New Russian MBT..

[Kasatka 0]

MBT Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle)

The newest Russian main battle tank. A mobility test-bed of a 21th century tank and is a result of radical upgrading of the T-80U MBT. The selection of the T-80U as a base for development of the 5th generation MBT derives from the fact that it is rightfully considered as the best MBT in the world which suc-cessfully combines all the basic per-formance characteristics: speed, maneuverability, fire power and protec-tion system. The Chiorny Oriol has the same overall dimensions as the T-80U does, nevertheless it has a lower silhouette which makes it less distinctive on the terrain. The experts believe that in terms of combination of the basic charac-teristics such as maneuverability, fire power, armour piercing capability and protection this MBT will surpass the Western MBTs such as M1A2 Abrams, Leclerk and Leopard-2 by a factor of 1.5-1.7.

[Damage Inc 0]

Is this a prototype? Or in production already?

[Jamesia 0]

someone sneezed on its turret.

[madmike 0]

I dont think it is realy better than most west battle tanks because the russians built all thier tanks cheaply and are less sopisticated.

Challenger 2E is way better

[N.o.R.S.u 0]

Click here for more pics of that tank.

[Antichrist 0]

Its just prototype

Russian military hasn't got enough money to produce it

And probably never will

[Benze 0]

Challenger II = Ownage.

[Pete 1]

WTF IS THIS??

[Antichrist 0]

Periscoped T80?

[Silencer 0]

whats you're guys problem......

you guys seems to brag all the time that american tanks all allways better and allways will be better than anyone.You guys will ever laught even the tanks have build-in nucleur warheads

[Stag 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pete @ Jan. 20 2002,23:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">WTF IS THIS??<span id='postcolor'>

Tanks are not renowned for their abilty to float, so you drive them across the riverbed. That's the snorkel.

[Ex-RoNiN 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pete @ Jan. 20 2002,23:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">WTF IS THIS??<span id='postcolor'>

ICBM's or Cruise Missiles

Damn, the Russkies surely upgraded their tanks recently

Nah, honestly though, back to topic, I think the tank might kick ass, but it wont for one simple reason: no funds to make it kick ass

[MozMan 0]

yes, i feel the T-80 lost its low profile after that small upgrade

[WKK Gimbal 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Kasatka @ Jan. 20 2002,20:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">MBT Chiorny Oriol (Black Eagle)  

The newest Russian main battle tank. A mobility test-bed of a 21th century tank and is a result of radical upgrading of the T-80U MBT. The selection of the T-80U as a base for development of the 5th generation MBT derives from the fact that it is rightfully considered as the best MBT in the world which suc-cessfully combines all the basic per-formance characteristics: speed, maneuverability, fire power and protec-tion system. The Chiorny Oriol has the same overall dimensions as the T-80U does, nevertheless it has a lower silhouette which makes it less distinctive on the terrain. The experts believe that in terms of combination of the basic charac-teristics such as maneuverability, fire power, armour piercing capability and protection this MBT will surpass the Western MBTs such as M1A2 Abrams, Leclerk and Leopard-2 by a factor of 1.5-1.7.

<span id='postcolor'>

Cool tank ....

... so .. Kasatka .... when are you gonna stop using my avatar and find your own?

[FetishFool 0]

Who ever wrote that article sure does like dashes(-).

And why'd they make reference to the T80U??  The T90S is the exact same as the T80U except for the reactive armor, and new weapons systems.

And that Oriol tank has been in testing for over 3 years.

And about the best tanks in the world:  It's all up to what you want.

All 21st century the tanks meet all standards.  But exceed in their own way.  No 21st century tank is less good than the other just by generalization.

M1A2 - Best communications devices.

Challenger2 - Best armor.  That long gun doesn't shoot farther, though.

Leopard2 - It exceeds every standard test, but not the best at anything.  But is only tank that can fully submerge.

Leclerc - Fastest tank.  But not smallest.

T90 - Lowest silhouette(shortest).  Highest maneuvarability.

[Wobble 1]

a2 and challenger also tie for the most accurate main armorment too..

and i dont see how anyone could say nthe challe has better armor than the a2.. since noone knows anything about either.. both are still classified as to their abilities in that area..

[Benze 0]

"whats you're guys problem......

you guys seems to brag all the time that american tanks all allways better and allways will be better than anyone.You guys will ever laught even the tanks have build-in nucleur warheads "

Challenger II is British numbnuts.

But the M1A2 is a damn fine tank, it wouldn't be overstating it to say it certainly may be the world's best, certainly better than anything Russia has to offer.

[Silencer 0]

ya ya ya....

I still like to ride around on the shilka and t80 because there fast

the abrams is soo damn slow.

[Mister Frag 0]

It is interesting to note that the US Army has started to phase out the Abrams and rotate it out to National Guard units.

It finally dawned on the brass that the C-5 Galaxy could only move one tank at a time due to the weight and size of the Abrams, and the military wants a force that they can deploy on short notice without the benefit of rail lines, deep-water harbors, or a shoreline suitable for landing craft. The goal is to be able to deploy a fully combat-ready brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours.

What will the Abrams be replaced with? For the next 10 to 15 years, it will be the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV), which is derived from the eight-wheeled LAV III platform. Rather than sporting a Bushmaster rapid-fire cannon, it will have a 105mm direct-fire canon. It will also fit onto a C-130 transport plane.

While the IAV is in use, the Army and several military contractors will develop a replacement for the Abrams. This most likely will be another tracked vehicle, highly automated, and with an emphasis on stealth and survivability. Rather than relying on brute firepower and thick armor, the idea is to never get detected in the first place, and avoid getting into a firefight with a 60+ ton MBT behemoth.

So, while Russia is continuing to advance MBT technology, the US has already given up on that concept. Only the future will tell which side holds a winning hand.

[FetishFool 0]

Most of the new US tanks in development are made from tree products.

The "armor" will be forms of paper.

The Abrams tank is going to be obsolete in the US in less than 3 years.

The US just doesn't have enough soldiers to man the tanks.

The US always got 10% of the population to join the army every year. Now only 80,000 or so are expected each year.

That means that 4-man crews are unrealistic.

And the US doesn't always make the best stuff.

The AK74 is better than the M16A2 in every way except one.

The M16A2 is a lot easier to hold. The AK74 is awkwardly shaped, and has a clip that extends to the soldier's waste-line.

The T80U was the best tank in the world until 1990. Then Russia went bankrupt.

The M1A2 Abrams was only the best tank in the world for 2 years. Then the Challenger2 was considered the best.

Then the Leopard2 took over recently, but only because it was perfectly balanced.

[Silencer 0]

yeah it sad russia has bankrupt....don't worry the economy is slowly growing up again.

Putin said that the economy has grown, better than 10 years ago.The economy will probably good enough in the next 10-15 years.

[FetishFool 0]

Canada is going into depression right now.

And the US is going through recession, almost at depression.

The american economy is extremely weak right now.

It's still stronger than the UK's, but a lot weaker than what it normally is.