Cate's Research-Investigation Bureau

The most recent UVZ publication, celebrating 50 years of the T-80, showed several interesting sightings and additions.    This variant of T-80U-E1 has a retrofitted hull that integrates Relikt. The combination of an existing T-80U-E1 turret with a Relikt integrated hull is interesting, even though Relikt integration is nothing new on older T-80 hulls, such as the T-80BV. Another minor detail is the presence of anti-slip coating on the ERA hull.  Apart from the more obvious points, the presence of thicker rubber flaps around the turret geometry is something worth discussing. They seem to be twice the size of the original rubber flaps and are much thicker, having the layers bolted together.  The layered composition is hard to identify in the original video, but it resembles the old flap design, with more layers. It is hard to say why the edges are bolted down. The old design was thermally bonded into aramid-style woven material, which provided rigidity and temperatur...

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...

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" -...

This article is a simplified approach to explaining how Soviet/Russian engines are cooled.  The T-72 and T-90 series of vehicles are equipped with standard V-84 and V-92 engines. Both engine types feature an enclosed liquid cooling loop with active air-cooling circulation facilitated by a fan.  The T-80 and its GTD series of engines, including the GTD-1000 and the GTD-1250, utilize active air and oil cooling for the turbine. DETAILED LOOK AT THE T-72/T-90 ENGINE COOLING LOOP T-72 engine cooling loop and layout The T-72 uses a closed liquid loop system to cool the engine and two oil lubrication tanks. Coolant heated by the engine is divided into three streams within the engine bay:  The main coolant stream is pumped into the radiators and cooled with atmospheric air, which is pulled into the engine bay using a ventilator. After passing through the radiators, the coolant enters the engine water pump. The second stream flows towards various components, such as the coils ...

During the summer of 2023, I returned to the HGM and the tank museum for the 7th time. Usually, I try to photograph vehicles that are maintained and preserved in a building. This time around, my colleague and I went to see the vehicles stored behind the main building of the HGM, which is known as the Panzergarten.  Due to the vehicles not being the main attraction, the exterior is in a relatively poor state. Back in 2023, the vehicles stored there were; M24 Chaffee, Centurion MK.3, Centurion ARV, Centurion bridge laying vehicle and a Charioteer.  As of early 2024, the Charioteer and 2 M24 Chaffees were moved to the front of the Tankhall.  Below are some of the images from the Panzergarten.  To see images in the highest quality you can open them in a new tab or click on them.