i have question for some tank experts out there

[craig spencer]

My question. When i was in US tank school in 1976, they told us the Russian T-72 tank was inferior with one of the reasons given was that it had a smooth bore cannon. Well, now years later I read that the shell of the T-72 has it's own fins that come out after leaving the gun tube. Was the T-72 tank of that time inferior to the US M60A1 or A2 in terms of gunnery accuracy and related topics. If this question is not appropiate for this column is there other sites that are. Thanks for any help.

[Ingsoc75]

Here is the info from Janes. It is long so be aware:

T-72 MBT
Development

The Morozov Design Bureau, based at the Ural Tank Plant in Nizhnyi Tagil and headed by Valeriy Venediktov, developed the T-72 MBT as an alternative to the highly complicated and expensive T-64 MBT.
Before the formal acceptance of the T-72 in 1973 a whole series of developmental vehicles was built and tested. This included the Obiekt 167 built in 1961 using a T-62 MBT hull with six roadwheels. Mounted on the turret rear was a three-round launcher for the AT-3 `Sagger' ATGW and the rear of the hull was also modified.
Obiekt 167GTD followed in 1965 and featured a gas-turbine engine. In 1968, the Obiekt 172 was built which featured a T-64-type hull fitted with a small turret with cross-turret optical range-finder, a searchlight mounted to the left of the gun and no commander's cupola.
The actual T-72 prototype was completed in 1970 and designated as Obiekt 172M. It was fitted with a V-46 diesel engine with supercharger developing 780 hp, a searchlight to the right of the smoothbore 125 mm gun, a commander's roof-mounted machine gun, a cross-turret optical range-finder and gill- or flipper-type armoured panels covering the forward part of the hull sides. The armament and fire-control system were virtually identical to those of the T-64A.
In designing the T-72, the hull and turret layout of the T-64 MBT was utilised, together with some of the components from the latter. The engine is an improved version of that installed in the T-62 while the cooling system is similar to the one fitted in the T-55/T-62. The drive train is similar to that utilised in the T-64.
The T-72 is understood to have entered production in 1974 with the tank becoming fully operational by 1975. The T-72 was first seen in public in October 1977 when the French Minister of Defence, Yvon Bourges, paid an official visit to the Tamanskaya Guards Division. It made its first appearance in numbers during the parade held in Red Square, Moscow, in November 1977.
Late production vehicles have a higher level of armour protection. Those with the Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armour have a high level of battlefield survivability as this provides protection from both chemical and kinetic energy attack.
Since 1971, the T-72 and its numerous variants have been manufactured in substantial numbers for both the home and export markets. It is understood that there has been no recent production of the T-72 series MBT although the production line at Nizhnyi Tagil can be restarted and that quantities of the latest production T-72 are available for immediate delivery.
The all-welded steel hull of the T-72 MBT is divided into three compartments: driver's at the front, fighting in the centre and the power pack at the rear. It is believed that the turret has conventional cast armour with a maximum thickness of 280 mm, the nose is about 80 mm thick and the glacis is of a new laminate armour 200 mm thick, which when inclined gives between 500 and 600 mm of protection. Late production T-72s do, however, incorporate advanced armour protection in their turrets.
The glacis is well sloped, transversely ribbed and has a deep V splashboard. The driver is seated at the front of the hull in the centre and is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right, in front of which is a single wide-angle TVNE-4E day observation periscope. The driver's headlamps are designated FG 125.
The other two crew members are seated in the turret, with the gunner on the left and the commander on the right. The commander's contrarotating cupola has a single-piece hatch cover that opens forward with two rear-facing TNPA day vision blocks. In the forward part of the cupola is a combined TKN-3 day/night sight with an OU-3 infra-red searchlight mounted over the top and, to either side of the combined day/night sight, is another TNP-160 day periscope. Forward and slightly below the commander's cupola is an optical stadiametric range-finder.
The gunner's hatch opens forward and has a circular opening for mounting the snorkel for deep fording operations. In front of the gunner's hatch is a TNP-160 day periscope, while a TNPA-65 day vision block is fitted in the hatch cover itself. In front and to the left of the gunner's hatch is a panoramic day/night sight, which is used in conjunction with the infra-red searchlight mounted to the left and in front of the sight. The gunner's sight is the TPD-2-49 while his night sight is the TPN-1-49-23.
According to former Soviet sources, the TPD-2-49 monocular eyepiece stereoscopic range-finder sight enables targets to be engaged out to a range of 4,000 m. It has a field of view stabiliser for its vertical axis. In addition the sight has a ballistic computer that performs calculations based on input data for firing a specific type of 125 mm round, the temperature and density of the air and crosswind speed.
Using this sighting system, maximum effective target ranges are 4,000 m using APFSDS and HEAT rounds, 5,000 m using HE fragmentation rounds and 1,800 m using the 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun.
Using the gunner's quadrant fitted as standard on the T-72, indirect firing can be accomplished out to 9,400 m.
The L-2 infra-red searchlight is mounted on the right side of the 125 mm main armament rather than the left as in the case of the earlier T-64, although it is occasionally mounted on the left side (initial production vehicles).
Two light steel stowage boxes are mounted on the turret, one at the rear and the other on the right slightly behind the commander's position. The snorkel is carried on the left side of the turret to the rear. Whereas the turret on the T-64 is roughly circular, that of the T-72 has a distinct bulge and external stowage on the two tanks is also different.
Fuel cells extend along the right side of the hull top; on the left hull top are stowage boxes and a single oil cell. There are four internal oil tanks in the T-72, one to the left of the driver, two to his right and one on the floor in the space between the rear of the 125 mm ammunition carousel and the fire wall/engine bulkhead. An unditching beam is normally carried at the rear and there is also provision for carrying two 200 litre diesel fuel drums at the rear of the hull to increase operational range. These can be quickly jettisoned if required by the tactical situation.
The T-72 is powered by a V-12 piston V-46-6 multifuel air-cooled engine, which develops 780 hp. The engine will run on three fuels, with the driver being provided with a dial to set the engine for the type of fuel being carried. The three settings are D for Diesel, B for Benzine and K for Kerosene. In the T-72 MBT the diesel engine is mounted transversely. Late production vehicles such as the T-72S have the more powerful V-84 MS diesel developing 840 hp.
The torsion bar suspension each side consists of six roadwheels with the idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and three return rollers supporting the inside of the track only. Shock-absorbers are fitted at the first, second and sixth roadwheel stations. The track of the T-72 is of the single pin type with rubber bushes and this has been back-fitted to some older T-55/T-62 MBTs. Total roadwheel travel on the T-72A is 285 mm but this was increased to 325 mm on the later T-72B.
There are four removable spring-loaded skirt plates fitted over the forward part of the track, which are unclipped in action and spring forward at an angle of 60º from the side of the vehicle, to give a measure of protection against HEAT projectiles.
A dozer blade mounted under the nose of the tank is used for clearing obstacles and preparing fire positions and, like most other Russian tanks, the T-72 can be fitted with mineclearing equipment such as the KMT-5, KMT-6 and KMT-6 M2. The dozer blade can be brought into the operating position in 1 or 2 minutes and enables the T-72 tank to prepare its own defilade position without calling on engineer support. A typical position for a T-72 MBT would be 10 m long, 4.5 m wide and 1.2 m deep, with a total volume of 54 m3. The T-72 is provided with an NBC system and can be fitted with a snorkel for deep fording. The T-72 series takes about 20 minutes to prepare for amphibious use and is ready for action within 2 minutes of leaving the water.
Main armament is a 125 mm (2A46) smoothbore gun fitted with a light-alloy thermal sleeve and a bore evacuator. The thermal sleeve has four removable sections, two in front and two to the rear of the bore evacuator. The 125 mm gun is stabilised in both planes. The gun stabilisation system is designated the 2Eh28M. The 125 mm gun fires three main types of separate loading ammunition, APFSDS with a maximum range of 2,100 m, HEAT-FS with a maximum direct fire range of 4,000 m and HE-FRAG(FS) with a maximum indirect fire range of 9,400 m.
The 125 mm ammunition is of the separate loading type, that is, the projectile is loaded first followed by the semi-combustible cartridge case, then all that remains after firing is the stub base which is ejected. This 125 mm ammunition is common to the T-64, T-72, T-80, T-84 (Ukraine) and the T-90. Details of this ammunition are given in the entry for T-80 MBT.
Of 39 rounds of ammunition carried, 12 are APFSDS-T, 21 HE-FRAG(FS) and the remaining six HEAT-FS. The additional rounds of ammunition are stowed in racks behind the turret basket and in indentations in the rear floor fuel cell and second forward right cell near the driver. The carousel automatic loader is mounted on the turret floor and also on the rear wall of the turret. The projectile is loaded in the lower half of a carrier, the cartridge and propellant in the upper half. The carousel carries 24 ready use projectiles. When the 125 mm gun loads it must pick up the carrier and ram both the projectile and powder charge. This enables a rate of fire of 8 rds/min to be achieved. The main 125 mm armament is stabilised and enables the T-72 to shoot on the move with a high probability of a first-round hit.
A 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and has 250 rounds of ready use ammunition and a new design 12.7 mm NSV machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. The 12.7 mm NSV machine gun can, however, only be used with the commander exposing the upper part of his body. Maximum sight range in the ground role is 2,000 m; maximum sight range in the anti-aircraft role is 1,500 m.
T-72s built for export have a slightly different fire-control system and automatic loader and do not have the internal lining that is standard on Russian T-72s, consisting of a layer of synthetic material that contains lead and provides some degree of protection against the effects of neutron radiation and electromagnetic pulses.

Variants

Since the T-72 MBT entered production in 1971 a large number of variants have been produced both for the home and export markets and many earlier vehicles have been subsequently brought up to more recent production standards.
In recent years there has been considerable confusion concerning the exact designation of members of the T-72 MBT family. The designations used within the RFAS Ground Forces have now been declassified and are listed in the following text.
The date after the designation is the year that it was accepted for service with the Russian Army.

T-72 (1973)
This was the first model to enter service and has the infra-red searchlight mounted on the left of the 125 mm gun, commander's 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, TPD-2-49 optical cross-turret range-finder and gill or flipper-type armoured panels either side of the forward part of the hull. It has four evenly spaced ribs on the upper glacis plate.
The preseries T-72 (Obiekt 172-2M) also has no thermal sleeve for the 125 mm gun and has a single radio aerial on the forward part of the turret roof.
The standard production T-72 (Obiekt 172M) had the Luna L2AG infra-red searchlight mounted on the right side of the turret, thermal sleeve for the 125 mm gun and single radio aerial on the turret roof towards the rear. Some vehicles were subsequently fitted with additional armour on the turret roof and had the TPD-K1 laser range-finder installed.

T-72K (1973)
Commander's version of T-72 with additional communications equipment. Company commander's vehicles have two R-123M or R-173 radios while battalion and regiment vehicles have one R-123M/R-173 and one R-130M which uses a 10 m antenna when the vehicle is static.

T-72 (1975)
This was the first export version and differed from Soviet vehicles in having a different armour package over the frontal arc of the turret, as well as differences to the PAZ collective NBC system and the amount of 125 mm ammunition carried. This version is sometimes referred to as the T-72 Model 1975.

T-72A (1979)
This was accepted for service in June 1979 and is a further development of the T-72, with the optical range-finder replaced by the TPD-K1 laser range-finder sight for improved first round hit probability, TPN-3-49 gunner's night sight, TPN-3 searchlight, side skirts, 125 mm 2A46 gun (earlier versions had 2A26M), Type 902B 81 mm smoke grenade launcher system, napalm protection system, turn signals, TVNE-4B driver night observation device, upgraded torsion bar suspension for improved cross-country mobility and installation of a V-46-6 diesel engine. It also has different plastic side skirts covering the upper part of the suspension and separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers. Three evenly spaced ribs are on the upper glacis plate. This version also had a significant increase in armour protection, especially over the frontal arc of the turret.

T-72AK (1975)
This is the commander's model of the T-72A with additional communications equipment and a total of two antennas.

T-72M (1980)
This is the export model of the T-72A and has a different armour protection level, carries a different amount of ammunition and has a different type of NBC system fitted. There are four evenly spaced ribs on the upper glacis plate.

T-72M1 (1982)
This is a modernised T-72M and has an additional layer of 16 mm armour plate on the glacis plate and combination armour in the turret with pelletised filler agent. There are two ribs on the upper glacis plate.

T-72AV (1985)
T-72A fitted with an explosive reactive armour array consisting of 227 boxes.

T-72B (1985)
This version was developed under the designation of the Obiekt 182 and later the Obiekt 184 and was first seen in 1986. Its turret has a new armour package that provides a much higher degree of protection than any previous model of the T-72 MBT. In addition the glacis plate is provided with 20 mm of appliqué armour.
Late production vehicles also have an anti-radiation layer on the hull roof, which is also fitted to some T-72A vehicles.
Mounted either side of the turret is a bank of 81 mm forward-firing electrically operated smoke dischargers.
The rear of the vehicle has been redesigned as a new fan cooling system has been installed.
Main armament is the 125 mm 2A46M gun, which can be removed from the vehicle without removing the turret. This can also fire the 9M119 AT-11 `Svir' laser beam-riding missile out to a range of 5,000 m. A muzzle reference system is fitted as standard. A total of 45 rounds of 125 mm ammunition is carried, 22 in the carousel automatic loader and 23 stowed in the turret and hull.
The fire-control system consists of the 1A40-1 sight complex which is based on the TPD-K1 laser range-finder and sight used in the T-72A with the field of view being stabilised in the vertical plane. Firing at night is achieved with the 1K13-49 sight, which is part of the 9K120 guided weapons complex, and can be used in the active or passive modes.
The 125 mm main armament is stabilised by the 2Eh42-2 system with hydroelectric drive in the vertical plane and electric drive in the horizontal plane. The T-72B is powered by the 840 hp V-84-1 diesel engine.

T-72BK (1985)
Commander's model of the T-72B with additional communications equipment fitted and two antennas.

T-72B1 (1985)
T-72 MBT without the capability to fire the AT-11 `Svir' laser-guided projectile. The T-72B and T-72B1 are sometimes fitted with the Kontakt explosive reactive armour. This latest armour package provides protection against chemical (for example HEAT) and kinetic energy (for example APFSDS) attack according to Russian sources.

T-72S (1987)
This is the export version of the T-72B and was initially referred to as the T-72M1M. The ERA package consists of 155 boxes, with the hull and turret being identical to those of the T-72M1. There is a different selection of ammunition options for the 125 mm gun and it can fire the AT-11 `Svir' laser-guided missile. This is also referred to as the T-72S `Shilden' rocket tank for the export market. The T-72S is now being manufactured under licence in Iran.

T-72S1 (1987)
Export version of the T-72B1 with 155 boxes of ERA, the hull and turret are identical to the T-72M1's. There is a different selection of ammunition options for the 125 mm gun.

T-72BM (1992)
Improved T-72B with built-in second-generation explosive reactive armour that provides protection against APFSDS and HEAT attack. The explosive reactive armour fitted to the T-72M is the Kontakt-5. It is powered by an SV-84 diesel engine developing 840 hp.

T-72BU
This was the original designation of the T-90 MBT and full details are given in a separate entry.

Export designations
Russia has recently released details of another batch of designations that apply to export models of the T-72 series MBT.
These are T-72 (Eh and Eh-1 export models), T-72M (export models Eh-2, Eh-3 and Eh-4) which corresponded to the domestic T-72A but with different turret armour, ammunition and collective protection system.
T-72M1 (export models Eh-5 and Eh-6), which again corresponds to the domestic T-72A but with different armour in hull and turret. Finally, there is the T-72S, which differs from the T-72B in the areas of armour, NBC system and types of ammunition used.

T-72M1 Upgrade Package
Nizhnyi Tagil, prime contractor for the T-72, is now offering an upgrade package for the T-72M1, which is claimed to improve the characteristics of the vehicle by 1.7 times. Many of these improvements are also fitted to the T-72S and T-90 MBTs. Key improvements have been summarised as:

New 125 mm smoothbore gun with bore sighting system
New fire-control system
Thermal night sight
Stabilisation system for main armament
Installation of laser-guided missile system
12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun that can be aimed and fired under complete armour protection
Installation of explosive reactive armour to hull and turret
Installation of Shtora TShU1-7 jamming system
Improved NBC system
Improved fire detection and suppression system
New communications system
More powerful 840 hp engine
New suspension

T-72 series upgrade package
In addition to the comprehensive upgrade described above, Russia is also offering an upgrade package for the T-72K, T-72M, T-72MK, T-72M1 and T-72M1K MBTs in the following key areas:

Improved armour protection by the installation of explosive reactive armour
Special paint and screens to make it more difficult to detect in the visible, near and far infra-red bands
Improved interior protection from radiation
Installation of new fire detection and suppression system
Upgraded suspension system

1998 Russian T-72 MBT upgrade
In late 1998, Russia formed a new consortium of the leading Russian MBT contractors and sub-contractors to carry out upgrades to the T-72 series MBT.
This consortium includes the Steel Research Institute (Moscow), Heavy Machine Building Research Institute (St Petersburg), Heavy Machine Building Research Bureau (Nizhniy Tagil), Motvilikhskije Factories (Perm), Industrial Union UVZ (Nizhniy Tagil), Machine Building Union Belomo (Minsk) and Barnaultransmach (Barnaul).
These are all key specialists in their respective fields with the Nizhniy Tagil being MBT specialists, Perm being involved in gun design and production and Barnaul with engine design and production.
As with most proposed MBT upgrades, the Russian T-72 upgrade covers three key areas of the MBT, armour, mobility and firepower.
The baseline T-72 MBT is very well protected over its frontal arc by various combinations of cast steel armour and laminate armour. Its survivability in the upgrade is further enhanced by the installation of the latest generation explosive reactive armour, which gives protection against chemical energy and kinetic energy attack.
A defensive aids suite is also provided to reduce the risk of the upgraded T-72 being attacked by anti-tank guided missiles.
The battlefield survivability of the MBT has also been significantly increased by other means including the installation of a high speed fire detection and suppression system, special paint to reduce the thermal signature of the tank, providing additional protection for the ammunition and filling the fuel tanks with special material.
It is proposed that the current diesel engine be replaced by a KD-34 or B-92C2 (or V-92S2 as it is referred to by Russia) diesel engine developing 1,000 hp or a more powerful 1,200 hp diesel engine with hydromechanical transmission.
The installation of a more powerful engine is of key importance as the additional armour fitted increases the overall weight of the T-72 and therefore lowers its power-to-weight ratio.
Cross-country mobility is improved by the installation of new hydraulic shock absorbers and giving a higher road wheel travel of 320 mm
It is also proposed that a recently developed automated control system for the engine and transmission be installed. To allow the main engine to be shut down an auxiliary power unit (APU) with an output of 19 kW is fitted as well as an air conditioning system.
As far as it is known the existing 125 mm smoothbore gun is retained which fires two part ammunition, projectile and charge, which is loaded using an automatic loader.
The latest version of the 125 mm smoothbore gun is claimed to be 15 per cent more accurate and have a similar increase in range. It is also easier to replace under battlefield conditions.
As well as firing standard natures of 125 mm ammunition such as Armour-Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot - Tracer (APFSDS-T) and high-explosive fragmentation, it can also fire a laser-guided High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) missile out to a maximum range of 5,000 m. The latest version has a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat targets with explosive reactive armour.
A new computerised fire-control system is installed which includes a ballistic computer and various sensors, this gives a higher first round hit probability and either the gunner or the tank commander can aim and fire the main armament.
The installation of an electrohydraulic gun stabiliser is said to increase the accuracy of the gun by 50 per cent.
New optics include a new thermal sight which will identify targets at a range of 2,300 to 2,800 m depending on ambient conditions.
Russia is also proposing joint development of other systems which could improve the combat effectiveness of the T-72 even further. These include a computerised fire-control system, data management system, new communications, navigation system as well as a diagnostics capability.

2001 Upgraded T-72M1 MBT
Details of the major T-72M1 upgrade for the export market are given in a separate entry.

Russian Army upgrades
In 2002, it was stated that the Omsk Transport Machine Plant has received a small contract from the Russian Army for the upgrade of an undisclosed quantity of T-62 and T-72 MBTs. According to Russian sources, the cost of rebuilding obsolescent T-62 and T-72 MBTs to modern standards is expected to be approximately 25 per cent of the cost of building a brand new tank.

French power pack for Russian T-72 MBT
The French companies Cummins Wartsila Diesel and SESM have developed a new power pack as a private venture for the widely deployed Russian T-72 MBT.
This power pack consists of the WARTSILA SACM V8X 1000 diesel engine coupled to an SESM ESM 350 fully automatic powershift transmission and a new cooling system.
For this T-72 application the engine is mounted in a transverse configuration (also referred to as U-type) with the cooling system on the right.
The power pack is installed into the T-72 MBT hull on a three point mounting without any extensive modifications to the actual hull.
It has been designed to be quickly removed for ease of maintenance or replacement and a complete power pack can be exchanged in under 60 minutes.
The V8X 1000 diesel engine is a member of the X-family and has been specifically designed for the T-72 application. It is fitted with two turbochargers and develops 1,000 hp at 2,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 3,500 mN at 1,800 rpm.
The V8X 1000 is basically the same engine as the V8X 1500 currently in full-scale production for the Giat Industries Leclerc MBT for the French Army (those built for the United Arab Emirates have a German 1,500 hp MTU EuroPowerPack) but fitted with conventional turbochargers. The original V8X 1500 has a self-sustained supercharging system.
In the standard T-72 the driver steers the vehicle using tillers but in this upgrade he is provided with a steering wheel as in the latest MBTs such as the Giat Industries Leclerc. This makes the vehicle much easier to handle as well as reducing driver fatigue.
The standard Russian T-72 is powered by a V-12 diesel engine developing 740 hp so the new French power pack offers a considerable increase in power-to-weight ratio.
It is expected that a first maintenance inspection would be required at 400 hours with mean time between overhaul of 1,000 to 1,200 hours.
As of early 2004, there were no known customers for this upgraded T-72 series MBT.

Booklet gunner's sight
The Joint Stock Company Pelang has developed the Booklet multichannel gunner's sight for installation in the T-72 series MBT.
This comprises a day TV channel, thermal imaging channel, missile guidance channel and a laser range-finder channel.

KBP upgrade for T-72 MBT
The Russian KBP Instrument Design Bureau, prime contractor for the gun launched laser-guided missiles (100, 115 and 125 mm), are now marketing new missiles which have a maximum range of 5,000 m as well as a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat targets fitted with explosive reactive armour.
This latest version uses a new sighting and guidance unit, which was originally developed for the Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle which includes a two-axis line of sight stabiliser, optical channel, image intensification night channel and a laser guidance channel. A further enhancement is the replacement of the image intensification channel by a thermal channel and an autotracker.

Czech Republic T-72 CZ upgrade
Details are given in a separate entry. The first five vehicles were delivered in 2003.

T-72 MP upgrade
Details of this upgrade were given in Jane's Armour and Artillery 2000-2001. It never passed the prototype stage.

T-72AG upgrade
This upgrade package has been developed in the Ukraine and details are given in a separate entry, as are details of other MBT upgrades developed in the country.

M-84 MBT
This is a further development of the T-72M1 M-84 by the former Yugoslavia. Details are given in a separate entry.

T-72 with mineclearing equipment
All members of the T-72 MBT family, with the exception of command tanks, can be fitted with mineclearing equipment at the front of the hull, for example the KMT-6. All vehicles have a dozer blade which folds back under the nose when not required.

T-72 with PW-LWD mine clearance system
For some years the Polish Army has deployed a tank-mounted rocket-propelled mineclearing system on a T-54/T-55 chassis called the PW-LWD.
This consists of a rocket that is attached to a 170 m explosive filled hose. The complete system is carried in a boat-shaped container, which slides onto a special mount on the hull top at the rear of the vehicle.
More recently the system has appeared on a Polish T-72 MBT which can also be fitted with other types of nose-mounted mine clearance systems.
The vehicle halts on arrival at the minefield, and the PW-LWD system is fired. The explosive hose falls to the ground and is detonated, setting off any mines in its path. This Polish mine clearance system has also been installed on the French Leclerc ARV as part of a complete mineclearing system.

T-72 with 155 mm turret
To meet an Indian Army requirement for up to 600 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems based on a locally built T-72 MBT chassis, four foreign 155 mm turret systems underwent extensive firepower and mobility demonstrations. As of early 2004, no production orders had been placed for any of these turrets, although the South African Denel Ordnance 155 mm T-6 turret is understood to be the preferred option.

MTU-72 AVLB
The armies of the RFAS (CIS) have recently started to deploy an armoured vehicle-launched bridge system based on the T-72 MBT, which is similar in appearance and concept to the older MTU-20, which is based on the T-55 chassis. The MTU-72 AVLB weighs 40,000 kg complete with bridge. The bridge weighs 6,400 kg and when opened out is 20 m long and can be used to span a gap of up to 18 m.

MTU-90 AVLB
This is the latest AVLB to be developed based on the T-90 MBT chassis.

BREM-1 Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle
This is based on the chassis of the T-72 and mounted at the front of the hull on the left side is a hydraulic crane, which can lift 12 tonnes. Also fitted are a main winch with a capacity of 25 tonnes which can be increased to 100 tonnes, auxiliary winch, hydraulically operated dozer/stabilising blade at the front of the hull, towing equipment and a complete range of tools and recovery equipment.

IMR-2 Combat Engineer Vehicle
This is based on the T-90 MBT chassis.
The crane can be fitted with a number of attachments including pincers for uprooting trees. Pivoted at the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that can be used in a V-configuration or as a straight dozer blade. When not required it is raised clear of the ground.

Heavy infantry fighting vehicle
Details of this, essentially a modified T-72 MBT chassis fitted with a much modified BMP-3 turret armed with a 100 mm gun, 30 mm coaxial cannon and 7.62 mm machine gun, are given in a separate entry. It remains at the prototype stage.

BMPT tank support vehicle
This was first shown in mid-2000 and has been developed by the Nizhni Tagil State Unitary Enterprise and is called the BMPT Combat Vehicle for Tank Support.
This is based on a modified T-72 MBT chassis with the turret removed. To the rear of the driver's compartment, at the front of the vehicle, the hull has been raised to provide greater internal volume. On top of this is mounted a new turret armed with an externally mounted 30 mm cannon and a 30 mm grenade launcher.
Mounted on the left side of the turret is a four-round launcher for the 9M113 Konkors (NATO AT-5 Spandrel). Mounted one either side of the forward part of the hull is a 7.62 mm machine gun or a 30 mm grenade launcher.
The BMPT has a combat weight of 47 tonnes and a crew of five. It is powered by a B92C2 4-stroke diesel, which develops 1,000 hp and this gives a power-to-weight ratio of 21.2 hp/tonne.
The latest generation explosive reactive armour is fitted for a higher level of battlefield survivability. This remains at the prototype stage.

TOS-1 rocket system
Full details of this system, which has only been built in small numbers, are given in a separate entry.

Specifications

T-72S
Crew: 3
Combat weight: 46,500 kg
Power-to-weight ratio: 18.06 hp/t
Ground pressure: 0.90 kg/cm2
Length:
(gun forward) 9.533 m
(hull) 6.95 m
Width:
(without skirts) 3.37 m
(over skirts) 3.59 m
Height: (without AA MG): 2.228 m
Ground clearance: 0.49 m
Track width: 580 mm
Length of track on ground: 4.278 m
Max road speed: 60 km/h
Range:
(road, without long-range fuel tanks) 480 km
(road, with long-range fuel tanks) 550 km
Fuel capacity: 1,000 litres
Fording:
(without preparation) 1.8 m
(with preparation) 5.0 m
Gradient: 60%
Side slope: 40%
Vertical obstacle: 0.85 m
Trench: 2.8 m
Engine: V-12 multifuel (V-84) 840 hp at 2,000 rpm
Transmission: synchromesh, hydraulically assisted with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears
Steering: clutch and brake
Suspension: torsion bar
Electrical system: 24 V
Armament:
(main) 1 × 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun
(coaxial) 1 × 7.62 mm PKT MG
(anti-aircraft) 1 × 12.7 mm NSVT MG
Ammunition:
(main) 45 (incl 6 ATGW)
(coaxial) 2,000
(anti-aircraft) 300
Smoke grenade launchers: 8 × 81 mm
Gun control equipment
Turret power control: electric/manual
Turret traverse: 360º
Gun elevation/depression: +14/-6º
Gun stabiliser:
(vertical) yes
(horizontal) yes
NBC system: yes
Night vision equipment: yes

[craig spencer]

I think the older version T-72 was probably superior to the M60 and my goverment was biased or even lying. I have read Pattons WW2 memoirs and he told his Army at the time that the Sherman was not inferior to the German machines. Now everybody knows that is one bold face lie. It must have been suicide.

[ChristopherPerrien]

I will reply on this topic as soon I get some time.

[Polynikes]

..well at the time the US MBT was the M-60 which like the German Leopard I, used a 105mm rifled gun based of the British L7 tank gun.

Since then the US & Germany (Abrams and Leopeard II) have gone down the 120mm smooth bore route.

The British still use a rifled (120mm) gun in their Challanger II tank.

At the time, the best tank in the world was unquestionably the Chieftain - though its early power plant had reliability issues.

[Alter Mann]

I remember seeing a squadron of Canadian Chieftans near Bergen Hohen in 1978. Seems like they were all putting out large clouds of greyish white smoke all the time. Were these using the early unreliable engines? What was the problem with them?

[Aufklarung]

Die Alte

Not possible. Perhaps they were our old Centurions but certainly not Cheiftains!! We never had that type of MBT.

centurions we used until 1975-ish.

A good site from my Corps Association:

http://www.rcaca.org/AFV-Centurion.htm

regards
A

[Alter Mann]

Sorry, Aufklarung. I wasn't trying to insult you or anything.

Why would the Cents smoke like that? I have to admit that I only saw them in the distance and never really thought much about whether they were Cheifies or Cents. Any idea why Canada didn't buy the Chieftans? Did they buy Leos instead?

[Zygmunt]

I remember seeing a squadron of Canadian Chieftans near Bergen Hohen in 1978. Seems like they were all putting out large clouds of greyish white smoke all the time. Were these using the early unreliable engines? What was the problem with them?

Britain got a little over-ambitious for a while back there. We decided that we were going to massively simplify our logistical situation by designing a powerplant that could run on just about any fuel - not just Diesel, but also (I think) petrol ("gasoline"), or whatever kind of fuel was to hand. Trouble was, we bit off more than we could chew, and in trying to make that engine run on everything, we didn't quite manage to get it to run on anything. Well, not very well anyway.

Zygmunt

[nondescript handle]

Zygmunt,

I'm not an engineer, but I've been told that its fairly easy to construct an engine with a big cylinder capacity and a slow rotation as a multi fuel engine.

The engines of the Leopard 2 MBT e.g. run quite well on diesel (NATO code: F-54), diesel paraffin mix (NATO codes: F-54 + F-58) and kerosene (NATO codes: F-34/JP8, F-40/JP4, F-44/JP5).
They will run badly (and killing themselfes in the process) on petrol/gasoline (NATO code: F-67), alcohol, vegetable oil and the like.

The newer and power dense (= less cylinder capacity) EuroPowerPacks run well only on diesel and diesel paraffin mix.

But I think that multi fuel capacity has not much practical value at the end of the day. Either your logistics and support chain can supply your fuel on time or you're pretty much doomed anyway.
No civilian gas station, McDonalds or liquor store holds enough petrol/gasoline, oil or alcohol to be of real use for a tank company (for fueling the tanks that is). Only the option of using kerosene at both civilian or military airports is marginally useful IMHO.

Regards
Mark

[Zygmunt]

Thanks Mark. It is possible that I've been the victim of some kind of propaganda - perhaps British designers made a bad job of it and chose to blame the multi-fuel requirement, rather than admit they'd messed up. But alternatively, it could well be that some bright spark decided that our multi-fuel engine would have to be able to use petrol ("gasoline") as well, and that's why the engineers couldn't get it to work. I don't have the exact specification for the powerplant in question to hand, though, so I can't be sure.

Zygmunt

[ChristopherPerrien]

My question. When i was in US tank school in 1976, they told us the Russian T-72 tank was inferior with one of the reasons given was that it had a smooth bore cannon. Well, now years later I read that the shell of the T-72 has it's own fins that come out after leaving the gun tube. Was the T-72 tank of that time inferior to the US M60A1 or A2 in terms of gunnery accuracy and related topics. If this question is not appropiate for this column is there other sites that are. Thanks for any help.

You are comparing apples to oranges, and different orchards too.

The T-72 is a newer tank than an M60. Also it is alot smaller, and cheaper. So you have to compare models produced about the same time.
I don't any tank is better at shooting from a defensive position than an M60A3, and it was common accpeted by both sides that we had a qualitative advantage over soviet tanks which they compensated for by having superior numbers. There is also the example of the Arab-Israeli war of 1973 that shows how similiar tanks from both sides reflect qualitative advantages of our tanks.


The M60A3 is superior to a T-72m, on a tank for tank basis, and the doctrines for both sides confirm this. It shoots better , has better fire control, APDSFS-T DU bullets, better stab system, the ability to fire "hull down" over crest i.e gun depression, AND BY FAR a four man tank is far more capable on and off the battlefield than a three man tank anytime.

[nondescript handle]

[...] APDSFS-T DU bullets [...]

And I always thought that both the US M774 and the Soviet BM-29
were fielded in the very same year.

Regards
Mark

[ChristopherPerrien]

[...] APDSFS-T DU bullets [...]

And I always thought that both the US M774 and the Soviet BM-29
were fielded in the very same year.

Regards
Mark

Perhaps so , but I have a tendency to discount "Pravda".

It matters not if the rounds were supposively field the same year, we definetly had alot more of them ,as I seriously doubt they were "standard issue" in any Soviet tank force perhaps a few elite units of the Soviet army and beside a T-72 would only carry 12 of these in a standard load , we carried 50.

DU-rounds ain't cheap even in a controlled-comand economy, and then again I note the Israelis used even "training round versions i.e steel" against Soviet tanks in arabs service. Little three-man tanks
(41 ton T-72m) are much more vernable to catastophic destruction when being hit, than our larger tanks 63-ton M60A3.

I think the accepted loss ration in the event of a attack by Soviet tanks forces against ours, with the T-72 /M60 match-up was generally accepted that we would kill 5 to 1.

Then there is the underlying factor of T-72's were crewed and worked on by a conscript army and also by people forced to fight for the Soviet Empire ( i.e the Warsaw Pact forces). Slaves ain't worth a dam in combat or in keeping their stuff in good condition. We were all voluteer and pretty "Gung Ho" . And our think our much better training and "espirit de corps' gave us a decisive advantage that "peace-niks" and pacifists have a total mental block on.

Tanks are hunks of metal, some are bigger and badder than others, but it is the people on them and their motivation and know-how that make them "fighting machines" or "steel coffins".