T-55AM-1

This page is about the Soviet medium tank T-55AM-1. For other versions, see T-54/55 (Family).

T-55AM-1

T-55AM-1

USSR

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.7	8.7	8.7

Class:

PREMIUM

Medium tank

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The T-55AM was a project initiated by the Soviet Army in the 1970s to modernize the T-55A tank and keep it relevant on the battlefield. The T-55, which had been in service since the 1950s, was no longer capable of keeping up with changing technologies and modern tanks. The T-55AM project aimed to extend the service life of the T-55 and improve its combat capabilities. The modernization included a number of upgrades, such as the addition of passive applique armor, the Volna fire control upgrade, the optional fitting of the new Bastion guided projectile, automotive upgrades, and many small improvements. The upgraded T-55s and T-55As were given the designations T-55M and T-55AM, respectively. The suffix "-1" in the T-55AM-1's designation indicates that it was equipped with the newer and more powerful V-46-5M engine, which was based on the engine used in the T-72.

The T-55AM-1 was introduced as a premium pack in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries". With a combination of strong armor, firepower, mobility, and various styles of gameplay, it is one of the best all-around tanks at its battle rating. It is a very satisfactory upgrade over the T-55A model, providing improved performance in all aspects of combat.

General info

Survivability and armour

Composite armour

Balanced protection against all types of ammunition

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull100 / 80 / 45

Turret200 / 160 / 66

Crew4 people

Visibility83 %

The T-55, which this tank was based upon, used exclusively rolled homogeneous armour, which proved to be useless against advanced chemical warheads. The Soviet Union, in an attempt to modernize and extend the service life of the T-55, conceived the AM-1 upgrade kit for the tank. The upgrade kit consists bolted-on blocks of metal-polymer plates, which are essentially plates of metal sandwiching polymer fillings. This solution was cheap and easy to implement, though its effectiveness was debatable. Compared to the original T-55A, the armour protection was greatly improved, but still prove to be insufficient against certain weapons.

The turret cheeks are fitted with the add-on metal-polymer blocks, which grants immunity to every HEAT warhead in-game except the HOT missiles. The Leopard's 120 mm HEATFS occasionally penetrates the cheeks, and in that case, very minimal damage is caused. The turret armour against APDS is highly effective, given that the projectile impacts the add-on armour. However, the armour is mostly useless against APFSDS, and in case of penetration, will cause extensive damage. The add-on armour on the upper front plate is somewhat effective as it can nullify HEAT warheads with less than 450 mm penetration. Most APFSDS will seamlessly penetrate the hull. Most APDS will bounce.

Do note that the gun breech area is very poorly protected by some 200 mm of cast homogeneous armour, making its protection useless against everything. So do try to angle your turret by facing your cheeks. When doing so, use the right side of your turret to "catch" rounds, as even if it penetrates, only your loader will be knocked out, so no big deal.

Also note that the add-on armour block can be blown off your tank. For example, HOT missiles will have very high chance of taking off armour, and direct hit from artillery shell (assuming it hits the armour and doesn't destroy you) will take off the armour.

In regards to ammo storage, your ready rack is stored within your fuel tank. This wet ammo storage will prevent ammo detonation from HEAT, but a well placed APFSDS will nonetheless cause ammo cook-off.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	100* mm (59°) Front glacis 100 mm (56°) Lower glacis	80 mm	45 mm (16°) Upper 20 mm (71°) Lower	30 mm 20 mm Hatches 45 mm Engine grille
Turret	130-200* mm (0-75°)	90-160 mm (9-62°)	66 mm (4-41°)	30 mm
Cupola	100 mm (conical) Base 30 mm (spherical) Hatch			100 mm (conical) Base 30 mm (spherical) Hatch

Notes:

• Suspensions wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick
• Front belly armour is 20 + 20 mm thick, with the rest of the belly armour being just 20 mm thick.
• * - Composite armour present

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB56 / 9 km/h

RB and SB51 / 8 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

1 back

Weight41.5 t

Engine power

AB1 316 hp

RB and SB690 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB31.7 hp/t

RB and SB16.6 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	56	9	41.5	1,069	1,316	25.76	31.71
Realistic	51	8		610	690	14.7	16.63

The mobility is only bested by the XM-1. It will out-run most, if not all, its friendlies and adversaries. Its pivoting capabilities are comparable to the very capable neutral steering system on the Leopard L/44. The tank will reach around 30-40 km/h off-road, and -10 km/h in reverse. The so-called "stabilized" gun is only operable reliably under 35 km/h.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB3 039

RB3 312

SB4 358

Crew training10 000

Experts730 000

Aces2 000

Research Aces1 780 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 140 / 200 / 240 %

2 × 214 / 214 / 214 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Suspension Brake System Filters Transmission Engine	Improved Parts Improved FPE Crew Replenishment ESS	Horizontal Drive 100mm_BR412D_ammo_pack 100mm_3BK25_ammo_pack Adjustment of Fire Laser rangefinder 100mm_3BK17M_ammo_pack Elevation Mechanism Smoke grenade 100mm_ussr_Smoke_ammo_pack 100mm_ussr_ATGM_ammo_pack Artillery Support

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

100 mm D-10T2S cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition42 rounds

First-order18 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

9.7 → 7.5 s

Vertical guidance-5° / 16°

The 100 mm rifled gun seems like an oddity at this BR, not in its calibre or whatnot, but its unparalleled versatility. The gun can fire APDS, APFSDS, HEATFS, HE, APCBC, ATGM and smoke. In fact, it can fire every type of munition available in-game with the exception of HESH. Though very versatile, it is quite useless as the APDS, APFSDS and HEATFS are terribly under-performing compared to its adversaries. The few offensive munitions worth carrying are the APFSDS, APCBC and ATGM. The APCBC is extremely capable: it will destroy most enemy vehicles it faces with one shot, given proper shot placement and successful penetration. At this rank, most your opponents are poorly armoured, like the Leopard 1, MBT/KPz-70 and XM-1, so the 200 mm penetration on the APCBC will penetrate and will result in the instant destruction of your enemies.

100 mm D-10T2S					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	42	-5°/+16°	±180°	Two-plane	14.3	19.8	24.0	26.5	28.2	9.75	8.63	7.95	7.50
Realistic					8.9	10.5	12.8	14.1	15.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
3BM-8	APDS	336	332	317	299	282	265
BR-412D	APCBC	239	236	220	202	185	170
3BM25	APFSDS	335	330	307	290	275	260
3BK17M	HEATFS	390	390	390	390	390	390
OF-412	HE	27	27	26	24	23	21
9M117	ATGM	600	600	600	600	600	600

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
3BM-8	APDS	1,415	4.13	-	-	-	75°	78°	80°
BR-412D	APCBC	887	15.88	1.2	19	100.1	48°	63°	71°
3BM25	APFSDS	1,430	3.4	-	-	-	76°	77°	80°
3BK17M	HEATFS	1,085	9.96	0.05	0.1	1,170	65°	72°	77°
OF-412	HE	900	15.6	0.2	0.1	1,460	79°	80°	81°

Missile details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Range (m)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
								0%	50%	100%
9M117	ATGM	370	4,000	18.8	0.05	0.1	4,770	80°	82°	90°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
3D3	880	15.6	16	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T-55AM-1

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
42	41 (+1)	37 (+5)	33 (+9)	21 (+21)	19 (+23)	1 (+41)	No

Notes:

• Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• If you pack 19 (+24) shells, it will fill only the frontal wet stowage ready rack.
• Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 18 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
  • This rack is also emptied early: the depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

12.7 mm DShK machine gun

Ammunition300 rounds

Belt capacity50 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate600 shots/min

Vertical guidance-10° / 60°

7.62 mm PKT machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition3 000 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate700 shots/min

12.7 mm DShK
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	300 (50)	600	-10°/+60°	±180°

7.62 mm PKT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	3,000 (250)	700	-	-

Usage in battles

The T-55AM-1 is a tank that T-55A users are familiar with, but now with extra features such as:

• The ammo option of a gun-launched 9M117 missile
• Composite armour added to the front of the hull and turret
• More powerful engine
• Smoke grenades availability

Aside from these differences, the usage of the T-55AM-1 will be quite similar to any T-54/55 tank models in the Soviet tech tree.

Offensive

Using the T-55AM-1 in the offensive role is ideal given the technical characteristics of the tank. The relatively low profile construction of the tank, plus the added composite armour at the front, can make the T-55AM-1 more likely to survive a contested battlefield. The stabilised 100 mm gun also gives a nice, steady field of view at selected enemy target to engage while moving. However, one should take care not to be hit as despite the composite armour additions to the tank, they only have significant effect against chemical rounds (with an effective protection of around 450 mm), and its effect on kinetic rounds is negligible enough that even APDS rounds on certain tanks can pierce the hull at closer ranges.

When moving towards the enemy, try to utilise the terrain for cover to protect the vulnerable parts of the hull. Only the front have the added composite armour so make sure these are presented so to maximize survival should the T-55AM-1 be hit. Avoid traveling over hills when moving, as the -5 degree gun depression restricts the T-55AM-1's firing arc. Focus on going around obstacles in a manner that the gun can be brought to bear while eliminating any possible exposure of the side armour. The gun should always be pointed where the enemy is expected to be coming, as the traverse speed is slow and can be detrimental when reacting to a surprise encounter.

For the attack, the T-55AM-1 should try not to be in the lead due to the spotty armour design, but it should follow a squad where a lead tank attracts the enemy gun fire, and the T-55AM-1 supports the lead tank by firing at its opposition while repositioning to a good firing angle. The higher mobility of the T-55AM-1 also means the tank could also attempt a wide flanking manoeuvre around the battlefield and hit the enemy's sides.

Defence

Defence can be done with the T-55AM-1, though the options are limited as it is difficult to take up ideal hull-down positions due to both the -5 degree gun depression and weaker turret armour even with the composite (although the gun mantlet may cause incoming shells to ricochet at the cost of the gun modules). The ideal way to use the T-55AM-1 in the defensive is to hide behind larger covers such as buildings and wait for the enemy to attempt to cross into the 100 mm gun's path. The variety of ammunition available allows the T-55AM-1 to deal with a variety of enemy threats, such as an APCBC round to penetrate and explode behind delicate side armour, and the 9M117 missile for longer-ranged targets.

No matter the case, the most important aspect to consider when choosing a cover position to fire from is how fast the T-55AM-1 can acquire and fire at targets, as the turret's slow traverse rate and the gun's rather slow reload rate can mean a significant amount of down time if shot is missed and the enemy continues speeding down the firing line. Also be wary of enemies that are aware of the T-55AM-1's position and attempt to root it out via flanking or aerial attacks, so keep an exit strategy to quickly egress from the area.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Access to APFSDS ammunition and ATGM
• One of the few top rank tanks with APCBC, great for single-shot knock-outs
• Favourable matchmaking that won't face top rank tanks
• Respectable mobility
• Laser rangefinder enables long range targeting
• Decent armour, especially vs chemical munitions
• Roof-mounted DShK 12.7 mm MG is great for taking out low flying helicopters
• Wet ammo storage in the front fuel tank may prevent ammo detonation
• Adequate back-up for a top-rank Soviet line-up, as it can even take out an Abrams in a single blow with an APCBC shell, given proper shot placement

Cons:

• Armour is completely ineffective against APFSDS and 120 mm APDS
• Below average reload time, many enemies will have a faster reload
• Poor reverse speed that won't help get out of dangerous situations
• The Rheinmetall 120 mm HEATFS and most high-penetration ATGMs will go clean through its armour
• Ammo stored all around the hull, a penetration will most likely result in an ammo detonation
• Rather weak APFSDS
• Doesn't have access to thermal optics

History

The T-54/55 went on a modernization program in the late 70s and mid 80s, featuring mainly an increase in combat capacity to fight against more modern tanks, and newer, more powerful ammunition. This resulted in the T-55AM, with major upgrades in all departments, mainly firepower and protection.

Firepower

The T-55AM features the "Volna" Fire Control System, an upgrade to the Gunner Main Purpose Sight, ballistics computer, horizontal and vertical guidance mechanisms. The first modification made to the T-55AM regarding "Volna" was the addition of the TShSM-32PV GPS. The main difference of the TShSM-32PV with the TSh2B-32P (past sight of the T-55A) is its targeting capabilities. The T-55AM had the 1K13-2 sight, meaning it got missile firing capabilities. This sight was mounted on top of the main gun just above the first portion of the barrel, close to the turret mantlet. Inside, the 1K13-2 was mounted right next to the GPS. This also replaced the TPN-1-22-11 night vision GPS, the sight that was used in previous T-54 and 55 models, more specifically T-54B and T-55A. 1K13-2 was a slightly improvement over the TPN-1-22-11 sight as it had greater zooming in day and night mode and enhanced image quality on night mode but since it was not part of the "Volna" FCS, its capabilities were somewhat limited.

The T-55AM also got an improvement ballistics-wise, featuring a 100 mm D-10T2 rifled gun with thermal sleeve and bore extractor, the first cannon of this calibre with this technology fielded in Soviet service.

Ammunition

The T-55AM kept the same firing capabilities of the ammunition fired by previous models, including HE, APCBC, APCR, APDS, HEATFS, shrapnel and a new steel core APFSDS-T. Steel core was the most rudimentary and unused core in dart ammunition, primarily due to the fact that it had less density, brittleness and hardness numbers were lower than tungsten carbide. This round is the 3UBM7 round which contained the 3BM19 dart. It is unclear as to why full steel alternatives were made at the time (T-62 also had steel core darts) despite the existence of fielded tungsten carbide core darts like the 3BM20. Strangely enough, the 3BM19 was not tagged as a practice round but a combat round. 3BM19 and 20 shared the same case, propellant, fins, cap, tracer and sabot but different core, for this reason, despite both travelling at the same speed, the penetration capabilities were different as the densities of tungsten and steel are significantly different.

Protection

The T-55AM kept the same turret and hull design with its complex range of sloping angles that ensured that the height of the turret had an equal thickness in steel. The cause of this was to withstand full calibre rounds such as APCBC and APCR. The T-55AM features the BDD "Metal-Polymer Armour" (no official name was given). It had what is known as "Brows" (like eye brows) which covered the whole 140° frontal arc of turret and glacis and covered the turret critical components at 30° in a side angle, still less protected. The block had a thickness of 500 mm when measured from center (the thickest part of the block including the air gap). The armour package starts with a relatively thin armour layer at the bottom and gradually grows as it progresses upwards, this was to compensate the turret's round shape. At the bottom of the armour block is where the cast turret armour is the thickest but the block is the thinest and gradually increases and decreases in an equal ratio towards the top. The block itself was 280 mm thick with two different obliquities: at the top half, the armour is angled in a 30°. The bottom half is angled at 15°. This package is also seen in the T-62M although the geometry is different as turret shape varies as well as the air gap between the block and the turret. This air layer is a critical component when facing KE (kinetic energy penetrators, mainly subcalibre rounds like APFSDS) and CE (chemical energy penetrators also known as super plastic jets seen in HEAT warheads). When facing KE, this air layer helps fracture the rod. Due to the stress made on the rod while penetrating the BDD block, the rod acquires a "mushroom" tip shape since it erodes the armour (this does not happen with depleted uranium cores, only with steel and tungsten carbide cores). The rod expands and loses firmness, wobbling inside the armour. When it meets the air layer, it shatters and deforms (often acquiring a 'J' shape) reducing the penetration which will then be stopped by the inner cast armour of the turret. When facing CE, the air layer disrupts with the remaining jet which penetrated the block by making it expand and scatter as well as losing velocity, reducing the overall effectiveness of the jet which can then be stopped by the cast turret.

The hull was also improved with the same type of armour added on top of the standard T-55 frontal plate. It added a 150 mm add-on BDD plate angled at 60° following the same hull armour obliquity. Due to the increased weight, the T-55AM got multiple upgrades regarding suspension, more in concrete tracks and engine. The OMSh tracks were replaced by the RMSh tracks, shown in the first models of the T-55A which had an internat rubber plate sandwiched between steel plates to increase durability. This made the tracks capable of withstanding more weight and roughness in terrain without losing traction, sinking or flipping. It kept the same dimension of the past OMSh tracks. It also carried a 420 hp V-55U engine.

T-55AM-1

The suffix "-1" was added to later models which featured the 691 hp V-46-5M engine, a derivation of the T-72's 780 hp V-46-6 engine.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the T-55AM-1 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

T-54/T-55 family discusses the T-55AM-1 at 5:06 - War Thunder Official Channel

Should You Buy The T-55AM-1? - Sako Sniper

Premium Vehicles: T-55AM-1 - War Thunder Wiki

T-55AM-1 - Tank Review - Napalmratte

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• T-62 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.