It could be a nightmare for NATO
At the end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union developed a real experimental model of the T-95 supertank, which, if adopted, would surpass all modern NATO tanks. "A tank is a tanker's dream," as the author of the article calls it. If the T-95 had entered mass production, it would have become a formidable "opponent," he believes.
The T-95 is a tanker's dream: highly mobile, well armored, possessing with firepower - tremendous firepower. Equipped with a 152 mm main gun, the T-95 would be superior to any other tank that stood in its way.
For comparison, on all American M1 Abrams tanks and their modifications, on all German Leopard 2 tanks and on almost all other tanks used in NATO arsenals, as well as on Japanese Type 90 main battle tanks and on The South Korean main battle tank K1A1 has 120 mm L/44 cannons and their modifications L/55, manufactured by the German Rheinmetall concern, as the main gun.
With 152 mm ammunition, it would be possible not only to significantly increase the range of the gun, but also theoretically provide greater flexibility in the use of ammunition and ease of transportation. 152 millimeters is a conventional artillery caliber, and using the same barrel diameter, the T-95 tank, along with tank ammunition, could potentially fire artillery shells.
In addition to the huge main cannon, the starting point in the development of the Soviet/Russian T-95 tank was the turret. And if almost all Soviet/Russian tanks are "pinned" to the ground due to the low hull and squat compact turret used to reduce their silhouette, this cannot be said about the T-95 tank. In contrast, the T-95 has a relatively high turret, which is partly due to the need to accommodate a massive main gun.
Hidden housing
One of the advantages of a higher tower is the possibility of using a semi-closed tank position ("tank in the trench"), in which only the frontal part of the tank tower and the barrel for firing are in the frontal field of view. Most NATO tanks, and in particular M1 Abrams, are able to use a more advantageous semi-closed position, while their more vulnerable hull and hull bottom are out of sight and protected.
On the other hand, Soviet/Russian tanks cannot effectively use the semi-closed position due to their lower turret, which reduces the angle at which they can raise or (in a semi-closed position) lower the barrel of the main gun. Although for this reason Soviet tanks in a defensive position would be at a disadvantage, military strategists considered this disadvantage acceptable, envisioning situations in which Soviet tankers would participate in maneuverable, dynamic battles on flat terrain where defensive positions would not be used so often.
The T-95 tank is designed differently. In principle, its turret protrudes only slightly above the hull, which ensures optimal angles of declination and elevation of the main gun barrel. In addition, this is important in scenarios with positions outside the affected area or over-the-horizon range, where targets are out of sight (and again it should be recalled the flexibility of using ammunition through the use of artillery shells). This is also important in scenarios involving combat operations in populated areas, when it would be necessary to fire in a vertical direction - towards enemy positions located on roofs or upper floors of buildings.
High speed
The T-95 tank was presumably planned to use an earlier model of the diesel engine installed on the T-14 Armata tank, which would provide power in the range of 1,500 horsepower - which is also an innovation compared to the typical Soviet/Russian tank model, which is usually characterized by insufficient power.
The need for high power output, along with the power of most third-generation main battle tanks, is explained by the T-95's own large mass, which is in the range of 55 tons or more, which also distinguishes it from the traditional design of the Russian tank, in which preference is given to lighter and more comfortable armor.
Specific information about armor protection is hypothetical, but the T-95 was most likely planned to have dynamic anti-cumulative armor protection and mounted dynamic protection.
To the dustbin of history
Although only a few prototypes were built, some design features, including a powerful engine, increased angles of inclination and elevation of the main gun barrel, were eventually used in the Russian advanced T-14 Armata main battle tank.
If the T-95 had entered mass production, it would have become a formidable "opponent".
