The unknown stunt to distract the media from the real truth.

The second Object 640 prototype with a 7x roadwheel chassis.

Object 640 "Black Eagle" was created by 'Omsktransmash' in Russia during the 1990s.

Over the years only 2 variants of the "Black Eagle" were created. Both of these variants have been shown during the Omsk Weapon Demonstrations in 1997 and 1999. 

The first variant which was demonstrated in 1997 was a mockup, to show how the vehicle would look like and what it would potentially offer. 2 years later in 1999, 'Omsktransmash' demonstrated the second variant which was the official prototype for the Object 640 program. 

When the tank was first showcased, mass media gave it the nickname "Black Eagle" due to its uncommon colour.

For this program a new 1500HP was designed, a new 7x roadwheel chassis. One of the major differences compared to contemporary Soviet designs was the extended turret which housed the newly built revolver style autoloader, the new design reduced the height of the vehicle by 400mm compared to a normal T-80. The new autoloader widened the array of ammunition compatible with the gun, due to its length it allowed the support of longer ammunition.

In 1997 during the first demonstration, the representative of RMD (Russia's Ministry of Defence) requested that -  The "Black Eagle" should be accepted into the armed forces by the year 2000, including onwards from 2005 a total of 350 tanks should be annually produced. 

Naturally, this did not happen - due to reasons that are still unknown to date. 

2nd Object 640 prototype

Only in 2013, the former head of GABTU (Main Automotive-Armoured Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) S.Maev discussed the Object 640 in an interview with an editor from "RusInformBureau". 

Quote - "These were prototype vehicles, which I set into motion to create the feeling of  competition on one side, but on the other side - create a distraction from the real work program "Improvement-88" which was conducted over at UralVagonZavod"

The program "Improvement-88" or as it commonly goes by 'Object 195', was developed by UralVagonZavod from 1995-2010.

Overall the Object 640 program could have become something interesting if it did not serve a different purpose, which was to not only show the possible competition Russia at the time offered to somehow show, but also try to hide what UralVagonZavod was working on.

Regarding 'Object 195', this is a completely different story that will be covered next time. 

Taken from: Omsktransmash book