Russian T-14 tank has officially blown its cover

[XabbaRus]

OK, so we have the first official pictures of the T-14 Armata platform MBT and some images of the BMP based on the same platform.

We have seven road wheels instead of six, a boxier hull at the front, but most telling is the turret. Rumoured to have an unmanned turret with the commander and driver in the hull, as can be seen in this photo. The turret seems a massive departure from traditional Russian design. Obviously taking pains to hide what could be a sensor array or gun turret. Unfortunately there is little forth coming on the net. I will however be watching the 9th May Victory parade and getting as good a look as possible.

Here is a link to the Moscow Times article.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busine...nk/519427.html

This is another article showing the BMP variant
http://rbth.co.uk/news/2015/04/21/ru...ank_45392.html

[Betonov]

I like the idea with an unmaned turret.

I wonder if the commander guides the gun to the target or he just picks them and the electronics zeroes it in and fires. The technology is there.

[XabbaRus]

Only needs 3 crew.

[CaptainHaplo]

Pretty smart using the same chassis for their MBT and BMP. A modular design to a point, though surely a changeover from one to the other will require depot level support.

At the least it will make logistics a LOT easier since its a common platform.

[XabbaRus]

I don't think it is modular in that you could change an MBT to a BMP and vice versa.

I think it is just as much of the running gear and hull will be common thus reducing logistics and maintenance costs. It really is a good idea and we will see how it comes off. Certainly makes sense if you are revamping a whole series of various armoured vehicles to have a common base. It's like they have taken a leaf out of the VW handbook given an Audi A3 and a Golf are the same chassis, and probably a lot of the running gear too.

[Jimbuna]

Hard to tell whats under the covers but the MBT doesn't appear to look much different....could well be wrong though. Looking forward to the parade.

[Oberon]

Looks good, smart move in moving the crew although I wonder whether it will have done anything for the cramped conditions inside.

[MGR1]

Originally Posted by Oberon

......I wonder whether it will have done anything for the cramped conditions inside.

The crews are probably used to having to put up with that - Russian tanks are known for poor ergonomics.

Fighting machines first and foremost, crew comfort comes a distant second.

Mike.

[Oberon]

Aye, well it started with the T-34s sloped turret and that proved itself to be quite a beastie in the Great Patriotic War. Say what you will about Russian designs, they can take a knockin' and keep on rocking.

[nikimcbee]

Does it catch on fire like the other Russian tanks? (See Iraq War)

[Stealhead]

True but those where T-72s with mediocre crews facing the most highly trained crews on the planet at the time. Like Mike Tyson punching Steven Hawking in the face hardly an equal match up.

I think a T-80 or T-90 with a competent crew would be a serious threat to any Western tank/AFV. Even the insurgents in Iraq managed to destroy some M1A2s.

I think Iraq War II aka Desert Storm only showed that the planned action in Fluda Gap worked very very well against an inferior enemy.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Aye, well it started with the T-34s sloped turret and that proved itself to be quite a beastie in the Great Patriotic War. Say what you will about Russian designs, they can take a knockin' and keep on rocking.

True but crew fatigue can have negative effect on combat effectiveness. You want you crew to be ready for combat not tired from the ride to the combat zone. Of course in WWII to a large extent it was a different ball game.

[XabbaRus]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Hard to tell whats under the covers but the MBT doesn't appear to look much different....could well be wrong though. Looking forward to the parade.

Are you talking about the difference between the T-72 / T-90 and the Armata tank or between the MBT and BMP?

Until we can get pictures of the two from the side I'd say that the basic hull is the same, however on the BMP the commander hatch is further back than on the MBT. Also the BMP is missing the side skirts while the MBT has side skirts and different structure over the tracks and running wheels.

I see the engine is in the front right of the vehicle, as seen by what I'm going to assume is an exhaust jutting out above the track.

Also for the BMP variant, I'm wondering if the turret is also automated as it's location seems it would clash with any troops if it is a through hull penetrating turret.

Anyway it certainly will be interesting. According to Wikipedia the armour is new and designed such that it doesn't lose it's strength during low temperatures.

So no summer wars then.

[XabbaRus]

This is the first Hi-Res image I have found of the new Tank...really odd looking a real departure from previous designs.

Might be a hell of a tank, who knows, but one thing I know: 0 Sex appeal.
Tanks get more and more ugly with their weird edges and angles.

That's a tank!

 

JAA! ZERSTÖREN, JAA!