T-55/Type 59 (Iraqi-Modified)
Notes: Iraqi T-55s (and Type 59 and 69 tanks) are often found with additional armor on their hull front, hull sides, and all faces of the turret. This extra armor is not sophisticated; it is merely sheets of steel interspersed with thin sheets of rubber. It is, however, a good example of primitive "composite" armor. The Iraqi T-55s and Type 59s also have somewhat more advanced night vision equipment. On each side of the turret is a bank of four smoke dischargers.
A rather rare modification for these Iraqi tanks is the addition of a laser rangefinder. Most such vehicles are command vehicles or were issued to the Republican Guard.
There were two versions of the T-55 and Type 59 that had their main guns replaced with a 125mm gun. One such modification does not have extensive modifications to the turret beyond what is required to install the gun and its autoloader. It is equipped with better IR and smoke grenade dischargers, and a large stowage basket extends over the back and sides of the turret. It has a set of new side skirts.
The second such modification has the 125mm gun and autoloader. This version has an enlarged turret with a higher roof, allowing more ammunition storage. This modification retains stock night vision equipment. It has smoke dischargers, and a large stowage basket on the turret.
It is probable that most of these tanks were destroyed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Twilight 2000 Notes: In the Twilight 2000 timeline, these modifications became more and more common as the war went on.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Modification 1 |
$284,779 |
D, A |
400 kg |
39 tons |
4 |
22 |
Passive IR (G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Modification 2 |
$285,345 |
D, A |
400 kg |
39 tons |
4 |
22 |
Passive IR (G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Modification 3 |
$311,761 |
D, A |
400 kg |
39.1 tons |
3 |
22 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Modification 4 |
$332,604 |
D, A |
400 kg |
40.3 tons |
3 |
22 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor* |
Modifications 1 & 2 |
128/89 |
26/20 |
815+380 |
264 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF58Sp TS31Sp TR13 HF72Sp HS22Sp HR8 |
Modification 3 |
127/89 |
26/20 |
815+380 |
265 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF58Sp TS31Sp TR13 HF72Sp HS22Sp HR8 |
Modification 4 |
125/87 |
25/20 |
815+380 |
273 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF58Sp TS31Sp TR13 HF72Sp HS22Sp HR8 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Modification 1 |
+1 |
Basic |
100mm D-10T Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
34x100mm, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
Modification 2 |
+2 |
Basic |
100mm D-10T Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
34x100mm, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
Modification 3 |
+2 |
Basic |
125mm 2A46 Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
25x125mm, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
Modification 4 |
+2 |
Basic |
125mm 2A46 gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
34x125mm, 3000x7.62mm, 500x12.7mm |
*In addition to acting as standard spaced armor, the primitive composite armor reduces penetration by an additional 1 point per die of damage.