"Honor and Glory"--Sleeve patch of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division
T-80UM
Status: Series production? (Existing T-80's can be upgraded to this standard)
Appearance: As standard T-80U, but without IR searchlight and with enlarged night sight housing.
The T-80UM is a T-80U upgraded with a gunner's thermal sight (tank commander has a viewing screen as well). There is also a command variant (T-80UK) is equipped with the Shtora system.
T-80UM(VI): Year: 1992; Speed: 85/50; Armor: 55cr/10r; Night Vision: T; NBC: Y; Armament: 2A46M-1/1A45 FCS (12), LMG, HAAMG;
Notes: Ammunition load includes 2 9M119 Refleks ATGMs and 10 conventional rounds. Carries 2nd Generation ERA.
T-80UM1 "Bars" (Snow Leopard)
Status: Prototype? (Existing T-80's can be upgraded to this standard)
The "Bars" appears to be a T-80UM with Shtora and Arena defensive systems. When displayed in public for the first time, "Bars" did not carry Kontakt-5 reactive armor tiles on its turret, and it may be that the Arena system (with fragmentation charge launchers arranged in a semicircle around the turret front) precludes mounting reactive armor.
T-80UM1 "Bars"(VI): Year: 1997; Speed: 85/50; Armor 55cr/10r; Night Vision: T; NBC:Y; Armament: 2A46M-1/1A45 FCS (12), LMG, HAAMG.
Notes: Ammunition load includes 2 Refleks ATGMs and 10 conventional rounds. Has Arena and Shtora self-defense systems as well as 2nd Generation ERA.
T-90
Status: Series production, with over 100 (300?) in service, nearly all in the Far East.
The T-90 is almost definitely only a stop-gap MBT , adopted mainly due to its lower cost. It will likely continue in low-rate production to keep production lines open until newer designs become available. Also available for export with varying equipment and engine fits.
T-90 (VI): Year: 1992; Speed: 70/35; Armor: 55cr/10; Night Vision: T; NBC:Y; Armament: 2A46M 125mm w/1A45T FCS (12), LMG, HAAMG.
Notes: Ammunition load includes 2 Refleks ATGMs and 10 conventional rounds. Has Arena and Shtora self-defense systems and 2nd Gen. ERA.
"Black Eagle" (T-80UM2?)
Status: Prototype? Estimated entry into service: 2000.
Appearance:
This tank is the first tangible result of former Defense Minister Grachev's order to redesign ammunition storage in Russian MBT's after their vulnerability to ammunition fires was demonstrated during the Chechen conflict and (belatedly) confirmed in live fire survivability tests of Russian tanks at Kubinka Proving Ground. The Black Eagle mounts a completely new turret with highly sloped front and a bustle-mounted autoloader which likely permits a rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute, on a standard T-80U hull. The Black Eagle pictured in the Military Parade magazine had both the turret and the main gun shrouded, leading to speculation that it mounts a gun larger than 125mm. Also, turret top layout suggests this tank has a "hunter-killer" fire control system. The Black Eagle is apparently in competition with another, completely new tank design, but might be able to secure the Russian Army's contract due to its lower cost and possibility of upgrading existing T-80's to Black Eagle standard. However, it is too early to say with any certainty whether the "Black Eagle" represents the next generation of Russian MBTs or is merely a testbed/technology demonstrator vehicle. Although latest information suggests this tank is intended mainly for export, it may enter service with the Russian ground forces if the new design from Nizhniy Tagil proves too expensive or too immature technologically.
T-80UM2 (VII) Year: ?; Speed: 85/50; Armor: 60cr/10; Night Vision: T; NBC: Y; Armament:2A?? 125mm or 135(?)mm w/ ? FCS
New Russian Main Battle Tank
The new Russian MBT has reportedly started State acceptance trials at the Kubinka Proving Ground in August or September of 1998. Very little is known apart from this vehicle, apart from that it was designed at Nizhniy Tagil. Neither the official designation of the vehicle nor even its Obyekt number have been made public to date. According to Colonel Viktor Murakhovskiy, the vehicle will weigh about 50 tons, be armed with a 152mm gun, have an even lower silhouette than previous Soviet and Russian tanks, and emphasize crew protection. While the vehicle will have an autoloader, it will not have the same configuration as in other Russian tanks.
If the Russian journal articles are any guide, the new tank will most likely have an external gun, with the crew housed in the hull. According to Russian armor experts, this is the only configuration that guarantees crew safety, high level of protection, and permits mounting of a larger-caliber gun without reducing ammunition load to less than 40 rounds, minimum acceptable load, and still weigh no more than 50 tons. The next MBT's hull may also serve as the basis for a heavy IFV. The following illustrations may give some indication as to the current direction of Russian tank design.
The hypothetical tank pictured above features a crew of three housed in the hull, a gun of unspecified caliber fed by an autoloader in the unmanned gun mount, and a two-level carousel-type autoloader. It is powered by two gas turbine engines located above the tracks in the rear of the hull, with an electric transmission. This tank was depicted in Military Parade issue #25 (January-February/1998)
This vehicle depiction comes from Tekhnika i Vooruzhenie 7/98. While this time the engine is front-mounted and the crew is reduced to only two, the basic configuration (external gun and crew in hull) is unchanged. A missile-armed variant is also shown, presumably firing hypervelocity, kinetic energy guided missiles.
Finally, this vehicle was depicted in Sovremennye Tanki [Modern Tanks], a book on modern armor published in Moscow in 1996 and edited by V. I. Murakhovskiy and B.S. Safonov. Once again, the design includes a 3-member crew in the hull with a front mounted engine and assumes modular construction. While the MBT variant would carry a large-caliber externally-mounted gun, the IFV would carry a troop-carrying module with an external small-caliber weapons station.
BMP-3M
Status: Hypothetical vehicle
Appearance: BMP-3 hull with BTR-80A or Marder turret.
BMP-3's armament suite has been subjected to criticism in the Russian military, and it is not inconceivable that these IFV's will eventually be refitted with another turret. Some BMP-3 prototypes had an unmanned turret similar to that of Marder with a twin ATGM launcher resembling Bradley's. As an alternative, the BRM-3 turret with an ATGM bracket could be mounted. In 1992 BMP-3s fitted with ERA were tested at Kubinka, proving that this vehicle can accept this type of armor.
The "Kliver" gun/missile combat module is another potential candidate for arming the BMP-3 or any future IFV. Kliver is being used as a testbed for proposed new IFV weapons. This diagram shows a 30mm 2A72 autocannon, a coaxial PKT machine gun, and 4 Kornet laser-guided ATGMs. Like the hypothetical MBT designs depicted above, Kliver indicates growing Russian preference for locating AFV weapons in external, unmanned modules.
BMP-3M(IV) Year: ?; Speed: 90/50A; Armor: 5r/3; Night Vision: T; NBC: Y; Armament: T: 2A?? 45mm AC (12), Kornet ATGM (4), LMG; H: 2xLMG; Stands: 1
BTR-90
Status: Prototype?
Appearance: BTR-80 with BMP-2 turret.
Actually, this vehicle has a slightly larger hull than the -80, with a pointed nose resembling LAV-25. Production vehicles (assuming it is accepted into service) are almost certain to have a different turret, possibly the same as the BMP-3M described above.
BTR-90 (IV): Year: ?; Speed: 90/30A; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision: A or T; NBC: Y; Armament: as BMP-2 or BMP-3M; Stands: 1
BTR-T(Bronyetransporter-Tyazhelyy, APC-Heavy)
Status: Prototype?
Appearance: T-54/55 hull with a BTR-80A turret.
This vehicle is another "lesson learned" in Chechnya. Following very heavy losses of thin-skinned BMPs and BTRs in Groznyy city fighting, some Russian officers called for a heavy, survivable APC. This vehicle, if adopted, probably will not see service outside of specialized formations trained for urban warfare due to its unsuitability for maneuver warfare (too slow to keep pace with modern MBTs), although it may be also intended for mountainous regions. On the other hand, it may serve as a forerunner to an entirely new heavily armored IFV (BMP-4?) design which would completely replace BMP-2s and -3s.
BTR-T (V): Year: ?; Speed: 60/25; Armor: 22r/6r; Night Vision: A or T; NBC: Y; Armament: 2A42 30mm AC (12), Konkurs (AT-5) ATGM, LMG; Stands: 1
BMD-3 Airborne IFV
Status: Operational
The BMD-3 is the most recent entry in the long line of Soviet/Russian air-droppable armored vehicles, and it rectifies many of the faults of its predecessors. It is more rugged (and heavier) than previous BMDs, can be airdropped with its crew in the vehicle, and carries a 2-man turret from BMP-2.
BMD-3 (IV): Year: 1990?; Speed: 95/40A; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision; A; NBC: Y; Armament: T: 2A42 30mm AC (20), LMG, Konkurs (AT-5) ATGM (2); T: AG-17 AGL, LMG; Stands: 1/2
BRM-3 Rys'
Status: Prototype
Based on the BMP-3, Rys' will replace BRM-1 vehicles in Russian reconnaissance formations.
BRM-3 Rys' (IV): Speed: 90/50A; Armor: 5/3; Night Vision: T; NBC: Y, Armament: 2A72 30mm AC (15), LMG, (provision for ATGMs); Stands: 1/2; carries a GSR.
9P149 Shturm-S ATGM Vehicle
Status: Operational
This vehicle is a marriage of basic MTLB chassis with the Shturm (AT-6) ATGM system.
9P149 (III): Year: 1985?; Speed: 60/25A; Armor 1/1; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes; Armament: 9M114 Shturm ATGM (6)
9P157-2 Khrizantema ATGM Vehicle
Status: Prototype
Representing the new generation of Russian tank destroyers, the 9P157 combines BMP-3 hull with the new 9M123 Khrizantema missile which has dual laser and milimetre radar guidance capability. The 9P157 can engage a single target with two missiles or 2 separate targets simultaneously.
9P157-2 (IV): Year; 2000?; Speed: 90/50A; Armor: 5/3; Night Vision: T; NBC: Yes; Armament: 9M123 ATGM (8)
2S31 Vena Self-Propelled Gun
Status: Prototype
Yet another vehicle designed around the BMP-3 chassis, the 2S31 will probably replace 120 mm mortars in BMP-equipped MR Battalions.
2S31 (IV): Speed: 90/50A; Armor: 4/2; Night Vision: L; NBC; Yes; Armament: 2A?? 120mm Gun (10), LAAMG
2S23 Nona-SVK Self-Propelled Gun-Mortar
Status: Limited production
Nona-SVK is a BTR-80 variant armed with the 2A60 120 mm gun similar to that of 2S9. It is likely this vehicle will equip mortar batteries of BTR-equipped motorized rifle battalions. A battery of these vehicles was tested under operational conditions in Chechnya and lost one vehicle to a landmine. The 2S23 is LGM-capable.
2S23 (III): Speed: 100/30A; Armor: 2/1w; Night Vision: I; NBC: Y; Armament: 2A60 120 mm gun (8), LAAMG.
2S19 Msta-S Self-Propelled Howitzer
Status: Operational
While the Russian Army hoped to replace all of its 122mm and 152mm self propelled artillery with this howitzer, budgetary constraints mean this replacement will not be completed any time soon. At least one 2S19-equipped regiment served in Chechnya as part of the 8th Army Corps. The 2S19 is LGM-capable.
2S19 Msta-S (VI): Year: 1989; Speed: 75/3; Armor: 4/2; Night Vision: ; NBC: Yes; Armament: 2A64 152 mm howitzer (12), HAAMG;
2S6M Tunguska SP AD Vehicle
Status: Operational
This vehicle is the successor to the venerable ZSU-23-4 and the first operational air defense vehicle armed with both missiles and guns. It is intended to replace both the ZSUs and SA-9/13s with 6 vehicles per regiment/brigade. To date the only combat use of the 2S6 was in Chechnya, where the 6 vehicles of 131st Motorized Rifle Brigade's Air Defense Battery were destroyed in Groznyy city fighting.
2S6M Tunguska (V): Speed: 70/35; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes; Armament: 2A38M quad 30mm AC (20), 9A311 (SA-19) SAM (8)
Tor-M1 Air Defense Vehicle
Built on the same chassis as the Tunguska, the Tor is the SA-8 replacement. It carries a very effective missile system, capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles. Its naval variant is the Kinzhal (SA-N-9).
Tor-M1 (V): Speed: 70/35; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes; Armament: 9M331 (SA-15) SAM (5)
Buk-M1 Air Defense Vehicle
Utilizing the same chassis as Tunguska and Tor, Buk-M1 is a self-propelled medium range SAM which replaced the Kub (SA-6). In contrast to the Kub which could engage only one aircraft per battery, each Buk TEL can operate autonomously, without assistance from battery's target acquisition radar. The naval version is called Shtil' (SA-N-7).
Buk-M1 (V): Speed: 70/35; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes; Armament: 9M38M1 SAM (4)
Ural Air Defense Missile System
Ural is a follow-on to Buk scheduled to enter service around year 2000.
Ural (V): Speed: 70/35; Armor: 3/2; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes; Armament: Ural SAM (4)
Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Vehicle
Status: Prototype?
The Pantsir uses a modified weapon system of Tunguska (with longer-ranged missiles and only 2 autocannon) on a heavy truck chassis. It is intended to provide anti-aircraft and anti-cruise missile defense to rear-area installations.
Pantsir-S1(IV): Speed: 80/15; Armor: 1/1; Night Vision: L; NBC: Yes, Armament: 2A38M twin 30mm AC(20), 9A311M SAM (12)
Mi-28N All-Weather Attack Helicopter
Status: Prototype
The Mi-28N is the all-weather variant of the basic Mi-28, differing mainly in having a milimeter radar mounted above its main rotor, as well as thermal imaging night vision equipment. Its main competitor is the Ka-52 Alligator. Apart from Russia, countries interested in obtaining the Mi-28N include Sweden which tested it against the AH-64. Russian language publications state that the Mi-28N proved superior in terms of effectiveness and accuracy of its armament and was less prone to mechanical breakdown.
Mi-28N: Attack: 4 (2A42 30mm AC); Defense: 6; Strafe: 5; Night Vision: T; Ordnance: Ataka/Shturm (8) + R; ROF: 3; Air-to-air: 2x Igla
Mi-40 Assault Helicopter
Status: Development
The Mi-40 is the planned successor to the rapidly aging Mi-8/17 fleet. This project appears to be seriously underfunded, if Mil OKB's attempts to attract foreign funding are any indicator. The Mi-40 utilizes subcomponents of the Mi-28 helicopter.
Mi-40: Attack: 3(23mm AC, 12.7mm MG); Defense: 4; Strafe: 5; Night Vision: T; Ordnance: Ataka/Shturm (2) + R; ROF: 2; Stands: 1; Slung Load: II
Ka-50 Attack Helicopter
Kamov's first attempt to design an attack helicopter resulted in an unorthodox machine with counterrotating rotors and a single pilot. Despite an advanced target acquisition and guidance system, workload inherent in operating an attack helicopter proved too great for one-man crew and Kamov was forced to redesign the Ka-50 to accomodate a second crew member.
Ka-50: Attack: 4 (2A42 30mm AC); Defense: 6; Strafe: 5; Night Vision: L; Ordnance: Vikhr (6) + R; ROF: 2
Ka-52 Attack Helicopter
Very similar in most respects to the Ka-50, its main differences are two man crew and better avionics. In competition with Mi-28N for Russian army attack helicopter order.
Ka-52: Attack: 4 (2A42 30mm AC); Defense: 6; Strafe: 5; Night Vison: T; Ordnance: Vikhr (6) + R; ROF: 3; Air-to-Air: R-73 (AA-11) (2)
Mike J.
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The J-8 Shop
Wargame Rules and Variants
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