The Soviet Tank T-64 , with its startup at the end of the Years 1960, was a concentrate of technology and of innovation, it was the first of the tanks known as of the third generation. All the posterior Soviet models were inspired some, such as for example the T-80. It also caused in occident, by reaction, the renewal of the park of armoured tanks, during which were conceived tanks like the Léopard II and the M1 Abrams. But paradoxically, this complexity was also a failure, because it made necessary the production of the T-72, so that the industry of the the USSR can produce tanks of sufficient number. Although it is not produced any more since 1987, of many specimens are still in service, particularly in Ukraine.

Genesis

Project 430

Studies for a new tank started as of 1951. Office KB-60M was formed with the factory n°75 Kharkov, by the engineers returning of Nizhnyi Tagil, A.A. Morozov took the head of it. A project named object 430 gave rise to three prototypes which were tested in Kunbika in 1958. These vehicles showed characteristics which were going to revolutionize the design of the armoured tanks behind the iron curtain. For the first time, opposed cylinder motor an extremely compact, the 4TD, designed by the driving research department of the factory, was used. Moreover the transmission, two side gear boxes included/understood located on both sides engine. The result of these two innovations was a very short driving compartment, the grid of the engine being located just behind the turret. The volume of the driving compartment was almost twice more reduced than that of the T-54. The cooling system became extractor and a new light suspension with hollow metal wheels, of small diameter and caterpillar S with shoes in rubber.

The tank preserved a gun D-10TS of 100 mm and a Blindage in front of 120 Misters As it did not present an obvious superiority in terms of characteristics of combat compared to the T-55, which entered then in service, Morozov decided that construction in series presented too many disadvantages for not enough practical advantages. However the studies on the derivative object 430U , with a gun of 122 mm and a shielding of 160 mm showed that the tank had the potential to gather the firepower and the shielding of a heavy tank on a frame of average tank. Consequently, one launched a new project, the object 432 .

Project 432

The gun retained for this new tank was powerful D-68 (2A21), with heart smoothes of 115 Misters a new risky choice was taken: that to replace the human charger by an electrohydraulic automat, first world. The reduction of the crew with three people did not allow an important work of weight saving, the vehicle theoretically not having to weigh any more but 30,5 tons instead of the 36 of object 430. The height of case decreased it of 76 Misters.

However, the service entrance of the British guns of tank L-7 and American M-68 , assembled respectively on the tanks Centurion and M-60, obliged the development team with another first daring, the adoption of a composite shielding, according to a process lately created, named in the west Combinaison K . This protection was consisted a thickness of aluminum alloy between two layers of high-strength steel. Consequently, the mass of the prototype exceeded finally thirty four tons. But like the engine being henceforth a 5TDF of 700 CH, always studied locally, mobility remained excellent, quite higher than the T-62, then in service. the object 432 was ready in September 1962 and as of October 1963, the production lines were ready and the series production was launched to the factory of Kharkov. The December 30th 1966, the Soviet government accepted it with the service as a T-64 .

Technical description

The tank takes again the general silhouette of T-55, low with a hemispherical turret in the center of the frame. The train of bearing is him completely different: it includes/understands six small regularly spaced wheels of road and four tread rollers, the Barbotin is with the back, and the tendeuse wheel with the front one. Amortisseur S equip on each side the first and the last wheel.

The driver takes seat in a narrow cockpit with front, by a hatchway, with three épiscope S. Situé just in lower part of the base of the gun, it is flanked by two large fuel tanks. On the glacis, a blade mole and two headlights. A retractable blade, being used with the tank to prepare positions of shooting without the assistance of the troops of the genius, occupied the low part of before case.

In the medium, a large very round, two-seater turret: the chief of tank on the right, the gunner on the left, with each one with its hatchway. On the upper part before turret a protuberance appears over the entire length sheltering the Viseur principal TPDB-43 and its optical Télémètre with coincidence. The chief of tank has two small spot lights, including one with Infrarouge OU-3GK for the shooting of night and a Périscope TKN-3 allowing him an observation on all the Azimut. In front of, the trap door of the gunner, the periscope of shooting of night, TPN-1-432. On the back of the turret, a small trap door with a shutter which is used for the ejection of the Douille of the Obus drawn and on each side from the turret, a Handrail.

Inside, the D-68 gun overhangs the Carousel automat of loading 6EZ10, which covers the bottom of the puit of turret. On its left is placed a Mitrailleuse PKT of gauge 7,62 mm, the whole being pointed and being stabilized by the hydraulic system 2A18 “Siren”.

The driving compartment is separated by a large tank, it shelters under the grid of the cooling system the engine 5TDF and its two side gear boxes with seven reports/ratios involving each one its sprocket-wheel. The three inboard tanks have a capacity of 730 liters, are added small integrated tanks to it all along the two guards muds, of a capacity of 140 L, to which releasable cylindrical cans can be assistant two large containing each one 200 L. These 1270 L of Gazole offer to the tank an autonomy of 700 km. Like all the Soviet tanks since the T-55, it is possible to produce a smoke screen, by injecting gas oil directly in the Muffler. In operations, the tank embarks two Schnorkel S arranged on the grid of the engine, allowing him the crossing of river a 5 meters depth.

Evolutions

The T-64A

At the beginning of the production, the research department started to work on a version which would make it possible to preserve an advantage in the field of the firepower, the object 434 . To this end, one adapted the new whole and powerful gun of 125 mm of the arms factory of Perm, him also with smooth heart, the D-81T. That involved many modifications, the charger becoming a EZ10 with 28 blows in the carousel and a rate of 8 blows per minute, the stabilizer, a 2E23, coupled with new sight TPD-2-1. The fire control system of night was also adapted, with the periscope TPN-1-43A, which profited from the illumination of a powerful infra-red projector of type L2G assembled on left part of the mask of gun. Protection was improved, the glass fiber replacing aluminum alloy in the shielding and of small plates assembled on springs along the mudguards, known under the name of skirt Gill , largely spaced, were adapted to cover the top of the suspension and the tanks side. They appeared however extremely fragile and prone to a fast degradation, which very often caused their disassembling. Arrangements were created on the circumference of the turret, with a rack on the line and three small boxes on before left. The snorkels were assembled to the back of this one. Finally one assembled a protective system NBC and one increases a little the hatchways.

The prototypes were tested in 1966 and 1967, and the production began approximately after the six hundredth specimens from T-64, it was brought into service in the Red Army , under the designation of T-64A . In front of the success of this model, the chief engineer Morozov was decorated with the Ordre of Lénine. Intended for the troops of elite, the T-64A was then constantly given on level as the equipment available improved. After only three years of service and production the first modernization intervened. It improved:

  • fire control system, by the replacement of the sights respectively by a TPD-2-49 and a TPN-1-49-23 and stabilization by the assembly of a system 2E26.
  • the radio, by the assembly of a R-123M
  • vision of night with a TBN-4PA for the driver and a TNP-165A for the chief of tank. This last saw moreover its station of combat transformed by the assembly of a stabilized tourelleau armed with anti-aircraft machine-gun NSVT of 12,7 mm X108 pointed electrically grace a view finder reflector PZU-5 and supplied with 300 blows. It was thus usable interior of the vehicle, avoiding with the chief of vehicle having to expose itself to use it, as on the preceding tanks. The possibility of assembling a system anti-mines KMT-6 was also added.

A derived version, designed for command and named T-64AK appeared in same time. It embarked a radio R-130M with telescopic aerial of 10 meters, usable only in static position (it must be stayed), an artillery PAB-2AM periscope, and a power station of navigation TNA-3, the whole which can be supplied with an auxiliary generator with gasoline.

In 1976, it is the principal armament which is improved, by the assembly of a D-81TM (2A46-1), stabilized by a 2A28M2, supplied with an automat 6AZ10M. The sight of night is exchanged against a TNPA-65 and the engine becomes Polycarburant, while accepting either of the gas oil, or of the Kérosène, or of the gasoline. The production initially continued beside the alternative B, stops in 1980.

But the majority of the T-64A are still modernized after 1981, by the assembly of a battery of six lance grenade S smoke-producing 902A of 82 each side mm of the gun and the replacement of the plates Gill by rubber skirts much more durable. Some, after 1985, even seem to be equipped with a cover of reactive bricks Kontact-1 as on the T-64BV, even of rangefinder sights Laser TPD-K1, instead of the TPD-2-49. T-64 as for them almost all were modernized in T 64R, between 1977 and 1981, by the reorganization of the external arrangements and the snorkels, in a way similar to what existed on the T-64A.

T-64B

Parallel to the mass production of the first model, the research department continued work on new versions. The problems of development of the engine 5TDF were done day while at the same time local production capacity is insufficient vis-a-vis a production of the T-64A carried out in three factories (Malyshev factory of Kharkov, Kirov factory of Leningrad and machines Uralvagonzavod).

Dice 1961, an alternative model with object 432, equipped with a V-45 engine of 12 cylinder out of V, the object 436 had been studied and three prototypes were tested in 1966 with the factory of Chelyabinsk. The order to develop a derivative of the 434 with the same engine gives the object 438 , thereafter famous in object 439 . Four specimens of this tank were built and tested in 1969, it showed the same mobility as the version of series, but the series production was not launched. It were used however basic thereafter for the design of the driving compartment of the T-72.

With the beginning of the year seventy, the research department sought to still improve the tank. Study T-64A-2M, of 1973, with its more powerful engine and its turret with the improved shielding, was used as a basis for two new projects:

  • the object 476 with an engine 6TD of 1000 ch which will be used as model thereafter for the compartment of combat of the Char T-80.
  • the object 447 which embarked a new fire control system with a rangefinder laser and able to draw from the Missile S by the gun.
For this last, the order was given to prepare its production under the name of T-64B , as that of a derivative (with which it was to divide 95% of the components): the object 437 , stripped device of guidance of missile for reasons of cost. This last more will be almost twice produced under designation T-64B1 . The September 3rd 1976, the T-64B and the T-64B1 are declared good for the service, they embark a gun improved the D-81TM (2A46-2), with a stabilizer 2E26M, a charger 6EZ40 and a fire control system 1A33, including/understanding:
  • a ballistic calculator 1V517.
  • a sight 1G21 with laser rangefinder.
  • a sensor of cross-wind 1B11
The capacity of ford passes to 1,8 meters without equipment. The T-64B with the possibility of drawing new the Missile 9K112 “Kobra” (code NATO “AT-8 Songster”) guided by waves radios. The vehicle then carries 8 missiles and 28 shells. The case of control of the missile is assembled in front of the tourelleau of the chief of tank and was assembled according to several alternatives. The T-64B1, carries only 37 shells to him and its equipment in 7,62 mm is of 2000 blows against 1250 for the T-64B.

It are modernized in 1981 by the replacement of the gun by a 2A46M1 and stabilizer by a 2E42 and the assembly of smoke-producing grenade throwers 902A “Tutscha-1” into two group of four, on both sides of the gun. Two versions of command very similar to the T-64AK, are carried out: T-64BK and T-64B1K.

The decision, in October 1979, to put in production the engine 6TD, and its great resemblance to the engine 5TDF, made it possible after some studies to assemble it at the same time in the versions B and B1, but also has and AK, giving rise to new models T-64AM, T-64AKM, T-64BM and T-64B1M, which were accepted with the service in 1983.

Specific studies relating to protection by the reactive brick assembly between 1981 and 1983 give rise to the T-64BV and T-64B1V which are brought into service in 1985. It are also provided with new radio operator R-173, of the sight improved 1G46, the smoke dischargers of type 902B “Tutscha-2” are then assembled in two groups of four on the left of the turret to be able to assemble bricks on before this one and the shielding of the glacis is reinforced by plates out of bracket.

The production ceases in 1987, all confused versions, the production left the assembly lines reached nearly 8000 specimens.

Modernizations in Ukraine

After the disintegration of the the USSR, the Ukraine, where the factory of origin of the tank was and which had many specimens of this last, continued the development of kits of modernization of T-64.

Two programs led in 1999:

  • the T-64BM2 remotorized by 5TDFM of 850 cv, a new fire control system 1A43U, a new charger 6AZ43 and the possibility of firing the missile 9K119 (code NATO “AT-11 Sniper”).
  • the T-64U which moreover, assembles a fire control system 1A45 (resulting from the T-80U and T-84), optics PNK-4SU and TKN-4S for the chief of tank and PZU-7 for the anti-aircraft machine-gun. The chief of tank is then able to drive the tank and to serve the gun directly, if the need is felt some.

The two models moreover are protected by reactive bricks of the Kontact-5 type, able of maintaining to also resist the projectiles with kinetic energy, contrary to the first models, which effective only against the attacks were not said to chemical energy (shell with Hollow-charge). These two models can also be remotorized with engine 6TDF, able to provide 1000 cv.

Employment

This model of tank remained a long time secret, the Westerners often confused it with the T-72, more rustic. It was never deployed abroad, except in Chetchnia at the time of the two conflicts, and there still of limited number.

The the USSR held it only for its units of elite, the tank regiments independent and those of armor-plated divisions of the guard, which were held ready in GDR to tackle the forces of NATO; the remainder of the Red Army having to be satisfied with T-72 or even with T-62 and modernized T-55. In the event of conflict in Western Europe in the Years 1970 and 1980, it would have probably been a frightening adversary for all the Western tanks. There remains very able once modernized, like one makes the Ukrainians, with the T-64U. It is reasonable to then regard it as as dangerous as the T-80 or the T-84.

T-64 does not divide many the defects of the T-72, even if it is often confused with this tank. Indeed:

  • the automatic, hydraulic and nonelectric charger, is much faster (the cycle of loading hard from 6 to 13 seconds) and reliable, less sensitive to the jolts during displacements in cross-country. It has especially a mode of shooting in sequence which supplies the gun out of shell of the same type in a time lower than 5 seconds. It is also able in the modern versions to turn in opposite direction, making it possible to preserve a good rate of shooting even at the end of the charger.
  • its control seems much less testing for the crews, because of assisted orders and of a more flexible suspension.
  • the ammunition are transported to low of the well of turret, seriously decreasing the risks of destruction of the tank by a detonation of its own shells.
  • the shielding, excel from the beginning and constantly given on level, remains able (with the deployment of reactive shielding) to stop modern shells.
  • the fire control system of the version B is very modern.
  • the tourelleau of the chief of tank has good equipment of vision, the anti-aircraft machine-gun can be employed under the shielding, it is also possible for him to take priority on the pointing of the gun in the event of urgency.

However he suffers from two traditional defects of the Soviet tanks:

  • the weakness of the pointing of the gun in negative site, -6°, prohibits to him many positions of shooting in procession with against slope, handicapping it in the situations of defense.
  • the exiguous character of the compartments of the crew, which prevents his use by personnel of big size, outside obliges the use of trunks for storage, and makes tiring the long missions of combat.

Alternatives

  • prototype of 1957 gun D-10T of 100 mm, Shielding of glacis 120 mm, driving Object 430 4TPD of 580 cv, 36 tons.

  • Object 430U project armed with a gun of 122 mm, shielding of glacis 160 Misters
  • Object 432 or T-64 , prototype of 1961 with a D-68 gun of 115 mm, then initial version of production with the same armament, approximately 600 produced specimens.
  • Object 436 alternate version of object 432 motorized by V-45, built in three specimens.
  • Object 443R or T 64R recasting carried out between 1977 and 1981 of the external equipment of T-64 to standard T-64A.
  • Object 434 or T-64A , gun of 125 mm equipped with armor-plated the skirts known as Gill , with a sight modified and a shock absorber on the fourth wheel of road.
  • T-64T experimental alternative of 1963, with a Gas turbine GTD-3TL of 700 cv.
  • Object 438 and Object 439 434 motorized by diesel V-45 .
  • Object 446 or T-64AK version of command appeared in 1972, with a radio R-130M and its telescopic aerial of 10 m, a navigation system TNA-3 and without anti-aircraft machine-gun, it embarks 38 shells.
  • Object 447 or T-64B , shielding redrawn, fire control system 1A33, capacity of shooting of the 9K112 “Kobra” (code NATO “AT-8 Songster”), gun 2A46-2, stabilizer 2A26M, charger 6EZ40.
  • Object 437 or T-64B1 identical to the precedent but without the inspecting device of shooting 9K112, it embarks 37 shells.
  • Object 446B or T-64BK and T-64B1K versions of command, with a radio R-130M and its telescopic aerial of 10 m, a navigation system TNA-3, without anti-aircraft machine-gun, they embark 28 shells. They also have a reactive shielding Kontakt and smoke-producing grenade throwers on the left of the turret.
  • Object 476 five prototypes remotorized with engine 6TDF.
  • Object 447AM-2 or T-64BM2 reactive shielding Kontakt-5 and skirts of protection out of rubber, fire control system 1A43U, charger 6AZ43 and possibility of firing the missile 9K119 (code NATO “AT-11A Sniper”), driving 5TDFM of 850 cv.
  • Object 447AM-1 or T-64U Ukrainian modernization, bringing tanks T-64B to the standard of the T-84, reactive shielding Kontakt-5, missile 9K120 Refleks B (code NATO “AT-11 Sniper”), fire control system 1A45 “Irtysh”, sight TKN-4S (chief of tank), PZU-7 (anti-aircraft), vision of night TPN-4E “Buran-E”, driving 6TDF of 1000 cv.
  • BREM-64 vehicle of derived breakdown service.

Modernizations

  • T-64
    • put at the standard T 64R between 1977 and 1981, reorganization of the external equipment to the imitation of the T-64A.
  • T-64A/AK
    • recasting of 1972, improvement of the fire control system (TPD-2-49 and TPN-1-49-23), appearance of electric machine-gun NSVT on tourelleau, radio R-123M.
    • recasting of 1975, new stabilizer 2E28M, charger 6AZ10M, multi-fuel engine, gun 2A46-1 and sight of night TNPA-65.
    • recasting of 1981, two batteries of six smoke-producing grenade throwers 902A, rubber skirts on the suspension instead of Gill protection.
    • T-64AM , T-64AKM , certain specimens of all the series remotorized with engine 6TDF at the time of maintenance actions.

  • T-64B/B1/BK/B1K

    • recasting of 1981,2 groups of 4 smoke-producing grenade throwers 902B, gun 2A26M1.
    • T-64BM , T-64B1M , T-64BMK and T-64B1MK , certain specimens of all the series remotorized with engine 6TDF at the time of maintenance actions.
    • T-64BV , T-64B1V , T-64BVK and T-64B1VK reactive shielding Kontakt, grenade throwers smoke-producing on the left of the turret.

Technical information (T-64BV)

Dimensions

  • Length (gun forwards): 9,295 Mr.
  • Length (case): 6,54 Mr.
  • Width: 3,6 Mr.
  • Height: 2,17 Mr.
  • Mass: 42,4 T.

Crew

three men:
  • chief of conducting tank
  • gunner

Propulsion

Developing 700 cv with 2800 turns/min, consumption 170 to 200 Liter S for 100 km.
  • Transmission: two side gear boxes with seven reports/ratios before and a back.
  • Three inboard tanks containing 740 Liter S of fuel, two on the guards muds them with 140 Liter cylindrical S and two cans larguables of 200 Liter S each one, on the extreme back of the case.

Performances

  • maximum speed on road: 60,5 km/h.
  • maximum speed in cross-country: 35 km/h.
  • ratio of power: 16,2 cv/T.
  • autonomy: 500 km and 700 km with tanks larguables.
  • pressure on the ground: 0,9 kg/Cm ².
  • capacity of guéer with 1,8 m without preparation and with 5 m with its Shnorkel S.
  • crosses a trench of 2,8 m broad.
  • crossing of a vertical obstacle of 0,8 m.
  • maximum slope 30 °.

Armament

  • gun with smooth heart of 125 mm 2A46M-1 (D-81TM) with charger carousel 6EZ-40 of 28 blows, gives rhythm shooting with 8 blows per minute, 36 blows embarked (8 X 9K-112 “Kobra” or, according to code NATO: “AT-8 Songster”, 28 shells). The embarked shells are all with load separate and stabilized by wings, are available:
    • of anti-personnel (APERS) of the models 3VOF-36, 3OVF-22 able thanks to a detonator with three positions to be more or less perforating and the grapeshot 3USh-3 box projecting approximately 4700 balls of steel, mortals with 500 Mr.
    • of the shells arrows (APFSDS), 3VBM-17 or 3VBM-19 or older having an additional expenditure giving them an initial speed of almost 1800 m/s.
    • of the shells with Hollow-charge, 3VBK-25 or 3VBK-21.
  • Machine-gun coaxial PKT of 7,62 mm with 1250 blows.
  • machine-gun anti-aircraft NSVT of 12,7 mm with 300 blows, usable of the interior.
  • 6 mortar S smoke-producing 902B “Tutscha-2” on the left side of the turret.

Equipment

  • fire control system 1A33, with:
    • the case of radio operator guidance of the missiles 9K112 Kobra (code NATO “AT-8 Songster”) launched by the gun.
    • the hydraulic stabilizer 2E28M (vertical field of fire -5°20' with +15°15')
    • the sight of day of the gunner 1G46 with Laser Rangefinder built-in.
    • the sight of Infra-red night TPN-1-49-23 to active.
    • infra-red projector L2G on the left of the gun for the illumination.
    • the Ballistic calculator 1V517.
    • the anemometric probe 1B-11.

  • the tourelleau with electric drives of the chief of tank equipped with:

    • the sight combined day harms PKN-4S allowing the shooting of the armament pricipal and the observation of the battle field on 360°.
    • anti-aircraft sight PZU-6
    • the electric stabilizer 2 axes 2Z20 (vertical field of fire -3° with +70°)

  • a vision of night TPN-3-49 or TPN-4 and TVN-4 for the driver.

  • a radio R-173M.

  • a Protection NBC, with detectors of radiations PAZ and a generalized overpressure of the cockpit.
  • a blade allowing to prepare its positions of shooting.
  • Two Schnorkel S for the crossing of Fleuve to a depth of 5 Mètre S.
  • a system of Déminage KMT-6 can be gone up with the front one.

Protection

  • composite shielding in three layers known as formula K , a thickness varying from 450 to 20 mm:
    • before case: 120 mm of steel, 105 mm of glass fibers and 40 mm of steel.
    • sides of the case: 80 mm of steel.
    • before turret: 150 mm of steel, 150 mm of glass fibers and 40 mm of steel.
  • of the side skirts in rubber protecting the top from the suspension.
  • cover with reactive bricks of the Kontact-1 type, on:
    • before and sides of the turret
    • the glâcis
    • side skirts

External bonds

  • site in German
  • site in German on the fire control system
  • site in German on the automatic charger of English the gun
  • site of the manufacturer Morosov
  • site in English
  • site in English

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