T-55 Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)
T-55
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Other
Basic Information
Name
T-55 Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Designation
T-55
Alternate Designation
T-55
Equipment Type
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Manufacturer
KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union) Bumar-Łabędy (Poland) ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)
Date of Introduction
1959
Description
Hezbollah Proliferation. The all-improved T-55 was developed from 1955-58 onward at the Uralvagonzavod plant. It was basically the sum of upgrades performed on the former T-54s, but with full NBC protection called PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita), studied by the KB-60 design bureau in Kharkov.
Ground Specifications
Crew
4
Mobility Type
Tracked
Engine
V-12 Diesel (580 hp)
Active Protection
ZET-1
Range
400.0 km
Variants
T-55A
In 1961, development of improved NBC protection systems began. The goal was to protect the crew from fast neutrons; adequate protection against gamma radiation was provided by the thick armour and a PAZ basic NBC protection system.
T-54/T-55 upgrades
n its long service life, the T-55 has been upgraded many times. Early T-55s were fitted with a new TSh-2B-32P sight. In 1959, some tanks received mountings for the PT-55 mine clearing system or the BTU/BTU-55 plough. In 1967, the improved BM8 APDS round, which could penetrate 275 mm thick armor at a range of 2 km, was introduced. In 1970, new and old T-55 tanks had the loader's hatch modified to mount the 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, to deal with the threat of attack helicopters. Starting in 1974, T-55 tanks received the KTD-1 or KTD-2 laser rangefinder in an armored box over the mantlet of the main gun, as well as the R-123 or R-123M radio set. Simultaneously, efforts were made to modernize and increase the lifespan of the drive train.
T-55AM
upgraded version of the T-55A. It is fitted with add-on composite armor and rubber side skirts. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve. It entered service in 1983.
T-55AM-1
upgraded version of the T-55AM, powered by a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.
T-55AD
fitted with Drozd active protection system. It also has add-on armor. It entered service in 1983.
T-55AD-1
fitted wit a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.
T-55AMV
fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor and new fire control system. It is capable of launching anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. The missile has a range of 4 000 m at daytime and 1 200 m at night. It penetrates 550 mm of rolled homogenous armor. It entered service in 1985.
T-55M
Upgraded version fitted with add-on composite armor and rubber side skirts. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve. This tank entered service in 1983.
T-55M-1
it is a further upgrade of the T-55M, powered by a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp. This tank is also fitted with ballistic computer.
T-55MV
it has improved protection and firepower. It is fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor and improved fire control system. It is capable of launching anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. The T-55MV entered service in 1985.
T-55MV-1
fitted with a V-46-5M diesel.
T-62A
an improved T-55 with a stretched chassis, new suspension, new turret. It was armed with a 100 mm gun with improved ballistics. First prototypes were built in 1958 and it was accepted to service in 1962. Only a small number of these tanks were built for experimental service. However it was a forerunner of the T-62 medium tank, that was produced in thousands.
TO-55
flamethrower tank. Coaxial machine gun has been replaced with a flame thrower.
BTS-2 and BTS-3
armored recovery vehicles.
MTU-20 and MTU-55
armored bridgelayers.
BTR-T
is a heavy armored personnel carrier. It was first publicly revealed in 1997. It was converted from obsolete T-55 medium tank. The turret has been removed in order to create a compartment for dismounts. A number of other modifications were made to the vehicle. This armored vehicle has a crew of 2 and accommodates 5 dismounts. The BTR-T received no production orders.
Ti-67
sraeli version, fitted with American M68 105 mm rifled gun. It is also fitted with Israeli fire control system, new engine and transmission and Blazer explosive reactive armor. About 200 T-54/55 tanks, that were captured from Egyptian and Syrian forces, were upgraded to this standard.
T-54E Ramzes II
a proposed upgrade of Egyptian T-54/55 tanks. It is fitted with American M68 105 mm rifled gun, Belgian fire control system, and American Continental AVDS-1790-5A engine.
T-55 Enigma
upgraded Iraqi version, fitted with composite add-on armor. Add-on armor weights a total of 4.6 t, so a counterweight was mounted at the turret rear. This tank also has improved night vision devices.
TR-580
a Romanian version of the T-55 with a longer hull. An extra road wheel on each side has been added. It is fitted with a different engine. This tank is fitted with metal side skirts.
T-55T
Modified VT-55A with push bar and splashboard across glacis plate in service with the NVA. A towing unit on the glacis plate with a mount that protrudes over front of vehicle. Front towing unit also has a flexible 'eye' permanently fitted. NATO code: T-55T.
System
Alternative Designation
T-55
Type
Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer
KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union)
Bumar-Łabędy (Poland)
ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)
Proliferation
Hezbollah
Crew
4 ea
Modifications
Modifications to the T-54/55 series over the years have changed almost every aspect of the vehicle. Initially, Soviet modifications included a better turret shape, improved NBC protection and an improved powerplant. Later, improved fire-control equipment and night-vision equipment was added.
Foreign improvements, both in Warsaw Pact nations and elsewhere, have further improved protection, powerplant, and firepower. T-54/55s have been re-armed with improved tank guns, AA machine guns, advanced armour arrays, and technologies, such as laser range finders and computerized fire control systems, that did not exist when the tank was first being built in the early days of the Cold War.
Estimated Out of Service Date
Phased out of service with Russia in the early 1990s. Likely to remain in service with current users until the capital can be raised to replace the vehicles according to defence priorities
Total Built
86,000–100,000+ est.
The T-55 has been used worldwide by as many as 50 countries and quasi-armies. They have been subject to numerous improvements throughout their production history and afterwards and many are still in service today.
Dimensions
Length, Gun Forward
9.00 m (with gun forward)
Length, Hull
6.54 m
Width
3.37 m
Height
2.40 m
Weight, Combat
41,000 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
Model V-55
Engine Type
V-12 water-cooled diesel
Engine Power
580 hp at 2,000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
14.6 hp (10.4 kW) / tonne
Transmision
Renk LSG 3000 fully automatic with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears
Fuel Capacity
580 liters internal, 320 liters external (less on early T54), 400 l jettison able rear drums
Range
400 km
Speed, Maximum Road
48 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
25 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Fording Depth
1.4 m unprep; 5.5 m snorkel
Gradient
60 %
Side Slope
30 %
Vertical Step
0.8 m
Trench
2.85 m
Main Gun
System
Name
D-10 Tank Gun
Type
Anti-Tank Gun
Caliber
100 mm
Length
5.608 m
Barrel Length
5.35 m
Weight
1,438 kg
Loader Type
Manual
Fire on the Move
Yes
Traverse Range
INA
First Round Hit Probability
60 %
Bore Activator
Yes, New upgrade
Maximum Elevation
+18 deg
Minimum Elevation
-3 deg
Breech
Horizontal sliding wedge (semi-automatic)
Recoil
Hydraulic buffer and hydropneumatic recuperator
Carriage
Vehicle mount
Rate of Fire
4 rounds/min avg
5–6 rounds/min max.
Muzzle Velocity
1,000 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
14,600 m (16,000 yds), or
16,000 m (17,500 yds)
Ammunition (Option 1)
Name
3UOF17
Type
HE fragmentation projectile
Caliber
100 mm
Muzzle Velocity
355 m/s
Max Range
7,000 m
Min Range
INA
Armor Penetration
Yes
Weight, Complete Round
22.9 kg
Weight, Missile
19.4 kg
Basic Load
45 total of any 100 mm Projectile Combination
Anti-Tank Guided Missile
Type
Laser beam-riding anti-tank missile.
Name
9M117 Bastion
Caliber
100 mm
Entered Service
1981
Muzzle Velocity
400-500 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
4,000 m
Rocket Burn
6 seconds
Rocket Motor Ignites Time
1.5 seconds
Guidance
Beam-Riding Laser
Prone to Radio or Optical Jamming
No
Missile Flight Time
4,000 m
Self Destruct Time
24-41 seconds
Basic Load
8 x 9M117 Bastion ATGM Missiles
Auxiliary Weapon System
System
Name
1 x QJZ-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
12.7 mm
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Weight, Gun Only
17.5 kg
Weight,Tripod
8.5 kg
Length, Total
2,119 mm
Length, Barrel
1,003 mm
Barrels
1 ea
Action
Gas/Recoil
Muzzle Velocity
850 m/s
Rate of Fire
450-600 rds/min
Feed System
Belt
Sights
Iron/Optical
Ammunition
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
12.7 mm
Cartridge
12.7x108mm
Max Range
1,600 m
Min Range
INA
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
2,000 Rounds
Fire Control
Name
INA
Computerized FCS
INA
Laser Rangefinder
KTD-1 or KTD-2
Night Sight
TPN-1-22-11 night sight
Protection
Hull Armor
120 mm hull front at 60° (100 mm after 1949); 79 mm hull upper sides; 20 mm hull lower sides; 60 mm at 0° hull rear; 20 mm hull bottom; 33-16 mm hull roof.
Turret Armor
205 mm turret front: 130 mm turret sides; 60 mm turret rear; 30 mm turret roof.
Applique Armor
Available
Explosive Reactive Armor
Available
Active Protection System
T-55 fitted with the ZET-1 vehicle protection system. It has net structure centred on vehicles main armament and flipper-type side plates.
Mine Clearing
The KMT-5 mine clearing plow-roller set consists of two plows and two roller sections of three rollers each. This combination is attached to the front of a tank hull. Stretched between the roller sections is a "dogbone" assembly which consists of a light chain and small roller weights. Using a dragging motion, the "dogbone" covers the exposed area between tank tracks, thus exploding tilt-rod mines. The flexibility of the KMT-5 allows the use of plows or rollers depending on the terrain, type of soil and fuse types encountered. The KMT-5 can be used with the T-54/55, T-62, T-64, and T-72 tanks. The system can withstand approximately nine explosions that have a capacity of five to six kg. It is fitted with a quick-release disconnect unit to allow the tank driver to release the set rapidly. One other capability is that the KMT-5 may be used during night operation, using the luminous lane-marking device (PSK equipment) which marks the clear lane at night with a luminous substance.
Self-Entrenching Blade
T-54/T-55 fitted with BTU dozer blade for clearing soil, obstacles and snow in combat situations. It was used by the tank units requiring specialized engineer support. The dozer blade itself can mounted in 1 hour and 30 minutes and dismounted in 1 hour. In the west it is known as T-54/T-55 Dozer.
NBC Protection
Yes, PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita) NBC protection system
Smoke Generator
TDA exhaust smoke generator
Smoke Equipment
2 × 4.76 mm Smoke Grenades
Note
The T-55 focuses most of its armour around the front 60 deg arc.
Details
Country of Origin
Russia
Category
Tanks
Land > Tanks
Filter Label
T
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
3.37 m
Height
2.4 m
Weight
41000 kg
Operators (53)
Russia
Israel
Ukraine
India
Iran
North Korea
Pakistan
Belarus
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo, Republic of the
Croatia
Cuba
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Georgia
Guinea
Iraq
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Peru
Romania
Rwanda
Slovenia
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Togo
Uganda
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Non-State Actors
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