62 has a 7.62 mm MG, type PKT, mounted parallel to the axis . Starting with the T-62M version, a 12.7 mm MG DSchK M was also mounted on the commander's dome for anti-aircraft defense. A smoke launch system was also used from this version. This consists of eight 902B smoke cans, which are mounted on the right side of the tower.

User states

Current users

T-62M of the Afghan Army in Kabul, 2004
T-62 of the Afghan army in Kabul, 2004
  • AfghanistanAfghanistan Afghanistan - Unknown number T-62, as of January 2018.
  • EgyptEgypt Egypt - 200 T-62, January 2018.
  • AlgeriaAlgeria Algeria - 300 T-62, in January 2018.
  • AngolaAngola Angola - 50 T-62, January 2018.
  • EthiopiaEthiopia Ethiopia - Unknown number T-62, as of January 2018.
  • CubaCuba Cuba - Unknown number T-62, as of January 2018.
  • IranIran Iran - At least 75 T-62s, as of January 2018.
  • YemenYemen Yemen - Unknown number T-62, as of January 2018.
  • Korea NorthNorth Korea North Korea - Unknown number T-62, as of January 2018.
  • SyriaSyria Syria - Unknown number T-62 / M, January 2018.
  • TajikistanTajikistan Tajikistan - 7 T-62, January 2018.
  • UzbekistanUzbekistan Uzbekistan - 170 T-62, in January 2018.
  • VietnamVietnam Vietnam - 70 T-62, in January 2018.

Former users

commitment

A Syrian T-62 burns at the 1982 Lebanon war Jezzine from

The T-62 came in various armed conflicts for use: The Yom Kippur War , the Lebanon War , the First Afghan War , the first Gulf War , the Gulf War , the First Chechen War , the war in Iraq , the Caucasus 2008 war and in conflicts on the African Continent . He has nowhere particularly distinguished himself. Despite strong frontal armor, the T-62 proved to be extremely vulnerable in combat. It caught fire many times after being hit, which led to the total loss of the tank.

During the first Gulf War, the T-62 was used extensively by Iraq. The Iraqi T-62s succeeded in destroying several dozen Iranian Chieftain during the Susangerd battle in 1981 . The 120 mm thick front armor of the Chieftain was penetrated several times by the APFSDS projectiles of the T-62.

variants

T-62A
Tower front of a T-62
Tower front of a T-62M
TNP-165A corner mirror
  • T-62 (Object 165): pre-production version. With extended vehicle hull and modified turret of the T-55 . With a new engine package, new optics and a modified 100 mm U-8ST cannon.
  • T-62 (Object 166): First series version from 1962. With a modified engine cover compared to the pre-series vehicles from 1961. Equipped with a 115 mm U-5TS cannon. Mounted over the loader with a 7.62mm PKT MG. With TKN-3 periscope with IR channel, OU-3GK -IR searchlight, stadiametric aiming telescope TSh2B-41u and TNP-165 periscope. From 1972/1975 retrofitted with KTD-1 rangefinder above the cannon and 12.7 mm DShKM MG.
  • T-62D (Object 166D): variant with KAZ-1030M Drosd defense system . With additional horseshoe-shaped laminate armor (NERA) on the turret front and gun mantlet. Equipped with a more powerful W-55U engine.
  • T-62D-1 (Object 166D-1): Like T-62D, but with a more modern W-46-5M engine.
  • T-62K (Object 166K): Command tank of the T-62 from 1973. With additional means of communication and TNA-3 navigation system.
  • T-62-122: Engineer tank based on the T-62. Equipped with a 122 mm cannon.
  • T-62-160: Engineer tank based on the T-62. Equipped with a 160 mm mortar .
  • T-62Rk (Object 167): Prototype of a T-62, which was additionally equipped with a launch system for 9M14 Malyutka on the tower .
  • T-62T (Object 167T): Prototype of a T-62 with GTD-3T gas turbine.
  • T-62M (Object 166M): Completely modernized version from 1983. With additional armor plate on the hull bow and horseshoe-shaped additional laminate armor (NERA) on the turret front and gun mantlet. Additional armor plates were also attached to the tub bow. In addition, supports were installed in the front tub area to reinforce mine explosions. Side skirts were also installed. Eight 902B fog lights were mounted on the right side of the tower . The engine was replaced by the more powerful W-55U with 620 hp. The 9K116-2 Scheksna guided weapon system was integrated into the armament . The 1K13-1 target periscope with steering channel and control console is used, as well as the Wolna fire control system - consisting of the KDT-2 LEM on the cannon, the TShSM-41U target periscope, the Meteor-M1 stabilization system and the BW62 ballistic computer .
  • T-62MK (Object 166MK): Command tank of the T-62M. With additional means of communication and TNA-3 navigation system.
  • T-62MD (Object 166MD): Variant of the T-62M with Drosd defense system.
  • T-62M-1 (Object 166M-1): T-62M as described above, but with chain, drive wheel and W-46-5M motor of the T-72 and R-173 radio.
  • T-62M1 (Object 166M1): With Wolna fire control system, but without 9K116-2 guided missiles.
  • T-62M1-1 (Object 166M1-1): T-62M1 as described above, but with W-46-5M engine, R-173 radio and cage armor on the turret and on the side of the hull.
  • T-62M1-2 (Object 166M1-2): T-62M1 with Wolna fire control system and 9K116-2 guided weapons, but only additional armor on the turret and on the ground.
  • T-62M1-2-1 (Object 166 M1-2-1): T-62M1 With Wolna fire control system and 9K116-2 guided weapons, but only additional armor on the turret and floor. With W-46-5M engine and R-173 radio.
  • T-62MK-1 (Object 166MK-1): Command tank with additional radio equipment. With W-46-5M engine and R-173 radio.
  • T-62MW (Object 166MW): T-62M with reactive armor of the type Kontakt-1 . Later retrofitted with reactive armor of type Kontakt-5 .
  • T -62M1W (Object 166M1W): Like T-62M, but without the 9K116-2 guided missile system.
  • T-62MW-1 (Object 166MW-1): T-62M with reactive armor type Kontakt-1 . In addition with the chain, drive wheel and W-46-5M motor of the T-72 and R-173 radio.
  • T-62MB: Like T-62MW-1 but with additional cage armor on the turret and on the side of the hull.
  • T-62MP: Modernized variant of the Ukrainian company KMDB with a new 5TDF diesel engine, new digital electronics and a modified turret with Kontakt-5 reactive armor. With 120 mm smooth-barreled KBA-101 cannon with automatic loading device.
  • T-67: Prototype with reactive armor type Kontakt-1 and 125-mm- 2A26 - smooth barrel cannon , chain, drive wheel and W-46-5M engine of the T-72 as well as R-173 radio.
  • TO-62: Flamethrower tank equipped with a flamethrower instead of the coaxial machine gun.
  • IT-1 : Anti-tank guided missile tank destroyer that was tested in the mid-1960s and was built in small numbers. Armed with a single launcher that rose from an opening in the tower roof to fire. Equipped with a total of 15 anti-tank guided weapons of the type 3M7 Drakon .
  • Tiran-6 : Israeli T-62 booty tanks . About 170 pieces were converted for Israeli needs.
  • Ch'ŏnma-ho : North Korean license build of the T-62. With laser rangefinder above the cannon, additional armor on the turret front, bow plate and gun mantlet. Additional reactive armor on the turret. With abgeändertem engine package and 14.5-mm machine gun type KPW .

literature

  • Andrew W. Hull, David R. Markov, Steven J. Zaloga : Soviet / Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions, Darlington.
  • Christopher F. Foss : Jane's AFV Recognition Handbook. Jane's Information Group , London.
  • AW Karpenko: Soviet-Russian tanks . 1905-2003. Elbe-Dnjepr, Klitzschen 2004, ISBN 3-933395-44-5 , p. 310–323 (Russian: Обозрение отечественной бронетанковой техники (1905–1995 гг.) . Translated by R. Meier).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 2E15 METEOR weapon stabilization system for the T-62 main battle tank. In: Das Panzerdetail. www.kotsch88.de, accessed on September 1, 2018 .
  2. ^ Stefan Kotsch: The 115 mm cannon D-68 / 2A20 / 2A21 / U-5TS. In: Das Panzerdetail. kotsch88.de, accessed on April 21, 2015 .
  3. ↑ a b c d Tankograd: T-62. thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com, accessed October 7, 2018 .
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).
  5. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2012 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2012, ISBN 978-1-85743-642-6 , pp. 193,196 (English).
  6. ↑ Kevin M. Woods: Saddam's War: An Iraqi Military Perspective of the Iran-Iraq War. NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV WASHINGTON DC INST FOR NATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES. Smashbooks, 2009.

Web links

Commons : T-62  - album with pictures, videos and audio files