|
Entered service |
2005 |
|
Crew |
3 men |
|
Dimensions and weight |
|
Weight |
45 t |
|
Length (gun forward) |
9.22 m |
|
Hull length |
6.54 m |
|
Width |
3.6
m |
|
Height |
2.17 m |
|
Armament |
|
Main gun |
125-mm smoothbore |
|
ATGW |
9K119 (AT-11 Sniper) |
|
Machine guns |
1 x 12.7-mm, 1 x 7.62-mm |
|
Elevation range |
- 6 to + 14 degrees |
|
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
|
Ammunition load |
|
Main gun |
36 rounds |
|
Machine guns |
? |
|
Mobility |
|
Engine |
5TDFM diesel |
|
Engine power |
850 hp |
|
Maximum road speed |
60 km/h |
|
Range |
~ 500 km |
|
Maneuverability |
|
Gradient |
60% |
|
Side slope |
40% |
|
Vertical step |
0.8 m |
|
Trench |
2.85 m |
|
Fording |
1.8 m |
|
Fording (with preparation) |
5 m |
|
The T-64BM
Bulat is a Ukrainian upgrade of the ageing Soviet T-64B main battle
tank. Ukraine operates over 2 200 of the old
T-64 MBTs. The Bulat was revealed in 1999. Initially
two upgrade variants were proposed - the T-64BM (also referred as the
T-64U) and the T-64BM2. The T-64BM2 is fitted
with new automatic loader, however it has inferior fire control system.
Eventually the more advanced
T-64BM upgrade was selected. First vehicles were upgraded and
delivered to
Ukrainian Army units in 2005. In 2014 this MBT saw action during
ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.
Protection
was improved by installation of add-on passive and explosive
reactive armor. The T-64BM Bulat is fitted with new Nozh modular ERA armor.
Composite armor is used
at the front of the hull and turret. Vehicle is fitted with NBC
protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
This main battle tank is
armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with
automatic loader. Maximum effective range
of fire is 2 500 m at daytime and up to 1 500 m at night.
The Bulat is
compatible with the 9K119 (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank
guided missiles. These are handled and fired in the same manner as
ordinary munitions. Guided missiles have a 90% hit probability at 4
000 m range and 80%
hit probability at a maximum range of 5 000 m. Its control system
is based on a laser beam, while the missile automatically keeps to
the center of the beam. A total of 36 rounds, including anti-tank
guided missiles, are carried.
Secondary armament
consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and remotely operated
12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
This main
battle tank is fitted with new fire control system of the Ukrainian
T-84 MBT. All sights and aiming devices
were also upgraded.
The Bulat
MBT has an upgraded powerpack. Vehicle is powered by a 5TDFM diesel
engine, developing 850 hp. It is an uprated and more reliable version of the previous
5TDF. It might be also fitted with the 6TD diesel, developing 1
000 hp. It is worth mentioning, that original engine of the T-64 was
a Soviet unsuccessful attempt to copy powerpack of the British
Chieftain. The 5TDF engine of the T-64 was notoriously unreliable.
|
Video of the T-64BM Bulat main
battle tank |
|
|