(David Bartoccini)
10/12/15

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/mezzi/difesa-online-scheda-tecnica-il-t-90

The T-90A (K commando version, S export version) produced by Uralvagonzavod in the factories of Nizhnyi Tagil, is the latest development of the T-series of Russian tanks. Tank of third generation is the result of the need for improvement: increase in firepower, mobility and protection of its predecessor T-72, and can be considered the most powerful MBT (Main Battle Tank) on active duty.
It has entered service in 1995, the main armament consists of a 125 mm smoothbore cannon 2A46M , it is stabilized in two axes and has a 'thermal sleeve'. Its ammunition cargo includes 42 rounds. Can fire a variety of ammunition including APDS (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot), HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), HE-FRAG (high-explosive fragmentation), and several other types of projectiles "shrapnel".

The T-90S can also fire Refleks missiles 9M119 (NATO designation AT-11 'Sniper'): anti-tank hollow charge ammunition that is laser-guided. The range of a Refleks is 5,000 meters, which target is reached in 14.2 seconds, and are also lethal for armored helicopters and low-flying targets.

The secondary armament is composed of a coaxial machine gun PKT 7.62 mm and a 12.7 mm in the turret. The crew of 3 men (commander, gunner and driver), have 3 AKS-74 assault rifles for individual defense.

The targeting system and the "eyes" of the T-90 are entrusted to 1A4GT systems (integrated fire control system, IFCS), 1A43, TO1-KO1 (thermal imaging sight) and PNK-S. Viewers PNK-4S (day / night) for the commander and infrared TVN-5 for the pilot.

The protection of the T-90 is provided by conventional armor and reactive type (ERA). The armor which is fitted to the T-90, the Kontakt-5 (EDZ, elementy dinamcheskoi zashchity) allows it, through the ERA technology that cancels the explosive impact of a shaped charge with an explosion induced backblow, to resist any ammunition of HEAT or RPG kind. It 'also equipped with protective equipment NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical).

The computerized control system 'Shtora', that includes 2-smoke 81 mm 3D6 launchers, a copy of IR jammers (jamming frequency) at the sides of the cannon and 4 laser sensors on the tower alerts the crew with light and sound signals just the vehicle is framed and engaged by laser-guided missiles allowing it to respond to these threats: deceiving laser rangefinders through smoke or by disturbing the opponents aiming system with false signals emitted by OTShU-1-7 sensors on either side of the cannon.

The propulsion of the tank is derived from a four-stroke V-12 engine that goes on kerosene, or gasoline A-72: V-84MS liquid cooled 618kW (840hp).

The T-90 has received the baptism of fire in 1999, during the invasion of Dagestan in the second Chechen war. Momentarily the army of the Russian Federation has deployed nine T-90 tanks in Syria. The total number of these units is more than 2,000, of which 1,200 are prsently in Russia.

The T-90 is also used by India army (Bhishma version), North Korea, Algeria and Armenia.

---

IZAKOVIC