The T-54A appeared in 1955 and finally added a main gun stabilizer across the vertical plane. This, in effect, redesignated the original D-10T tank gun to D-10TG. A snorkel was now standard and this allowed the T-54 some amphibious capabilities that previous versions lacked. Other additions included an infrared headlamp, new telescopic sighting device, new radio equipment, revised engine air filter, automatic fire extinguisher and an infrared periscope at the driver's position. The barrel was given a counter weight to contend with recoil but this later gave way to a bore evacuator within time. Extra fuel tanks were also utilized to help increase operational ranges. The T-54A was produced until 1957. Poland manufactured the type from 1956 until 1964. Similarly, localized Czech production spanned from 1957 until 1966. China produced this version of the T-54 as the Type 59 though it eventually proved inferior in any way to the original.
The T-54B then followed in 1957 and key to this development was its inclusion of a two-axis main gun stabilization system which increased firing accuracy when on-the-move. The gun was further redesignated to D-10T2S. In 1959, the series was given true infrared night vision fighting performance which allowed the T-54 to operate in day and night time environments. This version was given the NATO codename of T-54(M) to signify the changes. T-54B production spanned into 1958.
In the mid-1950s, a major revision to the T-54 line produced the visually similar T-55 Main Battle Tank. The tank was fitted with a new engine, thicker armor protection and basic Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) protection for the crew. Production of the T-55 commenced in January of 1958. The arrival of the T-55 created the T-54M designation of the mid-1960s which marked T-54 production models brought up to the new T-55 standard. Further modernization efforts throughout the 1960s created the T-54AM designation which introduced more internal space for projectiles as well as new radio equipment. The engine was a new version of the same V-55 series system. Another modernization of the series was sparked in 1977 which added the OPVT snorkel and KTD-1 series laser rangefinder. Additional T-54 versions were used as test beds for various developmental armaments.
The T-54 was also modified as a command tank with extra communications equipment taking the place of five 100mm projectiles. The command tanks were noted within four distinct variant forms known as the T-54K, T-54AK, T-54BK and T-54MK series, each with their own sub-variants. The T-54K included the T-54K1 and T-54K2. The T-54AK was made up of the T-54AK1 and T-54AK2. The T-54BK involved the T-54BK1 and T-54BK2. The T-54MK consisted of the T-54MK1 and T-54MK2. The K1 and K2 designators simply identified the additional radio equipment in the K1 models and the use of a telescoping mast in the K2 models.
Like other high quantity production battle tanks, the T-54 series was produced beyond the requisite combat and command forms. This included the Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV), the AVLB bridgelayer and the IMR combat engineering vehicle. A flame projecting tank was also recognized as was a mine clearing vehicle.
To this day, the T-54 is still fielded in numerous quantities globally and these have seen substantial combat actions throughout a variety of environments. Most customers were accordingly Soviet allied nations and states such as China which went on to produce a near-copy of the T-54 as the aforementioned "Type 59". While an excellent tank system for its time, one must consider the World War 2 origins of the machine on today's technologically hungry battlefield. Despite the pedigree of the famous T-34, the T-54 is largely inferior to its contemporaries in the West and elsewhere. In any case, the T-54 will most likely still manage a battlefield existence for some time to come - thanks in large part to the overwhelming production figures associated with the family line. Various modernization programs (including addition of an external laser range-finder and improved searchlights and sights) instituted by a variety of its owners over the years have certainly helped to keep the T-54 a viable battlefield solution.
Operators of the T-54 (beyond the Soviet Union, Poland and Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic) went on to include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Republic of Congo, East Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Guinea, Hezbollah, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan, Israel, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, North Korea, North Vietnam/Vietnam, North Yemen, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Rwanda, Somalia, South Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United States (few examples for OPposing FORce - OPFOR - training only), Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Israeli Army faced off against the T-54 in several conflicts including the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. As a result, thousands of examples were captured and eventually reconstituted into service with the Israeli Army against their former operators. These examples were modified with 105mm main guns, a General Motors engine and an Israeli fire control system (FCS). Many were retired in the 1980s - some converted to "Achzarit" armored personnel carriers while others sold to interested parties. Some modified T-54s are still believed to be in Israeli possession.
The T-54 tank is believed to have been produced in over 50,000 examples both locally and abroad. Coupled with the production numbers of the similar T-55, the T-54/55 main battle tank series stands as the most manufactured combat tank in history with some combined totals ranging between 85,000 and 100,000 units produced (sources vary). As such, the T-54/55 can also lay claim to being one of the most experienced combat tanks in the history of mechanized warfare - the system seeing action across Africa, in the Balkans, throughout the Middle East and in Asia. Soviet production of the T-54 lasted until 1981, owing to the failings of the newer T-62 which never lived up to expectations for discerning buyers. Poland produced the T-54 until 1979 while Czechoslovakia managed production until 1981.
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