Issue 30. November - December 1998

MODERNIZATION OF TANKS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Arkady Shipunov, Sergei Berezin

Modernization of existing tanks is a pressing problem today. Improvement of the fire control system and use of guided weapons yield the best results.

he problem of modernization of tanks has always been a focus of armor specialists. Presently, we have a surfeit of programs to modernize such critical systems of a tank as its track and suspension system and armament, i.e., systems characterized by the highest development dynamism and ensuring the largest growth in the tank's effectiveness. As a rule, most of the programs envision conduct of upgrades to the fire control system to increase the firing accuracy of unguided weapons, expansion of the unguided weapons combat potential (night firing capability above all) and considerable enhancement of the tank commander's functional capabilities. In the West, virtually all fire control system development programs are based on this conception. However, not a single fire control system of which we are aware has realized the potential of guided weapons, despite their obvious advantages. Briefly, these advantages make it possible to:

- forestall the enemy in the use of weapons in a tank meeting engagement and defeat hostile armored vehicles before they enter the effective range of their main ordnance;

- engage various targets (tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, emplacements, etc.);

- abandon the use of a gun with high ballistic characteristics, because the effective range of fire with guided weapons outstrips that of the best types of armor-piercing discarding sabot fin stabilized (APDSFS) projectiles and opens up new opportunities for battlefield survival and maneuverability;

- enhance capabilities of outdated armament of tanks and, thus, prolong their life cycle and save considerable funds.

Today, there are a great number of armored vehicles in the active inventories of armies throughout the world, whose track and suspension systems still have considerable service life, but armament and fire control systems have already become outdated. They include such tanks as Russian-made T-55, T-62 and T-72M and foreign-made M60A1, Leopard 1, etc. Figs 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the results of a considerable enhancement of the firing accuracy of the tank's weapons and greater nomenclature of targets that can be handled by the tank. Looking at the modernization issue in its entirety, one is likely to ask the question whether or not the theoretical reasoning of the problem is in accord with the practical results that could be obtained. One country with a hot climate has carried out modernization of the T-62 tank and conducted its trials.

The modernization included: vehicle refit with a fire control system developed for the BMP-3 IFV and improvement of the turret power stabilization system. The fire control system was made up of a gunner's combined sight and weapons guidance system with the line of sight stabilized in both planes, laser range finder, ballistic computer with sensors, and power stabilizer electronics control package interface unit. The use of this system has made it possible to materially increase the firing accuracy of unguided weapons and ensure conduct of fire with guided weapons at halt and on the move.

Modernization was carried out on a T-62 tank manufactured in 1965. Enhancements made to the tank made it possible to eliminate major faults and install an automated fire control system. Trials were conducted in two stages: fixed tests and firing tests (See photos). The fixed tests included:

- alignment of sights and range finder with the gun;

- check of weapons stabilization accuracy;

- check of ballistic computer operation;

- check of synchronization system operation.

The above checks were made before and after the trials, before and after a 6 to 7 km march conducted at a speed of about 25 to 30 km/h with the fire control system engaged, after firings at halt and on the move using different ammunition types (APDSFS, high explosive, guided). The original settings remained practically intact both upon completion of the march and after firings. This points to the system's "ruggedness" and low sensitivity to environmental factors.

Table 1. Firing results obtained with guided weapons

No.	Firing conditions	Range, m	Result
1	At halt	3,965	Hit
2	At halt, elevated	3,965	Hit
3	On the move, in target direction	3,500	Hit
4	At halt, in direct beam	3,965	Hit
5	At halt, elevated	3,965	Hit
6	On the move, in target direction	3,500-3,200	Hit
7	On the move, in target direction	3,500-3,200	Hit
8	On the move, at 90o to target	3,000	Hit
9	On the move, at 90o to target	3,000	Hit
10	At halt	150	Hit

The firing trials included:

- check of stability of parameters and safety status when heated shells are used;

- determination of the mean point of impact when firing high-explosive (HE) and APDSFS ammunition at a range of 1,000 m and determination of the muzzle velocity and dispersion;

- determination of dispersion of HE and APDSFS shells;

- determination of the accuracy of fire with unguided weapons when the tank is canted and moving (conduct of flanking and frontal fires);

- firing guided ammunition...full article is available for subscribes only

Banners Exchange System 'Flamingo'