T-72B obr. 1985 - Russia's standard tank (1980s+)

[kamikazi21358 998]

T-72B obr. 1985

 

Т-72Б обр. 1985

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

The T-72B obr. 1985 is an upgrade to the obr. 1984, featuring small changes to armour and more.  The T-72B obr. 1985 is the Soviet Union’s most numerous T-72B version, a cheap but effective late cold war main battle tank to be produced in quantity, and many modern Soviet T-72 modernizations like the T-72B3 series is based off of the 1985, making it and it’s modernizations the most abundant tank of the Russian Federation, outnumbering the T-90.  The T-72B obr. 1985 does not use textolite on its hull and only used spaced steel on the upper frontal plate.  The T-72B also fires anti-tank guided missiles, superior NV devices to the T-72A, and eventually when relevant, has a manual lead calculator built into the 1A40-1 FCS.  Kontakt-1 ERA is a factory standard modification for the T-72B obr. 1985, and would presumably be a stock addition like the T-80U or M60A1 RISE (P).

 

 

 

 

T-72S export variant below

 

 

Though note the T-72S has less Kontakt-1.

 

Mobility

 

Engine

 

The T-72B uses the more powerful V-84 engine over the previous T-64/72 engines, which should be more powerful than other soviet diesel engines of this era, surpassed by mainly the T-80’s gas turbine, and the 1987 T-80UD.

Engine Power: 840 HP

Idle Speed: 800 rpm

Rated Speed: 2,000 rpm

Fuel Consumption: 247 g/kWh or 182 g/hph

The V-84 has a higher heat output compared to previous T-72 engines.

 

 

Speed

 

The T-72B has a 60km/h top speed, 35-40km/h on dirt roads.

 

 

HP/t

 

HP/t: 18+

 

 

Transmission

 

Gear ratios are set as:

Spoiler

Gear speeds (km/h)

1st: 7.32

2nd:13:59

3rd: 17.16

4th: 21.47

5th: 29.51

6th: 40.81

7th: 60

R: 4.18

 

 

Gear Ratios

1st: 8.173

2nd: 4.40

3rd: 3.485

4th: 2.787

5th: 2.027

6th: 1.467

7th: 1.0

R: 14.3

 

The gear shifter is the same as the T-64’s, shown below.

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Fuel capacity (internal) of the T-72 is 705 liters.  This is increased to 1,200 liters counting external tanks.  This can be increased to 1,600 liters with 2 drum axillary fuel tanks on the rear, 200L each.  Both can be dropped by the driver at any time, with a push of a button.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firepower

 

2A46M

 

125mm smoothbore cannon mounted on T-72s since 1981.  It is a more reliable and easier to maintain gun than the previous 2A46, and is more accurate.

 

 

 

 

Ammunition

 

Copy-Paste of some soviet-era ammunition for the 125mm gun:

Spoiler

HE

 

 

 

3OF19 (or also called 3OF22 in game, unsure which is more ‘proper’): [Since 125mm introduction] 23kg HE-FRAG shell, uses basic TNT explosives (3.148kg).  125mm HE useful against infantry and light equipment, most of which not present.  As well, 125mm HE expected to be effective against APCs and light tanks, as well as the sides of some main battle tanks like the Leopard 1 (like in game). 850m/s velocity.

 

 

3OF26: [1970], You probably know of this HE shell if you play high tier.  23.3kg HE-FRAG, 3.4kg of A-IX-2 explosives.  850m/s velocity.

 

 

HEAT-FS

 

 

 

3BK12: [1962] Original 125mm HEAT-FS.

19.8kg, 1760g of A-XI-1 explosive charge, 420mm RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK12M: [1962] More expensive 3BK12 with copper liner, ("M" stands for "med", which means "copper" in Russian – Tankograd).  Increases performance.

19.8kg, 1760g of A-XI-1 explosive charge.  905m/s velocity.

 

 

3BK14: [1968] Improved 3BK12 HEAT-FS shell, minor internal differences.  Also the most advanced HEAT-FS shell exported to nations like East Germany.

19.8kg, 1760g of OKFOL explosive charge, 450mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK14M: [Between 1968 and 1975] Improved copper variant of 3BK14.

19.8kg, 1760g of OKFOL explosive charge, 480mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK18: [1975], improvement over the 3BK14 HEAT-FS shell, steel liner.

19.8kg, 1760g of OKFOL explosive charge, 500mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK18M: [1978], 3BK18 with copper liner.

19.8kg, 1760g of OKFOL explosive charge, 550mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK21: [1980] copper liner HEAT-FS, increased reliability.

19kg, OKFOL explosive charge, 550mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK21B: [1982] 3BK21 charge, but instead of copper liner, the 3BK21B is a Depleted Uranium HEAT-FS lined charge.  Designed to defeat Chobham armour.  DU jet will have high post-penetration damage.

19kg, 750mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

3BK29/29M: [1988] late cold war 125mm HEAT-FS round, ~up to 800mm of penetration.

>20kg, ~800mm of RHA penetration.

 

 

ATGMs

 

 

 

9M112: [1976], 9M112 was an ATGM designed to be used on the T-64 series, and would have been used on the first T-80Bs (entered service: 1978).  It would have not been used on the T-80 (not B), as the first T-80 variant was incompatible with ATGMs.  The 9M112 series flew 3-5m over the bore-axis of the T-64/80, and dived within 600-800m of the target.  A direct fire mode existed for the missile, if a threat suddenly appeared at close range, or if used against enemy helicopters.

~500mm of penetration, 4km range.

 

 

9M112M: [1978/1979], 9M112M was the improved version with the 9N129 warhead using OKFOL explosive charge, entered service in 1978 and began mass production in 1979.

~600mm of penetration

 

 

9M119: [1980s], 9M119 “Refleks” and “Svir” ATGM is a laser beam riding ATGM, “Refleks” designed for the T-80 main battle tank and “Svir” for the T-72B.  It uses a 7.1kg 9Kh949 charge.

~700mm of penetration, 100-5000m range (Refleks), 100-4000m (Svir), 11.7 seconds to travel 4km.

 

 

9M119M: [later], 9M119 “Refleks-M” ATGM is designed to take on NATO tanks with ERA, as well as tanks like the Abrams and the Leopard 2, which the previous ATGMs would have been mostly ineffective against frontally.

~750mm of penetration (~700mm behind ERA)

 

 

APFSDS

 

 

 

3BM9: [1968] Originally 1968 introduced with the T-64A.  Obsolete by the T-72 Ural’s introduction, after a few years it was only considered practice ammunition.  Upscaled version of 115mm 3BM6, using 60KhNM maraging steel (310 BHN), 3BM9 is a hypersonic shell capable of killing any NATO tank of it’s era, without even using tungsten.

3.6kg projectile mass, 1,800 m/s velocity.

245mm penetration at 2km, 300mm at 1km, at vertical.

185mm at 45 degrees (2km), 140mm at 60 degrees (2km), 160mm at 60 degrees (1km).

 

 

3BM15: [1972], 3BM15 steel and tungsten APFSDS, estimated to enter service in 1972.  In game represented on the T-72A and T-64A.

3.83kg, .270kg core, 1785m/s

At 2km range: 450mm of penetration at 0 degrees, 150mm at 60 degrees.

 

 

3BM22: [1976], 3BM22 “Zakolka” Tungsten Carbide core, started mass production in 1976.  Seen in game as the top shell for the T-64A, T-72A, and the stock shell of the T-64B obr. 1984, T-80B (1985), and T-80U.

4.485kg, .274kg core, 1785m/s.

At 2km range: 420mm of penetration at 0 degrees, 170mm at 60 degrees.  470mm and 220mm high estimates.

In game, note that the accurate penetration calculator is only low 400mm at point blank.

 

 

3BM29: [1982], 3BM29 “Nadfil” DU penetrator.

4.85kg, ~1700m/s.

2km range: 430mm of penetration, 210mm at 60 degrees.

 

 

3BM26: [1983], 3BM26 “Nadezhda” tungsten alloy, entered service in 1983.  Extremely powerful tungsten APFSDS shell.

4.8kg, 1720m/s.

2km range: 490mm of penetration at 0 degrees, 230mm at 60 degrees.

 

 

3BM32: [1985], 3BM32 “Vant” depleted uranium projectile, introduced in 1985.

4.85kg, 1,700 m/s.

2km range: 430mm at 0 degrees, 250mm at 60 degrees.

400mm at 0 degrees, low estimate.

 

 

High Estimates (2km): 560mm at 0 degrees, 250mm at 60 degrees.

 

 

3BM42: [1986], 3BM42 “Mango” jacketed tungsten penetrator.

4.85kg, 1715m/s.

2km range: 520mm, 230mm at 60 degrees.  (210mm at 60, low estimates)

[or in an in-game setting, according to the totally accurate calculator, 479mm of penetration at 10 meters]

 

 

3BM46: [1991], 3BM46 “Svinets” DU APFSDS, last 125mm APFSDS round that entered service in the Soviet Union.

4.85kg, 1700m/s.

2km range: ~600-650mm at 0 degrees, 300mm at 60 degrees.

T-72B obr. 1985

 

The T-72B now features the ability to fire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (excluding B1), however the cheaper system fired the 9M119 “Svir” missile, which has a 4km range – meanwhile the T-80 fires the 9M119 “Refleks” missile with a superior 5km range.

 

 

Based on a mid-1980s tank, this is my estimate what could be a realistic ammunition option for the T-72B:

 

 

APFSDS: Perhaps 3BM26 stock, with 3BM42 the top shell.

[3BM26 > 3BM32 > 3BM42]

 

 

HEAT-FS: Perhaps 3BK21 stock, the DU 3BK21B as an upgrade, and the top shell being the 3BK29.

[3BK21 > 3BK21B > 3BK29]

 

 

ATGM: The T-72B’s FCS is designed to fire the 9M119 “Svir”.

[9M119 “Svir”]

 

 

HE-FRAG: 3OF-26 most likely.

[3OF-26]

 

 

 

 

Note above is not the 1985 however.

Autoloader

 

 

 

The T-72 uses a 22 round electromechanical “AZ” carousel autoloader.  The T-72 Ural used a AZ-172 type autoloader, which carried over to the T-72A, until replaced by the AZ-184 autoloader on the T-72B series.  Multiple benefits exist from the AZ autoloader compared to the MZ (T-64) autoloader, one for example would be an electrical system, while the MZ uses hydraulics which if hit, may increase the chances of flammable liquids detonating the ammo rack.  As well, the AZ has some internal protection, with thin steel and anti-radiation spall liner.

 

 

The elevation the gun has to be locked at for the loading process is +3 degrees 30’.  The reloading rate for reloading a shell 2 shells over in the rack (the rack spins over 2 shells to pick another) is about 7.7 seconds of reload, while for comparison the MZ autoloader is 7.5 seconds – the AZ autoloader on the T-72 has a reduced, but very limitedly reduced reload rate compared to the T-64 and T-80.  Compared to NATO tanks, NATO tanks often have much faster reload times, 4-6 seconds, however in their cases, the human loaders mean this is stationary rate of fire, while the T-64/72/80 reload the same going 0km/h or 50km/h on rough terrain (which does not apply in war thunder, yet).

The autoloader was triggered by pressing the button, while in game the reload starts automatically for the player.

 

 

As well, the way the autoloader is loaded effects the reload time between shells.  For example, grouping APFSDS together allows for rapid fire APFSDS reloads, but very long reloads when switching from APFSDS for example to HEAT-FS, ATMGs, or HE-FRAG.  While another example could be to alternate ammunition, which cuts down the reload time of switching ammunition types.  However, this comes with the downfall of a very small reload increase when switching between same type ammunition.

 

Spoiler

An excerpt from Tankograd:

 

 

The carousel rotates independently of the turret. It can rotate to line up new shells at a nominal speed of 70 degrees per second, but as mentioned before, it can only rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This needlessly prolonged the loading cycle in some circumstances, but it is entirely possible to avoid this issue by practicing smart ammo placement. If APFSDS ammunition is stowed to the right of HEAT ammunition, and HEAT ammunition is stowed to the right of HE-Frag ammunition, the time needed to load anti-armour rounds can be greatly reduced at the expense of greatly increasing the time taken to reach the HE-Frag rounds. This way, the gunner can start with APFSDS, and then switch to HEAT without delay when APFSDS is exhausted, or switch to HEAT quickly to deal with IFVs when the high priority tank targets have already been knocked out. Switching to HE-Frag from APFSDS takes longer, but if the target is supposed to be engaged with HE-Frag, then it can be assumed that it is a lower priority threat. In general, sorting the ammunition this way is simply logical, as the time taken to switch ammunition types only increases when switching to ammunition designed for less dangerous threats. In this case, the hierarchy of danger would be: Tank, IFV, and Infantry or other.

 

 

 

 

One of the techniques developed by a T-64A tank company commander during the 1970's was to load the ammunition in repeating sets of alternating groups so that the time needed for the carousel to reach each round would be equal, and that less time would be spent switching ammunition types. For example:

 

 

 

 

APFSDS - HEAT - HE-Frag - APFSDS - HEAT - HE-Frag - APFSDS - HEAT - HE-Frag

 

 

 

 

By doing this, switching from APFSDS to HEAT would take less time than loading the next APFSDS round. This solved the problem of increased loading time when switching ammunition types, but created the additional problem of increasing the time needed to load ammunition of the same type. However, this was considered an acceptable compromise due to the slow carousel rotation speed of the MZ autoloader of the T-64 and T-80 - only 26 degrees per second. It would take an unbearably long time to scroll through large parts of the carousel simply to reach the desired ammunition type. This technique became institutionalized and was a typical method of sorting ammunition among tankers. However, it is not known if T-72 tankers were taught this technique, as it would not have been very useful. The carousel of the AZ autoloader spins almost three times faster than the MZ autoloader, so this problem is much less serious and the flaws of this sorting technique become rather more pronounced. For one, neither the T-64 or the T-72 carry an equal distribution of all three ammunition types, especially not when missiles became a part of their repertoire.

 

 

For instance, the standard combat load of a East German T-72M (according to an ex-GDR tank commander) would have 9 APFSDS rounds, 2 HEAT rounds and 11 HE-Frag rounds in the autoloader carousel. It is not possible to arrange these rounds in such a way that the three ammunition types alternate in repeating sets, and it would not be desirable to do so. When engaging tanks, it is much quicker to have the APFSDS rounds grouped together so that the next round is loaded as quickly as possible, allowing the gunner to rapidly fire a potentially decisive second shot. Arranging the ammunition in alternating groups takes away this capability.

Some of this information listed does not apply to the current game, but for informational purposes, and for the hope that maybe more realistic autoloader and reloading mechanics could be a possibility someday, the information is here.

 

 

 

 

The T-72B’s total capacity is 45 rounds, one more than the T-72A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Control System

 

1A40-1

 

The 1A40 FCS system is a series of FCS systems used on the 1980s T-72A and T-72B series, which the T-72B obr. 1985 uses the 1A40-1 Fire Control System, introduced in 1985.  Over the 1A40, the 1A40-1 has minor differences such as an improved laser rangefinder and primary sight over the 1A40.

 

 

1A40-1 Abilities

 

Carry over from previous systems is the ability to automatically adjust for shell drop.  Laser rangefinding the target not only gives the distance, but automatically adjusts the gun to the correct elevation to accommodate the shell drop over distance.  As for example, if laser rangefinding a target at 1,320 meters, the gunsight is automatically dropped to 1,320m, ready to fire.

 

 

The laser rangefinder should have a maximum range of 4,000m, and +/-10m of error between 1-3km.

 

 

What the 1A40 adds over the previous FCS systems of the 1970s T-72s is a manual lead calculator.  This does not work like Radar SPAAG in game however, using the degrees/s the turret is moving while tracking the enemy tank with the laser rangefinder, along with the distance outputted, the lead calculator outputs a number, which is the calculation on how far the gunner should lead the target.  On the gunsight, (both real gunsight, and at least the copy-paste one in game has mils too), has mils going side to side from the chevron, which the gunner lines up based on the number.  Negative number of mils means the target is moving right from your relative position, and the gunner lines up the left mils with the target, and positive number means the gunner lines up the mils on the right to the tank, which is presumably moving left to the gunner’s relative position.  Maximum error is approximately 0.53 mils.

 

 

Demonstrating the lead calculator, it is possible the 1A40 FCS could work like this when FCS systems become relevant:

 

Spoiler

T-72A used in this example to demonstrate FCS, as the T-72B is yet to be present.

 

 

T-72B (totally not the A) is driving around, looking all pretty and all.

Then it proceeds to encounter a NATO vehicle, on the move in the distance.

The gunner proceeds to aim at the tank, and laser-rangefind the enemy vehicle.  The player when laser rangefinding attempts to follow the tank on the move while rangefinding,

 

this not only determines range, but also the turret rotation is being measured and is estimating with the range calculated how fast the target is moving as well.  The gun proceeds to elevate the gun to the correct elevation automatically, but the system now calculates how far in mils the gunner needs to lead to hit the target,

either negative or positive (negative mils are left, positive mils are right).  The gunner has to manually adjust the gun to the correct lead, unlike the automatic adjustment of shell drop.

The gunner proceeds to fire at the correct mil output, with the correct elevation.  The result should be hitting the target.

 

The T-72’s scope magnification is 8x zoom.

 

 

 

 

Night Vision

 

TPN-3-49

 

The T-72B1 used the TPN-3-49 night sight.  This is not the subject of this post, but the T-72B1 could be represented as a future premium or something – the T-72B1 is a cheaper version with various downgrades, such as TPN-3-49 night sight, lack of missile guidance systems, etc.

 

 

1K13-49

 

The T-72B series, including the obr. 1985, uses the 1K13 night sight.  It is an upgrade that is also compatible with the Svir ATGMs the T-72B can fire, and the nightsight is operational at the estimated range of 100m to 4,000m.

 

 

Optical magnification is 5.5x.

 

 

The sight has a field of view of 5 degrees in the daylight setting or 6°4' in the nighttime setting. It is independently stabilized in the vertical plane, with +20° elevation -7° depression.

 

 

 

 

Turret Traverse and Stabiliser

 

2E42-2 "Zhasmin"

 

Hydro-electromechanical Stabiliser

 

Switching from a hydraulic system removed a considerable portion of hydraulic fluid circulating the tank, which is believed to slightly increase its survivability, as hydraulic fluid is often flammable.

 

 

The turret has two traverse methods, automatic and semi-automatic.

 

 

Automatic mode

 

 

 

Vertical:

Maximum elevating speed: 3.5° per second

Minimum elevating speed: 0.05° per second

 

 

Horizontal:

Maximum Turret Traverse Speed: 16-24° per second

Maximum Precise Turret Traverse Speed: 3° per second

Minimum Precise Turret Traverse Speed: 0.07° per second

 

 

Manual mode

 

 

 

Horizontal:

Maximum Turret Traverse Speed: 16° per second

Maximum Precise Turret Traverse Speed: 6° per second

Minimum Precise Turret Traverse Speed: 0.3° per second

 

 

 

 

Unless they add more realistic controls for Simulator Battles, (actually holding tanks up to the quality of Air Battles), automatic vs semi-automatic as well as minimum and maximum precise turret traverse speeds do not matter in War Thunder currently.

 

 

What does matter in a war thunder environment:

> Stabilised gun.

> Less flammable liquid in the tank.

> Maximum turret traverse of 24 degrees.

> Zhasmin means Jasmine.  Yes, they name their cannon stabilisers after flowers.

 

 

 

 

Armour

 

 

 

Upper Frontal Plate

 

 

 

The total thickness of the armour is 220mm thick, and concerning steel, the line of sight thickness is 454mm.

The Armour layout is:

 

 

Kontakt-1

60mm RHA

10mm Air Space

10mm RHA

10mm Air Space

10mm RHA

10mm Air Space

20mm RHA

10mm Air Space

20mm RHA

10mm Air Space

50mm RHA

 

 

The Steel layering is not as efficient as textolite vs CE ammunition, however, Kontakt-1 is a factory-standard modification of the T-72B obr. 1985, and ERA was intended to be factory-standard modifications of all T-72s (1984 had a few made before it was ready, but there is no T-72BV as it should have Kontakt-1 on most versions; T-72 1985 has kontakt-1, T-72B 1989 has Kontakt-5, then so forth onto the modern era, with kontakt-5, and eventually even Relik).

 

 

Turret

 

 

 

The turret is a new turret for the T-72B, which uses NERA components as it’s protection.  The up-armoured cheeks of the T-72B are you could say are THICC.  As a result, western observers nicknamed the turret cheek armour “Dolly Parton” armour...

 

However, it was specifically realized that the turret roof and the commander’s cupola can be penetrated by APFSDS up to thousands of meters away, which may provide a new weakspot for the T-72B specifically.

 

Estimated Protection

 

 

 

Upper Frontal Plate:

> over 550mm vs KEP

> between 530mm and 630mm vs CE, without Kontakt-1

> with kontakt-1, it is ‘invulnerable to almost all NATO missiles/HEAT charges’, outside of tandem charges

> based on the supposed additional protection of Kontakt-1, over 1,000mm vs CE is extremely possible.

 

Turret:

> over 550mm vs KEP

> 530mm of RHA from a 30 degree side-angle

> no specific vs CE number was given, however it is entirely possible it is again over 900-1,000m vs CE with Kontakt-1 ERA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

 

 

 

https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/t-72-soviet-progeny.html

 

 

https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/t-72-part-2-protection-good-indication.html

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/125_mm_smoothbore_ammunition

 

 

http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/soviet-3bk-21b-heat-fs-projectile-for-125mm-3vbk-1

 

 

http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/ARM/apfsds/ammo.html

 

 

https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_tank_heavy_armoured_vehicles_u/t-72b_mbt_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_10207161.html

 

 

https://weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/CC05 - T-72.html

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2019 by kamikazi21358

[blaZzinG_FurY@psn 298]

Open for discussion.

[Milocat 4,842]

Since it was used extensively, it should be in the game!  +1.

[GoddePro 1,146]

Fantastic Presentation, highly detailed

a tank everybody already wants

 

that's a yes from me +1

https://media0.giphy.com/media/l3vRgvN2VZRNWSGfC/source.gif

 

P.S.

there is a problem with the heat ammunition you put up,

the heatfs designation is X-BK-XX, which was done when introducing the heat rounds,

but when you ordered them, you had them as X-BM-XX, the APFSDS designation

17 hours ago, kamikazi21358 said:

HEAT-FS: Perhaps 3BK21 stock, the DU 3BK21B as an upgrade, and the top shell being the 3BK29.

[3BM21 > 3BM21B > 3BM29]

notice the accidental mistake

[WulfPack 1,693]

+1

[JEI2 5,766]

+1

[kleinerPanzer 647]

+1

[*SGTBushong 104]

+1

 

Would make a good compliment to the faster T-80U, and reasonable to implement with the Leo 2a5, Lecrec, and M1A2 in the game

[Borotovas 4,499]

+1

[ALIEN109 1,320]

https://warthunder.com/en/news/6614-development-t-72b-1985-necessary-improvements-en

[eleks12 1,076]

Hype it's here!

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the T-72B Mod 1985 has been implemented with update 1.97 Viking Fury,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.