now increasingly heard discussion about the military power of the two superpowers: the US and Russia.Often it comes specifically about heavy equipment, such as tanks and self-propelled guns.For example, the much-vaunted "Abrams" many consider the best in the world.But do not take into account that the German "Leopard 2A7", as well as the Russian T-90.Let's do a little comparison of US and Russian tanks and understand, who succeeded in this respect, and who need to reconsider its arms.
little general information
can safely say that the T-90 tanks and M1A1, aka "Abrams" are typical representatives of the Russian and western tank building.In this design, and technological ideas are markedly different.For example, "Abrams" and "Panther 2A7" pointless to compare, as they do not differ.Quite a different situation with the T-90.
T-72 can be called the predecessor of T-90, the latter is also a profound modification of the first.The main armament - 125 mm smoothbore gun.With the improvement of security has increased by 300%.Then there was a powerful passive and semi-active armor and explosive reactive armor.All this has been placed on the tank without substantially increasing the weight of the latter.
can say that the layout of the T-90 is dense enough.On the one hand, well, on the other - it is not what we talk about a little later.Once we started to produce welded turret, increased armor gain opportunities.As for the power plant, this diesel engine V92S2.
If we talk about the layout, it allows you to make high density of the machine with a low silhouette and good armor.The area of the longitudinal and cross-sectional area is small.The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the Non-automated ammunition part located in an unprotected area of the tank.This makes boeukladku particularly vulnerable to enemy fire.
in brief M1A1
We can not say a few words about the American "Abrams".This machine has participated in many combat conflicts around the globe and well-proven.Heavy armor, good dynamics, impressive firepower and modern means of communication and guidance.That's what the American soldiers and loved M1A1.
On "Abrams", regardless of the modifications set advanced German gun Rh-120 (M256).US combat vehicle known for its magnificent armor, which consists of composite plates.But is it good for business, and whether it is superior to the protection of the T-90, we will deal later.
As for the layout, then this parameter "Abrams" is not much different from their Western counterparts.For example, the reserved capacity is almost 20 cubic meters.At the T-90 the figure is less than half.M1A1 key feature and advantage is the placement and boeukladki.The shells are placed in the tower and housing in isolation.Furthermore, there expelling plate.The disadvantage of this solution is that all the ammunition stored in the tower, and it is most vulnerable to fire.
If a comparison of US and Russian tanks on power plant, the power of the engines is practically identical.However, the American car is equipped with a gas turbine engine, which has a higher fuel consumption than the Russian diesel.
Compare firepower and fire control system
M1A1 and M1A2 equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore gun.The initial speed of the projectile is 1625 m / s, and the rate - about 8 rounds per minute.At this rate of motion, especially on rough terrain, it is greatly reduced.Ammunition includes armor-piercing projectiles.This is usually several types of ammunition, for example, M829A1, M829A2, M829A3.The last few years adopted the M1A1 and M1A2 M829A3 shells deliver the new model, which are the most dangerous for the Russian T-90.Overall, this is a promising US tank with a fairly powerful weapons.But we'll see that in response prepared Russian designers and engineers.
T-90 armed with 125 mm smoothbore gun.The initial speed of the projectile is 1750 meters per second, which is slightly higher than the "Abrams".Ammunition for the most part consists of armor-piercing shells of the sample 80s.For this reason, we can say that in terms of armor-piercing projectiles Russian somewhat behind because they have to be replaced.However, the change to the new ammunition is quite difficult for the reason that there are restrictions on the length of the automatic loader mounted missiles.Firing guns - 8 rounds per minute.In motion - the order of 6 shots.Another feature of the T-90 in that it has, in its arms BCCH "Reflex-M."This effectively conduct aimed fire at a distance of 3 km, which is 2 times greater than the radius of destruction of other modern tanks."Reflex-M" allows you to win the battle T-90 before the effective entry into the zone of fire.
Fire Control System T-90
The T-90 set the JMA with the day and night sighting system.Day sight has an independent stabilization in two planes.That allows the gunner to operate more efficiently.The night sighting system stabilization is dependent on two planes.The disadvantage of such a fire control system is difficult that the tracking and firing at night moving targets.Modification of the T-90S is equipped with advanced Thermal imaging sight "Essa", which allows you to more effectively track and fire at a target in the dark.
If you compare modern tanks the United States and Russia ("Abrams" and T-90), the latter distinguished by having adders and angle sensors.This equipment is associated with vertical and horizontal axis of the platform and specular reflector.This solution allows you to integrate two independent sights in sighting system.The bottom line is full use of the technical capabilities of each.Mount two correctors.First prednazachen to eliminate tracking errors synchronicity sighting system, which are caused by the inaccuracy of the installation.The second eliminates the error of transmission mechanisms.Another key difference from the "Abrams" is that the commander of the T-90 has the ability to fire at ground and air targets from a stabilized machine gun.
fire control system "Abrams»
latest US M1A1 tank has one major drawback, which is the limited capacity of the commander of the search target.This is especially noticeable during movement of the machine.But the flaw was discovered and corrected in a subsequent modification of the M1A2.There is already installed infrared imager panoramic sight.In this case, the commander can more effectively track and identify the moving targets.
MSA on the tanks "Abrams" is more modern than the T-90.The gunner operates the main gun, which has a thermal imager and rangefinder.Multiplicity day channel x3 and x10, with the stabilization of the vertical.There are no sub-eight-sight stabilization.In general, the fire control system to a more modern modification of the M1A2.It provides for a Thermal imaging camera for the commander and gunner.The crew are completely dependent on the automatic fire control system.The electronic control unit (ECU) to stabilize the independent sight, drive tools.In general we can say that if a comparison of the tanks of NATO and Russia, the latter in terms of the JMA succeeded.But T-90 greatly benefits over long distances.
On Protection of tanks "Abrams" and T-90
agree that the effectiveness of armor plays a huge role for the survival of the tank on the battlefield.That is why security should be considered as a separate item.Innovative US M1A2 tank has a rather thick armor plates, but their efficiency is much lower than that of T-90.For example, the tower is equipped with a steel armor plates with ribs, between which are stacked bags of armor made of metal and composite.In general, the effectiveness of this protection is sufficient, but in contact resistance is greatly reduced.M1A2 sides of the tower are also more vulnerable than the T-90.Experts say that the tower the American armored tank, though, but it easily breaks armor-piercing projectiles.
T-90 boasts semi-active turret.It is a three-layer system.Furthermore, the rational angle of inclination of the frontal armor of the tower makes more efficient use of it.Also, Russian military tanks, particularly the T-90, have a dynamic defense of the "Kontakt-5."It protects against the effects of cumulative and armor-piercing projectiles.With the creation of a powerful lateral pulse destabilized the core that leads to its destruction before coming into contact with the main armor of the tank.
What conclusions can we draw?
than safety will feel the crew of the tank, the better it will perform its responsibilities.That is why always try to improve the frontal armor.Since "Abrams" and T-90 were developed during the Cold War, the greatest attention was paid to the frontal part of a combat vehicle, which is important in the conduct of combat in open terrain head-on.But at the moment it is likely a tank battle in the city.Therefore, hitting the frontal armor thickness of 800 mm does not make sense, since the side or rear is much easier to break.Usually there is no armor thickness of 100 mm.
That is why Russian heavy tanks, as well as the United States, have weaknesses.Nevertheless, among the advantages of the T-90 it is worth noting the possibility of hitting a target guided missiles at a distance of 5 km, good maneuverability, high rate of fire, reliable armor.As for the "Abrams", then it is not without strengths.Americans value their crew, so always isolate it from combat pack.Furthermore, M1A1 and M1A2 have a high power density and good maneuverability and also excellent fire control system.But the comparison of Russian tanks and the United States is not completed.Now we look at some more modern machines.These tanks are being developed, but it is known that they will soon be lowered from the conveyor.
new Russian tanks, "Armata»
Heavy fighting vehicle "Armata" is intended to replace the T-72, T-80 and T-90 partially.Experts point out that the military-technical level "Almaty was" to be higher by 20-30% than that of all the existing analogues in the world.Key features, or rather differences of the tank from the T-90 lies in the fact that the crew, fuel tank and combat pack will be placed in separate rooms.This will improve the survivability on the battlefield, even at a penetration of armor.The unit will be equipped with an engine 1200 horsepower that will provide sufficient maneuverability of the tank weighs 50 tons.
can say that the main Russian weapons - tanks and self-propelled guns.This is due to the fact that there are more than Americans, 20-35%.However, the vitality of art in general below.That is why the developers have paid special attention to the protection of "Almaty was."This multi-layered "cake", consisting of metal, ceramic and composite packages.Using a new grade of steel has increased the armor performance at 15% and at the same time by the same amount to reduce the weight of the machine."Armata" will be equipped with 125-mm gun, similar to the German weapons L-55, but its superior technical characteristics of 20%.To this gun special ammunition designed with extended breaks.
Here we examined the new Russian tanks."Armata" and T-90 are the best of them.And now - the most promising American development.
Modern US Tanks: promising developments
Currently, Americans do not produce new tanks.For the most part engaged in the modernization of the M1A1 and M1A2.Of course, being developed in some areas, but it is unlikely in the next few years the world will see new tanks United States, although the information is secret and something safe to say on this subject is not possible.Maybe the new machines will appear at the end of 2015, on this very few people know anything.
But we already know that the development will be conducted in the direction of improving the agility and mobility of combat vehicles, hence the modern US tanks will have a thinner armor, a powerful chassis and powerplant.Rather, it is about intelligence, not tanks intended for frontal collision.In particular, are being developed to build cars for a crew of 2 or 3 people to the uninhabited tower.For example, a combat vehicle with a crew of 2 persons will have a 1500 horsepower engine, a low silhouette.The weight, compared with M1A1 is less than 20-30%, which will increase the power density.
difficult to say whether such tanks in service with the US, but their development is underway, but information on the specifications and capabilities of machines in action not disclosed.In general, Americans have the M1A2 and its modifications.These tanks meet modern requirements and have a relatively high efficiency, including survival on the battlefield.For this reason, to change them is not going to.The most modern and sophisticated - the US military tanks TUSK.This modification of the M1A2, which is the availability of remote-controlled machine gun and improved mine protection of the bottom of the machine.
Conclusion
Here we spent with you a little comparison tanks, Russia and the United States.As you can see, both countries have high military capabilities.Between 90 and T "Abrams" were simulated battles Rotne (10x10), which showed that T-90 is more effective in the steppe areas.At the same time hilly terrain provides some benefit, albeit small, of American art.This is due to the fact that in such conditions it is difficult to fire at long distances, and especially guided missiles.
main problem of T-90 is that all the improvements and developments are in the form of patents, as well as samples.Any significant measures to improve security, dynamic, and fire performance is not carried out.In addition, the acute problem of lack of training of the crew of the tank, which is in heavy clashes must respond quickly and clearly.This requires some experience.And "Abrams" and T-90 are among the best of its kind.Treat the tank "Armada" as a real candidate, as well as the development of the US, does not make sense.This is due to the fact that the tank is evaluated during testing at the site, and not in the hangar.It may seem that it is perfect, and in the practical part of the course will identify significant shortcomings.Here, in principle, all that is possible to briefly talk about the armament of the US and Russian tanks.They have almost identical efficiency with only minor differences.
