Santa Clause Delivering Presents On A Tank

 

The T-90A is currently the most modern MBT in service with the Russian military. The tank is essentially an upgraded T-72, but almost every part of it has been heavily modified, including the main gun (125 mm 2A46M-1 from the T-80U), new gunner sights, new thermal sights, a new engine, chassis and turret made of a mix of steel and composite armor, enhanced protection with the aid of K-5 reactive armor (also first used on the T-80U), the Shtora countermeasures suite, and the ability to use the Arena countermeasures suite. Capability-wise, the T-90 was essentially a new tank, though the main reason it was given the name T-90 rather than T-72BU was because of the T-72’s poor reputation during the Gulf War. There are three versions of the T-90: the original T-90, the T-90A, which has a new turret, and the T-90S, which is for export. Russia currently operates over 700 T-90 tanks of various modifications, while India currently has 620. Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan have also purchased T-90 tanks.

 

Besides the 125 mm main gun, the T-90 is also armed with a coaxial PKT machine gun and an NSVT machine gun. The T-90 runs on the V-96 12 cylinder diesel engine, which is rated at 1,250 hp. The tank has a weight of 47.5 tons, a length of 9.63 meters, a width of 3.78 meters, and a height of 2.22 meters. The T-90 has a crew of 3 and can move at speeds exceeding 65 km/hr. The T-90 has full NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection, and an air conditioner for operation in tropical temperatures. The T-90’s front armor was tested against the latest Russian rocket propelled grenade launchers and missile launchers in 1999. None of the weapons penetrated. The T-90 saw action in Dagestan, where witnesses reported that the tank was hit seven times by RPG’s and remained in action. The T-90A was used as the basis for the new T-90MS MBT, which was developed for export. Production of domestic T-90 tanks has ceased, as focus has been shifted to the modernization of T-72 tanks and the new Armata next generation MBT.

T-90MS And BMPT

 

Video showing the BMPT and T-90MS in action, with some CGI scenes mixed in. The acceptance of the BMPT and T-90MS into service and/or the upgrading of existing T-72/T-90 tanks to this standard will, in my opinion, increase the capabilities of Russian military forces to unforeseen levels.

 

More info about the T-90MS here. More BMPT info here.

More Photos Of The Mi-28’s With New Paint Scheme

 

Developed in the 1980’s, the Mi-28 was the answer to the Russian military’s requirement for a dedicated anti-tank helicopter. Designed to replace the Mi-24, the Mi-28 has only recently began entering Russian military service in decent numbers, like many other great military projects that had to survive through the troublesome 1990’s with little to no funding. The Mi-28 addresses many of the Mi-24’s weaknesses and has thus become Russia’s main combat helicopter.

 

The Mi-28 does not have a compartment for troops, which was one of the main detractors of the Mi-24’s maneuverability, and unlike the Mi-24, it is very well armored and durable. To counter the latest main battle tanks, the Mi-28 is equipped with Ataka-V missiles, which have a range of up to 8 km and can penetrate up to 900 mm of homogenous steel. The Mi-28 is equipped with the 2A42 30mm automatic cannon and B-8 rocket pods which can each carry up to 20 80mm S-8 rockets for the neutralization of enemy troops. The Mi-28N is a a variant of the Mi-28 that can operate both at night and during the day.

BMPT Terminator

After the Russian armored divisions suffered heavy losses during the first Chechen campaign, it became apparent that a dedicated anti-infantry support vehicle would be needed. Before the BMPT was created, Russian forces made use of AA vehicles, due to their high rate of fire, to supress enemy troops during both the Afghan war and the first campaign in Chechnya. However, these vehicles had extremely light armor and proved vulnerable to anti-tank fire. In 1997, at the BTVT exhibition, the first prototype of the BMPT was shown to the public, equipped with a single 20mm gun and the Kornet anti-tank missile system. It was based on the T-90 chassis, but was much more heavily armored.

 

The BMPT was re-designed, and in 2002 the new vehicle was showcased. The new BMPT, slated for serial production, was equipped with twin Shipunov 2A42 30mm automatic cannons. The 2A42 is a proven armament and is fitted on BMP-2’s, BMD-3’s, Mi-28’s, Ka-50’s, and many other vehicles in service with the Russian military. The 2A42 fires at a rate of 550 rounds per minute and can engage targets at up to 2,500 meters. To defeat enemy vehicles, the BMPT is equipped with 4 Ataka-T missiles, 2 on each side of the 2A42 cannons. These weapons are arranged on a special new crew-less turret on which a 7.62mm PKT machine gun is also mounted. The BMPT is also equipped with 2 AGS-17 grenade launchers on either side of the chassis, equipped with 600 rounds.

 

With this armament, the BMPT presents a deadly threat for infantry (2A42, AGS-17,PKT), vehicles (Ataka-T), and helicopters (2A42). The BMPT’s heavy armor makes it hard to kill, and it can also be equipped with countermeasures to enhance its survivability. The BMPT is equipped with the V-92S2 multi-fuel diesel engine, rated at 1000 hp, and can engage targets during the day or at night, while stationary or moving. The proposed plan was to issue BMPT’s to tank brigades in small numbers as “bodyguards” against infantry. Currently, Kazakhstan is the only operator of the BMPT. Whether or not the BMPT will be fielded by the Russian armed forces is still in question.

More Sukhoi Calendars

 

More calendars from Sukhoi to take your 2012 year sky high!

Aircraft in order by photo:

*Su-30

*T-50

*T-50

*T-50

*T-50

*Su-34

Kamaz Triumf

 

If you won’t see it with your own eyes, you will have a hard time believing that a 20 ton armored truck can move through snow covered fields at speeds exceeding 100 km/hr. Kamaz’s new truck, called the “Triumf”, amazed everyone at the testing grounds. Equipped with a 450 hp engine, this truck gives a ride so smooth, even the experts are impressed. Anyone having ridden a regular Russian military truck will never forget it. Any bump in the road will cause some of the most inconvenient feelings imaginable. However, with the use of advanced technology and suspensions, the Triumf will give a ride comparable to some of the most comfortable off-road cars.

 

This vehicle was created and started testing within a year, using the most advanced technology available. All systems are fully digital; the Triumf’s ground clearance can be increased or decreased with a push of a button. The Triumf will be released in two versions. The first will allow the addition of all kinds of add-ons ranging from cranes to mobile missile launch systems. The second version will be a transport, and will include a special door for the driver to get into the compartment for troops without exiting the vehicle. This will allow the driver to perform maintenance on the vehicle without getting into harm’s way and to evacuate with the troops in emergency situations.

 

If something obscures the view through the windshield, the driver can continue driving thanks to special cameras spread throughout the vehicle’s chassis; the driver won’t even need to look from side to side. Special attention was also put into the survivability of the vehicle; the Triumf can survive blasts from up to 8kg of explosives and continue driving for up to another 50 kilometers. This vehicle is still being tested, but if it enters Russian service, it will have no equivalents.

Modifications For AK Assault Rifles

More photos:  http://k-a-r-d-e-n.livejournal.com/

FSB Spetsnaz Open Championship 2011

For the first time, members of FSB’s Spetsnaz took part in shooting competitions at night. The need for such competitions is apparent, as ¾ of all special operations take place at night. 150 participants from over 30 divisions of Spetsnaz from around the country gathered at a special training site in St. Petersburg to “save hostages and eliminate terrorists” within a certain time frame. Commander of special operations Agrat Alexander Krilov is the only man at the competition who’s face can be shown and who’s name can be revealed. He has survived multiple altercations with terrorists in major hot spots. The competition will be composed of 7 operations, each of which has it’s own designation such as storm, clear-out, automobile, room, etc. The contestants will be fully equipped, and will perform special tasks such as switching short barrels to long ones, use shields, and use night vision equipment.

What awaits behind the door of each room, the soldiers are unaware of, as would be the case in real life; terrorists prefer to work at night to carry out their operations. The conditions of these competitions are as close to real life situations as possible. This will allow the contestants to figure out whatever limitations they have and fix them here, rather than in a real conflict. Especially for the competition, 8 special rooms were set up; each containing a unique training situation including terrorists and hostages. The hostages are marked on the paper targets as a hand, while the terrorists are marked by pistols. Actions must be carried out within seconds; any miscalculation can result in death in real life.

Every soldier chooses his criteria for the accomplishment of the tasks ahead, with the main focus being put on speed and accuracy. Depending on the situation, the soldier will either shoot from a 9mm pistol or a Kalashnikov assault rifle. From first glance, these don’t look like regular Kalashnikov rifles: that’s because they have been heavily modernized to improve their battle characteristics. Competing for first place are 150 soldiers from 30 Spetsnaz divisions from Western Russia all the way to Vladivostok. However, the leaders are considered soldiers from special divisions Alfa and Vympel. Spetsnaz divisions from St. Petersburg are not taking part in the competition. Although some of the scenarios might look like they are from an action flick, whether the hero will live or die in real life will not depend on the scenario, but on his skills and preparation.

Su-34’s With New Camo

 

So the rumors have been confirmed: new production Su-34’s will have a dark gray paint scheme (but they will retain the blue belly). Having first flown in 1990, the Su-34 is only now starting to be produced for the Russian air-force in decent numbers. Designed to replace the aging Su-24 and Tu-22M, the Su-34 is a multi-role tactical aircraft based on the Su-27 platform a with side-by-side seating arrangement for the two men crew. The advanced capabilities of the aircraft will allow them to be fielded in smaller numbers than the aircraft that they are replacing.

 

The 12 pylons on the Su-34 can carry a total of over 8,000 kg of the latest Russian air-to-ground ordnance, as well as air-to-air missiles. The aircraft has a toilet and is well pressurized, allowing it to fly up to 33,000 ft without the pilots needing to use oxygen masks. The Su-34 can reach speeds of up to 1900 km/h and has an electro-optical fire control system as well as a passive phased array radar system and an electronic countermeasures suite.

 

Photos taken from dmitrydreamer.livejournal.com and russianplanes.net.

New T-90MS Promo Video

 

This cool new video is taken at the same location as the previous video with the face-off with the Land Rover, except this time the Land Rover is absent, and the T-90MS is shown in full detail, including the crew’s compartment and some footage of the tank firing it’s main gun.

 

More info about the T-90MS here.