T-64

History

The natural evolution of Soviet tank design after World War II culminated in the T-64 main battle tank. The T-64 demonstrated the qualities it had already demonstrated during the war as the successor to the T-34 - the T-54. The T-54 was further developed into the ABC capable T-55, and then the T-62 was developed as a more advanced option. However, the T-62 failed to surpass the T-54/T-55 series, either in combat capability or in pure production figures - a total of 22,000 units after an initial estimate of 85,000 to 100,000 units. As such, the T-55 is still in production, while the T-62 line has been discontinued.

Therefore, the T-64 can be considered the first real "main battle tank" of the Soviet Union (like the American M60). Development spanned from the early 1950s to around 1962, when the model was in service with the Red Army, and production began in 1963. Production continued until 1987, with approximately 8,000 to 13,000 examples delivered.

However, the T-64 was never officially sold, and was limited to the Red Army. Ultimately, the operators included Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan - largely due to the fall of the Soviet Empire and the transfer of stationed Soviet Army tanks to subsequent host countries.

The arrival of the T-64 directly affected the arrival of the improved American M60A3 production brand in response to the failed MBT-70 development.

The prototype of the T-64 is similar to the previous T-54/55/62 series. There are a number of notable exceptions to its design to differentiate it from earlier examples.

The five large wheels consistent with earlier Soviet tanks were eliminated and replaced by six small wheels on one side of the track. While previous designs did not have all track return rollers, the T-64 prototype included up to four in the upper track area.

The drive sprocket is now moved to the rear of the fuselage, with the chain idler in the front. The hull is suspended on an efficient and advanced torsion bar suspension system. The driver's position is now in the center of the front of the fuselage instead of the front left.

The turret is largely reminiscent of the T-62, with the initial weapon being the same 115mm smoothbore main gun (the previous T-62 design was the world's first main battle tank with a smoothbore main gun). The T-64's weapon is the D-68 (2A21 series), and a pair of snorkels can be deployed before entering water for an amphibious crossing. Ammunition totals 36 x 125mm projectiles and includes APFSDS, HEAT-FARG and HE-FRAG types as required. The minesweeper will be mounted on the forward fuselage.

Anti-infantry defense is provided by a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun in the turret. In response to threats from low-flying flight, the crew used 12.7mm NSVT series heavy machine guns mounted on top of the turret. Standard NBC protection is provided for the crew, as well as a fire suppression system. The armor protection can be up to 450mm thick and is made of a mixture of glass, plastic and steel.

The total weight is about 42 tons. An electro-hydraulic autoloader manages the reloading function of the main gun, while the crew is reduced to three - the commander, driver and gunner.

Not only does this save waiting time, but it increases internal volume, allowing for a smaller turret design and therefore a flatter external profile. Like the T-62, the T-64 includes two-axis stabilization for the main gun.

The aforementioned composite armor provided protection and was designed to counter the new 105mm guns found on Western tanks (explosive reactive armor blocks were eventually added to later T-64 production brands).

The engine of choice became a 700hp 5DTF diesel system, which significantly increased the performance of the vehicle (on and off-road) compared to the T-62. The engine is fueled by three internal fuel cells and reinforced by carrying an external discardable drum at the rear of the fuselage.

It has a range of 310 miles and a top speed of 37.5 mph.

In October 1963, the Malyshev plant in Kharkiv, Ukraine, ordered production of the T-64 series, the first models were all equipped with the designated 115mm smoothbore main gun system (without thermowell). The first production batch of about 600 T-64s followed, although the tank did not officially enter service until late 1966. The T-64 did not appear outside Russia until 1976, when it served with the Guards Panzer Division of the Soviet Army in East Germany.

It was later used in Hungary with the Russian army.

While continuing to produce the T-64, engineers worked on improving the shape to better meet the demands of the modern battlefield. Key to this new development was the large 125mm main gun of the D-81T series mounted on an autoloader (8 rounds per minute). The larger 125mm round naturally takes up more interior space than the 115mm shell, but this is offset by the lack of a fourth crew member. The suspension system was improved, and side armor skirts were released to protect the critical landing gear from damage.

Storage space onboard has been increased due to insufficient interior space for crew personal items. Later upgrades improved the fire control system (FCS), night vision capabilities and communications. The new production form was named "T-64A", while the required command tank version became the T-64AK.

This version brought additional communications equipment, as well as a recognizable telescopic mast for missing 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns.

The 1976 upgrade provided a further overhaul of the fire control system and improved night vision support and gun stability. The engine is now a multi-fuel design with greater logistical flexibility.

In the early 1980s, another upgrade resulted in the official use of external smoke grenade launchers to replace the engine-generating smoke systems used on earlier Soviet tanks. Other combat-oriented gear has also been upgraded over time.

The next famous production brand was "T-64B", which was the result of a program to further develop the T-62A-2M series of vehicles (a development that also affected the upcoming T-72 and T-80 series of Soviet masters battle tank). The T-64B brings compatibility for firing the 9M112 "Kobra" (AT-8 "Songster") anti-tank missile from its 125mm main barrel. As a result, the 125mm ammunition stockpile was reduced to 28 projectiles to add about 8 Kobra missiles. Kobra is controlled by radio command.

A new hull design and new turret armor promise reduced weight and better protection. A new fire control system was released, along with a laser rangefinder and smoke grenade launcher. The explosive reactive armor (ERA) block created the alternate name T-64BV. The T-64BM is powered by a 1,000 hp 6-cylinder 6TD diesel engine.

The T-64B1 lacks Kobra missile support. The command vehicles became T-64AK, T-64BK, T-64B1K and T-64BV1K (ERA support). A new engine was introduced after 1979 - the 6TD diesel series and gave rise to the production brands T-64AM, T-64AKM, T-64BM and T-64BAM. Converting the original T-64 production model to the T-64B standard became the T-64R.

The T-64B appeared with Russian troops in East Germany and Hungary in 1981.

The only documented combat operation involving the T-64 was against Chechen rebels at the hands of Soviet Russia, as the T-64 was primarily issued to special front-line units, which limited its operational range due to its advanced features and foreign availability. Interested parties looking for a modern solution will of course choose the T-72 series.

The T-64 is not without its limitations, as it still retains the poor "shell" firing quality of the previous T-54/55/62 series. In addition, the fighting compartment is still cramped and quite functional - the lack of a fourth crew member also increases the burden on the remaining three crew members.

The choice of an autoloader for the main gun can lead to production and reliability issues in the long run, while a complex mounting system can also cause problems on the battlefield.

In Russian inventory, the T64 is used with the upcoming T-72. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited some 2,350 T-64 main battle tanks. They then upgraded the equipment through several modernization programs that are still running today. Uzbekistan created about 100 marks.

Although the T-64 is similar in appearance to the T-72, the T-64 differs in that it has an infrared searchlight on the left side of the 125mm main gun. Subtle differences can also be seen in the narrower gauge than the T-72 and the overall shape of the turret itself.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

28/36 x 125mm projectile.

1,250x7.62mm ammunition.

300x12.7mm ammo.

8 x "Cobra" anti-tank missiles

Changes