Obiekt 770

In 1956, the GBTU (main armour directorate of the USSR) laid out the tactical and technical requirements for a new heavy tank. 3 projects would eventually emerge from this decree: the Object 277, 279 and 770. Object 277 and 279 were developed at OKBT (LKZ), the Leningrad Special-purpose Design Bureau (SKB), and Object 770 was developed at Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. Despite having much different designs, the 3 vehicles were to share the 130mm M-65. Object 277's development was headed by Josef Kotin, Object 279's by L.S. Troyanov and Object 770's by Pavel Isakov. == Development ==

Development began at Chelyabinsk in 1956, led by P. Isakov. From the get-go, the Object 770 was intended to be designed from scratch and implement numerous advanced technologies. Therefore, in 1957 a T-10M was sent to the plant to test various components. It was re-equipped with a V-12 engine boosted to 985 hp, as well as hydropneumatic suspension, hydromechanical transmission, control drives, final drives and tracks. One prototype was produced in 1959 and sent to testing along with the Object 277. It proved superior to the 277 in almost all aspects, but never entered field trials due to dangerous torsional vibrations in the engine. This delayed development, which was subsequently cancelled following Khruschev's orders. == Design ==

The Object 770 had a fully cast design, with a dome-shaped 3 man turret (and a driver in the hull). The 30.7 kg armour-piercing ammunition could be fired at 1050 m/s, and penetrate 280mm of vertical steel at 1000m. APDS ammunition (8.7 kg in weight) could be fired at 1800 m/s, and penetrate 350mm of vertical steel at 1000m. The tank was also very thickly armoured. The cast turret varied from 184mm to 260mm at angles from 30° to 50° from the vertical, translating to 263mm-300mm of effective armour. The upper hull varied from 85-138mm from 60 to 71° from the vertical, equalling 261-276mm of effective protection. == References ==