T-55AM 'Merida'

Suggestions Ground
1
[Would you like to see this in-game?]
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
[What tech tree?]
  • Potential Polish TT
  • Potential Eastern European TT
  • Existing nation as subtree vehicle or premium
  • I would not like to see this in-game
0 voters

  • History: The production of the T-55 started in Poland during 1962, with first units seeing operation within the LWP in 1964. The T-55 along with upgraded T-54s served as the backbone of the LWP through the 1960s and 70s, remaining relatively unmodified from Soviet versions other than initial factory differences. At the dawn of the 1980s it became clear T-55As were becoming outdated, and needed an upgrade to keep up with new modern T-64s, T-72s, and the soon coming T-80. Users of the T-55 did their own upgrade programs (T-55AM-1 USSR, T-55AM2B CSSR, etc) with the USSR additionally exporting its own upgrade package. The Polish did use the T-55AM2B which had the 1K13 scope/Kladivo FCS and thus support for the 9K116-1 (designated T-55AM2P and produced in Poland), but opted for a more widespread domestic upgrade package for their T-55As, which culminated in the T-55AM (nicknamed Merida for the FCS). This upgrade actually lacked many of the features its contemporary counterparts received, ie 9K116-1 Bastion, 3BM25, V-46-5M, etc. But on the other hand it received many top of the line systems that even many modern MBTs today still lack, like the WPL-1 Bobrawa LWS and a primitive soft kill APS (Explosive smoke grenades equipped the LWS). And the T-55AM Merida still did receive a tweaked Polish variant of the V-55 and APFSDS, although an older export version.

  • Armament:

    • Primary: 100mm D-10T2S (41 shells)
      • Ammo: BR-412D (APCBC), OF-412 (HE), 3BK-5M (HEATFS), 3BM-20 (APFSDS), 3D3 (Smoke)
    • Coaxial: 7.62mm PKT
    • Anti-Air: 12.7mm DSzK-M

  • Armor:

    • Obviously kept the standard T-55 cast hull, no remodelling was done to that, but BDD armor standard to most eastern block T-55 upgrades was included on the UFP and front turret cheeks as standard. Additionally anti napalm shields were added (wouldn’t really make much difference in-game, but I include it as napalm is in the game).

  • Drive:

    • Engine: 640 hp W-55UWAx @ 2000 rpm
    • Suspension: Torsion, it was improved in the upgrades, wouldn’t really make a difference in-game
    • Max Speed: 49 km/h

  • Dimensions:

    • Length: 6.20 m hull, 9.00 m total
    • Height: 2.40 m
    • Width: 3.27 m

  • Crew:

    • Driver (NVG)
    • Gunner (NVG)
    • Loader
    • Commander (NVG, possibly gunner override)

  • Gadgets and Gizmos:

    • SKO Merida FCS (has LRF), 3.5x - 7.0x magnification
    • WPL-1 Bobrawa Laser Radiation Warning System
    • x8 WWGD-1 Erb Smoke Grenades (Soft kill APS tied to WPL-1, could just be granted to the player as extra smoke grenades)
    • x8 WPD-1 Tellur Smoke Projectiles
    • ESS

  • Sources:

  • Due to the nature of the upgrades and the similarity of the systems, the last source is only a supplemental manual for either, “Czołg średni T-55A i czołg dowódczy T-55AD” or “Czołg średni T-55U i T-55M. Opis techniczny i użytkowanie”. Would be helpful if someone found those, but I could not find them myself. But the information is still there.
  • Images
Spoiler



7 Likes
2

More like anti Molotov Cocktail shields. Oppressing the proletariat an’t eazy.

1 Like
3

An obvious +1 for Polish/Polish-modified vehicles.

4

Just Warno things.

5

Suprisingly, I dont see many T-55AM Meridas from the martial law period

6

Easy and obvious +1 for a fully independent Polish TT. Then have the T-55AMS as a premium version!

7

Interesting! I didn’t know of the precise differences this had from the Soviet AM-1, so this was informative! +1

8

Yup, additionally Poland also used the czech T-55AM2B (T-55AM2P in Polish production), which essentially was the same as a AM-1, so it could fill that gap if needed. This version is almost completely different, almost a new tank even.

3 Likes
9

AMS would be interesting, hopefully they could implement the mine clearing charges. Wouldnt be meta, but could work like the matilda hedgehog

1 Like
10

Would be funny as hell to roll up to the edge of a point held by open top/lightly armored vehicles and just drape two 550kg explosive turds over the entire length of the point.

1 Like
11

Honestly I’d rather not. Just the dozer blade. Mine charges would be essentially useless as it’s just a thin rope of C4, and instead they would just be giant targets that give away any hope of stealth

12

Yes for Soviet tree, dunno why you left that one out of the “What tech tree?” but should be added since polish stuff should eventually go there

13

no

2 Likes
14

The day polish vehicles are added to soviet tech tree is the day i stop playing warthunder

3 Likes