Cate's Research-Investigation Bureau

In the 1970's and early 80's, Soviet AFV engineers were tasked with developing countermeasures to a new emerging detection threat: radar systems used to detect ground-based targets. Existing solutions, such as radiation-absorbing paint, were no longer deemed effective. One of the theoretical solutions was to design mountable louvre-type sideskirts. The layout was arranged to create a wave-like pattern, with each slat strip to be placed vertically at an angle. With this type of layout, the panel would diffract incoming waves within a high degree of asymmetry, scattering the wave.  General design of the proposed louvre-style panel To confirm the theoretical results, full-scale measurements of the BMP-1's radar characteristics were done. One measurement without the louvre-style panels and the other with them. Only 70% of the new sideskirt was covered with louvre-style grills, which accounts for roughly 25% of the BMP-1's total side profile.  The average effective surface w...

 The deployment of BMP-1, BMP-2 IFVs, T-64A, T-64B and T-80 tanks with single-stage air filtration systems with an average purification rate of 99.8% confirmed their superiority over existing two-stage filter systems: lower weight, smaller dimensions and easier maintenance.  While the given purification rate of 99.7-99,8%, achieved by the T-80's cyclone filter array, is substantial, it does not meet industry standards set by OST V 3-2627-75.  OST V V-2627-75 is a Soviet and post-Soviet industry standard that dictates that AFV air filtration systems with cyclones have to meet necessary protection requirements against foreign debris that can get logged inside the cyclone cones, like pine needles, hay, dirt/mud, petroleum-based products, spent gas molecules, snow and others. This implies that the cyclones have to be protected by a mesh and or filter and can not be directly exposed to the environment.   A blocked cyclone array can severely reduce the air supplied to...

I am pleased to announce the addition of a brand-new page to CRIB: “German IFV Family”,   a comprehensive look at the evolution of German infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), from early post-war designs to the most modern modular tracked platforms. A massive thank you to Mande for writing this page and allowing me to host it on my blog!  LINK TO THE PAGE

Any armoured fighting vehicle experiences recoil and shock during movement on rough terrain, firing its main gun or hitting a mine. The most vulnerable of all is the crew which operates the tank. High impulse shock loads can cause a decrease in combat performance or partial crew incapacitation. Such instances carry the risk of head injury. Most dynamic impacts inside an armoured vehicle are transmitted to operators through the seats. While there are protective measures in place, like padded tank helmets and dampening seating (driver only), these may not be enough when MBTs are equipped with more powerful cannons, which exceed the expected recoil absorption provided by the chassis they are mounted on.  Historically, test facilities were geared toward validating individual components for resistance to external factors like high-impact pulse loads. Ergonomic testing for crew protection was performed mainly in field tests, near the end of development.  While computer-aided systems...

Fuel efficiency improvement attempts among gas turbine T-80s have always been a relevant topic.  In the mid-late 1980s, a field trial was conducted to test special fuel efficiency improvement systems mounted on T-80B tanks. Improved control systems and upgraded gas turbine sub-modules were present on upgraded T-80B batches.  The first platoon consisted of 5 T-80B tanks, fitted with 920kW (1250hp) engines and equipped with additional upgrades. The following upgrades were present:  Automatic low-gas parking mode  Improved valves on the NR-1000B fuel regulator with new adjustable nozzle drives and provisioned power supply to function on low-gas parking mode (lowered fuel consumption to 45kg/h) To clarify, low gas mode is a special automatic system preset on T-80 tanks. This system reduces engine output levels and overall performance when the vehicle is stationary. It is achieved by reducing the RPMs on the 2nd cascade turbocompressor and injecting fuel only using 1 set ...

  I initially doubted that UVZ would make a remote-controlled assault tank based on the T-72/90 chassis. Conceptually, it is an interesting design with roots in Soviet and Russian "Teletank" programs. Looking at existing information, some things don't make sense, and it's too early to have a full grasp on the vehicle, what it is intended for and how it will be integrated into the RF army. Considering this is a new turret design, it lacks any armour, yet can carry crew members. How will this design operate at long ranges when you have communication delays for input controls and vice-versa, especially in city environments where buildings act as obstacles for radio communication? If this vehicle were to be used as a fully remote-controlled unit, the cost for a special command vehicle should also be considered.  Advancements in electronic miniaturisation and control systems have made it possible for the vehicle to support the presence of crew members, but this is a partia...

A big thank you to Mande for providing these images of the GTD-1000T that rests in Koblenz.  Having looked at the images, the engine has seen use; this can be noticed by the amount of soot in the exhaust duct. Additionally, there are several critical cracks that formed on the top right of the turbine housing. The lower ventilator that is used to provide fresh air to sub-components of the turbine and cool the engine bay is missing the housing, which seems to have broken off.  Overall, a decent exposition and well-made section cuts to show the inner assembly of the turbine and gearbox drives. 

It is important to note that the GTD series of monoblocs, starting with the GTD-1000TF and ending with the GTD-1250, are boosted units of their previous model. This explains why certain monobloc types have 2 different power ratings based on their original power rating output before and after being boosted.  Monobloc types:  Type "R" with an engine power output of 1100 hp - "R-1.1" Type "R" with an engine power output of 1250 hp - "R-1.25" Type "RV" with an engine power output of 1100 hp - "RV-1.1" Type "RV" with an engine power output of 1250 hp - "R-1.25" Type "AS" with an engine power output of 1100 hp - "AS-1.1" Type "AS" with an engine power output of 1250 hp - "AS-1.25" Type "R" - Monoblocs with a transmission oil pump 219-14-sb740, are identified based on the power output:  "R-1.1" - 1100 hp  "R-1.25" - 1250 hp Type "RV" -...

Component failure in Soviet armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) is a common occurrence. The failure rate of components depends on factors such as quality, durability, service longevity, and serviceability. This variable can also be affected by poor repairability potential and a lack of automated diagnostic systems to monitor vehicle status. The failure rate of components is determined by the number of failures that occur within a specified operating range. For Soviet vehicles, this operating range is measured in thousands of kilometres. Therefore, the failure rate can be expressed as the number of operational failures per 1000 kilometres [<i> Failure rate] = Operating Failure/1000km).   Another important aspect is commonly occurring failure (COF). COF refers to parts within a module or an entire module that are prone to common failures. These failures require significant attention and resources for maintenance and repair. The following set ...