Russia
T-64 Main Battle Tank
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

T-64
GENERAL DATA
 T-64B
Country of OriginCIS (formerly USSR)
RoleMain battle tank
Date Of Introduction1979
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Combat Weight43 tons (39 mt)
Ground Pressure11.9 psi (0.84 kg/cm²)
Length, Overall 30.27 ft (9.225 m)
Length, Hull 21.46 ft (6.54 m)
Width, Overall 11.2 ft (3.415 m)
Width, No Skirts 10.73 ft (3.27 m)
Height, Without AA MG 7.22 ft (2.2 m)
Ground Clearance19.7 in (500 mm)
PERFORMANCE
 T-64B
Engine700 hp (522 kw) 5DTF 5-cylinder diesel
Range311 miles (500 km).  435 miles (700 km) with extra tanks
Fuel Capacity264 gal (1,000 l)
Road Speed37 mph (60 km/h)
Cross Country Speed?
Swim SpeedN/A
Fording Depth6 ft (1.8 m) unprepared.  16 ft (5 m) with snorkel
Grade60%
Side Slope40%
Trench Crossing9.35 ft (2.85 m)
Vertical Wall Climb2.62 ft (0.8 m)
PROTECTION
 T-64B
ArmorTurret front: 450mm kinetic RHA at 2,000 m, 900mm HEAT
Applique ArmorN/A
Explosive Reactive ArmorStandard on T-64BV
Active Protective SystemAvailable
NBC Protection SystemYes
Smoke EquipmentSmoke grenade launchers (4x 81mm each side of turret), and 24 grenades. Vehicle engine exhaust smoke system.
ARMAMENT
T-64B
Type Mount Typical Ammo Load
125mm 2A26M2 smoothbore gun/missile launcher Turret; automatic loading 36: 24 ready in autoloader carousel, 12 stowed.
APFSDS-T, HEAT, Frag-HE.
AT-8 Songster ATGW missile.
 Gun-launched; manual loading; SACLOS 6
7.62mm PKT machine gun Coaxial to main gun 1,250
12.7mm NSVT AA machine gun Turret top 300
FIRE CONTROL
 T-64B
Fire Control System1A33: 1G42 day sight, TPN-1-49-23 night sight
Main Gun Stabilization2E26M 2-plane
RangefinderLaser
Infrared SearchlightYes

NOTES

Initially, problems were encountered with a number of T-64 components, which resulted in the T-64 not being considered a satisfactory design.

The T-64 has an all-welded hull divided into three main compartments with the driver at the front, fighting compartment in the center, and the engine and transmission at the rear.

Recognition features: T-64A

VARIANTS

Mine rollers and plows available.

The night sight cannot be used to launch the ATGM. The daysight can be used at night for launching ATGMs if the target is illuminated. A variety of thermal sights is available. They include the Russian Agava-2, French SAGEM-produced ALIS and Namut sight from Peleng. There are thermal sights available for installation which permit night launch of ATGMs.

T-64
1966. Initial production model armed with a 115mm 2A26 smoothbore gun. Most were rebuilt to T-64A/T-64B standards and designated the T-64R.
T-64A
1969. Production version of base tank armed with a 125mm 2A26M2 smoothbore gun. This tank has a history of reliability problems. It also lacks the high armor protection, track skirts, FCS, and ATGM launch capability of T-64B.
TRADOC 10: T-64A
T-64AK
1973. Command version of T-64A. Is fitted with a 10-meter telescopic mast that, when stationary, is erected over the turret and held in position by stays that are pegged to the ground. The T-64AK command version is not normally fitted with the 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun.
T-64B
1979. See data above. Major redesign of the T-64A with new hull and turet armor, and a new fire control system. At least two versions of the T-64B are in operation: the new construction version, which lacks the forward gunner's sight, and the version rebuilt from earlier T-64s, which retains the gunner's sight.
FM 23-34: T-64B
T-64BK
Command version of T-64B.
T-64BM
T-64B with 1,000hp 6-cylinder 6TD engine.
T-64B1
1981. Version of T-64B tank without ATGM launch capability.
T-64B1K
Command version of T-64B1.
T-64BV
1983. Variant has Kontakt explosive reactive armor (ERA) mounted.
WEG 2001: T-64BV
T-64BV1K
Command version with ERA mounted.
T-64R
Original T-64 model rebuilt to T-64A/T-64B standards.

Last updated:  25-JAN-2008
Copyright ©2008 Gary W. Cooke
To the best of my knowledge all military data and images presented in these pages are UNCLASSIFIED, NON-SENSITIVE, and approved for public release.

Sources:
FM 23-34: TOW Weapon Systems.
IN0534: Vehicle Recognition (Threat Armor), Edition D.
OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide, 2001.
TRADOC Bulletin 10: The Soviet Main Battle Tank.
"Why Three Tanks?" July-August 1998 ARMOR.