Scientific research and development
CHIORNY ORIOL: MBT OF THE 21TH CENTURY
The newest Russian main battle tank (MBT) named Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle) was shown for the first time at the second VTTV-Omsk-97 International Exhibition of Armaments, Military Equipment and Conversion Products ended early September in Omsk, Sibe-ria region, Russia.
The tank was demonstrated at a dis-tance of 500 meters from the spectators. During the demonstration, the tanks tur-ret, gun and armament system were carefully concealed.
Chief of the Main Armour Com-mand of the Russian MoD, colonel-gen-eral Sergei Mayev, and Deputy Director General of Rosvoorouzhenie company, Sergei Bukharov, who have inspected the tank on a closed proving ground of Omsk Transport Machinebuilding Plant (OTMP), refused to comment on its characteristics.
However, as well-informed special-ists in Moscow report, the Chiorny Oriol represents a mobility test-bed of a 21th century tank and is a result of radical upgrading of the T-80U MBT carried out under the direction of the Designer General Boris Kurakin. The selection of the T-80U as a base for development of the 5th generation MBT derives from the fact that it is rightfully considered as the best MBT in the world which suc-cessfully combines all the basic per-formance characteristics: speed, maneuverability, fire power and protec-tion system.
The Chiorny Oriol has the same overall dimensions as the T-80U does, nevertheless it has a lower silhouette which makes it less distinctive on the terrain. The experts believe that in terms of combination of the basic charac-teristics such as maneuverability, fire power, armour piercing capability and protection this MBT will surpass the Western MBTs such as M1A2 Abrams, Leclerk and Leopard-2 by a factor of 1.5-1.7.
According to Sergei Mayev, the 5th generation tank will be in service with Russian army at the beginning of the next century. However, some sources in Moscow are inclined to believe that the new tank might be fielded by mid-1999 if suffi
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