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T-62



Overview


T-62

A T-62 showing its long smoothbore 115mm cannon and gaps between the two last roadwheels.
Source: www.fas.org - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Main battle tank
Entered service
1962
Status
In service
Development
Late 1950's
Developer
Soviet Union - OKB-520
Production
1961 - 1975 (USSR)
1975 - 1978 (Czechoslovakia)
1980 - 1989 (North Korea)
Producer
Soviet Union - Uralvagonzavod
Czechoslovakia
For export sales only
North Korea
Unit cost
About twice of T-55A
Number produced
Over 22.700
Designations
Obyekt 166 (GABTU index)
Tiran-3 (Israeli service)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Egypt
Libya
North Korea

Description


Introduction

The T-62 is a main battle tank of Soviet origin. It was developed in the late 1950's as a follow on to the succesful T-55. The T-62 was produced in large quantities in the 1960's and played an important role in the Cold War. In several areas the T-62 is an improvement over the T-55. However, the slight increase in performance does not justify the production costs that are twice that of the T-55. The introduction of newer tanks made the T-62 quickly obsolete as the primary Soviet tank, a role which would be fulfilled by the later T-72.

Layout

The T-62 is a further development of the T-55 that is mainly characterized by its new smoothbore cannon. The driver is seated in the longer and wider chassis with distinct gaps between the last two sets of roadwheels. These gaps are not found on the T-55 series. The larger dome shaped turret houses the remaining three crew members and is fitted with a larger and longer 115mm smoothbore cannon. Many features found on late model T-55's are also present on the T-62, such as an NBC system, stabilization in both axis and infrared searchlight.

Firepower

The main armament of the T-62 is the 115mm U-5TS smoothbore cannon for which 40 rounds are carried. Upon introduction the 115mm smoothbore cannon was much more powerful than the 100mm rifled cannon on the T-55. This gap was reduced by the introduction of new types of 100mm ammunition. Fired while standing still against stationary targets the cannon is as accurate as the NATO 105mm L7 cannon. When on the move the accuracy is reduced significantly due to the low quality fire control and stabilization system. A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is installed as a coaxial weapon. Most T-62's have a 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun on the turret roof.

Protection

The standard T-62 has slightly thicker hull armor and better turret armor over the frontal arc than the T-55. The 105mm L7 cannon used on Western tanks is still able to pierce the armor when using improved rounds. Late production models feature smoke grenade dischargers and all T-62's are capable of laying a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel in the exhaust. On the T-62M series, described separately, the protection level has been improved by adding bra armor, appliqué armor or ERA blocks.

Mobility


The T-62 uses the same V-55 diesel engine as used in the T-55, but the increased weight has lowered the power to weight ratio. This makes the T-62 slightly less maneuvreable than the T-55. The tracked chassis allows the T-62 to cross any terrain but the cross country speeds are somewhat limited and the steering is not precise. A large snorkel can be attached for deep wading across rivers.

Users

The T-62 was produced in large quantities, but not nearly as much as the earlier T-55. The T-62 was replaced as the primary Soviet tank by the later and much more capable T-72. In Russian service the T-62 is held in reserve, in the Middle East and Africa it remains in active service.

Variants


T-62

An Afghan National Army T-62 fitted with fuel drums at the rear.
Source: davric - © public domain

List of T-62 variants

T-62 obr 1962
Original production version of T-62 with SGMT coaxial machine gun.
T-62 obr 1967
T-62 with new engine deck and PKT coaxial machine gun.
T-62 obr 1972
Version that adds the 12.7mm DShKM machine gun lacking on older models and new tracks.
T-62 obr 1975
Version that adds a laser range finder over the main armament.
T-62K
Command version of the T-62 introduced in 1962 which has additional radios and reduced ammunition load.
Modernized series of T-62 tanks. Described in separate article.

Details


Facts T-62 obr 1967
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Main battle tank
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
40 t combat load
38 t unloaded
Length
6.63 m (hull)
9.34 m (gun forward)
Width
3.3 m
Height
2.40 m
Main armament
Type
115mm 2A20 smoothbore cannon
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
40 rounds
Elevation
-6 to +16°, powered
Traverse
360°, powered
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.500 rounds
Stabilzer
Yes, both axis
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Track width
0.58 m
Tread
2.64 m
Length on ground
4.15 m
Ground pressure
0.77 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine
V-55-5 V12 diesel
Power output
580 hp at 2.000 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
675 L + 400 L drums
Mobility
Speed
50 km/h forward
7 km/h reverse
Range
450 km on road
320 km on dirt roads
650 km with external fuel
Turn radius
Skid turns
Power to weight ratio
14.5 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.43 m
Wall
0.8 m
Trench
2.85 m
Gradient
60 %
Fording
1.4 m
5 m with snorkel
Protection
Armor type
Steel
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
Exhaust diesel injection
Equipment
Night vision
Yes
Radio
Yes

Subcomponents


115mm U-5TS

The 115mm U-5TS smoothbore cannon is the main armament of the T-62. The T-62 was designed around the use of this new cannon, the first operational smoothbore cannon in the world.

7.62mm PKT

A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon alongside the main gun.

12.7mm DShKM

From 1972 onward the T-62 was fitted with a 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun on the turret roof.

Related articles


T-55

The T-62 was developed as a more capable successor to the T-55. Although there are many visual differences, the external similarity is evident.

T-62M

The T-62M is an upgrade package applied to the T-62 series. The upgrade package comes in several variants. Improvements include additional armor, improved fire control system and the ability to launch guided missiles from the gun barrel.