The T-14 is the main battle tank development of the Armata Universal Combat Platform and is the first fourth-generation MBT in service anywhere in the world. In contrast to the incremental evolution of previous Soviet/Russian MBTs, the T-14 is a radical new design with hardly anything in common with its predecessors. It's most notable innovation is an unmanned turret, the first in an MBT. The turret houses the 2A82-1M 125-mm smoothbore gun which is currently the most advanced tank gun in Russian service, and as is typical in Russian guns, it can also fire ATGMs which can also be used against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The crew is seated in an armored capsule at the front of the hull, who can also remotely control the secondary guns and which have 360 degree camera views. The T-14 features both soft and hard kill self-defense capability based on the Afghanit active protection system based on four AESA radar panels. It is also claimed to have a reduced radar cross section for greater survivability and is equipped with new Malachit explosive reactive armor (ERA). Compared to Western tanks, the T-14 is quite light and can be airlifted in an Il-76, or two in the larger An-124. Drawbacks, however, include a high profile as well as the potential loss of visiblility in the event that the crew cameras are disabled. Many of its systems are also untested in combat conditions. The T-14 is currently in low-scale production and is active in the Russian Army, though it is not clear how many will eventually will be built relative to its planned production run of 2,300 by 2025. Potential export partners include China, Egypt, and India. Although many of the T-14's advanced electronic and mechanical features remain unknown, it is currently seen as a major threat to NATO and likely to spur development of new Western tanks to counter it.
Western observers first got a glimpse of the T-14 (Obyekt 148) during the Moscow Victory Day Parade in 2015. Although no variants have yet been built besides the basic model, the Armata platform is also the basis for the T-15 IFV (described separately) as well as other armored vehicles currently under development.
Design | T-14 |
Name | Armata |
Type | Main Battle Tank |
Year | 2015 |
Crew | 3 |
Dimensions | |
Length (w/Gun) | 28 ft 7 in (35 ft 5½ in) |
Width | 11 ft 6 in |
Height | 10 ft 10 in |
Ground Clearance | 0 ft 0 in |
Track | 9 ft 2½ in |
Track on Ground | 0 ft 0½ in |
Weight | |
Combat | 105,822 lbs |
Ground Pressure | 0 psi |
Suspension | Active |
Performance | |
Speed (Off-Road) | 50 mph |
Range (Off-Road) | 311 mi |
Amphibious | No |
Fording | 4 ft 11 in |
Vertical Obstacle | 3 ft 7 in |
Trench | 9 ft 2 in |
Gradient | 60% |
Side Slope | 40% |
Powerplant | |
Engine | 1 x 1,500-hp ChTZ 12N360 |
Fuel | Diesel |
Power/Weight | 31.25 hp/t |
Armament | |
Main | 1 x 125-mm L/562A82M-1Smoothbore Gun↑ ? / ↓ ? / ↔ 360° |
Secondary | Coaxial:1 x 7.62-mmPKP PechenegAnti-Aircraft: 1 x 12.70-mmKord |
Ammo | 7.62-mm: 1,000 |
Armor | |
Type | Composite/ERA |
Thickness | 900 - 900 mm |
Max Effective | 900 - 900 mm RHAe |
Production | |
Built | 132 |
Total | 2,300 |