While looking into the T-55/T-62 issue I came across this from the ref. below concerning the T-80...
"But Moscow continued to experiment with its T-80s, adding active protection systems–which use millimeter-wave radar to track incoming missiles before launching explosive countermeasures. The resulting
T-80UM-1 Bars was revealed in 1997 but
did not enter production, probably again because of budget cuts."
If the above is true, this would free up
9 slots in the Russian OOB with the deletion of the following...
UNITS 045-048, 562, 624/625 & 688/689. Normally I hate "
rabbit holes" but, if we can
legitimately double the current available slots in the Russian OOB then I'll give this my full attention.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the...r-13550?page=2
(Covers it all nicely plus addresses some things we remarked on concerning those Turkish tanks if you read the whole thing.)
http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/T-80U.htm
(T-80UM1 "Bars" (Snow Leopard)
listed as a prototype along w/T-80UM2 "Chiorny Oriol" (Black Eagle) my first MBT post.)
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/T-80.php
(Lists T-80UM1 as a
perspective tank for
export only, none exported.)
http://weaponsystems.net/weaponsyste...0-%20T-80.html
(Only lists up to the
T-80UM which puts it line with the rest above.)
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t80um1_bars.htm
(Same shows it was meant only for export and that it never entered Russian service due to the high cost of maintenance and operational costs-it was a true "
gas guzzler" as was the whole series in general.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=9F...20tank&f=false
(Well known tank analyst who works for guess who? If it starts with a "J" you guessed right!)
http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/MBT/t-80.html
(I think the "Bars" is dead by now.)
https://www.forecastinternational.co...DACH_RECNO=422
(From above..."Sep 1997 Contractor displays T-80UM1 BARS at Omsk" with no further status.)
I'm thinking free up 9 slots unless you need me to find more.
I'm starting to get that feeling of the "hunt" ever so slowly coming back.
I'll see what I can dig up on the T-55/T-62 but,
luigim is on track I believe.
On the quick note...
1)
T-54/55 - 20 Still on active service through 2000. Current estimate runs @ 100
T-55 tanks held in active reserve (This meaning maintained.) with another 500 in "cold storage".
2)
T-62 - From the same author above there were 268
T-62 of all types still in Russian service in 2003/2004.
OMG!, I can get to bed sooner this morning life is indeed good!!
Regards,
Pat
