A 1976 upgrade brought about another revision to the fire control system as well as improved night vision support and gun stabilization. The engine was now a multi-fuel design for greater logistical flexibility. In the early 1980s, another upgrade brought about formal use of external smoke grenade dischargers to replace the engine-generating smoke system used on prior Soviet tanks. Other combat-oriented equipment was also upgraded in time.
The next production mark of note became the "T-64B" which was the result of a program furthering a T-62A-2M vehicle series (this development also going on to influence the upcoming T-72 and T-80 series of Soviet main battle tanks). The T-64B brought about compatibility to fire the 9M112 "Kobra" (AT-8 "Songster") anti-tank guided missile from its 125mm main gun barrel. As such, the 125mm ammunition supply was reduced to 28 projectiles for the addition of some 8 Kobra missiles. The Kobra was directed via radio-command guidance. A new hull design and turret armor allocation promised weight savings as well as better protection. A new fire control system was issued as was a laser range finder and smoke grenade dischargers. Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks created the alternative T-64BV designation. The T-64BM was given the 6TD 6-cylinder diesel engine of 1,000 horsepower. The T-64B1 lacked Kobra missile support. Command vehicles became the T-64AK, T-64BK, T-64B1K and T-64BV1K (ERA support). A new engine - the 6TD diesel series - was introduced after 1979 and gave rise to the T-64AM, T-64AKM, T-64BM and T-64BAM production marks. Rebuilds of original T-64 production models to the T-64B standard became the T-64R. The T-64B appeared in both East Germany and Hungary in 1981 with Russian forces.
The only documented combat actions involving T-64s have occurred in Soviet/Russian hands against Chechen rebels for the T-64 was largely issued to special frontline units which limited its combat reach and foreign availability due to its advanced features. Interested buyers looking for a modern solution were naturally led to the T-72 series instead. The T-64 was not without its limitations for it still retained the poor "hull down" shooting quality of the T-54/55/62 series before it. Additionally, the fighting compartment remained cramped and rather utilitarian - the lack of a fourth crewmember also added strains on the remaining three crew. The selection of an autoloader for the main gun brought about production and reliability issues in the long run while the complex suspension system was also noted for issues in-the-field.
In the Russian inventory, the T64 was utilized in conjunction with the arriving T-72s. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited approximately 2,350 T-64 combat tanks. They then proceeded to upgrade these through several modernization programs which are still in service today. Uzbekistan manages roughly 100 of the mark.
While the T-64 shares an outward similarity to the T-72, the T-64 is differentiated by the infrared searchlight to the left of the 125mm main gun. Subtle differences are also apparent in the track width, which is slimmer than on the T-72 and the overall shape of the turret itself.
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