M-84AS
| M-84AS | |
|---|---|
 Serbian M-84AS |
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| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  Serbia |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2004 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 45 tonnes |
| Length | 9.53 m |
| Width | 3.73 m |
| Height | 2.23 m |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
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| Armor | cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium, aluminium, tungsten, NERA plus modular Kontakt-5 |
| Main armament |
125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun and a 9M119 Svir |
| Secondary armament |
7.62 mm M86 coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine | diesel V-46TK 1,200 hp |
| Power/weight | 26.7 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Operational range |
700 km |
| Speed | 75 km/h |
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The M-84AS is a modernized version of the M-84 main battle tank produced by Yugoimport SDPR in Serbia. M-84AS is sometimes referred to as M-84AB1 and M-2001.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The modernization gives an improved fire-control system with integrated day/night sight.[1] The M84A1 gun is replaced with a similar but improved gun which, along with better control characteristics, enables easy and fast field replacement of the barrel. The M-84AS tank is able to fire anti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance through the barrel, which enables accurate engagement of enemy tanks up to 5 km.[2][3]
The M-84AS is equipped with non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) which offers protection against modern tandem charge warheads on missiles.[4] It is also equipped with the modern Shtora electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles.[5] The new turret will provide protection against Kinetic Energy (RHAe) anti-tank guided missiles. Its new 9M119 Refleks is a laser beam riding guided anti-tank missile designed to penetrate 950 mm of RHA.
[edit] Production history
A commission is currently being drawn up to bring all 212 M-84 tanks currently in service to M-84AS standard. The project is expected to cost millions and span till the end of 2010.[citation needed] Kuwait has considered Serbia to be a frontrunner candidate for modernizing their M-84 tanks. In addition, there were an undisclosed amount of Arab countries that are interested in acquiring the tank.
[edit] Effectiveness
Apart from external differences to the M-84, it also has different internal structure and equipment, far surpassing the M-84AB in both capability and durability. Developed originally from the M-84, the M-84AS is more than just a quick tweak to bring it up to standard. Many improvements were adopted from what can be argued[by whom?] to be its sister tank, the T-90. With slight differences in armour and maneuverability; the T-90 is better armoured while the M-84AS is faster and more maneuverable. Considering the speed perspective, the M-84AS moves at 75 km/h on road while the T-90 moves at 60 km/h on road with off road speeds varying according to terrain. The armor on the T-90 is somewhat superior with thicker composites, NBC protection as well as having the option of Active Protection System and KMT mine sweeping systems.[6][7] Aside from the propulsion and armor, the targeting system is equivalent.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "www.yugoimport.com • Pogledaj temu - Multisenzorska platforma TOMS". Yugoimport.com. http://www.yugoimport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=156&t=6955. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Tenk M-84AB1" (in Serbian). Oklop.net23.net. http://www.oklop.net23.net/m84ab1/m2001.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-07.[self-published source?]
- ^ "Refleks / 9K119, 9M119, AT-11 Sniper, Svir". Deagel.com. 2010-01-10. http://www.deagel.com/Anti-Armor-Weapons-and-Missiles/Refleks_a001002001.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Simple arguments for crack influence on scaling of interface defeat" (PDF). http://www.mater.upm.es/isb2007/Proceedings/PDF/Volume_2/Vol.II(64)TB60.pdf. Retrieved 2010-02-07.[dead link]
- ^ "Shtora-1 Active Protection System". Defense-update.com. http://defense-update.com/products/s/shtora-1.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ Тank Т-90С
- ^ T-80U and T-90 Trials 20.10.99
