Basic Information

Name

T-64BM Bulat Ukrainian Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

T-64 BM Bulat

Alternate Designation

T-64 BM Bulat

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

—

Date of Introduction

1999

Description

The T-64BM “Bulat” started as the Obyekt 447AM-1, this tank presented itself as a modernized version of the T-64BM. After studies of modernization in the early 2000s, work started at the Kharkiv Malyshev Factory design bureau by the first batch of 10 T-64B tanks converted to the BM “Bulat” standard in 2010. These were followed by 19 in 2011 and others in 2012, for a total of 76. The BM Bulat is the most comprehensive upgrade of the T-64B, it gives the T-64B the technology required to perform on a modern battlefield. Significant enhancements include the installation of an APU, increased thermal protection for the power pack, and an upgraded air-conditioning system.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Two-stroke multifuel, 5-cylinder diesel with gas turbine supercharged (850 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Range 312.0 km

Variants

T-64B The T-64 MBT was, at the time it entered service, the third generation of tanks to be produced by factories and design bureaus in Ukraine. It was the first Soviet tank to assume the mantel of an MBT, finally expelling the notion of light, medium, and heavy tanks.

T-64BK Command tank version, with 10-m whip antenna.

T-64B1 Variant has partial era mounted; the few original t-80s retained were upgraded to this standard

T-64BV Variant has Kontakt ERA mounted. Combat weight (mt): 42.5 for t-64bv with explosive reactive armor (mm): standard on t-64bv

T-64U/T-64BM2 Upgrade series marketed by ukrainian malyshev in 2001. T-64u prototype featured 2nd gen era, composite armor, and fire suppression equipment. Variant added t-80u fire control (1a42 gunner day sight) and thermal night sight-permits it to replace rf-guided at-8/kobra atgm with better refleks series (svir/invar) laser-beam rider ATGMs. Ukrainian-developed lbr-guided ATGM kombat similar to refleks. A later variant changed the fcs to t-80ud/t-90 type, with 1a45 day sight, and AGAT thermal night sight

BM BULAT This 45 mt upgrade variant is currently being advertised. It includes an 850-hp engine, fcs with 1g46m lrf-based sight and Catherine-based thermal night sight. Remote fired 12.7-mm mg and 5,000 m

System

Alternative Designation T-64 BM Bulat

Type Main Battle Tank

Family T-64 Family

Crew 3 ea

Maximum Effective Range (Road) 312 km

Maximum Effective Range (Main Gun) 5,000 m

Maximum Operation Duration 10 hours

Dimensions

Length (Gun Forward) 9.23 m

Length (Hull) 6.54 m

Width 3.41 m

Height 2.17 m

Weight, Combat 45 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive

Engine Name 5TDFM Diesel

Engine Type Two-stroke multifuel, 5-cylinder diesel with gas turbine supercharged

Engine Power 850 hp

Maximum RPM's 2,800 RPM

Power to Weight Ratio 18.9 hp/ton

Fuel Tank 1,270 liters

Range 312 km

Speed, Maximum Road 70 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 37 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.72 m

Fording Depth (Without Preparation) 1.4 m

Fording Depth (With Preparation) 5.0 m

Main Gun

System

Name 1 x KBA-3125 mm smoothbore gun

Type 125 mm smoothbore gun

Max Rate of Fire 8 rds/min

Length (Barrel) 6 m

Weight (Barrel) 2,500 kg

Manual Load Time 1-2 rds/min

Autoloader Yes, Carousel-Type Autoloader

Fire on the Move Yes, Main Gun

Maximum Penetration 750 mm

Rate of Fire 6-8 rds/min

Maximum Elevation +14 Deg

Minimum Elevation -6 Deg

Traverse Range 360 Deg

Automatic Loader Yes

Thermal Sleeve Yes

Guidance System TAK0-621 Guided Weapon Complex

Evacuator Type Central bore evacuator

Effective Full Charge (EFC) Life 600 rds

Breech Type semi-automatic horizontal sliding breech block

Loading System Korzina electric and hydraulic automatic loading system

Carousel The carousel can accommodate 28 two-piece rounds of ammunition, and rotates automatically after each round is fired

Carousel Load Time 13-15 min

Basic Load Time 27 min

Muzzle Reference System Yes

Maximum Effective Range (Day) 2,300-2,500 m

Maximum Effective Range (Night) 1,500 m

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot ((APFSDS))

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 2,050 m/s

Effective Range 2,000-3,000 m

Maximum Range 4,000 m

Armor Penetration 1,000 mm

Muzzle Energy 15-24 MJ

Projectile Dimension 900 mm

Projectile Weight 11 kg

Basic Load 36 Total Rounds any combination of 125mm Projectiles

Note Entered service in 2005[5] Utilising a new sabot. Reported to be uranium alloy. For 2A82/2A82-1M cannon on T-80UM-2/T-14s.

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type High Explosives (HE)

Purpose High explosive fragmentation fin stabilised. General purpose rounds, for use against infantry, bunkers and light vehicles and other "soft" targets.

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Max Dispersion 0.23 mrad

Maximum Effective Range 5,000 m

Tungsten Rods 450 ea

Charge A-IX-2 (73% RDX, 23% aluminium powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg

Proectile Weight 23 kg

Round Weight 33 kg

Basic Load 36 Total Rounds any combination of 125mm Projectiles

Variants 3VOF22/3OF19, 3VOF36/3OF26, 3VOF128/3OF82

Ammunition (Option 3)

Type High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)

Name 3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 915 m/s

Max Dispersion INA

Maximum Range 3,00 m

Charge INA

Charge Weight 1.62 kg

Projectile Weight 18.4 kg

Basic Load 36 Total Rounds any combination of 125mm Projectiles

Armor Penetration Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT

Anti-Tank Guided Missile

System

Name Kobra (AT-8 Songster)

Type SACLOS Anti-Tank Missile System

Caliber 125 mm

Manufacturer KB Tochmash

In Service 1976-present

Proliferation Widely Proliferated throughout Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

Basic Load 4-6 ea

Weight 23.2 kg

Warhead Weight 4.5 kg

Guidance System SACLOS

Effective Firing Range 100-4,000 m

Muzzle Velocity 125 m/s, which increases to 800m/s at its peak m/s m/s

Flight Time to a 4,000 Meter Target 9-10 seconds

Armor Penetration 600mm of RHA

Hit Probability 80 %

Maximum Chamber Pressure 6,500 kgf/cm3

Horizontal and Vertical Dispersion 0.2 mils

Kombat Gun-Launched Missile Capable Yes

Variants 9M112M, 9M112M2, 9M124

Note Fired from the T-64 and T-80 Family of Russian Tanks

Tank Commander’s Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Type 54 DShK 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Proliferation over 1 Million

Length (Total) 1,625 mm

Length (Barrel) 1,070 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 34 kg

Weight (on Wheeled Mounting) 157 kg

Max Rate of Fire 600 rds/min

Range Finder Type Optical

Action Gas-Operated, Flapper Locking

Sights Iron/Optical

Feed System 50 Round Belt

Turret single seat and placed at the rear of the vehicle roof. It is sharp-pointed at the front.

Variants DK, DShKM, DSHKS, Type 54 HMG

Fire on the Move Yes

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge 12.7x108 mm

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Effective Range 2,500 m

Armor Penetration API: 21 at 500 m & 13 at 1000 m (RHA)

Basic Load 300 ea

Coaxial Weapons System

System

Name 1 x PK (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Function in use as a front-line infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia's armed forces.

In Service 1961-present

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

Proliferation 1 Million +

Max Rate of Fire 650 rds/min

Weight (Gun Only) 9 kg

Weight (Tripod Only) 7.7 kg

Length (Overall) 1,203 mm

Length (Barrel) 605 mm

Action Gas-operated, open bolt

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes

Sights Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Effective Range (Iron Sights) 100- 1,000 m

Effective Range (With Sight Adjustments) 100-1,500 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Basic Load 250 ea

Fire Control

Name 1V528-2 fire-control compute

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Yes, TKN-4S combination day/night binocular periscopic. Additionally, the T-64U is equipped with the PZU-7 Anti-aircraft Sight

Gunner's Aiming System 1G46M Aiming System

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes, T01-K01ER Night Sight

1G46 Magnification 2.7 and ×12 magnification

Rangefinder IG46 Gunner Sight, Laser

Sighting and Observation System TKN-4CR, also known as the PNK-4SR

IG46 Rangefinder Maximum Range 400 m

IG46 Rangefinder Minumum Range 5,115 m

Vision Blocks 1 x TPNO-16, 2 x TPNA-65 day vision blocks

Fire on the Move Yes

Main Gun Stabilization 2-Plane, 2E42M Stabilization System

Rangefinder two-axis stabilized IG42 laser rangefinder sight

2E42M Stabilization System (Horizontal Error) 0.4 mrad

2E42M Stabilization System (Vertical Error) .03 mrad

Ballistic Computer 1B528-1 Ballistic Calculator.

PZU-5 Monocular Periscopic Sight Available

Searchlight L-4 searchlight.

Wind Sensor DVE-BS wind sensor

Guidance System TAK0-621 Guided Weapon Complex

Protection

Hull Armor Cast and welded steel armour

Turret Armor Cast armour welded together

Turret Type ROM-7 commander's cupola

Armor Protection (Front) 370-440 mm of RHA against KE rounds and 500 mm to 575 mm of RHA against HEAT rounds

Applique Armor Available

Self-Entrenching Blade KMT-4 roller or the KMT-6 track width mine plough,

Explosive Reactive Armor Nozh ERA system

Explosive Reactive Armor Weight 3.5 tons

Explosive Reactive Armor Install Time 6 hours

Nozh ERA Strength 1.5-2.5 times more effective than exiating ERA Designs.

Noza ERA Compatability interchangeable with the Russian-developed 4C20 and 4C22 ERA systems.

Active Protection System (APS) Zaslon APS

Doppler Radar Yes

Mine Clearing Roller-plow available

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment 902A "Tucha-1" smoke grenade launcher in two groups of four, on each side of the gun

IR Signature INA

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems. Yes, PPA Fire Suppression System

Zaslon APS Available

Note The Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) protects the T-64 BM Bulat against attacks by 220% and against Kinetic Energy Attacks by 190%

Image Sources

Notes https://www.army-technology.com/projects/bmbulatmbt/; https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/zfzdth/is_the_ukrainian_t64bvt64bm_a_good_tank_how_does/; https://en.topwar.ru/487-tank-t-64-bulat-ukraina.html;