Soviet heavyweight who will continue the war after a nuclear explosion (Topic)

What will a nuclear war turn the world into? After a large-scale explosion, about 147 million tons of soot will enter the atmosphere. In a short time, it forms a large cloud that will surround the entire earth and obscure the sun. The temperature on the planet will drop, a nuclear winter will come, but in addition to this, the climate on Earth will dramatically change, which will lead to a number of natural disasters. People who are lucky enough to survive the explosions will have little chance. An endless gray desert, immersed in darkness, in which the reflections of fires flare here and there. There will be no plants or animals left on it. This is exactly the bleak picture that climate experts paint.

Scientists in recent years have tirelessly simulated various situations that, hypothetically, could arise if one of the leaders of the nuclear countries nevertheless presses the same “red button”. The topic of confrontation between the two largest world powers again excites minds and is actively discussed by journalists. These concerns are not groundless. First, the Americans announced to the whole world about the creation of low-power nuclear charges and the rearmament of their strategic facilities, and after that USA added fuel to the fire and presented to the general public several innovative developments, which they have already dubbed the "weapon of the apocalypse." Although representatives of both countries vigorously deny the beginning of a new round of the Cold War, experts say with confidence that it is she, dear. And here comes the finest hour for promising developments of the last century.

Block of iron on four tracks

Nuclear-powered missiles, hypersonic aircraft, heavy tanks that can fight right in the funnel of an atomic explosion - these developments, like the ghosts of the past, come to life in the pages of military history and slowly come back to life. In the middle of the last century, brilliant Soviet designers created many projects that were folded in the process of work or immediately after its completion. One of them was a heavy tank, which was adapted for military operations after a nuclear explosion. Even then, the designers were well aware that missiles alone would not be enough to win in such a large-scale conflict. A special technique is required that can function normally even in extreme conditions. The atomic tank project was named "Object 279".

The exhibit has little resemblance to a tank. There is a feeling as if there is a flying saucer in front of you, additionally equipped with a tower and tracks. Thanks to its sleek lines and futuristic saucer shape, the machine could hypothetically withstand the shockwave of a nuclear explosion. The thickness of the armor in some areas reached 270 mm, and on the turret it was 319 mm. With such indicators, the weight of the car was prohibitive. The designers came up with a simple but original solution to this problem. The thickness of the armor in different zones was different and in the least vulnerable places it was only 50 mm. This helped to reduce the weight of Object 279 to 60 tons. Its specific gravity on the ground was only 0.6 kg per centimeter. Exactly the same indicators and in light cars.

Additionally, the massive tank was protected by anti-explosive and anti-fragmentation screens. What to do with radiation? What is the use of good technology if there is no one to control it? Naturally, the designers took this nuance into account when developing the project. The heavyweight was additionally equipped with chemical, anti-nuclear and biological protection of the crew. Inside the car, a special system built up pressure, thereby excluding the ingress of contaminated air inside. Although the crew was not able to verify this in combat conditions, the designers believed that the car could even pass through the epicenter of the explosion without harm to tankers. The Soviet Object 279 was virtually invulnerable. Its creators defended it more reliably than the T-10 heavy tank and the famous T-34. The heavyweight's strong, thick armor could withstand a direct hit from a 122mm armor-piercing round

Through rubble, swamps and explosive craters

The two hundred and seventy-ninth was supposed to break through the defense line and pave the way for the rest of the equipment. In the theater of operations, this tank was assigned the role of a pioneer. After a nuclear explosion, he had to emerge from the darkness in flakes of ash and finish off the enemy, if he somehow survived by some miracle. For these purposes, the car was equipped with a 130 mm cannon with a loading mechanism, and an additional advanced fire control system, which included an infrared searchlight, an optical rangefinder, night vision and optical guidance systems. The tank could shoot back in almost any conditions. The cannon fired five rounds per minute. This is a fairly high figure even for modern tanks, but the Object 279 was equipped with a second weapon for reinforcement. The choice of designers fell on 14, Vladimirov's 5-mm machine gun with mechanized stowage, semi-automatic loading mechanism, stereoscopic sight. The vehicle was equipped with the latest technology, which made it a formidable and dangerous enemy. What about speed?

The heavyweight was equipped with a powerful engine. On an asphalt road, he could reach a speed of 55 km / h. For such a heavy "swallow" it was a real achievement. The tank's maneuverability was also impressive. On it it was possible to move along the rubble or through the viscous swamp swamps. Dirt, sand, loosened soil - "Object 279" easily overcame any obstacles. He could even drive through a crater from a nuclear explosion, and all this thanks to four armored tracks.

What killed the project?

Object 279 was well protected from all kinds of threats. It could conduct accurate shelling of the enemy in any conditions and accelerate to high speed (taking into account its weight), and the tank overcame craters from nuclear explosions like an ordinary highway. So what was his problem? Why was the project canceled, having created only three prototypes? By the way, each of them passed the tests with brilliance, but Khrushchev put an end to this development. The Object 279 had only one serious drawback - its maneuverability. In a straight line, the tank moved quickly and without problems. If there was a need to turn left and right, the crew had to make a lot of efforts for this. It took a long time to simply change the trajectory. The root of this problem is the four tracks, which provided the heavy machine with high cross-country ability. One side, the low maneuverability of the tank cannot be called a drawback, because it was not supposed to chase a nimble enemy through swamps and fields. Think about the role the creators assigned to it. Pass first, pave the way for the rest and finish off everyone who gets in the way. To accomplish this task, the machine does not need high maneuverability.

This shortcoming was just an excuse, because by the time the Object 279 was successfully tested, a new trend had emerged in Soviet tank building - medium tanks. Their weight was no more than 50 tons, and in terms of characteristics, these combat vehicles almost caught up with heavy models. There were other reasons for the closure of the project to develop the two hundred and seventy-ninth. A lot of budget funds were invested in it. Think of his armor and complex mechanics. It was too expensive for the state, which at that time had already diminished ambitions due to the onset of the thaw in the Cold War.

The idea of creating a tank for warfare in a nuclear war was implemented not only in the Soviet Union. In the 50s, the designers of the American company Chrysler presented a new TV-8 tank. He, like the "Object 279", had an unusual design. The engine, weapons, space for the crew - all this was located in a massive streamlined turret, and not in the hull, like in standard vehicles. The TV-8 was a modular tank. If necessary, it could be divided and the lower part transported separately from the main body. Powerful multi-layer armor, a remote-controlled machine gun, external video cameras for better visibility - this development also had many advantages. With a weight of 25 tons, the car could even float. This tank was also created for warfare after a nuclear explosion, but the US military never gave the green light to the project. The finale of TV-8's history in many ways resembles the fate of the domestic "Object 279". It is possible that such futuristic cars appeared too early, and therefore had no chance.

Is there a place for a museum exhibit in a museum?

Since a new round of the Cold War is on its way, many are beginning to look back in time and bring to light long-forgotten developments. The journalists of the American edition of The National Interest in one of their materials similarly covered the Soviet "Object 279". According to experts, an even more powerful military equipment can be created on the basis of a heavy tank. Soviet developments have no analogues in the world. Today, nothing like this is in service either in USA or in the United States. Of course, if you look at the modern projects of the domestic military industry, it becomes obvious that the Soviet heavyweight is losing on all fronts. For example, the same T-14 weighs less than 50 tons, can reach a speed of 80 km / h on an asphalt road and impresses with its maneuverability, judging by the demonstration videos. This is a real military technique of the future, which deservedly received its portion of rave reviews. A modern tank is equipped with various protection systems, but will they work flawlessly in a nuclear war? Maybe the good old armor will still be more reliable? Electronics can fail and fail at any time. Moreover, no one knows exactly how she will behave in a real situation, if suddenly a nuclear catastrophe does occur. In such conditions, it makes no sense to send people into the thick of it, even if they will be reliably hidden behind multi-layer armor and all kinds of protective screens. Risk is a noble business, but not in this situation. It is much easier to send smart equipment on a combat mission.

Some experts believe that the "Object 279" can be upgraded and turned into an unmanned vehicle that will be thrown into the thick of things after a nuclear explosion, if those who control it survive. This development has every chance to return from oblivion, but the modernization of the project will require considerable investment. Even at one time, "Object 279" cost the state too much. Does it make sense to invest in such an expensive project, time will tell.

The Topic of Article: Soviet heavyweight who will continue the war after a nuclear explosion.
Author: Jake Pinkman