"Object 775" - experimental Soviet rocket tank: characteristics, armament

Even in the pre-war years, the designers of many countries repeatedly attempted to create a missile tank, which would use guided missiles as the main weapon. The closest thing to this goal came German engineers who at the end of World War II were the first in the world to create anti-tank guided missiles, but they did not have time to establish their mass production. The first to guess was installing ATGM as the main weapon for French tanks. This was implemented at the AMX-13 in 1959-1960. A little later, the same idea was picked up by Soviet engineers, who in 1964 presented a prototype of a fundamentally new tank, "Object 775". A small and maneuverable combat vehicle with powerful missile weapons was to become a thunderstorm of any enemy equipment.

Returning to the origins

It should be noted that Soviet engineers had experience in the construction of missile tanks by the second half of the 20th century, because it was in the USSR in the early 1930s that the first model of this class of military equipment RBT-5 was developed in the world (to this day it has not survived, Progenitor - BT-5 - can be seen by visiting the tank museum in Kubinka). It was equipped with two unguided rockets, had a low survivability, a short range of damage and was recognized as ineffective, because of which its development was soon discontinued. For more than 30 years, Soviet scientists have accumulated considerable experience in the development of tank technology. In addition, the dream of guided anti-tank missiles was translated into reality, and ATGMs were now actively used not only by European countries, but also by the United States. All this served as an impetus to the start of work on the development of a Soviet missile tank.

Work began in 1962 in the design office on the basis of the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The head of the project was appointed Isakov Pavel Pavlovich, who by this time excelled in the creation of a fundamentally new class of military equipment - BMP. Having vast experience behind him, he was the first to suggest not just equipping the ATGM technique, but to create a new tank.

Tank with a precious stone

Engineers KB ChTZ managed to do almost impossible - in the shortest possible time (less than two years) they managed to create a new, fully operational missile tank. This can be explained by the fact that the development was carried out simultaneously in two directions - separately developed versions of the anti-aircraft missile system and the design of the new tank. The team of engineers led by Isakov was to create a new chassis for the tank "Object 775", as well as a layout scheme. It can be said that all works were completed by March 1, 1964.

The development of the SAM began on March 30, 1963. The work was carried out to create simultaneously two complexes - Astra and Rubin, the best of which was to be used as the main weapon. By decision of the Scientific and Technical Council on March 1, 1964, the best option was recognized as the "Rubin" SAM.

SAM "Rubin"

The development of the SAM was carried out by a team of designers in the Kolomna Design Bureau of Machine Building under the leadership of Boris Shavyrin. The complex included a radio command guidance system and 125 mm guided missiles of 150 cm length. Consider why it was decided to install on the "Object 775" weapons of this type.

To defeat the target, it was enough to point an infrared ray at her. Released shell in the blink of an eye gained speed of 550 m / s and easily punched vertically placed sheets of armor 500 mm thick at a distance of 4 km. This, combined with a high rate of fire (5-6 rds / min), allowed the SAM to easily destroy any target. However, this complex had a significant drawback - in the event of a barrier, even a smoke screen, the projectile "blind" was knocked off the target and went to self-destruction. Subsequently, this fact did not allow the experimental Soviet missile tank to be taken into service.

Armed to the teeth

To defeat targets, the missile tank could use not only the "Rubin" rockets, but also the "Typhoon", which were somewhat weaker and were capable of penetrating only 250 mm of armor at the same distance. In addition, unguided high-explosive fragmentation rockets "Boer" with a maximum range of 9 km were used.

To launch projectiles of various types in OKB-9, the D-126 cannon was designed specifically for the Object 775, with a 125-mm caliber. It had a semi-automatic charging mechanism, stabilizer 2E16, stabilizing it in two planes, and was controlled by the commander-operator. In total, the ammunition included 72 projectiles - 24 ATGMs of the Typhoon type and 48 Nurses of the "Bur" type.

In addition, the tank was equipped with a 7.62-mm TGMT tank machine gun, which could be used to engage manpower and lightly armored vehicles.

Lively and imperceptible

If the "Object 775" entered mass production, it could be called an inconspicuous tank destroyer. And all thanks to its layout scheme and a special system for accommodating the crew - the driver-mechanic and commander.

They were in a special polyethylene capsule, located in the tower, which could rotate with it. And the place of the driver-mechanic had a special design, which allowed him to always look ahead at any position of the tower. By implementing such constructive solutions it was possible to significantly reduce the height of the tank - now for protection it could use even minor folds of the terrain. The machine was also equipped with a self-digging mechanism, as well as plastic rebounds, which reduced the effect of penetrating radiation on the crew in the event of a nuclear explosion. All this significantly increased the survivability of the tank.

Heart of the tank

On the "Object 775" was installed a 5-cylinder diesel engine 5TDF with a capacity of 700 liters. With., Which was previously used on the T-64. To meet the new standards, the engine was subjected to minor improvements. Without changes, it was decided to use liquid cooling, a transmission with two 7-speed transmissions. Isakov decided to abandon the torsion suspension system in favor of hydropneumatic suspension. This decision allowed the tank to change its clearance right during the movement. Support rollers with an internal damping system, as well as caterpillars with rubber-metal hinges, were also borrowed from the T-64.

The further destiny

Despite the high maneuverability, survivability, invisibility and high firepower, proved during the field tests, the tank was not accepted for armament. Until now, only one sample has survived, which can be seen by visiting the tank museum in Kubinka. Causes that did not allow the launch of mass production of cars, a lot:

1. Low reliability of the guidance system.
2. Bad visibility by the crew of the battlefield, which was due to the low silhouette of the car.
3. A complex device that required large resources for production.

"Object 775" gave rise to a new branch of military equipment - tank destroyers. Later, on its base, the "Object 780" was developed, as well as the development of the "Object 287", but these representatives were not accepted for service. Success was expected only by IT-1, which took all the best from its ancestors and became a "clean" missile tank.