Experienced heavy tank "Object 277". "Object 277": description, specifications and interesting facts

During the Cold War, Soviet scientists and engineers solved complex, and sometimes unimaginable, tasks. One of the priority directions of development of that time was the creation and improvement of military equipment. The achievements of the "Soviet years" still amaze our imagination with our power, strength and article.

But not all developments have been implemented and implemented in mass production. A sad fate befell the Soviet experienced heavy tank "Object 277". Only two models of this series were produced, and to this day only one has survived. But even on the drawings this "iron giant" makes you tremble.

Historical reference

The development of a new generation of heavy tanks began in 1955 in the Leningrad design bureau of the Kirov plant. The project was headed by the chief engineer Kotin, Joseph Yakovlevich. According to some reports, all works were conducted on a competitive basis, although publicly it was not advertised anywhere.

On the designer's account, there were already a lot of military developments. These are self-propelled artillery units based on KV-1 and ISU-152 tanks , ISU-122, SU-152, as well as the notorious heavy IS-4, PT-76 floating tank and BTR50-P armored personnel carrier. But its main achievement was the T-10, which was replaced by a new "277 Object".

From the very beginning, two types of equipment were developed - with a diesel engine and a gas turbine power plant ("Object 278"). Both prototypes were launched from the assembly line in 1957.

Within a few months they passed field tests and appeared before the first secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Khrushchev. But he did not appreciate the new models of heavy tanks, as he was an ardent opponent of traditional fire systems. This was the reason for the termination of all developments by the 1960s.

New tank - new requirements

The complex situation in the world political arena, the toughened "cold war" required the engineers to create fundamentally new types of military equipment and weapons. "Object 277" - a new generation tank was to meet the special requirements put forward by the government:

1. The total mass is within 55-52 tons.
2. The basis of the weapons was to be a 130-gauge rifled cannon.
3. The initial speed of the projectile's flight is not less than 1000 m / s.
4. Engine power - 1000 horsepower.

The basis of the new machine was the heavy tanks T-10 and IS-7, which already had a good time. Perhaps, it was this fact that caused the new copy not to satisfy Khrushchev - the country needed a fundamentally new "defender".

general description

The basis for the construction of a heavy tank was the units and assemblies from the IS-7 and T-10. The new machine had a classic layout - the engine and the two leading ones were located at the rear. The front part of the hull was completely cast, but the sides were made of bent steel plates.

Its tower "277 Object" almost completely adopted from the basic models. It expanded in front of its part, where an optical sight-range finder was installed. In the extended aft part there was a combat post with a mechanized loading system. The composition of the ammunition included only 35 shells.

The prototype "Object 278" with a gas turbine power plant did not differ from its diesel colleague. But to see it with our own eyes and understand, whether it really was, we are not destined - the model was not even completed.

Tactical and technical characteristics

"Object 277" favorably differed from contemporaries by the availability of tested and time-tested units and assemblies. If it were not for the whim of the first secretary, a heavy tank would become one of the most reliable and powerful representatives of military equipment. At that time, his characteristics were quite impressive:

• Combat weight - 55 tons;
• Dimensions (L x W x H) - 6990 x 3380 x 2292 mm;
• Length of the tank with a gun - 11 m 78 cm;
• Ground clearance - 435 mm;
• Engine - M-850;
• Maximum speed on the highway - no more than 55 km / h;
• Power reserve (driving without refueling) - 300 km;
• Armament - rifled 130-mm gun M-65.

The car was to be driven by a crew of four. Presumably, the commander, the driver-mechanic, the gunner and the loader were to enter the tank platoon.

Reservation

The armor of a heavy tank was in accordance with the requirements of that time. She could easily withstand a shot at the focus of the D-25T - 122 mm gun. The defense and the cumulative missiles with a caliber of 76-122 mm, as well as the rocket-propelled grenades at that time, were not punched. "277 Object" had such impressive resistance to tank and howitzer guns thanks to the design of its hull. It was welded with a one-piece frontal part. On the sides were installed bent metal sheets of alternate profile. Reservation of the front part of the hull was 140 mm / degree, and the sides - 153 mm / deg. The one-piece tower in its frontal part had armor of 290 mm / deg.

Armament

The basis of the armament of the tank was a 125-mm rifled cannon M-65 with an equally sad fate than that of the "Object 277". Its development began in 1955 (simultaneously with a heavy tank) under the leadership of M. Yu. Tsirulnikov in the design bureau of the plant number 172 - now the public company Motovilikhinskiye Zavody.

In June 1956, the first tests of new weapons were carried out. The design of the M-65 included three main elements:

• The barrel is 7330 mm long and provides the projectile with an initial speed within 1030 m / s;
• Ejector, performing the function of blowing the barrel bore in order to avoid unnecessary gas contamination of the fighting compartment;
• Muzzle brake-compensator - reduced the return due to the kinetic energy of the powder gases.

To facilitate the loading process, a mechanized combat package with an electromechanical docking device was installed in the experimental heavy object "Object 277" (USSR). Two guiding cylinders responded to the aiming of the gun on the target. The left element played the role of hydrostopper, and the right one - the stabilizer in the vertical plane.

The development of the gun was discontinued in 1961 after the closure of the project "277 Object". A total of 10 copies of such guns were produced, and one modification was made. The recycled gun M-65 GL did not have significant differences and was withdrawn from production in the same year.

Engine, transmission and chassis

As a power plant in a heavy tank, it was planned to use one of two types of engines - an upgraded diesel engine V-2 or a marine engine M-850. Designer Kotin decided to stay on the second option as the most powerful and reliable. It was manufactured at the Voroshilovsky plant in Leningrad and had an impressive capacity for those times - more than 1000 horsepower.

In the experienced heavy tanks - "Objects 277" - the motor was placed parallel to the longitudinal axis. On both sides it was surrounded by ejectors of the cooling system, and under it there were tanks with oil and diesel fuel. Behind the engine was placed transmission, represented by a planetary mechanical gearbox with 8 steps. It also had a built-in hydraulic steering mechanism.

On the "Object 277" was used caterpillar propulsion with a metal closed hinge. On the sides there were 4 supporting and 8 supporting skating rinks. Torsion suspension on the symmetrically located nodes had hydraulic shock absorbers. All this gave the car a smooth running and high traffic.

Interior fittings

For the first time in the history of the creation of heavy tanks in the "Object 277" was installed a system of anti-atomic protection. What exactly she was, is not known for certain. In addition, the combat compartment was equipped with thermo-smoke devices, mechanisms for cleaning observation instruments, as well as equipment for controlling the tank under water.

As the main means of communication, the R-113 "Granat" radio station, designed for special orders (specially for tanks), was launched and released in 1953. It provided an uninterrupted two-way communication with walkie-talkies of the same type, or in the same frequency range.

Realization in the modern world

An experienced heavy tank was realized in the rather popular online computer game "Ground Var: Tank". "Object 277" immediately liked gamers and earned popularity for good reservation of the frontal part of the hull and the tower. Players also note high maneuverability and speed, which is usually not expected from this class of military equipment.

In another popular multiplayer game World of Tanks "Object" was not given space in the hangar. Apparently, the developers decided to concentrate their efforts on the implementation of more "non-template" heavy tanks and replaced it with "About.777 II" during the super test. However, the hope that in the future fans will be able to see "Object 277" in action, still remains.

Those who want to learn and enjoy playing the most accurate game copy, it is worth waiting for the corresponding changes in the World of Tanks. The heavy tank "Object 277" in Ground War Tanks, although close to the existing prototypes, can not please true connoisseurs of military equipment.