The Armata
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So far 132 of these have been produced and after new electronics and works on the engine based on experiences of testing in the operation zone it is estimated that production after retrofits will start around 2024.
Engine
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The current engines ranges are estimated for the tank to be over 500kms. Engine is 1,200 hp in peacetime with an 1800 hp combat mode. There is an ongoing modernization to push it to 2000 hp nominal (the so-called scalable engine) and this is where they are having real delays with the engine. The fuel consumption is also very modest compared to previous diesels or gas turbines. This allows the T-14 to have all of its fuel stored in internal tanks in the recesses around the turret basket and the space within the firewall between the combat and the automotive compartment. This fuel serves as additional armor and since its internal any fire can be put out by the firefighting equipment with no issue whatsoever, unlike external tanks on the fenders which can only be extinguished by dudes from the outside which is something not highly recommended during combat. The additional horsepower is also needed to generate power for all the electronics the T-14 has from computers, electric guns, optical cameras, infrared and UVs sensors along with radars operating in 26-40ghz radars which I will cover next.
Electronics
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The Afghanit APS radar operates at 26-40ghz which can track 40 ground targets or 25 aerodynamic targets. Stated to have a 100km range which can be BS but the radar offers cannon correction in targeting, stated to deal with rpgs, atgms and even KEPs using 107mm rockets with stopping speeds of 1,700ms with future plans for 3000m/s stopping speeds. The tank also has a softkill system using aerosol grenades to block infrared and laser guidance. The tank also has cameras in the far and near infrared range, radar can operate in passive mode and the tank has its own drone called pterodactyl which uses a cable as an option to transmit information through the cable meaning the tank can operate in stealth mode while still having huge surveillance since the drone has a portable radar and thermal night vision. The Armata also has a 7 cannister launcher each of which fires a projectile in the air called the eyes which releases a parachute unit equipped with a HD camera which then beams the feed into the vehicle after getting launched 300 meters into the air.
Future upgrades of course will be updating the stopping speeds of the APS to 3km/s, Received a electronic news report 3 days ago that russians have made thermal camera prototypes that can identify targets 20kms away in the SWIR and near infrared resolution range range without weather conditions effecting its sightings, and there is a photonic integrated circuit production starting in 2024 where the radars can operate at higher frequencies and extended ranges with noise levels that are 100 times lower than conventional radars operating with MMICs, New electronics can be a variety of these changes if not a year or 2 later, future upgrades of it can still happen at a later time.
Armament
Comes with a 125mm cannon that uses Vacuum-1 or Vacuum-2 rounds with either tungsten or depleted uranium with either 900mm or 1 meter penetration capabilities along with a 12.7mm kord gun. American sources have suggested the Sprinter has a 12km range based on their experiences with the MRM-CE the T-14 Armata would definitely be a much heavier missile than the MRM-CE with the capacity to take up substantial solid propellant reserves, if nothing else thanks to its more powerful gun. If Krasnopol only has a measly 12 km in a pure ballistic trajectory, the rocket gives its a boost of 33% to range, and the glide fins take it to the rest of the way to the target out to 20 km. range can be supported from 20km infrared detection, 20km active/passive radar detection since the afghanit AESA radar would have a longer range than the old 10km radar tested on the T-95 platform tank and then there is the drone with the range assistance meaning different tracking solutions can be optimized into sensor fused data for the best outcome in targetting precision. The T-90 Breakthrough with its current 7km infrared range managed to hit a target at that range with 7km where the Armata can do this from 20kms. Has an unmanned turret and fires 10-12 rounds per minute.
Future plans suggest a 152mm cannon and 30mm anti-aircraft guns which means sabot rounds will penetrate deeper than 1-meter estimates, new ATGMs with a slightly big diameter will offer more range and impact. And the Russians have managed to go from 57mm, 30mm to 23mm rounds that are capable of controlled self-detonation at a certain distance and certain time killing personnel more effectively and higher chance of aerial interception against drones and incoming missiles. And with current netcentric warfare targeting data can be exchanged with other units
Protection
Assuming the soft kill and hard kill APS systems get defeated the next subject is armor protection. The relikt is estimated at 1100mm -1200mm protection against KEP rounds and the current armor protection on the malachite which is suggested to be higher is classified. T-14 has been added with new dynamic protection called the monolith which uses these "energetic materials" that work on the principle of local dispensation of energy in a narrow area, this 2nd layer of protection is considered classified like the malachite and also the crew is protected additionally in a 900mm RHA capsule
Criticism
Only criticism I have is the tank not having sensors to avoid mines. Mine rollers and trawlers do jack shit against mines layed behind, to the flanks, or right on top of the assault column. Its also damn near impossible to keep the demining vehicle intact when its leading the formation and bearing the brunt of enemy fire. They also slow the entire group to a crawl and prevent the combat elements from spreading out and deploying as much of their firepower. What is needed is an APS for mines. A combined multichannel - visual/thermal/radar sensor that looks for mines and low threats, and a bow mount weapon either an HMG or a GL to take out those threats from afar. This would severely limit the possible damage from remotely laid mines and allow the assault group to assume proper attack formation and actually use their firepower and mobility as efficiently as they can.
References
Т-14. "Армата". Основной боевой танк. (Россия)
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