2015 may see the latest in tank design from one of the nations that provided some of the most cutting-edge innovations to tankdom: the Russian T-99:
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| Artist Concept of the T-99 |
It was the former Soviet Union that first rolled onto the battlefield the slopped-armor concept of the T-34. This revolutionary design created thicker armor via physics and it was partly responsible for the Heinz Guderian-influenced German Panther. Guderian urged the German Command create an answer to the T-34, and so the larger Panther was birthed.
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| A German-captured T-34 is pulled from its hibernation after 50 years, near Johvi, Estonia |
2013 is the year scheduled for the first T-99 prototype. It is currently under development at Uralvagonzavod in Omsk (legendary producer of the T-34 and the cold war T-80 tanks). Over 2,000 are to be completed by the year 2020.
Unlike the vehicles before it, the T-99 is said to be lighter, more nimble and cheaper. It will bring into-play features of the prototype-only T-95. E.g.:
- Ammo separate from crew
- An "Armored Crew Capsule"
- General increased general crew safety
- More powerful engine
- Improved: armor, main gun and autoloader
Uralvagonzavod apparently owns rights to both the T-95 as well as the "Black Eagle" competitor. Perhaps both will influence the final design of the T-99
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| The "Black Eagle" Main Battle Tank |
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| T-95 MBT |
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| An artist-conception of the T-99 firing an improved 125mm cannon |
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| T-99 Schematic |
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