MBTs AND MEDIUM TANKS, Russian Federation
Date Posted: 03-Mar-2006
Jane's Armour And Artillery
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T-95 MBT
Development
Description
Status
Contractor
Development TOP
In early 2000, the then Russian Defence Minister, Marshal Igor Sergeyev announced that a radically new Main Battle Tank (MBT) designated the T-95 had been developed in Russia.
Sergeyev made his statement after visiting defence industry facilities in Nizhnii Tagil and Yekaterinburg in the Ural region. During the visit to the Uralvagonzavod plant the Minister looked over a full-scale prototype of the new vehicle.
The fact that he named it T-95 suggests possible fielding of the new tank. It is known that such designations are given to operational vehicles such as the T-80 and T-90. Russian pilot and developmental vehicles are usually designated by the word 'Obiekt' with a number given to it.
As of early 2006, the T-95 MBT had not been seen in production and it probably still remains at the prototype stage.
Recent information has stated that the T-95 has the development designation of the Obiekt 775. Trials of the prototype vehicle started at the Kubinka proving ground outside of Moscow in the second half of 1998.
In the Description, the main armament is described as a 135 mm gun but some sources have also stated that it is armed with a 152 mm smoothbore gun fed by an automatic loader located below the turret. In addition to firing conventional natures of ammunition it can also fire missiles.
It is considered that the crew compartment is of the citadel-type with a high level of protection. The tank will also have a high level automated command and control system integrated into it and be fitted with a land navigation system as well as a diagnostic system.
Combat weight of the T-95 is now being quoted as 50 tonnes and it is powered by a 1,500 hp gas turbine or diesel coupled to an automatic transmission.
The design of the chassis will allow it to be used for a wide range of other applications.
Description TOP
Full technical data, outline and configuration features of the new T-95 MBT are not available. At the same time, a representative of Uralvagonzavod said the tank has a whole new design, rather than a modification of an existing vehicle.
It is claimed that the new T-95 MBT weighs 50 tons, its length and width would be likely about the same as the current T-72, T-80 and T-90 MBTs.
But the main feature of the new tank lies in its radically new configuration. Its gun is now mounted on a small, unmanned turret. A recently designed automatic loader, typical of the Russian MBTs, is located below the turret which first loads the projectile and then the charge.
The three-man crew consisting of driver mechanic, gunner and commander are seated in a special armoured capsule, separated by an armoured bulkhead from the automatic loader and turret with externally mounted main armament.
This design feature makes it possible not only to reduce the silhouette of the MBT and therefore make it less observable on the battlefield, but also considerably enhance crew safety and survivability. Combat experience has shown that one of the main weaknesses of Russian MBTs has been that when the hull is penetrated near the 125 mm automatic loader the ammunition often explodes, so blowing off the complete turret and destroying the whole vehicle.
It is believed that the T-95 MBT is armed with a 135 mm gun which is believed to be of the smoothbore type and is fitted with a new Fire-Control System (FCS).
Target information comes via optical, thermal imaging and IR channels. The FCS will also include a laser range-finder and possibly a radar. It is expected that it will feature a hunter/killer capability. In this role the target is first detected by the commander, who then hands over to the gunner to carry out the actual target engagement.
It should be noted that the new configuration places very strict demands to the FCS, as the crew is prevented from using traditional optical devices.
In the past one of the major weakness of Russian MBTs, when compared to their western counterparts, has been in the area of fire control and night vision optics and it is only recently that Russian MBTs have started to be fitted with thermal vision devices.
The new T-95 MBT is not the sole domestic new-generation MBT. In 1999, at the arms exposition in Omsk, Siberia, there was displayed the 'object 640' (named Black Eagle), developed at the Omsk-based Design Bureau of Transport Machine-building who also build the T-80.
Black Eagle also features a wholly new chassis and turret. Available details are given in a separate entry. Black Eagle retains a conventional turret with seats for the commander and gunner with the automatic loader and a part of the 125 mm ammunition load being placed in a spacious housing located in a rear part of turret.
Nizhnii Tagil is where the T-72 and T-90 MBTs are built with Omsk producing the T-80 MBT. Both facilities have been struggling to keep their research, development and production facilities alive against the background of reduced orders from the Russian Army and small export orders. The Omsk facility recently had a major boost when India ordered 310 of the export T-90S series MBTs early in 2001. The first of these were delivered late in 2001 and some will also be manufactured under licence in India.
It is known that OAO Spetsmash Design Bureau in St Petersburg has been working on a two-person MBT fitted with an externally mounted large calibre gun.
Status TOP
Prototype. No firm details of this have yet been released.
Contractor TOP
Uralvagonzavod (Nizhnii Tagil). UPDATED
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© 2006 Jane's Information Group
