T-64

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T-64
T-64A in Moscow

T-64A in Moscow
General properties
crew 3 (commander, driver, gunner)
length 9.225 m (with cannon in 12 o'clock position)
width 3.415 m
height 2.170 m
Dimensions 38 tons
Armor and armament
Armor Composite armor
Main armament 1 × 125 mm smoothbore cannon D-81 (2A26, 37 rounds)
Secondary armament 1 × 7.62mm PKT (coaxial, 2000 cartridges) and

1 × 12.7 mm NSWT (Fla-MG, 300 cartridges)

agility
drive Five-cylinder opposed piston - diesel engine 5TDF
700 hp (515 kW)
suspension Torsion bar suspension
Top speed 60.5 km / h
Power / weight 13.5 kW / t (18.4 PS / t)
Range 400 km (500 km with external tank containers)

The T-64 is a main battle tank that was developed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War . It belonged to the new generation of all-purpose battle tanks and was fundamentally different from its predecessors, the T-54 , T-55 and T-62 .

With the introduction of the T-64, which was superior to the T-10 heavy battle tank in every respect, the heavy tank battalions of the Soviet Army were disbanded in the early 1970s and the T-10M tanks were also taken out of service.

development

The T-64 was developed at the end of the 1950s at the Kharkov vehicle plant under the direction of Alexander Alexandrovich Morozov . The first prototype was called Object 430 and was created in 1960. The problems that occurred during series production were finally largely resolved, so that the first T-64 (Object 432) could be delivered in 1967. From 1974, the guard divisions of the Group of Soviet Armed Forces in Germany (GSSD) were equipped with the T-64.

The T-64 succeeded in using the most modern available in the Soviet Union at the time, e.g. To combine new or so far only sporadically implemented technology. The T-64 had composite armor , a fully stabilized main weapon with automatic loading, a telescopic sight with an independently stabilized line of sight in connection with a stereoscopic rangefinder and a compact and powerful opposed piston diesel engine . In the sum of its properties, the design represented a revolution in tank construction, but it also led to it being a complex and expensive weapon system. Some components such as the engine, gearbox and automatic loading machine were not yet fully developed when they were introduced to the troops and were therefore unreliable. These deficiencies could only be partially remedied in the third and fourth series version.

The T-64 was only used within the Soviet Army and was not exported. It was only shown to the public very late - on the Victory Day Parade on the 40th anniversary of Victory Day in 1985 in Moscow's Red Square .

technical description

crew

The crew consists of three soldiers: the commander, driver and gunner.

Drive and driving systems

T-64BW, the torsion bar suspension and the suspension on the rear roller are clearly visible
5TDF engine in a T-64BW

The tank is powered by the 5-cylinder diesel engine 5TDF with an output of 700 hp. The engine output was later increased to 720 hp. It is a flat and compact opposed piston engine with high compression. Because of the high heat development, the engine proved to be very prone to failure and maintenance-intensive. The specific fuel consumption was relatively high and the engine suffered from cold start problems. The maximum speed of the tank is 70 km / h on the road and 45 km / h off-road. To increase the range, two 200-liter fuel barrels can be attached to the stern - as is usual with Soviet tanks. This increases the range from 400 to 500 km. The tank can inject diesel into the exhaust system to fog itself.

The T-64 has a lightweight support roller drive with torsion bar suspension and hydromechanical end stops. The total of twelve rollers are very narrow compared to other armored running gear. The chain does not lie flat on the rollers and is therefore more stressed than with other tanks.

The T-64 can go underwater after a very short preparation. Obstacles up to a depth of 5.50 m can be overcome. He is able to cross trenches up to 2.70 m and height obstacles up to 0.80 m. Under the bow there is a digging aid the width of the tub, which can be folded down and enables the crew to extend positions. A mine clearing device can also be installed. At the rear there are two brackets for carrying a recovery beam. This, together with two special ropes, enables the tank to be recovered.

Armament

A special feature of the T-64 is the loading machine for the fully stabilized smooth-barreled cannon . From the T-64A version, the 125 mm D-81 cannon was installed. The associated EZ-10 loading machine rotates on the tower floor. There are 28 storeys with the point inwards. The propellant charges are on the outside behind. For loading, the projectile and the propellant charge must be lifted behind the breech, whereupon the piecer pushes both into the barrel. This mechanism enables a rate of fire of six to eight shots per minute. The loading machine is complicated, but less prone to failure. Refilling the loading machine is uncomplicated; manual loading is possible if it fails, but this reduces the rate of fire to around one shot per minute.

The 125 mm D-81 cannon can fire the following types of ammunition:

  • Lower caliber bullets (APFSDS): KE-arrow bullet with sabot , V 0 = 1700–1800 m / s.
  • Shaped charge grenades (HEAT).
  • Fragmentation explosive grenades (FRAG-HE): By changing the detonator (detonation time after impact), fragmentation, explosive or explosive effects can be set with a delay.

The T-64A can carry 37 projectiles and guided missiles for the cannon (28 of them in the automatic loader). A normal combat set consists of the following types of projectiles:

  • 15 APFSDS bullets of the type BM-32 with DU penetrator , penetration 500–560 mm armored steel
  • 4 HEAT shells of the type BK-21 , penetration 500 mm armored steel
  • 12 FRAG-HE shells of the type OF-19 or OF-26
  • 6 9K112 Kobra - pipe rockets , breakdown 550-700 mm armored steel

The following ammunition can optionally be fired:

  • HEAT grenade BK-21M with a shaped charge, lined with a uranium insert , penetration 550–750 mm armor steel
  • APFSDS bullets of type BM-22 , penetration 380-430 mm armored steel
  • APFSDS bullet of type BM-29 with DU penetrator, penetration 430–470 mm armored steel

The secondary armament of the T-64A consists of a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT- MG with 2000 rounds and a 12.7 mm Fla-MG NSWT with 300 rounds, which is brought out by the commander through a PZU-5 sight Interior can be operated out.

From the T-64A version, a smoke thrower was also installed. This consists of 16 smoke cups, which are attached to the side of the tower in four groups.

Fire control systems

The commander has a manually rotatable dome with a skylight, two corner mirrors, a TKN-3W observation device with an IR channel in front and an IR searchlight above. The first series had a TPD-2-49 cross section rangefinder. From the T-64B version, a TPD-K1 laser rangefinder was integrated for a short time . The later versions had the main rifle scope 1G42 with laser rangefinder and independent stabilization of the line of sight in two planes.

From the T-64B, the 9k112-2 KOBRA guided missile system with the 9M112 KOBRA 9K112 Kobra missile system was partially installed. The passive IR rifle scope TPN1-49-23 serves as a night rifle scope . The TPN-3 passive IR rifle scope followed later . The night riflescopes are vertically stabilized.

Accurate fire from movement (up to 30 km / h) is possible. A relatively high first hit probability is achieved at distances of up to 2000 m. At night, fire fighting while moving is possible, but the maximum combat distance is limited to 800 m (TPN-1) or 800–1200 m (TPN-3) due to the outdated night vision devices.

In all T-64 versions, the weapon position is fully stabilized and targets can be fought while moving. From version T-64B onwards, the ballistic computer 1W517 was installed, which automatically processed the distance values. Both stationary and moving targets could be fought while driving. An L-4A infrared floodlight was installed to the left of the cannon .

Armor

The armor is fundamentally different from that of all tanks of that time. Instead of normal armor plates, the T-64 was the first battle tank in the world to have composite armor and when it was introduced it was the best-protected tank in the world. The armor of the T-64 has been continuously adapted and strengthened to the current threat situation over the years.

T-64
T-64

The pre-production model of the T-64 (Object 430) had a conventional cast tower made of homogeneous armored steel ( RHA ). The first series models (Object 432) received towers with composite armor for the first time. This consisted of an inner 90 mm thick layer of steel, a 105 mm thick middle layer made of a hard aluminum alloy and an outer layer made of 90 mm steel.

In later versions, the middle layer was enlarged to a thickness of 400 mm and reinforced with additional layers of glass fiber fabric . The material thickness on the tower front increased to 580 mm.

The composite armor of the hull front consists of an inner 20 mm thick layer of steel, a 105 mm thick middle layer made of Steltexolit ( GRP ) and an outer layer made of 80 mm high-strength steel. The tub side is made of 80 mm armored steel.

T-64A
T-64A

The turret of the T-64A was equipped with laminate armor. This consisted of an inner 90 mm thick layer of steel, a 150 mm thick middle layer made of various hard metals and high-strength steel plates, and an outer layer made of 90 mm armored steel . In the first production models of the T-64A, composite armor of type Kwarz was used instead of hard metals and high-strength steels . It consisted of a filling of quartz sand poured with borosilicate glass and was also used in a modified form in the later T-72 .

The armor of the hull corresponds to the T-64 version. However, the front of the hull was additionally reinforced with a welded 16 mm thick armor plate.

T-64B
T-64B

From the T-64B version, composite armor was used on the turret. This consists of an inner 40 mm thick layer of steel, a 150 mm wide cavity for the combination K composite armor and a 150 mm thick outer layer made of high-strength steel. The combination-K composite armor contains corundum balls ( aluminum oxide ceramic / Al 2 O 3 ) cast in Steltexolit GRP .

At the front of the hull, the composite armor consists of an inner 20 mm thick layer of steel, a 105 mm thick middle layer of Steltexolit (GRP) and an outer layer of 100 mm high-strength steel.

T-64BW

The T-64BW version has the same turret armor as the T-64B. However, the inside of the tower is also lined with Kevlar protective mats ( English spall liner ), which are intended to intercept splinters.

At the front of the hull, the composite armor consists of an inner 80 mm thick layer of steel, a 105 mm thick middle layer of Textolite GRP (three layers) and an outer layer of 65 mm high-strength steel.

In addition, reactive armor elements of the Kontakt-1 type are attached to the turret and hull. This additional armor increases armor protection by 25–30%.

The different versions of the T-64 have the following armor protection:

Protection level
model T-64A T-64B T-64BW
Component KE bullets HEAT grenades KE bullets HEAT grenades KE bullets HEAT grenades
tower 280-450 330-510 280-450 380-600 300-480 950-1080
upper tower front 200 190-290 280-300 420 310-350 850-870
Tub front above 335 420 200 490 460 910
Tub front below 200 200 230 260 280 420
RHA equivalent in mm including contact 1 reactive armor

The tank has an automatic NBC overpressure protection system to protect against chemical and biological warfare agents as well as to protect against the effects of a nuclear weapon detonation, such as pressure waves, immediate and residual nuclear radiation and radioactive dust. To detect radioactive radiation and chemical warfare agents, the T-64 has a radiation measuring and warfare agent detection device.

User states

T-64BM

Current users

Former users

  • AzerbaijanAzerbaijan Azerbaijan :
  • RussiaRussia Russia : Completely decommissioned by January 2013.

Calls

The first armed conflict in which T-64s were used was the Transnistria conflict in 1992. In this conflict, the T-64s of the 59th Motorized Guards Rifle Division of the 14th Army under the command of General Lebed were used. During the war, ten T-64BW were destroyed or put out of action by anti-tank weapons MT-12 , 9K113 bankruptcy and RPGs .

The T-64 is also used by government troops and rebels in the war in Ukraine .

variants

Variants T-64 and T-64A:

  • T-64 (Object 430): First prototype with 100 mm D-54TS cannon and Metel stabilization system. Drive with 5TD diesel engine with 600 HP. Three pieces built.
  • T-64 (Object 432): First pre-production version, with 115 mm smooth barrel cannon D-68 (GRAU index: 2A21) and a different automatic loader than in the later T-64A and T-64B. The turret was made of cast armored steel, but was shaped differently than the turrets of the later T-64A and B. The fire control system had the TPD-43B telescopic sight with an optical cross-sectional rangefinder and independent vertical stabilization of the line of sight. With 5TD diesel engine. Around 600 made. Combat weight 36.4 tons. Mostly later converted to the T-64R.
T-64AK
T-64B
T-64BM
  • T-64A Redut (Object 434): First production version from 1969. With a newly constructed turret with composite armor. Equipped with the 125 mm (D-81T) smoothbore cannon 2A26 with 6AZ10M automatic loader. With TPD-2-49 riflescope with optical cross-sectional rangefinder and independent stabilization of the line of sight in the vertical as well as the possibility of attaching the KMT-6 mine clearing device. Equipped with fire suppression system and improved 5TDF diesel engine. Combat weight 38.2 tons.
  • T-64A (Object 445): Prototype developed in 1966. Equipped with modified landing gear and gearbox as well as a W-45 diesel engine . Predecessor of the later T-72 .
  • T-64AK (Object 446): T-64A command tank with navigation system and extensive radio equipment.
  • T-64AM (Object 476): Modified T-64A with 6TD diesel engine from 1979. Introduced only in small numbers.
  • T-64AKM: Modified T-64AK with 6TD diesel engine . Only introduced in small numbers.
  • T-64R (Object 443R): T-64 (Object 432R) retrofitted to the T-64A stand.
  • T-64T: Prototype of a modified T-64A with two GTD-350 gas turbines, each with an output of 257 kW.

Variants T-64B:

  • T-64B Sosna (Object 447A): Introduced in 1975. With various modifications and a newly constructed turret with composite armor of the Combination-K type . With 2A46-2 (D-81TM) smoothbore cannon and more modern, primary stabilized 1A33-1 fire control system. This contains an integrated laser rangefinder. Retrofitted with a 6EZ40 loading machine. In addition, the fire control system for the barreled guided missile 9K112 Kobra was installed. A later modification made it possible to attach elements with reactive armor . Combat weight 42.5 tons.
  • T-64B1 (Object 437A): As T-64B, but without 9K112 guided missile system from 1976.
  • T-64BK (Object 446B): Command tank with extensive radio equipment.
  • T-64B1K: Improved command post with R-130M radio equipment and TNA-3 navigation system. The additional equipment means that only 28 rounds of 125 mm ammunition can be carried
  • T-64BW (Object 447B): Introduced in 1985. T-64B with additional Kevlar armor on the tower roof and 115 armored tiles made of reactive armor of the Kontakt-1 type . With the new 2A46M-1 Rapira-3 smoothbore cannon. Combat weight 42.5 tons.
  • T-64BWK: Command tank of the T-64BW.
  • T-64BWD: Prototype with Drosd defense system and reactive armor of the type Kontakt-1 .
  • T-64B1W: Like T-64BW, but without the 9K112 Kobra guided weapon .

Variants from Ukraine:

  • T-64B1M: Modernized T-64B1 from Morosow. With 6TD diesel engine with 1000 HP and reactive armor of the Nosch type .
  • T-64BM Bulat (Object 447AM): Modernized T-64BW from Morosow. With additional Kevlar armor on the turret roof and reactive armor of the Kontakt-5 type . Retrofitted with the 1A43U-Ros fire control system. Retrofitted with a 6TD diesel engine and a new 6AZ43 automatic charger. Combat weight 45 tons.
  • T-64BM2 (Object 447AM-2): Modernized T-64BM from Morosow. With the 1A45 Irtysch fire control system, sensors and electronics of the T-80 . Retrofitted with a new 5TDFM multi- fuel engine with 850 hp. With 9K119 Refleks guided missile system and 6EZ43 automatic charger. Retrofitted with reactive armor of the Nosch type .
  • T-64E: Modernized T-64B from Morosow, presented in 2011 for the Ukrainian armed forces. With completely new electronics, fire control system and navigation equipment. Improved armor protection through reactive armor of the Nosch-2 type . Additionally with two 23 mm anti-aircraft cannons on the left side of the turret and a new 125 mm KBA1 cannon. Equipped with a 5TDFE engine with 850 HP, an external auxiliary turbine with 10 kW and a new gearbox.
  • T-64U (Object 447AM-1): Version of the Morosow company. T-64B retrofitted to the level of the T-84 . With new fire control system, sensors, electronics and 6TD-1 diesel engine with 1000 hp.
  • T-64 2017: The Ukrainian army has received at least 100 upgraded T-64s from the Malyshev plant since 2018 . According to a press release from the Ukrainian state defense company Ukroboronprom on February 11, 2019, the upgrade of the T-64 to the 2017 model should represent a significant increase in combat value. It should be possible to integrate the new equipment during routine maintenance. In addition to modern night vision devices , the gunner's aiming system has an integrated thermal image sensor that is supposed to be able to detect enemy 125 mm guns at any time of day and under all weather conditions. According to Jane's Information Group , this is supposed to be a reaction to the T-72 , which are used by the separatists in eastern Ukraine . Further improvements are a modernized digital fire control system with GNSS as well as digital radios of the type Lybid K-2RB with a range of 70 km, which are supplied by Dolja & Co.

status

Despite various shortcomings (e.g. failure-prone engine, confined space for the crew), the T-64 and its modifications were produced until 1987. In total, over 8,000 T-64s of all versions were made. Due to the weight limit caused by the lightweight chassis, further extensive retrofitting is difficult to carry out. Even after the end of series production, the tank will continue to be improved. Ukrainian companies want to upgrade the T-64 to the capabilities of a T-84 .

See also

literature

  • AW Karpenko: Soviet-Russian tanks . 1905-2003. Elbe-Dnjepr, Klitzschen 2004, ISBN 3-933395-44-5 , p. 325–350 (Russian: Обозрение отечественной бронетанковой техники (1905–1995 гг.) . Translated by R. Meier).
  • 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).

Web links

Commons : T-64  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Stefan Kotsch: Fire control system of the T-64. In: Das Panzerdetail. kotsch88.de, accessed on February 2, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Lothar Mann: Academic themes, booklet 14. Federal Academy for Defense Administration and Defense Technology.
  3. ↑ a b c d 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).
  4. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2013 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2013, ISBN 978-1-85743-680-8 , pp. 226, 229 (English).
  5. ↑ Tom Cooper, Alexandru Stratulat: War in Moldova, 1992. February 10, 2008, accessed on July 4, 2014 (English).
  6. ^ NATO Releases Imagery. Raises Questions on Russia's Role in Providing Tanks to Ukraine. In: aco.nato.int. NATO Allied Command Operations, June 14, 2014, accessed February 4, 2015 .
  7. ↑ Ukraine captures 'Russian' T-64 MBT near Donetsk. In: janes.com. IHS Jane's 360, June 30, 2014, accessed February 4, 2015 .
  8. ↑ Russia Sent Tanks to Separatists in Ukraine, US Says. In: nytimes.com. Retrieved February 4, 2015 .
  9. ↑ T-64B1M. Main battle tank. military-today.com, accessed August 4, 2014 .
  10. ↑ Більше сотні Т-64 зразка 2017-го року надійшло до ЗСУ (Ukrainian)
  11. ↑ a b c Samuel Cranny-Evans: Ukraine receives upgraded T-64s. www.janes.com, February 12, 2019, archived from the original on February 18, 2019 ; accessed on February 18, 2019 .