T-55 Main Battle Tank (Russia)
The T-55 made its first public appearance at a parade in Moscow on the 7 November 1961 and was probably first introduced into service in 1959.
For most purposes, the T-55 is an improved version of the T-54. It featured NBC protection, a more powerful engine (580hp), a better transmission and 9 additional rounds of ammunition. Late model T-55s (they continued in production in the Soviet Union until the beginning of the 1980s) had reactive armour or spaced armour upgrades to improve survivability, as did the Iraqi T-55s. Variants such as the T-55M can fire the AT-10 Stabber laser guided missile out of the gun tube, and many countries have taken to replacing the 100mm gun with the Royal Ordnance 105mm L7 gun and upgrade kits are offered on the world market which include enhanced fire control systems. The T-55 series had many variants and formed the basis of many specialist vehicles such as self-propelled guns, engineer vehicles, bridgelayers, tractors and armoured recovery vehicles.
Hull length: 6.45m. Hull width: 3.27m. Height: 2.4m. Crew: 4. Ground Clearance: 0.43m. Weight: 36,000kg (combat) Ground pressure: 0.81kg/sq.cm. Max speed: 48km/h. Max range (internal fuel): 460km on road. Armament: 100mm rifled main gun, 1 x 7.62mm MG coaxial, 1 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft MG.
How to cite this article: Antill, P. (5 February 2001), T-55 Main Battle Tank (Russia), http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_t55.html
