Hey everyone! Today we’d like to share the results of our study on the documentation of automatic loaders found on the T-64/T-80 family of tanks.
Early vehicles in this series had a reload time of 7.1 seconds, while later vehicles (starting with the T-80U and T-80UD) had a reload time of 6.5 seconds. These estimates were based on technical descriptions, which stated a minimum reload time of 7.1 seconds. For later vehicles, the results were based on Greek trials with the T-80U, where it demonstrated a higher rate of fire during testing.
However, many in the community have repeatedly discussed the reload cycle diagrams of these tanks, which indicate that the full loading cycle of a shell (APFSDS, HE, HEAT) is 6.0 seconds, and for missiles 7.1 seconds (with the exception of the T-80UD, where it is indicated that all types of shells are loaded in exactly 6 seconds).
We believed these values were incorrect, as the reload cycle diagram was copied from the technical description of the Object 432 (a T-64 with a 115mm D-68 gun). However, after extensive research, we’ve concluded that the reload cycle diagrams in the technical descriptions of the T-64A, T-64B, T-80B and T-80UD are correct.
Autoloaders of the T-72 family
The documentation for the T-72 series contains reload rate diagrams for firing a shot with the conveyor rotating by three slots. However, a training manual states the loading cycle would be 7 seconds exactly if subsequent shots were placed on the loading line, so the reload time will be reduced in accordance with this manual.
Autoloaders of the VT4, VT4A1 and ZTZ99A
Certain late Chinese-made tanks have an improved autoloader, slightly speeding up certain operations. This allowed for a rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute, a rate confirmed by our team of historical consultants and publicly available operating manuals.
So, based on the results of this research, the rate of fire of the following tanks will be adjusted:
SEE THE FULL LIST
Spoiler
From 7.1 to 6 sec
- T-80B
- T-64A (1971)
- T-64B
From 6.5 to 6 sec
- T-80U (USSR, Sweden)
- T-80UD/BE
- BM Oplot-T
- Oplot-M
- T-80UM2
- Т-80UD
- Т-80UK
- Т-80U-E1
- Т-80BVM
From 7.1 to 7 sec
- Т-72A
- Т-72B
- Т-72B (1989)
- Т-90A
- Т-72B3
- Т-72B3A
- Т-90M
- Т-72АВ Turms-T
- Т-72М2 Moderna
- Т-72М1 (Italy, Germany, Sweden)
- Bhishma TWMP
- ZTZ96
- ZTZ96A
- MBT-2000
- Al-Khalid-I
- ZTZ99-II
- ZTZ99-III
- WZ1001(E) LCT
- 2S25
- 2S25М
From 7.1 to 6,66 sec
- VT4
- VT4A1
- ZTZ99A
We’d like to thank our dedicated community for their support, participation, and discussions to help make War Thunder better!
Sources:
- Т-64А. Танк 64А. Техническое описание и инструкция по эксплуатации. Книга 1 (1973)
- Техническое описание танка Т-64 (1969)
- Танки Т-64Б и Т64Б1. ТО и ИЭ. Книга 2 (1983)
- Танк Т-80Б. Техническое описание и инструкция по эксплуатации (1984) книга 2
- Изделие-478Б. Техническое-описание и инструкция по эксплуатации. Часть первая. 1985
- Вестник бронетанковой техники, 1973, №4 Канд. техн. наук Г. Г. ГОЛУБ, О. А. ДОБИСОВ, Е. И. ЗАТРАВИН, В. И. КРЕЧЕТОВ
- Устройство и эксплуатация бронетанкового вооружения часть 1 (2014)
- Теория и конструкция танка в десяти томах под редакцией доктора технических наук профессора П.П. Исакова, Том 2 Москва, Машиностроение, 1982
- Устройство танка Т-72Б. Учебное пособие. Минск 2011г
- Crew Manual. Main Battle Tank 60 (VT4)
