This is a recent heavy APC based on the T-55 (Bronetransporter-Tyazhelyy), with the DPM as a sub-variant convoy escort vehicle. Western tank indeed had their rounds stored in a separate stowage from the crew compartment, using with armored blast doors, ‘blow-out’ panels. Notably the T-72M/M1 (“Monkey”) for export and the late version “Wilk” and “Twardy”. The AM1K3 is the related command version. Introduced in 1961, the T-62 was developed from the previous T-55 and used some of its parts, including the NBC protection and engine. Many T-54s were indeed retro-fitted to the T-55 standard, which included full NBC protection, the new V-55 diesel rated for 581 hp, increased range and ammunition (T-54M and AMs). Had 1600 T-72 M/M1s in service, some were operated by rebels in 2012-2013. telescoping crane arm, V and T-shaped dozer blades, mine-clearing system and ground-raising system. Heavy infantry fighting vehicle (IVF) with completely redesigned upper hull featuring a single rear entry hatch, remote-controlled 30 mm (1.18 in) gun and 34.5 tons heavy. When it was accepted the same year, the Chelyabinsk Tank Factory (which had built the T-55) ceased production and prepared for retooling. •Improved crew safety The T-80 entered service in the early 1980, very gradually due to repeated teething problems. The B1K was the command export version. The Ukrainian T-64s Morozov design bureau had the full support of General Ustinov, in charge of the production, which did not expected a radically new tank. This thickness was believed to be about 200-250 mm (7.87-9.84 in). The T-55 was fitted with the new V-55 12-cylinder 4-stroke one-chamber 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel engine (581 bhp) to cope with the additional weight. It was however slow to traverse 360° (21 sec.) Total production for this model was quite large and spanned from 1952 to 1955, followed by an upgraded production. 183 geared their production for the T-62. Still cast, the turret internal armour thickness layout was characteristically uneven, thickest at the base and thinnest on top according to direct fire optimal angles. The small size and low silhouette of these tanks did not come without a price to pay. diesel 700 hp (522 kW), 18.4 hp/t, 500 km (310 mi), up to 700 with external tanks, Main: D-81T 125 mm smoothbore main gun (4.92 in), V-55 12 cyl wc diesel 581 hp (433 kW) Power/weight ratio 14.5 hp/t, 450 off road -650 km road (280 – 400 miles), 20 (hull bottom) to 214 mm (turret front), 6.27 (9 m oa) x 3.15 x 2.40 m (20.6 x 10.4 x 7.1 ft), Main: 1 x 100 mm D-10T2G or D-10T2 rifled (3.94 in), Frontal glacis 120 mm (4.7 in), sides 80 (3.15 in), rear 45 (1.77 in), turret front 200 (7.87 in), roof 30 (1.18 in), bottom 20 mm (0.79 in), 8-cyl V-54 (B-54), 520 bhp (388 kW), p/w ratio 14.4 hp/t, Frontal glacis 120 mm (4.7 in), sides 80 mm (3.15 in), rear 45 mm (1.77 in), turret front 200 mm (7.87 in), roof 30 mm (1.18), bottom 20 mm (0.79 in). These became a real threat with the adoption of TOW and HOT missiles, as shown in the later part of the Vietnam war. The T-80 design not only added to T-64 design a gas turbine engine (denied for many years by western analysts) but compromised with the adoption of suspension components of the T-72. The V12 which was basically derived from the WW2 era 500 hp T-34 engine. The normal rate of fire was about 8 rounds per minute. The range of modifications was then sent to Uralvagonzavod. These were also built for export by Czechoslovakia and Poland. The ALT-55 was a permanently converted bulldozer, with a new superstructure and an angular concave dozer blade with hydraulic rams. It had a larger hull and wider turret than its predecessor, letting it carry a larger gun in the form of a 115mm 2A20 smoothbore. “Comfort” standards were also poor and would have been unacceptable in western tanks. Russian T-80UM. The T-64 was, however, much more complex and costlier than the T-72, and did not see much active service outside the USSR or Russia. It was perhaps even slighly narrower according to charts (3.30 vs 3.37 m) but kept the same height at 2.40 m, compared to almost 3.40 m on the M47 Patton… The JVBT-55KS is the associated export variant. 25 pre-series prototypes were followed by full-scale production in July 1961. Soviet Union. On Military Factory A specialized website about the T-54 (in Russian), The E100 (Entwicklung 100) | A Far Cry From Practicality. These were the latest produced in USSR, in 1987. This version received a brand new 57DFM multi-fuel engine capable of 850 hp (625 kW), a new 1A43U fire control system, a new 6ETs43 autoloader and a system enabling the use of the light 9M119 AT missile (“AT-11 Sniper”). Ukraine once had 1180 T-72s in the early 1990s.