IT-1

The IT-1 was a Soviet cold war missile tank based around the hull of the T-62. The tank fired specially designed 3M7 Drakon missiles from a pop-up launcher. It saw very limited service between 1968 and 1970. The large deadzone around the tank created by the missiles' minimum range combined with the limited amount of ammunition carried made it unpopular with the military. Additionally the 520 kilograms of guidance equipment needed for the missile was impractical. Eventually they were converted into recovery vehicles. A turbine powered version was also developed named the IT-1T.

Development

Tests were conducted in April 1964 using two prototype IT-1 tanks. During 1964 there were 94 test firings. Prior to the end of 1964 they produced 94 controlled launchings of "Drakon". And in 1968 the vehicle was put into limited production which continued until 1970.

Description

The IT-1 has a crew of three, a driver, gunner and commander. It was armed with a pop-up missile launcher fitted into a low profile turret along with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Twelve 3M7 Drakon missiles were stored in an automatic loader, a further 3 were stored in an unarmoured box on the back of the turret.

The missile was radio command guided, using any one of seven frequencies and two codes. This prevented vehicles within a single unit interfering with each others operation.

The missile was launched slightly upward, and at an angle to offset any wind drift during the first second of unguided flight. A tracer on the rear of the missile allowed the guidance system to track the missile and transmit radio commands to the missile. The commands were decoded by the missile and translated into deflection of the missiles fins.

Night vision equipment allowed limited night operation, however the missiles range is substantially reduced.

pecifications (3M7 Drakon missile)

* Guidance: Radio SACLOS.
* Weight: 54 kg
* Warhead: 5.8 kg
* Diameter: 180 mm
* Wing span: 860mm
* Length: 1240mm
* Range:
** 300 m to 3300 m (day)
** 400 m to 600 m (night)
* Speed: 217 m/s
* Penetration: 250 mm versus RHA at 60 degrees

ee also

* Taifun, a prototype Russian missile tank system developed during the same period.

External links

* [http://armor.yurteh.net/Tanks/Modern/roket/roket1.html Article about rocket tanks] ru icon
* [http://www.russarms.com/land/msv/T-62/tech-tank-t-62-a.asp Article about the T-62] ru icon