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Military


T-64 - Variants

The production models of the T-64 developed by the N. Shomin design bureau were preceded by a number of prototypes that differed primarily in turret front and hull designs. Developed by the Design Bureau of the Kharkov Plant of Transport Engineering (KhZTM), chief designer A.A. Morozov, development started in 1958 Production and testing of prototypes "object 430" - 1960 Development of improved prototypes - " object 432" and "object 434" started in 1962. A small series for military testing of the pre-production model T-64 / "object 432" was released in 1964. In the same year, 20 T-64A tanks / "object 434" were produced for testing. Tank adopted for service under the name T-64 ("object 432") in 1967. Several sources identified a particular vehicle that was used for tests and became known as the T-67. This vehicle, probably originally identified in some very poor quality films of a winter exercise conducted in 1970, was most probably the base model T-64. This new tank was given the provisional designation of M1970, and has since been referred to as both the "T-70" and the "Dvina Tank" (after the March 1970 Dvina exercise in the Byelorussian Military District). Since the first views of the T-64 were of very poor quality (the tanks were most likely misidentified as developments of the T-62), various speculative designations were attached to this new tank. Once better quality photographs became available, it was obvious that the tank in question was much more than a modified T-62.

The many reported teething problems that have been associated with the T-64 over the years are probably a result of the problems encountered with the Base Model of the tank. These problems primarily concerned the tank's automotive performance, although reports have appeared about problems with the ground-breaking and innovative automatic loading system as well. Throughout the serial production, the MBT has been constantly improved by equipping it with improved means of protection, more modern weapons and on-board equipment.

  • T-64R -- initial production model armed with 115-mm D-68 smoothbore gun. It is believed that 600 were built, but none remain in service.
  • T-64 -- initial production version with the 125-mm smoothbore gun, with most subsequently rebuilt to the T-64A configuration. The T-64 Base Model; which has also been referred to as the T-67, M1970, "T-70," and the "Dvina Tank." There had been some speculation concerning the main gun mounted on this tank. What was originally thought to be the same U-5T 115mm main gun from the T-62, is now belived to be a shorter version of the standard 125mm main gun. According to International Defense Review, the T-64 Base Model is recognizable by the infantry handrails mounted on the left and right side of the turret, and by the tool stowage box mounted on the right front fender. On later models of the T-64, this stowage box was replaced by a standard fender-mounted fuel tank.
  • T-64A -- improvements include a modified sight for the gunner and smoke grenade launchers. This was a further development of the T-64 tank by means of improvement of the engine systems and running gear. Initially, the Soviet MBT was equipped with a 115-mm smoothbore gun, but already on the first modification of the T-64A, a more solid 125-mm D-81 gun with an automated loading mechanism and a heat-insulating casing was installed. The infantry handrails have now been eliminated, and the standard fender-mounted fuel tank is fitted. Initially, this model of the T-64 was fitted with four spring-loaded armor plates on each side of the hull. When deployed, these plates would stick out from the hull at a 45 degree angle and were intended to provide some protection against enemy High Explosive Antitank (HEAT) warheads. These plates gave the tank a unique appearance and were labeled as "gill armor." The T-64A went through several modification programs that included the replacement of the gill armor with full length non-metalic hull skirts, and the mounting of various patterns of smoke grenade launchers on the turret.
  • T-64LRF -- The most significant modification done was certainly the replacement of the original optical coincidence rangefinder with a laser rangefinder (LRF). This modification can be identified by the wider gunner's primary sight (GPS) protective box or "doghouse" with a much larger frontal glass area. This modification included the retention of the optical rangefinder "ear" that was required by the coincidence rangefinder on the right side of the turret roof. After the addition of the laser rangefinder, however, the right side optic was covered and sealed. With the new rangefinder the modified T-64A was given the designation T-64LRF thus becoming the fourth variant of the T-64 series.
  • T-64K -- command version of the T-64. This model is identified by the presence of an additional radio antenna-base mounted in front of the commander's position, the lack of an antiaircraft machinegun at the commander's position, and an additional storage tube for the new antenna mast fitted to the turret bustle box. When the ten meter tall antenna mast is mounted on the turret roof, the tank is immobilized by the mast support cables required to hold it in place. The T-64K is normally used by both battalion and regimental commanders and will not be found below battalion level. Apparently, the T-64K is solely based upon the T-64A since this variant has been seen with both T-64B1 and T-64B equipped units.
  • T-64AK -- Manufactured on the basis of the T-64A tank was a commander's model of the T-64A.
  • T-64A (rebuild) -- rebuilt T-64 or T-64A incorporating the new improvements found on the later T-64 models.
  • T-64AM (1983) - in the course of modernization, a new cast turret with ceramic filler is installed. In domestic sources on tanks of the T-64A / AK / AKM type, it is reported that protection was provided against any shells of 105 mm foreign guns at distances of more than 500 m. Designed by KMDB im. A.A. Morozov, the modernization was carried out at the repair plants of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Technical documentation for the modernization of serial tanks T-64A, T-64AK, T-64B and T-64B-1 during the overhaul with the installation of the 6TD engine, etc. was approved on 01/25/1979. 0262 dated December 21, 1981 under the brands T-64AM, T-64AKM, T-64BM and T-64B-1M. Serial production of tanks of these types was not carried out, modernization was carried out during major repairs starting from 1983 (December 1983) in limited volumes. According to other data, the tank was put into service in December 1983. A new 6TD diesel engine and a new cast turret with ceramic filler were installed. Equipment and weapons are similar to the T-64A.
  • T-64B -- An important milestone in the development of this tank is the appearance of the T-64B modification. This machine received a guided weapon system and a 1A33 fire control system, which was 1.6 times more effective than the previous product mounted on the T-64A. The T-61B is the next variant in the series and has also been produced in large numbers. The T-64B has the capability to fire the radio-frequency (RF) guided AT-8 NATO codename "Songster" ATGM. The Soviets apparently refer to this missile as the KOBRA. The AT-8 is a two-piece missile that is carried in the tank just like the conventional 125mm ammunition. When the missile is loaded by the automatic loader, the two sections are joined in the cannon's breach and then fired. In 1971, the FCS and guns were changed from 2A26 to 2A46. She improved the barrel, chamber and bolt. By 1976, the T-64B appeared. In his armor, the proportions of steel and fiberglass in the hull were changed, the turret and its filling were changed. Instead of aluminum, they began to use ultra-porcelain (corundum) balls. This major redesign incorporating new hull and turret armor that was less bulky than the first generation Combination K armor on the T-64A while offering better protection. The T-64B also has a laser rangefinder. This was a further development of the T-64A tank by means of installing a more advanced fire control system and armament stabiliser, guided missile system, improving the protection level etc. The following versions of the tank were produced: T-64BK commander tank, T-64B1 tank without the guided missile system, and T-64BV tank fitted with add-on explosive reactive armour array. By 1984, tanks began to be equipped with Kontakt-1 reactive armor, and in 1987, the production of the tank was completely abandoned. The T-80UD was installed on the Kharkov conveyor. Since the appearance of the T-64B, the specific details concerning the AT-8 had been a well kept secret. The unification of Germany and the demise of the former East German Nationale Volksarmee (NVA), however, has proven to be an unprecedented source of information concerning Soviet weapons to include tank main gun-launched ATGMs.
  • T-64BV -- T-64B fitted with explosive reactive armor. The T-64BV (1985) has a set of hinged dynamic protection of 179 elements on the frontal and upper parts of the turret, the frontal part of the hull and on the side screens.
  • T-64B1 -- T-64As improved to the T-64B standard. This tank was paraded in Red Square in Moscow on 7 May 1985. Prior to the appearance of the Soviet T-80U premium tank on 9 May 1990, the T-64B1 was the only post World War Two premium tank to ever take part in that well documented annual parade. Sources identified the T-64B1 as a version of the T-64B that is "not fitted with the guidance equipment for the KOBRA (AT-8) guided missile system." The equipment in question consists of a small box housing the AT-8 Antitank Guided Missile (ATGM) guidance hardware which would be mounted on the right side of the turret roof in front of the tank commander's position. In place of this box, an "L-shaped" rail is fitted that may permit the mounting of the missile equipment if required. The T-64B1 is fitted with an LRF although the optical rangefinder "ear" has been eliminated completely. In parallel with the T-64B, until 1985, its simplified version was produced - the T-64B-1 tank without the 9K112 Cobra guided weapon system, but retaining the 1A33 fire control system. The release of the T-64B-1 modification without the Kobra guided weapon system was 18% lower in cost than the T-64B missile version, the website of the Russian Defense Ministry says. The military department emphasizes that the T-64B "was ahead of its time by decades, and the potential inherent in the car made it possible to create later Soviet tank-building combat vehicles." The T-64B1 was also the first T-64 variant photographed to be modified for the application of reactive armor. When elements of the 141st Tank Regiment, 13th Guards Tank Division, were photographed leaving Hungary as part of the reduction of Soviet forces in the Southern Group of Forces (SGF), T-64B1s were seen with the reactive armor fitted to the tanks.
  • T-64BM2 / "object 447AM-2" (1999, Ukraine) - the main tank, a variant of the modernization of the T-64 tanks, developed by the KMDB in the period from 1991 to 1999. 5TDF-M engine with a power of 850 hp, built-in dynamic protection developed by KMDBM, 9K119 guided weapon system, 1A43U "Ros" and TO1-KO1E sighting systems, 6ETs43 loading mechanism. Shown for the first time in the amount of 6 tanks at the parade on the Independence Day of Ukraine on August 24, 1999 (overhauled at tank repair plant No. 115, a model of built-in dynamic protection was installed). In 1999, according to unconfirmed reports, it was decided to upgrade the T-64A and T-64B tanks to the T-64BM2 level using the tank repair plants. Upgraded to T-64BM2 tanks in the amount of a company are shown at the parade in Kyiv on 08/24/2001.
  • T-64E (2010-2011, Ukraine ) - the main tank, a variant of deep modernization of serial T-64 tanks, developed by KMDB. The tank is offered for the Ukrainian army. First shown at a static exposition on May 9, 2011 in Kharkov. The tank is equipped with a set of active armor "Knife-2" / "Doublet" and 2 x 23 mm remote-controlled additional gun. Engine - 5TDFE in an "environmental" design with a capacity of 850 hp. Auxiliary power unit 10 kW, 24 volts
  • T-64R - upgraded to the level of T-64A T-64 tanks of the first releases ("object 432").
  • T-64T - gas turbine GTD-3TL (helicopter) with a capacity of 700 hp. T-64T was an experimental tank with a helicopter gas turbine engine, created at the KhZTM Design Bureau (chief designer - A.A. Morozov) in 1963 on the basis of the T-64 / "object 432" hull. Passed tests in 1963-1965. Not accepted for service, the characteristics are the same as those of the T-64 / "object 432".
  • T-64U / T-64BM "Bulat" - active armor "Warta", built-in dynamic armor "Knife".
  • "object 437" (1966) - an experimental tank, created on the basis of the hull and chassis of the T-64A / "object 434" with the installation of a 1215 mm D-85 gun with a new spherical shutter and the Kadr sighting system. Passed tests, not accepted for service.
  • "object 439" (until 1969) - a project of an experimental T-64A tank with a V-45 diesel engine.
  • "object 445" (1966) - an experimental tank, created on the basis of the hull and chassis of the T-64A / "object 434" with a V-45 diesel engine. The documentation was later transferred to the Uralvagonzavod software and, after adapting the technology, an "object 172" was developed on its basis. Passed tests, not accepted for service.
  • "object 476", T-64AM, T-64AKM, T-64BM / B1M - diesel 6TD with a capacity of 1000 hp. R&D on the development of a new engine compartment for the T-64A, T-64B and T-64B1 tanks with a 6TD engine was carried out by the KMDB in 1974-1979. By the decision of the collegium of the USSR Ministry of Defense of January 5, 1978 and the Ministry of Defense Industry of the USSR of July 26, 1978




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