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David
Thu February 13, 2003 1:20pm

Officer in Charge (small

Officer in Charge (small craft)

David
Fri March 21, 2003 6:30am

M1A2 MBT

The mission of the M1A2 Abrams tank is to close with and destroy enemy forces using firepower, maneuver, and shock effect. The M1A2 is being fielded to armor battalions and cavalry squadrons of the heavy force. In lieu of new production, the Army is upgrading approximately 1,000 older M1 tanks to the M1A2 configuration. Going from the M1A1 to M1A2, the Army did several things that significantly reduced ballistic vulnerability, adding dual, redundant harnesses components, redundant data buses, distributing electrical power systems so all the power controls are not in one place.

During the Army's current M1A2 procurement program about 1,000 older, less capable M1 series tanks will be upgraded to the M1A2 configuration and fielded to the active forces. There is currently no plan to field the M1A2 to the ARNG. The Army has procured 62 new tanks in the A2 configuration and as of early 1997 completed the conversion of 368 older M1s to M1A2s. The first three years of M1A2 Abrams upgrade tank work, between 1991-1993, delivered 267 tanks. A multi-year procurement of 600 M1A2 upgrade tanks was run at Lima [Ohio] Army tank plant from 1996 to 2001.

Further M1A2 improvements, called the System Enhancement Program (SEP), are underway to enhance the tank's digital command and control capabilities and to to improve the tank's fightability and lethality. In FY 1999, the Army began upgrading M1s to the M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) configuration. In 1994, the Army awarded a contract to General Dynamics Land Systems to design system enhancements to the M1A2, and awarded GDLS another contact in 1995 to supply 240 of the enhanced M1A2s, with delivery scheduled to begin in 1999. M1A2 SEP started fielding in 2000. It adds second generation forward looking infrared technology to the gunner's and commander's thermal sights. This sensor also will be added to older M1A2s starting in FY 2001.

A multi-year contract for 307 M1A2 Abrams Systems Enhancement Program (SEP) tanks was awarded in March 2001 with production into 2004. The current Army plan allows for a fleet of 588 M1A2 SEP, 586 M1A2 and 4,393 M1A1 tanks. The potential exits for a retrofit program of 129 M1A2 tanks to the SEP configuration between 2004 and 2005. Initial fielding of the M1A2 to the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, was complete by August 1998. Fielding to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Carson, Colorado ended in 2000. Fielding of the M1A2 (SEP) began in spring 2000 with the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, and continues. Rolling over of the 1st Cavalry Division's M1A2 tanks to new M1A2 (SEP) tank began in 2001 and continues.

The M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package), is the digital battlefield centerpiece for Army XXI. It is the heavy force vehicle that will lead Armor into the next century and transition the close combat mission to the Future Combat System (FCS). The M1A2 SEP is an improved version of the M1A2. It contains numerous improvements in command and control, lethality and reliability. The M1A2 System Enhanced Program is an upgrade to the computer core that is the essence of the M1A2 tank. The SEP upgrade includes improved processors, color and high resolution flat panel displays, increased memory capacity, user friendly Soldier Machine Interface (SMI) and an open operating system that will allow for future growth. Major improvements include the integration of the Second Generation Forward Looking Infared (2nd Gen FLIR) sight, the Under Armor Auxiliary Power Unit (UAAPU) and a Thermal Management System (TMS).

Increased funding for Stryker and Future Combat Systems (FCS) came as a result of Army decisions in 2002 to terminate or restructure some 48 systems in the FY '04 - '09 Program Objective Memorandum (POM) long-term spending plan. Among the systems terminated were: United Defense's Crusader self-propelled howitzer and the A3 upgrade for the Bradley Fighting vehicle, GD's M1A2 Abrams System Enhancement Program, Lockheed Martin's Army Tactical Missile System Block II and the associated pre-planned product improvement version of Northrop Grumman's Brilliant Anti-armor (BAT) munition, Raytheon's Stinger missile and Improved Target Acquisition System, and Textron's Wide Area Mine.

The 2nd Generation Forward Looking InfraRed sighting system (2nd Gen FLIR) will replace the existing Thermal Image System (TIS) and the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer. The incorporation of 2nd Gen FLIR into the M1A2 tank will require replacement of all 1st Gen FLIR components. From the warfighter perspective, this is one of the key improvements on the SEP. The 2nd Gen FLIR is a fully integrated engagement-sighting system designed to provide the gunner and tank commander with significantly improved day and night target acquisition and engagement capability. This system allows 70% better acquisition, 45% quicker firing and greater accuracy. In addition, a gain of 30% greater range for target acquisition and identification will increase lethality and lessen fratricide. The Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) provides a hunter killer capability. The 2nd GEN FLIR is a variable power sighting system ranging from 3 or 6 power (wide field of view) for target acquisition and 13, 25 or 50 power (narrow field of view) for engaging targets at appropriate range.

The UAAPU consist of a turbine engine, a generator, and a hydraulic pump. The generator is capable of producing 6 Kilowatts of electrical power at 214 Amps, 28 vdc, and the hydraulic pump is capable of delivering 10 Kilowatts of hydraulic power. The UAAPU can meet the electrical and hydraulic power to operate all electronic and hydraulic components used during mounted surveilance operations and charge the tank's main batteries. The UAAPU will reduce Operational and Support cost by utilizing the same fuel as the tank at a reduced rate of 3-5 gallons per operational hour. The UAAPU is mounted on the left rear sponson fuel cell area and weighs 510 pounds.

Another improvement in the M1A2 SEP is the Thermal Management System (TMS) which keeps the temperature within the crew compartment under 95 degrees and the touch temperature of electronic units under 125 degrees during extreme conditions. By reducing the temperature in the crew compartment for the crew and electronic units, this increases the operational capability for both soldiers and the vehicle. The TMS consists of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) and a Vapor Compression System Unit (VCSU) capable of providing 7.5 Kilowatts of cooling capacity for the crew and Line Repairable Units (LRUs). The AHU is mounted in the turret bustle and the VCSU is mounted forward of the Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS). The TMS uses enviromentally friendly R134a refrigerant and propylene glycol/water mixture to maintain the LRU touch temperature at less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The TMS is mounted in the left side of turret bussel and weighs 384 pounds.

The Army requires that all systems operate in the Army Common Operating Environment (ACOE) to improve combined arms operations. Digitization and information dominance across the entire Army for tactical elements is accomplished using Force XXI Battle Command for Brigade and Below (FBCB2) software. In Abrams, FBCB2 software is hosted on a separate card that enables situational awareness across the entire spectrum of tactical operation. It improves message flow, through 34 joint variable message formats, reports ranging from contact reports to logistic roll ups, as well as automatically providing vehicle location to friendly systems. The SEP allows for digital data dissemination with improved ability to optimize information based operations and maintain a relevant common picture while executing Force XXI full dimensional operation. This enhancement increases capability to control the battlefield tempo while improving lethality and survivability. Finally to ensure crew proficiency is maintained, each Armor Battalion is fielded an improved Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS) with state-of-the-art graphics.

Changes to the M1A2 Abrams Tank contained in the System Enhancement Program (SEP) and "M1A2 Tank FY 2000" configuration are intended to improve lethality, survivability, mobility, sustainability and provide increased situational awareness and command & control enhancements necessary to provide information superiority to the dominant maneuver force. The Abrams Tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle are two central components of the dominant maneuver digital force.

System Enhancement Program upgrades are intended to:

improve target detection, recognition and identification with the addition of two 2nd generation FLIRs.
incorporate an under armor auxiliary power unit to power the tank and sensor suites.
incorporate a thermal management system to provide crew and electronics cooling.
increase memory and processor speeds and provide full color map capability.
provide compatibility with the Army Command and Control Architecture to ensure the ability to share command & control and situational awareness with all components of the combined arms team.
Additional weight reduction, embedded battle command, survivability enhancement, signature management, safety improvement, and product upgrade modifications to the M1A2 will comprise the "M1A2 Tank FY 2000" configuration fielded to units of the digital division beginning in FY 2000.

The M1A2 IOT&E was conducted from September-December 1993 at Fort Hood, TX and consisted of a gunnery phase and a maneuver phase. The Director determined that the test was adequate, the M1A2 was operationally effective, but not operationally suitable and unsafe. That assessment was based on poor availability and reliability of the tank, instances of the uncommanded tube and turret movement, inadvertent .50 caliber machine gun firing, and hot surfaces which caused contact burns.

FOT&E #1 was conducted in September-October 1995 in conjunction with the New Equipment Training for two battalion sized units. Despite assurances from the Army that all corrective actions were applied, numerous instances of uncommanded tube and turret movement, Commander's Independent Display (CID) lockup and contact burns continued during FOT&E #1. The follow-on test was placed on hold and the Army "deadlined" the two battalions of M1A2 tanks at Fort Hood for safety reasons. The PM isolated 30 "root causes" of the safety problems and completed hardware and software upgrades in June 1996 which were assessed in FOT&E #2.

The M1A2 TEMP was approved during 2QFY98. This TEMP includes a coordinated plan for FOT&E #3 of the M1A2 in conjunction with the IOT&E of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle in FY99 at Fort Hood, TX. This combined operational test will consist of 16 force-on-force battles between a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System-A3/M1A2 SEP combined arms team and M1A1/ Bradley-ODS combined arms team. Additionally, it will serve as the operational test for the 2d Generation FLIR. This approach implements the Secretary of Defense theme of combining testing in order to save resources and ensure a more realistic operational environment.

The Army and DOT&E completed vulnerability assessment efforts and concluded that the "M1A2 Tank FY 2000" is a significant change from the original M1A2 design and will require a system-level survivability evaluation. This evaluation will rely on full-up system level testing of two systems, component and sub-system level testing, modeling and simulation, existing data, and previous testing to assess susceptibility and vulnerability of the "M1A2 Tank FY 2000" and its crew to the expected threat and to assess battle damage repair capabilities.

The M1A2 Abrams Tank with the corrective actions applied by the Program Manager during FY96 is assessed to be operationally effective and suitable. The availability, reliability, fuel consumption, and safety problems observed in previous testing have been corrected. FOT&E #2 was adequately conducted in accordance with approved test plans and the Abrams TEMP. There were no observed instances of the uncommanded tube and turret movement, inadvertent .50 caliber machine gun firing, and hot surfaces which caused contact burns in previous testing.

The largest area of technical risk to the program is the development of the Embedded Battle Command software which is intended to provide friendly and enemy situational awareness and shared command & control information throughout the combined arms team. This software is being developed as a Horizontal Technology Insertion program and will be provided to the weapon systems and C2 nodes of the combined arms team in FY00. This development schedule is high risk and could adversely impact the M1A2 schedule.

In late 2002 the Army experienced a tragic accident involving the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. While the crew of the M1A2 was operating the vehicle, a failure within the vehicle's Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) main system occurred which resulted in an NBC filter fire. One soldier died and 9 others received injuries. While there are numerous factors involved in this accident, the primary cause of the NBC Filter fire is an air cycle machine seizure, caused by dirt ingestion.

The M1A2 tank provides various warnings and cautions to crewmembers in the case of an NBC system problem. These warnings and cautions are displayed visually at the Commander's Integrated Display (CID) and at the Driver's Integrated Display (DID); additionally, an Audio tone is transmitted to each crewman via the Vehicular Intercommunication Set (VIS). The audio warning is generated from the tank's Analog Input Module (AIM) by way of the 2W119-5 wiring harness (Y-cable) which is connected to the driver's station, full-function, control box (AN/VIC 3). This Y-cable must be connected to the driver's control box at the J3 connector with the driver's CVC plugged into the P4 end of the Y-cable. Failure to properly hookup the 2W119-5 cable will not interfere with vehicle communications, but it will result in NO NBC warning tone being heard. In addition to the accident vehicle, several other M1A2 tanks at this installation were found to have the same incorrect connection. Commanders should ensure that each M1A2 in their command is inspected to ensure that this system is correctly connected. The NBC system should not be used until the inspection is complete.

If an NBC warning message is given (visually or audio), crews should immediately press NBC MAIN pushbutton on the CID to turn off the NBC main system. Continued use of the NBC main system will result in an NBC filter fire.

The NBC system is a critical component of the M1A2; it provides crews with increased protection when operating in a combat environment. This system requires proper servicing and checks as outlined in the technical manual. Ensure that all NBC sponson bolts and hardware are properly mounted and secure at all times. Failure to do so can result in the build up of dirt and dust within the NBC sponson box with the potential of damaging the Air Cycle Machine (ACM) and other components.

David
Fri March 21, 2003 6:30am

David
Thu March 27, 2003 8:06am

A flotilla of small Iraqi

A flotilla of small Iraqi ships sailed into the Gulf on March 18, 2003 in what a U.S. admiral said might be a bid to sneak out explosives to attack U.S. or British warships. Rear Admiral John Kelly, in charge of a battle group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, said a U.S. ultimatum giving Iraqi President Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave or face war had raised U.S. fears that Baghdad might strike first.

David
Fri March 28, 2003 4:21pm

Marines from the 2nd Batt

Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment take positions as they charge into a hospital allegedly used for military purposes by Iraqi forces during a sandstorm in the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, where allied troops have found resistance in their northbound advance torwards Baghdad 25 March 2003. Several platoons took part on this operation with no reported loss of lives. More than 100 Iraqi bodies littered the road north from Nasiriyah where US marines headed toward Baghdad after fierce fighting in this southern city, an AFP correspondent reported.

David
Fri March 28, 2003 4:21pm
Rating: 10

Marines from the 2nd Batt

Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment charge into a hospital allegedly used for military purposes by Iraqi forces in the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, 25 March 2003. Several platoons took part on this operation with no reported loss of lives. More than 100 Iraqi bodies littered the road north from Nasiriyah where US marines headed toward Baghdad after fierce fighting in this southern city, an AFP correspondent reported.

David
Sat December 20, 2003 2:29pm

U.S. army commander Colon

U.S. army commander Colonel James B. Hickey, 1st Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army 4th infantry division, of Chicago, Ill., in front of the farm where Saddam Hussein was hiding before he was captured, Dec. 15, 2003. Colonel Hickey was the top officer in charge of the raid.

David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:51pm

Torpedoes: Mark 46, Mark

Function: Self-propelled guided projectile that operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target.

Description: Torpedoes may be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They are also used as parts of other weapons; the Mark 46 torpedo becomes the warhead section of the ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) and the Captor mine uses a submerged sensor platform that releases a torpedo when a hostile contact is detected. The three major torpedoes in the Navy inventory are the Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo, the Mark 46 lightweight and the Mark 50 advanced lightweight.

The MK-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high performance surface ships. It is carried by all Navy submarines. The improved version, MK-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines, the Ohio class ballistic missile submarines and will be carried by the Seawolf class attack submarines. The MK-48 replaced both the MK-37 and MK-14 torpedoes. The MK-48 has been operational in the U.S. Navy since 1972. MK-48 ADCAP became operational in 1988 and was approved for full production in 1989.

The MK-46 torpedo is designed to attack high performance submarines, and is presently identified as the NATO standard. The MK-46 Mod 5 torpedo is the backbone of the Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory and is expected to remain in service until the year 2015.

The MK-50 is an advanced lightweight torpedo for use against the faster, deeper-diving and more sophisticated submarines. The MK-50 can be launched from all ASW aircraft, and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships. The MK-50 will eventually replace the MK-46 as the fleet's lightweight torpedo.

MK-48 and MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance and use active and/or passive homing. When launched they execute programmed target search, acquisition and attack procedures. Both can conduct multiple reattacks if they miss the target. The MK-46 torpedo is designed to be launched from surface combatant torpedo tubes, ASROC missiles and fixed and rotary wing aircraft. In 1989, a major upgrade program began to enhance the performance of the MK-46 Mod 5 in shallow water. Weapons incorporating these improvements are identified as Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S).

General Characteristics, MK-48, MK-48 (ADCAP)

Primary Function:
Heavyweight torpedo for submarines

Contractor:
Gould

Power Plant:
Piston engine; pump jet

Length:
19 feet (5.79 meters)

Weight:
MK-48: 3,434 pounds (1545.3 kilograms)

MK-48 ADCAP: 3,695 pounds (1662.75 kilograms)

Diameter:
21 inches (53.34 centimeters)

Range:
Greater than 5 miles (8 km)

Depth:
Greater than 1,200 feet (365.76 meters)

Speed:
Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)

Guidance System:
Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing

Warhead:
650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive

Date Deployed:
1972

General Characteristics, MK-46 MOD 5

Primary Function:
Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo

Contractor:
Alliant TechSystems

Power Plant:
Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion; Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II) fueled

Length:
102.36 in. tube launch configuration (from ship)

Weight:
517.65 lbs (warshot configuration)

Diameter:
12.75 inches

Range:
8,000 yards

Depth:
Greater than 1,200 feet (365.76 meters)

Speed:
Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)

Guidance System:
Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing

Launch/Search Mode:
Snake or circle search

Warhead:
98 lbs. of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)

Date Deployed:
1966 (Mod 0)
1979 (Mod 5)

General Characteristics, MK-50

Primary Function:
Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo

Contractor:
Alliant Techsystems, Westinghouse

Power Plant:
Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System

Length:
112 inches

Weight:
750 pounds

Diameter:
12.75 inches

Speed:
40+ knots

Guidance System:
Active/passive acoustic homing

Warhead:
Approximately 100 pounds high explosive (shaped charge)

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:08pm

D-30 122mm Towed Howitzer

Function: 122mm towed howitzer.

Background:Introduced in 1963 as a replacement for the pre-WWII M-30 howitzer, the D-30 122mm howitzer is in service with more than 50 countries and variants are still in production in Russia.

The D-30 fires variable charge, semi-cased, multi-part ammunition. The D-30 is capable of firing a number of projectile types, including HE-fragmentation, illuminating, smoke, leaflet, flechette, and incendiary.

The D-30 is capable of firing a non-rotating, fin stabilized anti-tank HEAT round which gives the gun a limited anti-armor capability. A Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) has been fielded which would increase the gun's range from 15,300 meters to 21900 meters.

There are at least two chemical munitions available for the D-30. The Sarin projectile weighs 22.2 kg with 1.3 kg of Sarin agent. The Lewisite projectile weighs 23.1 kg with 3.3 kg of viscous Lewisite agent.

Description: The D-30 has a single axle with a unique three-trail carriage. When limbered for transport, the gun rests on the wheeled axle. Once set up, the gun is suspended on top of the three trail arms which give the gun a 360 degree traverse capability.

The gun's recoil mechanism is housed in an armored box on top of the barrel and there is a small armored shield fitted between the wheels that provides limited protection to the crew. Early versions of the gun were fitted with a multi-baffle muzzle break while later models have been fitted with a double baffle break.

The gun itself is semiautomatic, with a vertically-sliding, wedge-type breechblock. The D-30 can be towed by a truck (Ural-375 or ZIL-131) or armored tractor. It is towed muzzle-first by a large lunette just under the muzzle brake with its trails folded under the barrel.

General Characteristics, D-30 122mm Towed Howitzer

Length:
Limbered for travel
17.55 feet (5.4 meters)

Width:
6.12 feet (1.9 meters)

Height:
5.2 feet (1.6 meters)

Weight:
3.2 tons

Cruising Range:
450 kilometers

Towing Speed:
Maximum: 38mph (60kph)
Off-road: 16mph (25kph)

Emplacent time:
1.5 minutes
Displacement time:
3.5 minutes

Rates of Fire:
Maximum: 8 rounds per minute
Sustained: 4 rounds per minute

Maximum Range:
15 km with conventional projectiles.
22km with extended range RAP projectiles.

Introduction Date:
1963

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm

T-80 MBT

Function: Current Russian front line main battle tank (MBT).

Description: The T-80 MBT is a continuation of the T-64/T-72 series, retaining many similar features of the previous tanks. It is similar to the T-72 in that it retains the low silhouette, centrally mounted round turret with the commander seated to the right of the main gun and the gunner on the left. As with the T-72 the T-80 retains the use of the automatic loader, feeding ammunition from a 27 round circular magazine around the turret ring. Attached to the hull below the front slope is a toothed dozer blade. Beneath the blade are attachment points for the KMT-6 mine plow. The T-80 is the first Soviet design to incorporate a laser rangefinder as well as a gas turbine engine for increased automotive performance. The T-80 is currently in service with the Russian army and is slowly being replaced by the T-90.

General Characteristics, T-80 Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer:
KBTM, Omsk, Russian Federation

XKBM, Kharkov, Ukraine (T-80UD and T-84)

Transmission:
Automatic

Engine:
GTD-1250 gas turbine, 1250 horsepower (T-80U, T-80 originally equipped with the GTD-1000 delivering 1,100 horsepower)

Length. Gun Forward:
31.69 feet (9.66 meters)

Width:
12.00 feet (3.60 meters)

Height:
7.21 feet (2.20 meters)

Combat Weight:
46 tons

Cruising Range:
350 kilometers (600 kilometers with additional fuel tanks)

Speed:
Maximum: 43 mph (70 kph)

Cross Country: 30 mph (48 kph)

Obstacle Crossing:
Trench: 9.35 feet (2.85 meters)
Slope: 32 degrees

Fording:
Without preparation: 5.9 feet (1.8 meters)

With Snorkel: 16.4 feet (5 meters), or (39.4 feet (12 meters) with BROD-M system

Crew:
A three-man crew composed of a driver, gunner, and tank commander

Armament:
Main: 125mm 2A46M-1 main gun

Secondary: One 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (commander's station), one 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun

Ammunition:
45 125mm Cannon rounds (combination of kinetic energy (SABOT), High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped charge, High Explosive-Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cannon launched AT-8 ATGM)

450 12.7mm machine gun rounds

1,000 7.62mm machine gun rounds

Sensors:
Shtora-1 countermeasures suite (T-80UK, T-80UM1)

Arena active protection system (T-80UM1, T-84)

Introduction Date:
1978

Variants:
T-80: Original production version. Fielded in 1978, equipped with the GTD-1000 gas turbine engine delivering 1100 horsepower. Utilized the same 125mm smoothbore cannon (2A46M-1) as the T-72 series but capable of firing the cannon launched, 9M177 Kobra ATGM (NATO designation AT-8 SONGSTER.) Tank is equipped with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun coaxial mounted on the right side of the cannon and a 12.7mm NSV machine gun mounted in the commanders cupola.

T-80B: First upgrade. Incorporates composite K ceramic armor in turret design to improve defense against kinetic energy (KE) penetrators. T-80BK is the command variant of the B model and has increased communications equipment. T-80BV: B model equipped with first generation reactive armor. At the time of its introduction, the application of reactive armor made the T-80 immune to all NATO ATGMs in production. The T-80BVK was the command variant of the T-80BV.

T-80U: First observed in 1989. Designated the M1989 SMT (Soviet Medium Tank). Modifications include a new turret design with improved frontal armor as well as the application of second generation explosive reactive armor. The AT-8 has been replaced by the cannon launched, laser guided 9M119 Refleks ATGM (NATO designation AT-11 SNIPER). Engine has been upgraded to the more powerful GTD-1250 gas turbine producing 1250 horsepower. The commander's weapon station has been redesigned to allow the firing of the 12.7 NSVT machinegun from within the turret. The T-80UK is the command variant of the T-80U. In addition to additional communications equipment, the T-80UK also fields the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite, an automated system combining an infrared jammer, laser warning system, and grenade discharging system.

T-80UM1: Incorporates new gunner's thermal sight as well as the Shorta-1 countermeasures suite and new Arena active ATGM protection system. Use of the Arena system precludes the need for the Kontakt-5 second generation reactive armor and so it has been removed.

T-80UD: Esentially a Ukrainian built version of the Russian T-80U. Major differences include the replacement of the gas turbine engine with a GTF V-12 diesel engine producing 1000 horsepower and the use of first generation reactive armor in pmace of the second generation Kontakt-5 ERA.

T-84: An improved version of the Ukrainian T-80UD incorporating the 6TD-2 diesel engine generating 1200 horsepower. In addition, the T-84 fields the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite and the ARENA active antimissile defensive system as well as the Ukrainian produced KBA-3 125mm smoothbore cannon and 28 round autoloader.

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm

T-72 MBT

Function: Soviet and Warsaw Pact Cold War main battle tank (MBT).

Description: Where the T-64 was never exported from the Soviet Union the T-72 was a parallel design intended for distribution throughout the Soviet Bloc as well as exported through arms sales to other nations. Similar to the T-64, the T-72 has the low, round turret made from cast steel as well as the 2A46M 125mm smoothbore cannon, which, at the time, was the largest mounted on an MBT. In addition, the T-72 mounts a 12.7mm antiaircraft machine gun in the commander's station and a single 7.62mm machine-gun coaxial to the main gun. Though outclassed by the T-80 and T-90 tanks which followed it, the T-72 is currently still in service with the Russian army as well as being produced for export.

General Characteristics, T-72 Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer:
Malyshev HMB Plant, Kharkov, Ukraine

UKBM Nizhny Tagil, Russian Federation

Transmission:
Automatic

Engine:
V-12 air cooled diesel producing 840 horsepower

Length. Gun Forward:
31.70 feet (9.66 meters)

Width:
11.75 feet (3.58 meters)

Height:
7.20 feet (2.19 meters)

Combat Weight:
44.5 metric tons

Cruising Range:
310 miles (500 kilometers); 403 miles (650 km) with additional fuel tanks

Speed:
Maximum: 37 mph (60 kph)

Cross Country: 21 mph (35 kph)

Obstacle Crossing:
Trench: 2.85 meters
Slope: 32 degrees

Fording:
Without preparation: 3.9 feet (1.2 meters)

With Snorkel: 16.5 feet (5 meters)

Crew:
A three-man crew composed of a driver, gunner, and tank commander

Armament:
Main: 125mm 2A46M main gun

Secondary: One 12.7mm NSV antiaircraft machine gun (commander's station); one 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun; 9K120 Svir (NATO designation AT-11 SNIPER) cannon launched, laser guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) (T-72S, SK, BM)

Ammunition:
45 125mm cannon rounds (combination of kinetic energy (SABOT), High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped charge, High Explosive-Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cannon launched AT-11 ATGM)

300 12.7mm machine gun rounds

2,000 7.62mm machine gun rounds

Introduction Date:
1971

Variants:
T-72: Original production version from which all variants are derived. Fielded in 1971, equipped with 780 horsepower diesel V-12 engine. Tank is equipped with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun coaxially mounted on the right side of the cannon and a 12.7mm NSV machine gun mounted in the commander's cupola.

T-72A: Basic Russian model. Differs from basic T-72 in that it incorporates a laser rangefinder, track sideskirts, additional armor on the turret top and front, smoke grenade launchers and is slightly heavier. Went out of production in 1985.

T-72AV: A model equipped with first generation explosive reactive armor.

T-72B: Entered production in 1985. Incorporates increased frontal armor in the turret. Known in the U.S. as the "Dolly Parton" version. Additionally, engine output is improved to 840 horsepower. The T-72BK is the command variant of the T-72B with additional communications equipment.

T-72BV: T-72B model equipped with first generation ERA.

T-72BM: T-72 B model with Kontakt-5 second generation explosive reactive armor. All T-72s produced for export are currently being built to this standard.

T-72M: Polish-Czechoslovakian version of the basic T-72 tank. The T-72M differs from the T-72 in that the coincident rangefinder has been replaced with a laser rangefinder. Went out of production in 1985.

T-72M1: Export version of the T-72M. Equivalent to the Soviet built T-72A. Produced in Poland and Czechoslovakia. Went out of production in 1985.

T-72M1V: M1 model equipped with reactive armor. Equivalent to the T-72AV.

T-72S: T-72A model upgraded to be on comparable with the T-72BM though lacking increased turret armor. May be equipped with first generation ERA. T-72SK is the command variant with additional communications equipment.

T-72CZ: Czechoslovakian M1 models upgraded with western automotive, fire control and weapon system components.

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm

T-90 MBT

Function: Latest Russian production Main Battle Tank (MBT).

Description: The T-90 MBT represents a combination of the T-72 and T-80 designs, drawing from the best of both to achieve a more modern product. While the fire control system on the T-90 represents the latest in Russian design and is an improvement over the T-80, the T-90 uses the same V-12 diesel powerplant found in the late model T-72s, sacrificing speed for range and automotive reliability. The T-90 also retains the use of the 125mm smoothbore cannon and automatic loader, feeding ammunition from a 22 round circular magazine around the turret ring. In addition the T-90 continues to use the 9M119 Refleks (NATO AT-11 SNIPER) cannon launched, laser guided ATGM found on the late model T-80s. The T-90 also uses the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite as well as the ARENA hard kill Anti-Missile defensive system. Though currently the most modern tank fielded in the Russian army and available for export, production rates remain low as the T-90 is seen as an interim solution until the next generation of Russian MBT is fielded.

General Characteristics, T-90 Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer:
Nizhnyi Tagil, Russian Federation

Transmission:
Automatic

Engine:
V-84MS Liquid cooled V-12 diesel engine producing 840 horsepower

Length. Gun Forward:
31.7 feet (9.66 meters)

Width:
11.8 feet (3.60 meters)

Height:
7.21 feet (2.20 meters)

Combat Weight:
46.5 tons

Cruising Range:
403 miles (650 kilometers)

Speed:
Maximum: 43 mph (70 kph)

Cross Country: 30 mph (48 kph)

Obstacle Crossing:
Trench: 9.35 feet (2.85 meters)
Slope: 30 degrees

Fording:
Without preparation: 6 feet (1.8 meters)

With Snorkel: 16.4 feet (5 meters)

Crew:
A three-man crew composed of a driver, gunner, and tank commander

Armament:
Main: 125mm 2A46M-1 main gun

Secondary: One 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (commander's station), one 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun

Ammunition:
43 125mm cannon rounds (combination of kinetic energy (SABOT), High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped charge, High Explosive-Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cannon launched AT-11 ATGM)

300 12.7mm machine gun rounds

2,000 7.62mm machine gun rounds

Sensors:
Shtora-1 countermeasures suite

ARENA active anti-missile defense system

Introduction Date:
1993

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm

Akula Class Nuclear Attac

Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.

History: The Delfin class attack submarines (SSN) were originally conceived in 1972 as Project 971/971U "Bars", a strategic cruise missile launch platform (SSGN) capable of launching the S-10 Granat missile, a Soviet copy of the American Tomahawk cruise missile. Originally designed along the same lines of the Pr. 671RTM (NATO Victor III) submarines, and armed with six 53cm torpedo tubes (to fire the S-10) and 2 65cm tubes (to launch defensive torpedoes and missiles), when the Soviet navy realized that its production facilities were not capable of producing titanium hulled Pr. 945 (NATO Sierra I and II) submarines, the 971 was redesigned to take advantage of the advanced sensor, command, communication, and weapons systems of the Zubatka and Karp class boats, yet made from steel. This redesign also increased the number of 53cm and 65cm torpedo tubes to four apiece. Additionally, the Pr. 971 submarines incorporated the active countermeasures suite found on the Pr. 945 boats. This system would use acoustic sensors to detect, classify, and automatically prioritize these contacts and display this information to an operator who then could take more precise action. Furthermore, in the case of torpedoes, the system could automatically take action, launching decoys and initiating barrage and deception jamming of the threat sensors. Surprisingly, when the 971 series entered production, it was found to offer performance similar to the 945 but at a fraction of the cost,with lower maintenance requirements, and the only real drawback being the reduction of the basic load from 40 weapons to 32. Consequently, the 971, and not the 945, was adopted as the follow on general purpose submarine to replace the aging 671 fleet.

Improvements to the basic Delfin design were incorporated into a more advanced production model designated the 971U. These improvements included the installation of 6 external 53cm torpedo tubes (for launching the S-10 Granat) and the non acoustic sensor system from the Pr. 945 submarines, which uses infrared sensors to detect the thermal gradients produced in submarine wakes. As production of the 971U was initiated, attempts to reduce the noise signature to levels comparable with the early Los Angeles class boats were made, which necessitated the redesign of the engine spaces. These modifications were incorporated into a new design designated Project 971A.

Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 971 boats produce more noise than the early Los Angeles class, though their performance is far superior to earlier Soviet designs. The 971U is comparable to the early Los Angeles submarines in radiated noise levels at low speeds, becoming progressively noisier as speed increases. Additionally, the 971 series are far inferior to their US counterparts in terms of sonar sensitivity and combat capabilities. Production was limited to twelve 971U submarines before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additionally, production was initiated on two 971A submarines but discontinued for lack of funding. Eleven of the surviving 971U submarines are currently in limited service with the Russian navy.

General Characteristics, Delfin Class

Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod

Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower

Length, Overall:
354.2 feet (107.9 meters)

Beam:
44.3 feet (13.5 meters)

Draft:
31.4 feet (9.6 meters)

Displacement:
7,900 tons submerged

Speed:
35 knots submerged

Crew:
31 Officers; 31 Enlisted

Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,475 feet

Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes

Two external 53cm torpedo tubes (8 on 971U series)

Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes

S-10 Granat (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles

Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges

RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes

BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets

Type 53-65K torpedoes

SET-65 torpedoes

TEST-68 torpedoes

Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system

Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar

One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar

Sonar:
One MGK-503-M Skat active/passive sonar suite

One Pelamida towed sonar array

Two Akula flank arrays

One MG-70 mine detection sonar

Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system

Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys

One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever

Nikhrom-M IFF system

Ships:
K.239 Karp, Commissioned June 1987, decommissioned 1997.
K.276 Krab, Commissioned September 1984, decommissioned 1997

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm

Sierra I Class Nuclear At

Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.

History: The Sierra I class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was conceived in 1972 as Project 945 "Barrakuda," and was intended to serve as a replacement for the aging Pr. 671RTM boats, which had reached the limits of their developmental potential, as the primary attack submarine in the Soviet Navy. In addition to incorporating a number of technological enhancements which improved navigation, communications, propulsion, radiated noise, sensor quality and command and control, the Pr. 945 boats featured an active countermeasures suite which worked in a manner similar to those found on aircraft. This system would use acoustic sensors to detect, classify, and automatically prioritize these contacts and display this information to an operator who then could take more precise action. Furthermore, in the case of torpedoes, the system could automatically take action, launching decoys and initiating barrage and deception jamming of the threat sensors. Lastly, the Pr. 945 submarines were the first to utilize non acoustic sensors to detect submarines, using infrared sensors to detect the thermal gradients produced in submarine wakes. The design utilized many features found in the Pr. 685 boats, including the 48-T titanium alloy hull. The 945 hulls were armed with two internal 53cm torpedo tubes, two external 53cm torpedo tubes, and four internally mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.

Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 945 boats were comparable with the early Los Angeles class in terms of performance except in the areas of non acoustic detection and integrated acoustic countermeasure systems, where the Soviet submarines are decidedly superior. Production was limited to two submarines before the class was redesigned and reclassified Project 945A and both were decommissioned in 1997 as a result of high operating costs.

General Characteristics, Karp Class

Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod

Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower

Length, Overall:
351 feet (107 meters)

Beam:
36.7 feet (11.2 meters)

Draft:
27.9 feet (8.5 meters)

Displacement:
6,800 tons submerged

Speed:
35 knots submerged

Crew:
31 Officers, 28 Enlisted

Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
2,300 feet

Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes

Two external 53cm torpedo tubes

Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes

P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles

Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges

RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes

BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets

Type 65-76 torpedoes

SET-72 torpedoes

TEST-71M torpedoes

USET-80 torpedoes

Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system

Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar

One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar

Sonar:
One MGK-503 Skat active/passive sonar suite

One Pelamida towed sonar array

Two Akula flank arrays

One MG-70 mine detection sonar

Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system

Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys

One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever

Nikhrom-M IFF systemm

Ships:
K.239 Karp, Commissioned June 1987, decommissioned 1997.
K.276 Krab, Commissioned September 1984, decommissioned 1997.

David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm

Victor III Class Nuclear

Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.

History: The Project 671RTM class (NATO Victor III) nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was designed based off of information delivered to the Soviet Union via the Walker spy ring. The documents delivered by the Walker family compromised every aspect of the American navy's antisubmarine warfare program. What these documents revealed was just how badly outclassed the Soviets were in submarine warfare. The current Soviet production submarines, the Pr. 671RT, were shown to be so noisy that not only was the US Navy able to maintain a "real time" position fix on these submarines, but that their own noise levels defeated the effectiveness of their own offensive sensors. In effect, had war between the Soviet Union and the United States been initiated, the Soviet submarine fleet would have been decimated.

The information provided by the Walker spies changed all this. Following their disclosures, the Soviet navy initiated a crash program to quiet its current fleet of submarines as well as improve their offensive capabilities, which were still based on World War Two technology. Designated the Pr. 671RTM, this new series would incorporate rafted and insulated machinery, a brand new sonar suite which emphasized passive detection capabilities as well as new twin flank arrays and a new towed sonar array. Improvements would be made in the processing of this additional sonar information, culminating with the development of an integrated combat system for the Pr. 671RTMK series (this was made possible through the acquisition of a Norwegian navy software program and Toshiba computer components). Externally similar to the Pr. 671RTM, the 671RTMK incorporates, among other improvements, the non acoustic sensor complex built for the Pr. 971 boats. The 671RTM/RTMK hulls were armed with four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes and four bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.

Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 671RTM boats were comparable with the much earlier Permit class American Submarines while the 671RTMK were the equivalent to the later Sturgeon class in terms of performance. Production was stopped at 26 submarines with 14 still in limited service. The remaining 671RTM series submarines will be withdrawn from service once their reactor life has been exhausted.

General Characteristics, K.138 (Victor III) Class

Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod

Power Plant:
Two VM-4T rated at 72 Megawatts each, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw or two VRSh-4 screws on a single shaft, 31,000 shaft horsepower

Length, Overall:
351.6 feet (107.2 meters)

Beam:
35.4 feet (10.8 meters)

Draft:
24.2 feet (7.4 meters)

Displacement:
6,990 tons submerged

Speed:
30 knots submerged

Crew:
27 Officers; 73 Enlisted

Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,150 feet

Armament:
Four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes

Two bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes

P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles

Two RPK-2 Viyoga (NATO SS-N-16 STARFISH) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges or two S-10 Granet (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles

Six RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes (ASW variant)

Six P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles (ASuW variant)

BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets

Type 53-65K torpedoes

SET-65 torpedoes

TEST-68 wire guided torpedoes

Sensors:
Vodopod combat direction system (671RTM)

Viking combat direction system (671RTMK)

Radar:
One MRK-50 Topol surface search radar

One Medvyedista-671 navigation radar

Sonar:
One MGK-400 Rubikon active/passive sonar suite

Two Akula flank arrays One Pithon towed array

One MG-24 Luch mine detection sonar

Countermeasures:
Bulava ESM/ECM system

Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys

One MT-70 sonar intercept receiver

Nikhrom-M IFF system

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