Among the various options for tanks with a classic layout, there are models that, judging by the reviews of experts, have rather interesting and controversial design innovations. One of these samples was the Russian tank "Tarantula". It was created in 1990 by employees of the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering. You will learn about the device and performance characteristics of the Tarantula tank from this article.
Introduction to the combat unit
Tarantula, aka Black Eagle, T-80UMT is a promising Russian project, on the basis of which they plan to design a main battle tank in the future. According to the Russian classification, this model belongs to the fourth generation. It was developed as a project of the tank "Object 640". Serial production of this armored vehicle has not yet been established. T-80UMT is a prototype.
Description
The Tarantula tank was first demonstrated in 1997. This model is with a modified chassis from the T-80U.
The turret of the "Tarantula" tank has a new design, mounted on a seven-roller chassis. The body of armored vehicles is elongated and consists of three sealed compartments. They are separated from each other by means of vertical armored sheets. Side compartments became the place of fuel tanks. The central one is reserved for the management department.
The crew members are located in the tank corps under the turret. The commander and gunner get to their jobs through special hatches in the tower. For the driver there is a separate hatch in the hull. Crew members sit on adjustable seats: they can be put in combat and stowed positions. In combat, the commander and gunner will be below the turret, in marching - in the turret. This element consists of two armored compartments, which are located on the same base.
The fuel compartments in the hull of the tank are covered with armored sheets, for the manufacture of which anti-radiation material is used. Anti-fragmentation is used in the production of plates that provide protection in the control and fighting compartments. According to experts, the level of crew protection in this tank model is much higher than in the T-80. However, due to the increased armor thickness, the mass of the Tarantula has increased by 25%.
TTX
The Black Eagle tank has the following performance characteristics:
- Armored vehicles with combat weight - 48 t.
- T-80UMT has an alternativelayout diagram.
- There are three people in the crew of the tank.
- The case is 797 cm long, 309.5 cm wide and 179.3 cm high.
- Equipped with a gas turbine engine with a capacity of 1500 liters. s.
- On a highway, moving at 80 km/h.
- The power reserve is 500 km. With additional fuel tanks, this figure will be increased.
- The Black Eagle is equipped with a torsion bar suspension.
- Climbs 80cm barriers and 2.8m ditches.
About weapons
According to the project, a 125-millimeter cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun coaxial with it were installed on the tank. Also in this model, a remote 12.7-mm Kord anti-aircraft gun is used. According to military experts, the tank is structurally adapted for mounting guns of a larger caliber (up to 152 mm).
