Object 292: characteristics, manufacturer

One of the main combat tasks of modern armored vehicles is the guaranteed elimination of not only the operating models of the tanks of the alleged enemy, but also the upgraded models, the appearance of which is expected in the near future. To keep the bar of leadership in the field of combat vehicles, in the eighties of the last century the USSR government instructed to develop a project codenamed "Object 292". The new tank was supposed to have increased protection and a powerful weapon.

Initial stage of development

Specialists of OAO Spetsmash (Kirov) and VNIITransmash designers started work on the project in the late eighties. The main goal of the developers was the creation of a combat vehicle with a gun of increased power. It can not be said that the work on the project was very active. Much depended on timely funding, which was not.

The first prototype fired a prototype in 1990 on the test range near St. Petersburg. It was a T-80 tank equipped with a cannon caliber 152.4 millimeters. According to calculations, the firepower was to increase by one and a half times.

Among the specialists who worked on the development of new technology, one can mention the General Designer A. K. Dzyavgo (Laureate of the State Prize), the Chief of the Weapons Department A. Khlopov, the designer Shpagin, Konokotin and Gayininov. In addition, a lot of employees from the design bureaus, as well as a number of specialized machine-building enterprises took part in the work.

New ideas

As a basis for the experimental equipment of Object 292, the T-80 BB series production model was used. To become a powerful tool in the design bureau, a decent tower was designed. The history of its creation should be discussed separately. Initially, this element was to be manufactured by Izhora Plant. But he refused the urgent order, motivating it with substantial loading of the equipment with serial sets.

The contract for the delivery of an armored vehicle with an advanced gun was on the verge of failure. The designers found a way out. The new welded-type tower of the original design was designed by engineer N.N. Solovyev. The part was commissioned for the Zhdanov machine-building plant (Mariupol). Despite the fact that an appropriate agreement was made, the work was also delayed.

Innovative solutions

To speed up the process, it was decided to refine the Object 292 by KB forces. The development of the tower was entrusted to Novikov. The element itself subsequently underwent a number of changes, namely:

• The tower received a new ebb in the embrasure area, designed for the dimensions of the cannon with a caliber of 152.4 mm.
• The geometry of the aft part has changed.
• The weight of the tower was increased by mounting special loads.
• There are special niches.

The modernization of the renovated top was entrusted to one of the shops of the Kirov plant. In another department of the same plant, prototypes of racing tracks were produced.

As a result, the well-known Object-292 was created - a tank that received not only an upgraded tower with a powerful gun, but a whole set of improvements. Also worth noting innovative innovations in the form of square bushings from the phenol and the treadmills.

The advantages of a new sample

In the new modification the car was characterized by a whole set of updates, especially in the technical part. Improved "runners" did not need to be processed by high-frequency currents and further complicated mandrel.

Besides:

• The strength of the shelling significantly increased;
• The backlash occurred in the previous series with a ball bearing mechanism;
• Improved stabilizer work;
• Accuracy of the shot became more stable with lateral and horizontal roll;
• The need to use a standard lubricant in large quantities disappeared (a bisulphite mixture replaced it).

It should be noted that the "Object-292" was also tested at the polygon of the Malyshev plant (Kharkov). All the indicated advantages were noted. If you compare the developed scheme with similar modifications of the USA and Germany, then the Soviet car showed the best result for rolling back and running.

Testing

Solve the main problems associated with the use of the new gun, allowed a variety of innovative ideas. Designers have provided for the use of a piston-type shutter instead of a wedge version. This made it possible to avoid dropping the main support during the shot. In addition, the design was equipped with an air purge system, which replaced the ejector. Machine builders from Mariupol still made the long-awaited tower, having designated on the pioneer model that they can execute any number of such samples - just order.

If we turn to the tests of the combat vehicle in question, it can be noted that the advanced T-80 tank (Project 292) showed quite good results. Among the positive points, experts noted the following:

• Aiming and stability were at the proper level, despite the large caliber of the gun;
• Ballistic characteristics exceeded almost one and a half times the same figure for the standard gun type 2A-46M-1 (125 mm);
• All nodes showed their reliability;
• Shock resistance and standards for acceleration and load are observed commensurably with the calculated parameters.

After testing, it became clear that the installation of the "Enhanced Cannon 292" is a reality that can be implemented. The design bureau continued to develop more actively, but not everything was so simple.

Prospects

After the installation of the reinforced gun it was possible to increase the might of the domestic tank by an order of magnitude, to prove in practice and in theory that there are prospects and possibilities for the realization of the planned project. Object 292 (caliber 152.4 mm) could become one of the most formidable tanks in the world.

As noted by leading experts, after successful tests, the customer did not show much interest in the serial production of the modifications in question. This is largely due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the holding of negotiations with Western countries on arms reductions and financial incapacity. In the future, the development of this armored vehicle was suspended, and subsequently completely frozen. Nevertheless, the search continues for optimal options that can combine the achievements of Soviet designers and the latest technologies.

Characteristics

Below are the main technical parameters of the model under consideration:

1. Chassis - modernized with the calculation of mounting a tower for a cannon caliber 152 millimeters.
2. The main base and chassis are the prototype of the T-80 tank.
3. Changed charger.
4. Type of armor - complex steel combined and anti-carcass variation
5. Width / height / ground clearance - 3.65 / 2.19 / 0.45 meters.
6. Power of the power unit - 1250 horsepower.
7. Suspension - individual with torsion attachment.

The tank in question is a prototype, the crew is designed for three people, an experienced and the only fully-fledged model was released in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-one.

Armament

A smooth-bore gun with a caliber of 152.4 mm was installed on the sample in question. Its dimensions practically did not exceed the size of the standard tool, but it was an order of magnitude more efficient by ballistic parameters and power. The tower was adjusted for strength and stability according to the indicators of the combat system. In the future, the installation of machine guns and other equipment was planned. However, it did not happen before. A variant was designed with the possibility of mounting a new design on the chassis of the T-80 combat vehicle without alterations.

Interesting Facts

One of the leading designers, who participated in the design of the tank under consideration, cited several interesting facts concerning this machine. He noted that the work of the equipment was checked at the Rzhev landfill. The factors of shot power, accuracy and impact to the side of the crew were taken into account. All aspects were positively evaluated. Nevertheless: perestroika, mutually beneficial cooperation in an international format and the political situation have done their job. The project was frozen, and the strengthening of the army was still in doubt.

Despite the fact that in the arsenal of the ground forces of Russia, the BMPT format machines (combat support for tanks) are considered prevalent, the development of the military equipment in accordance with the time gives much more opportunities and potential in terms of increasing the attacking and defensive ability.

Modern History

Negative financial and controversial political moments played a cruel joke with one of the most promising developments in domestic tank building. In the fall of 2007, employees of OAO Spetsmash shipped the failed novelty to one of the Moscow Region suburbs. Object 292 in Kubinka serves as a museum exhibit. All interested persons can see it in the Military History Museum of armored vehicles and weapons.

I want to believe that the development of bright goals will not be wasted. Much has been improved, changed, and undergone modernization. Undoubtedly, there is something to draw from the projects of great Soviet designers, who at one time were always one step ahead of competitors.