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| T-90 |
T-90
The T-90 is a Russian third-generation main battle tank (MBT) derived from the T-
72, and is currently the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry. The successor to the T-72BM, the T-90 uses the tank gun and 1G46 gunner sights from the T-80U, a new engine, and thermal sights. Protective measures include Kontakt-5 ERA, laser warning receivers, Nakidkacamouflage, the EMT-7 electromagnetic pulse (EMP) creator for the destruction ofmagnetic mines[. and the Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. It is designed and built by Uralvagonzavod, in Nizhny Tagil , Russia
Development
By 1992, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it could no longer afford to manufacture two main battle tanks in parallel.. ] Since both the "quality" T-80U and the cheaper "quantity" T-72B were being built at different plants, and each plant was critical to the economy of its city, the government gave small orders to both.Omsk built five T-80Us and Nizhny Tagil built fifteen T-72s, and both built more in the hopes of winning large export orders. Nizhny Tagil had built a few T-72BMs, T-72Bs upgraded with a third generation add-on explosive reactive armour (ERA) called Kontakt-5, which was already in service on the T-80U.
To further improve the T-72's export prospects and its chances of being selected as Russia
The T-90 with an 840 hp (630 kW) engine went into low-level production in 1993, based on a prototype designated T-88. It features a new generation of Kontakt-5explosive reactive armor on its hull and turret. Of conventional layout, the T-90 represents a major upgrade to every system in the T-72, including the main gun. The T-90S have been identified as export model. The references to a T-90E appear to be unsubstantiated.. The T-90 is fitted with a "three-tiered" protection system: the first tier is the composite armour in the turret, second tier is third generationKontakt-5 ERA and third tier is a Shtora-1 countermeasures suite.
Models
§ T-90: Original production model.
§ T-90K: Command version of the T-90.
§ T-90E: Export version of T-90 MBT.
§ T-90A: Russian army version with welded turret, V-92S2 engine and ESSA thermal viewer. Sometimes called T-90 Vladimir.
§ T-90S: Export version of T-90A. Sometimes called T-90C (Cyrillic letter es looks like a Latin c). Tanks are found with two different turret armour arrays.
§ T-90SK: Command version of the T-90S. It differs in radio and navigation equipment and Ainet remote-detonation system for HEF rounds.
§ T-90S "Bhishma": modified T-90S in Indian service.
§ T-90M: It features new explosive reactive armour (ERA) Relikt, new 1,200 hp (890 kW) engine, new improved turret and composite armor, new gun, new thermal imaging Catherine-FC from THALES, an enhanced environmental control system supplied by Israel’s Kinetics Ltd for providing cooled air to the fighting compartment, integrated tactical system, satellite navigation and others.
Production and service history
A T-90 during a military exercise in Russia
The Russian Defence Ministry made a selection of a single Main Battle Tank (MBT) in 1995.. TheT-80 was more expensive and its delicate, fuel-hungry gas turbine engine provided a questionable advantage. It was also notorious for the poor showing of older T-80BV tanks in urban combat inChechnya.
By September 1995, some 107 T-90 tanks had been produced, located in the Siberian Military District. By mid-1996 some 107 T-90s had gone into service in the Far Eastern Military District.
1999 saw the appearance of a new model of T-90, featuring the fully welded turret of the Object 187 experimental MBT instead of the original T-90's cast turret. This new model is called "