TISAS ? Soviet tanks

[Jolly Roger]

Gentlemen,

does anybody know, when TISAS ( Thermal Imaging Stand alone system ) was introduced as equipment of soviet / russian Main Battle Tanks ?? Seems like CAMO considers these systems available for soviet / russian tanks not earlier than 1992. Is that true ?

Thanks, Klaus

[low_bidder]

Not sure what you mean. IR searchlights were captured from the Nazi's in WW2 and IIRC they appeared on either the T-54 or 55 as factory standard. Are you asking about passive low light systems? They are not suitable for MBT's since firing the main gun washes them out. Are you asking about passive IR systems? BY stand alone in assume you are talking about systems not part of the targeting system or not part of the ballistic computer. Commander and driver systems? Thermal sights?
There is quite a difference in terminology between Soviet and NATO Forces. Soviet MBT's say their tanks are stabilized because stabilized means something different to the Soviets then in the West. To the Soviets, stabilized means the gun (tube & breach) maintains it's position relative to the tank while moving. In the WEST, the gun maintains it's position relative to the TARGET while moving. The difference is that the soviet system doesn't have the breach moving around inside the turret, injuring the crew. Most NATO MBT's have more room inside the turret so it isn't so much of a problem.
So what a soviet tanker would consider TISAS might not be what you consider TISAS
Here is an URL to a reasonably comprehensive site on Soviet MBT's;
http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_sys...s.htm#t-64
Some mention is made of sighting system but that is it.
Soviet designers never seemed to care about the ergonomics of an MBT. They wanted speed, firepower and armor. Maximizing crew effectiveness wasn't an issue with them. Western MBT"s defeated Soviet MBT"s more often then not because the crews were better. NOT better humans but better rested, better trained, better led. MBT's were about equal.
A slight advantage in one was balanced out by a slight dis-advantage.
You gain speed by reducing armor or increasing horsepower. Increasing horsepower decreases reliability.

The Indians claim the Soviets STILL don't make a passive thermal system worth having. Take this URL with a grain of salt;
http://trishulgroup.blogspot.com/2009/08...-fire.html

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks, very interesting comment.

Check this link:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/2568...ystem.html

It´s a commercial link, shows a TISAS system for upgrading Fire controls of T72, T 80 and T 90 series tanks, by Thermal sights.

Do you know when the Soviets introduced Thermal sights like TISAS as equipment of MBT´s ?

Cheers, Klaus

[Vesku]

I guess what you are after is T-80 UM and it really is early 90s.

[low_bidder]

It is the stand alone that confuses me. Stand alone where? DO they have thermal imagers that stand together? IN pairs? Maybe that ad should say 'single mount' or 'direct replacement'. It makes no sense to this American. Maybe one of the English guys will know. Or a Canadian.
What the former colonies speak really isn't English any more.
Nazi Germany invented IR gear back in WW2. The USA and the Soviets both got their hands on the research and developed it farther. Soviets, being a land power applied that development to Tanks. The USA being a naval power applied it to the sea and air. So the Soviets had a tank with a searchlight and the telescope to see what that light shined on. The US Navy developed the Sidewinder Air to Air missile from the designs they captured. Then spies from both side stole the data from the other side. Now everybody is happy, even the Germans.

[shortreengage]

Most of the thermal sights show up as upgrades for Export tanks. If your plan is to use dual spectrum smoke, you are not considering the mass use of expensive upgrades.