New Sovietskiy T-72UM4 Main Battle Tank:
The T-72 tank was produced in huge numbers before the end of the Cold War and was exported all over the world. Countries which used the tank included Russia, Czech Republic, India, Poland, South Africa, Yugoslavia, and Cuba to name just a few of the countries which used this tank. Approximately 30,000 of this tank were produced before production ceased. When the Soviet Union reformed in the third decade of the Twenty-First Century, it was decided that they would be sold to help finance the rebuilding of their military. At the same time, the Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, and Poland continued replacing their own T-72 tanks with new tank designs. They also sold off many of their surviving T-72 tanks.
It was not long before the revolution in new alloys and composites swept the world. This was accompanied by new and much more dangerous ammunition types. Suddenly, the tank forces of the world were virtually ineffective. Many Nations which purchased these tanks, in large numbers or small, began clamoring for an upgrade to their tank forces. The Soviet Military did embark on a huge upgrade of the t-80, T-90, and other tank and combat vehicle chassis lines. At the same time, they offered an upgrade to the T-72. The Czech Republic, Poland, Yugoslavia and several other countries also began offering upgrades to the T-72 which were extremely similar. As well, Poland and Yugoslavia began producing a new version of their own tanks using the new alloys and composites. These designs were also based on the T-72 tank.
As the century progressed, It is surprising just how many T-72 tanks remained in service or in reserves of their respective nations. While most of the larger and more powerful to replace their old tanks with new designs built from modern materials from the beginning, many third world nations simply did not have the finances for a new tank force. They simply kept their rebuilt T-72 tanks even though by this time many were simply falling apart. Often, tanks would be used to provide repair parts for other tanks in order to keep them in service. When the storms shattered the earth with the coming of the Rifts, many were destroyed but quite a number survived as well.
Some of the surviving rebuilt T-72 Tanks wound up in the hands of the fledgling nations which took over the Earth. Others wound up in the hands of mercenaries and adventures. In these hands, many of these old tanks continue to fight on even though many are in extremely decrepit condition. Many have been destroyed and slowly the number of surviving rebuilt T-72 tanks dwindle. It is believed that not too many more years will elapse, maybe another decade or so, until the last of the T-72 tanks are gone. Still, some of the tanks derived from the T-72 will be around for much longer having been constructed from the start from high strength composites and alloys. The tank is actually still produced in Poland even after the coming of the Rifts. There is rumor that a North American Company is looking into copying as a low cost alternative to the various tanks which are offered there.
The main changes in the design is the addition of stronger composite and alloys to allow the tank to survive in the new hostile battle field that the design found itself in. Like most upgraded designs, the T-72 is not nearly as strong as new tank designs. As such, any battle it finds itself in with modern tanks resulted in heavy casualties for the upgraded T-72 tanks. Some items were completely replaced including the treads of the tank. In many ways, the armor upgrades are similar to what is done for the T-90UM1 tank which the Soviet state did retain for much of the Twenty-First Century even though considered by most military leaders to be of limited value.
Unlike the T-90UM1 which is based off of the T-72 design, the T-72UM4 retains the original V-84 diesel engine. The T-72 is more fuel efficient as a result and has slightly greater range than the T-90UM1 with a range of five hundred kilometers with addition fuel carried in an external drum and nine hundred kilometers with an external drum. Maximum speed is around 60 kilometers per hour when on roads and around 45 kilometers per hour off roads. While the tracks were replaced by stronger materials, the transmission was not upgraded. As such, the speed was not improved compared to older models. The tank can ford relatively shallow water of up to 1.2 meters without preparation and up to 5 meters when using a snorkel.
Most upgrades of the T-72 do not include the addition of a radar system although other upgrades are included in the design. This includes thermal imaging systems, laser targeting, and optical systems. Most of these systems are identical to those carried on the upgraded T-80 and T-90 tanks. A missile jamming and decoy system is also added to the tank for additional protection. The crew of the tank remains at three with the compartment fitted with protection against chemical, biological, and radiological warfare. Most modern tanks have fully environmental crew compartments but environmental body armors allow most crews to be in comparative comfort in a wide variety of environments. The compartment is quite cramped though and wearing armor makes it more so.
The Main 125 mm smoothbore 2A46M/ D-81TM is retained with a carousel type auto loader which is what allows crew to be reduced from four to three. The tank carries a total of forty-five rounds with six of them short range missile types. Twenty-two rounds and ready to fire and twenty-three more rounds are carried in a stowed position. A variety of different rounds can be carried in addition to missile types. Plasma type warheads are not often available as an export item. Coaxial to the main gun is a 7.62 mm machine gun. Originally this weapon was meant for use against lighter armored targets. On some versions, this is replaced by a 5 mm light rail gun because of the inadequate damage of the original weapon even with new ammunition types. On top of the turret, in the commander's position, there is a mount for a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. While this was considered more effective than the lighter coaxial mount, it is still only marginally effective. Because of this, the weapon is replaced by a heavy grenade launcher in some models and later by a 10 mm heavy rail gun. While the grenade launcher is not effective against aircraft, it is extremely effective against infantry and even lightly armored vehicles. As such, many crew prefer the weapon. Many crews have also replaced the secondary weapon systems witha variety of different weapon systems and added missile launchers in some cases.
Model Type: T-72UM4
Vehicle Type: Main Battle Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
M.D.C. by Location:
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 50 each | |
| Weapons Turret: | 140 | |
| 125 mm Smooth-Bore Gun: | 75 | |
| [2] 12.7 mm Turret Mounted Heavy Machine Gun (Early Models): | 20 | |
| [2] Automatic Grenade Launcher (Replaces Heavy Machine-gun): | 40 | |
| [2] 10 mm Heavy Railgun (Replaces Heavy Machine-gun): | 50 | |
| [2] 7.62 Machine Guns (Early Model): | 10 | |
| [2] 5 mm Co-axial Railgun (Replaces Medium Machine-gun): | 25 | |
| Multi-Option Jammers (2): | 25 each | |
| [3] Main Body: | 260 |
Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until
it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained
crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the
inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is
not under attack.
[2] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the
attacker to make a "called shot," but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is
completely shut down and is unsalvageable.
Speed:
Ground: 37.3 mph (60 kph) maximum road speed; 28.0 mph (45 kph)
maximum off-road speed. The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all
terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed
(About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb barriers and ford
trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of up to 30%.
Underwater: Can be equipped with snorkel to run underwater down
to 16.4 feet (5.0 meters)
Maximum Range: 310.7 miles (500 km) plus up to 248.5 miles (400
km) more with a large strap-on rear fuel tank that is ejected before going
into battle.
Statistical Data:
Height: 7.28 feet (2.22 meter) to top of commander's cupola.
Width: 11.78 feet (3.59 meters)
Length: 31.26 (9.53 meter) with gun forward; 22.80 feet (6.95
meters) for just the hull/main body of the tank.
Weight: 45.7 tons (41.5 metric tons)
Power Source: V-84 V-12 Piston air-cooled multi-fuel diesel
engine (generating 840 hp at 2,000 rpm.)
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew
Black Market Cost: 1.5 million credits was the production price
originally; Remaining tanks sell for double that. If fitted, any extra
weapons systems will add to the cost of the tank; T-72 tanks are often
found very heavily modified, though they are quite common. Tank crews often
personalize them with their pay in the armies of the assorted mercenaries
to be considerably different from these Soviet-Era specifications.
Weapon Systems:
Sensors:
[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks
owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2009, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
