Army weapons and equpment

Main Battle Tanks o T-54/T-55
o T-62
o T-64
o T-10
o T-72
o T-80
o T-90
o MBT Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle)




T-54 / T-55 Main Battle Tank
Combat weight: (fully stowed, no crew) about 35.9 tons (36.500 kg).
Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.7 ft (9.02 m); (gun to rear) 21.7 ft (6.57 m).
Widht: 10ft 9.5in (3.265 m).
Height: 7.10 ft (2.380 m).
Engine: T-54: V-2-54 vee-12 watercooled diesel, 520 hp; T-55: V-2-55 vee-12, 580 hp
Armament: D-10T, D-10TG or D-10T2S 100mm gun (T-54: 34 rounds, T-55: 43 rounds); 7.62mm SGMT or PKT machine gun (co-axial) with 3000 rounds; T-54 also one 12.7mm DShK with 500 rounds for AA use and one 7.62 SGMT (bow).
Speed: 30 mph (48 km/h).
Range: T-54: 250 miles (400 km); T-55: 310 miles (500 km).
Armour: Up to 100 mm, mantlet up to 170 mm.
The T-55 medium tank has a fully tracked, five-road-wheeled chassis. This chassis has a space between the first and second road wheels and no return rollers. The T-55 has a low-silhouetted hull with a dome shaped turret mounted over the third road wheel. It is armed with a 100-mm rifled gun, which has a bore evacuator at the muzzle. The T-55 also mounts a 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. Early versions also mounted a bow-mounted 7.62-mm machine-gun. The T-55 differs from the older T-54 models because it lacks the right-hand cupola and the turret dome ventilator, which is located in front of that cupola on the T-54. Most T-55's also lack the turret-mounted 12.7-mm antiaircraft machine-gun of the T-54. All T-55's mount an infrared gunner's searchlight above, and to the right of the main gun. This searchlight, however, is not a distinguishing feature since it has been retrofitted to many T-54 and T-54A tanks. The T-55 combines a high velocity gun with a highly mobile chassis, a low silhouette, and exceptional long-range endurance. Improvements over the T-54 include a larger V-12 water-cooled diesel engine with 580 rather than 520 hp, and an increased cruising range of 500 rather than 400 kilometers (600 kilometers with auxiliary tanks). The increased cruising range can go up to 715 kilometers with two 200-liter auxiliary fuel tanks which can be carried on the rear. The T-55 has two-plane stabilization of the main gun rather than vertical stabilization only. It also has a basic load for the main gun of 43 rather than 34 rounds. The T-55 can ford depths of 1.4 meters without preparation. It has snorkel equipment which enables it to cross depths of up to 5.5 meters at a speed of 2 kilometers per hour. This equipment takes about 30 minutes' preparation, but can be jettisoned immediately on leaving the water. All T-55's have the PAZ radiation detection system; the T-55A also has an anti-radiation liner. Injecting vaporized diesel fuel onto the exhaust system can generate a dense smoke screen.
VARIANTS:
T-54A Same as the T-54 but introduced the D-10TG gun with a new fume evacuator, and vertical plane stabilization system. Internal improvements included a new multi-stage air cleaner and radiator controls for improved engine performance. China manufactured this variant under license as the Type 59.
T-54B This version introduced the OU-3 Infrared searchlight on the commander's cupola, and a TPN-1 gunner's day/night sight in place of the earlier MK-4 periscope. This version also introduced a two-axis stabilization system and the improved D-10T2S 100-mm rifled gun. This was the first version to be regularly equipped with a snorkel to allow deep fording of rivers.
T-54K This is the command version of the T-54A. It incorporates an additional radio by reducing the ammunition storage.
T-54AD This is a Polish-built command version of the T-54 that incorporates a slight extension of the turret that provides space for the additional radios.
OT-54 This flame-thrower tank substituted a ATO-1 automatic flame-thrower for the 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. The bow ammunition storage was modified to permit carrying 460-liters of flammable liquid using compressed gas for propulsion. Maximum range was 160 meters and the system could fire 15-20 bursts per minute.
T-55 The T-55 used a new turret, similar to that used on the T-54A, but without the prominent roof-top "mushroom" ventilator dome, and two enlarged "D" roof panels. Internal improvements include the V-55 engine, initial stages of the PAZ chemical/radiation protection system, and an increase of ammunition to 43 rounds. This tank does not have a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun on the loader's hatch.
T-55A This variant incorporated the complete PAZ/FVU chemical/radiation filtration system. This version is most easily recognized by the larger combings on the commander's and loader's hatches as well as the blister on the driver's hatch.
T-55A Model 1970 This version is equipped with a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun.
T-55A Model 1974 This version is equipped with the KTD-2 laser rangefinder, which is mounted immediately above the main gun in an armored box.
T-55K There are three variants of this command tank. These vehicles have an additional command radio as well as supporting generator, and carry less ammunition. The T-55K1 and T-55K2 both carry two R-123 or R-123M and a R-124. The T-55K3 carries one R-130M, a R-123, a R-124, and a 10-meter antenna. Command variants of the later variants carry the same designations, e.g., T-55MK1, T-55AM1K3, etc.
OT-55 This flame-thrower tank incorporates the ATO-200 flame projector. The flame thrower is ignited by pyrotechnic charges, and 12 charges are the basic load. The stowage tank contains 460-liters of flammable liquid, and each burst averages 36 liters. The maximum effective range of the system is 200 meters, with the stream having an initial muzzle velocity of 100 m/s.
T-55MV This is the T-55M with its armor protection supplanted with a first generation explosive reactive armor (ERA) array. Most of these vehicles were also retrofitted with the same fire-control improvements of the T-55AM2PB, including the AT-10 STABBER antitank guided missile, the Volna FCS, as well as the automotive and communications improvements.
T-55AMV This is the T-55AM with the same ERA protection as the T-55MV. Most of these tanks also received the same improvements of the T-55AM2PB.
T-55AM1 This is the modernized version of the T-55 with improved fire controls. The Czechoslovak version uses a laser rangefinder mounted over the main gun and a wind sensor. The FSU version incorporates the KTD-2 or KDG-1 laser rangefinder. The Polish version uses a new fire control system that integrates a laser rangefinder into the gunner's sight.
T-55AM2 This is the improved T-55AM1 with the BDD (horse-shoe) appliqu? armor. These BDD armor panels consist of armored steel boxes filled with penapolyurethane. Cavities in the boxes can be supplemented with water or sand for added protection. This version also incorporates the improved V-55U engine that has an integral supercharger and offers 620 hp. This tank has also been retrofitted with the improved R-173P radio system.
T-55AM2PB This is the T-55AM2 with fire control improvements and the AT-10 STABBER antitank guided missile. It also incorporates the 1K13 BOM gunner's sight in place of the TPN-1M sight, and the new Volna fire control system that includes the KDT-2 laser rangefinder, the BV-55 ballistic computer, the TShSM-32PB sight and the Tsiklon-M1 gun stabilization system.
CHINESE VARIANTS:
Type 59 This is the Chinese produced copy of the T-54A. Later improvements include the addition of a laser rangefinder over the main gun and the addition of side skirts.
Type 59-II This is the Type 59 armed with a 105-mm main gun, believed to be derived from the standard NATO 105-mm rifled gun. The gun has a bore evacuator and a segmented thermal sleeve.
Type 62 Although externally very similar to the Type 59, this tank is in fact a scaled-down light tank patterned after the Type 59. It is armed with an 85-mm gun and is more thinly armored.
Type 69-I This is a product improved version of the Type 59 that is armed with an improved 100-mm smoothbore gun that is distinguishable by its bore evacuator, located farther back on the tube than the usual 100-mm rifled gun.
Type 69-II This is the more common version of the Type 69 family. This version is equipped with the normal 100-mm rifled gun. This tank incorporates the TSFC 2-axis gun stabilization, a new Type 70 gunner's sight, full active infrared night fighting equipment, and engine smoke discharger, an NBC protective system, and a laser rangefinder. The Type 69-II can be distinguished from the earlier Type 59 by the rear engine plate that has a small elliptical bulge for the cooling fan. This version also has the driver's headlights mounted in two pairs on the fenders, not on the hull glacis. Some of these tanks were also outfitted with "Boom Shield" stand-off armor baskets on the turret.
Type 69-IIC This is the command version of the Type 69-II. This tank is equipped with an additional command radio and long radio aerial. It can also be identified by the presence of a long tube welded to the turret top for the radio aerial and two stowage boxes on the hull rear, one of which contains cabling and a field phone.
Type 79 (Type 69-III) This is a Type 69-II equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun.
Type 80 This is an upgraded Type 79 with a new suspension. A further improved version, the Type 80-II incorporates further automotive improvements.
ISRAELI MODIFIED VARIANTS:
Ti-67 These modifications include replacing the 100-mm gun by a 105-mm M68 rifled gun, ammunition racks modified to accept 105-mm ammunition, new communications equipment, commander's seat modified, gunner's seat replaced, installation of azimuth indicator, driver's hatch can now be opened from the outside, commander's traverse control installed, sighting system modified for 105-mm ammunition, replacing the coaxial machine gun by a 7.62-mm (0.30) Browning machine gun and the 12.7-mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun by a 12.7-mm (0.50) Browning M2 HB machine gun, new fire control and electrical system, air-conditioning system, new radio mounts on turret rear, American infantry telephone on hull rear, Browning 0.30 machine gun at loader's station, exhaust outlet angled upwards, additional track stowage, fire-extinguishing system installed and new night vision equipment.
Ti-67 Model S In addition to all of the previous modifications, this is the Ti-67 with many other improvements including the American Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine developing 609 hp, new semi-automatic hydromechanical transmission equipped with a torque converter, new air cleaners, Blazer explosive reactive armor added to the hull and turret, Cadillac Gage Textron weapon stabilization system, installation of EL-OP computerized Matador fire control system, new low-profile commander's cupola, infra-red detectors, passive night vision equipment for commander, gunner and driver, Spectronix fire detection and suppression system, new turret basket and extensive external stowage, modernized driver's station including replacement of sticks by a steering wheel, new final drives, new fuel system with all fuel now internal and improved suspension.
ROMANIAN VARIANTS:
TR-580 (TR-77) This is a variant of the T-55 using a lengthened hull and a new suspension system with spoked wheels.
TR-85 (TR-80 or TR-800) This is a drastically modified version of the T-55 with a new turret, a new German diesel engine and a completely redesigned suspension.

T-62 Main Battle Tank
Combat weight: (Fully stowed, no crew) 36.93 tons (37.500 kg).
Lenght: (Gun to front) 30.8 ft (9.488 or 9.77 m); (gun to rear) 22 ft (6.705 m).
Widht: 11 ft (3.352 m).
Height: 7.11 ft (2.4 m).
Engine: V-2-62 vee-12 watercooled diesel. 700 hp.
Armament: U-5TS 115mm smoothbore gun, 40 rounds APFSDS, HEAT, HE. One 7.62mm coaxial machine gun with 2000 or 3500 rounds.
Speed: up to 34 mph (50 km/h).
Range: Typically 310 miles (500 km).
Armour: Up to 100 mm, mantlet up to 170 mm.
The T-62 medium tank has a fully tracked, five road-wheeled chassis. The chassis has close spaces between the three front road wheels and large gaps separating the third, fourth and fifth road wheels. The drive sprocket is at the rear and the idler is at the front; there are no track return rollers. The rounded turret, mounted over the third road wheel, is more smoothly cast and more nearly egg-shaped than that of the T-54/55 series. The commander's cupola on the left is cast with the turret. The loader's hatch on the right is also farther forward. The 115-mm smoothbore main gun has a longer and thinner tube than the 100-mm main gun of the T-54/55. Its bore evacuator is about two-thirds of the way up the gun tube from the turret. There is also a 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. The T-62M also mounts a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun at the loader's hatch position. A gunner's IR searchlight is mounted on the right, above the main gun. A smaller IR searchlight is mounted over on the commander's cupola. The driver's hatch is in front of the turret on the left side of the flat, low-silhouetted hull. Like the T-55, the T-62 has a 580-hp, V-12, water-cooled diesel engine. This engine gives the T-62 a cruising range of 280 kilometers cross-country; 450 kilometers on paved roads, with integral fuel cells; and 400 kilometers cross-country, or 650 kilometers on paved roads, with two 200-liter auxiliary fuel tanks. The tank also shares the snorkeling and smoke screen-generating capabilities of the T-54/55 series. It has the same PAZ radiation detection system as the T-55. Some T-62's may have been retrofitted with full NBC collective protection systems (air filtration and overpressure). Most models have the same IR night sight and driving equipment and the same fire control equipment as the T-54/55. Some T-62s, however, have received a passive night sight. This replaces the gunner's active IR sight. A laser rangefinder may now replace the stadiametric reticle rangefinder. The most significant improvement over the T-54/55 tanks, however, is the 115-mm smoothbore main gun. It fires hypervelocity, armor-piercing, fin-stabilized, discarding sabot (HVAPFSDS) round with a muzzle velocity of 1,615 meters per second. The penetrator flies in a very flat trajectory, and is extremely accurate out to 1600 meters. The normal 40-round basic load typically includes 12 HVAPFSDS, 6 HEAT, and 22 HE-Frag rounds. The T-62 also has an automatic shell ejector system. The recoil of the main gun activates this system, which ejects the spent shell casings through a port in the rear of the turret. The T-62 has the standard 7.62-mm PKT coaxial machine-gun with a range of 1,000 meters. The T-62M also mounts a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun. The DShK has a range of 1,500 meters against ground targets and a slant range of 1,000 meters against aircraft. The T-62A also has a stabilized main gun; it enables the gunner to track and fire on the move with improved accuracy.
VARIANTS:
T-62 This is the basic T-62 model, which essentially was a stretched T-55 chassis, with a new suspension, and a new turret equipped with the U-5T (2A20) Rapira 115-mm smoothbore gun. The gun has the new Meteor two-axis stabilization system.
T-62K This is the command tank variant of the T-62, and like earlier types, has one additional R-122 radio, a TNA-2 navigation system, a 4-meter antenna, but less ammunition. The corresponding command tank for the T-62M is the T-62MK.
T-62M (Also called T-62A) This tank includes the addition of a 12.7-mm antiaircraft DShK machine-gun on the loader's hatch. This modification included modification of the turret right side.
T-62M Model 1975 This is the T-62M with the addition of the KTD-1 laser rangefinder over the main gun mantlet.
T-62E The war in Afghanistan forced the Soviets to up-armor their tanks to provide better protection from infantry antitank weapons, such as the RPG-7. This upgrade led to the BDD appliqu? armor package. This package consists of a panel of armor on the glacis plate, two panels of "horse-shoe" armor around the front of the turret, and an optional package of belly armor for anti-mine protection. The total package adds 3.9 tons to the weight of the vehicle.
T-62M1 This further modification of the T-62A includes much of the modifications added to the T-55 to make the T-55AM2PB. These improvements include the Volna fire control system with the BV-62 computer, Meteor M1 gun stabilization package, TShSM-41U sight, KDT-2 laser rangefinder and 1K13 guidance sight package. This tank is equipped with the AT-12 Sheksna laser-guided antitank guided missile, which operates in much the same way as the AT-10 STABBER ATGM. This tank also includes the uprated V-55U engine, and the R-173 radio system. This vehicle is also usually fitted with the BDD appliqu? armor package.
T-62MV This is the T-62M fitted with the ERA package found on the T-55MV.

T-64 Main Battle Tank
Combat weight: 39.3 tons (40.000 kg).
Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.5 ft (9.02 m); (hull) 20.46 ft (6.35 m).
Widht: 10.03 ft (3.375 m).
Height: (To cupola) 7.41 ft (2.265 m).
Engine: Water cooled diesel. 700 bhp.
Armament: 125mm smoothbore gun firing fin-stabilised APFSDS and HEAT ammunition, automatic loader. One 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. One 12.7mm remote-controlled DShK AAMG.
Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h).
Range: 310 miles (500 km).
Armour: Maximum about 120 mm.
The T-64 retains the low silhouette of the T-54/55/62 series of tanks. The suspension consists of six small dual road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front and four track-return rollers which support the inside of the double-pin track only. The first, second, fifth and sixth road wheel stations are provided with a hydraulic shock absorber. Over the top of the suspension, which slopes downward towards the rear, is a rail on which panels of additional armor can be attached. The driver's hatch is centered at the top of a sharply sloped upper glacis. The glacis has four steel ribs and a v-shaped water and debris deflector. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has a toothed shovel/dozer blade on the front of the hull beneath the glacis. There are attachment points beneath the blade for the KMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The infra-red searchlight is mounted on the left of the main armament. Two or three boxes of 12.7-mm ammunition are mounted on the left side of the turret. The snorkel is carried on the top of the turret at the rear and at the very rear of the turret is a detachable stowage box. The T-64 has two snorkels for deep fording; one is fitted to the turret and the other to the engine compartment. The T-64 has superior mobility than its predecessors. The 5-cylinder, opposed-piston, diesel engine has an output of 700 hp. The hull and turret are of cast and welded steel armor that incorporates a mixture of conventional steel and ceramic inserts called Combination K, with the ceramic inserts providing superior protection against HEAT attack. The sides of the hull and upper part of the suspension were provided with gill type armor panels which sprung outward during combat to reduce the effectiveness of HEAT projectiles. The T-64 is armed with the 125-mm 2A26 smoothbore gun with a vertical ammunition stowage system, and automatic loader. The incorporation of an automatic loader allowed for a three-man crew. The 125-mm gun is stabilized in both elevation and traverse with the ordnance being fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. The main armament can be laid and fired while the T-64 is moving across country and the commander can override the gunner if required. The 125-mm gun is stabilized, but does not have the same firing on the move capability as Western MBT such as the M1 or Leopard 2. The 125-mm gun has a sighted range out to 4000 m using the day sight and 800 m using the night sight. Maximum effective range of the 125-mm smoothbore gun of the T-64B is 2000 meters, firing the following types of ammunition: APFSDS, HE-FRAG, HEAT, and a Beehive anti-personnel round. The T-64B's 125-mm ordnance also fires the AT-8 Songster ATGM, which is kept in the automatic loader in two separate parts like standard APFSDS or HEAT-FS rounds and loaded using the automatic loader. A T-64B normally carries six AT-8 Songsters plus 36 rounds (projectile and charge) of 125-mm ammunition. The 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun has electric elevation with manual controls being provided for emergency use. The 12.7-mm antiaircraft machine-gun of the T-64 can be aimed and fired from within the tank. It has the PAZ radiation detection system, an anti-radiation liner, and a collective NBC filtration and overpressure system.
VARIANTS:
T-64R This was the initial production model armed with 115-mm D-68 smoothbore gun for which 40 rounds of ammunition were carried, of this total 30 rounds were in the automatic loader for ready use. It is believed that 600 were built, but none now remain in service. T-64 This was the initial production version with the 125-mm smoothbore gun with ZIP tool stowage bin on right side and no rear turret stowage bin. Most of these were subsequently rebuilt to the T-64A configuration.
T-64K The command version of the T-64. When stationary a 10 m telescopic mast is erected over the turret and held in position by stays that are pegged to the ground. The command version does not normally have the 12.7-mm anti-aircraft gun fitted. T-64A This version features several improvements including a modified sight for the gunner with an enlarged opening. A bump stop for the fourth road wheel was added. Smoke grenade launchers were fitted to both sides of the 125-mm gun. Hinges for the attachment of side skirts were added to the hull sides. Each bank of six smoke launchers fires grenades to a range of 150 to 200 m. The handrails on either side of the turret front were omitted and the forward stowage boxes on the right hand sponson were replaced by additional external fuel tanks as on the left hand sponson. The forward skirts were originally spring-loaded so that they faced the front, but these were subsequently replaced by skirts.
T-64A (rebuild) This is a rebuilt T-64 or T-64A incorporating the new improvements found on the later T-64 models, including the substitution of a rubber side skirt for the gill armor, addition of glacis plate hull armor appliqu?, stowage improvements and other changes.
T-64AK The command version of the T-64A
T-64B This was a major redesign of the T-64A to incorporate a new hull and turret armor that was not as bulky as the first generation Combination K armor on the T-64A, but at the same time offering the same or better protection. The T-64B has a laser rangefinder for improved first round hit probability, explosive reactive armor and strengthened turret hatch protection. There are at least two versions of the T-64B. New construction T-64Bs that appear to lack the usual forward gunner's sight and rebuilt T-64Bs, which are modifications of earlier T-64s.
T-64BV This is the correct designation for the T-64B fitted with explosive reactive armor. The T-64BV has a different explosive reactive armor package from the T-80. The former has about 111 blocks; the latter has between 185 and 221 blocks. On the T-64BV the reactive armor covers the glacis plate, the forward part of the turret front, sides and roof and hull sides extending to the five road wheels. When fitted with explosive reactive armor, the smoke dischargers are moved from either side of the main armament to either side of the turret rear, roughly in line with the fourth and fifth road wheels. T-64B1 The designation T-64B1 may distinguish the difference between new-build T-64Bs, and T-64As which have been improved to the T-64B standard.
T-64B1K This is the command tank version of the T-64B1 and has additional communications equipment installed.
T-64BV1K This is the T-64B fitted with explosive reactive armor and fitted with additional communications equipment for use in the command role.


T-10 Heavy Tank

Combat weight: (T-10M, no crew) 48.23 tons (49.000 kg).
Lenght: (Gun to front) 34.9 ft (10.49 m typical); (gun to rear) 23.1 ft (7.4 m).
Widht: 11.8ft (3.44 m).
Height: (Excl. AA gun) 7.5 ft (2.260 m).
Engine: V-10 vee-12 watercooled diesel, 700 hp.
Armament: M-1955 122mm gun, 30 rounds; (T-10M) two 14.5mm KPV machine gun (co-axial and AA), 1000 rounds; (T-10) two 12.7mm DShK 1000 rounds.
Speed: 26 mph (42 km/h).
Range: 155 miles (250 km).
Armour: Up to 210 mm.

T-72 Main Battle Tank

Combat weight: 39.3 tons (40.000 kg).
Lenght: (Gun to front) 29.5 ft (9.02 m); (hull) 20.46 ft (6.35 m).
Widht: 10.03 ft (3.375 m).
Height: (To cupola) 7.41 ft (2.265 m).
Engine: Water cooled diesel of about 700 bhp.
Armament: 125mm smoothbore gun firing fin-stabilised APFSDS and HEAT ammunition, with automatic loader; one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and one 12.7mm remote-controlled DShK AAMG.
Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h).
Range: 310 miles (500 km).
Armour: Maximum about 120 mm, possibly of modern "special" material resistant to shaped charges.
The T-72 retains the low silhouette of the T-54/55/62 series of tanks. The suspension consists of six large, die-cast, rubber-coated road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front and three track-return rollers that support the inside of the track only. Shock absorbers are fitted at the first, second and sixth road wheel stations. The track of the T-72 is of the single pin type with rubber. Over the top of the suspension, which slopes downward towards the rear, is a rail on which panels of additional armor can be attached. There is an engine exhaust on the left side of the hull above the last road wheel. The glacis is well sloped, transversely ribbed and has a deep V splash-board. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The T-72 mounts an infra-red searchlight on the right side of the main armament rather than the left as in the case of the earlier T-64. There are two light steel stowage boxes mounted on the turret, one at the rear and the other on the right slightly behind the commander's position. The snorkel is carried on the left side of the turret to the rear. The T-72 normally carries an unditching beam at the rear and there is also provision for carrying two 200 liter fuel drums at the rear to increase operational range. These can be quickly jettisoned if required by the tactical situation. The T-72B1 is powered by a V-12 piston multi-fuel air-cooled engine that develops 840 hp. The engine will run on three fuels: Diesel, Benzene or Kerosene. The turret has conventional cast armor with a maximum thickness of 280-mm, the nose is about 80-mm thick and the glacis is of a new laminate armor 200-mm thick, which when inclined gives between 500/600-mm of protection. Late production T-72s do however incorporate advanced armor protection in their turrets. Main armament is a 125-mm (2A46) smoothbore gun fitted with a light alloy thermal sleeve and a bore evacuator. The 125-mm gun is stabilized in both planes. The gun fires three main types of separate loading ammunition, APFSDS, HEAT-FS, and HE-FRAG(FS). Using the gunner's quadrant, the T-72 can fire HE-Frag rounds in the indirect mode out to 9400 m. Of 39 rounds of ammunition carried, 12 are APFSDS-T, 21 HE-FRAG(FS) and the remaining six HEAT-FS. The ammunition is of the separate loading type with a consumable cartridge case; all that remains of the latter after firing is a stub. The additional rounds of ammunition are stowed in racks behind the turret basket and in indentations in the rear floor fuel cell and second forward right cell near the driver. The carousel automatic loader is mounted on the turret floor and on the rear wall of the turret. The projectile is loaded in the lower half of a carrier, the cartridge and propellant in the upper half. The carousel carries 24 ready use projectiles. A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun is mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and has 250 rounds of ready use ammunition. A 12.7-mm NSV machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. The 12.7-mm machine gun can, however, only be used with the commander exposing the upper part of his body. Maximum sight range in the ground-to-ground role is 2000 m; maximum sight range in the anti-aircraft role is 1500 m. The T-72 mounts a dozer blade under the nose of the tank, to clear obstacles and prepare fire positions. Like most other former Soviet tanks, the T-72 can be fitted with mine-clearing equipment such as the KMT-5, KMT-6 and KMT-6 M2. The dozer blade can be brought into the operating position in one or two minutes and enables the tank to prepare its own defilade position without calling on engineer support. The T-72 is provided with an NBC system and can be fitted with a snorkel for deep fording. The tank takes about 20 minutes to prepare for amphibious use and is ready for action within two minutes of leaving the water.
VARIANTS:
T-72 First version of the T-72 to enter production with early versions having searchlight mounted on left as well as the standard production type TPD-2-49 coincidence rangefinder sight that protrudes from the turret.
T-72K Command version of original T-72 with additional communications equipment. The K-series tanks are essentially the same: company Ks having two R-123M or R-173 radios, and battalion/regiment versions have one R123M/R-173 and one R-130M that has a 10 m antenna when erected.
T-72A This has the coincidence rangefinder replaced by the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder. Called T-72M in the former Warsaw Pact with export versions being called the T-72G. Also has plastic armor side skirts in place of the flipper type armor panels found on the earlier models. This skirt covers the upper part of the suspension with separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers.
T-72AK Command version of T-72A with additional communications equipment.
T-72B This model has the thickened frontal turret armor and is commonly known in the United States as the Dolly Parton. It also has improved engine cooling and a plate of 20-mm appliqu? armor added to the top of the glacis plate. The T-72B with 12 smoke mortars on the turret front is referred to as the SMT M1981/3. The SMT M1984 has its snorkel moved to rear aft of stowage bin, and a third stowage bin added on left side of turret. Late models have appliqu? armor matting on turret roof and either side of the driver's station.
T-72BK Command version of T-72B.
T-72BV This is T-72B with explosive reaction armor packages fitted to the hull and turret. The glacis plate is covered with a layer of single ERA blocks while the turret is covered by one, two or three layers with one being the more usual. A single layer of ERA also covers the sides of the vehicle to provide protection to the suspension and upper sides of the hull. There are two types of former Soviet ERA blocks. First the standard shoe type box which has overall dimensions of about 25.5 cm by 13.5 cm and second the wedge type block. Both of these often have an arrow indicating the way that they should be installed to provide the maximum degree of protection. The standard ERA block has an ERA element (two plates of steel separated by explosive) which can be positioned in one of two positions for maximum protection while the wedge type has a fixed ERA element.
T-72B1 This is the first T-72 with NDZ armor and externally identifiable with the considerably thickened turret frontal armor, this is referred to as the Super Dolly Parton. The SMT M1988 has eight smoke mortars on left side and has explosive reactive armor and larger gunner's night sight housing. The T-72B1 is fitted with the fire control system for the 9M119 Svir AT-11 SNIPER missile system.
T-72B1K This is a T-72B1 with additional communications equipment for use in the command post role.
T-72B1V This is a T-72B1 with explosive reaction armor packages fitted to the turret and hull.
T-72S This is an export version of the T-72B1.
T-72BM This is the T-72B1 fitted with 2nd Generation Reactive armor, similar to that on the T-90.
M-84 This is a Yugoslav version of the T-72 which is almost identical to late production Soviet T-72 with two banks of smoke dischargers mounted on the turret front, seven on the left and five on the right. The main areas of difference are in the computerized fire control system and vehicle optics. The M-84 has a distinctive mast containing sensors fitted on the forward part of the turret to the immediate rear of the 125-mm gun. An improved version, the M-84A has a number of improvements including a more powerful 1000 hp diesel engine which gives a higher road speed, greater acceleration and improved power-to-weight ratio, and improved armor protection.
TR-125 This is the Romanian version of the T-72 which has a number of significant differences to the original Soviet MBT. The TR-125 weighs 48 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arc. The TR-125 has seven road wheels of a different design, a new one piece skirt and is powered by a more powerful 880 hp diesel engine. PT-91 Twardy This Polish variant of the T-72 has a number of improvements over the earlier T-72M1. The major improvements include: Polish-developed explosive reactive armor Type ERAWA-1; four laser warning receivers, which warn the crew if they are being targeted by a laser rangefinder or designator; new computerized fire control system, with optional thermal sight; new passive night sights; improved automotive components including 850 hp engine, rubber bushed tracks, and a modern fire detection and suppression system.
T-72AM Banan The T-72AM Banan is an advanced T-72 design, equipped with the same 6TD-2 diesel engine (1250 hp) as the T-84 (see T-84 in T-80 Variants section). The vehicle is covered extensively with early generation ERA tiles and thus looks very similar to the latest Russian T-72s.
T-72 with PW-LWD mine clearance system The Polish Army has deployed a tank-mounted rocket propelled mine-clearing system on a T-72 chassis. This system consists of a rocket that is attached to a 170 m explosive filled hose. The complete system is carried in a boat-shaped container that slides onto a special mount on the hull top at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle halts on arrival at the minefield, and the PW-LWD system is fired. The explosive hose falls to the ground and is detonated, setting off any mines in its path.
MTU-72 AVLB The FSU has deployed an armored vehicle launched bridge system based on the T-72 MBT chassis that is similar in appearance and concept to the older MTU-20 that is based on the T-55 chassis (q.v.). It is estimated that the bridge, when opened out, is 20.6 m long.
BREM-1 Armored Recovery and Repair Vehicle This is based on the chassis of the T-72 and mounted at the front of the hull on the left side is a hydraulic crane which can lift 12 tons, a main winch with a capacity of 25 tons which can be increased to 100 tons, auxiliary winch, hydraulically operated dozer/stabilizing blade at the front of the hull, towing equipment and a complete range of tools and recovery equipment.
WZT-3 Armored Recovery Vehicle This ARV is based on the T-72M1 hull, and is armed with a 12.7-mm machine-gun, which is fitted to the commander's hatch. Standard equipment includes: crane with telescopic jib that can lift a maximum load of 15 tons, front mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winch.
IMR-2 Combat Engineer Vehicle A T-72 MBT chassis is used as the basis for the new IMR-2 combat engineer vehicle. The crane can be fitted with a number of attachments including pincers for uprooting trees. Pivoted at the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that can be used in a V-configuration or as a straight dozer blade. When not required it is raised clear of the ground.

T-80 Main Battle Tank
The T-80 retains the low silhouette of the earlier FSU tanks. The suspension consists of six forged steel-aluminum rubber-tired road wheels, drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front, and five return road wheels. The rubber-tired road wheels are in two halves that are bolted together. The road wheel spacing is not identical and there are distinct gaps between the second and third, fourth and fifth, and fifth and sixth road wheels. The side skirt covers the return rollers. The rubber-bushed, double-pin track has rubber track pads and U-shaped track guides. The T-80 has a distinct oblong exhaust outlet in the hull rear. The driver's hatch is centered at the top of a sharply sloped upper glacis. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has a toothed shovel/dozer blade on the front of the hull beneath the glacis. There are attachment points beneath the blade for the KMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The infra-red searchlight is mounted on the right of the main armament. Banks of electrically operated smoke dischargers are mounted either side of the 125-mm gun/missile launcher, normally five on the left and four on the right. The T-80 has a GTD-1000 gas-turbine engine developing 1100 hp coupled to a manual transmission with five forward and one reverse gears. This is the first former Soviet operational tank to be powered by a gas-turhorns. The glacis plate is of the laminate type for improved protection against kinetic energy and HEAT attack and there is a dozer blade under the nose of the vehicle. The turret is steel with an inner layer of special armor; the gunner sits on the left and the tank commander on the right. The T-80 MBT uses the same 125-mm gun and horizontal ammunition system as the T-72 whereas the T-64 uses a 125-mm 2A26 gun with vertical ammunition stowage. The fire control system is an improvement over that fitted to earlier former Soviet tanks. This tank can fire either the AT-8 Songster ATGM or four types of separate loading ammunition, e.g., projectile and semi-combustible cartridge case. These four rounds are HE-FRAG (FS), HEAT-FS, APFSDS-T and Flechette. A total of six AT-8 Songster ATGMs are carried and these are identical to those launched by the T-64B MBT deployed some years ago. A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun is mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and a 12.7-mm NSV machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. To extend the operational range of the T-80, additional fuel tanks can be mounted at the hull rear. These can be quickly jettisoned if required. Standard equipment includes snorkels for deep fording operations that are carried on the turret rear when not required, an overpressure type NBC protection system, night vision equipment for all three crew members, unditching beam carried across the hull rear and a laser warning device activated by laser rangefinders, laser designators or precision-guided munitions fitted with a laser guidance device. Mounted on the turret rear is a large circular container that carries two snorkels. The larger one is the snorkel for the gas-turbine, with another one being fitted onto the radiator grill by means of two adapters. This provides an air intake for the gas-turbine.
VARIANTS:
T-80 This was the first production model of the T-80 and is understood to have entered production in 1978. Only a few hundred are believed to have been built when production switched to the T-80B. The first version of T-80 is sometimes referred to as the Kobra as its 125-mm gun can fire the 9M117 Kobra (NATO designation AT-8 Songster) ATGM. Combat weight is 39.7 tons. T-80B This is also sometimes referred to as the Beryoza (Birch Tree) and was the first major redesign of the T-80 with a modified turret incorporating a new generation composite K ceramic armor which offers better protection against APFSDS kinetic energy penetrators. The turret has an equivalent level of 500-mm of steel compared to 410-mm in earlier models. T-80BK This is the command version of the T-80B and has additional communications equipment and therefore additional antennas.
T-80BV This is essentially the T-80B fitted with first generation explosive reactive armor. In addition there is a late production type with a new turret similar to the T-80U but fitted with the turbine engine and first generation explosive reactive armor. When fitted with its explosive reactive armor package, the T-80 is virtually immune over its frontal arc to penetration from all current NATO ATGMs which rely on a HEAT warhead to penetrate armor. With the explosive reactive armor fitted the smoke grenade launchers are moved from either side of the main armament back to either side of the turret and positioned between the turret side and the explosive reactive panels On the turret of the T-80, the panels are joined to form a shallow chevron pointing. Explosive reactive armor is also fitted to the forward part of the turret roof to provide protection against top attack weapons The explosive reactive armor package on the T-80 provides a high degree of protection against ATGMs such as MILAN, HOT, TOW and SWINGFIRE over the frontal arc. It does not provide any added protection against APDS or APFSDS attack. When the HEAT projectile reaches the MBT its high speed jet initiates the explosive between the two plates and drives the plates aside. These moving plates perturb and eat the mass of the incoming jet. The jet is then unable to achieve any significant penetration of the main tank armor.
T-80BVK This is the command version of the T-80BV and is fitted with additional communications equipment and antennas.
T-80U This was first observed in 1989 and is referred to by NATO as the SMT (Soviet Medium Tank) M1989. The new turret has an improved frontal armor package with second generation explosive reactive armor. This version is also equipped to fire the 9K120 Svir (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) laser-guided anti-tank missile in place of the older Kobra. Although based on the chassis of the T-80B it has many improvements including the replacement of the gas turbine engine by a more fuel efficient and more powerful turbine engine (GTD-1250, developing 1250 hp), different engine decking, new commander's cupola with 12.7-mm NVS machine gun now capable of being fired from within the turret under remote-control in a similar manner to the earlier T-64, a bank of four 81-mm electrically operated smoke dischargers either side of the turret firing to the frontal arc (902B Tucha), smaller snorkel kept on rear of turret when not required, the commander's sight appears to be new and may well incorporate an image intensification channel as there is no infra-red searchlight on the commander's cupola. The turret roof between the commander's and gunner's hatches has been provided with additional protection against top attack weapons and a collar of rubber skirts hangs from the turret front. Mounted on the roof forward of the tank commander's cupola is the laser designation system which projects a modulated beam; the system is protected by a rectangular armored box cover. The T-80U has full length side skirts but those above the first three road wheels are armored and are provided with lifting handles. There are also rubber elements fitted beneath the front glacis which provide additional protection against mines with tilt-rod fuses and HEAT warheads. The forward skirt elements are armored and a radiation absorption liner coats the armor inside and outside. Protection for the driver, particularly against mine explosions, is enhanced by suspending the driver's seat from the hull roof. A special camouflage paint distorts the tank's appearance in the visible and IR wavebands.
T-80UD This vehicle is the T-80U powered with the GTF diesel engine, which develops 1000 hp.
T-80UK This is the command version of the T-80U fitted with additional radios and antennas. At a recent display of military equipment, a T-80UK was displayed fitted with the Shtora-1 electro-optical countermeasures system, a metero-logical sensor, laser warning receivers, and thermal sights. The Shtora-1 system consists of a laser warning device, remote aerosol formations system (81-mm smoke mortars), and electro-optical jammers.
T-80UM1 Bars The tank is the latest-generation version of the T-80U tank and outper-forms the T-90 by 70 per cent in terms of specific power (engine power/tank mass ratio).
T-84 This vehicle is essentially a T-80UD tank produced by the Ukraine and powered by an uprated 6TD-2 diesel engine. This engine develops 1200 hp, giving the vehicle an improved power-to-weight ratio of about 27 hp/ton. The T-84 also includes the Shtora-1 electro-optical countermeasures system, the Arena vehicle protection system, improved tracks, thermal protection for the engine, and an air conditioning system for the crew. The armament consists of a Ukrainian produced 125-mm KBA-3 main gun, fitted with an autoloader for 28 rounds. The fire control system enables accurate fire in daylight for up to 5000 meters for the AT-11 ATGM and up to 2500 meters for main gun rounds. At night, the gunners fire-control system gives a forward field of view of up to 1200 meters while the thermal imager extends this to 3000 meters. The Shtora-1 (described in the T-80UK section) is fitted to this tank, with the primary differences being six 81-mm smoke mortars on either side of the turret, instead of the 4 fitted to the T-80UK. The Shtora-1 system is reported to reduce the hit-probability of ATGMs with semi-automatic control systems (TOW, HOT, Dragon, and MILAN) up to five fold, while missiles with laser-homing heads (Hellfire, Maverick and Copperhead) have a similarly reduced probability of hitting.

T-90 Main Battle Tank
The T-90 retains the low silhouette of the earlier FSU tanks. The suspension consists of six large, die-cast, rubber-coated road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front and three track-return rollers that support the inside of the track only. Shock absorbers are fitted at the first, second and sixth road wheel stations. There are side skirts that extend along the entire side of the tank. The front third of this skirt consists of armored panels, whereas the rear two-thirds consist only of rubberized panels. There is an engine exhaust on the left side of the hull above the last road wheel. The glacis is well sloped, and is covered by second generation ERA bricks and a large transverse rib that extends horizontally across the glacis. The driver sits at the front of the hull and has a single piece hatch cover that opens to the right, in front of which is a single wide-angle observation periscope. Integrated fuel cells and stowage containers give a streamlined appearance to the fenders. The tank has a toothed shovel/dozer blade on the front of the hull beneath the glacis. There are attachment points beneath the blade for the KMT-6 mine-clearing plow. The low, rounded turret is centered on the hull. The commander's cupola is on the right side of the turret; the gunner's hatch is on the left side. The 125-mm main gun has a four section removable thermal shield. It has two sections in front of, and two sections to the rear of the mid-tube bore evacuator. A 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun is mounted to the right of the mantlet. The T-90 mounts two infra-red searchlights on either side of the main armament; these are part of the Shtora ATGM defense system. The turret is covered with second generation reactive armor on the frontal arc. This ERA gives the turret an angled appearance, with the ERA bricks forming a "clam shell" appearance. There are ERA bricks on the turret roof to provide protection from top-attack weapons. There are banks of smoke mortars on either side of the turret, The T-90 is powered by the Model 84 V-84 diesel engine, which produces 840 hp. This results in a power to weight ratio of only 18.06 hp/ton, which is considerably less than that of the T-80. The second generation ERA package, combined with the advanced armor technology, makes the T-90 one of the best protected main battle tanks in the world. This high level of protection is supplanted with the TShU-1-7 IR-Jamming system, which is designed to disrupt the guidance of incoming ATGMs. This system consists of two infrared lights, one on each side of the main gun, which continuously emit coded pulsed infrared jamming when an incoming ATGM has been detected. The T-90 is also equipped with a laser warning package that warns the tank crew when it is being lased. The T-90 retains the 125-mm 2A46-series main gun of the T-72 and T-80, and is capable of firing the AT-11 SNIPER laser-guided ATGM. The AT-11, which can penetrate 700-mm of RHAe out to 4000 meters, gives the T-90 the ability to engage other MBTs, vehicle ATGMs, and even most helicopters before they can engage the T-90. The computerized fire control system and laser range-finder, coupled with the new gunner's thermal sight permit the T-90 to engage targets while on the move and at night. Detailed information on the Agave gunner's thermal sight is not yet available, but this is probably a first generation system and not as capable as current Western systems.

MBT Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle)
The newest Russian main battle tank. A mobility test-bed of a 21th century tank and is a result of radical upgrading of the T-80U MBT. The selection of the T-80U as a base for development of the 5th generation MBT derives from the fact that it is rightfully considered as the best MBT in the world which suc-cessfully combines all the basic per-formance characteristics: speed, maneuverability, fire power and protec-tion system. The Chiorny Oriol has the same overall dimensions as the T-80U does, nevertheless it has a lower silhouette which makes it less distinctive on the terrain. The experts believe that in terms of combination of the basic charac-teristics such as maneuverability, fire power, armour piercing capability and protection this MBT will surpass the Western MBTs such as M1A2 Abrams, Leclerk and Leopard-2 by a factor of 1.5-1.7.

This is one of my favorite main battle tanks that I would like to see in arming of ARM.

RUSSSIA OFFERS T-80UM1 BARS MBT FOR EXPORT
At the second VTTV-Omsk-97 In-ternational Exhibition of Armaments, Military Equipment and Conversion Products ended early in September in Omsk (Siberia region), the T-80UM1 Bars (Snow Leopard) main battle tank (MBT) was demonstrated for the first time. The tank is the latest-generation version of the T-80U tank and outper-forms the T-90 by 70 per cent in terms of specific power (engine power/tank mass ratio).

High maneuverability of the tank is ensured by the GTD-1250 gas-turbine engine developing 920 kW (1,250 h.p.) and a new two-flow transmission. The new tank can make turns at any radius, with a considerable reduction in fuel consumption.
The T-80UM1 Bars is fitted with the Arena active protection system and the Shtora optronic countermeasures sys-tem. The Bars differs essentially from the basic T-80U version by a more power-ful armament and improved armour plating. The use of enhanced ammuni-tion for the 2A46M-1 125mm gun has increased armour piercing capability. The tank’s built-in reactive armour was also upgraded.
The Bars should improve Russia’s competitiveness on the world market during the next decade. Ros-voorouzhenie’s representatives refused to name potential customers of the new tank. However, at the Exhibition the representatives of several Southeast Asia countries have taken an interest in the tank, ITAR-TASS has said.
The specialists of Omsk Transport Machine-building Plant refused to tell the price of the tank but it likely exceeds US$ 3 million. For example, the Ros-voorouzhenie company asks US$ 2.5 to 3.0 million for the basic T-80U version depending on delivery set.

This tank is equipped with laser warning receiver, designator and blinding system.

Fire Support



Index:
Towed Artillery & Mortars: Self-propelled Artillery and Mortars:
2B9 82-mm Vasilyek Automatic Mortar 2S9 120-mm SP Howitzer-Mortar
2B11/2B12 120-mm Mortar 2S23 120-mm SP Howizter-Mortar
2B16 120-mm Towed Combination Gun 2S1 122-mm SP Howitzer
D-30 12-mm Towed Howitzer 2S3 152-mm SP Gun-Howizter
M-46 130-mm Towed Gun 2S5 152-mm SP Gun
D-20 152-mm Towed Gun-Howitzer 2S19 152-mm SP Gun-Howitzer
2A36 152-mm Towed Gun 2S7 203-mm SP Gun
2A65 152-mm Toweg Gun-Howitzer 2S4 240-mm SP Mortar
M-240 240-mm Towed Mortar
Multiple Rocket Launchers:
BM-21 122-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher
BM-21V 122-mm Airborne Multiple Rocket Launcher
BM-22 220-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher
9A52 300-mm Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher
o Surface to surface missiles:
FROG-7
SS-1C SCUD
SS-21 SCARAB
Fire Support C2 and Radars:
ACRV 1V12
ACRV 1V17
ACRV 1V119
PRP-3 Artillery Reconnaissance System
PRP-4 Artillery Reconnaissance System
SNAR-10 BIG FRED Battlefield Surveillance Radar

Towed Artillery and Mortars
2B9 82-mm Vasilyek Automatic Mortar
The 2B9 is a breech-loaded, recoil-operated mortar fed by four-round clips. The cyclic rate of fire is 40 to 60 rds/min but a clip of four rounds can be fired in two seconds. The 82-mm barrel is mounted on a towed, split trail, wheeled carriage and in action the weapon rests on the trail legs and a forward extendible leg that is lowered by a handwheel, with the main carriage raised off the ground. The ordnance then rests on a turning plate allowing 10° of traverse but the saddle is not fixed directly to the plate. Instead, it is supported by hydraulic elevators that can extend the ordnance into a high angle for indirect fire. For this the saddle, cradle, ammunition feed tray and ordnance are elevated together and moved forward so that at full elevation the trunions are above the carriage axle. Elevation is from 0 to 80°. The 2B9 can be fired as a mortar, using bombs loaded manually from the muzzle, at a high barrel elevation angle, or for automatic direct fire in the manner of a light or anti-tank gun (direct sights are provided) using the breech magazine loading feature. Range for direct fire is 1000 m and combat ranges are between 100 and 5000 m. The weapon can be towed but is normally transported under canvas covers on the cargo area of a modified GAZ-66 (4 x 4) 2000 kg truck. A number of tracked MT-LB multi-role armored vehicles have been fitted with an 82-mm Vasilyek automatic mortar.

2B11/2S12 120-mm Towed Mortar
The 2B11 is a 120-mm towed mortar (the 2S12 is the same mortar carried portee-style on the back of a truck). The 2B11, which is a conventional, muzzle-loading, smoothbore mortar with a large circular baseplate, has a number of improvements over its predecessors, the M-1937 and M-1943, primarily of which is the use of modern materials which reduce the overall weight compared to earlier models. The 2B11 is fitted with a special safety device which prevents double-loading. The 2B11 has a crew of five. The 2B11/2S12 has a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute with 6 seconds required to reload the tube for the next firing. The 2B11 can fire virtually any 120-mm mortar bomb produced in both the East and the West. The maximum range for standard FRAG-HE rounds is 7100 meters, with a minimum range of 480 meters.

2B16 120-mm Towed Combination Gun
The 2B16 is a 120-mm towed combination mortar-howitzer. The ordnance is likely a towed variant of the ordnance of the 2S9 120-mm Self-propelled Combination Gun. When in the firing position the 2B16 Combination Gun is supported on a small circular baseplate located under the forward part of the carriage with the wheels raised clear of the ground, and on the two trails. The trails are of a box section and locked together at the rear for towing, probably by a GAZ-66 (4 x 4) 2 ton truck which also carries the crew and a quantity of ready use ammunition. The ordnance is fitted with a large multi-baffle muzzle brake with the recoil system being mounted above the ordnance and extending about half-way along the barrel. When in the traveling configuration the ordnance is withdrawn out of battery to the rear to reduce the overall length of the system. A thin shield is provided either side of the ordnance to give some protection to the gun crew from shell splinters with the left side of the shield being slightly higher than the right as this also protects the sighting system. The upper part of the shield can be folded forward through 180° if required, although there is an aperture in the shield for the direct fire telescopic sight. The elevation and traverse handwheels are located on the left side of the carriage as are the direct and indirect sights. The breech is of the vertical sliding type and what appears to be a chamber indent device is fitted to retain the round in place when the weapon is fired at high elevation. It is believed that a power rammer is normally fitted to assist in loading ammunition at higher elevations as well as increasing its rate of fire. The 120-mm gun has a rate of fire of 6 to 8 rds/min. The direct fire HEAT projectile is estimated to defeat up to 600-mm of armor. In the indirect fire role the mortar fires high explosive, white phosphorous and smoke rounds. According to former Soviet sources, the maximum range of the 120-mm weapon is some 8000 m. Mounted below the turret rear is an ammunition loading hatch and mounted on top of the hull is a device for loading ammunition from the ground directly into the fighting compartment. This allows sustained fire missions to be carried out whilst still retaining onboard ammunition supply.

D-30 122-mm Towed Howitzer
The D-30 has a unique three-trail carriage, a conspicuous box-like shield for the recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the tube, and a small protective shield which is fitted between the wheels. The gun has a semiautomatic, vertically sliding, wedge-type breechblock. A truck (Ural-375 or ZIL-131) or armored tractor can tow it at speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour. It is towed muzzle-first by a large lunette just under the muzzle brake, with its trails folded under the barrel. Early models of the D-30 had a multi-baffle muzzle brake; more recent models (D-30M) have a double-baffle muzzle brake similar to that used on the SP version 2S1. In firing position, the crew of eight unhitches the gun; it lowers the central emplacement jack, raising the wheels high enough to clear the trail legs; and it spreads the two outer trails 120 degrees on each side. The revolving mount permits 360 degrees traverse and is equipped for high and low angles of fire. This makes the D-30 fully suitable for antitank defense. The D-30 fires the following variable-charge, case-type, separate-loading ammunition: FRAG-HE, HEAT-FS. Other types of projectiles include chemical, illuminating (S-462 weighing 22.4 kg), smoke (D-462 weighing 22.3 kg), leaflet, flechette, incendiary and recently an RAP has been introduced with a maximum range of 21900 m. There are at least two chemical projectiles for the D-30. The Sarin projectile weighs 22.2 kg of which 1.3 kg comprises the Sarin CW. The 122 mm viscous Lewisite projectile weighs 23.1 kg of which 3.3 kg comprises the viscous Lewisite CW agent. In both cases the CW agent is dispersed by the explosion of a TNT bursting charge. The D-30 can also be equipped with a IR or passive night vision sights for direct fire.

M-46 130-mm Towed Field Gun
The 130-mm field gun M-46 has a recognizable long, thin tube with a cylindrical, perforated (pepperpot-type) muzzle brake. It has a hydro-pneumatic recuperator and a recoil cylinder located above and below the tube, respectively. For travel, the crew withdraws the tube from battery to reduce the overall length of the weapon. The rearward- angled, winged shield may then hide the recuperator above the tube from sight. The gun has a manually operated horizontal sliding wedge breech-block. It fires case-type, variable-charge, separate-loading ammunition. It has night direct fire sights (IR and/or passive in nature). The gun is mounted on a two-wheeled split trail carriage with large sponge-filled rubber tires on each of the single wheels. For travel, it has a two-wheeled limber. A truck or armored tractor can tow it at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour. The trails consist of steel plates welded into box-section construction. When traveling the barrel is withdrawn by a mechanism on the right trail from battery to the rear to reduce the overall length of the weapon. The carriage is of the split trail type and is provided with a two-wheeled limber. When traveling the spades are removed and carried on each of the two trails. The recoil system is mounted under the barrel, and in front of the shield, which has been removed on some models, is an inverted U-shaped collar. The M-46 has direct fire sights including an APN-3 active/passive night sight. The M-46 is an excellent indirect fire weapon with high muzzle velocity and exceptional range (27,490 meters). It is also a formidable antitank weapon with impressive armor penetration capability. Its tactical role usually is counter-battery. It fires case-type, variable-charge, separate-loading ammunition, including: FRAG-HE, APC-T. Other types of projectile include SP-46 illuminating weighing 25.8 kg with an m/v of 687 m/s and smoke target marking with an m/v of 930 m/s. An RAP is known to be in service having been used by Syria in the 1973 Middle East War. At least two chemical projectiles have been fielded for this weapon. The 130 mm Sarin projectile weighs 33.4 kg of which 1.6 kg comprises the Sarin CW agent which is dispersed by a TNT bursting charge. The other is a VX projectile weighing 33.4 kg of which 1.4 kg is the VX CW agent.

D-20 152-mm Towed Gun-Howitzer
The D-20 uses the same carriage and recoil system as the 122 mm Field Gun D-74 which was also shown for the first time in 1955. The D-20 can be distinguished from the D-74 by a much shorter and fatter stepped barrel and a larger double-baffle muzzle brake. The shield has an irregular top with a sliding center section and the top of the shield can be folded down to reduce the overall height of the weapon. A circular firing pedestal fitted as standard on all D-20s is inverted and secured just forward of the shield when traveling. In the firing position the firing pedestal is lowered, allowing the weapon to be traversed quickly through a full 360°. On each of the split box-section trails is a castor wheel (on top) and a spade (underneath). It fires the following case-type, variable-charge, separate-loading ammunition: FRAG-HE, CP, AP-T. Other types of ammunition include chemical, HE/RAP (range of 24000 m), HEAT, illuminating (S-540), smoke (D-540) and tactical nuclear (0.2 kT). More recent ammunition types include HEAT-SS (spin-stabilized), flechette, scatterable mines (anti-tank and anti-personnel) and semi-active laser. The latter is called the KRASNOPOL by the former Soviet Union and is claimed to have a maximum range of 18 km. At least two types of chemical projectiles have been identified. One weighs 40 kg of which 2.8 kg comprises the Sarin CW agent which is dispersed by the TNT bursting charge. The 152 mm viscous Lewisite projectile weighs 42.5 kg of which 5.4 kg comprises the CW agent which is dispersed by the explosion of the TNT bursting charge.

2A36 (M1976) 152-mm Towed Gun
This gun has a distinctive four-wheeled carriage, and has an armored shield that slopes to the rear and extends over the wheels. The 49 caliber barrel of the 2A36 is fitted with a multi-slotted muzzle brake weighing 141 kg with the recoil system consisting of a buffer and a recuperator which are mounted above the ordnance towards the rear. The horizontal sliding breech mechanism opens to the right automatically. The ordnance pivots on the cradle which is of cast and welded steel construction. Elevation and traverse is manual with the former being from -2° 30' to +57° with traverse being 25° left and right. The direct and indirect sights are mounted on the left side of the carriage as are the elevation and traverse mechanisms. Mounted below and to the rear of the breech is the load assist system which is referred to as a quick firing loading system by the former Soviets. This includes a hydraulic rammer operated from the hydro-pneumatic accumulator with controls being provided for ramming and return. A fused projectile is placed on the loading tray which is mounted to the right of the breech. When the breech is opened this slides to the left until it lines up with the breech. The projectile is then rammed into the ordnance, the loading tray then slides back to the right. Types of separate loading ammunition fired include high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) and armor-piercing tracer (AP-T). The former weighs 46 kg and has a maximum muzzle velocity, using the top charge, of about 800 m/s. Before loading the projectile the fusing mode is selected either for fragmentation or high explosive action. The cartridge cased charge is then located in a similar manner and when the breech is closed the rammer automatically returns to the side and the weapon is then ready to fire. The former Soviets quote a rate of fire of six rounds a minute for the 2A36 and say that a battery can put almost one ton of ammunition onto a target in one minute. The AP-T round is used in the direct fire mode against tanks and other armored fighting vehicles. The propelling charge, which weighs a maximum of 11 kg, is placed in a conventional cartridge case. The standard HE-FRAG projectile has a maximum range of 27000 m although a rocket-assisted HE-FRAG projectile, called the active-reactive projectile by the former Soviets, can also be fired. This has a maximum range of 40000 m. Other types of projectile that can probably be fired by the 152 mm 2A36 include chemical, smoke, concrete piercing, incendiary and tactical nuclear. The ammunition system used by the 152 mm 2A36 is of a new design and is not inter-operable with that of earlier former Soviet artillery systems, such as the 152 mm 2S3, and may well be of a new streamlined design. The walking beam suspension has a total of four rubber-tired braked road wheels for high speed towing as well as for improved cross-country mobility with the tires having a normal tire pressure of 4.8 kg/cm2. Each of the front road wheels has a hydraulic shock absorber and a manual handbrake. When in firing position, the 152 mm 2A36 is supported on a circular jack that is located under the forward part of the carriage and on each of the box type welded trails which is provided with a spade. The standard spade is the winter spade but when firing from soft terrain much larger summer spades are used. When coming out of action, the jack is raised clear of the ground and secured under the front, spades removed and stowed on the trails, trails brought together and clamped with a tie mechanism. The hinged tow bar is fitted to the right trail and the weapon is then hitched up to the prime mover. Although the 2A36 was first observed being towed by the new KrAZ-260 (6 x 6) truck, it can also be towed by the KrAZ-255B (6 x 6) truck or ATT, ATS or ATS-59 full tracked vehicles.

2A65 (M1987) 152-mm Towed Gun-Howitzer
The 152 mm 2A36 is also referred to as the MSTA-B by the former Soviet Union with the weapon also forming the main armament of the new 152 mm self-propelled artillery system the 2S19 which is also referred to as the MSTA-S. The 2A65 has a long slender barrel which is estimated to be about 40 calibers long, and has a double-barrel muzzle brake. The split trail carriage has few features of note other than swiveling castor wheels secured towards the end of each trail leg and the provision of a hydraulically raised and lowered firing platform under the forward carriage. The 2A65 weighs 7000 kg, is manned by a crew of eight and can be brought into action in about two minutes. It is normally towed by a 6 x 6 truck up to a maximum speed of 80 km/h or 20 km/h across country. A ramming mechanism and a semi-automatic breech can produce a maximum rate of fire of seven rounds a minute. The 2A65 can fire most existing 152-mm howitzer projectiles but a new family has been specifically designed for the 2A65 (and 2S19). In his family one of three pre-loaded cartridge cases can be selected to suit a particular fire mission. Firing the latest FRAG-HE projectile the maximum range is 24,000 meters, but a FRAG-HE with a base bleed (BB) unit added can improve this to 29,000 meters. There is a cargo round containing 42 dual purpose (anti-personnel and armor-penetrating) bomblets, each containing 45 grams of explosives. Another novel projectile dispenses small radio transmitters intended to jam enemy communications. The 2A65 can also fire the KRASNOPOL laser-guided anti-armor projectile. A RAP projectile can be fired to ranges as great as 40,000 meters.

M-240 240-mm Mortar
The 240 mm M-240 mortar consists of a barrel with breech and breech-block frame, a frame with shock absorbers, the mount with training and equilibrating mechanisms, a two-wheel traveling carriage with the suspension, a boom for changing from the firing to the traveling configuration, a baseplate and a towing bar with a lunette. The sights are carried separately and are mounted on the mortar only when firing. The shock absorbers are used to protect the sights from firing vibrations and also provide the link between the ordnance and mount. It is also used when the mounting returns to the loading position after firing. The boom provides stability when firing and also has two winches to convert the mortar from the firing to the traveling configuration. The M-240 has a minimum range of 800 m and a maximum range of 9700 m with traverse limited to 18°. Elevation limits are from +45 to +65°. The sights, elevation and traverse gears are on the left-hand side of the barrel. The mortar is normally towed, at a maximum speed of 40 km/h, muzzle first by an AT-P, AT-L or AT-S tractor which also carries the crew of 11. Additional vehicles carry the ammunition and emplacing equipment. On arrival at the firing position, which has to be on firm ground, the mortar is uncoupled from the tractor and the towing lunette is removed. The large circular welded baseplate is lowered to the ground and packed with earth to provide a stable firing platform. The smoothbore barrel is 5.34 m long and for loading is swung into the horizontal position. At the lower end of the barrel is the breech-block and projectile guide. Bringing the M-240 into action takes at least 25 minutes, slightly less to move it after firing. Weight in action is approximately 4150 kg. The HE bomb weighs 130 kg of which 34 kg is payload. The bomb, which is almost 1.5 m long, is brought to the mortar on a two-wheeled trolley and a team of five is used for loading. Large tongs/gripping pincers are used to lift the bomb from the trolley onto the projectile guide with two men on each handle and the fifth steadying the fins. The bomb is then pushed into the barrel and the breech is closed. The barrel is then raised to the firing position. The rate of fire is about 1 rd/min.


Self-Propelled Artillery and Mortars
2S9 120-mm SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER/MORTAR (SO-120)
The 120-mm 2S9 Anona (Anemone) self-propelled howitzer/mortar was first seen in public in May 1985 and it is an airborne artillery assault vehicle that has been developed to carry out two tactical functions: conventional artillery equipment to replace existing mortars and howitzers and as a direct fire anti-tank weapon system firing HEAT projectiles. The 2S9 has a crew of four; commander, driver/mechanic, gunner and loader. The 2S9 hull is a stretched version of the BMD airborne combat vehicle and is divided into three compartments; the command compartment, the fighting compartment and the engine compartment. The two-man turret is located in the middle of the hull and is of welded steel construction with 16-mm thick frontal armor. The turret roof has two hatches, one for the gunner and the other for the loader. The track is the same as that used on the BMD airborne combat vehicle and the suspension is hydro-pneumatic with an adjustable ground clearance of between 100 and 450-mm. The ground clearance is adjustable by the driver/mechanic from within the vehicle. There are six road wheels each side and five track-return rollers. The 2S9 is armed with a 120-mm breech-loaded mortar (2A60) with a barrel approximately 1.8-m long. The mortar is probably provided with an interrupted-screw breech mechanism and a chamber detent to retain a round in place when the barrel is elevated. Ammunition is fixed and loading is manual, although ramming is automatic. The 120-mm mortar has a rate of fire of 6 to 8 rds/min. In the indirect fire role the mortar fires high explosive, white phosphorous and smoke rounds. Mounted below the turret rear is an ammunition loading hatch and mounted on top of the hull is a device for loading ammunition from the ground directly into the fighting compartment. This allows sustained fire missions to be carried out whilst still retaining onboard ammunition supply. The 2S9 takes 30 seconds to come into action and a similar time to come out of action. When in the firing position the suspension is raised to provide a more stable firing platform. Standard equipment includes an NBC system, night vision equipment and an electric bilge pump. The 2S9 is amphibious and is powered in the water by two water-jets at the rear. Power can be delivered to the water-jets and the track at the same time. When in the water, splash vanes can be erected in front of the driver's position. For air transport the 2S9 can be carried by any former Soviet Military Air Transport (VTA) medium or heavy cargo aircraft. It can be para-dropped from the An-32 `Cline', Il-76 `Candid' or An-22 `Cock' aircraft using the PRSM-915 heavy drop system, from heights between 300 and 1500 m.

2S23 120-mm SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER/MORTAR SYSTEM
The 120-mm 2S23 self-propelled howitzer/mortar system is essentially a modified version of the turret used with the 2S9 system mounted on a modified BTR-80 (8 x 8) armored personnel carrier chassis. The all-welded steel turret of the 2S23 does differ from that observed on the 2S9 (SO-120) in a number of areas including the installation of three electrically operated smoke dischargers either side of the turret firing forwards and a raised commander's cupola towards the rear of the turret on the left side which overhangs the side of the turret. On the 2S23 the infra-red searchlight is mounted on the forward part of the commander's cupola which is also provided with vision devices. Forward of the cupola is a 7.62-mm pintle-mounted machine gun. The turret is also provided with vision blocks for direct observation. The 120-mm main armament, designated the 2A60, has a maximum range of 8000-m with a maximum rate of fire being 6 to 8 rds/min. In addition to firing former Soviet 120-mm mortar bombs, the 120-mm weapon of the 2S23 can also fire mortar bombs fired by the French Thomson-Brandt MO-120-RT-61 mortar system that is used by many countries around the world. This fires a wide range of mortar bombs including HE, HE extended range, illuminating and smoke. The direct fire sight is located to the left of the 120-mm main armament while the indirect fire sight is mounted in the turret roof on the left side. The indirect sight housing of the 2S23 appears to be slightly different from that of the earlier 2S9 (SO-120) system. Although the chassis of the 2S23 is similar to that of the BTR-80 it does have a number of differences including removal of all firing ports and their associated vision devices, removal of the side doors between the second and third road wheels, different roof hatches and removal of the commander's roof-mounted infra-red searchlight. Although the doors in the upper hull sides have been removed, a door is fitted in the lower part of the hull between the second and third wheels as an emergency exit. The 2S23 retains the amphibious characteristics of the original BTR-80 and has a single water-jet at the rear of the hull with a trim vane being mounted on the front of the vehicle. This folds back onto the glacis plate when not required. Standard equipment on the 2S23 includes an NBC system, night vision equipment and a central tire pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tire pressure to suit the type of ground being crossed.

2S1 122-mm SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER (SO-122)
The all-welded steel hull of the 2S1 is divided into three compartments: driver's at the front on the left, engine to the right of the driver and the turret at the rear. The welded turret, which does not overhang the side of the hull, has a well-sloped front and sides with the commander seated on the left, gunner in front of and below the commander and the loader on the right. The indirect sight is mounted in the roof of the turret, forward of the commander's cupola with the direct sight being mounted to the left of the main armament. A long stowage box is often mounted on the left side of the turret and there is a large door in the rear of the hull, hinged on the left side. The rear door has a single firing port in the center. The suspension system is similar to the MT-LB multi-purpose tracked vehicle's and consists of seven road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, but no track-return rollers. An unusual feature of the 2S1 is that the suspension can be adjusted to give different heights, which is of particular use when the vehicle is being transported by tactical transport aircraft. The 2S1's main armament, designated the 2A31, is a modified version of the 122-mm D-30 towed howitzer. The ordnance is fitted with a fume extractor and muzzle brake and is held in position when traveling via a lock on the hull glacis plate which is operated by remote-control by the driver. A power rammer and extractor are fitted to the folding guard rail to enable a higher rate of fire to be achieved and to permit loading at any angle of elevation. A maximum sustained rate of fire of 5-8 rds/min can be obtained with a sustained rate of fire of 70 rounds for the first hour and, of the 40 122-mm projectiles normally carried, 32 are HE, six smoke and two HEAT-FS. Of the 40 rounds of 122-mm ammunition carried, 16 are in standby stowage on the left and right of the sidewalls. When in action, ammunition would normally be used from outside the 2S1 system and fed to the crew inside via a ramp. One of the two ammunition members outside the vehicle is connected to the vehicle intercom and would fuse the projectiles before they are passed into the vehicle. The remaining 24 projectiles and charges are stowed near the loader's position with the empty cartridge cases being ejected outside the turret. The HE projectile has a maximum range of 15300-m. Other ammunition types available include leaflet, HE/RAP (range of 21900 m), armor piercing high explosive, flechette, and chemical projectiles. Standard equipment includes infra-red night vision lights and an NBC system. It is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks. Any water that enters the hull during amphibious operations is removed via the exhaust outlet using the bilge pump. Whilst afloat only 30 rounds (projectiles and charges) are carried.

2S3 152-mm SELF-PROPELLED GUN/HOWITZER
The all-welded steel hull of the 2S3 is divided into three compartments; driver's at the front on the left, engine to the right of the driver and the turret at the rear. On the forward part of the glacis is a splash board to stop water rushing up the glacis plate when the vehicle is fording a stream. The air-inlet and air-outlet louvers are on the top of the hull with the exhaust outlet on the right side of the hull, just above the track guard. The large all-welded turret has a sloped front and well-sloped sides with a vision block in each side. The commander is seated on the left of the turret with the gunner forward and below him and the loader on the right. The commander has a cupola which can be traversed through a full 360° and a single piece hatch cover that opens to the rear. Mounted on the forward part of the hatch is a 7.62-mm machine gun which can be aimed and fired from inside the turret. There is an OU-3K infra-red/white searchlight mounted to the left of the machine gun. In the rear half of the hull is a total of 33 projectiles complete with fuses which are stowed in three horizontal layers. On the 2S3M/2S3M1 is a projectile carousel which holds an additional 12 projectiles in the vertical position. Stowed below the projectiles are 16 charges in two layers of eight with an additional eight being stowed near the loader's position and the remainder being stowed in brackets in the vehicle. An ammunition resupply hatch is provided in the right side of the turret and there is an oval hatch at the rear of the hull which opens downwards. Wherever possible, ammunition would be used from outside the 2S3 with the onboard ammunition supply being retained ready for immediate use. The two ammunition crew-members are in a 6 x 6 truck and on arriving at the fire position one of these plugs into the external connector of the 2S3's intercom system at the rear and listens into the firing commands. The prepared projectiles (complete with set fuse) and charge are then passed through the openings in the rear of the vehicle. The later 2S3M/2S3M1 has a single opening. Main armament Is a 152-mm weapon, designated the 2A33, which is based on the towed 152-mm D-20 gun/howitzer but with a bore evacuator added behind the muzzle brake. The barrel has a double-baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor and a gun barrel traveling lock. The normal projectile fired by the 2S3 is the HE-FRAG OF-540, which is fitted with an RGM-2 fuse, weighs 43.5 kg, contains 5.76 kg of TNT, and has a maximum muzzle velocity of 655 m/s and maximum range of 18500 m. Other types of projectiles fired include chemical, HEAT-FS (also referred to as HEAT-SS, with latter standing for spin stabilized), HE/RAP (high explosive rocket assisted projectile) with a range of 24000 m, AP-T, illuminating, smoke, 0.2 kT tactical nuclear, incendiary, flechette, scatterable mines (anti-tank and anti-personnel) and semi-active laser. The gun has an elevation of +60°, a depression of -3° and turret traverse is a full 360°. The 2S3 has infra-red night vision equipment and an NBC system. It has no amphibious capability and normally carries an unditching beam at the rear of the hull.
VARIANTS: Late production versions of the 2S3 are designated the 2S3M and 2S3M1. The 2S3M and 2S3M1 have an ammunition load of 40 projectiles and charges and also a loading carousel which facilitates loading and therefore increases the rate of fire. These versions can be distinguished from the rear as they have two small stowage compartment covers positioned to the right and left of the hull rear as opposed to a larger oval cover in the center. The 2S3M1 is, in addition, equipped with a data terminal which automatically displays the fire command transmitted to the battery officer's upgraded 1V13M command vehicle.

2S5 152-mm SELF-PROPELLED GUN
The chassis of the 2S5 is of all-welded steel armor construction that is believed to have a maximum thickness of 15-mm so providing the crew with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. A dozer blade is mounted under the nose of the 2S5. This is used for clearing obstacles and preparing firing positions without specialized engineer support. Mounted externally on the forward part of the cupola is a 7.62-mm machine gun that can be operated by remote-control with a white light searchlight being mounted on the left side. The commander is provided with periscopes and other viewing devices. The long-barreled 152-mm ordnance, which is fitted with a five part multi-baffle muzzle brake, is mounted externally on the roof at the rear and when traveling is held in position by a travel lock. When deployed in the firing position a large spade is lowered to the ground to provide a more stable firing platform. The 2S5 takes three minutes to come into action and a similar time to come out of action. Ammunition is of the separate loading type, for example projectile and charge, and crew fatigue is reduced by means of a semi-automatic loading system. This consists of an electrically driven chain rammer located to the left of the breech which, when not required folds back through 90° so that it is parallel to the breech and the projectile and charge-loading system. The latter is pivoted on the right side and has a projectile tray and a charge tray. The projectile and charge are loaded in the trays and then swung upwards through almost 90° where the rammer first rams the projectile then the charge. The 2S5 can be supplied with ammunition from either on board via the rear of the vehicle or from ammunition on the ground. A total of 30 projectiles and charges is carried with the projectiles being stowed vertically in a carousel device in the left side of the rear compartment with the 30 charges to the right in three rows of 10. Each row of 10 charges is also stowed vertically and they are on a horizontal conveyor belt that returns under the floor of the vehicle. The charge consists of a conventional cartridge case containing the actual charge and once fired the breech automatically opens and the spent cartridge case is ejected. Maximum range, firing conventional ammunition is 28500-m while a range of 40000-m can be achieved using a rocket-assisted projectile. In addition to the normal high explosive fragmentation projectile which weighs 46 kg, with propellant and cartridge weighing a maximum of 34 kg, other types include chemical, concrete-piercing, improved conventional munitions and tactical nuclear. A unit of fire is 60 rounds. The mechanical ammunition-handling system enables a maximum rate of fire of 5-6 rds/min to be achieved. Standard equipment for the 2S5 includes an NBC system and infra-red night equipment for the driver and commander.

2S19 152-mm SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY SYSTEM
The 2S19 is based on a full tracked MBT chassis with the driver at the front, fully enclosed turret in the center and powerpack at the rear and in many respects is similar to the French 155-mm GCT self-propelled artillery system based on an AMX-30 MBT chassis. The hull and turret is of all-welded steel armor construction which provides protection from small arms fire, shell splinters and mines. The 2S19 self-propelled artillery system is based on the chassis of the T-80 MBT but with automotive components of the T-72 MBT as the 2S19 has a distinct exhaust outlet on the left side that is not on the T-80 which is powered by a gas-turbine engine. Mounted under the nose of the vehicle, in a similar manner to that of the T-72/T-80 MBT's, is a dozer blade that can be used to prepare fire positions or clear obstacles. The suspension is of the torsion bar type with six road wheels, idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and track-return rollers with the upper part of the track being covered by a skirt. The vehicle commander is seated on the right and operates the roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun that can be operated by remote-control and the searchlight. The 12.7-mm machine gun can be used to engage both ground and air targets. Mounted externally on the right side of the turret are boxes of 12.7-mm machine gun ammunition for ready use. Main armament comprises a long-barreled 152-mm gun fitted with a fume extractor and a muzzle brake. When the 2S19 is traveling the ordnance is held in position by a traveling lock mounted on the glacis plate. The 152-mm gun fires an HE-FRAG (high explosive fragmentation) projectile to a maximum range of 24700 m, although using an extended-range projectile its range is probably 36000 m. Other types of projectile can also be fired including illuminating, incendiary, smoke and tactical nuclear. Automation of the loading process enables a maximum rate of fire of 8 rds/min to be achieved using onboard ammunition and 6 to 7 rds/min using projectiles and charges from the ground. This selects and then places the fused projectile into the breech with the charges being loaded semi-automatically. In addition to selecting the projectile from the magazine, the automatic loading mechanism controls the number of rounds to be fired and has built-in test equipment. Laying in elevation is automatic with laying in traverse being semi-automatic. A total of 50 projectiles and charges is carried. Spades are not required on the 2S19 as it is very stable when in the firing position. If required the 2S19 can be reloaded through the turret rear while the system is firing. This enables the system to move off to its next fire position with a full load of ammunition on board. Three smoke dischargers are mounted either side of the turret. A 16 kW autonomous gas-turbine auxiliary power unit (APU) is provided in the turret and this provides power within 30 to 60 seconds of being switched on. This allows the system to be fully operational at temperatures ranging from -50 to +50°C with the main diesel engine being switched off to conserve fuel supplies. Standard equipment includes an NBC system and night vision equipment for the driver.

2S7 203-mm SELF-PROPELLED GUN (SO-203)
The 2S7 is based on a large chassis that is probably the largest armored vehicle currently in the former Soviet inventory. The fully enclosed crew compartment is at the front of the vehicle and has seats for the commander, driver and two other crew members. The commander and driver are each provided with a circular roof hatch and in front of these are periscopes for forward observation. To their immediate front is a windscreen that, when in a combat area, is covered by an armored shutter hinged at the top. In addition, there is a single forward-facing periscope in the forward part of the roof between the commander and driver. The torsion bar suspension has seven dual rubber-tired road wheels either side with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear, and six track-return rollers that support the inside of the track only. Along either side of the hull are a series of large stowage boxes with the 203-mm gun, which is not fitted with a fume extractor or a muzzle brake, being mounted at the rear. One piston of the recoil brake and recuperator is located on the gun with the other two pistons beneath it and these limit recoil to a maximum of 1400-mm. The 203-mm gun is designated the 2A44 and when traveling is held in position by a manually operated lock mounted on top of the cab. The 203-mm rifled gun is fitted with a screw type breech block that opens to the right and is fitted with a large power-assisted loading device. The gun operator is seated at the rear of the hull on the left side with the elevation and traverse controls. It is reported that traverse is probably electric and elevation hydraulic, with manual controls being provided for emergency use. Ammunition is of the separate loading type, for example projectile and charge with a maximum muzzle velocity of 960 m/s. Maximum range, using unassisted ammunition, is 37.5 km. The standard HE round is designated the ZOF 43 and weighs 43 kg with a total of four projectiles and charges being carried on the 2S7 for immediate use. The remainder of the ammunition load is carried by another vehicle, usually a truck. In addition to the HE projectile it is reported that other types of projectile can be fired including tactical nuclear and concrete-piercing and, possibly chemical. The 2S7 is provided with an ammunition-handling system that enables a rate of fire of 2 rds/min to be achieved, with this being operated by the loader. Mounted at the very rear of the 2S7 is a large hydraulically operated spade that is lowered to the ground before firing commences. Standard equipment includes an NBC system of the overpressure type and night vision equipment. An auxiliary power unit is not provided for the 2S7 so the main engine has to be kept running as a power supply during firing.
VARIANTS: The latest version is designated the 2S7M which has more recent communications equipment and can carry a total of eight projectiles and charges.

2S4 240-mm SELF-PROPELLED MORTAR (SM-240)
The 240-mm self-propelled mortar known to the West as the M-1975 is known as the SM-240 (2S4) by the former Soviet Army, although its more common name is the Tyulpan, or Tulip Tree. The M-1975 consists of a much modified GMZ tracked minelaying vehicle carrying a 240-mm M-240 breech-loading mortar on the hull rear. The mortar is carried complete with a baseplate and is hydraulically lowered from its traveling position around a pivot on the hull rear. The baseplate is hinged to the hull rear so that when emplaced the mortar barrel faces away from the hull. The 240-mm mortar is lowered into the firing position under remote-control and when in position can be elevated from +45 to +80° with a traverse of 8° left and right. Some rounds are probably carried inside the vehicle hull and it is likely that some form of assisted loading is provided. The rate of fire is probably about one round a minute, with firing being by remote-control. The hull of the vehicle is of all-welded steel armor with the engine compartment at the front right and driver front left. The commander is seated to the rear of the driver and has a raised cupola with an externally mounted 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun. A further hatch is to the rear of the commander's cupola with a similar outward opening hatch on the opposite side of the vehicle roof. Ammunition is stowed internally and is loaded into the mortar using a hand-operated crane mounted at the rear of the vehicle on the left side. The mortar sighting system is on the right side of the mortar. Suspension is of the torsion bar type with each side having six road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and four track-return rollers. Firing a standard 130 kg HE round designated the F-864, a minimum range of 800-m and a maximum range of 9700-m can be achieved. In addition there is understood to be an extended-range round with a maximum range of 20000 m. Other rounds include a chemical projectile and nuclear. A concrete-piercing round for use against urban targets has been reported.


Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRLs)
BM-21 122-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher


The BM-21 is distinguishable from other MRLs by its square-cornered, 40-tube launching apparatus with 4 banks of 10 tubes. A protective canvas often covers the apparatus. The BM-21 is mounted on the Ural-375D 6 x 6 truck chassis, which has a distinctive fender design and a spare tire on the rear side of the cab. The BM-21 has no blast shields on the driver's cab. However, the material used in the cab windows and windscreen is strong enough to withstand the overpressure and other effects associated with the firing of 122-mm rockets. The BM-21's crew can fire it either from the cab or remotely from a distance of up to 60 meters when using a cable set. They can fire some or all rockets at a fixed 0.5-sec interval. They can fire single rockets manually at any desired interval. This five-man crew can reload the launcher in 8 to 10 minutes. The BM-21 fires a rocket with a range of 20,380 meters. Each launch tube is grooved to impart a slow rotary motion to the rocket. However, the rocket is primarily fin-stabilized. This combination of spin- and fin-stabilization ensures closely grouped fire at ranges of up to 16 kilometers. On explosion, the warhead produces a great fragmentation effect and shock wave. The warhead fill may be Frag-HE, chemical, incendiary, scatterable mines, or AP/AT bomblets. An advanced rocket has a maximum range of 30,000 meters. It takes the battalion 23/32 minutes to occupy fire positions (day/night) and 11/14 minutes to leave the fire position. The battalion will normally be found some 5000 m behind the FEBA during offensive and defensive operations. The launcher can be traversed through 180? and the bank of 40 launcher tubes elevated from 0 to +55? electrically or manually. The rockets can be launched singly at any desired time interval by manual means or in partial or complete salvo at a fixed 0.5 second time interval from within the cab or up to 60 m away from the cab with the aid of a remote-control unit connected to the vehicle by a cable. The rockets must be fired with the launcher parked obliquely to the target to prevent blast damage to the unshielded cab. Because of its high volume of fire and large area coverage, the BM-21 is well suited for use against troops in the open, for use in artillery preparations, and for delivery of chemical concentrations. One volley from a BM-21 battalion is 720 rounds. Because these weapons have a large circular error probable (CEP), they are not suited for attacks against point targets. The Ural-375D vehicle has a maximum road speed of 75 kilometers per hour. a cruising range of 750 kilometers, and an exceptional cross-country capability.
BM-21-1 VARIANT: The 122-mm MRL BM-21-1 closely resembles the BM-21. However, the BM-21-1 variant uses a ZIL-131 chassis instead of a Ural-375D; therefore, it has a slightly lower profile than the BM-21. The rear fenders of the ZIL-131 rotate with the launcher when the BM-21-1 is aimed for firing. A more important difference is that the BM-21-1 has only 36 tubes, unlike the BM-21 which has 40. A launching apparatus has had the two center tubes in each of the lower two banks removed.

BM-21V 122-mm Airborne Multiple Rocket Launcher
For use in the composite artillery battalion allocated to each former Soviet Airborne Assault Brigade and Airborne Division the 12-round BM-21V (V standing for vozdushnodesantii, or airborne) system was developed. This has the NATO designator M1975 and has two tiers of six tubes mounted on the lower chassis of the reduced weight airborne forces GAZ-66B (4 x 4) 2000 kg truck. This has a collapsible canvas cab, removable doors and windscreen, telescopic steering wheel and tie down points for aiding parachute dropping and air landing. The launcher is traversed forward towards the cab for traveling and for firing uses two stabilizing jacks at the rear of the vehicle. The BM-21V fires the same 122-mm fin-stabilized rocket as the BM-21 and BM-21-1. The rockets can deliver Frag-HE, chemical, or incendiary warheads to a range of 20,380 meters, or the newer HE and cargo rockets out to 30,000 meters. This airborne MRL can fire all 12 rockets in 6 seconds or fire each singly. It can reload in 5 minutes. The B version of the GAZ-66 has reduced weight and mass due to a canvas-covered cab and a windshield that can be folded down to simplify air-landing or air-dropping. The BM-21V has a maximum highway speed of 87 kilometers per hour.

BM-22 220-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher


The 220-mm BM-22 Uragan (Hurricane, 16-round) MRL was introduced into service in 1977 and is sometimes referred to in the West as the M1977. The industrial designation for the BM-22 system is 9K57 and is mounted on a modified ZIL-135 (8 x 8) cross-country truck chassis designated the BAZ-135LM (industrial designation 9P140) which is fitted with a central tire pressure regulation system and has steering on the front and rear axles. Before the rockets are launched two stabilizers are lowered at the rear of the vehicle, one either side. The BM-22 provides chemical, high explosive and submunition supporting fire to maneuver units. The following rocket types are known to be used with the system: unitary HE, APAM bomblets (30 bomblets), AT mines (24 mines), and AP mines (312 mines). The launcher has a traverse of +-30?, maximum elevation of +55? and consists of one layer of four tubes and two layers of six tubes. A rapid reload capability is provided for by another ZIL-135 that carries 16 rockets arranged in two stacks positioned either side of the vehicle bed with a single round capacity reloading arm between them. For reloading the launcher is lowered to the horizontal and swung to one side, the new rockets being loaded with the aid of a rammer. Reloading time is estimated to take up to 20 minutes. Maximum rate of fire is one round every 0.5 seconds.

9A52-2 Smerch 300-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher


The 9A52 300-mm is the largest caliber of multiple rocket launcher used by the Commonwealth of Independent States and it is commonly known as the Smerch (Tornado). The complete system has the industrial designation of the 9K58. The original 9A52 launcher has a total of 14 launcher tubes, but a modified variant, Smerch-M, has also been deployed, this has the industrial index of 9A52-2 and has a total of 12 launcher tubes. The main role of the system is to suppress missile, artillery and mortar batteries, destroy strong points and eliminate enemy nodes of resistance. The system is based on an improved MAZ-543M (8 x 8) cross-country truck designated the MAZ-7310 which is also used for the re-supply vehicle. The launcher has a fully enclosed two-door cab that is on the left side of the vehicle whereas the rocket re-supply vehicle has a four-door fully enclosed cab that is in two parts, one either side of the front-mounted engine compartment. The launcher vehicle also has a radiator grill that extends to the right side of the chassis whereas the re-supply vehicle has a smaller radiator that is in the center of the vehicle. On the launcher vehicle there is an additional fully enclosed compartment to the immediate rear of the driver's compartment at a slightly raised level. Mounted on the rear of the chassis is the 300 mm 14- or 12-round multiple rocket launcher, this has one group of four rocket tubes either side and another group of four rocket tubes horizontally above. Before the rockets are launched two stabilizers are lowered to the ground, these are positioned one either side between the rear two road wheels. The system takes three minutes to be prepared for action with a similar time to come out of action with the normal crew consisting of four men. The launcher has powered traverse of 55? left and right with maximum elevation being +55?, a salvo of 12 rockets can be fired in 38 seconds with accuracy being claimed as 0.23 per cent of range. According to former Soviet sources, one volley of rockets from a 9A52-2 launcher can cover an area of 672000 m2. The unguided rocket has a maximum range of 70000 m and is fitted with a cluster warhead that contains 72 HE fragmentation bomblets. The 9A52 re-supply vehicle has a similar chassis and carries a total of 12 or 14 rockets which are reloaded using an onboard crane. This vehicle, designation 9T234 for Smerch and 9T234-2 for Smerch-M, has a three-man crew and weighs 41.5 tons fully loaded. In addition there is also special drill and training equipment.


Surface to Surface Missile (SSMs) and Rocket Systems
Free Rocket Over Ground (FROG-7) Artillery Rocket
The FROG-7 (9K52 Luna) is the final version of the Free Rocket Over Ground family of unguided battlefield rockets developed by the former Soviet Union. It is an unguided, spin-stabilized, short-range, battlefield support artillery rocket. It employs a modified BAZ-135 transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle (industrial designation 3R11), which carries one rocket and a crane on an 8 x 8 wheeled chassis. It is supported by a resupply vehicle (TZM), which consists of the BAZ-135L4 8 x 8 truck with three missiles. These reload missiles are placed on the TEL by that vehicle’s own hydraulically operated crane, which is on the right side of the launcher rail. A typical FROG-7 battalion is equipped with an HQ battery, and two firing batteries, each with two TELs and a D-band RMS (END TRAY) long-range meteorological radar. The range of the rocket is 70 km, and the rocket has a CEP of 500 to 700 meters. It is fitted with either a 450 kg HE, 450 kg nuclear, or 36 kg chemical warheads. The FROG-7b is an improved rocket which can carry a cargo warhead capable of delivering bomblets or mines. Preparation for firing can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the situation.

SS-21 SCARAB Tactical Ballistic Missile
The SS-21 SCARAB (9K79 Tochka) is a single-stage, short-range, tactical-ballistic missile. It is transported and fired from the 9P129 transporter erector launcher, which is based on BAZ-5921 6 x 6 wheeled chassis. It is supported by two missile transport vehicles: a tactical transloader (9T218) which is based on the same BAZ-5921 chassis (identifiable from the TEL by the canvas covered rear bed); and a 9T238 missile transporter trailer, which is towed by a ZIL-131 truck. The 9P129 TEL has a crew compartment in the forward section of the vehicle, and a missile compartment behind this. During transport, the missile is entirely enclosed, with the warhead in a temperature-controlled casing. The SS-21 SCARAB missile (9M79) has a maximum range of 70 km and a CEP of 160 meters. An improved version, called the 9M79-1 (Tochka-U) has a maximum range of 120 km, thanks to an improved composite propellant. The SS-21 is capable of carrying several different warheads. The basic warhead is the 9N123F HE-Frag warhead which has 120 kg of high explosives. The 9N123K is a submunition warhead which can probably carry either bomblets or mines. The SS-21 can also carry the AA60 tactical nuclear warhead. There are several other warheads believed to be in existence; these include chemical, terminally guided warhead, and a smart-munition bomblet warhead.

SS-1C SCUD Tactical Ballistic Missile
The SS-1c SCUD is a single-stage, short-range tactical ballistic missile, using storable liquid propellants. It is transported, and fired from a TEL based on a MAZ-543 wheeled (8 x 8) chassis. The SCUD was designed for targets such as marshaling areas, major storage dumps, and airfields. The SCUD, which has a maximum range of 300 km, has been deployed in three variants: (S-1b) SCUD A, (SS-1c) SCUD B, and SCUD D. The primary difference between each of these variants is their guidance system and resulting CEP. The SCUD A and SCUB B have a rudimentary inertial guidance system using three gyroscopes and have a CEP of 450 meters. The SCUD D has an active radar terminal seeker to refine the aim point as the warhead approaches the target, and a CEP of 50 m. The warhead separates from the motor and fuel tank assembly following motor burn-out to increase warhead stability and accuracy. All of the SCUD variants are capable of delivering the same warheads: HE, chemical, and nuclear. The MAZ-543 TEL gives the SCUD missile system greater road mobility. It reduces the number of support vehicles required, and still preserves a great choice in selecting off-road firing positions.


Fire Support C2 and Radars
Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle MT-LBu (IV12 series)
To operate with the 122 mm 2S1 (M-1974) self-propelled howitzer and the 152 mm M-1973 self-propelled gun/howitzer, the former Soviet Union has developed the Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle (ACRV) which is based on the chassis of the M-1974 but with a much larger superstructure. The ACRV has an NBC system and like the M-1974 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks. Track shrouds fitted on the forward fender to improve water flow are often removed on land and stowed at the rear of the vehicle. There are at least three versions of the Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle. These ACRVs are called MT-LBus as they are based on the chassis of the MT-LB multi-purpose armored vehicle used in large numbers. The basic ACRV has a driver and usually has seating for up to seven men. Typically it has a five-man crew consisting of driver, commander, radio operator, navigator and rangefinder operator. The former Soviet Army is now known to refer to these vehicles as the 1V12 system which applies to those command and control vehicles assigned to self-propelled artillery systems. These systems have been improved, and the current models have the designation 1V13M-1, 1V14M-1, 1V15M-1, and 1V16M-1. The Polish designations for these vehicles are 1W12, 1W13, 1W14, 1W15 and 1W16. Each battery has two vehicles, with the 1V13 deputy battery commander's vehicle serving as the battery fire direction center, while the 1V14 serves as the observation post for the battery commander. In addition, the battalion command platoon also includes one 1V15 for use by the battalion commander and one 1V16 for the battalion fire direction under the control of the deputy battalion commander.
ACRV IV13 (Battery Fire Direction Center) This model is issued on the scale of three per self-propelled battalion. It has a crew of six with the driver seated at the front on the left with a single piece hatch cover that opens to the rear and the vehicle commander to his right with a single piece hatch cover that opens forwards. Both have a windscreen in front with a shutter which is lowered in a combat area. The remainder of the crew are seated at the back. This is often fitted with an externally mounted 12.7 mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun which in turn is mounted on a rotating cupola. The circular cupola is provided with vision equipment and single piece hatch cover.
ACRV IV14/IV15 (Battery and Battalion Command Vehicle) The battery commander's vehicle is designated the ACRV M1974-2A and has whip antennas while the battalion commander's vehicle, the ACRV M1974-2B, has a 10 m telescopic antenna which is stowed on the upper left hull when not required. The ACRV M1974-2A, used both as a command and observation vehicle, is fitted with a laser rangefinder in the turret and also carries a dismountable rangefinder such as the DAK-1 (NATO Codename SAGE GLOSS).
ACRV IV16 (Battalion Fire Direction Center) Main identification features of this version are the lack of a box on the right side of the hull, clean turret top and side and additional antenna on the hull roof. This version contains the battalion's electronic field artillery computer and is fitted with a 10 m telescopic antenna which is stowed on the upper left hull when not deployed.

Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle ACRV 1V17 Series
The ACRV 1V17 Series was developed to support towed artillery and multiple rocket launcher battalions. Unlike the ACRV 1V12 series, which is based on the MT-LBu chassis, the 1V17 series consists of BTR-60-based vehicles (1V18, 1V19) and two truck-mounted vehicles (1V110, 1V111). The 1V110 is based on the GAZ-66B (6 x 6) box-body van (BBV) truck and is the wheeled equivalent of the 1V13. It serves as the battery FDC (fire direction center). The 1V18 and 1V19 are BTR-60-based vehicles, which are the wheeled equivalents of the 1V14 and 1V15. They serve as the command observation posts (COPs) for the battery and battalion commander’s, respectively. These vehicles have the armament removed from the turret and replaced with rangefinding, and sighting equipment. The 1V111 is based on the ZIL-131 (6 x 6) BBV truck and is the wheeled equivalent to the 1V16. It serves as the battalion FDC.

Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle 1V119
The ACRV 1V119 is the airborne equivalent to the 1V12 and 1V17-series of artillery command and reconnaissance vehicles. They are used to support airborne artillery battalions, towed, self-propelled, and MRL. These vehicles act as the battery and battalion COPs, and FDCs. This vehicle is also used in airborne antitank battalions and in some headquarters units. The ACRV 1V119 is based on the stretched BMD chassis, the same as the 2S9 self-propelled mortar-howitzer. It has a turret equipped with several imaging, light intensification, and rangefinding equipment. Mounted on the turret roof is a TALL MIKE ground surveillance radar. The ACRV 1V119 can serve as both the observation and command and control vehicles for artillery batteries and battalions. The imaging, night vision and rangefinding equipment facilitates target identification, selection, and refinement. The TALL MIKE radar helps to identify both infantry and vehicular targets.

PRP-3 Artillery Reconnaissance Vehicle
This artillery reconnaissance vehicle is used as an artillery fire adjustment and/or artillery/mortar locating vehicle. The front of the vehicle is identical to the BMP-1 but the vehicle has a new two-man turret that has two single-piece hatches which open forward. Both hatches have periscopes for observation plus a large optical device in front of the hatch. Armament consists of a 7.62-mm machine-gun which has replaced the 73-mm gun. On the right side of the turret is a shuttered outcropping which houses an unidentified optical device. Mounted on the rear of the turret is a SMALL FRED battlefield surveillance radar with a flat antenna that folds forward when not in use. The SMALL FRED, which operates in the J-band, has a detection range of 20 km, and a tracking range of 7 km. To the rear of the turret on the left side is a further circular hatch cover and a telescoping antenna. This vehicle has a five-man crew and is fitted with extensive communications equipment and optical devices.

PRP-4 Artillery Reconnaissance Vehicle
This artillery reconnaissance vehicle, which is the replacement for the PRP-3, is used as an artillery fire adjustment and/or artillery/mortar locating vehicle. The front of the vehicle is identical to the BMP-1 but the vehicle has a new two-man turret that has two single-piece hatches which open forward. Both hatches have periscopes for observation plus a large optical device in front of the hatch. Armament consists of a 7.62-mm machine-gun which has replaced the 73-mm gun. On the either side of the turret are shuttered outcroppings which house unidentified optical devices. Mounted on the rear of the turret is a TALL MIKE battlefield surveillance radar, which has replaces the SMALL FRED found on the PRP-3. The TALL MIKE battlefield surveillance radar, which is also found on the BRM-1K and ACRV 1V119, detects vehicles out to 7000 meters and personnel out to 2000 meters. The TALL MIKE is retracted into the turret when not in use. To the rear of the turret on the left side is a further circular hatch cover and a telescoping antenna. This vehicle has a five-man crew and is fitted with extensive communications equipment and optical devices.

SNAR-10 BIG FRED Battlefield Surveillance Radar
This vehicle is an MT-LB fitted with an artillery/mortar-locating radar which has been allocated the NATO reporting name of BIG FRED. When traveling the antenna folds forward onto the top of the large turret which is to the rear of the vehicle. The forward turret-mounted 7.62-mm machine gun is retained. The radar is believed to be of a similar type to the British THORN EMI Cymbeline in that the radar measures the slant range and bearing of two points in the mortar bomb/artillery shell trajectory. The time taken for the bomb/projectile to travel between the two points is also measured and the onboard computer uses this information together with the pre-set elevation angles to determine the position of the enemy mortar or artillery piece. This information is then relayed to the field artillery units and the target is engaged. The radar has a range of about 20 km. Specifications of the MT-LB with BIG FRED are similar to those of the basic MT-LB except for a weight of 11500 kg, height with antenna down of 2.9 m and a crew of four to six.

"Tajfun" is sucesor of former Yugoslav MLRS system "Ogan".
Its range is around 21km.