T-54

It is estimated that some 50,000 examples of the T-54 and similar T-55
systems have been produced.

Designation: T-54
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: State Factories - USSR
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1949

The T-54 series of Soviet main battle tanks came about with development
after World War 2, ending with the system becoming operationally available
by 1949. It can be said that no other Cold War or post-Cold War tank has
seen as many production models or combat usage as has the T-54 and the
similar T-55 series of tanks. Despite its heavy use by armies worldwide -
many to this day fielding the system as a frontline unit - the T-54 has had
its fair share of engine and transmission issues which have plagued the type
since the beginning.

The T-54 is an identifiable brand of Soviet tank design, featuring a rounded
cast turret mounting a 100mm main gun. Five road wheels adorn either track
side and the large .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun at the loader's hatch is
noticeable. A very fundamental tank design, a student of the Second World
War can see definite similarities between the influence of late war systems
apparent in this post-war design.

Power is derived from a V-12 diesel engine mounted at rear of the all-welded
hull. The engine also serves a dual purpose in that diesel fuel is injected
into the exhaust for a self-created smokescreen. As such, smoke grenade
dischargers are not a standard component of the T-54 design. The T-54 tank
is crewed by four personnel and features a driver at center front, whom also
controls a bow-mounted 7.62mm fixed machine gun (another is a coaxial mount
on the turret, controlled by the gunner). The commander, gunner and loader
are situated in the turret with the former group at left and the latter at
right. The T-54 has access to a variety of munitions to select from and many
are of the standard modern variety. Up to 34 projectiles are carried in the
turret and the D-10 main gun can engage and defeat targets some 1,000 yards
away though limited downward traverse is a noted deficiency.

As one might assume, such a numerous system has produced an equally numerous
amount of variants that include the standard conversions such as
bridgelayer, armored recovery vehicle and command vehicles - all utilizing
the base T-54 chassis. Additionally, the basic T-54 has been upgraded with
various modifications that include gun stabilizers on both of the firing
axis, infra-red nightvision capability, increased ammunition storage
capability and deep fording equipment.

To this day, the T-54 is fielded en mass, having seen active combat in a
variety of environments, especially with former Soviet allied nations and
states. China produced their own version of the T-54 known as the Type 59.
Though having the pedigree of the famous T-34 tank of World War 2, the T-54
is often seen as inferior to its contemporary counterparts in the West. In
any case, the system will probably still maintain a battlefield presence for
some time to come, thanks in large part to overwhelming production figures
and modernization programs instituted by a variety of its owners over the
years.

Variants:
T-54 - Base Series Designation and initial production model; models differ
somewhat from early to late through turret redesign and slight
modifications; differentiating changes made through specialized designations
as in T-54 (1949), T-54 (1951) and T-54 (1953).
T-54A - Fitted with 100mm main gun with fume extractor, deep water equipment
and gun stabilizer on vertical plane.
T-54AK - Command Tank
T-54M - T-54 models upgraded to T-55 standard.
T-54B - Fitted with infra-red night vision equipment; two axis
stabilization.
T-54C - Some sans AA gun; later retrofitted.
T-55M - Sans loader's cupola; gun stabilizer; increased ammunition capacity;
580hp engine.
T-54K - Command Vehicle
T-54BK - Command Vehicle
T-54MK - Command Vehicle
T-54 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle utilizing T-54 chassis.
T-54 AVLB - Bridge Layer Variant utilizing T-54 chassis.
T-54 IMR - Combat Engineer Vehicle utilizing T-54 chassis.
Type 59 - Chinese Production Model Designation.
TI-67 - Israeli Conversion Model fitted with 105mm main gun; improved fire
control system.
T-54AD - Polish Designation of T-54AK Command Tank.

Specifications: T-54
Dimensions:
Length: 29.53ft (9.00m)
Width: 10.73ft (3.27m)
Height: 7.87ft (2.40m)
Performance:
Speed: 30mph (48km/h)
Range: 249miles (400km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 39.7 US Short Tons (36,000kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: Yes - for Commander, Driver and Gunner
Nightvision: None
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x V-12 diesel engine developing 520hp.

Armament & Ammunition:
1 x 100mm D-10 rifled main gun
1 x 12.7mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun
1 x 7.62mm SGMT coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun

Ammunition:
34 x 100mm projectiles
500 x 12.7mm ammunition
3,000 x 7.62mm ammunition