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Hello !
I’d like to suggest the addition of a tank that would act as a transitional model between the classic T-62 and the improved T-62M. That tank would be the T-62D, also known as 166D, a tank that you’ve likely already seen but never noticed that it wasn’t a standard T-62M.
History
Spoiler
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began in 1979. While the Soviets did not bring their full might, the 40th Army still brought plenty of tanks. While the tanks showed their potential, especially as heavily fortified gun positions, the Soviets still knew that they had no meaningful protection against rocket launchers and AT mines. In fact, in 1980 only, 18 tanks were written off. In 1981, it would be 28 tanks.
These losses were considered serious enough that the Main command of the Soviet Ground Forces asked for the quick development and deployment of improved vehicles based on troop feedback.
Those vehicles would sport the letter “D” at the end of their name, colloquially meaning “Dushman” (officially, “доработанный”, “refined”), a word commonly used by the Soviets referring to the mujahideen.
Following an order from the Minoboron in late 1979, the NII Stali had been busy at work on creating new composite armor for the modernized T-55 and T-62 tanks.
Work was quick as Uralvagonzavod was able to produce 2 of both tanks the following year with the composite armor as well as other improvements. As the T-62D was intended to massively increase the resilience of the tank, it was decided to put as much protection as possible while removing all the “expensive” equipment.
This resulted in the creation of the object 166D, a tank that, funnily enough, was mostly meant to be “produced” in the many BTRZ. Most of the work was focused on improving the strength and rigidity of the floor armor and welds by adding additional 20 mm thick armor plates. The driver’s seat was also improved : as opposed to the original one being “fixed” to the floor, a new “suspended” seat was added adding additional space between the floor and the seat, making AT mines less lethal to the driver. On top of that, the first pair of torsion bars was also reinforced.
In an attempt at making production quicker, the 12,7 mm antiair MG was omitted as well as the removal of the “expensive and complex” Volna FCS (including the KDT-1(-1)/KDT-2 LRF) that was later added on T-62Ms for tanks that would go through the “dushmanification” process. The T-62D also did not feature a thermal shroud unlike the T-62M.
The “production” of the T-62D would later be superceded by the 166M when it finally entered service, with all its bells and whistles.
Specifications
Crew : 4
- Driver
- Gunner
- Commander
- Loader
Armament
- One 115 mm U-5TS (Ammo : 40)
- One 7.62 mm machine gun PKT
- Sights : TShS-41U
- Elevation : -5°/+16°
Dimensions
- Weight : ~ 41 t
- Length : 6.63 m
- Width : 3.3 m
- Height : 2.395 m (without MG)
Mobility
- Engine : V-55U (580 hp)
- Top speed : 51 km/h / -8 km/h
- Transmission : 5 forward / 1 reverse
Armor
The tank shares the same armor as the T-62M-1 that is in game.
Sources
- Техника и вооружение, n° 3/25
- Техника и вооружение, n° 5/25
- Основные боевые танки, Сафонов Б., Мураховский В., 1993.
- Т-62. Убийца «Центурионов» и «Олифантов»
