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Why and how the tanks were T-64, T-72 and T-80. Part 3

Why and how the tanks were T-64, T-72 and T-80. Part 3

At the stage of formation of the T-64 due to difficulties in its final design began as a technical, and organizational confrontation. Supporters became less, I am beginning to mature serious opposition. Despite the adoption of a resolution on the production of T-64 at all plants, at Uralvagonzavod tank under the guise of mobilization tried to create his own version, as opposed to T-64.

By the time the documentation for the backup version of the tank (an object 435), which was developed and tested in KMDB, It was transferred to the Uralvagonzavod. Her carefully analyzed, obtained was evaluated in the tests and observations have studied their solutions.

Emphasis was placed on a simplified version of the tank and on the maximum use of existing or spent assemblies and systems for upgrading a failed attempt to T-62. It was like the work of aircraft designers Tupolev and Myasishcheva. The first created the planes, relying on its own backlog and experience of competitors, and the second to create everything from scratch and do not always succeed.

Given the problems of T-64 engine, MOH and running, installed exhaust engine B-45 power 730 HP. with fan cooling, autoloader with conveyor boeukladki and more powerful chassis. Observations were recorded at T 64, to limit simplified design often with decreasing the performance characteristics of the tank and provided with higher reliability.

The first samples were created alteration of T-64, then they began to make their prototyping and test samples. Make changes in T-64 documentation forbidden. With me was the case in the early 70s, Then came a letter from Uralvagonzavod with a request to eliminate the detected error in the drawing. My boss has forbidden me to do it with words: "We ourselves will solve this problem".

Military support this work, It was made up to two dozen tanks, held factory and military tests. So there was a tank "Object 172", not as a new tank, and mobilization of T-64 variant.

Why and how the tanks were T-64, T-72 and T-80. Part 3 The main battle tank T-64 sample 1967 of the year

The two razunifitsirovannyh tank finally appeared, developed by the TTT to tank T-64. In accordance with the directives of the mass production of T-64 should be arranged on three plants, and T-72 it does not fit. On this issue, the Ministry of Defense leadership, Defense Ministry, CC and the MIC had the two groups.

Higher party and state management and Ministers maintained T-64, and leaders in the lower GBTU, MIC CC and guided by the T-72. Generally covert struggle these two groups resolved in unexpected ways, creating a problem for many decades.

In an order of mass production of the T-64 has been prepared for the resolution on the establishment of production facilities. This ruling was preparing MIC employee Kostenko.

I had to meet with him several times over the Kremlin wall in the development of "Boxer" tank, and he always tried to delve deeply into the issue in question.

Kostenko was part of a group of people, defended the idea of ​​staging mass production of the T-72. In his book "Tanks (Memories and Reflections)"He describes in detail this episode.

This group has set the goal to prepare documents, distorting its essence, indirectly hold a decision on mass production of T-72. Give a word Kostenko:

«Nevertheless, supporters of the "Object 172" appeared in the Ministry of Defense, and in the Ministry of Defense Industry, and the State Planning Commission (in the MIC and the Central Committee - also). There were not many, every "office" they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. It gradually formed a group of like-minded people, in which each act within their personal capabilities and official authority, without advertising while "object 172"».

They chose and time of its signing, when their opponents went on vacation: Ustinov (Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee), Zverev (Minister of Defense Industry). Dmitriev (way. Head of the Department of Defense Industry of the Central Committee of the CPSU) and Kuzmin (Head of Land Forces Armament MIC). As I noted Kostenko, "The absence of the first persons had in the situation with the project decisions of special importance".

They forged public document so, what: «reading such, any, It is not dedicated to the subtleties in the heart of the matter, not my (even after reading the full text of the decision) imagine, that the purpose of this decision was to ensure in 1969-1971 Uralvagonzavod's creation on the CTZ and production capacity, makes 1 January 1972 year to begin serial production of the new tanks "object 172».

Particularly, he admires, they are all beautifully done: «first, second, third page - but I reached the place, which was the point of the tank mobvariante. This item has disappeared from the text! Instead, it has a new, formally changed the essence of the decision. A new paragraph has been recorded, Ministry of the Defense that is released from the job for the serial production of T-64 on UVZ».

So in May 1970 year there was a resolution "On measures on creation of capacities for the production of T-64 tanks", but actually on the preparation of serial production of T-72 tanks. Through the efforts of a number of senior officials and military decision was carried out, contrary to the general line government approved in tank to create a single T-64. This document is contrary to the interests of the state allowed to run into production two virtually identical tank.

AT 1972 he was released the initial batch of T-72 tanks, held factory and military tests, and in August 1973 , the tank was accepted for service. It was the first not entirely neat strike on Morozov, not allow him to realize the idea of ​​creating a single tank.

In parallel with the work on the equipment tank T-64 engine B-45 were performed on LB installation work on the tank capacity GTD-3L 800 HP. On altered T-64 were installed TBG. tests have shown, that the suspension does not stand up when a significant change in dynamic loads, and LB started to develop and test its own version of the running.

As a result of the test cycle has been proved in principle the possibility of creating a tank with GTE. According to the results of this work in June 1969 years beyond the resolution of the CC CPSU and the Council of Ministers on the establishment of a gas turbine power plant for tank T-64. Organization of serial production tank T-64 with a CCD is provided on LB.

AT 1972 It was carried out comparative testing of three army tanks T-64, T-72 and T-80. Tests showed approximately equal characteristics tanks, but a decision on their fate was not accepted.

Why and how the tanks were T-64, T-72 and T-80. Part 3 The main battle tank T-72 "Ural" sample 1973 of the year

By mid 70s saga T-72 began to subside, but turns the other, a turbine T-80. With the appointment of the Minister of Defense Ustinov amplified Romanov and Ryabov position in the political elite of the country and with the support of the tank begins punching with GTD.

At this time KMDB efforts have been focused on building the crew compartment of the T-64B with a fundamentally new "Ob" fire control systems and complexes "Cobra" guided weapons, Lets get serious separation from the other tanks firepower.

Considering, that the T-80 is seriously lagging behind in all parameters from the T-64B, he decided to seriously "strengthen" a very original way. During the factory testing T-64B (I was a participant in these trials) with one tank is removed and placed on a tower housing a T-80, and all the other tests have been held, as it were, two different T-64B and T-80B.

According to test results in 1976 was adopted adopted two tanks. So, in addition to the already sagging T-72 gets a start in life and the T-80B, even with the most advanced at that time armament. It was the second strike on Morozov, after which he retired.

understanding, that three tanks "so you can not go on", Ustinov organized in 1976 , the most powerful military tests of three tanks, as they were called, "Cockroach races". Based on the results of T-64 and T-80 were approximately equal, and T-72 from behind them. Test report I repeatedly read, It surprised no reasoned dissenting opinion Venediktov, that T-72 deserves better estimate.

According to the test results at the top of the decision to promote the T-80 in the same way the original. We resolved of two T-64B and T-80B make one. December 1976 years beyond the decision to create a single MIC improved T-80U. The head of the tank LB, developing a body with power of GTD 1200 hp, and KMDB - fighting compartment with the new weapons complex. This tank was planned to start mass production in Leningrad, Omsk and Kharkov.

Work on 6TD in Kharkov were virtually banned, and the decision of the Central Committee and the Council of Ministers started construction of a factory in Kharkov for the production of a new turbine engine for T-80U. Construction of the plant without waste documentation GTE was a gamble. The factory was built almost, We have already started to book the most complicated equipment, cost is unimaginable money. As a result, GTD has not developed, everything was thrown to the wind, and for the wanton use of the funds has not been answered.

Joint development and LB KMDB T-80U tank on the basis of the available capacity of TBG 1000 HP. and the impact of the new "Irtysh" complex controlled by laser beam weapons "Reflex" was successfully completed, and after the tests in December 1984 , the tank was accepted for service.

After his death in 1984 Ustinov year and leaving the political Olympus Romanova, promotes the idea of ​​a gas turbine tank, Priorities become dramatically change. All of a sudden see the light: makes no sense to promote the tank with the engine problem GTD 6TD the presence of the same capacity!

Also in 1976 year on the basis of capacity 6TD 1000 HP. tank modernization project T-64B was designed (an object 476), but it was postponed, as it was told to deal with T-80U. I started having problems with GTD made in June 1981 adopted a resolution on the development of the T-80U with 6TD. This "object 476" with "Leningrad" chassis.

Tests of this tank were successfully conducted at Kubinka. In September 1985 year shall be armed with tanks T-80UD with 6TD power 1000 HP. (an object 478). After almost ten years back still to the tank with a two-stroke engine!

Why and how the tanks were T-64, T-72 and T-80. Part 3 Main Battle Tank T-80UD "Birch" sample 1985 of the year

In this multi-year saga promotion tank with GTE came to the finish line. It turned, that this is no technical prerequisites. Tank T-80UD serially produced in Kharkov, all were released about 700 tanks. As recalled Head GBTU Potapov, It has been prepared and approved a draft resolution on the gradual transition of all the plants in the production of T-80UD , but Union collapsed, tank and proved abroad.

T-80UD and T-72 had unexpectedly demonstrate its advantages have other conditions. AT 1996-1999 years, Ukraine supplied to Pakistan 320 T-80UD, while his main opponent, India, exploited tanks T-72. Reviews in those countries of the tanks were not in favor of the latter.

In conclusion, what, if during the period of 1968-1973 years. there was intense competition T-64 and T-72, in 1975-1985,. - T-64 and T-80. It happened, what after 1973 , the T-72 went by the wayside. All new developments somehow avoided by Uralvagonzavod, on modifications to these tanks took root basically the, that it has been tested in the T-64 and T-80. Why is this happening, I do not understand, but it took place.

By many estimates, T-64, T-72 and T-80 and their modifications are tanks one generation, approximately equal TTX. They are equipped with the same weapons, but razunifitsirovany the conditions of production and exploitation. You can find out for a long time, which one is better, but there is no doubt, their concept laid Morozov.

Gone for decades, and disputes about this generation of tanks do not cease. In these disputes, we sometimes cross the line, where it ends objectivity. Therefore, all of us, especially my colleagues from Nizhny Tagil, We should be more balanced, objectively approach the tank estimates. I also allowed myself sometimes harsh judgments, not always objective. It does not do us honor. We were doing a common cause, we have much to be proud of!

At all costs the formation of their tanks, of course, it was necessary to develop, manufactured and tested. According to the results of tests to make objective and fair conclusions and left in mass production one, as it envisaged. But the heads of state, industry and the military does not have the courage to stop and take decisions in the interests of the state and army.

It has long been time to create a new generation of tanks, taking into account the experience of the creation of the previous generation of tanks and unfinished project to create a "Boxer" promising tank. Now the "Armata" project out of the tank to the finish line, and there is something to discuss, but there is little information.

The purpose of this article was not to study the characteristics of tanks, this has long been done. The main attention was paid to the creation of this generation of tanks and circumstances, influencing the adoption of crucial decisions. I wanted to show, how difficult and ambiguous went tank formation: in fact on their progress influenced not only the technical characteristics, and other considerations, far from equipment.

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