Military/Intelligence Bulletin 06/2018 – Russian T-90MS Main Battle Tank.
The T-90MS builds on the advance models of the T-90 and the T-72B3 obr. 2016.
Mission Systems of the T-90MS MBT, include siting and observation equipment, the fire control system (FCS), and vehicle-protection systems.
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T-90A, Moscow Victory Day Parade 2013.
Photo – Vitaly Kuzmin
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T-72B3
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The Kalina Fire Control System is used in conjunction with the T-90MS’ 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore gun and the the UDP T0BV-1, a remotely operated weapon station (ROWS).
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T-90MS Gunner’s position
Photo – Russianmilitaryphotos
The Kalina FCS also includes the Remeshok identification friend or foe (IFF) system, along with the gun control, stabilisation and electric-optical systems.
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T-90MS Commander’s position.
Photo – Russianmilitaryphotos
The FCS is linked to to the Sosna -U multichannel gunners sight and the commander’s Falcon Eye panoramic sight. The Sosna-U is also capable of guiding anti-tank missiles, using the laser channel, as well as provide 4x and 12x magnification along with twin-axis stabilisation.
The Falcon Eye is stabilised and has both day and thermal channels. Both incorporate a 7,500 m-range laser rangefinder and can identifying a tank in daylight at a range of 5,000m and in poor light conditions, 3,300m. It is believed that the laser rangefinder has a ‘foreign matrix’ of unknown origin.
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T-90MS
The sighting systems are both coupled to the fire-control computer (FCC), the IV528-2, which incorporates meteorological data from the turret roof mounted mast sensor, providing temperature and wind information, and internal atmospheric pressure and projectile temperature sensors. Data is also provided by the IV216-2, ammunition selection computer, which allows different ammunition types to interface with the FCC.
The commander is presented with the information he needs, which he can alter manually if needed, using the BVI-2 interface panel. From here he can also operate the the observation and targeting sensors, including the roof mounted ROWS.
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Ajax Reconnaissance vehicle
Photo – Vitaly V Kuzmin
This new FCS, is the first Russian system of its type that integrates the eight prismatic sensors arranged in a ring around the turret roof, in front of the commander’s sight and in front of the commander’s hatch.
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Challenger 2 – Bovington TankFest
Photo – Vitaly V Kuzmin
The driver is equipped with the TVN-10 observation system, providing him with daylight and thermal infrared (IR) channels with a low-level TV channel as a back-up.
The main gun stabilisation system is an improvement on the T-90S MBT, with a slew rate of 40 degrees per second. The ammunition is stored in a drum auto-loader. Metal pads cover both ends of the rounds to protect against splinters and shaped charge jets.
For protection of the crew, the T-90MS is provided with thermoelectric air-conditioning and a PKUZ-1A, a nuclear, biological, and chemical protection control unit. There is a laser warning system, linked to 12 902A Tucha-2 smoke grenade launchers, firing 3D17 smoke grenades when activated.
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T-90MS Main Battle Tank
Additional protection is provided by Relikt explosive reactive armour (ERA), mounted on the skirts, turret and hull. Radar absorbing materials have also been incorporated along with additional bulkheads to improve crew protection against spall splinter.
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Post copyrighted to Harvey Black