All you need to know about the Russian T-14 tank is that it cannot be stopped. So begins the review of "Armata" in The National Interest. The car harmoniously combines wide impact capabilities, powerful protection and high technology.
Armata is one of the projects of the beginning of the XXI century that Russia has brought to a result, despite the problems with financing. Work on the tank began in 2010 - instead of the curtailed "Object 195" program (as the T-95 was called in the design documentation). Of course, all the developments on it migrated to a new car. It turned out to be revolutionary: a deserted tower, echeloned protection and powerful weapons.
The standard Armata cannon is a 125-mm smoothbore 2A82-1M with automatic loading and 45 rounds of ammunition. In addition to them, the gun can fire laser-guided missiles. It is also possible to install a more powerful 152-mm 2A83 cannon - with it, the T-14 will become a real tank destroyer.
The protection of armored vehicles is just as important as its striking capabilities. And here the T-14 also has something to brag about. The car has a low silhouette, making it difficult to detect and defeat. The crew of three people is located in the front of the vehicle, in an armored capsule isolated from the ammunition (detonation of ammunition after a shell or missile hits the tank is the main cause of death of the crews of conventional tanks). But the Armata is not an ordinary tank. Its multi-layered composite armor is capable of withstanding the hit of any existing anti-tank ammunition - even sub-caliber, even cumulative. In the front hemisphere, the T-14 covers an active protection complex that knocks down threats on approach. The stern is protected by grilles against grenades and shaped rockets.
The problem of all tankers - a limited view - was solved by the designers of Armata in a high-tech way by placing wide-angle video cameras around the perimeter of the armor. With their help, the crew sees everything that is happening around. To control the battle, the commander and gunner have panoramic sights with a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder-designator. With their help, you can not only hit targets yourself, but also highlight them for other tanks, as well as aircraft and anti-tank missile systems. Armata is the world's first tank designed for network-centric warfare, when various combat complexes interact in a digital network, exchange data and help each other.
The military pays little attention to comfort, but the designers of the T-14 thought about it. There is even a toilet in the tank so that the crew does not have to leave the car due to physiological necessity.
Anton Valagin
