tank T-90AM "Breakthrough" and its export version of the T-90cm is the latest modification of the combat vehicle T-90A.Works to improve it started in 2004.The first prototype of the T-90AM was introduced at the beginning of September 2011 in Nizhny Tagil in the military range "Miner".Presentation of new military equipment was held at the XIII International Exhibition REA-2011.
information about improvements
T-90AM, the characteristics of which are now available only in general terms, was created on the basis of the T-90.The developer of the new items was the "Uralvagonzavod".The main object of modernization of the machine was the old tower, which was replaced with a new combat module with improved MSA "Kalina", which has integrated the combat information control system tactical level.In addition, T-90AM (photos are presented in the article) is equipped with an upgraded gun 2A46M-5, a new automatic loader and anti-aircraft guns T05BV UDP-1 remote control.Also, replace the "Contact-V» on the DMZ "Relic".
Particular attention is paid to developers increase opportunities commander regarding the fire control and search purposes equally effective regardless of the time of day.For the first time the Russian T-90AM supplied controlled by a steering wheel and automatic gear change.It allows you to go to manual mode as soon as the need arises.
Machine T-90AM is ammunition with two groups of packing - one outside and the other - inside.In this shot 22 disposed on the bottom, in the AZ and others, as well as charges to them - in a special armored box that is located aft of the tower.Specialists take care about improving the agility and mobility of the T-90AM (SM).For this latest combined installed night vision and rear-view camera for the area.
new T-90AM "Breakthrough" weighs 48 tons, which is one and a half tons more than the base model, but at the same time is much less than its German or American counterparts.This machine is equipped with a power-piece installation of B-93, which has a capacity of 1130 liters.s., developed on the basis of in-92S2F2.It was also decided to replace antineutron nadboy more robust Ballistic fire-resistant material such kivlara and improve the fire-extinguishing system.
Summing up the modernization, we can say that the mobility and security of the T-90AM improved markedly, and the dimensions remain virtually unchanged, so he is still in a class of combat vehicles up to 50 tons.
comparison of military equipment
no secret that many people are concerned about is what is the effectiveness of the latest Russian tanks in comparison with foreign analogues.For example, take the American M1 "Abrams".But to compare the two combat vehicles, be aware that the situation when they meet face to face on the battlefield, in our time almost non-existent.
In modern conditions of warfare in order to survive, the crew of the tank will have to fight with different opponents, ranging from infantry equipped with anti-tank missiles, and ending with planes and helicopters.But despite this, experts are constantly trying to compare the war machines of one class with each other.At the same time, some of them think that the theoretical comparison of the tanks is impossible in principle, because even the real fighting will not give a definitive answer to the question of who is better.It will be necessary to take into account a host of other criteria, such as the use of tactics, machine maintenance, the level of crew training, the interaction of different military units, and so on. D. All of these can have a much greater importance than the technical characteristics of the tanks themselves.
Comparison of the T-90 and "Abrams»
Before you start to compare the technical characteristics of these combat vehicles, please note that the T-90 was developed 20 years ago, and since then several times modernized.Naturally, each new sample was significantly different from the previous both structurally and in terms of combat effectiveness.The same thing happened with tanks "Abrams" entered service the US Army in 1980. So too picky to compare all of their options to make sense only in specific versions that were released in the same time period.
Specifications and other parameters of the Russian T-90AM against "Abrams" M1A2 is virtually impossible to compare because of the high level of secrecy surrounding this military equipment.We only know that the book towers in front of them made similar - in the pockets available on the frontal armor packages installed so-called reflective sheets.
application of technology in combat
American tanks "Abrams" has already been used in the Iraqi military operation "Desert Storm."As for the Russian car, its participation in hostilities is not been documented.While some experts suggest that the T-90 tank already trying out during the First and Second Chechen campaign in Chechnya and Dagestan.Others argue that these machines lit up in August 2008 in South Ossetia during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
For example, some media then reported that T-90 is seen during a Russian withdrawal from Gori (Georgia).But so far no direct evidence of this fact does not exist.In addition, the T-90, the characteristics of which are given in comparison with the US, "Abrams" below, looks like a T-72B, having a dynamic protection "Contact" that could cause the error identification.
While it decide how self zarekomenduet T-90AM in a real fight, it is impossible, as it has never been used.
comparing design
It should be noted that the United States and the Soviet Union, and later Russia, have always had a completely different approach to the design of military equipment.Clearly it shows that the American tank M1 is much greater than the size of the T-90.Achieve managed to reduce the size of the machine by eliminating the loader which to perform their duties must be approximately 1.7 m from the height of the fighting compartment.This has resulted in the removal of restrictions on the reduction of the tank.Furthermore, denser arrangement make it possible reliably secure the machine with relatively low weight and low silhouette, as well as with a small cross-sectional and longitudinal.
result of these changes is the fact that the amount reserved "Abrams" is 19 and T-90 - 11 cubic meters.But more compact layout has its drawbacks.These are some of the tank tightness and difficulty of calculating the interchangeability of each other if necessary.
Compare protect
Many may think that if the "Abrams" are much heavier then the armor it is thicker and therefore more reliable.This is not quite true.Reduce the weight of the armor on the T-90 has helped decrease the internal volume booked, ensuring the right level of external protection.Due to the fact that the size of the frontal projection from the Russian machines are only 5 m², while the "Abrams" - 6, it becomes less vulnerable, such as the probability of getting it is in this part of the equipment is very high.
Russian tank is equipped with a "reflective sheet" made of steel, "Abrams", starting with certain modifications - from depleted uranium.This material has a high density (19.03 g / cc), so with a relatively small thickness of the plate, he provided just the explosive nature of the destruction of a cumulative jet.
Tank T-90, in addition to the traditional, is still complex and dynamic protection.This is not on most versions "Abrams"."Contact-5" - a dynamic protection of Russian tanks, work against armor-piercing charges and cumulative funds.The complex delivers the strongest side pulse which allows to destroy, or at least, to destabilize the core BPOS before exposure begins on the main armor.
According to Russian producers, frontal armor of the T-90A hit safely support the most used in the West BOPS.This involved a special pilot screening.Tank T-90, the characteristics of which are tested in 1995 at the site in Kubinka, fired another machine.As it released six Russian HEAT projectiles from a distance of about 200 m. The shelling became clear that the frontal armor successfully passed the test, and the tank was able to independently get to the observation deck.
In turn, US officials have stated that the frontal armor of the M1A1 machines also successfully withstood the shelling, which led them Iraqi soldiers from the T-72 tanks.True, it was obsolete BOPS, decommissioned in the early 70s.the last century.
Comparison of arms and ammunition
As is known, the main armament of the military equipment is a gun.Russian machine has a 125-mm smoothbore tank gun 2A46M / 2A46M5."Abrams" is armed with the standard NATO 120-mm gun M256.As you can see, there is some difference in the caliber of, but in spite of this, both instruments have similar characteristics.However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of a tank fire is directly dependent on the used ammunition.
Russian tank T-90, "Breakthrough" is probably also can fire, using four types of ammunition: high-explosive, armor-piercing, cumulative projectiles and guided missiles."Abrams" has the same standard set, consisting of only two types of ammunition: cumulative and armor-piercing.
to combat enemy vehicles are mainly used somewhat outdated BOPS MBA-44 and MBA-32 having cores of tungsten and uranium alloys.Not so long ago have been developed already more advanced missiles capable of resisting the frontal armor of the best western tanks.Among them - and MBA-48 "Lead".
the main ammunition "Abrams" is considered a shot with M829A3 armor-piercing projectiles, which was adopted in 2003
Compare propulsion
Just need to say that both machines are fundamentally different.At the T-90A and T-90SA set 1000 horsepower diesel engine, and the "Abrams" - 1500-strong gas turbine, made in the same block with hydromechanical automatic transmission.The specific power of the engines at the T-90 and the "Abrams" is respectively 21 and 24 liters.c. / m.Russian machine has largely large power reserve (550 km) than the US (350 km).This happened due to the increased efficiency of diesel compared with the more insatiable the gas turbine.
power plant T-90 has another important advantage - a high reliability and ruggedness.Take, for testing machines under the Indian Thar desert, where there was not a single engine failure.As for the American M1A1 tanks participating in operation "Desert Storm", the three days that they were moving on the sand, out of 58 units of 16 are out of order.And all this happened because of the damage to the engine.If we compare the complexity of maintenance of engines of these cars, then to replace it, teams of qualified technicians need: Russia - 6, and the US - only 2:00.
Lack of transmission of Russian cars is quite low speed reverse - only 4.8 km / h, and the American art, it reaches 30 km / h due to the installation of the hydrostatic transmission.The fact that the standard issued by T-90 tanks equipped with a manual transmission on the basis of outdated schemes rotation mechanism, where his responsibilities entrusted to step onboard gearbox."Abrams" is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission and rotation mechanism with a digital automation system.
Overall Rating
On the basis of the available data on technical and other characteristics of the T-90 tanks and "Abrams" we can conclude that the main advantages of Russian machines compared to the US are:
- good defense, including the dynamicsystem "Contact" and KOEP "blind-1";
- availability shooting targets with guided missiles at a distance of up to 5 thousand. M;
- more types of munitions, which include RP-shells (in Vol. H. With ready-striking units and remote detonation);
- excellent rate, which persists throughout the fight, provided the use of A3;
- decent depth to overcome water obstacles, a good cruising range and excellent mobility;
- ruggedness and reliability during operation.
«Abrams' also has its advantages.It:
- durable protection;
- automation of combat control, which provides a flow of a variety of data in real time;
- reliable isolation of the crew of the location of ammunition;
- good maneuverability;
- a high level of power density.
Expert Opinion In 2012, the press published an article by Stepanov, who is a doctor of technical sciences and CEO of "VNIITransmash."It said an analysis of the methods of comparative assessment specifications tanks.And above all, there were given for estimating the military-technical level (TSS) of the best combat aircraft, including Russian T-90A and T-90MS, and the M1A2 and M1A2 SEP.
WTU calculated on several factors: security, operational capabilities, firepower and mobility.Then the performance indicators of all these machines with a certain reference tank.They selected the T-90A, which means that its VTU = 1.0.These American cars M1A2 M1A2 SEP and were evaluated respectively in 1.0 and 1.32.Indicator WTU new T-90MS "Tagil" is defined as 1.42.The calculations may have a slight error of no more than 10%.From this we can conclude that there is a real closeness between the levels of the best foreign analogues with Russian T-90A and its upgraded model - the T-90AM.
