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The Soviet T-55 Main Battle Tank was an evolutionary improvement over the T-54, and was first introduced in 1959. More than 50,000 T-54/55 tanks were produced, with many variants and modifications.
The vehicle was of conventional layout, with the driver at the front; the commander, gunner, and loader in a centrally-mounted turret; and the engine tot he rear.The T-55 had a well-sloped glacis and a cast turret mounting a 100mm main gun with a combat load of 38 rounds. Secondary armament comprised a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7mm machine gun for air defense. An infrared searchlight was mounted next to the main gun. It was powered by a 620hp V-12 water-cooled diesel engine that drove rear sprockets; the suspension had five road wheels, a front idler, and no return rollers. The vehicle on display is an upgraded version designated T-55AM2B that was employed in the former East German Army, with 75 fielded until May 1990. This vehicle featured a number of improvements, including: - Computerized fire control system
- Cross-wind and air temperature/pressure sensors
- Laser rangefinder
- Laser warning receiver
- Add-on reactive armor
- A thermal shroud for the main gun
- The STABBER gun-launched ATGM (5 were carried)
- An NBC protective system
- Track skirts
The vehicle on display is a cut-away T-55AM2B that shows the various systems and components and can be used as a training mock-up for crew and maintenance personnel.STABBER (BASTION) ATGMThe STABBER (a.k.a. BASTION) ATGM was a laser beam-riding missile that was fired from the T-55AM2B's main gun. The missile had an engagement range of from 200 to 4,000m, but could not be fired while on the move.
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