Couple AFV questions....

[GothicSnake]

I'm doing a little research for a project I might do and have some questions.

First off, the T-80 versus the T-90. Which is better? I've read the T-90 is the most advanced tank in the Russian arsenal but apparently it's a highly upgraded T-72. Now, as I understand it, during the cold war the T-72 was actually a pretty mediocre tank, made because it was cheap and intended to be used in massive assaults of overwhelming numbers rather than go toe to toe with NATO tanks. The T-80 would fill that role. So is the upgraded version now the best of the Russian Army or is the T-80 still their 'supertank'?

Next, how effective is ERA? I've been told everything from it's useless to it can make the tank nearly invulnerable to ATGM's. What's the real deal?

[TR1]

I'm doing a little research for a project I might do and have some questions.

First off, the T-80 versus the T-90. Which is better? I've read the T-90 is the most advanced tank in the Russian arsenal but apparently it's a highly upgraded T-72. Now, as I understand it, during the cold war the T-72 was actually a pretty mediocre tank, made because it was cheap and intended to be used in massive assaults of overwhelming numbers rather than go toe to toe with NATO tanks. The T-80 would fill that role. So is the upgraded version now the best of the Russian Army or is the T-80 still their 'supertank'?

Next, how effective is ERA? I've been told everything from it's useless to it can make the tank nearly invulnerable to ATGM's. What's the real deal?

The T-80 is excellent in its latest incarnations. however, i would take a T-90 over it. tests were carried out by the Russian army, when every, modern and not, Russian anti-tank munitions, such as RPGs, were tested aganst ERA and not ERA equipped T-90's and T-80's. The T-90 won in the testing, and was selected for continued production.

[GazB]

First off, the T-80 versus the T-90. Which is better? I've read the T-90 is the most advanced tank in the Russian arsenal but apparently it's a highly upgraded T-72.

The Soviets decided on creating and producing two tank types for themselves. One was the sophisticated capable tank that was expensive to make. Many Soviet units didn't need such sophistication but they had a huge tank park they needed to produce numbers to improve the average age of their tanks so they also produced a cheaper design that could be mass produced.


Now, as I understand it, during the cold war the T-72 was actually a pretty mediocre tank, made because it was cheap and intended to be used in massive assaults of overwhelming numbers rather than go toe to toe with NATO tanks.

No, It was made to upgrade the tank fleet affordably. The T-72 had a better gun and similar armour to its contemporary NATO tanks. It was a small target and was fast and reasonably well armoured compared to NATO vehicles. It had full nuclear, biological and chemical weapon protection system and the early telescopic rangefinder was replaced with a laser rangefinder in most models.

The T-64 and then T-80 were the sophisticated expensive tanks with special armour inserts to improve protection.


The T-80 would fill that role. So is the upgraded version now the best of the Russian Army or is the T-80 still their 'supertank'?

After the cold war ended the factory that made the T-72 basically started to add the technology created for the T-80 into its T-72 design. This made the T-90 similar to the T-80 in performance and it had all the gadgets and special armour the T-80 had. During tests with Russian anti tank missiles the T-90 seems to have the heaviest armour of the two.


Next, how effective is ERA? I've been told everything from it's useless to it can make the tank nearly invulnerable to ATGM's. What's the real deal?

Depends upon the generation of ERA. The first two generations do work as advertised against HEAT warheads (when fitted with their explosive charges). Third generation ERA is also effective against APDS rounds.
Of course they are not replacements for armour... you couldn't fit ERA to a HUMVEE and think you are safe from all HEAT warheads. ERA basically reduces the effective penetration of anti armour weapons. With 3rd gen ERA the T-90 is rated as safe from the current DU round fired by M1A2s in the frontal arc.

[Jippo]

Long discussions about the subject can be found in here:

http://63.99.108.76/forums/index.php?showforum=18


-jippo

[USMC Tanker]

GazB is right on the money...

[GothicSnake]

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.