Basic Information

Name

T-55AMV Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

T-55AMV

Alternate Designation

T-55AMV

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union) Bumar-Łabędy (Poland) ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)

Date of Introduction

1985

Description

The T-55 is an upgrade of the T-54 series. It was produced in the greatest quantities and benefits from improved mobility over the earlier T-54s. The original T-55s are thought to have been pre-production versions. T-55MV, has improved protection and firepower. It is fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor and an improved fire control system. It is capable of launching anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. The T-55MV entered service in 1985.

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Tracked

Engine 2-cylinder 4-stroke one-chamber 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel engine (581 hp)

Active Protection Drozd

Range 4.0 km

Variants

T-55A In 1961, development of improved NBC protection systems began. The goal was to protect the crew from fast neutrons; adequate protection against gamma radiation was provided by the thick armour and a PAZ basic NBC protection system.

T-54/T-55 upgrades n its long service life, the T-55 has been upgraded many times. Early T-55s were fitted with a new TSh-2B-32P sight. In 1959, some tanks received mountings for the PT-55 mine clearing system or the BTU/BTU-55 plough. In 1967, the improved BM8 APDS round, which could penetrate 275 mm thick armour at a range of 2 km, was introduced. In 1970, new and old T-55 tanks had the loader's hatch modified to mount the 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, to deal with the threat of attack helicopters. Starting in 1974, T-55 tanks received the KTD-1 or KTD-2 laser rangefinder in an armoured box over the mantlet of the main gun, as well as the R-123 or R-123M radio set.[10] Simultaneously, efforts were made to modernize and increase the lifespan of the drive train.

T-55AM upgraded version of the T-55A. It is fitted with add-on composite armor and rubber side skirts. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve. It entered service in 1983.

T-55AM-1 upgraded version of the T-55AM, powered by a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.

T-55AD fitted with Drozd active protection system. It also has add-on armor. It entered service in 1983.

T-55AD-1 fitted wit a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.

T-55AMV fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor and new fire control system. It is capable of launching anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. The missile has a range of 4 000 m at daytime and 1 200 m at night. It penetrates 550 mm of rolled homogenous armor. It entered service in 1985.

T-55M Upgraded version fitted with add-on composite armor and rubber side skirts. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve. This tank entered service in 1983.

T-55M-1 it is a further upgrade of the T-55M, powered by a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp. This tank is also fitted with ballistic computer.

T-55MV it has improved protection and firepower. It is fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor and improved fire control system. It is capable of launching anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. The T-55MV entered service in 1985.

T-55MV-1 fitted with a V-46-5M diesel.

T-62A an improved T-55 with a stretched chassis, new suspension, new turret. It was armed with a 100 mm gun with improved ballistics. First prototypes were built in 1958 and it was accepted to service in 1962. Only a small number of these tanks were built for experimental service. However it was a forerunner of the T-62 medium tank, that was produced in thousands.

TO-55 flamethrower tank. Coaxial machine gun has been replaced with a flame thrower.

BTS-2 and BTS-3 armored recovery vehicles.

MTU-20 and MTU-55 armored bridgelayers.

BTR-T is a heavy armored personnel carrier. It was first publicly revealed in 1997. It was converted from obsolete T-55 medium tank. The turret has been removed in order to create a compartment for dismounts. A number of other modifications were made to the vehicle. This armored vehicle has a crew of 2 and accommodates 5 dismounts. The BTR-T received no production orders.

Ti-67 sraeli version, fitted with American M68 105 mm rifled gun. It is also fitted with Israeli fire control system, new engine and transmission and Blazer explosive reactive armor. About 200 T-54/55 tanks, that were captured from Egyptian and Syrian forces, were upgraded to this standard.

T-54E Ramzes II a proposed upgrade of Egyptian T-54/55 tanks. It is fitted with American M68 105 mm rifled gun, Belgian fire control system, and American Continental AVDS-1790-5A engine.

T-55 Enigma, upgraded Iraqi version, fitted with composite add-on armor. Add-on armor weights a total of 4.6 t, so a counterweight was mounted at the turret rear. This tank also has improved night vision devices.

TR-580 a Romanian version of the T-55 with a longer hull. An extra road wheel on each side has been added. It is fitted with a different engine. This tank is fitted with metal side skirts.

System

Alternative Designation T-55AMV

Type Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union) Bumar-Łabędy (Poland) ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)

Crew 4 ea

Passenger Capacity INA

Maximum Effective Range 500 m

Status In service throughout the world. No new production is possible but facilities exist to upgrade and maintain the vehicles

Dimensions

Length 6.2 m

Width 3.30 m

Height 2.4 m

Weight, Combat 40.5 tons

Ground Pressure 0.85 kg/m

Automotive

Engine Name V-555M

Engine Type 2-cylinder 4-stroke one-chamber 38.88 litre water-cooled diesel engine

Engine Power 581 hp

Engine Start Up compressed air engine start-up system primarily, with an electrical back-up

Transmision 155.08sbB synchronised constant mesh transmission

Cruising Range 450/650 w extra fuel tanks km

Speed, Maximum Road 50 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 25 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim INA

Fording Depth 1.4 m unprep; 5.5 m snorkel

Power-to-Weight Ratio 16.1 hp/tonne

Maximum Effective Range 500 km, with two additional drums on the rear this can be extended to 700 km.

MC-1 Diesel Fuel Filter Yes

Overall Fuel Capacity 680 liters

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.85 m

Communications

TBR-121

VHF Transceiver Yes

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Proliferated Widely

Digital Data Yes, Full

Control Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)

Frequency Agile Yes

Wireless Network Capabilities Yes

Note: Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP

Main Gun

System

Name D-10T2S

Type Rifled Gun

Caliber 100 mm

Loader Type Manual

Elevation -5 to +18 deg

Fire on the Move Yes

Stabilization System M1 Tsiklon, 2 plane

Elevation Range -6 to 16 deg

Traverse Range 360 def

First Round Hit Probability 60 %

Bore Activator Yes, New upgrade

Ammunition

Name 3UOF17

Type HE fragmentation projectile

Caliber 100 mm

Muzzle Velocity 355 m/s

Max Range 7,000 m

Min Range INA m

Armor Penetration Yes

Weight, Complete Round 22.9 kg

Weight, Missile 19.4 kg

Basic Load 45 total of any 100 mm Projectile Combination

Anti-Tank Guided Missile

Type Laser beam-riding anti-tank missile.

Name 9M117 Bastion

Caliber 100 mm

Entered Service 1981

Muzzle Velocity 400-500 m/s

Basic Load 8 ea

Maximum Effective Range 4,000 m

Rocket Burn 6 seconds

Rocket Motor Ignites Time 1.5 seconds

Guidance Beam-Riding Laser

Prone to Radio or Optical Jamming No

Missile Flight Time 4,000 m

Self Destruct Time 24-41 seconds

Tank Commander's Weapon System

System

Name 1 x QJZ-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Manufacturer NORINCO

Weight, Gun Only 17.5 kg

Weight,Tripod 8.5 kg

Length, Total 2,119 mm

Length, Barrel 1,003 mm

Barrels 1 ea

Action Gas/Recoil

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Rate of Fire 450-600 rds/min

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Feed System Belt

Sights Iron/Optical

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge 12.7x108mm

Max Range 1,600 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Basic Load INA

Fire Control

Name Volna

Computerized FCS "Rosa" fire protection system

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Yes, either the TPKUB or TPKU-2B.

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes, TNP-165 vision device

Main Gun Stabilization M1 Tsiklon, 2 plane

Range, Day Sight 4,000 m

Range, Thermal Sight 800-1,300 m

Infrared L-4

Protection

Hull Armor Steel Alloy

Turret Armor 200 mm

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System Drozd APS available

Mine Clearing Roller-plow available

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection Yes, PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita) NBC protection system

Smoke Equipment INA

Note The T-55 focuses most of its armour around the front 60 deg arc.

Image Sources

Notes https://live.warthunder.com/post/654079/en/;