Cate's Research-Investigation Bureau

At this year's "Army-2024" military expo, several state contracts were signed. One of these contracts involves retrofitting T-90M MBTs with T09-A6-1 "Arena-M" active protection systems.   For over 20 years, the "Arena" APS series has been in limbo. As it was installed on vehicles such as T-72s, T-80s, and BMP-3s, no signs of small-scale procurement or customer acquisition were seen.   Since the contract has only been confirmed, it is difficult to determine how many T-90Ms will receive this APS. Besides this recent news, a production patent was filed more than 2 years ago for a T-90M equipped with "Arena-M" Patent drawings of T-90M with "Arena-M" The last thing to do is wait and see if it comes to fruition.  Taken from:  TASS Patent

The introduction of larger calibre cannons in the Soviet Union during the 1950s created a major problem, being that long barrels would tend to strike the ground in front and get either damaged or fully blocked by debris, this obstruction could cause barrel bloating or even catastrophic failure. This problem was primarily associated with the lack of vertical stabilization for cannons at the time. This became apparent with early production T-54s fielding the D-10T, which at the time was not stabilized and when traversing terrain with various dips, would often strike the ground.  From 1952 up until 1957, various muzzle protectors were designed and tested for the T-54. One of the designs was a device that was mounted on the end of the D-10T and had open slits, which prevented the barrel from being directly blocked by stuck debris.  T-54 barrel strikes the ground during the obstacle course. The barrel was shortened to 855mm. 1957.  T-54 with experimental muzzle protector.  Results of blocke

 R&D "Dilemma" was the last "Akatsiya" modernization program carried out by "Transmash". Due to domestic artillery modernizations lagging behind western SPG systems in various aspects like unified munition types, improved targeting systems and mainly SPGs functioning in fire-support groups for armed forces. "Burevestnik" design bureau was chosen to lead the program and was responsible for bringing together various other bureaus for joint program development.  "Transmash" took the position of the co-lead bureau and worked on technical solutions for "Burevestnik" based on a deal made on 13.07.2004. The main goal of the "Dilemma" R&D program was improving the firing range. OKB-9 was tasked with modernizing the 2A33 using various methods; increasing barrel length to 6000mm or improving the existing barrel with the standard 4240mm with improved recoil absorbers, modern efficient muzzle device, and enhanced or new

R&D "Vydelka" was a modernization proposal drafted by "Transmash" (formerly known as OKB-3) for the Russian Ministry of Defence. The modernization focused on improving the firing range along with internal vehicle changes. The modernisation would be done by "Uraltransmash" during major vehicle repairs since the 2S3M and M1 variants were no longer produced. The initial plan to increase the firing range was to integrate newer 2S19 munitions like 3OF45, and 3OF64 but that was impossible due to the rifling count and length of the 2A33, which caused instability. As a solution, the barrel length was increased by 1760mm, this was enough for the aforementioned munitions. The estimated ranges with these changes are as follows: 19,7km for 3OF45, 21,5km for 3OF64 and 25,1km for 3OF61.   The ammunition stowage inside the vehicle did not undergo significant changes and was based on the 1985 layout. For fire-control solutions, it was proposed to install the 1V519, re

A new vehicle variant was recently spotted at the UralVagonZavod tank factory in Nizhny Tagil. The vehicle at first observation is based on a T-72 chassis with a frontal engine compartment. The vehicle resembles older programs, namely the BTR-T (Omsk) and BMO-T, of which, both programs did not see large production runs. The chassis is heavily reworked by having a frontal mid-plate, which raises the UFP. As said this was done to accommodate a frontally located engine-transmission compartment. The engine is most likely an A-85 X-shaped engine, which could mean the vehicle uses a monoblock engine, which can be lifted together with the transmission (like on the T-14 Armata). Front-side view of new heavy BMP vehicle The vehicle crew sits behind the engine compartment. The images show 2 crew hatches and sets of periscopes located closer to the mid-section of the raised hull structure.  Side view of new vehicle It would be sensible to say that this could be a heavy IFV or APC but with no defe

A New Kurganmashzavod video showcased one of their vehicle assembly lines. KMZ actively produces BMD-4M vehicles, but video footage only shows hull assembly.  In the video, various other assembly lines, like the assembly of BMP-3 turrets with ERA fitting brackets, can be observed.  Lastly, a Kurganets hull has been sighted in one of the assembly halls. While it is still to be determined if this hull is old or has been produced recently, this occurrence could highlight the chance of the Kurganets project's revival into production.  BMD-4M hull assembly BMD-4M hull assembly Kurganets hull  Closeup of Kurganets hull BMP-3 turret closeup More about the BMP-3 ERA package in these articles: BMP-3 ERA topic continuation  and NII Stali BMP-3 ERA package premier  Taken from: VK

The goal of implementing sound-dampening panels on the T-80 MBT was to determine the possibility of mounting them in crewed compartments of the AFV, select materials that meet acoustic and operational requirements and evaluate their effectiveness in road conditions. A suitable design was to be developed by SPETSMASH (St. Petersburg) under the direction of V. M. Kirdey.   Image 1: Sound-dampening panels installed in the turret fighting compartment Image 2: Unfolded sound-dampening panel for driver's position  The dampening panels were placed in the following areas of the AFV and were composed of the following layers: The screens are comprised of various layers and materials in a certain order to achieve sound-dampening properties (the numeration of layers is counted outwards from the interior layer): Bottom of the hull between torsion bars: Povinol fabric, basalt fibre cardboard, knitting-stitching material, perforated fabric 500 (Cordura 500), PVC fabric, 2x knitted-needled materia

In the 1980s, the Soviet Union determined that the widespread use of thermal imaging devices for reconnaissance majorly outperformed the maximum detection ranges of devices based on electro-optical image converters. It was rated that these new thermal imaging systems had ranges of 3km compared to electro-optical image converters with ranges of 1,5k-2km. To mask AFVs from thermal reconnaissance means, it was determined to create algorithms that would compute a thermal imaging result based on variables like thermal emission and background (ambient temperature). The simulated detection process went as follows; search for targets in a specific area, find a target with higher display contrast than the surrounding area and identify the target through a poorly detailed silhouette.  To avoid complexity, the article will not cover the entire computing algorithm.  Algorithm used to form thermal imaging result Thermal imaging result based on the computed algorithm  It is stated that the distance

 The 2S9 "Nona" and its subsequent variants have been a mainstay in lightly armoured vehicles for indirect fire using a 120mm mortar gun system.  A relatively refreshing proposal was drafted in the early 2010s to mount the 2A51 120mm mortar on a T-80 chassis. It was proposed that JCS "Spetsmash" would work on creating a design. Various configurations could be suggested; keep the original T-80 turret module with its remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun, retrofit the original autoloader carousel to support shells and install a modified fire control system or propose a different design. New proposed combat module with a 2A51 120mm mortar system mounted on a T-80 chassis A more favoured option would be to develop a new combat module based on various requirements like; what type of weapon system is to be used and what type of combat the vehicle will partake in (urban or open terrain). Based on advancements made by JCS "Spetsmash" and JCS "VNIIITM&qu