Object 279 Soviet Heavy Tank. This project only ever known as Object 279 was started in 1956, by 1959 a complete prototype had been built and was started on the testing phases. The machine had amazing cross country ability compared to other tanks of the period using a hydro pneumatic gearbox. The ground pressure of this vehicle did not exceed 0.6 kg/cm2 and so it was ideal for boggy marshy areas and swampy terrain. Fitted out with a 2DG8M engine, the 1000hp allowed it to travel at 50 km/h and was fitted with crew heating and basic air conditioning. It had 260mm armour and this was curved to deflect shaped charges and allow the tank to be able to withstand nuclear explosion shockwaves. The small turret had 330 mm armour and was heavily protected in operating areas such as the traversing ring. The entire tank could be locked down in case of Chem, Bio and Nuclear attack. It was fitted with a 130 mm main gun and a coaxial machine gun both with fire controls. Even though the tank worked well in basic tests in full field tests it proved to be slow and unwieldy easily getting out paced and maneuvered by older slower machines, by the late 60s the project was basically abandoned.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:53:14 +0000
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