T-74M2V
| T-74M2V | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  Stasnov (original design) Ziridava
|
| Service history | |
| Used by | see users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ziridava Armaments Group |
| Designed | 1999 |
| Manufacturer | PAZ Heavy Industries |
| Produced | 2004 |
| Number built | 490 |
| Specifications (Main battle tank) | |
| Weight | 43.5 tonnes |
| Length | 9.8 m (32.1 ft) |
| length | 6.9 m (22.6 ft) |
| Width | 3.8 m (12.4 ft) |
| Height | 2.3 m (6.5 ft) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | Composite armor, cage armor, DYBAS ERA, and soft-kill and hard-kill APS systems |
| Main armament |
125mm 4A96MS smoothbore gun with ATGM capability (37 rounds) |
| Secondary armament |
1x 7.62mm coaxial MG-MT, 1x 23mm autocannon |
| Engine | 12-cylinder ER12U Diesel engine 1080 hp |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Operational range |
~480 km (310 mi) |
| Speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) on road, 40 km/h (25 mph) off road |
The T-74M2V is a Ziridavan main battle tank, which is an upgrade of the T-74S1, which itself is a domestic production of the Stasnovan T-74. The first prototypes were designed in 1999, and production began in 2004. The tank entered service with the Republic of Ziridava Armed Forces in 2007. The tank features many upgrades to meet the for the RZAF's requests, including a modern FCS system, indigenous ERA, hard and soft kill active protection systems, a more powerful engine, and all-around increased survivability.
Development[edit]
Design[edit]
Armament[edit]
The T-74M2V's primary armament is the 4A96VM 125mm smoothbore cannon, which is an improved variant of the Stasnovan 4A96. The cannon is capable of firing a variety of ammunition including armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT-FS), and high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG). The tank is also capable of firing 9M119 Svir ATGMs, though a superior missile has been confirmed to be in development in 2018. Secondary armaments include a 7.62mm MG-MT coaxial machine gun, as well as a 23mm autocannon. The autocannon is the same used on the BMP-23 IFV, which itself is essentially a single-barreled ZU-23. The gun's primary purpose is to engage low-flying aircraft such as helicopters and small planes, but is capable of engaging ground targets as well. Similar to almost every T-74, the T-74M2V is equipped with an autoloader, and the tank can carry 37 shells at a time.
The tank uses the modern VEGA fire-control system, as well as new ballistic computers and sensors which originate from Acronia. The commander of the tank is equipped with a panoramic sight, which is identical to the one found on the Acronian Leclerc MBT. The tank is also equipped for hunter-killer engagement capabilities. In this mode, the commander of the tank first spots and identifies the target. The gun is then prepared, and the gunner completes the process of aiming and firing. While this is happening, the commander is capable of identifying the next target.
Mobility[edit]
The tank is powered by the ER12U V-12 turbo diesel engine, which is an engine designed by Pogoren Automotive Works and produced by Ziridava Armaments Group. The engine produces 1080 horsepower, and is mounted to an automatic transmission. The driver's sight has also been upgraded to the PNK-72 sight, to give the driver better vision while inside the tank.
Protection[edit]
The T-74M2V was built with many upgrades to protect the tank. It is fitted with the domestically designed and produced DYBAS explosive reactive armor, although initial prototypes were equipped with Kontakt plates. The ERA is attached to several parts of the tank including the front of the hull, the top and front of the turret, and the front half of the sides. In the rear half of the sides, cage armor is installed to protect against RPGs. An automatic fire suppression system is also equipped. The tank is also equipped with several soft and hard-kill active protection systems. Included is a laser warning receiver, which warns the commander when the tank is being targeted, and informs him of the laser's direction. The GALIX passive/active protection system was also introduced to the tanks in 2015, to further increase the survivability of the tank.
Service History[edit]
Variants[edit]
- T-74M2 ZX – Initial prototype version, armed with Kontakt ERA on front of hull and turret, with x2 20mm autocannons
- T-74M2V – Standard production model, currently in service with Republic of Ziridava Ground Forces
- T-74M2VK – Command variant
Operators[edit]
Ziridava: The Ziridavan ground forces have 240 T-74M2Vs in active service.