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T-72

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
T-72A
Serbian T-72B1MS
TypeMain Battle Tank
Service history
In service1973-present
Production history
DesignerLeonid Kartsev-Valeri Venediktov
ManufacturerUralvagonzavod, Heavy Vehicles Factory
Unit costUS$0.5–1.2 million in 1994–1996, US$0.5 million in 2011
Produced1968-present
No. builtaround 25,000
Specifications (T-72)
Mass41.5 tonnes
Length9.53 m (31 ft 3 in) gun forward 6.95 m (22 ft 10 in) hull
Width3.59 m (11 ft 9 in)
Height2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver)

ArmorSteel and composite armor with ERA
EngineV-12 diesel

V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M)
780 hp (580 kW)

1,130 hp (840 kW) for V-92S2F
Power/weight18.8 hp/tonne (14 kW/tonne)
TransmissionSynchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears
SuspensionTorsion bar
Ground clearance0.49m (19in)
Fuel capacity1,200 L (320 U.S. gal; 260 imp gal)
Operational
range
460 km (290 mi), 700 km (430 mi) with fuel drums
Maximum speed 60 to 75 km/h (37 to 47 mph)

The T-72 is a family of Russian/Soviet main battle tanks that started getting built in 1969. The T-72 was made to replace the T-64, which was bad because it was expensive and complicated. Around 25,000 T-72s have been built, and repairs have made many of them work for a very long time. The T-72 has been used in 40 countries. The T-72 was replaced by the T-90 in 1992, but the T-72 is still made today.