T-72B3 was designed by Uralvagonzavod design bureau (Nizhniy Tagil) as an upgrade to basic T-72B model. Upgraded tank has been equipped with new weapon control system and multichannel gunsight. New main cannon with improved autoloader, modernized digital VHF radio and updated ERA were also installed.
MBT T-72B3 features the following improvements over it's predecessor T-72B:
Weapon Control, Gunsight and Sensors
- Multichannel "Sosna-U" gunsight with target tracking system based on 2nd generation thermal imaging system.
- Independent 2-axis view stabilizer.
- All weather, on-cruise, AT guided missile system.
- "Dubl" automation sight and firing system (made as external control unit of "Sosna-U") enables the crew chief to act as a gunner from the commander seat.
- Wind and ambient temperature sensor allows automatic firing correction.
Armament
New rigid 2A46M-5 improved precision main canon. During its modernization, the outer profile of the barrel was remanufactured, the wall thickness of the barrel at the length of 1 m from the muzzle was reduced from 0.8 to 0.4 mm. Reverse wedge mounting of trunnion clips in the turret has been introduced. The rear support of the retractable parts is located in the cage part of the cradle. The cradle neck is lengthened by 160 mm. In the neck of the cradle, the rigidity of which is increased, there are two additional backlash-selecting devices. Both guide cradles are made as prisms.
Those measures reduced the practical dispersion of all types of shells by 15% against predecessor. The total on-cruise accuracy increased by 1.7 times.
Automatic Loader and "Svinets" KEP Munitions
To replace the 3BM42 "Mango" projectiles, the so-called "long" 3BM59 "Svinets-1" with the depleted uranium core and 3BM60 "Svinets-2" with a tungsten carbide core were implemented. Those projectiles have increased armor penetration and firing range. To ensure the use of new KEP projectiles, the autoloader has been refined. The cassette mechanism, the rotating conveyor, the conveyor drive, crankcase and the receiving tray were improved. "Svinets-1" and "Svinets-2" have the maximum possible length of 640mm which corresponds the autoloader design. Estimated penetration of 3BM59 "Svinets-1" 700mm at 0 ° and 350 mm at 60 °, 3BM60 "Svinets-2" 600mm at 0 ° and 300 mm at 60 °.
Command Communication.
VHF radio R-168-25U-2 "Akveduk" was installed. It contains of 2 independent radio units capable of open, disguised and secure voice radio communications.
Explosive Reaction Armour
T-72B3 equipped with "Kontakt-5" (2011 production year) and "Relikt" (2016 production year) ER Armour.
Drawbacks: Safety cover of "Sosns-U" external optical module is screwed by 4 screws. It has no remote control from inside.; Commander seat equipped with 2nd Gen night-vision sight provides shorter range (500 m) of targeting when compared to gunner one (max 4000 m).; NSVT AAA gun is direct manual controlled only. No remote control functions implemented.; Air gaps between ERA elements become wider.
