T-54/T-55 | |
|---|---|
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Role | Medium tank – Main battle tank |
| In service | 1949–present |
| Built | 100000+ |
The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following the Second World War. The first T-54 prototype was completed at Nizhny Tagil by the end of 1945. Initial production ramp up settled for 1947 at Nizhny Tagil, and 1948 for Kharkov were halted and curtailed as many problems were uncovered; the T-34-85 still accounted for 88 percent of production through the 50’s. The T-54 eventually became the main tank for armoured units of the Soviet Army, armies of the Warsaw Pact countries, and many others. T-54s and T-55s have been involved in many of the world’s armed conflicts since the later part of the 20th century.
Source: Tank T-55 on Wikipedia
| Tank T-55 | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 117 |
See also:
The T-55 is a Soviet-designed Main Battle Tank (MBT) that evolved directly from the T-54 series. Introduced into service around 1958, it is one of the most widely produced tanks in history and formed the armored backbone of the Soviet Army and the Warsaw Pact for decades.
Design Philosophy and Features
- Evolutionary Design: The T-55 is outwardly very similar to the T-54, being an improvement rather than a redesign. The most significant initial change was the removal of the loader’s cupola and the turret ventilator dome (present on the T-54) to improve armor protection and simplify the turret casting.
- Low Silhouette: Continuing Soviet design trends (dating back to the T-34), the T-55 has a low profile, making it a smaller and harder target to hit than its contemporary Western counterparts.
- NBC Protection: The T-55 was the first tank in the world to be equipped with a rudimentary full Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) warfare protection system, including an automatic seal system to pressurize the crew compartment against radioactive dust and fallout.
- Engine: It was powered by a more potent V-55 V-12 liquid-cooled diesel engine, increasing horsepower and operational range compared to the T-54.
Key Specifications (T-55 Model)
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Main Battle Tank (MBT) / Medium Tank |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver) |
| Main Armament | 100 mm D-10T2S rifled gun (43 rounds) |
| Armour (Turret Front) | Up to 205 mm (cast steel) |
| Engine Power | 580 hp V-55 Diesel |
| Maximum Road Speed | 50 km/h |
| Suspension | Torsion bar with five road wheels per side |
| Identifying Feature | A noticeable gap between the first and second road wheels. |
Service and Legacy
The T-55’s mechanical simplicity, durability, and ease of production led to its immense success globally:
- Mass Production: With over 100,000 units of the T-54/T-55 series built in the USSR and under license (e.g., in Poland and Czechoslovakia), it holds the record for the most-produced tank series in history.
- Widespread Use: It was exported to over 50 countries, serving in nearly every major conflict of the Cold War era and beyond, including the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Iran-Iraq War.
- Modernization: Due to its robust and simple design, the T-55 has been subjected to countless modernization programs around the world, ranging from adding Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) and passive armor (T-55AM/M) to replacing the main gun with the NATO standard 105 mm L7.
- Current Status: Decades after its introduction, the T-55 remains in active reserve or limited frontline service with many nations, often used in roles such as fire support or protected artillery.
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