BrutalCroat42
T-90A
When Kontakt-5 ERA was first seen on the T-80 in the 1980’s, it posed a serious concern for NATO and has been improved over the years to a 3rd generation which is used on the T-90. However the US developed the M829A2 & M829A3 APFSDS rounds which can defeat this type of ERA as can the Challenger 2‘s CHARM-3 and the rounds developed for the Leopard 2 A6. Thou Russia has reported to developed newer and more effective ERA, non has entered serial production and has only ever been seen on tank prototypes. The T-90 uses a composite type mix of aluminum and plastics, over its frontal arc, however the heavy use by Russia of such ERA would indicate that the T-90’s “composite” armor is not effective nor comparable to Western tanks like the Challenger 2‘s composite armor.
On the 20th of October 1999 Russia held trials at the TsNIIO 643a Testing Grounds to test the armor of the T-90 & T-80U. The outcome of the tests showed that the RPG-29 which can penetrate 750mm RHA could not only penetrate the frontal composite armor but also the Kontakt-5 ERA. However the RPG-7 with an advanced PG-7VR tandem warhead which can penetrate 650mm RHA could not penetrate the frontal armor. An unspecified APFSDS round could not penetrate both the Kontakt-5 & composite, but could penetrate it when not equipped with Kontakt-5.
The vehicle uses an autoloader which is fed by a carousel which can store a total of 22 rounds, such as APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FRAG. The commander can operate the NSV 12.7mm MG mounted on the turret roof from under armor and the vehicle uses a coaxial 7.62mm MG. The vehicle uses the Ainet fuse setting system, which works with the laser range finder so HE-FRAG rounds can be detonated at a specific distance.
The Fire Control System originally used TO1-KO1 BURAN PNK-4S/SR AGAT day and night sighting system but now use the PNK-4S/SR AGAT system. The gunner uses the 1G46 day sighting system and the driver users a TVN-5 day and night sight.
Every MBT has a unique attribute or capability and the T-90’s is its Shtora-1 countermeasure suite. Though some other tanks use some similar functions, the T-90 is the first and only one to standardize such a capable system. If you can imagine Anti-Tank troops or vehicles trying to attack a T-90, they point their launcher at the tank and lock on its laser designator. The four sensors mounted on the T-90 detects the laser and alerts the crew, the turret is immediately traversed so the more heavily armored front is facing the threat. The two infrared jammers (each a box mounted on either side of the main gun) activate jamming the guidance system and preventing a lock on. The crew can then engage the target to neutralize it with the main gun. If the jammers aren’t effective, it can launch aerosol grenades which deflect lasers and optics of the launcher. The vehicle also a complete NBC system in the fighting compartment.
In 1995 the Russian Defense Ministry decided that it could no longer fund the production of the T-72 at Uralvagonzavod and the T-80 at Kirov. The T-80 had not performed well in the First Chechen War and was too expensive to run as was manufacturing two tanks, the T-72 & T-80. The ministry only wanted to operate one single principal tank and the T-90 was chosen to for fill that role while the development of a new principal tank continued.
T-90A
When Kontakt-5 ERA was first seen on the T-80 in the 1980’s, it posed a serious concern for NATO and has been improved over the years to a 3rd generation which is used on the T-90. However the US developed the M829A2 & M829A3 APFSDS rounds which can defeat this type of ERA as can the Challenger 2‘s CHARM-3 and the rounds developed for the Leopard 2 A6. Thou Russia has reported to developed newer and more effective ERA, non has entered serial production and has only ever been seen on tank prototypes. The T-90 uses a composite type mix of aluminum and plastics, over its frontal arc, however the heavy use by Russia of such ERA would indicate that the T-90’s “composite” armor is not effective nor comparable to Western tanks like the Challenger 2‘s composite armor.
On the 20th of October 1999 Russia held trials at the TsNIIO 643a Testing Grounds to test the armor of the T-90 & T-80U. The outcome of the tests showed that the RPG-29 which can penetrate 750mm RHA could not only penetrate the frontal composite armor but also the Kontakt-5 ERA. However the RPG-7 with an advanced PG-7VR tandem warhead which can penetrate 650mm RHA could not penetrate the frontal armor. An unspecified APFSDS round could not penetrate both the Kontakt-5 & composite, but could penetrate it when not equipped with Kontakt-5.
The vehicle uses an autoloader which is fed by a carousel which can store a total of 22 rounds, such as APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FRAG. The commander can operate the NSV 12.7mm MG mounted on the turret roof from under armor and the vehicle uses a coaxial 7.62mm MG. The vehicle uses the Ainet fuse setting system, which works with the laser range finder so HE-FRAG rounds can be detonated at a specific distance.
The Fire Control System originally used TO1-KO1 BURAN PNK-4S/SR AGAT day and night sighting system but now use the PNK-4S/SR AGAT system. The gunner uses the 1G46 day sighting system and the driver users a TVN-5 day and night sight.
Every MBT has a unique attribute or capability and the T-90’s is its Shtora-1 countermeasure suite. Though some other tanks use some similar functions, the T-90 is the first and only one to standardize such a capable system. If you can imagine Anti-Tank troops or vehicles trying to attack a T-90, they point their launcher at the tank and lock on its laser designator. The four sensors mounted on the T-90 detects the laser and alerts the crew, the turret is immediately traversed so the more heavily armored front is facing the threat. The two infrared jammers (each a box mounted on either side of the main gun) activate jamming the guidance system and preventing a lock on. The crew can then engage the target to neutralize it with the main gun. If the jammers aren’t effective, it can launch aerosol grenades which deflect lasers and optics of the launcher. The vehicle also a complete NBC system in the fighting compartment.
In 1995 the Russian Defense Ministry decided that it could no longer fund the production of the T-72 at Uralvagonzavod and the T-80 at Kirov. The T-80 had not performed well in the First Chechen War and was too expensive to run as was manufacturing two tanks, the T-72 & T-80. The ministry only wanted to operate one single principal tank and the T-90 was chosen to for fill that role while the development of a new principal tank continued.