T-90
vehicles2/T-90.png

Designation: T-90
Type: main battle tank
Country of origin: Russia
Production date: 1992
Weight (t): 46.5
Crew: 3
Dimensions:
 Length (m): 9.530
 Width (m): 3.780
 Height (m): 2.220
 Clearance (m): 0.470
Armor: steel, composite, reactive
Armament:
 1 х 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun
 1 х 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun
 1 х 12.7 mm NSVT air defense heavy machine gun
 1 х 9K119M “Reflex-M” ATGM
Engagement rage (m):
 Main gun: 100-5000
Initial round velocity (m/sec):
APFSDS: 1500
Rate of fire (rounds/min):
Main gun: up to 8
Ammunition capacity:
 Main gun rounds: 42
 coaxial machine gun rounds: 2000
 heavy machine gun rounds: 300
 ATGM: 4
Turret traverse angles:
    azimuth: 360°
    elevation: unknown
    ATGM elevation: unknown
Engine: V-92S2 diesel 
Horsepower: 1000
Maximum travel speed (km/h):
 paved surface: 60
 off road: 55
 water: unknown
Range (km): 550
Obstacle clearance capability:
 maximum incline (deg.): 30
 maximum bank (deg): 25
 vertical obstacle height, m: 0.85
 trench width (m): 2.6
 fording depth (m): 1.2 (with OPVT-5 snorkel)

The T-90 is a further evolution of the T-72 MBT, created in 1989 by the UKBTM design bureau as the T-72BU (“object 188”). The tank underwent and successfully completed state trials the same year. The tank was designed in parallel with the more technologically advanced “object 187”, but as a consequence of the worsening economic situation, the relatively simpler T-72BU was selected for production and e-named as the T-90.
Limited serial production was launched in 1992. Initially the tank was equipped with a cast turret similar to the turret of the T-72B, but this was later changed to a welded turret design.
The fire control system of the T-90 was largely borrowed from the T-80U with some modifications. The “Shtora-1” electro-optical IR jamming system is a standard feature of the tank’s defense systems, used to jam incoming SACLOS type laser-guided anti-tank missiles.
The T-90’s level of protection is a significant improvement over its T-72B predecessor. At the time of service entry, it was capable of withstanding nearly every NATO anti-armor round. Today however, this level of protection is no longer current and cannot defend against the latest NATO anti-armor projectiles such as the M-829A2/M829A3.
