Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1497523
T-72B 01 T-72 AW Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ForMotherSyria Photo: https://www.facebook.com/14ombr/posts/ pfbid0g7Qh1dHjFQJXQfQ9v8Qi4DQfRsHU58d- Cyz54XRMGVZTwvK8SbcSyaK3bSFT2Mhtel T-72A/AV, T-72B/B1, and T-72AMT/UA1/UA4 remained in active service. Ukraine also received more than 200 T-72M, T-72M1, and T-72M1R MBTs from Poland and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reportedly captured more than 100 various T-72S, including T-72B Model 1985, T-72B Model 1989, T-72BA, T-72B3 Model 2011, and T-72B3 Mo- del 2016. When it comes to the T-80s, Ukraine operated more than 100 T-80 MBTs in va- rious variants (primarily T-80BV). The said vehicles underwent overhauls and were reintroduced into service. Some of them underwent a limited upgrade, similar to the one introduced on the T-64BV Model 2017. Ukraine also owned unspecified numbers of T-80U and T-80UDs, but these, for some reason, did not undergo repairs and reintroduction into service. Some sources suggested that the T-84U upgrade was being planned for the T-80UD. 10 examples of these tanks were procured by Ukraine. In the early 21st Century four were modified and sold to the US for research purposes. The remaining 6 stayed in the reserve stockpile. Furthermore, before the fi- ghting broke out in 2022, Ukraine managed to manufacture three T-84BM Oplot MBTs. One was sold to the US. The fate of the two remaining ones is unknown now. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also have some functional prototypes, such as the BM Yatagan, T-72-120, BMT-72, and so on, at their disposal. When it comes to the T-72 family, T-72B Model 1985/Model 1989, and T-72B3 are among the most popular variants operated by the Armed Forces of Ukra- ine, and by Russia. These platforms feature no "real" fire control system, just a solution referred to as the 1A40 targeting system, consisting of the main, daytime TPD-K1 sight/laser rangefinder. That device was also being installed on the legacy USSR T-72As, starting from 1982. Coming back to 1A40, it features the so-called UVBU subsystem consisting of an extra, small ocular, next to the TPD-K1 main ocular. That ocular displays the number defining the target movement adjustment for the gunner. The 1A40 system as such has no target movement adjustment functionality. UVBU can calculate inclination adjustment for the angle at which the MBT is. Only in a stationary setting though. If the tank has been fitted with a weather sensor, the UVBU can take into account the wind direction and its speed. When it comes to the night sight, the T-72B has been fitted with the 1K13-49 night sight that also remains part of the guidance system for the 9K120 Svir ATGM solution, using the 9M119 Invar missiles. Contrary to the 9K119 Re- fleks system used in T-80U/UD, T-90, and T-90A, allowing the crew to launch the 9M119 missiles at a distance of up to 5,000 meters, the 9K120 allows the crew to attack targets at a distance of up to 4,000 meters, while 100 meters is the minimum engagement distance. 1K13-49 sight has a daytime optical tract with 8x zoom, and a laser emitter, for guiding the ATGMs, it can also be used as a spare daytime sight. The night channel offers two operating modes: passive one, offering visibility at 500-800 meters, depending on weather conditions, or one enhanced by the L-4A infra-red reflector, with a range extended to 1,200 meters, and 5.5x zoom. The T-72B3 received an enhanced 1A40-4 targeting system. The TPD-K1 si- ght for daytime engagements is identical, but the 1K13-49 night sight was replaced by a new, multi-channel Sosna-U system, with 4x-12x daytime sight, and 3x, 6x, and 12x zoom settings for the thermal imaging channel. The thermal imager comes in a form of the French Catherine-FC system, operated within the 8-12 µm wavelength. Interestingly, the thermal imagery is displayed only on small, less than user-friendly displays accessible to the commander, and the gunner. www.fragoutmag.com