T-55 Medium Tank / Main Battle Tank (1958)
The T-55 Main Battle Tank was a further upgrade to the T-54 series appearing in the late 1940s, intended to counter the new American M60 series.
Externally, the T-55 mimicked the clean, utilitarian style lines of the T-54 before it. The track system was dominated by the five large road wheels with the front most pair set noticeably apart from the remaining four rear sets. The drive sprocket remained at the rear of the design while the track idler was at the front with no track return rollers being used. The glacis plate was well-sloped and there was a shallow hull superstructure evident. The turret was located in the center of the design offering good balance while the engine was retained in a conventionally set rear compartment. Crew accommodations amounted to four personnel to include the driver in the hull and the tank commander, gunner and loader in the turret section. The turret itself was a well-sloped assembly with rounded sides and roof. The main gun barrel protruded a distance away from the turret and was seen with a fume extractor near the muzzle. A snorkel allowed for amphibious fording of water sources.
The T-55A model series appeared in 1963 and were produced into 1981 due to the lackluster response of the newer T-62 in sales and performance. A new anti-radiation lining was introduced as well as an improved NBC suite. The SG MT series 7.62mm coaxial machine gun was superseded by the newer PKT series system while the bow-mounted machine gun was given up in favor of carrying an additional six more 100mm projectiles. It was not until 1970 that the loader's 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun was brought back into the fold.
Like the T-54 before it, the T-55 existed in several command tank marks made up of the T-55K1, T-55K2, T-55K3, T-55AK1, T-55AK2, T-55AK3, T-55MK1, T-55MK2 and T-55MK3. All command tank versions reduced the 100mm ammunition count by five rounds for the needed internal space.
Modernized T-55s were fielded with the TSh-2B-32P sighting device. The ZET-1 vehicle protection system included a net cast over the main gun barrel. The T-55M (also known as the T-55AM) was another modernization attempt that included an improved fire control system (FCS) as well as an improved main gun stabilization system, sights and V-55U series diesel engine. The T-55M also brought about use of smoke grenade dischargers and a more balanced suspension system. Additionally, anti-radiation features were implemented for nuclear combat. Radios were upgraded for the better while armor was increased at some critical facings. Side armor skirts were also introduced for some basic point defense along the upper hull sides. Support for firing the "Bastion" anti-tank guided missile launcher. The T-55M-1 marked T-55M production models delivered with the V-46-5M series diesel engines of 691 horsepower. A laser range finder was fitted over the main gun near the mantlet.
The T-55AD was given the "Drozd" active vehicle countermeasures system intended to better protect the tank from incoming anti-tank missiles. The T-55AD-1 was similar models though delivered with the V-46-5M series diesel engines of 691 horsepower.
The T-55MV incorporated "Kontakt-1" Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks for much improved protection against incoming anti-tank missiles. The use of ERA replaced the Drozd protection scheme of noted earlier. The T-55MV-1s were nothing more than T-55MV models with the V-46-5M diesel engine of 691 horsepower.
The T-55M5 brought about use of the "Kontakt-5" ERA block package. The fire control system (FCS) was upgraded as were gunner sights. The hull was lengthened some while the engine was improved for the better. The T-55M6 mark was slightly similar though incorporating a six pair of road wheels for increased road displacement. The engine of choice was the V-46-5M diesel series of 691 horsepower. The powerful 125mm 2A46M main gun of the newer T-72 Main Battle Tank was instituted as well as its automatic loader, reducing the internal turret crew to two persons. Armor protection was further increased to counter new battlefield threats.
The Obyekt 155ML was a developmental test bed for trialing the AT-3 "Sagger" anti-tank guided missile launcher. The T-55K was another experimental T-55 used for evaluating the "Uran" system - a networked television video camera communicating with a receiving BTR-50PU armored wheeled command station.
The T-55 Main Battle Tank was widely exported to Soviet allies and nation states. This led to it being used in a myriad of conflicts ranging from Africa to the Middle East as well as within Asia. T-55s were used in anger by the Arabs against Israel in the 1967 Six Day War as well as the Yom Kippur War of 1973 to which Israeli netted over 1,000 captured systems. These were reconstituted against their former owners in modified forms fitting a 105mm main gun, General Motors engines and an Israeli fire control system (FCS). After their useful lives, the types were further modified to become armored personnel carriers or sold off to interested buyers. The T-55 was also showcased in the Vietnam War against America where they were ultimately used to break down the gates of the Presidential Palace. T-55s fared rather poorly in the 1991 Gulf War where they came up against technologically-laden Western counterparts to which their ranks were decimated. Some were even in play during the 2003 American invasion of Iraq over a decade later - again proving no match. Further deployment saw them in combat during the Balkans crisis. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
T-55
Medium Tank / Main Battle Tank
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: State Factories - Soviet Union / China / Czechoslovakia / Poland / Romania
Initial Year of Service: 1958
Production: 50,000
Focus Model: T-55
Crew: 4
Overall Length: 29.53ft (9.00m)
Width: 10.73ft (3.27m)
Height: 7.87ft (2.40m)
Weight: 44.6 US Short Tons (40,500kg; 89,287lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x V-55 12-cylinder diesel engine developing 80 horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 31mph (50 km/h)
Maximum Range: 311 miles (500 km)
NBC Protection: Yes
Nightvision: Yes
Armament:
EARLY:
1 x 100mm D-10 rifled main gun
1 x 7.76mm coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in bow mounting
LATER:
1 x 100mm D-10 rifled main gun (AT-10 "Stabber" ATGM capability).
1 x 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
1 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun at loader's station.
Ammunition:
43 x 100mm projectiles
500 x 12.7mm ammunition
3,000 x 7.62mm ammunition
Variants:
T-55 - Base Production Model Series Designation
T-55A - Improved anti-radiation protection; 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun; deleted bow-mounted machine gun; 6 x additional 100mm projectiles; early forms sans 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun.
T-55K1 - Command Tank
T-55K2 - Command Tank
T-55K3 - Command Tank
T-55AK1 - Command Tank
T-55AK2 - Command Tank
T-55AK3 - Command Tank
T-55MK1 - Command Tank
T-55MK2 - Command Tank
T-55MK3 - Command Tank
T-55M / T-55AM - Modernized T-55
T-55M-1 - T-55M fitted with V-46-5M engine of 691 horsepower.
T-55AD - Fitted with "Drozd" active countermeasures system.
T-55AD-1 - T-55AD fitted with V-46-5M engine of 691 horsepower.
T-55MV - Fitted with Kontakt-1 Explosie Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks.
T-55MV-1 - T-55MV fitted with V-46-5M engine of 691 horsepower.
T-55M5 - Modernized variant; improved ERA protection.
T-55M6 - Improved T-55M5; six road wheels to each track side; new fire control system; increased combat weight.
T-55K - Experimental variant testing the "Uran" television camera relay system.
Operators: Afghanistan; Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, North Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Ukraine, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen and Zambia.
By Decade:
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Tanks
By Type:
• 4x4 Military Vehicles
• 6x6 Military Vehicles
• 8x8 Military Vehicles
• Artillery Gun Systems
• Anti-Aircraft (AA) Guns
• Anti-Aircraft (AA) Vehicles
• Anti-Tank (AT) Guns
• Anti-Tank (AT) Vehicles
• Armored Cars
• Armored Personnel Carriers (APC)
• Battlefield Robots
• Halftrack Vehicles
• Heavy Tanks
• Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV)
• Light Tanks
• Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
• Modern Combat Tanks
• Medium Tanks
• Military Motorcycles
• Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)
• Reconnaissance Vehicles
• Special Purpose Vehicles
• Self-Propelled Guns (SPG)
• Tank Destroyers
• General Purpose / Utility Vehicles
By Nation:
• Afghanistan
• Britain
• China
• France
• Germany
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel / Israeli Army
• Italy
• Libyan Army
• North Korea / North Korean Army
• Pakistan
• Russia
• South Korea
• Soviet Union
• Syrian Army
• United States
• VIEW ALL
World War 2:
• Artillery
• Infantry Fighting Vehicles
• Tank Destroyers (All)
• Tanks (All)
• Australian Tanks
• British Tanks
• Canadian Tanks
• Cruiser Tanks (UK)
• Czechoslovakian Tanks
• French Tanks
• German Tanks
• German Tank Destroyers
• German FlaK Guns
• German Reconnaissance Vehicles
• Hungarian Tanks
• Italian Tanks
• Japanese Tanks
• Romanian Tanks
• Soviet Tanks
• Swedish Tanks
• US Tanks
• VIEW ALL
World War 1:
• France WW1 Tanks
• Germany WW1 Tanks
• Britain WW1 Tanks
• US WW1 Tanks
• WW1 Artillery
• WW1 Tanks (all)
• VIEW ALL
Spanish Civil War:
• VIEW ALL
Korean War:
Vietnam War:
• VIEW ALL
Cold War:
• Cold War Tanks
• Cold War American Tanks
• Falklands War
• Post-WW2 British Tanks
• VIEW ALL
Gulf War (1991):
• VIEW ALL
Miscellaneous:
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
