Captured Russian-origin T-90А tank spotted in the US for research
WASHINGTON, US — A Russian T-90A tank captured by the Ukrainians in 2022 was spotted on a trailer in Louisiana, USA. It is believed that the tank has either undergone or will undergo research. A photo of a tank being carried by trailer appeared on the web, published on April 13, 2023.
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The appearance of the T-90 tank in the inventory of the Russian army was expected. Back in September 2022, BulgarianMilitary.com reported on a captured Russian T-90 series tank. However, this tank was the latest modernization of the platform – T-90M Proryv. At the time, we assumed it would be probed by Ukraine’s Western allies and NATO to find its weak points.
A report of a second captured T-90 surfaced late last year. In December, BulgarianMilitary.com reported on this capture, and the tank was again a T-90M Proryv. Strangely, reports of the capture of the base version T-90A were absent against the background of more frequent reports of the capture of the latest version T-90M. Most likely, however, the Ukrainians captured the T-90A as soon as it was in Louisiana.
It should be noted that in late February, a Russian T-90 tank was spotted being transported by a truck and trailer in Oshkosh. This video may be somehow related to the photos shared earlier today. However, this is speculation, and since BulgarianMilitary.com has no evidence for this, it makes a simple assumption.
However, a strong impression is made by the absence of the traditional Russian markings on the tank since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. I.e. “O” and “Z” – the traditional symbols are missing.
The photo caused a lot of controversy. Some comments were that this is not a T-90 tank, but a T-72. However, the T-90A tank differs from the T-72 in one essential and highly noticeable element – on the left and right of the T-90A tower there is an integrated Shtora-1 an electro-optical active protection system. (They are marked in the photo). The T-72 does not have these two side openings on its turret. It should also be noted that the T-90A is significantly different from the T-90M.
T-90M Proryv vs. T-90
According to the designers from Uralvagonzavod, the new T-90M Proryv tank has received a more powerful engine. The standard configuration of the T-90 is powered by a 12-cylinder V-92S2 that provides 1,000 horsepower, while the new version of the tank gets 130 horsepower more power due to the 12-cylinder new V-92S2F engine.
The basic armament has not really changed. Both tank modifications use a 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, but the T-90M is a 2A46M-5 model. 2A46M-5 provides the use of new high-power ammunition, as well as a guided missile that allows you to destroy enemy tanks at a distance of up to five kilometers. The secondary armament consists of a 12.7mm Kord Heavy machine gun, and 7.62mm PKMT in both tanks.
One of the main upgrades received by the T-90M is the ability of the tank to have autonomous functions, ie. real-time data exchange with other vehicles. The tank has improved optical sights: a new PNM Sosna-U gunner sight, four video cameras that provide 360-degree coverage, and new day and night optical sights, including a thermal camera that detects enemy targets at 3,300 meters.
Last but not least, the T-90M has integrated Russian space navigation GLONASS, as well as inertial navigation systems [INS]. The armor is significantly enhanced by the use of Relikt explosive reactive armor [ERA] that covers more of the tank.
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