T-55AM/AM2

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The T-55AM in Steel Beasts Professional

T-55AM/AM2: Main Battle Tank

Statistics

Main gun: Rifled 100mm D-10T
Ammunition Stowage: 42 ready/0 stowed
Default Ammunition "A" (T-55AM): 15/0 BM-25 APFSDS-T, 6/0 BK-5M HEAT-FS-T, 17/0 OF-412Zh HE (Frag), 4/0 AT-10c 'Stabber/Bastion' ATGM
Default Ammunition "A" (T-55AM2): 15/0 BM-25 APFSDS-T, 10/0 BK-5M HEAT-FS-T, 17/0 OF-412Zh HE (Frag)


Coaxial machine gun: 7.62mm PKT
Ammunition Stowage: 250 ready/2750 stowed
Default Ammunition: 250/2750 7.62x54mm


AAMG: 12.7mm DShK
Ammunition Stowage: 60 ready/360 stowed
Default Ammunition: 60/360 12.7mm B-32 AP


Grenade Dischargers: System 902A 81mm smoke dischargers
Ammunition Stowage: 8 ready/0 stowed (T-55AM), 8 ready/2 stowed (T-55AM2)
Default Ammunition: 8/0 3D6 Smoke (T-55AM), 8/0 3D6 Smoke (T-55AM2)


Armour protection:
Frontal Turret Armour: ~590mm vs KE and ~800mm vs HEAT
Frontal Hull Armour: ~400mm vs KE and ~700mm vs HEAT
(SB documentation)

T-55AMarmour.jpg

Combat Weight: 38.2 tonnes
Length: 6.45m
Width: 3.37m
Height: 2.40m
Engine Power: 621hp V-55U V-12 diesel
Top Speed: 55kph

General

The T-55AM and T-55AM2 are upgrades of the T-55A which appeared during the late 1970s and early 1980s to address the need for additional protection and firepower against the threat of man-portable ATGMs and more powerful RPG type weaponry, along with extending the service life of a numerous but increasingly obsolete design.

The modeled T-55AM is of Russian origin, equipped with the "Volna" fire control system and 1K13 BOM guidance system allowing use of the 9K116-1 "Bastion" ATGM; KTD-2 LRF fitted over the main gun; an upgraded suspension and T-72 style RMSh tracks; more powerful V-55U engine; “Tucha” smoke grenade launchers; rubber full-length side skirts; and additional armor protection in the form of applique "BDD" modules (also know as "brow" or "horseshoe" armor) on the turret cheeks and hull front.

Although easily identified as hailing from the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (East Germany) by the large bin mounted on the left-rear of the turret, the modeled T-55AM2 is the Czechoslovakian produced version. Similar to the AM model in respect to mobility and general armor protection, the AM2 version uses the Czech equivalent of the Soviet "Volna" FCS along with the locally designed Kladivo LRF and a wind sensor mounted centrally on the turret rear. Lacking the 1K13 BOM guidance system, the base T-55AM2 cannot fire AT-10 "Stabber/Bastion" missile, but both Poland and Czechoslovakia produced small numbers of T-55s with that capability (T-55AM2P and T-55AM2B respectively).

Outside of Warsaw Pact nations, Soviet manufactured T-55AMs were rarely exported as complete vehicles, although both Polish and Czechoslovakian AM and particularly AM2s were moderately exported during that period. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the T-55AM2 saw extensive proliferation throughout Africa and the Middle-East as Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic divested their T-55 stocks and these countries, along with Russia, continue to offer the T-55AM package (or something similar) as an upgrade for existing T-55 tanks. A note for scenario designers: the T-55AM2 makes a good stand in for late model Chinese Type-69 (100mm) and, when equipped with BM-20 or BM-25 APFSDS ammo, 105mm armed Chinese Type-80II or North Korean 115mm armed Ch’ŏnma-ho III tanks.

Beginning with revision 4.156 both the T55AM and AM2 may be equipped with the Diehl Active Vehicle Protection System (AVePS) to enhance protection against RPG and ATGM threats.

Thermal Signature

Russian T-55AM, front-left Russian T-55AM, rear-right

East German T-55AM2, front-left East German T-55AM2, rear-right