Russia's next-generation T-95 tank
Russian Defence Minister Marshal Igor Sergeyev has announced that a
radically new main battle tank (MBT) designated the T-95 has been
developed in Russia. Sergeyev made his statement after a visit to
the Uralvagonzavod plant in the Ural region where he inspected a
T-95 prototype. Sergeyev's reference to it as the T-95 suggests the
possible fielding of the new MBT as T-series designations are given
to operational vehicles. Pilot and developmental vehicles are
usually designated by the word obiekt (object) and a number.
The main feature of the T-95 is its radical configuration with the
main armament in a small unmanned turret fed from a newly-designed
automatic loader located below the turret.
Seats for the driver, gunner and commander are in a special
armoured capsule, separated by an armoured bulkhead from the
automatic loader and turret. This design allows the MBT's
silhouette to be reduced, making it less observable on the
battlefield and enhancing crew safety. Such a configuration
resolves a major dilemma concerning modern MBT design - combining
adequate protection with mobility and transportability.
The T-95 MBT is armed with a 135mm gun which is believed to be of
the smoothbore type and is fitted with a new fire control system
(FCS). Target information is provided via optical, thermal imaging
and infra-red channels. The FCS also includes a laser range finder
and possibly a radar. The design relies heavily on the FCS as the
crew cannot use traditional optical devices to observe the
battlefield and aim the gun. The T-95 MBT is not the sole domestic
new-generation MBT. The "object 640" (named Black Eagle), developed
at the Omsk-based Design Bureau of Transport Machine-building was
displayed at an arms exposition in Omsk, Siberia, in 1999.
The vehicle features a completely new chassis and turret. Its
designers chose a simpler design with the automatic loader and some
ammunition is placed in a spacious bustle in the rear part of the
manned turret.
-Diesel-electric propulsion
-135mm gun
-360° sensors and ECM and network-capability
-pro-active electric reactive armor
-Weight > 55 tonnes
-ceramics&fiber armor instead of steel
-virtual reality for the driver and gunner
-only two guys are sufficient to man it
-autoloader for three different types of ammo
