Cate's Research-Investigation Bureau

Images were taken during Austria's National Holiday (26th October)  For full image quality open images in a new tab.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Denis Petrov, Chief Engineer of the Omsktransmash joint-stock company, said that to date, work is underway in the Russian Federation to increase the area of damage, the firing range and the accuracy of the 'Solntsepyok' system.  "At the moment, work is underway to increase the firing range, accuracy, and simplify the process of target acquisition and mission completion. And first of all to improve on the area of damage." - Denis Petrov Taken from: TV Zvezda -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Images were taken during Austria's National Holiday (26th October)  For full image quality open images in a new tab.  Austrian 35 mm Zwillingsfliegerabwehrkanone 85 AA gun system with 2x35mm ZFlAK 85 cannons and 95 SKYGUARD radar fire-control system.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A live news report was published recently, covering the work process of the 130th Factory Assembly hall (Lower Tagil). The video report showcased the assembly of new T-90M and T-72B3M tanks. At first glance, UVZs aim is to unify certain features across several MBT variants.   One of the first notable changes is the integration of a spring-loaded housing for the thermal sight , which was previously present as a standard feature on BMPTs and T-90M variants exclusively.  Another significant change, additional ERA bricks have been placed in parallel with the gun barrel. These ERA bricks traverse together with the gun and seem to protect the mantlet and breech. Two additional ERA bricks were placed next to the upper mantlet part to protect the weakspot from potential top attacks. This design choice might have been influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  Along with the reactive protective measures, UVZ seems to have integrated several short antennas mounted on the...

TSNIITOCHMASH, the developer of the newest 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun 2S42 "Lotus", developed for the VDV (Airborne Forces), has begun manufacturing a second prototype of the SPG to participate in state trials. The preliminary testing phase was completed in August of this year. The prototype of the Lotus SPG, which has completed preliminary tests, is currently undergoing a design rework based on the experience gained during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to an informed source, the onboard electronics, the fire-control system and the suspension needed revision. At the same time, the production of the second prototype of the SPG began, which will also take part in state tests, scheduled for the end of 2023. Taken from: Topwar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

To camouflage AFVs and increase the difficulty of being spotted using day-night observation devices, a variety of different paint schemes paired with specifically designed camouflage patterns can be used. Vehicles are painted using a base coating of enamel, which has chemical durability and specific spectral characteristics. To add camouflage, secondary colour enamel spots are added onto the surface of the vehicle. Camouflaging can be achieved by combining different camouflage methods into one single design: colour differentiation between primary paint coat and secondary colour spots, different values of reflection coefficients in the infrared (IR) spectrum, and a special pattern design, deforming the visible silhouette of a vehicle. To create basic camouflage schemes, 2 different enamels were used: HV-518 is used as the base paint and NC-1200 for spots. Enamel HV-518 would protect the vehicle from being detected by passive IR devices only in the spectral range over 0.85 micrometres, b...

In the upcoming few days and possibly weeks, I will be uploading images taken during the Austrian national holiday, which is celebrated on the 26th of October.  This being the first showcase held after the pandemic, a large number of people were present and taking images/videos was difficult.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the early 1960s, an R&D program was launched to create a promising next-generation tank. T-54 and T-55 tanks were the basis for various running models, designed to test new components and systems. The GTD-3T gas turbine engine and its supporting systems, the hydromechanical transmission, the placement of the driver in the turret, automated control drives, and the chassis of new experimental tanks were tested on these models. T-54 with GTD-3T Between 1960-1961 Factory No.174 (Zavod No.174) and VNII-100 created a mobility trial mockup using a T-54 and fitted it with a GTD-3T gas turbine engine which unregulated produced 515kW (700 hp), during the installation process the turbine engine's performance was reduced to 318kW (432 hp).  Compared to the baseline T-54, the new variant mainly had its engine transmission bay changed. The GTD-3T displaced more inner volume compared to the standard V-54 diesel engine. Larger volume displacement meant that the engine was 140 mm closer to t...

Omsktrasnmash is delivering a new batch of T-80BVM tanks.  It's worth noting that the old Sosna-U sight housing has been upgraded and now utilizes a similar opening mechanism as on the T-90M . Alongside the housing changes, Omsktransmash has added an additional ERA mounting bracket right above the gun mantlet and in front of the commander's cupola. It's not stated how many vehicles are being delivered but there are 7 train wagons loaded.   Taken from: TG -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discord --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------