In April 1983, the Soviet Army received upgraded versions of the T-55 and T-62 tanks.
The modification of these combat vehicles was undertaken on the basis of the resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR "On measures to ensure the comprehensive modernization of the T-55 (T-55A) and T-62 tanks", adopted on July 25, 1981. A special program provided for bringing them up to the characteristics of the T-72 and T-64 tanks, as well as foreign analogues.
The practical need for modernization was also dictated by the use of T-55A and T-62 tanks in the combat situation in Afghanistan. It showed the vulnerability of these machines to modern means of destruction: anti-tank mines and land mines of new types, as well as cumulative grenades. In accordance with the program, until 1985, it was planned to modernize 2,200 T-55A tanks (out of 20,000 in tank units), as well as 785 T-62 tanks.
Let's start with the T-55. In the new modification, it received the designation T-55M / AM. Its modernization was carried out mainly in two directions: strengthening of armor protection and weapons. They decided to supplement the latter with guided weapons of increased range. To do this, the tank received the "Brass Knuckles" complex, developed by the famous gunsmith Arkady Shipunov. It allowed to send guided projectiles through the D-10T cannon mounted on the tank. By the way, the barrel of the gun was supplemented with a heat shield during the modernization.
In addition, the T-55M/AM received the Bastion complex in the form of guided missiles and an electronic targeting unit. To increase the accuracy of guidance, the tank was equipped with a "Wave" system with a laser rangefinder and a Cyclone-M1 stabilizer.
As for armor protection, it was decided to strengthen both the hull and the tower. The frontal part of the hull received additional box-shaped (combined) armor with a thickness of 30 mm. Inside the boxes were armor plates with a thickness of 5 mm, to each of which a polymer gasket was added. The effectiveness of protection in terms of characteristics began to correspond to a layer of solid armor of 250 mm (when hit by a caliber projectile) and 120 mm - based on a sub-caliber projectile. Additionally, the tank received a dynamic protection complex "Kontakt-1". Conditionally, it gave an increase in the thickness of armor protection by 400 mm.
The tower also received combined armor. It was placed on the sides of the gun, which is why the overhanging protection in the troops was jokingly called "Ilyich's eyebrows". The side planes were covered with anti-cumulative screens. The tank's bottom was also reinforced with special armor on a channel basis - from high-explosive mines.
The tank also received combat camouflage devices in the form of a unit for shooting smoke grenades. The anti-radiation protection of the tank as a whole and each crew member individually (special vests) was also strengthened. To protect against napalm, a Soda system was installed on the car.
The engine, chassis and radio equipment were also upgraded.
Work on the modernization of the T-62 went in a similar direction: the installation of more advanced weapons and the reinforcement of the reservation. He also received the Volna complex, but instead of the Brass Knuckles, Sheksna guided missiles were used on it, and instead of the Cyclone stabilizer-M1, the Meteor stabilizer-M1. The anti -aircraft machine gun was also changed: The DKSHM was replaced by a more modern NSVT. The tank also received a new engine (V-55 U, power 620 hp) and a modified chassis.
But the booking was made according to the same scheme and parameters as on the T-55M /AM, including dynamic protection.
After modernization, the tank received the name T-62M. In the troops, he was called the "Centurion killer" (British medium tank).
T-55M/AM and T-62M tanks participated in many wars and conflicts. In addition to the war in Afghanistan, these are both Chechen, South Ossetian, wars in the Near and Middle East, as well as in Africa. In recent years, international observers have recorded the use of T-62M tanks by the Ukrainian army in the conflict with the armed forces of the DPR and LPR.
Both tanks are still in service with a number of countries around the world.
Oleg Galitsky
