There are only two way of improving the quality of a country's armor development and consequently the vehicles in service. The first is to upgrade existing designs the way the Germans have been and still are doing with the Leopard 2. The second is to design something completely new – and that is the case with the Armata platform.

Immediately after its introduction to the public in 2015, the Armata Universal Combat Platform became one of the hottest topics for both professional analysts and military enthusiasts across the world.

After five decades of using the T-64 formula, three decades of research and development and two decades of military spending shortages, Russia finally lined up an entirely new family of vehicles with a conceptually superior vehicle at its heart. The unified Armata platform consists of the T-14 MBT, heavy IFV (T-15) and artillery (Koalitsiya-SV) vehicles, the T-16 ARV as well as plans for a mortar carrier, but it is the MBT variant that draws most attention.

The main feature that makes the T-14 Armata (also known as Object 148) so different from everything else is its unmanned turret – the crew sits in an extremely well-protected hull and uses remote controls to aim and fire the powerful 125mm gun. While tanks with unmanned turrets are not a new concept, the Armata is one of the first MBTs to bring this feature past the prototype stage. This approach has multiple advantages:

More effective weight to actual crew protection ratio: the vehicle can be lighter than a manned-turret vehicle while offering the same or better protection to its crew

More effective weight to internal space ratio: the vehicle can carry large modules such as automatic loaders and high caliber guns without its designers having to completely reconfigure the internal space

Targets can be engaged from hull-down position without endangering the crew

One of the most important features, however, is that this approach allows the designers to bypass the weight problem of western MBTs. Attempts to upgrade the protection levels of aging western designs, such as the Leopard 2 or the Challenger 2, result in excessive weight increases. The Challenger 2 with Theater Entry Standard kit installed weighs nearly 75 tons compared to Armata's estimated 50 tons, making the Challenger 2 the heaviest tank to see active service (with the Maus being an arguable exception).

This difference does not mean that Armata's protection levels are lacking. Russian sources say the hull with the three-man crew is capable of withstanding hits from all contemporary western guided missiles (of up to and including 150mm caliber) and shells (of up to and including 120mm caliber). Its composite armor layout is enhanced by the Malakhit ERA kit. The vehicle is also equipped with the new Afganit APS, allegedly capable of intercepting both kinetic and chemical rounds.

The T-14 is armed with the 125mm 2A82-1M gun installed in the unmanned turret with an estimated rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute. The gun is aimed by an advanced Fire Control System. It is fully stabilized and its Vakuum-1 APFSDS round is said to be able to penetrate any contemporary Main Battle Tank. The gun can also fire guided missile rounds.

According to some sources, a variant with a 152mm gun (based on the 2A83 gun developed for Object 195) is not only in development, but also in limited production since February 2016.

Like the T-15, the T-14 MBT version of the Armata platform is powered by a 1200 to 1500 horsepower 12-cylinder diesel engine and Russian sources claim it is able to reach a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour.

The initial production run of 100 vehicles was already contracted by the Russian military. Russia is also planning to produce several thousands of Armata platform vehicles by 2020-2025, including around 2300 T-14 Main Battle Tanks. The plan is for the Armata to eventually replace the entire range of older Russian MBTs, such as the T-72, T-80 and T-90.

In Armored Warfare

In Armored Warfare, the T-14 Armata is a Tier 10 Main Battle Tank. The Armata is not as well armored as other Tier 10 MBTs, such as the Challenger 2 ATDU. Instead, its offense-oriented characteristics allow it to dish out extreme amounts of damage over short periods of time. Players can choose from two main weapons:

125mm 2A82-1M with higher damage per minute value, better accuracy and aiming time

152mm 2A83 with higher damage per shot and penetration values

In addition to its excellent firepower, the Armata is quite mobile for its weight with the highest top speed of all the Tier 10 MBTs and second highest 0 to 32 km/h acceleration after the Leopard 2A7-140.

The Armata is a brawler vehicle. Its mobility and firepower are best used when attacking the enemy at short to medium ranges and although its armor cannot withstand the same amount of punishment as the other Tier 10s, the Armata can overwhelm the enemy with sheer amounts of damage dealt and is suitable for aggressive, fearless players.

Characteristics

Tier: 10

10 Class: Main Battle Tank

Main Battle Tank Hitpoints: 3100

3100 Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver

Commander, Gunner, Driver Base Camouflage: 0.15

0.15 Viewrange: 360 meters

Armor (Hull)

Hull Armor Type: Composite Armor

Composite Armor Hull Armor Modifiers: 1.7 vs. AP, 2.8 vs. HEAT, 1.7 vs. HE

1.7 vs. AP, 2.8 vs. HEAT, 1.7 vs. HE Hull Armor Thickness vs. AP: 714/340/145

714/340/145 Hull Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 1176/560/238

Armor (Turret)

Turret Armor Type: Composite Armor

Composite Armor Turret Armor Modifiers: 1.85 vs. AP, 3.0 vs. HEAT, 1.85 vs. HE

1.85 vs. AP, 3.0 vs. HEAT, 1.85 vs. HE Turret Armor Thickness vs. AP: 1258/740/185

1258/740/185 Turret Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 2040/1200/300

Firepower

Main Gun (Stock): 125mm 2A82-1M

Loading: Automatic Loader

Automatic Loader Caliber: 125mm

125mm Reload Time: 7.5 seconds (10 seconds for ATGM rounds)

7.5 seconds (10 seconds for ATGM rounds) Aim Time: 3.6 seconds

3.6 seconds Accuracy: 0.13

0.13 Gun Depression: +14/-7 (frontal), -3.5 (rear)

+14/-7 (frontal), -3.5 (rear) Turret Traverse: 41.31 deg/s

Ammunition for 125mm 2A82-1M Armor Piercing (Kinetic) Name: 3VBM22 Category: AP (Stock)

AP (Stock) Penetration: 688

688 Damage: 735

735 Damage per Minute: 5880

5880 Velocity: 1200 m/s Name: 3VBM23 Category: AP (Upgrade 1)

AP (Upgrade 1) Penetration: 722

722 Damage: 752

752 Damage per Minute: 6016

6016 Velocity: 1200 m/s Name: Vacuum-1 Category: AP (Upgrade 2)

AP (Upgrade 2) Penetration: 739

739 Damage: 770

770 Damage per Minute: 6160

6160 Velocity: 1200 m/s Name: Vacuum-2 Category: AP (Upgrade 3)

AP (Upgrade 3) Penetration: 773

773 Damage: 805

805 Damage per Minute: 6440

6440 Velocity: 1200 m/s Shaped Charge (HEAT) Name: 3VBK27 Category: HEAT (Stock)

HEAT (Stock) Penetration: 605

605 Damage: 912

912 Damage per Minute: 7296

7296 Velocity: 750 m/s High Explosive Name: 3VOF36 Category: HE (Stock)

HE (Stock) Penetration: 52

52 Damage (Penetrating): 744-909

744-909 Damage (Non-Penetrating): 124-606

124-606 Area of Effect: 0.6 meters

0.6 meters Velocity: 500 m/s Name: Telnik Category: HE (Upgrade 1)

HE (Upgrade 1) Penetration: 52

52 Damage (Penetrating): 782-955

782-955 Damage (Non-Penetrating): 130-637

130-637 Area of Effect: 0.6 meters

0.6 meters Velocity: 500 m/s Guided Missile Name: 9M119M Category: HEAT Tandem (Stock)

HEAT Tandem (Stock) Penetration: 1339

1339 Damage: 975

975 Velocity: 200 m/s Name: 9M119F Category: HE Thermobaric (Upgrade 1)

HE Thermobaric (Upgrade 1) Penetration: 120

120 Damage (Penetrating): 829-1013

829-1013 Damage (Non-Penetrating): 138-675

138-675 Area of Effect: 2 meters

2 meters Velocity: 200 m/s Name: 3UBK21 Category: HEAT (Upgrade 2)

HEAT (Upgrade 2) Penetration: 1363

1363 Damage: 1003

1003 Velocity: 200 m/s

Main Gun (Upgraded): 152mm 2A83

Loading: Automatic Loader

Automatic Loader Caliber: 152mm

152mm Reload Time: 9.2 seconds (10.53 seconds for ATGM rounds)

9.2 seconds (10.53 seconds for ATGM rounds) Aim Time: 3.6 seconds

3.6 seconds Accuracy: 0.14

0.14 Gun Depression: +14/-7 (frontal), -3.5 (rear)

+14/-7 (frontal), -3.5 (rear) Turret Traverse: 41.31 deg/s

Ammunition for 152mm 2A83 Armor Piercing (Kinetic) Name: Grifel-1 Category: AP (Stock)

AP (Stock) Penetration: 795

795 Damage: 854

854 Damage per Minute: 5569

5569 Velocity: 1200 m/s Name: Grifel-2 Category: AP (Upgrade 1)

AP (Upgrade 1) Penetration: 835

835 Damage: 949

949 Damage per Minute: 6189

6189 Velocity: 1200 m/s High Explosive Name: Grifel-3 Category: HE (Stock)

HE (Stock) Penetration: 58

58 Damage (Penetrating): 915-1119

915-1119 Damage (Non-Penetrating): 153-746

153-746 Area of Effect: 0.6 meters

0.6 meters Velocity: 500 m/s Guided Missile Name: Experimental Kornet Category: HEAT Tandem (Upgrade)

HEAT Tandem (Upgrade) Penetration: 1363

1363 Damage: 1073

1073 Velocity: 200 m/s Name: Experimental Thermobaric Category: HE Thermobaric (Upgrade)

HE Thermobaric (Upgrade) Penetration: 126

126 Damage (Penetrating): 884-1081

884-1081 Damage (Non-Penetrating): 147-721

147-721 Area of Effect: 2 meters

2 meters Velocity: 200 m/s

Mobility

Engine: A-85-3A

Acceleration to 32 km/h: 6.4 seconds

6.4 seconds Maximum Speed: 84.6 km/h

Mobility Upgrades:

Improved Suspension (improves handling on rough terrain by 10%)

Improved Torsion Bars (enhances the durability of suspension systems by 40%)

Technology

Stock Technology:

T-14 Armata Tech.

Afghanit APS

Technology Upgrades:

Smoke Grenades (allows the vehicle to use one smoke grenade discharge)

Improved FCS (reduces aim time by 20%)

Improved Fire Suppression (reduces engine fire duration by 25%, improves crew resilience by 5%)

Enhanced Cooling System (reduces the effectiveness of Thermal Sights by 30%, increases the vehicle's camouflage factor by 5%)

Retrofits

Universal Retrofit Slot

Mobility Retrofit Slot

Firepower Retrofit Slot

Armor Retrofit Slot

Proven Upgrades