Den T-72 er en familie av sovjetiske hovedkamptanker som først ble satt i produksjon i 1971. Omtrent 20.000 T-72 tanker ble bygget, T-72A-versjonen introdusert i 1979 regnes som en andre generasjons hovedkamptank. Det ble mye eksportert og så tjeneste i 40 land og i mange konflikter. T-72B3-versjonen introdusert i 2010 regnes som en tredje generasjons hovedkamptank.
Successor to T-55/62; less costly alternative to theT-64/T-80.
Technical Specifications (T-72 ‘Ural’ Base Model)
Weight (Mass)
Approx. 41 tonnes (Relatively light for an MBT)
Main Armament
125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun
Secondary Armament
7.62 mm coaxial MG, 12.7 mm Anti-Aircraft MG
Rustning
Composite armor (Hull Front) and Cast steel (Turret)
Motor
V-46 V-12 Diesel, 780 hp
Top Speed (Road)
Up to 60 km/h (37 mph)
Power/Weight Ratio
~19.0 hp/tonne
Key Design Characteristics
Autoloader:The T-72 uses acarousel-type automatic loader, which allows the tank to operate with a crew of three by eliminating the human loader. This mechanism contributes to the tank’slow silhouetteand small size.
Low Profile:The compact design provides a very small target, a hallmark of Soviet tank design philosophy. However, this sacrifices crew comfort and internal space.
Vulnerability:The design of the autoloader and the storage of ammunition in a carousel beneath the turret floor has historically been a significant vulnerability, sometimes leading to the turret being violently detached upon a critical hit (“jack-in-the-box” effect).
