Morozov Design Bureau (KhKBM) - Ukraine

The Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau is a leading design bureau engaged in designing and upgrading main battle tanks and prime movers, and nowadays has become one of the world's leading firms engaged in designing and upgrading the main battle tanks and tracked engineer vehicles.

The product range of the Design Bureau includes such well-known vehicles as the BT series tanks, the T-34 tank, which was the most numerous and best tank of the Second World War, the Voroshilovets and AT-T prime movers. High technical level of these vehicles was proved by their long service with the army and participation in combat engagements. Relative simplicity and reliability of their design combined with high technical characteristics made their volume production and wide operational use possible.

Over the years the enterprise has gained a wide experience in designing and creating military armured vehicles, embodied in modern products of the Design Bureau.

The main achievements of the KMDB are the T-80UD, Oplot and Yatagan main battle tanks, MT-T carrier prime mover and engineer vehicles based on its chassis, as well as sophisticated computer-based training aids. The KMDB is also engaged in developing upgrade packages for various armoured vehicles.

The Kharkov Morozov Design Bureau (KhKBM) has developed the T-84 MBT (all its component parts are manufactured in Ukraine) which is one of the best tanks of the third generation. The tank features an engine developing 1,200 hp, thermal image sight, rolled steel turret of all-welded construction, and improved transmission. Side by side with developing new tank designs, the Kharkov Morozov Design Bureau has developed, manufactured and tested upgraded versions of the T-72 (designated the T-72AG and T72 MP) and T-55AG tanks.

The T-84 main battle tank is one of the most modern tanks embodying the recent achievements in the field of machine-building, engine-building, artillery, radio and electronics, materials science.

The tank, apart from having high firepower, protection and mobility characteristics, is able to operate in all climatic zones within the temperature range of -40 to + 55°C. Its distinguishing features include the ability to fire both conventional ammunition and guided missiles, the capability of crossing water obstacles to a water depth of 1.8 m without preparation, availability of self-entrenching devices and the Varta optronic countermeasures system. The tank is also fitted with attachment points for installation of a mine-clearing system. Two-stroke multi-fuel turbo-piston diesel engine develops 1,200 hp and ensures high mobility including high speed of cross-country running.

The KMDB of today is an enterprise with a full range of capabilities which designs and manufactures prototype vehicles as well as testing them. The Design Bureau has a staff of a highly qualified design engineers, its own production facilities, equipped with all major equipment required for tank production. The Design Bureau possesses a field trial lot with a proving ground where firepower and automotive characteristics of the vehicles can be determined by trials. The research and test facilities with a large number of special-purpose test-benches make it possible to test and improve all main assemblies and systems of tanks and other military tracked vehicles. Due to it, the testing and final elaboration periods in general are considerably shortened.

Mastering of sophisticated armament and military vehicles in army units is impossible without modern training aids. Developments of the KMDB in this field include integrated operating models describing the general layout of the tank, commander and gunner training simulators, driver training simulator, wall posters, charts and stands.

Apart from designing military tracked vehicles, the enterprise does a lot of work in designing machines and vehicles for civil use. For example, the KGS-25 crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 25 t and the BG-1 bulldozer with a traction capacity of up to 20 tonnes have been designed on the basis of the MT-T prime mover and put into series production. The Design Bureau has also designed equipment for sugar industry and the BZM-1M drill setting machine for thin coal layer mining. The KMDB has designed and manufactures production equipment for non-ferrous metallurgy.

KhKBM is a diversified organization equipped to design, manufacture, and test prototypes of armored combat materiel. It has a staff of highly qualified design engineers, modern production facilities, and a proving range where newly manufactured vehicles can be tested in the field. The bureau's research base, which includes a comprehensive set of test benches, allows it to perform timely and reliable tests on design innovations of battle tanks and their tracked derivatives, thus considerably reducing their testing and updating.