T-64BV zr. 2017: Frontline Defender

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 3:45am

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T-64BV zr. 2017

An upgraded T-64BV zr. 2017 during a parade rehearsal.

Basic Description:
- The original T-64BV was a Soviet/Ukrainian Main Battle Tank designed in the early 1980’s building off of the newer variant of T-64, the T-64B. The T-64B, also known as Object 447A was an upgrade over the T-64A that featured a reworked turret, the 1A33 Fire Control System, and the ability to fire gun launched anti-tank guided missiles (GL-ATGM) from the new 2A46M-1 gun. Other features adopted is a new autoloader named the 6EC60 to further increase the rate of fire of the T-64 as well as 8x Tucha-2 Smoke Grenade Launchers. The T-64BV was a further improvement allowing the installation of dynamic protection, also known as explosive reactive armor (ERA). This ERA was the Contact-1 which allowed protection against HEAT-shaped charges. This model also included further improvements to the fire control system, radio stations, and other electronic equipment. The T-64BV still retained the 700hp 5TDF Liquid-cooled Diesel Engine capable of supplying all the needs for propulsion and electrical systems. Production of this new variant continued from 1984 to 1987. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited several hundred T-64BV’s as well as other models of the T-64 and continued to develop them today.
- One of these models is the T-64BV zr. 2017, the designation meaning the year of the upgrade. This new T-64BV variant significantly enhances the capabilities of the of the T-64BV by incorporating new technologies and digital communications as well as rebuilding and modernizing existing propulsion systems. This was necessary as the amount of funds required to produce new significant amounts of T-84’s would exceed budget constraints as well as having an to find a purpose for the excess T-64’s in storage. The choice was to do both, however producing T-84’s at a low production rate as well as upgrade the T-64’s, essentially finding a “middle ground”. The upgrades include the replacement of the old Gunner sight’s with the new TPN-1-TPV 3rd-generation thermal imager, allowing enhanced night operations, new Lybid K-2RB digital radio stations that allow enhanced communications between fighting units from the BTR-3 and BTR-4 series APC’s to the T-80BV’s in service with Ukraine. Other upgrades incorporate the CH-4215 Satellite Navigation System, removal of the Luna Infrared Sight, and the incorporation of the Nozh ERA which has similar, if not better capabilities than Contact-5 ERA. The Nozh ERA is designed to be interchangeable with Contact-1 ERA blocks, built in similar size, significantly improving protection against HEAT-shaped charges as well as modern tank APFSDS-T rounds. This 2017 modernization was also applied to the T-80BV’s that were also in service with Ukraine. Additional features from Ukrainian T-64BV’s that can be incorporated on to this model is SLAT/Cage Armor and the ability to fire Kombat GL-ATGM’s.
- Modifications conducted by Ukraine for the 2017 model:
  - Gunner’s TPN-1-TPV Thermal Imager
  - Lybid K-2RB Digital Radio Stations
  - CH-4215 Satellite Navigation System
  - Luna Infrared Sight Removal
  - Modernized/Rebuilt 5TDF Diesel Engine
  - Optional: Mounting of Nozh ERA
- More than 200 are in service by the Ukrainian Army and have saw heavy combat in the conflict in Ukraine. The T-64BV remains the cornerstone of the Ukrainian Army, as it is the only army to field a large quantity of T-64’s in recent history.
Specifications:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin:
  - Ukraine
- Armament:
  - Primary: 125mm KBA3 Smoothbore Gun
    - Ammunition:
      - APFSDS-T
      - HEAT-FS
      - HE-FRAG
      - GL-ATGM
        
        Kombat
    - Feed System:
      - Autoloader, 36rds total.
  - Coaxial: KT-7.62mm Machine Gun (1,250rds)
  - Roof-mounted: KT-12.7mm Machine Gun (300rds)
- Dimensions:
  - Length: 9.225m (gun forward)
  - Width: 3.410m
  - Height: 2.170m
  - Weight: 42.4t
- Mobility:
  - Engine: 700hp 5TDF Liquid-cooled Diesel Engine
  - Max Speed: 60km/h
  - Transmission: Manual (7-Forward, 1-Reverse)
  - Suspension: Torsion Bar
Crew:
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
Features:
- Laser Rangefinder
- 8x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- SLAT/Cage Armor
- Entrenching Blade
- Armor:
  - Nozh ERA
  - Kontact-1 ERA
- Optics:
  - Gunner: TPN-1-TPV (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
  - Commander: TKN-3V (Night Vision Device)
  - Driver: TNPO (Day Sight)
In-game :
- This new variant of T-64BV differs from its Soviet counterpart by the inclusion of 3rd-generation thermals, the capability to fire Kombat ATGM’s, and the ability to mount Nozh ERA that is on par with Kontact-5 and possibly better. If equipped with Nozh ERA as well as Cage Armor, the zr. 2017 has more capabilities and protection than even the T-72B (1989) at Battle Rating 10.0.
- Estimated Battle Rating: 9.7-10.3.
Sources:
Imagery: