Image source: Photo: Bravery2004
The now almost forgotten T-72B2 "Slingshot" was first demonstrated at a weapons exhibition in Nizhny Tagil in 2006. This premiere made a great impression both on specialists, including foreign ones, and on all those who are not indifferent to military equipment.
The combat vehicle has a new generation of dynamic protection "Relict", which is still able to withstand the most modern anti-tank weapons.
The main weapon was a gun with improved characteristics-2A46M-5 with a device for adjusting the thermal bend of the barrel, which significantly increased the accuracy of shooting.
The established sight "Sosna-U" with automatic target tracking allowed the gunner-operator to act on the principle of "shot/forgot".
There was satellite navigation and a tank information and control system (TIUS), which many times improved command controllability.
The engine was used as a 1000-horsepower B-92S2, familiar from the T-90S and T-90. The auxiliary power unit provided power to the tank's systems in parking lots and combat positions without turning on the main power plant. This saved the B-92C2's resource and promoted stealth.
The driver-mechanic now has the option of semi-automatic gear shifting.
The T-72B2 was successfully tested, but it was recognized as too expensive and under the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense in 2011, a more simplified and, accordingly, cheaper machine was sent to the troops, which received the designation T-72B3. She lost the "Relic", the engine power was reduced to 840 hp. They also saved on satellite navigation, TIUS, etc.
Only in 2016, there was a significantly improved version of the T-72B3 in terms of protection and mobility, which in many respects approached the "Slingshot".
Lev Romanov