Tank T-72 was one of the most prominent in the last century. Its performance characteristics exceeded all expectations, so it still constitutes the main armament of Russia. He acquired a lot of innovations, which at one time showed in battle a real assault vehicle capable of performing various functions.
A bit of history of the T-72 tank
The first developments began in 1967. Then the main tank T 72 was being prepared, which was to completely replace all the old heavy machines. Only the optimal scheme was created for too long, so the Soviet tank was tested and approved only on August 7, 1973. It was then that began a long epic, accompanying the best manifestations in battle and at the sites.
It is worth noting that the subsequent history of the heavy machine is no less interesting. After the first release and verification in combat, it became a necessity. As a result, the assembly continued from 1974 to 1990 at the Uralvagonzavod and at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. After the collapse of the USSR, the device was slightly modified, and the first Russian tank, 72, appeared. Its assembly continued until 1992.
True, the device of the combat vehicle was also disclosed to the friendly state. For this reason, in some countries it remains the main part of the military branches. Let the technical characteristics have changed, but foreign modifications have gained some fame. In which states did this happen?
- India;
- Iraq;
- Iran;
- Poland;
- Czechoslovakia.
And in some of them the work is still going on, so even vulnerable spots disappear. Although the armament of Russia retained in remote regions of the main model, which has interesting features. As a result, no one is going to discount Soviet achievements.
Specifications
Considering the technical characteristics, people will surely be very surprised. The fact is that even all modifications are perfect and have optimal settings. This fact allows you to save the upgraded tank t 72 in the operating parts.
- Length - 686 cm;
- Height - 219 cm;
- Width 346 cm;
- Mass - 41-44 tons;
- Crew - 3 people;
- Firing range - up to 10 km;
- The speed on the highway - 60 km / h;
- Speed over rough terrain - 35 km / h;
- Motor Resource - 500 km.
It is immediately evident that the weight and overall dimensions allow you to move freely throughout any terrain. However, at the time Russia’s weapons received lightweight modifications that are used in the marshland. Their description is not so interesting, so you should continue to consider the main model.
Management and crew
Inside the combat vehicle is a crew of 3 people. It would seem that a variety of weapons and complex maintenance should have required more space for people. Nevertheless, the designers have thought through all the details, which allowed to achieve unprecedented results.
During hostilities, the crew manages alone. And there is a modernized tank, where only 2 people are accommodated. Such changes are considered minor, so usually the navigator, the helmsman and the shooter are placed inside. Due to this, driving occurs in parallel from the shooting, not at all affecting it.
This is an important advantage of the tank. A full description will tell you that independent control allows you to not interrupt the shooting while driving. As a result, Russia's weapons gained unprecedented support. Now a crew of several people turns into an indispensable combat unit, which develops high speed and at the same time continues to conduct continuous fire. Such modifications have always frightened opponents, because it is almost impossible to stop them.
Overall dimensions while driving
The most popular assembly has acquired averaged overall dimensions. There is enough space inside, and the crew is free to cope with all tasks. However, a certain weight, length and width were chosen solely in terms of running performance. Indeed, the technical characteristics exceed all expectations, so the modifications have hardly appeared over the past years.
In fact, weight and driving are directly related. Experienced drivers know that on rough terrain often have to slow down to turn. The model adopted by the Russian Federation, it is easy to move, even in a swampy or desert territory. In this case, the speed of the combat vehicle is almost not reset.
The relatively small weight and length immediately turned into a terrifying power. Still, high speed gives an advantage even to motorized rifle troops, and weight helps to overcome difficult obstacles. It is not surprising that such technical characteristics have been preserved for many decades.
Engine and internal structure T 72
Now it's time to evaluate the engine of the tank. Still, the weight of the car is not so great, but it did not affect the engine at all. Designers preferred to maintain both speed and combat power. In parallel, the transmission was worked out, which gave greater maneuverability.
At the Ural factory assembled models where the engine and transmission shifted from heavy special equipment. True, for a long time there were discussions that the length of the body should increase. For this, we would have to change the engine, keeping the running performance, and such an increase in mass would have killed the finished model.
Motorcycle life and fuel consumption
The design of the Russian tank shows excellent engine and sufficient ammunition. However, the war in Afghanistan has shown how important fuel consumption is. At that time, it was necessary to conduct combat operations far from the base; therefore, it was precisely the long service life that allowed the Soviet army to cope with difficult tasks.
Minimum fuel consumption allows the tank to freely travel through any terrain up to 500 km without additional refueling. Such a distance of trips allowed to get rid of parts of support, because the service was quietly carried out at the base. If you pay attention to the model with external side tanks, then its low fuel consumption allows you to travel up to 700 km.
The economical engine of the tank made fuel consumption one of the advantages. Designers have provided considerable opportunities, retaining the internal gas tanks. So a different engine did not receive even modifications. Still, fuel consumption has always remained useful for combat operations on rough terrain. Unfortunately, not always engineering troops are nearby, so the fuel consumption of a tank must be acceptable.
Armor and weapons
Perhaps, fuel consumption will interest many people, but here the firing range of up to 10 km is one of the phenomenal indicators. Usually only stationary models were capable of such strikes, and the T72 performs strikes on the move. In this case, the ammunition in the standard version is designed for the traditional tower. It has a smooth-bore gun 125 mm, which provides a powerful barrage.
In various models, the 125-mm smooth-bore gun was often replaced. Nevertheless, it was recognized as the best option, so the ammunition was only supplemented with cartridges for a pair of machine guns. Yes, the gun is the main tool, but in the melee from her little sense. At this point, machine guns replace them, allowing them to cope with the approaching enemy. So that ammunition before leaving must be checked.
It should be noted that the ammunition and the gun is important in many respects, but the tank's armor also should not be overlooked. Thus, the thickness of the armor ranges from 20 to 80 cm, so only a frontal shot into the body can cause minor damage. It is believed that the gun should not allow the enemy, but still the thickness of the armor was chosen serious.
The designers also kept an important reservation secret, which is the latest development. It is composed of 3 layers, which provided maximum protection for people. The first rolled armor is designed to repel rocket attacks, causing the warhead to explode on the surface without penetration.
The next layer of armor is cast steel. This is the main part that protects the crew from a frontal impact. She also perfectly saves from small projectiles that will never harm the tank.
The last layer is steel combined. It varies depending on the modification, so this armor is considered one of the most diverse. The most common - steel typesetting, helps to eliminate the spread of fragments after penetrating impact. Although the designers even tried to use the thinnest layer of water as an experiment. As a result, a tank appeared to protect the crew, even from radiation.
A tank has been preserved in the Russian army, which for several decades of its existence only improved its characteristics. It still remains relevant, but due to additional modifications it constantly gains new opportunities.
